412 To Teach English in Vietnam

The 2007-2008 412 Commission

The 412 Commission will be leaving the US and flying into Saigon, Vietnam, on January 18. While there, the students will visit a Vietnamese English teaching college to build relationships with students while teaching them English. Toward the end of ther time, they'll take an overnight train to the Vietnam coast for debriefing. The return trip is scheduled for January 30.

February 20-March 5, 2008, the group will be in Israel, where Randy Smith will lead the trip.

Columbus and Dayton, Ohio, We Need Your Help!

Because of the anticipated outreach events that are taking place at Momentum East 2008 in Cedarville, Ohio, July 21-27, we want our students to experience an effective local church outreach event focused on reaching the needs of people. In a partnership with Convoy of Hope, two outreach events are planned for Saturday, July 26, in both Dayton and Columbus. Read more...

Ed Has Great Time in McAllen, Texas. Looking Forward to E-Town, Pennsylvania.

Ed Lewis spoke at the McAllen Grace Brethren Church in McAllen, Texas, on December 23, and reported that he enjoyed the time with the people there.

Ed is also looking forward to a speaking at the Grace Brethren Church in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, on January 20. He'll be encouraging the church's CE Commission, then speaking in the evening service.

TNI Module in Norton, Ohio

The National Institute's module class, Strategizing for Church and Campus Youth Ministry, is taking place in Norton, Ohio, this week through next Monday. When the group arrived yesterday, Valerie Huber, Executive Director of the National Abstinence Education Association, spoke to the group about using abstinence programs as a strategy to reach community youth.

Kurt Johnston, Junior High Youth Pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California, speaks today. Kurt will be sharing about junior high ministry from his vast experience. Tonight the group will visit New Perspectives, the college-age ministry of Grace Church, Norton, Ohio. Then tomorrow the principal of Norton High School, Ron Gerstenmaier, will talk with students about how youth pastors can assist the school system.

On Saturday the group will go to the North Campus of Grace Church to hear Christy Kear, Children's Director at North Campus, and Tony Lavigni, Grace Church's collegiate pastor.

The class will attend the worship service at Grace Church, North Campus on Sunday morning followed by class time with Ezra Wimberly and Dave Lawson. Ezra is the Worship Pastor at Grace Church and Dave leads the sports ministries there. Christy Kear will also speak again on Bible Quizzing and Nurturing Abilities for Christ. On Sunday night the group will attend 707 in Northeast Ohio. This new Sunday night church service targets 20-30 somethings in an engaging and relevant way. On Monday, Josh Kuck from Fremont GBC will speak on planning retreats and camps.

Throughout the week, the students will be taking classes and doing coursework and will return to Winona Lake, Indiana on Monday.

2nd Annual Bible Quiz Invitational Date Set

With the success of the Bible Quiz Invitational last November, plans are already underway for 2008. The dates have been set for November 21-23. Like last year, the event will be held at CE National's Russell Center. Quiz teams from all churches are invited to attend.

More details will follow in the new year.

Florida Day Aways Start This Monday and Tuesday

Two Florida Day Away, North of 55 events will be held next week, one on Monday, January 7, at the Gulfview Grace Brethren Church in Port Richey, Florida, and the other Tuesday, January 8, at the Grace Brethren Church in Sebring, Florida.

Join Ed Lewis, from CE National, who will emcee the two events, which will include times of informal sharing, singing, challenges, and testimonies. Ed will share how to build relationships with others and serve them. Attendees will have the opportunity to put this into practice by visiting nursing home residents, reading to pre-school children, and sharing a personal testimony on audio tape for family members. This fun and practical "hands-on" Day Away offers new options and opportunities for participants to impact others.

Registration for both events will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the program lasting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., after lunch at a local restaurant. Your only cost will be your lunch (under $10 per person). It is requested that you pre-register at least one week in advance by contacting Lois at cenational@cenational.org or calling 574.267.6622. Be sure to mention which event you will attend.

Snow Blankets Winona Lake

A sudden storm dropped wet, heavy snow in the Winona Lake area on New Years Day, blanketing the trees on the CE National campus.

Read the Bible Through in a Year

Dr. Homer Kent

Dr. Homer A. Kent, former president of Grace Schools, is on his 67th time reading the Bible through in a year. The plan Dr. Kent follows now is a simple one; he reads 3 chapters a day, then 5 chapters a day when he comes to Psalms. Dr. Kent will use different versions some years and read the books in different orders for variety. But the result is the same, with the entire Word of God being read through in a year.

If you have read the Bible through at least five times, would you let us know? CE National would like to create an honor roll to encourage you and others to make the Scriptures vital in our lives. Send your name, the number of times you've read the Bible through, and the plan you use to cenewsonline@cenational.org.

Dates For Your Calendar

January 7 - Day Away, Port Richey, Florida
January 8 - Day Away, Sebring, Florida
April 11 - Day Away, Wooster, Ohio
April 25 - Day Away, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
May 1 - Day Away, Mid-Atlantic
June 23-28 - Momentum West (La Mirada, California)
July 21-27 - Momentum East (Cedarville, Ohio)
First 2 weeks in July - Urban Training Experience Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Join the Team at Urban Hope

We are praying for 20 people to join the staff of the Urban Hope Training Center to serve as self-supported (tentmakers) team members in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's inner city. Each person should have a heart for God, people, and reaching urban families (especially through the young). Staff members who are chosen will commit to two/three years of living in the city, find employment, and use several evenings/weekends to "pastor/shepherd" a group. New team members will join existing members for prayer, training, encouragement and accountability. Low-rent housing is available from Urban Hope.

The Urban Training Experience Program (UTE) the first two weeks of July, is a great introduction to Urban Hope for any who are interested. Contact Brent Saba at brent@urbanhope.net to find out more.

Taking the Torch: A Youth Group Study for the Olympic Year

This study will draw a parallel between the Olympic torch and our spiritual life, urging students to "take the torch" in representing Christ at school. The theme of the meeting is the process involved in carrying the Olympic flame to the games. Get the study.

This is just one of the many studies and helps available at the CE National Resource Center.

Perspectives on Contemporary Issues on Sale

Perspectives on Contemporary Issues is designed to offer guidance in finding answers to some of today's complex questions. Topics include The Work of the Holy Spirit, Roles of Men and Women, Christian Parenting and Dedication, Sanctity of Human Life, Cults and Secret Societies, and more. Perspectives is an easy-to-read, 65-page pamphlet. Regularly $3.99, it is now on sale for $1.49.

Go to the CE National Store or contact Peggy at resources@cenational.org to find out more.

National Youth Ministries Conference Comes to CE National

Main Speakers

CE National is excited to use the Russell Center and other facilities to host up to 200 people attending the National Youth Ministries Conference, January 14-17, sponsored by Vision For Youth. Last year at Momentum 2007, our good friends Mel Walker, Tim Ahlgrim, and Cheryl Fawcett, from Vision For Youth, played a key part in the Youth Worker Track. Read more...