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CURRENT EVENTS
Below are some recent ministry events.
Dental Mission Trip
In mid April, a team of 8 from Texas, representing Gloria Al Padre (GAP), traveled to Aldama, Mexico, which is in the state of Chihuahua. Members from WBC were Jerry Moore, Glen VanWyk, and Jody Yarbro.
GAP has a compound in Aldama where they stayed. There was a clinic there, as well as another clinic on the outskirts of Chihuahua. Each day the medical/dental team held a clinic in a different location. Two of the clinics were located in rural villages. While this team was working, Glen and Jerry worked on projects around the clinics. These projects included installing large surgical lights in the operating rooms of both clinics, working on the back-up generators, and installing fluorescent lights.
Each day the medical team treated 40-60 patients, and the dental team treated 30-40 patients. One of the medical doctors was from Lubbock, and the other was from Chihuahua. There were 2 young female dentists from Chihuahua that have been serving with Jody the past 2 years. For the first time ever, there were 2 Mexican dental students that served with them part of the time. Jody has have been training and equipping this next generation of dentists for the future and is very encouraged by their desire to serve the Lord.
Chili Cook-off
The Men’s Ministry hosted their annual Chili Cook-off, Saturday. There were about 100 hungry patrons who came out to support the Men’s Ministry’s only fundraiser. Eighteen participants eagerly brought their home-made chili early prior to the dinner to be judged in one of the four categories. The categories and winners are:
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Hot- John Knightstep
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Mild to medium, no beans- Bobby Littlefield
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Beans- Chris Hayes
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Wild- Danny Bodeker
The delicious chili with the overall winning score was prepared by Danny Bodeker. A special thank you to their judges: Noel Allen, Randy Marshall, Mike Miller, Jeff Williams and Glen Van Wagoner.
Choir Party
The choir met in the home of Joyce and Steve Triplett to enjoy an evening of food, fellowship and a game. There were 33 attendees which created eight tables of four to play “Crazy Bridge”. After each hand, the lucky winners of the hand left their table to mingle with another group. This continued until they had an opportunity to play at each of the eight tables.
What is a party without food? They enjoyed sweet and savory snacks which were served in the kitchen and patio throughout the evening.
Holy Week Services
What a powerful week! Christ the Lord is risen! He has risen indeed!
Holy Week started on Palm Sunday as we proclaimed,” Hosanna! Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!” Throughout the week, all were encouraged to reflect upon the sacrifice of Jesus. Maundy Thursday and Friday Tenebrae Worship Services were meaningful with over 100 attendees in each service. During the Maundy Thursday service, communion was served to all who chose to receive the elements. The Tenebrae service was a touching service with members who read Scripture as the lights were dimmed. The choir sang “Arise, My Soul, Arise”, accompanied by Dr Rogerio Nunes on the violin.
Over 450 adults and children attended the services Sunday morning. The Sunrise Service started at 7:00 a.m. overlooking picturesque Lake Whitney. The 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Worship Services were held in the chapel with joy and celebration. In the Chapel, Jesus’ cross was beautifully decorated by flowers brought from people’s garden representing new life and new beginnings. The services ended with the choir singing the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Hallelujah! May the joyful celebration of our risen Lord resound as we glorify and serve Him!
If you would like to view a service during Holy Week and our Easter Celebration Service, you may go to the link on the front page of this webpage.
Children’s Easter Celebration
This year’s Children Easter Celebration was so much fun! About 50 children and 80 adults gathered on the Saturday before Easter Sunday. The children played games and created some beautiful crafts. Aaron led in singing some favorite songs and Randy shared the Easter story. Of course, the big finale was the Easter egg hunt! Children, parents, and grandparents went home with lots of candy-filled eggs, the message of Jesus’ Resurrection on their minds, and the joy of the Lord in their hearts!
Texas Ramp Project
The Texas Ramp Project has been busy! The WBC team is fast approaching 150 ramps since joining the Texas Ramp Project. They recently built one ramp in February and two ramps in March. New members who have joined this team are: John Jaskie, Brian McCutcheon, Bob Tull, and Bob Wilson. The team has recently broadened their skills. They built their first ramp over a valley!
Middle School Youth Fellowship Group
The middle school youth group met at Randy and Susie's house recently. The evening consisted of several great activities. The youth enjoyed the Bible study, fellowship, and of course, food! At the end of the evening they played ping pong.
All students in grades 5 - 8 are welcome to attend each Sunday at 6:00 p.m. for a time of food, fellowship and devotion.
Our First Baby Dedication Service
Four precious babies and their families participated in our first Baby Dedication Service. Each child received a baby blanket, created by our Knit and Crochet ladies, a New Testament Bible in pink or blue, and a certificate.
Children were presented by their loving parents along with family and friends who gathered for the special event and Worship Service. The babies dedicated to the Lord were: Emmitt, Ruthie, Taysam, and Quinn.
All were reminded that “children are a heritage to the Lord.” ( Psalm 127:3) and each child is a special gift of God.
White Bluff Chapel Knit and Crochet
Sunday, March 19th, the Chapel celebrated four babies who were dedicated to be part of the family of God. Each baby was given a New Testament Bible, a certificate, and a special baby blanket. Each blanket was made by handmade by a member in our White Bluff Chapel Knit and Crochet Group.
This group is much smaller than our well-known Critters Group. There are only about a dozen members, but they produce an amazing amount of handmade items that they donate as their ministry. For example, they give baby blankets to new parents and grandparents in White Bluff and to the Hillsboro hospital children’s ward. They create lap robes or blankets for Hospice patients within White Bluff and in various assisted living or nursing homes in our area. Some people in the group work on flags for Veterans, and last year, several lap robes were given to Meals on Wheels recipients in the Whitney area. The Chapel buys the yarn, and the members put in the hard work and God’s love.
You don’t have to be a chapel member to join the group. So tell your friends and neighbors that we would love new members. The Knit and Crochet group meets at the Chapel on the first Monday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon. The next meeting is on the 3rd of April. Contact Marcia Kane or Linda Yeary if you are interested in being added to their mail list.
Pastor Michael Yemba
Pastor Michael Yemba was our guest speaker at our Acts 2:42 fellowship on March 1st. The following video tells of his work not only in the Dallas area, but also South Sudan.
Youth Bible Study
Todd Williams was the guest speaker at the weekly Youth Bible Study on March 5th. Each Sunday evening, we have a middle school and high school Bible Study for our students.
Guest from Moldova
Luminita Cazacu was our guest missionary speaker at our Acts 2:42 meeting this week. After explaining how she became a Christian, she expressed how they are spreading the Good News of Christ’s redeeming power to others in her country of Moldolva. Luminita works under the Campus Crusade for Christ umbrella and has the opportunity to work with numerous individuals and groups.
Valentine Banquet
Love is in the air! On February 10th a large number of our chapel members gathered at the Whitney TGCC Event Center for the annual WBC Valentines Banquet. Participants enjoyed a delicious catered meal, home-grown entertainment, and great fellowship.
Ordination Service
Our Worship Service on Sunday was highlighted with the Ordination of Aaron Franklin, our Minister of Music and Family. Family and friends from Aaron’s former churches were present to read scripture, pray, and encourage Aaron as he goes forward in his ministry.
Community Christmas Program
The Lake Whitney Ministerial Alliance was delighted to support our Community Christmas Program which was held at the First Baptist Church of Whitney. The local high school choirs performed numerous songs, as well as a message from Pastor Jay Morris. Numerous pastors from the area participated in scriptures and prayers as we honored and gloried Christ our Savior.
2022 Christmas Gathering
Guests gathered in homes for appetizers and then returned to the chapel to enjoy a time of fellowship and desserts during the annual Chapel Christmas Gathering. We were entertained by a quartet made up of Brad Lundberg, Steve Triplett, Bob Geirtz and David Wood as they sang Christmas songs. The audience joined in for Christmas Carols before enjoying sweets and treats in fellowship hall.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study Luncheon
The Wednesday Women's Bible Study just wrapped up their fall study, "Twelve Women of the Bible," this past week with a Christmas celebration at Karen Paxton's beautiful home. We will be starting up a new study with David Jeremiah called, "Christ Above All (study guide)," on Jan. 11, 2023 at 10:00. Anyone is welcome!
Tijuana home build returns for 2022!
After a few years hiatus we returned to Tijuana, Mexico this November with a group of professional cyclists to build a home for a family in need. We all arrived in San Diego, crossed the border to the YWAM based in southern Tijuana, and in just two days built a house for the Barrales family! When we arrived all that was there was the family, a concrete slab, and a pile of materials. On Sunday when we left the job site not only was there a house for this family to live in, but a home that will change the trajectory of their lives for generations.
Because poverty is often inherited, and the exit to a better life so difficult, giving this family a home is setting them up for a better life now, and in the future for their children and children's children. The reality is, what we were able to accomplish together in two days could have potentially taken them ten years to accomplish on their own.
Materials in Mexico require a cash payment. Homes that people build for themselves start out as makeshift dwellings then are slowly built over decades as cashflow comes in. Imagine trying to build a home and having to pay with cash for everything. Because of systemic poverty, low wages, and limited resources, may of these families never escape living day to day on ten dollars or even dream of having their own home.
Other than our time together and with the family, one of the best parts of build is taking the family shopping. On Sunday, as we finish the house, a few people take the family on a shopping trip that we all contribute to. While they are gone, we assemble beds with new mattresses and sheets, a kitchen table, stove, and other items for the inside of their home. The family believes that they are getting an empty home that they will have to furnish, but upon returning to their home and dedicating the house to them, entering the house at the end of the day, they find that we have furnished with most of the basics they will need to live there. It is always an amazing moment to witness.
Athletes live in such a pressurized world where their performance can be a great dictator of their identity. In addition to the home build project, we also have conversations about the importance of being purpose-driven athletes with purpose-based identities. For these athletes, the home build experience embodies just one aspect of how we can shift our mindsets to be people of purpose within our sports.
Every year we leave with a tighter and more intimate athlete community, along with many life and worldview changes. Immersing athletes in a world that is so different from theirs helps them grow personally in their faith in Jesus and learning how to embody that love and service on a daily basis. We will continue following up with athletes to digest their experience as time goes on.
Veterans Recognition Day 2022
Many congregations toss a modest nod toward their military veterans each mid-November. Not White Bluff Chapel, which each year presents a rousing tribute to the men and women who have devoted a part of their lives protecting our freedom.
Both services at WBC, prior to Veterans Day on Nov.11, were devoted to recognizing and honoring our military heroes. As usual, a musical extravaganza tugged at the hearts of the congregation. Following the presentation of the colors by local American Legion and VFW veterans, a thrilling rendition of our national anthem by the choir set the tone for the day. This was followed by "My Country 'tis of Thee" and a patriotic medley by the choir. The congregation joined in on "God Bless America."
Pastor Randy Marshall, in full Air Force dress uniform (that still fits), continued the military theme in his sermon. Give thanks to the entire staff of WBC for another outstanding Sunday service.
Community Veterans Recognition 2022
The Whitney community gathered at the Whitney Senior Sunday on November 11th to honor our Military Veterans. The event, sponsored by the Fort Graham Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution organized school, community, and military-support organizations to highlight the contributions of our military men and women. A special WBC thanks to the event organizer, Madeleine Lively; the WBC choir; WBC Men’s Ministry; and Keynote speaker, Pastor Randy for their participation and assistance in making this a memorable event.
Paw Pals Garage Sale
Our Men’s Ministry recently helped our local animal shelter (Paw Pals) with a garage sale. We are always amazed how God works in our ministry. We had planned to work for a couple of hours. Life changes and we ended up helping several White Bluff families who have been going through some rough times. We were there to help, but visiting with these families gave us tears, re-connection and life awareness. It is amazing how God works in our ministry. Several in our neighborhood are moving and were ready to donate items to the garage sale. The men gladly helped load and take the items to the sale. Those assisting were Rick Faught, Ron Stone, Jay Miller, Larry Lucas, Terry Newman, Kathy Coons, Roy Ringwald, Reba and Mike Miller.
Fall Festival 2022
What a wonderful idea!! We had booths, hot dogs, plenty of candy, prizes and lots of volunteers from our chapel to help with our first annual Fall Festival. Over 300 came to enjoy the games and festivities. A huge thank you to our many volunteers including our project directors, Gwen Williams and Cathy Maze, for helping us coordinate and celebrate.
Whitney High Student Council Helps With “Build a Ramp”
It’s not uncommon for our men’s ministry, led by Ron Williams, to build a wheel chair ramp for someone in need. The men’s ministry is always willing to help. But it is unusual for our local high student council at Whitney High School to send students to help with the project. We were delighted to have the help from five of our local teens as we worked this past week. The teens did a wonderful job and were appreciated as they “showed us their muscles” while helping build the ramp.
Safety Response Team
The White Bluff Chapel has a well-trained Safety Response Team. These men and women are trained to handle medical, as well as security, emergencies. Their training is frequent and ongoing to sharpen their skills and ensure our safety. Below is a picture of their recent training on gun use and safety. Thanks to Ron Roberts for sharing his shooting range, expertise, and leadership!
Care Groups
A great way to “plug-in” to the White Bluff Chapel is to be a part of a Care Group. A Care group is small group of individuals that meet on a regular basis to share a portion of God’s Word, pray for the needs of our community, and build relationships with others. Normally, these groups meet in homes. True to the culture of White Bluff Resort, many times food is involved! All are invited to be a part of these informal groups. If interested to join a group, please, please email the church office at office@whitebluffchapel.org.
One of our newest groups formed is the Hamner Care Group. Debbie Hamner shares, “Activities such as tracing all our paths that brought us to White Bluff, bringing family pictures and yearbooks to share our past, and attending the Promise of Easter at Glen Rose (after eating at Hammond's BBQ, of course) have drawn us all into a real family together! The common thread that binds us all together, though, is the LOVE of God. We all look forward to growing stronger together!”
Kid Zone Kick Off
The Children’s Ministry of White Bluff Chapel held a fun filled morning of activities for the kick off of “Kid Zone”. We were thrilled to have all enjoy bounce houses, snow cones, face painting and games on a beautiful Saturday morning. Each Sunday morning from 9:00a.m. – 10:00a.m., we will host “Kid Zone” for children birth – 5th grade which will include activities, songs and stories for the children.
Mission Sunday
While fulfilling the Great Commission directly through our local chapel ministries, the White Bluff Chapel also has a rich legacy of an impactful ministry beyond our corner of the world. Through specialized funded missions, we share the Good News of Jesus Christ locally, nationally, and internationally. Through our tithes and offerings, a portion of our financial gifts goes to specific areas that our Mission Team has identified. On August 28th, we highlighted our 21 specialized funded missions on “Mission Sunday” with individuals demonstrating their area of missions with a “missions’ parade” at the conclusion of both Sunday morning Worship Services. A time of fellowship followed which encouraged all to gather and view the creative mission displays.
Supporting the Baylor Volleyball Team
Recently, the Baylor University Women’s Volleyball team visited White Bluff Resort for a weekend retreat of team building. The team visited the chapel and participated in our 9:00a.m. Sunday Worship service by reading scripture and providing a prayer. We were delighted when we were invited to attend their exhibition match against Texas A&M at Baylor’s Ferrell Center and participate in a pot-luck dinner afterwards. Several from White Bluff Chapel attended and enjoyed visiting with the team, coaches and others in attendance. Team members and coaches also provided prayer requests that were distributed at the following Acts 2:42 Fellowship.
Training the Mentors
Each year, White Bluff Chapel gives not only financial help, but also spiritual mentoring to qualified graduates of Whitney and Blum High School who seek to further their education. David Briggs and Debbie Hamner offered to coach those who have volunteered to mentor our students. They offered numerous suggestions for building rapport and communication with the students. The audience had opportunities to share meaningful stories and experiences with all.
Celebrating the Franklin’s with a “Pounding”
We had a large turnout to welcome and celebrate the Franklin’s arrival by giving them a “pounding”. In years past, people would welcome their neighbors by bringing them a “pound” of useful items. Thanks to a well-organized team, we were able to fill the Franklin’s pantry, refrigerator as well as their laundry room with “pounds” of needed and useful items for their new home.
School Supplies 2022
Lake Whitney Ministerial Alliance has fulfilled some educational wish lists requests from teachers in Whitney and Blum schools. LWMA is able to order in bulk to help “stuff the closets” at the schools. Therefore, teachers are provided with some basic essential supplies that they can give students who are in need. Some Backpacks were also given to Blum from the Lake Whitney Senior Center.
Blum schools: Chantelle Hurt, Principal (left) Samantha Maxwell, School Secretary (right )
Whitney Middle School – Rudy Hikel, Vice Principal (left) Kendra Hensley, Principal (right)
Whitney Elem. School – Julie Trevino, Secretary
August Student of the Month
Andre Ribeiro
Andre Ribeiro, a 2016 WHS graduate, was mentored by Ava and David Wood. He recently provided the following update when I asked him to be our Student of the Month.
“I was fortunate enough to have an excellent college experience at The University of Texas at Austin filled with intellectual growth, majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in business, and more importantly followed by spiritual growth towards the end of school as my faith became a greater part of my life.
The COVID pandemic affected many aspects of my life, primarily my academic plans of going straight to medical school following my undergraduate education. Because of the pandemic, many test dates for the MCAT, the medical school entrance exam, were canceled in 2020 and 2021.
At the end of 2020, I applied for and was hired to work as a neurophysiology technologist in Dallas and Austin to gain medical experience as I concurrently applied to medical school. As a neurophysiology tech, I monitor the neuronal integrity of patients intraoperatively during neurosurgery, particularly in spine and brain surgeries, ensuring that patients’ motor nerves (voluntary/involuntary movements) and sensory nerves remain intact. This helps prevent mistakes during neurosurgical procedures that could otherwise lead to deficits and paralysis.
Gaining this experience has given me a greater desire to pursue neurosurgery. As I worked the past year (2021), I was finally able to simultaneously study for and take the MCAT exam, and was blessed to score well enough to apply to medical school this year. These challenges have tested me and grown my faith in relying solely upon God for his provision and his timing rather than my own.
In pursuit of a medical degree, students often accumulate upwards of $250,000 in debt. I was incredibly blessed to receive scholarships for my undergraduate education, with the most generous scholarship coming from the White Bluff Chapel. I am eternally grateful for the continued support of White Bluff Chapel throughout my education. During times of financial difficulty in the midst of the COVID pandemic, your generosity allowed me to eat and pay for living expenses without accumulating debt. I feel incredibly blessed to have had your support throughout the years, making it possible for me, a small-town boy, to pursue my wildest dreams.
I humbly request that your church body continue to pray for me, for God to open the doors to medical school, and that He would lead me to where I may bring him glory.
Sincerely yours,
Andre Ribeiro"
Helping Whitney Firefighters
In an effort to help our local firefighter, the Lake Whitney Ministerial Alliance recently purchased "Smart Water" which has electrolytes in it and 6 cases of Gatorade which also has electrolytes. "Cold Packs" were also purchased and can be used around firefighter's necks to cool them off during the heat. The cold packs do not need a freezer to become ice cold. All you have to do is squeeze the center of the flexible ice pack and it will instantly become as cold as regular ice. The effect will last long enough to give relief to the person using it.
Vacation Bible School 2022
After a two year pause due to Covid-19, White Bluff Chapel was thrilled to host almost 60 children at our annual Vacation Bible School. Cathy Maze was our VBS director and help coordinate our volunteers as they took the children on a “Faith Quest”. Based on Joshua 1:9, the students were reminded to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Saying Thank You to Lois
Lois Partridge was approached to be an interim music director in August 2020, while we searched for a new music minister. What a treat for the congregation at White Bluff Chapel and those on the staff who served with her. We were witness to God equipping Lois with creative ideas, musical talent, a tremendous work ethic and most of all a joyful attitude that overflowed to all. With the hiring of our new Music/Family Minister, we had a “Thank You Party” for Lois on June 12th.
July’s Student of the Month
Ashtyn Thompson – 2018
When I contacted Ashtyn, a 2018 scholarship recipient, to ask her to be our Student of the Month, she enthusiastically said “yes!”, and within three days I received this response from her.
“David, thank you for taking the time to reach out to me! I would love to send you a short summary of how life has been and how impactful the scholarship was on my education!
College was a new experience for me which I will never forget. I went from being very introverted and afraid of going out to being outgoing and the one who put a smile on the faces of those around me. While college was amazing, I also learned a lot about myself and how to deal with the challenges I faced. I developed depression my second year of college, 2019-2020, and to further fuel that depression, the pandemic hit in the spring semester. For a long time, I was contemplating if I could really pull through with college, but then I remembered I had so many people supporting me, and that I had God on my side.
Fast forward to 2022, and I recently have graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I will begin residency at Texas Health Harris-Methodist in Cleburne on the Acute Medical/Surgical floor in mid-July. I will also be getting married in October to my high school sweetheart, about which we are both incredibly excited.
My college experience and opportunity would not have been possible, especially nursing school, without the aid of the White Bluff Scholarship. I come from a poor family which was unable to provide much towards college tuition and funding. I had to work hard as a waitress and then as a cashier during the summers for non-college bills. I want to thank the members of White Bluff Chapel for their dedication to the scholarship program and for providing the opportunity for those who are in financial need. Thank you also to my mentors, Nancie and Jodi Yarbro, as they kept up with my college journey and offered uplifting scriptures and prayers for me and my family. Most importantly, I thank God, for without Him none of this would have been possible.”
Ashtyn’s younger sister, Averi Thompson, is a 2022 WBC recipient, and is being mentored by the same family, Nancie and Jody Yarbro.
Moving Day for the Chapel Offices
In an effort to obtain more space for children and youth activities at the chapel, the offices of White Bluff Chapel have moved to “The Palms”. “The Palms’ is an office building just outside and across the street from the gates of White Bluff Resort. We will be open Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The men’s ministry of the chapel took on the challenge of moving the furniture and helping unpack.
June’s Student of the Month
Mackenzie Riney
I am currently classified as a pre-nursing junior and have approximately two years left before graduating from Tarleton State University.
When I started college in the fall of 2020, the Covid pandemic was in full swing. All my classes were online, yet, I lived on campus. It was a struggle because I spent the majority of my time on my computer in my dorm room. Classes are no longer online and college is much more enjoyable now. I am able to speak with my professors and engage in my classes.
The White Bluff scholarship program has been amazing. My mentors, Pat and Jim Griffin have been so kind and thoughtful to work with me. I am thankful for their prayers and support when I need them. The money from the scholarship has been and continues to be a great help in meeting the tuition, books, etc. expenses of a college education.
Thank you, the members of White Bluff Chapel, for the love and support you have given me.
Sincerely yours,
Mackenzie Riney
A New Music and Family Minister at WBC
The White Bluff Chapel has a new minister! After much prayer and deliberation, capped off by a great weekend, the congregation (unanimously) voted to extend a call to Aaron Franklin to become our new Minister of Music and Family. Aaron will begin on Sunday, June 19th – a day before Vacation Bible School!
Aaron was born and raised in Missouri. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Church Music from Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, MO and a Master’s Degree in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft Worth. He has over 20 years’ experience in ministry having served in churches in Texas, Wisconsin, and Tennessee. For the past 10 years he has served as Minister of Music and Senior Adults in Greeneville, Tennessee.
Aaron and his wife, Erin have been married for 19 years and have two sons, Anderson and E.J. Anderson will be a 10th grader and enjoys playing baseball; EJ will be an 8th grader and enjoys running cross country as well as playing the saxophone. Erin has a Bachelor’s Degree from TCU and a Master’s Degree in Christian Education with an emphasis in church recreation from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Athletes In Action Update
God Meets Us Where We Are
Brian Firle – Athletes In Action Update
The origin of every coming-to-faith story I hear has the same theme: God meets us where we are. Whatever our personality, whatever our experiences, God comes to us in our context, speaks our language, and reveals himself to us in ways that are personal to us.
The origin of every coming-to-faith story I hear has the same theme: God meets us where we are. Whatever our personality, whatever our experiences, God comes to us in our context, speaks our language, and reveals himself to us in ways that are personal to us.
We see this in the way Jesus interacts with each person. In the Gospels, Jesus uniquely draws near to Peter, Mary and Martha, Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, Roman officials, and even Pilate the Roman governor who ordered his flogging. We aren't asked to self-actualize or wise-up in order to know God. It is precisely where we are, where God meets us with his love and presence.
Last fall, a pro rider that had been on the fringes of our community for years had this experience. He has a typical engineering mind: logical, calculated, and historical. God met him there. It was through no work of ours, but through Lee Strobel's book, "The Case for Christ," that brought him to his knees. In his reading of a historical and literal resurrection of Jesus that convinced him of God's real power and presence. Those truths translated into his life at that moment.
Since then, we have been pouring into his life weekly, meeting with him in Bible study, processing life and relationships, and supporting him at events. At a time when professional sport can consume our identity, this athlete is putting his relationship with Jesus first, trusting God's plan for his life and living into that hope.
What always strikes me in these moments is how rapidly our affections can change. One minute our affection is wrapped up in sport or a relationship, and the next, focused preeminently on Jesus. With no help from us, God works behind the scenes shaping and molding hearts for him. There may never be a point when this doesn't surprise me: the supernatural work of God in the hearts of men and women.
Easter Children's Celebration 2022
Our Children’s Ministry provided our annual Easter Celebration with the gospel story, games, activities, and of course an Easter egg hunt. We had over 40 children and many adults who participated in a fun Saturday morning celebration of our Risen Savior.
Mission Moments
Recently our Acts 2:42 fellowship hosted Elizabeth Brown, who represents Foundation Ministries, for a Mission Moment. Elizabeth was delightful in telling us about the ministry opportunities and conditions in Africa.
We also had Jody Yarbro, and Vicki Thompson share their adventures in Guatmala where they went for a mission dental ministry. A team of 22 people, which included dental students, dentists, and hygienists, to San Raymundo, Guatemala. It’s about two hours out of Guatemala City in the low mountains. In four days of clinic, they saw 540 patients, which were mostly children. Vicki and Joe talked with the children about Jesus and salvation before they entered the clinic. Every day 6 – 10 Guatemalan dental students and instructors came out of Guatemala City and joined them.
