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By Krista Pope

Three years ago Adam Sidler randomly came up to me and asked me if I would be willing to go on the youth mission trip. I had no idea then that answering ‘Yes’ to that question would forever

Bonding time with my small group girls at Winter Retreat 2012.

impact me. Forever may seem like a strong word, but some of the benefits I have received during my time volunteering with the First Church of God youth truly will stay with me always. When you first get asked to volunteer at church, your typical conviction is that you should make a sacrifice for Christ and your church and say, “Yes”. The crazy secret is…that saying yes to serving becomes a BLESSING, instead of a sacrifice!

Three years ago, I was at a point in life where I was trying to cut down on the many things I was involved in that were consuming my time. I had young children at home and a strong conviction to focus on my husband and family. I wasn’t sure how volunteering with the youth was going to tie into that…but, I felt called by God (and Cassie Gareiss) to commit to one year. It quickly became clear that God provided me the perfect opportunity through an hour and a half on Sunday nights to meet MANY of my own needs, plus have the opportunity to serve and invest in OTHERS!

So, today I want to share with you a few of my favorite things about our First Church of God youth programs…

1. Mission Trips ~ The mission trips always end up being the highlight of my year. An opportunity to get the group to spend seven days away from their lives in Whitley County and FOCUS on Christ and serving Him. AMAZING! Each year makes me fall deeper in love with our students. Watching them work hard, live selflessly, laugh often and step out of their comfort zones is a blessing. I will never forget: the extremely intimate times of serving each other and walls being broken through feet washing ceremonies, my small group girls witnessing and sharing the prayer of salvation with 4 other teens, and our youth raising their hands in worship as they experience the love of Christ.

2. Small Group ~ At the end of each Sunday evening we break into small groups. I get the opportunity to meet with the same group of girls all year long. It is a special time of getting to hear how they are doing in their daily walks and then getting to challenge them to continue to GROW. I love my small group girls! This time also meets one of my largest needs… accountability! Each week I need to be able to be an example to these girls and share my walk and growth. I look back and think how many times I have made positive decisions in my own life due to the accountability of wanting to be a godly model for these girls. I have also humbled myself many times in sharing mistakes I have made. God is good and allows me to be an example of how we are forgiven and unconditionally loved despite our imperfection!

3. The Talks ~ Luke does a great job each week at challenging our teens on a topic. The youth today are living through very hard times with temptations and struggles surrounding them. We are so fortunate as a church to get to share TRUTH with over a hundred youth each Sunday night!!!!

4. Sunday AM ~ Our youth are using this time to dig deep in their Bibles and grow in their walks with the Lord. Jim Sittler CONTINUES to lead this ministry after more than 20 years! Of course this is one of my favorite things…since Jim was one of the most influential people in MY life as a teen!

5. THE YOUTH ~ I cannot express enough how AMAZING and WONDERFUL the youth are in this church! When society around us is fearful of ‘The Next Generation’…our church is BLESSED!!! Each time I come back from a mission trip, I am in awe of how our youth rise above the other groups that are around us. It is EVIDENT in their actions, words and lives that they are being held to a higher standard in their homes and at our church. Many of them have whole- heartedly taken the challenge of reading the Bible in a year and have been successful! I am blessed to have them as role models for my children! They are fun! So many of the teens I work with and know do not know how to have fun anymore without an extremely poor choice being part of it. The youth at our church make me laugh and know how to have fun. By the time our teens become Seniors in high school, they are leaders! They are strong in their faith and are ready to face college or whatever lies ahead of them with a strong foundation.

My life has been impacted by our youth at First Church of God. They have given me accountability, purpose, laughs, an opportunity to experience true worship, love, friendship and role models for my children. Thank you PARENTS for encouraging your kids to be part of our programs and for allowing us to be part of their lives. Thank you First Church of God congregation for always prioritizing the youth programs financially and prayerfully. What a HUGE blessing that we can be PROUD of our Next Generation!

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Isaiah Grant, age 18 and First Church of God member, recently returned from India. He spent 4 months as an intern with Campus Crusade for Christ. Most of his time has been spent working with media missions. He has also been blessed with the opportunity to minister to college students and children, giving him a more practical and hands-on side to ministry that he loves. Isaiah wrote this note a few weeks before his return.

I’ve spent nearly 4 months living in India working with media, students, camps, kids, and the people. Yes, I’ve impacted hearts. Yes, I’ve done ministry.  Yes, I’ve gotten to be a tool for the Lord. In the midst of  that “living” God has grown me more than I ever imagined. We never grow through simply living a daily pattern without any struggle in our lives. I remember before I left Luke Diehl prayed for me, “May God give Isaiah struggles and hard times in order that he may grow.” At that moment I didn’t think much of that prayer, rather I simply thought… it can’t be that hard. I can do this. I was selfish; I thought I could do this trip in my own strength. In reality, coming to India for 4 months has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. There have been nights when I just wanted to get on a plane home that instant. I’ve spent hours outside walking around praying at night. I’ve woken up wishing I could just sleep away the rest of the time here. That’s when I pray and God always reminds me, “Isaiah I’ve got a plan for you today and I’m growing you just how I want.” The joy for me has been that I’ve seen the growth and I’m beginning to reap the rewards. India has put my faith completely on my own. I’ve become a man, no longer a boy or a teen. I feel independent, I’ve experienced loneliness, learned what it’s like to live on my own, and to make all my own decisions. I didn’t want the struggles or the pain; I wanted it to be easy. I’d never thought it would be this hard. But I also never thought it would be this rewarding!

Do you want to grow? Do you want to be used by God? Do you want to become the Next Generation? Do hard things, pray Luke’s prayer, step out on the edge, embrace the struggles and take them head on. But never ever take them on without the Lord right by your side.

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By Heather Ward

There are more than 30 million slaves in the world today, more than at any other point in human history. Traffickers prey on vulnerable populations—families in poverty, children, people with addictions. Men, women, and children, created in God’s image, are traded and sold daily like property with no idea that there is a God that loves them. Tragically, over 2 million children worldwide are forced into sexual slavery each year. Children as young as 5 years old are being sold, stolen, kidnapped or coerced into prostitution—a tragic journey which begins in a family struggling for survival. (Statistics are from Destiny Rescue and Unicef)

First Church is sending a group with Destiny Rescue this summer to Thailand and Cambodia. One of the team members, Trisha Miller, shares her heart for this ministry:

A year and a half ago I was invited to a Freedom Party by a friend. What is a Freedom Party you may ask? I didn’t know but I went with an open mind and left that night with a broken heart for people caught in the web of human trafficking and child slavery. A part of the presentation covered Destiny Rescue Missions. Destiny Rescue is mission that focuses on taking young girls off the streets, getting them in a safe home and teaching them a basic life skill and introduces them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  

First Church is partnering with Destiny Rescue this summer to offer an opportunity to travel to Thailand and Cambodia. The purpose of this trip is to not only see the extreme poverty and realism of human trafficking but to see what Destiny Rescue is doing to change the lives of the poor and to show them the love of Jesus Christ.  

As I have told others before, I am a sender, not a goer. I never felt like God was calling me to step out of my comfort zone and half way around the world. I have learned to never say never when it comes to God’s will. I have realized through prayer that not only is He asking me to go, but He is asking me to trust Him fully with my health my family and my future. “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13  

I am excited to see firsthand the progress that Destiny Rescue has made in both Thailand and Cambodia. We will visit rescue homes and the girls who have been rescued out of child prostitution. We will also see the prevention programs designed to help the impoverished.  

The Bible talks a lot about helping the poor, the child and fighting injustice. I am not sure where God is taking me with this journey but I know with His strength it will be awesome!      

The Bible tells us: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8 Is God laying anything on your heart to fight injustice in the world? For more information on Destiny Rescue visit the website at: www.destinyrescue.org.

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Another season of Sunday PM comes to a close in the next few weeks. Kids Connection will go out with a bang on May 6th when the Family Beach Party takes place at the YMCA!

These Tyketown preschoolers enjoy some active time in the gym before snack and lesson time.

Sonlight Club kids have learned about Kings and Queens of the Bible. Here is our own "King David" Lundblad and brave Queen Esthers.

Girls of Grace learned about being beautiful in God's eyes and have had special nights for skin care, nail care, and hair care. Here the girls show off their curls and braids.

Eighth grade girls are excited about the traveling trophy (a toilet seat) during Sunday PM for students.

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Stained Glass Window

By Amy Jagger

You may have noticed the new location of the Welcome Center in the lobby, however, a bit of a makeover is on the way. This will better accommodate the space needed and utilized, as well as allow for the “Resource Shelf” to run efficiently. Do you wish you could read some of the books Pastor Johnny mentions in his sermons? Do you wish you didn’t have to drive to Fort Wayne to purchase meaningful literature? Be sure to stop by Welcome Center to view the books available for purchase at cost.

Also, the stained glass window has made its way to a new home in the Prayer Room. Room 106 is available for individuals or groups to meet the Lord in prayer. The beautiful stained glass window only adds to the serenity and peacefulness of the Prayer Room.

The stained glass window hung over the main entrance at the original First Church of God building built in 1885 at the corner of Jackson and Washington Streets, which is currently home to the Columbia City Church of the Brethren. The window was gifted to the church and has continued to be an important legacy and heritage for First Church. Locations change, music changes, the importance of multi-media changes but we can always rest assured in the promise that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

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Tara Smith, High School Junior, shares her experience at camp…

Winter retreat was amazing! We went tubing, had a snowball fight, and watched the youth group guys dominate at basketball. Also we had sessions where the speaker talked about how God forgives our sins and I had my eyes opened to the amazing ways God can work in my life. God challenged me to be able to move on from my past and look forward to a brighter future with Him. Our Bible verse and theme for the weekend was Philippians 3:1: “Forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.” God also challenged me to stop being shy and to actually be myself around people; and because of that I made some new amazing friends. Now that I am home I continue to live for God by ministering to younger people and being a good influence on my old friends. Also I will be going on the Dominican Republic mission trip this summer. I am now living upside down for God and loving every minute of it. Winter Retreat changed my life!

Lenah Beck, Middle School Sixth Grader, describes her experience in a large group session…

The lights dim in the auditorium as the stragglers in the crowd softly shuffle to their seats. The leaders come out onto the stage. Some talking…a broomball update…a skit…finally, the band comes out onto the stage! Attaboy plays songs for us. We sing along to the lyrics projected onto the screen. When we’re done worshipping Christ, our speaker, Duffy Robbins, comes out onto the stage. He talks, but we don’t get bored. He addresses us as middle school students, not just people in general, and talks to us as if we were sitting right in front of him, not just as members of an audience. He really made me feel like, even though I have my doubts, “God has a plan, man has a problem, the choice is up to YOU.” Those words really encouraged me, and I felt like there was finally something I could remember and carry with me all my life. A sermon in 14 words. I’ve never heard that before! The winter retreat was an amazing experience for me, and I really do feel like I walked away changed!

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First Church’s Global Outreach Team sponsors more than a dozen missionaries around the globe. One missionary they support is Bharat P, a student at Gaff’s school, IGSL, in the Philippines. Here’s a little note from him thanking the church for 2011 donations, talking about finishing up his second year’s first trimester:

“The benefit of learning the Greek language…I found is so…helpful to know the original context of the word of God and to present it among the people with a meaningful method. Having an opportunity to walk with God closely and learning the subjects systematically in God’s accurate timing, has given me an assurance of God’s hand upon His ministry for me. You have contributed a lot for God’s kingdom work by preparing me to be a messenger of the good news of Christ. I am preparing myself for church planting ministry through producing movement mind set leaders/church planters in my place called Himalayan region of Northern India, who will help fulfill the Great Commission of Christ in this generation by doing the same through evangelism and planting the churches in their respective areas.”

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Dear Friends,

Over the past few weeks, Pastor Johnny has been encouraging us to “Give Christmas Away”.  While I’ve been taking all this in, and doing what I believe God wants me to do in this regard, I was also a recipient of “Give Christmas Away”.

Two weeks ago, I went to the church pantry, to learn the ropes, so I could do the work the next week.  It was a long two hours, with many, many  families seeking and receiving help. Near the end of the time, the door opened, and in walked a Stepping Stones children’s worker, with a 4 year old girl in hand.  The worker delivered the child to her Grandma, who was working in the pantry, also.  After a few minutes, the little girl dug into  her school bag, took out a smaller plastic bag, held it high before me and said, “Here, this is for you. I made it for you.”

I looked at her and said, “Honey, are you sure this isn’t for someone else?”

Grandma asked her, “Are you sure?”

The little girl looked at me, bag still held high, and said, “No, It’s for her. I “made it just for her.”

I accepted the plastic bag and looked inside.  There was a beautiful snow globe, made by this precious child, which she gave to me.  Now, some of you may be wondering what is so special about a child giving me a baby food jar filled with glitter, water and a picture of a Christmas tree…  I shall tell you…I did not know this child…I had never even seen her before …and yet, she chose to Give Christmas Away…to me.

You see, Giving Christmas Away, isn’t just in the giving…it is also in the receiving….I am very blessed to have received a true Christmas gift from a
little child.  The snow globe now occupies a place on honor in our home, and shall continue to rest there, as a reminder to…..Give Christmas Away….

Respectfully,

Pat Heinbaugh

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The Midwest Conference is located in Columbia City and serves Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Churches of God. I got this note from them today. Click here to view their email updates as an RSS feed.

In All Things, Give Thanks

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;for this is the will
of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16

This Thanksgiving, as we get together with family and friends to share our blessings, let’s remember:

• the person who sits and waits for visitors, and has no one to share a meal with
• the father or mother who were just told that their job will be closing
• the children caught in the crossfire of family situations
• the homeless, the cold and hungry, the sick and suffering
• soldiers who are away from their home and families, and in harms way
• families spending the first holiday without that special loved one
• people who are less thankful and have lost their joy due of adverse circumstances
• the person who does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ

With prayer at the top of the list, here are just a few ways we can help to bring joy:

• Visit a homebound person and share a meal with them. Come along side them in their life.
• Give someone a job, or refer someone to an employer. Supply gift cards for food, gas, clothing. Donate to a local food bank and clothing pantry. Donate winter clothing at local merchants. Pick a child’s name off of the “Angel Tree” or other similar venues.
• Volunteer at soup kitchens and homeless shelters, provide blankets and supplies.
• Write to a soldier, send care packages throughout the year and minister to their families. http://www.operationgratitude.com/ is one
  of many websites where you can find information.
• Call, or send a special rememberance card, gift, or flowers to those who have lost loved ones.
• Reach out and be Jesus, build a relationship, show love, kindness and compassion.

Some days it stretches us to feel the sentiment or sing the words of a familiar Thanksgiving song. Especially when we can’t count the
change in our pockets, let alone our blessings.

This Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday season, be a friend to someone in need. Let them see Jesus in you and discern how God would have you get involved.

“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the
Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19b-20.