Good News Fellowship, our congregation in Nashville, TN, was host to theologian and author Baxter Kruger for the weekend of Nov. 17-18. The weekend seminar was the follow-up to over a year of learning and discussion about the gospel that has been taking place at Good News Fellowship and neighboring churches in the mid-south.

Over 70 members and ministry leaders from the mid-South gathered to hear Kruger talk about the gospel and how we understand Jesus’ connection to humanity. Kruger walked the audience step by step through the gospel of our adoption into the life of the Father, Son, and Spirit and explained that humanity is included in the Son’s relationship with the Father.

Tim Brassell, our pastor in Portsmouth, VA, said, “As Baxter is getting to know our people and understand our culture better, he is speaking to it more clearly, accurately and encouragingly from within its own frame of reference.”

An all-day seminar on Saturday was followed by a worship service on Sunday. The effectiveness of the weekend was enhanced by the fact that almost all the attendees had read at least two of Kruger’s books: The Great Dance and Jesus and the Undoing of Adam.

“Every time I hear this good news I get excited all over again,” said Jan Taylor. “The message from our Father that says, ‘I love you. You are mine and I will never let you go’ came through over and over. The format was relaxed, informative and so encouraging.”

Rita Poynor agreed, “I believe we left the conference with a deeper understanding of who Jesus is, his great love for us coming to us in our darkness, and how we can have that unearthly assurance in him. The fellowship and supportive atmosphere made it a truly joyous occasion!”

Tim Brassell also commented on Sunday’s worship service, “I was especially encouraged to participate in the most fun, laughter-filled and ‘joyfully rowdy’ weekly communion service in my over 30-year experience as a member in this denomination!”

Consuelo Orduño and Lucero Villarreal lead in Bible lesson.

How will it all fit? (Pastor Lee Berger in photo)

A big smile for a new toy.

Enjoying gifts of love.

Photos by Lee Berger and Pedro Orduño

On December 1, nine members of two congregations distributed 150 shoeboxes full of love to children in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, as part of our Crossing Borders camp ministry program.

Each summer Generations Ministry sponsors “Crossing Borders”—a mission outreach camp into Mexico. During our time of missionary work, we are able to visit and assist at several children’s homes (as well as food banks, building projects, Bible colleges, church services, etc.). We work with a variety of churches and other ministries as we “cross borders” in service to the people. To help maintain the wonderful relationships we establish during the summer camp, we return to Mexico during the winter to visit our Mexican friends.

Members of the Austin, San Antonio and Waco, Texas, congregations contributed items to fill about 100 shoeboxes for the children and staff in Mexico. In addition, Living Hope Christian Fellowship (Washington, DC, area congregation) prepared and shipped 50 shoeboxes for us to deliver (thanks to the efforts of Crossing Borders alumnus Barbara Miller). The shoeboxes contain toothbrushes, combs, washcloths, simple toys, stuffed animals, coloring books and craft supplies. For the orphans and displaced children we serve in Mexico, receiving these simple items is a valuable and happy treat for them—and they reward us with lots of smiles and hugs.

Consuelo and Pedro Orduño (from Summit Life Church in San Antonio) have taken on this Mexico shoebox project as their personal ministry. They coordinated the scheduling, the shoebox collection and the transportation. Missionaries who went to Mexico were: from San Antonio—Pedro and Consuelo Orduño, Emily Guevarra, Lucero Villarreal, and Paul Kangas; from Austin—Pastor Lee Berger, Roland and Milly Stoller. Ken Williams, Regional Pastoral Leader over the Western U.S., also participated.

Along with personally distributing the shoeboxes full of good things to the well-behaved and grateful children, we were able to lead the children in a Nativity Bible lesson—to share the good news of Jesus with them. After seeing the shining eyes and smiling faces of the children and dedicated staff as they received their shoeboxes, we’re looking forward to our next opportunity to visit these dear children of God.


San Antonio members packed joy into the shoeboxes.

Happy shoebox recipients in Mexico.	Paul Kangas (from San Antonio) and a special shoebox friend.

Ministry is a team sport.

Participants at The Master’s Touch in Jacksonville, FL.

Ministry means supporting one another!

Generations Ministries (GenMin) offers congregations, district networks and camp staffs two programs for equipping leaders and workers for disciplemaking ministry. These programs are Servants Passage, which is designed for older adults, and Journey with the Master, designed for older teens and young adults.

Servants Passage has about 500 members participating in a two-year-long program of ministry exploration and learning that equips pastors, ministry leaders and ministry workers for disciplemaking ministries of all types within their congregations. For more information about Servants Passage, see the brochure posted at http://fly2.ws/_27lm6Z.

Journey with the Master is a newly launched GenMin program designed to equip young emerging leaders (age 15-25). Participants typically serve in a GenMin camp and are interested in growing in leadership in both a camp and their congregation. Journey with the Master begins with a weekend intensive named The Master’s Touch. The first of these intensives was held in December 2007 in Jacksonville, FL. SEP Florida (directed by Marty Davey) hosted the event, which was attended by 16 camp counselors and counselors-in-training. Generations Camp Ministries leader Greg Williams led interactive discussions that examined ministry callings, relationship styles, and methods for personal evangelism and team-building The young participants will work with sponsors within their congregations and camps to continue learning back home and then participate in two more intensives: The Master’s Wisdom and The Master’s Calling. For information about scheduling Journey with the Master in your area, contact Greg.Williams@gci.org.

Church Multiplication Workshop—
Spreading the Disciplemaking Vision

Church Multiplication Ministries (CMM) director, Randy Bloom, conducted a workshop for Living Faith Christian Church in Lake St. Louis, MO. The workshop, which followed the worship service, explained the processes CMM has developed to help start new churches and how small churches can leave a legacy for the future by supporting our vision to reach new people through new churches. Randy’s sermon expounded our missional purpose and vision for starting new churches. Gary Dry, pastor, shared the following impressions of the experience:

“The congregation found the sessions to be informative and helpful. They were encouraged that our denomination is a) sober, deliberate and systematic in our approach to establishing new churches and b) that we were committed to making disciples (and churches) who would in turn make other disciples (and churches). More than anything else, the session reinforced the need for all of us to be forward thinking in our approach to the gospel message.

"The workshop was inspiring and showed to many that Jesus is at work in our denomination…that as a denomination we are serious about changing the status quo for churches and that CMM is seeing positive results. It even spurred discussion in a group our size about how we could partner with others in sponsoring a church. It was enjoyable to understand the success CMM has had, and encouraging to realize that our little group could make a big difference in others' lives by helping support this ministry.

"The session reinforced the fact that being a Christian is not a license to be blessed and be finished. Being a Christian means being blessed with the knowledge of Jesus as our Savior and then becoming a blessing to others by sharing that blessing and knowledge. We are blessed that we may become a blessing to others. It is our duty and our responsibility individually and collectively. CMM is proof that our denomination takes our duty to be a blessing to others very seriously. We have a long way to go, but we are on the right path, and with God’s guidance and blessing, we will succeed. May our worries be on how to keep up with the growth God will bring through these efforts.”

The former Grace Family Church held a dedication day on Dec. 9, officially opening its new church building in Mesquite, TX, complete with the new church name, Pathway of Grace. The worship team led by Debbie Hard sang the opening number “Pathway of Grace,” the church's new theme song, composed by Mark Schnee.

It had taken many hours of labor by members and $16,000 in expenditures to prepare the hall. But they feel the time spent cleaning, painting, plastering and doing electrical work was well worth it to provide a facility the members can use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. New, comfortable chairs were in place the week after the dedication.

Struggling with laryngitis, Pastor Bob Persky proclaimed a day of celebration and dedication. “We're dedicating this facility to Jesus Christ for his use,” the pastor said. The first portion of the service alternated between worship songs and scripture readings and prayers by the following ministry leaders: Pastor Bob, associate pastor Gabriel Ojih, Erin and Mark Schnee, Bruce Hard, Mike Read, Nancy Newkirk, Dick Rutter, Jack Smith and Ted Dusek.

Prayer of dedication: Jack Smith, Bob Persky, Gabriel Ojih, and Ted Dusek.

A choir directed by visiting choir director Ella Marie Schatz, Erin Schnee's mother, sang “Gloria” by Michael W. Smith and “Peace, Peace” by Rick and Sylvia Powell, with the congregation joining in to sing “Silent Night” during the latter portion of the second song. Mrs. Schatz also participated in the worship team.

Pastor Bob gave a sermon on being dedicated to God's purpose. “We are the real house, not this building,” he said. “You are like living stones being built into a spiritual house. All the things, which are happening today, are by miracle.” One such miracle was another church donating a 100-year-old grand piano to Pathway of Grace. Sound equipment had been donated as well.

The pastor encouraged the members to use their gifts for the good and enjoyment of all. Following the service, everyone enjoyed a meal, including a cake made by Debbie Hard and decorated with the Pathway of Grace logo.

Pathway of Grace Church offered a number of activities in December to help celebrate the Christmas season. On Dec. 2, the Teen Band led worship. Members were treated to a humorous film emphasizing the greeting “Merry Christmas” rather than the often-used “Happy Holidays” or “Xmas.” Youth minister Aaron Bennis discussed how Advent represents the coming of our Savior. He asked for God's blessing on the season and the service. Several of the teens prayed and gave scripture readings interspersed with some songs being played to help members reflect on the season. Matthew and Nathan Hard performed a comical skit, “The First Mission Impossible,” in which they played angels. One angel persuaded the other, “Sparky,” to create the Christmas star to lead the way to Jesus' birthplace.

On Dec. 16, Malcolm Elliott and the Praise Band led the congregation in several traditional songs celebrating the birth of Christ. Associate Pastor Gabriel Ojih gave a sermon entitled: “Jesus: The Perfect Gift That Keeps on Giving.” Frank Lewandowski performed “Gabriel's Story,” a dramatic monologue adapted from a published tale. He played the Angel Gabriel, and described how the angel may have seen the creation of the universe, the fall of Satan, and Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He also discussed appearing to the prophet Daniel, announcing God's decision to Mary that she would bear his Son, and seeing the birth, death, resurrection and triumphant return to heaven of Jesus. Lori Simms and Erin Schnee sang special music, “O Holy Night.” Malcolm Elliott and Kay Persky sang offertory music, “Isn't He.” At the end of the service, the congregation participated in communion.

On Dec. 23, Tammy Ford, Stella Sloan and Wylie Bass led worship, accompanied by the Praise Band. Pastor Bob Persky gave a sermon entitled “Joy to the World—Jesus Is Born.” Niall Quinlan played guitar and sang “O Come, Come, Emmanuel,” with Erin Schnee singing the refrain. Earl Thomas performed a vocal solo, “Silent Night.” The Praise Band performed an offertory song, “Softly and Tenderly,” featuring Barry Ford on saxophone and Subodh Samuel on guitar. Pastor Bob and his wife, Kay, brought gift bags for each household.

Using a live projection onto a screen, Aaron Bennis on Jan. 6 did a visual presentation of Pathway of Grace church's redesigned website. In addition to Mr. Bennis, Malcolm Elliott, Dick Rutter and others worked on the site.

"Our web site tells everyone who we are," Mr. Bennis said. "It's our online presence." The web address is www.pathwayofgrace.org. The church's new logo, in the upper left corner of the page, takes the readers back to the home page. Visitors to the site can click a link to download the latest church bulletin. First-time attendees can click on a map to services.

The website also contains our Statement of Beliefs. A Contact tab gives the address of the church and how to get in touch with Pastor Bob Persky and Associate Pastor Gabriel Ojih. The site also makes it possible to e-mail a prayer request.

The Ministries tab provides links to the following categories of ministries: Adult, Youth and More. Among specific ministries are Men's, Women's, Seniors, Worship, Greeting, Drama and others. Each ministry can list upcoming events, and there is a link to the e-mail address of the person in charge of the ministry. Each ministry leader will be able to upload a photo depicting that ministry and edit their section's content. "You can add your e-mail address to get on the e-mail list for that ministry," Mr. Bennis said.

The church's calendar lists upcoming events, and a click of the mouse brings up more details. After his presentation, he prayed for the effectiveness of the web site. [Editor's note: the denomination provides website space for congregations that are willing to maintain them and keep them current and active. For more information, contact webmaster@gci.org.]

In addition to performing before their own congregation on Dec. 16, our church of Tampa/Lakeland, FL, took the cast of “A King is Born” on the road to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Trilby, FL, on December 30. The two congregations have shared a camaraderie over the past few years, visiting each other’s churches to share music, worship, fellowship and food.

Written and directed by assistant pastor Ellie Kurzawa, the production consisted of soliloquies, vocal solos, and vocal ensembles performed by Herman Brijlall, Willa Chlon, Mendel Claxton, Selma Claxton, George Gramlich, Ellie Kurzawa, Trevor Martin, Leslie Mozon, Flora Mozon, Leslie Ann Mozon, John Quade, Laura Quade, Hannah Quade, Emma Quade and Lynn Rowe.

Some were dressed as angels, while others wore costumes that the characters they were depicting would have worn. These included Joseph, Mary, Zachariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, Herod, The Innkeeper, a Wise Man and a shepherd girl named Jasmine. Each told a story from their own perspective about the birth of Christ.

The songs included “O Holy Night,” “Mary Did You Know?,” “Breath of Heaven,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “Who Would Imagine A King?,” “What Child is This?” “Rejoice With Exceeding Great Joy,” and “Joy to the World.” The members of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church enjoyed the performance, which was followed by a lunch shared by the members of both churches.

The congregation of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship, Ocala, FL, was delighted and deeply moved by a presentation of the Children's Church on Dec. 9. The program centered around the second chapter of Luke, "The Birth of Jesus," read by Jessie Orlando, as the children, dressed in the traditional style of clothing of that time, proceeded up the aisle and onto the stage depicting the familiar nativity scene.

Sylvia Oakley, a teacher for the Children's Church, directed the program. Costumes were made by Sylvia, Rosetta Orlando and Mary Nell Flournoy. Afterward, "One Small Child" was performed by the church choir. Pete Kendall, pastor, gave the sermon titled "Christmas All Year Long." His scripture was Luke 1:26-38.

Children receiving Christmas presents with families looking on.

Abundant Grace Fellowship (the Vancouver, WA, congregation) hosted a Christmas dinner on December 22 for families who have spouses deployed to Iraq from Clark County. Nine families with a total of over 30 family members attended—two families were headed by fathers who have wives deployed. Services were cancelled on Dec. 22 so we could “have church outside the walls” by hosting these families.

Local military officials bent over backwards to provide the kitchen/auditorium for no cost, and the Christmas tree and decorations. We served over 70 people with the military families and our members. Each family was sent home with a live plant (the centerpieces on the tables), a frozen turkey and all the supplies needed to have a complete turkey dinner on Christmas. The military said they had provided similar activities for the families, but this was “by far the best.” The deployment is scheduled to end in April, so we are looking at ways we might be able to support them again.

The Christian Renewal Center at Silver Falls, OR saw 31 leaders from across the Pacific Northwest District gathered for our annual pastors/elders prayer retreat Jan. 18-20. We began on Friday evening and concluded at noon on Sunday. Most of the focus was on spontaneous prayer and worship, as well as seeking the Lord’s face. Fellowship and food were enjoyed by all. On Saturday afternoon, District Pastoral Leader, Glen Weber, presented material from the training sessions the DPLs have attended, specifically about the importance of “working with teams” in our congregations and also “understanding boundaries in our ministry.”

A highlight of the time was the ordination of our first female elder in the district, Anne Marie Gillam—pastoral leader of our small group in Klamath Falls, OR. After her ordination, Anne led the group in a very moving communion service. We were blessed to also be joined by two other men who are in the process of being trained and approved for ordination: Wilderness Welch, recently arrived intern for the Vancouver, WA congregation; and Brian Shepherd, beginning intern for the Olympia, WA congregation.

Sunday morning was spent interceding for the denomination and our individual congregations and personal needs.

One year ago, on Feb. 18, 2007, the New Covenant Church of God in Montgomery, AL, celebrated ministry appreciation and Black history day. We also had an outreach event in which we served food to the community for adults and children. We served take-out meals as well. Between 125 and 150 people were served. We do this several times each year, and the children we work with and some of the parents look forward to this event.

For pastor appreciation, both pastors—Arthur Carlisle and James Lewis—and their wives were presented with gifts by the congregation. Then all the other ministry leaders and workers were acknowledged and given gifts, including our praise leaders, youth ministry, and our sound system ministry.

We also commissioned to office the following people: Sylvia Forman, praise and youth leader; Tina Molton, Sunday School leader; Jacquelyn Carlisle, secretary, praise leader, youth leader, and sermons; Michael Thomas, youth leader and sermonettes; Edward Winsley, deacon and sermons; Francis Fannins, church coordinator; and Betty Bevelle, church treasurer and chair of the financial committee.

Pastors Carlisle and Lewis give God thanks for the New Covenant Church and appreciate the congregation for their service.

Sister congregations Heartland Christian Fellowship and Heartland Community Church are pleased to host a "Join the Journey, Servants Passage" weekend on March 29-30. The Saturday and Sunday event will feature National Generations Ministry Director, Ted Johnston. Ted has been conducting these team ministry intensives for over two years, and the participating congregations have been experiencing great results in developing and growing their congregational leaders and ministry teams.

To register for the two-day event, contact Pastor James Newby (james.newby@wcg.org, or (815) 744 6430). The weekend Journey will take place at Jack London Middle School in Wheeling, IL, and will include a worship service on Sunday. The $35 registration fee covers participant guidebooks, two light lunches and snacks, and facility and instructor costs. Wheeling is conveniently located in the Northwestern suburbs of Chicago with access to reasonably priced hotels and motels. For additional information on Generations Ministry, Servants Passage and Join the Journey, visit our website.