February
Here's a Neat Idea
What a great way to help fulfill Psalm 78
O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth;
And I still declare Thy wondrous deeds.
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me.
Until I declare Thy strength to this generation,
Thy power to all who are to come.
Now THAT is LIVING IT OUT to the fullest extent!
Interested in helping teens get to BNYC? Give a financial gift to the BNYC Scholarhsip fund and your dollars will help teens who need additional money atttend BNYC! Go to our Donation Page to find out more.
National Church Awards
The forms are now available in the Recognitions Section of the CE National website.
CE National book helps in Louisiana
Just a little report from our trip to Lousiana this past week. God continues to be faithful and overwhelming with His grace on His people. We spent most of our time again helping with clean-up and rebuild efforts around the First Baptist Church of Slidell, Lousiana.
On Sunday half of our group went out into the neighborhood to do a "Mud-Out" on a home (help gut a house) while the rest of us joined up with the churches prison ministry and we traveled about three hours to the Maximum Security Men's State Prison in Lousiana, were we got to minister along side First Baptist Church of Slidell.
Pastor Wayne brought the message and two inmates were saved and two more made commitments to the Lord on personal issues. Ruben, a new believer from Norwalk Grace Brethren Church, came with us and he presented his salvation testimony to the guys (WOW was it amazing) and Janine sang a song for the inmates. GOd moved in a mighty way that night, what a blessing to us from Norwalk to be a part of something so GREAT!
We were able to leave with FBC of Slidell the "Time and Time Again Book" which we had brought with us from you guys at CE National. Know that God continues to do great things in churches all across the world.
BNYC Registration Now Open
The 412 Commission Goes to Israel
SmackDown Weekend at Urban Hope
The teens, who regularly come to ROCK at Urban Hope, were encouraged to bring friends to this event where they would have a ton of fun and hear about Christ. Teams competed in games including Russian Food Fear Factor and our version of "Who's Line is it Anyway?" and "Extreme Makeover". They participated in a photo scavenger hunt and "Amazing Race" to find clues using the subway to travel around Philadelphia. In the end the Baby Blue Team triumphed with a last minute victory!
Pray for the seeds that were planted in the hearts of youth during this event.
April Day Aways Scheduled
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Day Away--Mid-Atlantic
Rhodes Grove Campground near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Dr. C. Sumner Wemp will be the main speaker
For more information, call Ray Barger at 301-582-0155
Friday, April 21, 2006
Day Away - Wooster, Ohio
Friday, April 28, 2006
Day Away - Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Main speaker is Tim Boal.
Comedian Gordon Douglas will be in the afternoon
More information on all Day Aways will be coming soon.
'Well Helloooooo', says Ed when your cell phone rings
It's all great fun and available for only .99 a tone. Go to www.jivjiv.com/cenational to choose your favorite.
Children's Ministry Round Table in New Holland, Pennsylvania
I wanted to let you know about an exciting Saturday morning being planned for those who minister to the children of your congregation. We are planning a Children’s Ministry Round Table. CE National has encouraged the Children’s Cabinet Members to host at least one round table each year. Several from CE National Children’s cabinet members will be at this round table.
Here is what is planned for this event. There will be time for your workers to share what effective children's ministries are being done in your church. We all have good things happening and should have time to share about these efforts. Your workers will also have an opportunity to share what is not working that they would like to make better in the children’s ministry.
A Round Table is not a workshop. There are no so-called "experts" coming in to lecture to your staff. Rather, your workers are the experts at ministering to the children in your church and have something to share with other workers.
The benefit of this day for your workers will be loads of encouragement. They will have lots of new ideas to bring back to your church. The round table meets with the goal of building a network of children’s workers for support far beyond this event.
Please encourage all of your workers to attend. If you have the time to join them, you may learn some new ways you can help to build an effective children’s ministry.
By now you should be asking yourself, "When is this event and how can I get my staff signed up?" The Children’s Ministry Round Table will take place Saturday, February 28th, at the New Holland Grace Brethren Church from 9:00 am until noon. Again the cost of this morning is FREE. By the way, the morning will end with a light lunch for all those who attend. (This is included in the cost (free)). So we can plan, we are asking that you register your workers by February 20th. You can register by sending in the completed form or sending an e-mail to rrussell@newhollandgrace.org.
If you have any questions, please contact me. Call the church or send me an e-mail. (I only work part time for the church so you may need to leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as I can.)
I hope many from your church will attend this great morning of sharing and growing.
In His Service to Children
Rich Russell
Director of Children’s Ministries
And Member of CE National’s Children’s Cabinet
Four Teens Baptized at Urban Hope
Jason Holt, Interim Coordinator, writes:
There have been about 70 teens coming to Friday Night ROCK each week over the past month, which is a huge increase from December when there were about 35-40 coming regularly. Four teens were baptized during ROCK. James and Darcy, Urban Hope workers, have been taking the lead in the youth program with the help of the student leaders.
Jay Bell talks about the 412 Mexico trip
Greetings in the name of above all names.
The 412 GO Team was excellent. Actually a "dream team." There were no major problems.
Walter Testa (Grace Brethren Missionary in Mexico City) laid out a great schedule. It was aggressive and he maximized our time since we only had six ministry days. But at the same time there was a good balance between ministry and cultural exposure (Ballet Folklorico, Basilica of the Virgin of the Guadalupe, and the pyramids).
The 412'ers presented a package of songs, skits (mimes), testimonies, and a "sermonette" in each of the four colonias where we are working. The missionaries were pleased with the turn out at each colonia. They were a bit concerned about the first presentation in Colonia Marte since it is the most middle class of the four, but the people turned out and the missionaries were surprised and pleased. A few neighbors were upset that evangelicals were doing a presentation in the "plaza," but we had written permission from the director. The missionaries were then concerned about the turnout at Colonia Ciudad Azteca because it was really cold, but, again, the people turned out. We also prayer-walked and handed out flyers in a new colonia.
Walter estimates that we touched 800 people and 250 turned in a response form with their name and address.
I am really proud of the 412 young people! Not once did I (or Ryan from Akron or Aaron from Sebring) need to motivate them to do ministry. They were go-getters. They hit the streets and hit the stage with enthusiasm. At times we had problems with the sound, but that did not deter or unnerve them one bit. At the end of one presentation all the electricity went out, but the 412'ers just kept on singing with their hands in the air. What a neat visual testimony of walking by faith. One mime in particular was impactful - it was done to the song Turn Around. It gave me chills each time they presented it. It directly addressed the problems faced by so many Mexicans. Lenny from Urban Hope was a hit with his rap. I first heard him do rap at the 2004 BNYC at La Crosse, WI. He was a hit at BNYC and a hit in Mexico City. The people got into it, including Walter and Gerardo. All week the two of them walked around repeating Lenny's opening phrase: "My testimony, my testimony."
Each day Walter scheduled time for the missionaries to give their extended testimony and a "Q & A" from the students. Impactful!
Walter also used me to the max. When the students were preparing to do their presentations in the four colonias, I met with the married adults. In each colonia I hit the issue of spiritual identity through a presentation entitled Satan's Defeat, Our Right-Hand Seat, and Satan's Retreat. On Sunday I spoke to adults from all four colonias. At the half hour mark I suggested we take a small break. The people said "No!" This was repeated at the hour mark and the hour and a half mark, and then at the two mark I said "es todo." But then we went into a "Q & A." The people are spiritually hungry.
Alan Hoyt was an asset (Alan grew up in Argentina where his parents were pioneer missionaries). He helped translate conversations and the presentations. It was also an emotional time for him on two counts. First, his father baptized Walter. Second, Alan watched Argentine missionaries at work in Mexico. In other words, he saw the fruit of his family's labor.
Much Love, Jay
Chrismas meals impact the Urban Hope community
Thanks so much to everyone who contributed to Urban Hope's Christmas meal outreach. This yearly outreach is not just a one-time event. It is successful in opening community doors to the message of the Gospel through the Urban Hope staff.
DRIVEN '06 is Coming
- “It seems like I can barely keep my head above water.”
- “I wish I could reach more twentysomethings.”
- “I wish I could offer our young adults something this summer.”
We’ve worked long hours planning, praying, and dreaming about this conference. We don’t get a dime. We don’t want applause. But we DARE to believe that this generation needs you just as much as you need them. The mission of DRIVEN is this: to gather a generation to become catalysts for Christ within Church and culture. Check out the web site. Ask us a question. Just don’t let these next few months go by without putting DRIVEN before your young adults.
If you’re like us, you probably know a few “scattered” young adults. Remember, the ones who went to youth group and have been Missing In Action the last few years. What about the ones who went off to college and you only see a few times a year? Well, studies show there are 8 million of them. This conference is for them. Like we said, we made it easy for you. Give them the vision for DRIVEN. Below are three challenges we want you to consider doing:
- The 6, 12 and 24 PACK challenge = Chances are that you know at least 6 young adults (ages 18-35 year olds). We have a special package that includes sweet promo materials and a bunch of T-shirts when you purchase a 6, 12 or 24 PACK. We’ll even throw in free tickets when you purchase certain PACKS (12 PACK = 1 free; 24 PACK = 3 free).
- The 65 BY 100 challenge = Let’s face it. Most young adults are poor. Why let money get in the way? The cost of the conference is $165 dollars per person. We are challenging churches to either scholarship their young adults with 65 dollars or 100 dollars. The logic is that you partner with them. You pay part. They pay the other part. You both share in the investment and you both reap the rewards.
- The Scout Saturday challenge = You’re a skeptic, just like us. Because you have a shepherd’s heart, you’re probably thinking, “What’s this DRIVEN thing all about?” Well, we want you to come and find out. We’ll subsidize part of your Saturday day rate if you’re a pastor or a young adult ministry staff member. There will be a bunch of other people like you on Saturday, June 24th. So come on over and scout us out. Attend a workshop. Walk the campus. Jump in an activity. We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Community Grace in Warsaw, IN sees 364 decisions for Christ in One week!!
From Wednesday night through Sunday, baseball bats were snapped, frying pans were rolled up, ice and cement blocks were broken, telephone books were ripped, hot water bottles were blown up until they burst and even a flaming telephone pole was lifted high overhead.
During each performance the men shared their testimonies and a clear Gospel presentation. People of all ages came forward throughout the week to make some type of commitment to Christ, many for salvation.
The men also went into the area public schools encouraging students to stay away from drugs and alcohol, to live a pure life, and to come to the evening performances.
As a result of the public school appearances, the attendance on Friday night topped 700 people. In anticipation of a large crowd, two overflow areas with video feed had been set up. Both overflow areas were needed for the performances Friday and Saturday night and even Sunday afternoon.
Sunday morning the team leader for the week, Jamie Morrison, spoke to the Community Grace congregation encouraging everyone to get involved in the work of the church.
Jonathan Caldwell, Power Team member, spoke in the children’s program, sharing the Gospel with the kids.
The entire weekend left its mark on the people of Community Grace Brethren Church. It served as a catalyst to challenge the congregation to outreach. The effort and manpower it took to put on the event was enormous. Many who had not been involved in ministry in the church took on key roles. When the first group of people came forward Wednesday night to make a commitment to Jesus, everyone knew that the work had been worth it. Now the church is actively doing follow-up of those who made decisions.
Community Grace is now in a year-long program called “Season to Grow”. It is an emphasis designed to help a strong, Bible-teaching church take the necessary steps to change from an “inward” focus to an “outward” focus. This “Season to Grow” initiative, as it is called, was approved by the church elders and uses a task force from the congregation to implement the strategy that was developed to lead to growth in evangelism, discipleship, assimilation and health. In fact, most of the 10-member task force, designed to be “doers”, will attend the ReMix Conference in California in March.
While the DNA of the church is to remain a strong Bible-teaching church, the leaders desire to strengthen its focus on reaching the lost. Tom Abbitt, lead pastor, meets regularly with Ed Lewis from CE National as the church is prayerfully turning the focus towards the community. The “engine” that should drive the committed believers of a local church is outreach. As the church reaches the lost the believers grow (Philemon 6).
May God truly bless Community Grace that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and may the leaders of the “Season To Grow” initiative be its own Power Team.
CE National was a corporate sponsor of the Community Grace Power Team event by supplying free housing for the week for all of the men at the CE National retreat center called "The Philemon Center."
The 412 Commission. Back from Mexico.
Jason and Christy Holt--Back from Costa Rica
Thanks for your prayers for us over the past month as we have been studying in Costa Rica. It was a wonderful experience - we are now survivor-level spanish speakers who need a whole lot of practice and more study!
We returned early last week on Thursday because I got news from my family that my grandfather (my dad's father) who has been declining in health over the past five months since breaking his hip was most likely going to pass away some time that week. We got into town at 6 on Thursday evening and went straight to the house to be with the rest of our family and we all enjoyed remembering this great man as he took his last breathes and went home to be with Christ at about 9 that evening (jan 26).
French Holt was one of my closest friends and one of the biggest influences in my life - he always prayed for me and challenged me to trust Christ in all things. I am thankful for the many years I was able to spend with him on their farm in West Virginia and have a lot of good memories. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers. Our family is rejoicing that Pa Pa's suffering has come to an end and he is now getting to meet all of the people he was hoping to meet - especially Christ - in heaven!
Thanks,
Jason & Christy Holt
ReMix--A special weekend for church staff
Pastor Dan Gregory of Community of Hope GBC in Columbia City, Indiana, writes...
“We had a great time discussing how the things we were challenged with as a team might look back home.” And “The sharing as a team was very beneficial.” “Appreciated the generational concept in vision; the collaboration between everyone from children’s ministries to adults ministries was great.”
ReMix is March 17-19, 2006.
Jeff Bogue at BNYC
To learn more at BNYC and other speakers who will be there, visit our website at www.bnyc.net.
412 Commission in Mexico
Here's an update from Jay.
Everything is going very well. Really well. The 412 teammates are making contacts everywhere we go. The missionaries are encouraged.
Want to hear a neat story? Here is a small world story. I was talking to a guy in one of our groups who spoke good English. I asked him where he learned his English.
"Oh, I lived in the US for five years," he replied
I asked him, "Where did you live?"
"In California."
"Well, I am from California. Where did you live in California?"
"In Highland Park."
Pause. Gulp. "I grew up in Highland Park!!! What did you do there?"
"I went to Franklin High School."
Long pause. Large gulp. "That is where I went to high school."
Okay, what are the odds of meeting someone in the largest city of the world who went to the same high school?
Even before I arrived in Mexico, Bess and Brenda hoped that I could spend some time with him. Little did they know that the guy they wanted me to spend some time with went to my high school. Attaway God!
Please continue to pray for the 412 Commission as they experience ministry first-hand in a different culture.
For more on the 412 Commission, go to www.FourTwelveCommission.org
Scott Distler at BNYC
To learn more at BNYC and other speakers who will be there, visit our website at www.bnyc.net.
Jeremy Kingsley at BNYC
To learn more at BNYC and other speakers who will be there, visit our website at www.bnyc.net.
Mike Lee at BNYC
To learn more at BNYC and other speakers who will be there, visit our website at www.bnyc.net.
Shawn McBride at BNYC
To learn more at BNYC and other speakers who will be there, visit our website at www.bnyc.net.
Lee Strobel at BNYC
To learn more at BNYC and other speakers who will be there, visit our website at www.bnyc.net.
How to integrate teens in the general church
- Use teens in the main church services leading worship, praying, in dramas, for scripture reading, sharing testimonies, or even sharing God’s word.
- Create mentor/apprentice positions for teens to learn leadership areas of the church. Give them hands on service opportunities.
- Plan joint events for teens and adults to do together:
- Concerts of prayer
- Fellowship meals
- Ministry together
Maranatha GBC, MD
Francis Chan at BNYC
To learn more at BNYC and other speakers who will be there, visit our website at www.bnyc.net.
Gorniks to Argentina
Dear Team,
First of all, Merry Christmas! As I have reflected on the occurrences surrounding my concussion (and subsequent memory loss) and on the birth of Christ, I was reminded of the fact that (as a friend of mine puts it): “God delights in confounding the wise and learned and has entrusted His glorious Kingdom to the poor and foolish. As we celebrate Christmas, remember to take time to laugh at common sense, logic, and the conventional. I have a feeling God was when He dispatched thousands of angels to serenade a few confused shepherds 2000 years ago. What a gloriously ludicrous way to welcome a King into the world.” Amen!
I have some important news to share with all of you. We are moving on from Urban Hope. We feel that the task God had for us here at Urban Hope, at this stage, has been completed. We are leaving the ministry in the hands of faithful and competent leaders to continue the work. Over the last few months we have been in application with GBIM (Grace Brethren International Missions). We will be joining up with some old friends and moving to South America. For our first term, we will be sent to Argentina, working with the urban poor. Our ultimate goal is to continue to minister to the urban poor and, by God’s grace, to help start a movement of church planting in a country that has not been penetrated well with the Gospel.
The believers at the Calvert County Grace Brethren Church are sending us on our mission to South America. After we get back from a trip to Argentina in January (to visit some of those friends), we will move down with the believers in Calvert County to serve and grow deeper within that body. Calvert is the church that Tara grew up in and also is the church where I interned my first year out of seminary. We have a lot of friends there, and we are looking forward to spending some extra time with them. In July we will be on the move again, this time back up to Pennsylvania, to the New Beginnings Church, in Myerstown. While there we will be mentored for 6 months in some areas that Tara and I need to focus on for our mission to South America. The believers at New Beginnings currently support Tara and me at Urban Hope, and we also are eagerly looking forward to spending time there with them. In January of 2007, we will be on our way to Texas to language school to become fluent in Spanish. As of right now, if all goes as planned, we will be on our way to South America at the beginning of 2008.
That time frame seems quite far away, but Tara and I understand and believe that these next 2 years are of utmost importance to our ultimate success in South America. We will be laying a foundation for our ministry, and that foundation needs to be solid. You can continue to be a part of that. Over these next 2 years we will be mobilizing teammates - teammates that will be here in the States that will support us, not only financially, but will undergird us in prayer. That is one of the main reasons why these next 2 years are so important: if we don’t have a team of warriors that will give and pray, it will jeopardize our mission.
You also need to understand, Tara and I fully support the work at Urban Hope. Some tremendous things are happening, and are about to happen. God is at work in our community, and our church continues to grow. Leaders are being developed, the Gospel is being preached, the needy are being looked after. If it is possible for you to remain a part of our team and still support Urban Hope, please, please do. If you want to give your support solely to Urban Hope and the continuing work here in Philadelphia, please do, and don’t feel bad about it. If you are unable to continue to support Urban Hope while supporting us in our continuing mission, that’s ok. Urban Hope will remain a part of our hearts forever.
Over the next year, Tara and I will be traveling to mobilize new teammates, and we would love to see you whenever we come into your area (most likely the Maryland, Eastern PA, and Ohio areas). We want to share with you the vision that God has given us.
Please email and let us know what you are thinking and how we can be praying for you. We will be adjusting our e-mail list soon and want to make sure you stay informed.
With Love and thanks,
Brian and Tara
(and Malachi & Elijah)
Two new pastors at Osceola GBC
Find out more at www.ogbc.net
Jason and Christy in Costa Rica
We just started our second week learning spanish in Costa Rica today and we have a very strict teacher this week, which is very good but difficult. We are in class 5 hours each day and spend another 5 hours doing homework, memorization, and study. The rest of the time we talk with our host family and sleep! Our professor last week was a believer, and we really enjoyed getting to know her and praying with her each morning. Our professor this week said she believes in God but doesn't practice religion. Pray that we will have opportunities to talk to her about God in class, as we are conjugating verbs. We have plenty of time to talk with her each day!
Continue to pray also for the family that we are staying with - Carmen and her daughter Analena. They are practicing Catholics, and we have had one conversation with them about Dios. Pray that we will have more.
We are enjoying our cross-cultural experience here in Costa Rica and did get to take a little break this last weekend from study. We spent the night in a rain forest lodge and saw monkeys, sloths, tucans, iguanas, and many other beautiful creatures and flowers. It was a great time to get refreshed for another week of intensive study!
Please let us know how you are doing and how we can pray for you. We will try to keep you updated each week. You are in our prayers!
Jason & Christy
The 412 Commission Expands
Jeff reports that two additional sites will be opening in the 2006-2007 year. Those sites are Goshen, Indiana, a Grace Brethren Church pastored by Jim Brown and Lititz, Pennsylvania, a Grace Brethren Church pastored by Scott Distler. This is in addition to locations in Akron, Ohio, (Jeff Bogue) and Sebring, Florida, (Randy Smith).
To learn more about the 412 Commission, go to www.FourTwelveCommission.org.
Ed Lewis Speaks at Snow Camp
Steve Waller, Youth Pastor at Sunnyside GBC, lead games
Keith, from The Harrah GBC and some talented young people from their church, lead worship
The Crowd at Snow Camp
Camp Clear Lake
There is an Elk preserve near camp Clear Lake
