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A new Gallup poll shows that Americans trust in god The lowest level ever reached.
And four Christian leaders said a number of factors, including young people filling their lives with things other than God and anxiety from the coronavirus lockdown, have contributed to the decline.
The survey revealed that 81% American Believe in God, which is a six-figure drop from 2017 and represents the lowest percentage ever recorded by Gallup. The biggest drop in faith in terms of age groups was the 10% drop in 18- to 29-year-olds who say they believe in God.
Bart Barber, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Farmersville in rural East Texas and president of the Southern Baptist Convention, told Fox News Digital that more and more people in the United States “not only have no affiliation with the faith congregation, but actually have time.” Neither is there. To stop life and think of anything spiritual.”
“Even some people who identify themselves as Christians and say that they believe in God and have accepted the gospel, many of them, find the church and contemplation and worship in their lives.” I’ve been squeezed from the schedule,” Barber explained.
Rev. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., president of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a former Lutheran pastor, told Fox News Digital, “People continue to search and continue to think about the big questions, but the lack of it sets them apart. Dedicated space and time leads to the chaos we currently see around us.”
young people are the demographic that Catholic Bishop Robert BarronThe bishop-designate of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and founder of Word on Fire, is “of most concern” because he has “inherited the attenuation of religious practice” that is prevalent in the society.
“When I was a kid, my parents assumed that we would be brought up in congregation, we would be taught the ways of prayer, we learned about the saints. They immersed us in that world,” said Baron. remembered. “Well, when you don’t immerse people in that world, you say, ‘Oh, it’s up to you, you decide what you want to do when you turn 16.’ You lose all that. And then we wonder why the youth are wandering and the youth have lost their sense of purpose and meaning?”
The President of the Council of Bishops, Bishop Thomas J. bickerton United Methodist Churchtold Fox News Digital that, in some ways, the survey is not surprising because churches have lost many generations of parishioners by not “nurturing” young people in the faith.
“We’re missing two or three generations of people who aren’t immersed in church rhythms or worship. They’re not involved in relationships in the church. They’re doing other things,” Bickerton said. “For me, the practice of my faith is what fuels my deepest faith in God, and if you find generations that are not practicing the rhythm of worship in the church or practicing their faith, then there is nothing in it.” It is not surprising that they are now doubting God or not. Existing.”
The lack of relationship building and practice of church traditions, which contributed to the decline in faith in God, was severely exacerbated. coronavirus lockdown Across the United States, faith leaders said.
“I’ve talked to a lot of young people who say, ‘You know, through this COVID thing, I’ve been skeptical about whether God exists or what is my relationship with God,'” Bickerton told People. Getting contacted is an “everyday occurrence” with questions about struggling to keep your faith.
“You can’t underestimate the power of relationships,” Bickerton said. “So I think the separation has given rise to a sense of skepticism.”
Barber recalled a situation during the COVID lockdown that “shook the needle” for her when a grandmother in her congregation urged her to reopen the sanctuary as her son was battling depression after losing his father and Was in a “bad place” mentally and emotionally. Entering worship.
“COVID, when you throw it in, people are even more isolated and people are even thrown out of the church,” Barber said. “COVID accelerated things that were already in trend before that.”
A study conducted by conservative think tank Just Facts has concluded that the coronavirus lockdown will cause stress and anxiety destroy seven times More years of life were saved than in the lockdown, and several studies have shown that alcohol, drug use and suicides have increased significantly during the pandemic.
“You see it at almost every level where there is no opportunity for community engagement or there is a purposeful rejection of engagement with the community. Whatever form that may take, people try to fill that void in some way or the other. ,” said Rast. “So many more instances of self-harm, higher instances of suicide, real issues with mental well-being that people are facing, and how do you address them? Well, often people self-medicate, and so we’ve got real Have seen growth in this regard as well.”
Barron said the pandemic had “a huge impact,” including a “very negative impact on young people” which he has seen “close-up”.
“Religious practice, prayer, going collectively, attend a religious serviceAs it goes away, the convictions are going to be proven,” Barron said. “They have to be embodied, they have to be practiced.”
Several faith leaders who spoke with Fox News Digital put some of the blame for the decline in faith in God. United States of america on the churches themselves.
Barron told Fox News Digital that churches deserve some blame because they have stopped “challenging” youth.
“We try to make religion user-friendly as well,” Barron said. “We try to make it culture-friendly. No. We speak out of ancient tradition, which for centuries has been acquainting people with life and the mystery of the path and meaning.
“And if we just adopt a hand-writing stance and apologetics we’re only going to go into culture, and young people are going to say, ‘The heck with you,’ and they’ll find it disjointed and reluctant to undermine trust. stop doing it.”
Rast told Fox News Digital that he believes various scandals in churches across the country have contributed to people turning away from their faith.
“I think it has allowed many people to say to themselves, ‘If this is what the Church is,’ if this is christianityIf this is the result of belief in God, then who needs it?'”
Bickerton said young people in the church have become disillusioned that they are being practiced on Mondays by not seeing what they hear in church on Sundays.
“I think God is sure to change, among other things, but I also believe it’s the church’s fault at the time because the younger generation is very vocal about saying what they hear on Sundays. Tired of what they don’t experience on Mondays. From the people sitting in the pew,” Bickerton explained.
“Living out of our faith isn’t just a journey into a worship service, it’s an encounter in the world. And the younger generation wants to see how faith lives in the culture. And when it doesn’t, when there is inconsistency in the church people. It creates a lot of doubt within them, ‘Does this belief really matter?'”
While the Gallup poll has caused concern among church leaders, some faith leaders who spoke to Fox News Digital expressed optimism for the future, including Rust. He pointed out that the percentage of people who believe in God in the United States is still higher than the voting shows. European Countries,
“When you look at the longer term, what’s really remarkable is that with a recent Gallup poll indicating that only over 80% of Americans believe in God, it’s actually more than the rest of Western culture.” Quite a striking number in comparison.”
Barber explained that his optimism for the future comes from his study of history And their belief is that atheism does not provide the answers that people who have abandoned the faith are looking for.
“There have been times in the history of Western civilization that society has become disillusioned with the idea of religion in general or Christianity in particular and has turned away from the idea of God or the practice of faith as seen by them. -Father or grandparent decides to choose differently for themselves,” Barber said.
“But I am encouraged by the fact that, time after time, again and again, in the cycles of history, people are becoming disillusioned with life without God because there are deep questions in life for which atheism simply don’t provide good answers.
“So I remain optimistic,” Barber said. “I am a long-term optimist and a short-term realist about the situation in the United States with respect to people and their faith right now.”


19 Nov 2016
Thanksgiving Eve Worship and Pie Social
Worship on Thanksgiving Eve will be at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23rd, giving thanks for all with which we have been blessed. After worship we will have a pie social in the lounge—you are invited to bring a favorite pie to share! The Church office and the St. Mark Child Development Center will both be closed on Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving (November 24 & 25). Regular hours will resume on Monday, November 28th.
23 Sep 2016
Journey of Faith Begins
Journey of Faith returns beginning with four “Come and See” gatherings: September 25, October 2, October 23, and November 6, 2016, at 9:45 a.m. in the Library. Journey of Faith is an ancient process of spiritual growth and renewal for adult believers. Bring your questions and find out more about this process during the “Come and See” sessions. Each will cover different topics, so plan to attend all four sessions. Look for the Journey of Faith brochure on Rally Day, September 11th. For more information, contact Pastor Charles, Joanne Sandhu, Daina Upite, Geri Hall, or Chris Woods.
01 Sep 2016
Rally Day is September 11th
Rally Day is coming Sunday, September 11. On that day, we will have one service outside at 9:30 a.m. This will be followed by coffee, fellowship, games, service opportunities, and burgers and hot dogs.
Also, Rally Day is a day we bless the animals so you are invited to bring your pets, or pictures of your pets, or even your favorite stuffed animal. An “Animal Show” will be part of the festivities as well.
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the ELCA has declared this day as “God’s work. Our hands” Sunday where we are encouraged to participate in helping our community. Saint Mark will serve Kairos Community Lunch on that day possibly outdoors. You are welcome to help following all the Rally Day activities.
Saint Mark returns to two services at 8:30am and 11:00am beginning September 18th.


About Our Church
To be a people who have given themselves to living as disciples of Jesus Christ. We will strive to function as a New Testament church offering opportunities of Ministry, Discipleship, Worship, Evangelism, and Fellowship.
The focus of our existence shall be to fulfill the great commission of Christ Jesus, to care for others, to know and love Jesus, and strive to make Him known to our City, County, State, Nation, and World.
To be a dynamic spiritual body of believers empowered by the Holy Spirit to share Christ with as many people as possible in our church, our community, and throughout the world.
To be a worshiping fellowship, experiencing an awareness of God, recognizing His person, and responding in obedience to His leadership.
To experience an increasingly meaningful fellowship with God and fellow believers.
To help people experience a growing knowledge of God and man.
To be a church who ministers unselfishly to persons in the community and in the world in Jesus' name.
First Baptist Church, 100 W. Main St., Samson, AL 36477


Women’s ministry is centered on Jesus. It is to unite the women in helping other women to come to the knowledge of Christ and grow in Christ. It is about encouraging people to respond to the Gospel and apply the Gospel to every aspect of life:
- Teach and help young women in the Church.
- Engage God in prayer.
- Help prepare young women to be a virtuous woman.
- Bible Study
- Share and develop a Godly relationship.
WOMEN'S MINISTRY MEETINGS : EVERY MONDAY @ 5PM.
Mama Julie Owiredu (614) 596-9366
Sis. Fatima Koroma (614) 806-8698


One of my favorite songs as a child was:
“The foolish man built his house upon the sand… (Repeat 2 times)
And, the rains came streaming down.
The rains came down and the floods came up… (Repeat 2 times)
And, the foolish man’s house went splat.”
There are two more verses. The “wise man built his house upon a rock…and the wise man’s house stood firm.” The lesson at the end, “build you house on the Lord Jesus Christ and your house will always stand firm”.
Let’s think about a water bottle. If you take an unopened, plastic, bottle of water out of your fridge, it’s somewhat difficult to squeeze. It’s full of water and is air tight because it is sealed. However, because there is room for air at the top, you have a little bit of room to apply pressure right now. What happens when you drink the water? The bottle is full of fragile air. Without the water there for protection, the bottle can now be crushed with considerable ease. The bottle will buckle in your hand because it cannot handle the pressure being dealt against it.
We are all pressured daily. We are pressured at work by coworkers to do more; we are pressured at home by our family to work less; we are pressured by our peers (even as adults) to do things we don’t want to; we are pressured at church by our congregation to be better Christians. It never stops. It seems like no matter what we do, we aren’t pleasing someone. “Well, if I work late I can finish that project, but I won’t be home for dinner. If I leave early on Wed, I can help with G.A.s at church, but my coworkers will be annoyed to have to do my tasks. I really don’t want to go to the game this weekend, but my friends are all going.” It goes on and on. I can promise you, that no matter which decision you make, someone will feel put out. Someone’s feelings are always going to be hurt. And, even if you do make the decision to please person A today, they will be upset tomorrow when you agree to do something for person B. It’s a harsh cycle that we all become a victim to. It is so hard not to crush under the pressure.
I used to feel like the fragile, plastic, empty bottle. I would crush under pressure with the slightest squeeze. It didn’t take much from anyone for me to buckle. I didn’t know how to stand steady. I finally learned to block it. I had to fill-up my fragile, empty space with God. It’s easier to stand my ground under the pressure when I am standing with God.
Let’s go back to the bottle. What happens when you freeze the unopened, sealed bottle of water? When you try to squeeze it now, it is like a rock. The sealed bottle on its own is steady and difficult to squeeze, but the frozen bottle is firm. An adult without God or Jesus in their heart and soul is like the fragile, empty bottle. There is no one there to support him/her from the unrelenting pressure. It will buckle effortlessly. They will buckle effortlessly. An adult Christian learning to live his/her life to please Him is more like the unopened, sealed water bottle. It’s much more difficult, but can still feel the pressure when enough is applied. The bottle will eventually start to lose its shape when you squeeze hard enough. The adult Christian who is alreadyliving every day for Him is like the frozen water bottle. He/she cannot be broken with just a little human effort. It is very difficult to achieve the task of crushing the frozen bottle because it is so firm. It is firm as a rock. It’s extremely difficult to get the Christian to buckle under pressure because God is standing for them. It’s like the song lyrics “so, build your house on the Lord, Jesus Christ and your house will always stand firm.”
Here’s the best part about the crushed water bottle though…you can blow air into it and it once again finds its shape! It may have lost itself under the pressure, but with just a little air it becomes whole, again. We may buckle under pressure, but when we turn to God he heals us. He breathes the air of life into us. The overwhelming weight of pressure may literally feel like it is crushing down on us; that we are losing our shape just like the empty water bottle does. But, when we turn to God for strength, He will freely give it! He will fill us all with the strength weneed to stand firm like the frozen water bottle…to stand firm like a rock.


Michael Phelps is the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time with 23 gold medals and 28 total medals. Swimming was his one-thing. What’s your One Thing? Everybody has one. Is it your family, your business, money, your faith?
Our staff recently read the book, The One Thing by Gary Keller. The book is an excellent read with many life and business lessons; but the main theme of the book is focus on those things that are truly important and prioritize your time around them. “Extraordinary results require focused attention nd time.” If your goal is to compete in a triathlon, you must focus on training. If you desire closer relationships with family, you invest time in them.
During the past few months, our church has been studying the book of Luke. One story in particular caught my attention. In Luke 10:38-42, the story is told of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Martha had her One Thing; preparing food for guests. Mary had her One Things; sitting at the feed of Jesus, learning from his teachings. If you know the story, Martha complained that Mary had complained about Mary not helping and Jesus pointed out that Mary had chosen the better thing; she had focused on what was truly important. That’s the lesson of the story, focus on what is truly important.
With today’s fast paced lifestyle, unending news headlines and barrage of social media, we are easily distracted. These distractions can easily cause us to lose focus on the things that are truly important in life. Martha was distracted with the details of the dinner and lost her focus. Let me encourage you to stop, just as I have recently done, and examine what is most important in your life, then focus your attention, time and energy on the One Thing.
While our business is about providing insurance products to protect and limit the risk of employers and individuals, we can only accomplish this by truly understanding the needs of those we serve. Each day we strive for perfection and understand we will never attain it, but we are determined to be excellent.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and remember, at Wyatt, you are our One Thing.
Cliff works directly with employers to design, implement & communicate comprehensive employee benefits program which allows employers a competitive advantage to recruit & retain talent & operate a successful business since talented people are the greatest asset of a business.


The Bangladesh Christian Fellowship of Australia celebrated Christmas on the 25th of December 2018 at the Redgum Centre at WentworthVille, Sydney, with all the Bangladeshi Christian community as well as some invited guests. Dr. Ronald Patro, President welcomed all the guests. A prayer was made, followed by lunch. There was a cultural function as well, where many of the adults and children performed songs or dances. And last, but definitely not least, Santa Clause once again made the long journey from the North Pole to Rockdale. He sang Christmas carols with the children before distributing their presents. The day ended with a raffle draw where there were many great prizes to be won.
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The Worship Interludes Podcast
Peaceful, calm, reflective instrumental interludes for your times of prayer, devotion, meditation, and relaxation.
Thank you for listening to the Worship Interludes Podcast. I created this podcast to share some of my own personal times of worship through playing the piano. My hope is that these short, improvised instrumental interludes will be a blessing to those who enjoy calm, reflective instrumental music.
How to Subscribe and Listen
- Listen on the website. Consider subscribing to be notified when new interludes are released.
- iTunes Users: subscribe to the “Worship Interludes” podcast and take these with you wherever you go on all of your devices.
- Android Users: subscribe and listen in Google Play or use any number of Android-based podcast apps.
Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a storm? You want to run and find shelter. Protection is your biggest objective. I loved this beautiful picture and I can imagine running into this barn for protection. My piano interludes are meant to provide a musical background for prayer, meditation, reflection, and yes … … Continue reading Worship Interludes: Waiting In the Storm [Episode 56, November 9, 2017]
Some times we should stop and pray, meditate, or reflect on the simple things of life. Those small; yet faithful, simple things that bring us hope, pleasure, and joy. How often do we neglect to be grateful for the simple things of life. As you listen to this today, I hope you will take time … Continue reading Worship Interludes: The Simple Things [Episode 55, November 7, 2017]


Available from the publisher: Breton Books https://www.capebretonbooks.com/
Father Jimmy Tompkins was the spiritual father of the co-op movement in Nova Scotia. When he insisted that the university should serve the average person, his bishop banished him to parish work among Nova Scotia’s poorest fisherman. Once over the shock, Tompkins encouraged cooperation, self-reliance and adult education – testing the roots of what became the Antigonish Movement.
In Father Jimmy, his ideas live again – an inspiration and a tool for those who want to make a difference today.


I received something in the mail from my Grandmother the other day and I
thought I'd share it.
The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you depending on how
you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how GOD wants to
use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their
problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring. Here
are several ways GOD wants to use the problems in your life:
God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes, God must light a fire under you to
get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to
change. Is God trying to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful
situation to make us change our ways. (Proverbs 20:30); God uses problems to
INSPECT you. People are like tea bags if you want to know what's inside them,
just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem?
What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you
should be fully of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith,
and this will give you patience." (James 1:2-3).
God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and
failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot
stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes, we only learn the
value of something health, money, a relationship by losing it. "It was the best
thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your
Laws." (Psalm 119:71-72); God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a
blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more
serious. Last year, a friend was fired for refusing not to do something
unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His employment was a problem but
it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when
management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm, but God
intended it for good." (Gen 50:20)
God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems, when responded to correctly, are
character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your
comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things
you're going to take with you into eternity. We can rejoice when we run into
problems, they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of
character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally
our hope and faith are strong and steady." (Romans 5:3-4). Here's the point -
God is at work in your life even when you do not recognize it or understand it.
But it is much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him! There is no
need for you to worry. God is at work in your life; He will not fail you...
I cannot tell you how twists and turns my young life has taken. This is the
case for most of us. It's how we respond to these things that define us. So,
don't worry. Stop living in fear. What you think about, you bring about, so
concentrate on finding the seed of equivalent benefit in every problem that you
encounter. Commit to it...
The Power of Upper Cervical
On Thursday, February 16 at 6:30PM, we will be holding a special screening of
the documentary, "The Power of Upper Cervical." This is a truly special way for
people to learn about Upper Cervical Care. The film that was put together by
patients like yourselves and features some of the best of the best in our
profession. It has the potential to be life changing for your friends and
family members that are suffering unnecessarily. The "price of admission" for
current patients is bringing someone with you that wants to know more about
Upper Cervical, while it's free for them.
RSVP is very important for this event. It's being held at our office and we
have but a limited number of seats, so reserve your spots as soon as possible.
Let's make this the best one, yet!
Thinking good things for you, as always,


Our Sunday worship service starts at 09:00 in the school hall.
You will find a small group of about 40 friendly Christians with what we consider a good ethnic mix (Approx 50/50 African/White).
The first half of the service is dedicated to worship. Here we sing hymns to the Lord and one of the men will lead prayer during this time as well as briefly read some Scripture. As part of our worship service we give an opportunity for our members to worship the Lord with their offerings/tithe but as a visitor, this is not expected of you.
Once a month we observe communion/Lord’s Table, open to anyone who is a born-again believer in Jesus Christ.
After the ‘first-half’, the Sunday School children leave us for one of the classrooms and the preacher will bring the message. This is usually the Pastor but approximately once a month one of the men will bring God’s message to us.
Preaching is from the Authorized Version and usually expository.
After the message, we sing a hymn and join each other for tea and coffee on the stoep (veranda). This is at approximately 10:30 and is a great time to get to know us.
If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us.


As followers of Jesus, we give not because we have to but because God first gave to us and we do so with a joyful heart and generous spirit. Giving is our response to God’s generosity to us. Generous giving blesses others and supplies the needs of God’s people, it is also an act of obedience and trust – in doing it we are saying that it is God, not ourselves or anyone else, who ultimately provides for our needs. Giving should never be forced or grudging, but rather voluntary and cheerful.
Giving financially is just one way of expressing generosity. If you’re struggling financially or in debt, we encourage you to express generosity in a non-financial way by serving on a team, praying for the Church, or being generous with your time towards others.
Click the link below to find out how your donation will help us…
Which Is The Best Way To Give?
We are grateful for each gift, no matter what the amount or how the gift is made. However, if you consider yourself a part of All Saints’ with St. Mark’s churches and are in a position to give financially, or would just like to give to support us, we would love for you to consider setting up a regular, monthly gift.
Regular giving is crucial for us as it enables us to plan impactful, long-term projects and to help as many people as possible follow Jesus and his teachings. Right now, you can give regularly by joining the Parish Giving Scheme. Please see the links below for more information on this and other donation methods…
Adding Gift Aid to your Donation
Other Ways to Support Us…
We appreciate any way that you are able to help us, be it financially or through your time or talents. You can find information below on some of the other ways in which you can support us, or just drop us an email email@example.com


I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions but I distinctly remember on the first day of 2019 thinking it would be nice if my faith could grow stronger in 2019. The problem was I was not exactly sure what I meant by “stronger”. I have always struggled with wanting to control everything so I decided stronger faith meant trusting God and believing He is in control even when things feel out of control.
Within six weeks of those thoughts things in my life felt VERY out of control. Cyrus’ diabetes diagnosis sent me into a tailspin that made me doubt God’s goodness, fairness, and ability to protect my family from blow after blow. I was embarrassed by my lack of faith and feelings toward God. This is NOT how I wanted to grow a stronger faith. My faith felt extremely weak because instead of wanting to draw nearer to God I wanted to retreat. I did not understand why God would choose to use my son’s health crisis to grow my faith. I begged Him to afflict me instead.
On Monday of this week Cyrus woke up with a fever. Within 24 hours he was vomiting. Being unable to keep food down is very dangerous for someone with diabetes. Food is needed to raise blood sugar and insulin is needed to keep the body from forming a high level of ketones which can make someone even sicker. Insulin cannot be given without food. After two days of vomiting and now severe stomach pain it was obvious Cyrus was not getting better. We still had two days remaining of our Florida vacation but we made the decision to cut our vacation short and drive through the night to get home. Cyrus vomited every hour for 6 hours on the way home. Instead of driving home we decided to bypass our exit and go immediately to our local children’s hospital emergency room. After receiving anti nausea medication and IV fluids he seemed to be doing better. But within 24 hours we were back in the ER. After ruling out a lot of possibilities via X-ray and ultrasound we were sent home again to ride out what was most likely a virus. That night I brought Cyrus to bed with me and watched helplessly as he vomited and rocked back and forth on his hands and knees telling me the pain was “the worst ever”. At 2am it broke my heart to hear Cy ask, “Why isn’t God making me better?” I placed my cheek against his cheek and began praying over him out loud. As soon as I finished praying Cy pronounced a hearty “Amen!” to rival even the best gospel choir.
Not My Faith
I wish I could tell you that his pain disappeared immediately after my prayer but it was another 12 hours before he began to feel better. As I sat in the quiet darkness of my bedroom, rubbing my son’s back while he slept fitfully, I thought about his question. “Why isn’t God making me better?” There was so much faith in that innocent question. He believed God could make him well. He showed his faith in God’s ability to hear our prayer with his hearty amen at the conclusion of my prayer. Then a thought I had never considered came to me. What if this trial we are facing is less about MY faith and more about HIS faith? What if Cyrus is learning to trust God’s goodness even when he doesn’t feel well? What if God is showing himself faithful to Cyrus through the hard times? Too often I dismiss these lessons as too hard for my children to grasp. But they are grasping them in baby steps, child size steps. When I had the thought of wanting stronger faith I wanted to take a GIANT leap from weak to strong but instead Cyrus is showing me it only takes child size steps to grow my faith. I am going to stop striving for a faith like Job and start with faith like a child.


KAIR is a non-profit organization seeking to serve those individuals and families in Marathon and the Florida Keys who have found themselves in crisis. Working in partnership with other agencies and organizations, every effort is made to return people to self-supporting, productive lives.
KAIR has served the local community since 1998 and is funded through public and private grants, donations, and fund raisers. Located in the Community United Methodist Church in Marathon, it is a creation of the churches in Marathon seeking to serve on a non-sectarian level without expecting a religious response.
Marj Roberts has been the director since 2005.
Monday, Thursday, Friday
9 am to 12 noon
Tuesday 12 noon to 3 pm
Wednesday 2 pm to 5 pm
or by appointment, if necessary
3010 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050
KAIR is generously supported by United Way, Episcopal Charities, Feeding South Florida Food Bank and Farmshare. Various state and federal grants are also used. Your support and contributions will help us serve the community and reach out to our neighbors in need. Volunteer! Sign up for special events! And your financial contributions help in so many ways!
Copyright © 2020 KAIRonline - All Rights Reserved.


by Charles Butler
Editor’s note: The following excerpt demonstrates an example of my editing work on this book.
“Monday, August 28, 2000, was the day I was scheduled to report voluntarily to the prison. I was convinced this was what God wanted me to do. I had a certain peace about it all, and yet I felt an inner turmoil–-an uncertainty mixed with fear. Would I be up to the experience?
All the anxious speculation about what might happen would now give way to the reality of life in prison. I did not need to pack clothes for the trip. The authorities had informed me that the prison would supply all my clothing needs. Marilyn had been most supportive. At least this was the way I perceived it. Perhaps she was not as supportive as I had supposed and I was just too dense to recognize it. Or, I may have been so certain I was doing God’s will that I was incapable of considering any other possibility. Whatever the reality, I acted on the inner certainty that I was doing what God wanted me to do, and I was convinced that I had the loving support of my wife.”


As we met last night we kicked off our first service by seeking God in prayer. We long to be a church that is defined as a praying church. We were able to incorporate reflection in who God is, what God has done, even as we prayed for what we need God to do in, around, and through our lives.
As we shared a bit about where each of us was coming from and why we were there last night, it quickly became clear to all of us that God was at work. It was apparent that God has been stirring about in our own various lives, through a variety of circumstances, and ongoing in our hearts to lead us even to that place and moment together last night. It is undeniable that God is at work. Only God could have brought us together. We marvel at how God brought all this together. It caused us all to look ahead to what else God might unveil in the days upcoming.
And so we pray. We continue to pray that God would bring more laborers to join in this church planting work. If you are interested in what God is doing among us, if your heart is stirred to step outside your comfort zone and join God in a work He is orchestrating, if you are looking to experience God's sufficiency and spread a passion for His supremacy, and to help others to do the same, then come join us this Sunday night. We will gather at 5:30pm by sharing some snacks together, before starting our service at 6. Contact us at 816-875-6677 or at email@example.com to learn more.
SOLI DEO GLORIA


May 31, 2015 EFHS Baccalaureate Service at 6pm .May 31, Baccalaureate
Join us this Sunday, May 31st, as we hear the Word from John 3:1-17. Dr. Steve Martin will lead us in worship beginning at 10:30 am. Everyone is invited to […]
Join us for Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2015 as Dr. Steve Martin leads us through a special worship service beginning at 10:30 am. His sermon, “Wake Up!!” is based on […]
(No sermon to update due to technical difficulties) May 17 Senior Adult Sunday Join us this Sunday for a special worship service with our senior adult members. Sunday School begins […]
Please join us in a special worship service led by Reverend Linda Seippel. Sunday School begins at 9:15 am and worship begins at 10:30 am. We would like to offer […]
May 3 Join us this Sunday, May 3rd for Sunday School at 9:15 am and Worship service at 10:30 am. We hope to see you there!
Destination X: a Youth Ministry activity that is unknown to the students until they arrive. Here’s the need-to-know: Bring $10 cash. Wear socks (in addition […]
Thanks to everyone for coming out to our fundraiser this past May 4! Thanks to you, we raised over $2000 toward our summer mission trip to Philadelphia. Continue to keep […]


Sing For Joy seeks to answer the cry of the poor. It fulﬁlls God’s desire to bring love, hope, peace and joy. Since 2007, proceeds from Sing For Joy have funded homes, a pre-school, and a livelihood program for the poor in the Philippines. Our current projects are intended to help educate underprivileged children.
Watch this documentary to learn more:
Worship Night – St. Bonaventure, Concord CA
May 2007, 2008, 2009
Worship Night – St. Anne, San Francisco CA
Christmas Special and Open Mic – St. Bonaventure, Concord CA
Youth United – St. Patrick, Rodeo CA
Couples For Christ ANCOP Benefit – St. Anne, San Francisco


PHOTON BREAK • 28" x 70" • Canvas Limited Edition • 4•10•2013 • Private collection
• 32" x 50" Limited edition print on pearlescent canvas • Original available
BELLE EPOQUE • 28" x 70" • 10 • 12 • 2012 • Canvas Original • Canvas Gicleé copy available
WAVELENGTH OF THE SUPREME • 28" X 74" • Canvas limited edition copy available • 9-2013 • Original available
ASPARAGUS BEACH • 32" x 50" Limited edition print on pearlescent canvas • Original available
BE YOU PERFECT • 60" x 42" • Canvas Limited Edition #5 of 10 Available
ADAM AND EVE • 24" x 56" Custom Oval • Paper on Aluminum • Artist's Proof • Private Collection
TWO BROTHERS • 30" x 63" • 2004 • Canvas • Private collection
It was a Sunday afternoon, about three miles out of Jerusalem and a few minutes before five o'clock. As two brothers trudged along the road to Emmaus, they talked in great earnestness about Jesus, his teachings, work, and more especially concerning the rumors that his tomb was empty, and that certain women had talked with him. Cleopas was half a mind to believe these reports, but his brother Jacob was insistent that the whole affair was probably a fraud.
While they thus argued and debated as they made their way toward home, the manifestation of Jesus came alongside them as they journeyed on. Cleopas had often heard Jesus teach, and had eaten with him at the homes of Jerusalem believers on several occasions. But he did not recognize the Master even when he spoke freely with them.
After walking a short way with them, Jesus said: "What were the words you exchanged so earnestly as I came upon you?" And when Jesus had spoken, they stood still and viewed him with sad surprise. Said Cleopas: "Can it be that you sojourn in Jerusalem and know not the things which have recently happened?" Then asked the Master, "What things?" Cleopas replied: "If you do not know about these matters, you are the only one in Jerusalem who has not heard these rumors concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in word and in deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to the Romans and demanded that they crucify him. Now many of us had hoped that it was he who would deliver Israel from the yoke of the gentiles. But that is not all. It is now the third day since he was crucified, and certain women have this day amazed us by declaring that very early this morning they went to his tomb and found it empty. And these same women insist that they talked with this man; they maintain that he has risen from the dead. And when the women reported this to the men, two of his apostles ran to the tomb and likewise found it empty"— and here Jacob interrupted his brother to say, "but they did not see Jesus."
As they walked along, Jesus said to them: "How slow you are to comprehend the truth! When you tell me that it is about the teachings and work of this man that you have your discussions, then may I enlighten you since I am more than familiar with these teachings.
Do you not remember that this Jesus always taught that his kingdom was not of this world, and that all men, being the sons of God, should find liberty and freedom in the spiritual joy of the fellowship of the brotherhood of loving service in this new kingdom of the truth of the heavenly Father's love? Do you not recall how this Son of Man proclaimed the salvation of God for all men, ministering to the sick and afflicted and setting free those who were bound by fear and enslaved by evil? Do you not know that this man of Nazareth told his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, be delivered up to his enemies, who would put him to death, and that he would arise on the third day? Have you not been told all this?
And have you never read in the Scriptures concerning this day of salvation for Jew and gentile, where it says that in him shall all the families of the earth be blessed; that he will hear the cry of the needy and save the souls of the poor who seek him; that all nations shall call him blessed? That such a Deliverer shall be as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. That he will feed the flock like a true shepherd, gathering the lambs in his arms and tenderly carrying them in his bosom. That he will open the eyes of the spiritually blind and bring the prisoners of despair out into full liberty and light; that all who sit in darkness shall see the great light of eternal salvation. That he will bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives of sin, and open up the prison to those who are enslaved by fear and bound by evil. That he will comfort those who mourn and bestow upon them the joy of salvation in the place of sorrow and heaviness. That he shall be the desire of all nations and the everlasting joy of those who seek righteousness. That this Son of truth and righteousness shall rise upon the world with healing light and saving power; even that he will save his people from their sins; that he will really seek and save those who are lost. That he will not destroy the weak but minister salvation to all who hunger and thirst for righteousness. That those who believe in him shall have eternal life. That he will pour out his spirit upon all flesh, and that this Spirit of Truth shall be in each believer a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. Did you not understand how great was the gospel of the kingdom which this man delivered to you? Do you not perceive how great a salvation has come upon you?"
By this time they had come near to the village where these brothers dwelt. Not a word had these two men spoken since Jesus began to teach them as they walked along the way. Soon they drew up in front of their humble dwelling place, and Jesus was about to take leave of them, going on down the road, but they constrained him to come in and abide with them. They insisted that it was near nightfall, and that he tarry with them. Finally Jesus consented, and very soon after they went into the house, they sat down to eat. They gave him the bread to bless, and as he began to break and hand to them, their eyes were opened, and Cleopas recognized that their guest was the Master himself. And when he said, "It is the Master—," the [risen] Jesus vanished from their sight.
And then they said, the one to the other, "No wonder our hearts burned within us as he spoke to us while we walked along the road! and while he opened up to our understanding the teachings of the Scriptures!" They would not stop to eat. They had seen the [risen] Master, and they rushed from the house, hastening back to Jerusalem to spread the good news of the risen Savior.
About nine o'clock that evening and just before the Master appeared to the ten apostles, these two excited brothers broke in upon the apostles in the upper chamber, declaring that they had seen Jesus and talked with him. And they told all that Jesus had said to them and how they had not discerned who he was until the time of the breaking of the bread.
—Excerpted and edited from The Urantia Papers
CALIFORNIA CHRIST • 30" x 76" • Canvas • archival giclee copy available
26" x 48" • original on canvas • private collection • 3 paper prints available
NOT AS FRIENDLY AS YOU THINK • 24" x 36" • Canvas Limited Edition • 10•2018


“He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine.'”
~ Matthew 26:39
Some prayers can never be answered, simply because it is not God’s will.
Jesus prayed so hard, three times (Verse 39, 42, 44), for the Father not to let Him go through the sufferings He had to got through. But God didn’t do it Jesus’ way at that time. Jesus came on earth not just to die for us but to also be examplary on how to honor the Father. Though He was God the Son, He yielded to the Father, He showed us that we have to pray, to fast, to serve, etc. In this case Jesus taught us that the Father’s will is always the right will, despite what it looks like in the beginning. Jesus did not say to God the Father, ‘this is not fair!’ or ‘Why is this the only way?’ He said ‘Your will be done!’
It is God’s will to answer our every prayer.
“Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
But when we pray we have to always remember to ask according to His will, and not ours. For sometimes He does answer a plea which is not His will just because He promised to answer all our prayers. But when that happens, the request will cause you to stumble because it is not what God wills, or because it may not be the right time for God to do it for you.
He has taught me that lesson a few times, before I learnt to ask according to His will. I can surely say He answers my every prayer! Some answered prayers though, have landed me into trouble. I believe God allowed it so that I could learn from these experiences. It is just like the saying “Be careful what you wish for cause you just might get it!” Twice I found myself repenting for that which I had persistently asked God. Because when He answered me I began to worship that thing such that I lost so much focus on Him and transfered most of my attention to it, which obviously drew me many steps away from His presence. It was because I was not spiritualy ready or matured to handle these reqests.
When I had learnt this lesson, I started to pray according to God’s will. When I did this I realised that some prayers were not being answered and some answers were delayed. And I knew, and had learnt that if these prayers were to be answered my way, they would have caused chaos in my life.
Just like in Verse 53 Jesus said to His disciples,
“Don’t you realise that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly?”
It would have been a disaster if Jesus did not pray according to the Father’s will. He would never have died on the cross. There would not be salvation of souls, we would still have to sacrifice animals for the forgiveness of sins because Jesus’ blood would not have been shed.
Give thanks to God our Father for being a father who overlooks our foolish ways and instead blesses us with His loving ways.
❤ He loves you! ❤


The Solutions For Life emphasis relies on teachings that are thoroughly biblical. Each sermon teaches people the reward and blessing of being faithful stewards or “managers” in every area of life.
Possible topics include:
- How to Build a Happy Home
- Mastering Your Marriage
- Real-Life Relationships
- A Know So Salvation
- Figuring out Your Finances
The last message preached is about tithing and generous giving. The use of the “MY CHOICE” card, allows each believer to indicate a specific commitment to the Lord in the area of giving.
There seem to be trends emerging. On average, between 25% – 30% of people who respond on the “MY Choice” card say they will begin to tithe and/or become generous givers. As a result, churches are experiencing a 20-25% increase in overall giving.
People who attend these nightly sessions will receive what they value most … solutions for life!


Grace Lutheran College Rothwell
Grace Lutheran College Rothwell is a leading private secondary school on the Redcliffe Peninsula, committed to innovative and advanced teaching techniques to guide students toward becoming contributing members of society. To this end, Grace Lutheran College Rothwell maintains an emphasis on flexible, cutting edge teaching and learning spaces to deliver the best possible educational service to its students and school community generally.
Jensen Bowers understands the needs of contemporary education delivery and continues to assist the College with the provision of new buildings and renovated and reconfigured facilities on-campus. Jensen Bowers has contributed significantly to the successful advancement of the College as a leading secondary education provider in South East Queensland.
Learn more about this project by speaking with Gemma Greenhalgh on 07 3319 4933.


Two from Galilee was Marjorie Holmes' first novel. In 1974, it was a best-selling novel, the one and only time Holmes had a novel on the best sellers list. Its genre of Christian fiction made it less popular than most best selling novels, but the presence of a Christian fiction novel on the best sellers list helped introduce the genre to the mass media. Holmes created a sequel to Two from Galilee called Three from Galilee and the novel also generated a musical performed at Baptist Theological Seminary.
Many factors contributed to the placement of Holmes' novel on the best sellers list. Religious writings were gaining more and more readers during the 1970's- the same year Holmes' novel was published. Many Christian authors and booksellers were using Christian literature at this time as a means for creating an evangelical subculture and for reaching out to the non-Christians or the "unsaved." Holmes' novel serves as a ministry tool because it appeals to Christians and non-Christians alike by describing the deity of God as someone who can meet all individuals' needs and desires.
During the decade of the 1970's, religious and inspirational writings rose in popularity. In 1973 Holmes' novel Two from Galilee numbered eighth on Publishers Weekly Best Seller list. For that same year, "The Living Bible" by Kenneth Taylor was the top-selling nonfiction book. This translation paraphrased the Bible in Modern English, making the Scriptures accessible to larger numbers. Second in nonfiction for 1972 was Thomas Harris' "how-to" book, "I'm O.K., You're O.K." According to Publishers Weekly, "Stores found response [to this book] from discussion groups and church group who had heard the author speak" ("Best Sellers: The Year of the Bird and the Bible", 42). It was also during this year that Bantam reported "excellent sales of small-caliber inspirational book" like Holmes' "I've Got to Talk to Somebody God" and Dale Evans Rogers' "The Woman at the Well" (42).
A rise in religious and inspirational readers is also evident through the increase of Christian booksellers during the 70's decade. In the beginning, Christian bookstores were small and family-operated, with a main mission of sharing the Gospel of Christ through literature rather than making a profit. During the 1970's however, Christian bookstores rose in numbers and "quickly became an integral part of the evangelical subculture" (Blodgett, 52). The Christian Booksellers Association (CBA), founded in 1949, saw an attendance of 2,000 booksellers to their annual conference in 1970, and then 5,000 booksellers in 1976. In 1981, 7,300 booksellers attended (52).
Whether individuals were entering the business to share the Gospel or make money is debatable. An earlier article in Publishers Weekly tells the story of a minister who decided to open a small Christian bookstore:
[The minister] told...of his small beginning in business, with $3000 worth of inventory two years ago, and of his turning it into sales of $47,000 the first year and $94,000 the second. His success eventually meant his moving his shop to larger quarters where he has 2200-sq. ft. of selling space and full basement with a conversation area. As many as 300-400 students from the nearby university have converged on his store at one time and purchased $435 in a single day ("Christian Booksellers Forge Ahead In Research and Sales", 44).
Religious novels reached a broad audience before Holmes' time (Blodgett, 55). James D. Hart, in his article "Platitudes of Piety: Religion on the Popular Modern Novel", indicates that religion brought respectability to novels during the late nineteenth century. As he writes, "Critics condemned fiction as untruthful and time-wasting, therefore immoral, until nineteenth-century authors began to fill their novels with piety and preachment" (Hart, 311). Not only was religion respectable, it was also popular, especially in the early 1900's. Alice Payne Hackett's study, 80 Years of Best Sellers, 1895-1975, lists over twenty-four religious novels that sold more than a half-million copies between 1895 and 1975 (Blodgett, 55). One such bestseller was The Man Nobody Knows by Bruce Barton. It topped the best-seller list in 1926. Its content argued the applicability of Jesus Christ's teachings in a modern world. As Hart describes:
Finally, Jesus gets the supreme accolade of a "Yes" in reply to Barton's questions: "And if he [Jesus Christ] were among us again, in our highly competitive world, would his business philosophy work?" The teachings of Christ would "work" because "He would be a national advertiser today, I am sure, as he was the greatest advertiser of his own day" (316).
The religious literature during the first half of the twentieth century stuck rigidly to high moral Christian standards. Blodgett describes the literature as "popular restatements of the life of Christ, revisions of Biblical episodes, or retellings of encounters with sin and tribulation...combined [with] muscular Christianity and social gospel impulses" (55).
During the late 1960's Marjorie Holmes, along with other authors such as Catherine Marshall (author of the inspirational true story Christy), expanded the religious novel to cover more "worldly", "simple" and "vague" issues (Blodgett, 56). This loosening of moral standards within Christian literature outraged some booksellers who were dedicated to maintaining pure, Scripture-based, edifying writings within their stores. One bookseller, after telling Fleming H. Revell Company that "You people will stoop to anything to stretch out what Christian publishing is all about", no longer carried Revell books (Blodgett, 52). Some of the evangelical leadership expressed concerns as well, that Christian values were being compromised. While stated in 1990, the following quotation represents opinions held by some in the early 1970's:
As it stands, the Christian literary establishment is oriented to a mass market. This popularizing tendency is part of its strength- rescuing theology from the elite domain of academic specialists and restoring it to laypeople has been a great service to the church. The hazard of appealing only to a mass popular audience is that the market place tends to be ruled by pleasure and self-gratification rather than truth and objective value. The mass market wishes only to be entertained, stimulated, and affirmed, values which can run counter to authentic Christianity (Blodgett, 69-70).
Holmes' Two from Galilee, and novels just like hers, received similar criticism. One of the first authors to write a novel based on a biblical narrative, (she chose the love relationship of Mary and Joseph up to the birth of Jesus), Holmes started a trend. Within a decade, narratives about the Biblical Joseph, Deborah, David, Ruth, Esther, Gomer and Hosea, Solomon and Sheba, and Mary and Martha existed. Author and critic, Harold Pickett, wrote, "A writer who is a conservative Protestant, an evangelical or fundamentalist, will probably understand that Scriptures as a record of God's interventions in the lives of historical figures, and that any deviation from, or highly speculative interpretation of the take constitutes blasphemy" (64). Pickett also criticized the jacket flap of Two from Galilee, which describes the book as "true to the Biblical account". He claimed that "for conservative Protestants [it] substitutes for an imprimatur" (64). Pickett did not condemn all Christian fiction. He applauds Par Lagerkvists' Barabbas by saying "we experience what it must be like to be a witness of Christ's life, to be in the position of a disciple who has to judge, without the help of theologians, how to answer Christ's questions: 'Who do you say I am?'" (66).
Both the criticisms, such as the one above, and the narratives themselves, depict a certain sub-culture present in American society during the 1970's and 1980's. As Jan Blodgett says:
In the case of evangelical fiction, it reflects particular concerns and expectations of a specific community operating within and yet separate from the broader...Fiction acts as an "instrument" of cultural self-definition", providing examples of appropriate behavior and identifying the cultural boundaries separating social groups (66).
Christian fiction served as the evangelical subculture's response to secular fiction. It created an alternative. In his article "What's Wrong with Reading Modern Literature", Dr. Deane Downey describes the thoughts of this particular subculture towards secular writings: "Whether one is a Christian parent, student, teacher, lay person, or pastor, the nagging suspicion remains that the reading of most modern literature violates Paul's command to the Philippians: 'If anything is excellent or praise-worthy- think about such things' (Phil. 4:8, NIV)" (Downey, 61) Christian fiction as a response to secular literature created a broader contrast between the evangelical subculture and the rest of American society. According to Blodgett:
Evangelical products serve as visible symbols of the separateness and social strength of the subculture. Fiction provides the community with a vision of the world as it should be- as they would have it be... it marks readers as a group apart. Reading evangelical fiction reinforces the sense of separateness and of specialness. This is a community speaking with its own voice against the values and standards of contemporary secular culture (57).
While Christian fiction does bolster the boundaries of the evangelical subculture, it also attempts to reach out to those outside of the subculture. At the 21st Annual Convention of the Christian Booksellers Association in 1970, one bookseller indicated that, "For the Christian bookseller to assume that his customers are not evangelical Christians now, but that they do like to read good books, it to use a positive approach to religious book-selling" ("Christian Booksellers Forge Ahead In Research and Sales", Publisher's Weekly, 43). Another Christian book seller commented at a different time, "First of all, what we do as Christian booksellers that transcends everything else in our work responsibilities is help make available hundreds of thousands of books that declare the value and experience of knowing Jesus Christ" (Blodgett, 52). Bookstore Journal contained an article in July 1984 titled "Happily Ever After: A Case for the Inspirational Romance Genre", which was written by a woman who became a Christian after she read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. The woman wrote, "Believe me, [Christian] fiction is worth reading. One life changed was enough to convince me." (Blodgett, 52-53).
In order to appeal to both Christians and non-Christians, Christian novels must speak to the basic needs and desires that all humans carry. Answers to life's questions and struggles are embellished in Christian fiction, which allows the literature to serve as a ministry tool. Hart writes:
[Religious novels carry] the lowest common denominator, a concern with the life of the spirit, which has as theme, the impact of God or divine revelation upon human character. These religious works appeal to the prevailing needs, desires, and interests that the widest reading public also holds during the non-reading hours...If faith attracts some of the readers, frustration and general world-weariness drive others to the book" (320-321).
In Two from Galilee, Marjorie Holmes appeals to the frustrated and weary through her depiction of a loving and compassionate God. Holmes' describes Mary's union with the Lord God: "The finger of God had touched her, the presence of God had consumed her and kindled life within her. As surely as if Joseph had taken her unto himself" (91). Holmes speaks to longing readers through her message that a relationship with God can meet their desire to be known.
Blodgett, Jan. "Protestant Evangelical Literary Culture and Contemporary Society."
Greenwood Press: Connecticut, 1997.
Downey, Dr. Dean. "What's Wrong with Reading Modern Literature?" Christianity
Today: 27 (8 April 1983).
Hart, James D. "Platitudes of Piety: Religion and the Popular Modern Novel." American
Quarterly. 6 (Winter 1954).
Hein, Rolland N. "A Biblical View of the Novel." Christianity Today. 17 (5 January
Holmes, Marjorie. "Two from Galilee." Fleming H. Revell: New Jersey, 1972.
Holt, Patricia. "Substantive Books Get Center Stage at Well-Attended Annual Meeting."
Publishers Weekly. 220 (21 August 1981).
Pickett, Harold. "Why Most Bible Novel's Don't Work." Publishers Weekly: 220 (2
Publishers Weekly. "Christian Booksellers Forge Ahead In Research and Sales." 198
(14 September 1970).
Publishers Weekly. "Best Sellers: The Year of the Bird and the Bible." 203 (5 February


Today was a day to play. We played at the village and at a waterfall near the ranch.
This is a fairly remote village. It is off of a dirt and gravel road which is a main road through the district, but it is still considered by many here to be far out there. We might think of places like northern Maine the same way. When something like a mission team comes to the village, it is special for them. They communicated that to us in many ways throughout the week and in speeches today. They also communicated it by the crowd that showed up.
The fiesta was a celebration of many things. It was a celebration of completing the work projects. It was a celebration of new and renewed friendships. And though it was held at a school and several village leaders spoke at the event, it was a celebration of faith.
The work projects went well. Sometime later, I will need to get a tally of all of the work we completed. I say "we" completed and by that I mean we assisted them in completing the work. That is our role here. We are here to assist, not to take over or try to show them the "right way" to do these projects.
Many on our team were at this village last year. Friendships were formed then and strengthened by this return trip. You could tell from the words spoken today that the villagers appreciated the fact that we would return. They understood that we traveled long and hard just to get to Honduras and then each day drove over harsh roads to get to their village. They kept saying, "gracious, gracious, y muchas gracious!" Others on the team like me were at this village for the first time. We got to know people as we worked alongside them on the projects or at the school. As a result, the people of the village will personally know people from this country who care about them and we will know people from the village who care about us. That personal connection with the people is second only to the spiritual purpose of sharing Christ in deeds and words.
This was also a celebration of faith. Several commented how almost every time we spoke with someone from Honduras, the first words out of their mouth were words about God. It would be like beginning a conversation with someone here with "Glory be to God" or "God bless you" every time one spoke to another. At this festival, two pastors prayed - me and the woman who was the former principle was also a pastor - and another pastor gave a speech. The Roman Catholic Church members sang a goodbye song to us, sending us out with their blessing. The Assembly of God church had a group sing as well. Expressing gratitude to God or acknowledging God's presence doesn't seem to be a show for mission teams. The people here feel it. God is real and important to them.
We had three pinatas for the children. That was a violent experience. When the pinata burst open, it was mayhem. Children were in a huge dogpile. With one of the pinatas, the rope broke and the pinata fell to the ground. Sharks and feeding frenzy came to my mind. We decided that we would handle the pinata differently next time. This was too much chaos. However, the children had a blast. They loved the goodies inside and many shared them with others.
On the way home, we stopped at a waterfall near the ranch. Few of us really wanted to go because we were tired. However, once we got there it was a refreshing experience. The water was deep enough that you could jump off the rocks and still not hit bottom. A brave few jumped off the rocks into the water. I took photos. If you know me, I don't do cold water. I am cold-natured and jumping in cool water on an overcast afternoon was not my idea of fun.
The rest of the day progressed as the rest of the week. Those who were feeling well nursed their stomachs. Dinner was at 6:30 and was chicken tortillas. They were excellent! Devotions were at 7:00 pm and since all were tired, we went to bed right afterward.
On the road tomorrow. More to come...
God loves you, and so do I.


Charles Maxwell (Max) "Maxwell" Bomar, son of Jessie Sewell Bomar and Annie Lee Roark.
Born 4 Jan 1908 Crowell, Texas, died 30 Mar 1978, 70 years, buried Oak Hill Cemetery McAlester OK
Married/ Related to:
Bernice, daughter of Wade Hampton Brown and Lora M.
Married name: Bomar, born 18 Jun 1907, died 13 Dec 1969, 62 years
1. Loralyn Maxin Bomar
Married name: Lalich, born 5 Jul 1936 Bedford In, 84 years
Amelia L Lalich
Nataly Noel Gray and Cody Jay Murray, both of Stillwater, will wed Saturday, July 29, 2006, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Temple.The bride-to-be is the daughter of Steve and Linda Gray, Stillwater, and the granddaughter of Nat and Betty Jo Taylor, Stillwater. The groom-to-be is the son of Leslie Murray and James V. Murray, both of Stillwater. He is the grandson of Jay and Joyce Murray, Stillwater; Bob and Carolyn Wright, Oklahoma City; and Lance and Loralyn Lalich, Santa Fe, N.M.Gray graduated from Stillwater High School in 2004. She is studying physiology at Oklahoma State University.Murray graduated from Stillwater High School in 2003. He just returned home from a two-year mission in Portugal for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and plans to attend OSU in the fall.


History of the Don Bosco Camp
The Don Bosco Camp was established in 1945 by the Salesians of Don Bosco, a Catholic religious order founded by an Italian priest, Father (Don) John Bosco during the 1800s. Don Bosco firmly believed that education was a matter of the heart; that it is not enough for the young to be loved; they must know that they are loved.
It is this tradition that commits the Don Bosco camp to supporting young people, especially the poor and disadvantaged, by offering recreational, retreat and educational experiences in short term group settings. The Safety Beach site has been offering holiday camps for young people since 1945, and its summer and winter holiday camps continue this tradition today.
The Salesians of Don Bosco continue to operate worldwide with more than 20,000 members involved in over 2700 various works. It is the third largest missionary organization in the world. For more information on the Salesians of Don Bosco, please visit their Australia website: www.salesians.org.au


James Willard “Jim” Denney, a land surveying municipal civil engineer in Utah and a former member of the ASCE Board of Direction, has died. He was 75.
Denney, P.E., L.S., M.ASCE, was the city engineer for multiple cities in the Salt Lake Valley. He was ASCE’s District 11 director in 1992-94 as well as a former president of the Society’s Utah Section. Denney was a life member of ASCE.
Having graduated with a civil engineering degree from Brigham Young University, he loved his work and the opportunities ASCE provided him for both networking and traveling with his wife Susan. They got to visit every U.S. state except two.
Not only was Denney a lifelong resident of Utah, but he built his family home just a block from where he grew up, in Riverton. Yet anyone who knew him could also tell you his large family was his home.
Denney was a member of Rotary International and served in many capacities within the organization. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he twice became a local bishop. He loved helping the young men on full-time missions in places like Brazil.


During this October, my 15th anniversary of living in Kenya, I read some of Paul's letters in The Message. As I often do with Scripture, I re-wrote bits of it to apply specifically to my life.
Perhaps you'll be prompted to do something similar yourself. God's Word is rich and so very relevant to each one of us!
Galatians: I am God-commissioned. He had designs on me and set me apart in my mother's womb, calling me out of his sheer generosity. My life is not mine; I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I will stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed, sharing their burdens. I will not allow myself to get fatigued doing good, and will not give up or quit.
Ephesians: I, Deb, am under God's plan as a missionary. My eyes are focused and clear so I can see exactly what he's called me to do. God created me to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for me to do, work I had better be doing. He wants me on the road he called me to travel, as I pour myself out for others in acts of love. I will do this in the same way God loves me, not cautious but extravagant.
Philippians: My prayer is that my love toward others would flourish, that it would be sincere and intelligent. As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. I will be energetic in my life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, God willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
Colossians: I, Deb, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God's master plan. Like Epaphras, I am a reliable worker for Christ. I am living well for the Master, making him proud. I stay grounded and steady, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted.
1 Thessalonians: Troubles don't come as a surprise to me, as I know it's part of my calling. I will keep on doing what pleases God: gently encouraging the stragglers, plus reaching out for the exhausted and pulling them to their feet. I'll be patient with each person and attentive to individual needs. I will look for the best in others and be cheerful no matter what. I will thank God no matter what happens.
2 Thessalonians: God gives me everything I need and makes me fit for what he's called me to be. He fills my good ideas and acts of faith with his energy so it amounts to something. May my life honor the name of Jesus Christ, as he puts a fresh heart in me and invigorates my work.
... and from the Old Testament:
The prophet, Amos, said, "I never had plans to be a preacher. I raised cattle and I pruned sycamore-fig trees. Then God took me off the farm and said, 'Go preach to my people Israel.'"
My personalized version -
I never had plans to be a missionary. I did remodeling, worked at my church, and was a mentor for two children in the public schools. But God interrupted my life and said, 'Go be a missionary to my people in Kenya. Love them as your neighbor, especially single mothers and their children to whom I will introduce you.'"


Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good,” for he thought: There will be peace and security during my lifetime.
Hezekiah was, no doubt, a great king in Israel. In fact he was likely the last great king of Israel in the Old Testament. His building and innovation skills were remarkable for his day. His humility and prayer before the Lord redeemed for him 15 extra years of life, Yet, he was a man of flaws.
Notably, he invited the king of Babylon to enter the temple of Solomon and gave him liberty to view all of the sacred treasures of Israel. These were treasures handed down from generation. Some from the time of Moses, others from the time of Solomon. As a result of giving this “tour of the treasures”, Isaiah prophesied to him what we read above.
I am struck with the “thoughts” of Hezekiah. His words sound good (The Word of the Lord that you have spoken is good). Yet his thoughts show us another side of the character of this man. He viewed the oncoming losses and pondered. Somehow the prophet understood these thoughts and recorded them. Hezekiah thought, “It is terrible, but it won’t affect me!”
It was as if Hezekiah was willing to let go of these treasures, as long as it was not in his lifetime.
Do we not see? Do we not understand? Every declaration of God is not just for us and our generation but to those that follow after. We are called not only to be concerned with our own lives and well being but with the treasures we hand to the next generation.
All Hezekiah could see was his own personal happiness. As long as he made it, what happened after his demise was of no consequence. All Hezekiah could see was what made him at ease in his comfort zone.
My prayer today is that we would all see, know and act upon a simple truth. We cannot worry about our personal state of being and believe that if we are happy, then nothing else matters. The cause of North America Missions, Global Missions, world-wide Apostolic revival matters to everyone. If all we can see is the state of our personal comfort zone, then we are condemning the world the the same judgment as Hezekiah heard: We will lose all the sacred things of the Lord. May we be passionate not only about what we have today, but ensuring that the next generation will possess what we possessed!!


February 9th @ 3:00 pm
Our GROWTHTRACK is the on-ramp to help you become a part of GateChurch ministry. It doesn't matter if you are just checking out GateChurch for the very first time or if you have been coming for years, everyone has a unique next step. From your initial decision to finding out more about the vision of GateChurch, to a fulfilling ministry role on our team, we will provide you with a path to experience growth and fulfillment.
This track is comprised of a 1DAY | 1HOUR class that happens quarterly @ 3:00 pm | Sunday Afternoon.


In the chapel it is also good to have a wedding service and a baptismal service. The chapel can accommodate 70 people. We can arrange wedding dinners, overnight stays for guests and bridal couples, as well as consuming in connection with baptism.
The idea behind Stiftsgården’s chapel
Stiftsgården’s Chapel is a room for meditation, prayer and worship. The chapel was inaugurated on March 22, 1997.
In the entrance you can read the following: “Here indeed dwells God, and here is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:17
The chapel offers the opportunity for rest, harmony, silence, meditation and prayer. But it is also a chapel that opens up to thoughts, dreams and visions. Behind the beautiful architecture, building constructions, heat, sound, light, color and interior design, there are many people’s imagination and creativity, which in fine cooperation produced a harmonious result. The main idea has been to create a chapel for the present but the cage of a rich tradition.
THE WAY – the aisle. In the middle aisle, the clinker is laid as a road which connects to our walk of life. The road is cross-marked. Life is not always easy. Beside the “road” there are benches for us to stop, rest, ponder and retrieve power.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD – AN ALTARE, a resting place where a broom is offered. Along with the cross and the vines in the skylight, the altar tells us that here we can enjoy the fruits of the Atonement Jesus offers the world.
THE LIGHT BEARER Round like the earth, the candles tell of the Church’s intercession for the earth, its people animals and prerequisites for life, and our intercession for one another.
ICON MESSAGE The icon depicting Mary, the intercessor, is painted by Tomas Åberg
THE GATE The gate – a central image for hope – life is not over when we think it is over. There is a gate and it can be opened. Then new dreams open up, about both this life and eternal life. The dream of a better life. The gate also talks about the importance of the church being open to people and about being open to one another. It is possible to open up to each other. Idea: Lennart Lindgren, Design and design: Nils Arvidsson.
DISH BOWLS, LIGHT CANDLES. KORS, Design & Manufacturing: Margareta Holmlund 1997.
BASKET The baptismal bowl is supported by a foundation which in its upper part suggests the shape of a ship. The ship of thought to Noah’s Ark, an early Christian symbol of the Church, which, on Christ’s behalf, administers the sacrament of salvation, baptism. Idea and design: Lennart Lindgren. Production: Assar Forssèn 2008.
THE GARDEN An integral part of the chapel. The “road” continues on the other side into the garden. Maybe a picture for the garden of Eden. Life on the other side – the sky we would like to imagine as a wonderful garden.
Wednesday 08.00 Fair
All guests are warmly welcomed to attend the farm’s devotions and the fair. Deviations from the above may occur if the farm is subscribed or if any group wishes to arrange the morning prayer / Mass. Sundays are regularly celebrated at 11am in the church of Skellefteå, which is 200 meters from Stiftsgården.
Baptism in Stiftsgården’s chapel
Stiftsgården’s beautiful courtyard chapel is an atmospheric place for child baptism. Just great for gathering loved ones. The chapel seats 70 people, but feels cozy even when you are just the closest family.
You arrange yourself with a priest and a musician. Contact us for information on rental cost.
Baptism is a celebration!
The blessing of baptism reminds us that we are seen and loved. God’s face is turned to us. We celebrate and rejoice in the baptism of a human being. Through baptism, we are brought into the Church and are part of a larger community: with Christ, the congregation, and the Church of the world.
The baptismal service itself is a celebration where we all celebrate a new member becoming part of our community. Often you want to continue with a party afterwards. This can be done in a simple way and there is nothing to say that you have to have an after party. Inviting relatives and friends to celebrate baptism has long been a tradition. At Stiftsgården, we are happy to help with the baptismal party, which can be advantageously held in the salon. At the baptismal party, the salon is reserved for your party.
To book a chapel and / or baptismal party, contact Stiftsgården’s reception on 0910-72 57 00.
Marriage in Stiftsgården’s chapel
The beautiful courtyard chapel can be booked for weddings. The chapel seats 70 people, but feels cozy even when you are just the closest family.
When you book the wedding chapel, you arrange for yourself a priest and a musician. Contact us for information on rental cost.
The gift of love
A church wedding is a symbolic worship. In the presence of God and all the witnesses, we promise each other to cherish love and stand by each other’s lives. We ask God to bless our marriage and help us through the difficulties we will face in life. It is a service of joy and gratitude over the gift of life and love for both the bride and groom.
Stiftsgården’s exquisite mansion environment is also a popular venue for wedding dinners and parties. We offer everything from an elegant dinner for a few to a party on day three.


Where It All Began
Rev. Veronica Christian McNeil was born in Elmina, in the Central region of Ghana.
After completing her education, Rev. Veronica worked for 10 years in Ghana after which the Lord brought her to Canada.
In 1978, Rev Veronica had a Divine encounter with the Lord which left a deep imprint on her life.
From that moment, anywhere she went, the Lord will show her His heart for the people.
In 1980 the Lord brought Rev. Veronica to Canada and immediately revealed His will for the Ghanaian community in Calgary, the nation of Canada and Africa as a whole.
The Lord revealed to Rev. Veronica in the early 80’s that Africa Shall Arise in the Last Days and God shall use Africans to HEAL the world.
In 1991, the doors of Christ Alive International Ministries was opened with the sole mission to: Save Souls, Heal Them, Train Them, and Release Them into Ministries.
Pastor Veronica is married to Rev. Fred McNeil with one daughter and 3 grandchildren. Pastor Veronica is an intercessor for the Kingdom of God and is greatly involved in community transformation in Calgary.
Rev. Fred McNeil was born in Didsbury, Alberta – Canada. He grew up all through his young life in Didsbury.
In 1982, through a very dedicated Christian friend at work, Rev. Fred McNeil came to finally know the Lord Jesus.
With a new spark in his life, Rev. McNeil was to meet his future wife, Rev. Veronica McNeil two years later. In 1984, Rev. Fred McNeil is married to his lovely wife Rev. Veronica McNeil.
With his heart passionately seeking God, Rev. McNeil encouraged his wife to go to Bible School while he supported her. The two would later on tag together to eventually open up Christ Alive International Ministries in 1991.
In 1998, Rev. Fred McNeil was ordained as a Minister of the gospel of Christ.Rev. McNeil passion in the body of Christ is to see people saved, delivered from addictions and restored completely to Christ.


Many of you remember John Chapman who passed away back in 2016. If you didn’t know him personally, you would recognize him in his beat up Dodge flatbed with the cube feeder on the back. He wore a big flat brimmed hat and always had his pants tucked in his boots with big spurs attached. He was a regular at Aledo Diner for lunch and his picture hangs in their store. All that said, I had the privilege of conducting his service. On the pamphlet with his picture and obituary were two sentences that I will always remember. “Heart is seeing the good in people and seeing beauty in life. The other: ” A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.” I have written several sermons on the Heart. It is that place in us where God speaks and we respond. The heart I am talking about is not the muscle that pumps blood through our body. It is our emotional and spiritual home placed there by God. It is the place where we experience doubt or belief, joy and sorrow. It causes us to describe those who care and show concern for others as good hearted and those who don’t care about others as cold hearted. My heart reveals who I am. It tells the world how I think, speak and act. My heart reveals the “Real Me.” In Psalms 139: 23, David ask God to search him and know his heart. He said try me and see if there is any hurtful way in me. In Psalms 51: 10, David ask God to Create in him a clean heart and renew in him a right spirit. So as God speaks to us in our hearts, He asks us the question, ” How is your Heart?” We can be honest, God already knows the answer.
God bless you all. See you Sunday and “Keep Spurring.” Louis


When Jesus gave us the Great Commandment, he didn't stop with Love God. He said there's another command that is just as significant as the first: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
As a church, we're committed to loving others in tangible ways, in ways that make a positive difference in our community and our world. Whether it's installing a well in India or building a school in Zambia or preparing a meal for one of our homeless friends, we're at our best when we're serving others in Jesus's name. After all, he was the one who said, "Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."
more than a feeling
Clearly, Jesus viewed love as more than a feeling. While he never discounted human emotions, even weeping at the grave of his friend, Jesus's example is one of love in action. He showed us what an all-in kind of love looks like. No limits. No restrictions. And that's the kind of love we try to emulate at Eastpoint. We do that through numerous ministry initiatives, including these primary focus areas: children and youth; local outreach; groups and classes; global outreach; college and career.
one more thing
It takes work to love others well. And sometimes things get messy. As a church, we're focused on helping people cultivate healthy, life-giving relationships. So no matter where you're at on your spiritual journey or what stage of life you find yourself in, we're committed to walking with you every step of the way, because that's what love does.
If we can serve you in any way, please let us know. Our inbox is always open, and our phone is always on: email@example.com or (302) 738-4415.


Crosby & Thornton Labour Action Team members were the guests of honour at The King's Church weekly Lunch Club last week.
Labour Councillors Diane Roberts, Steve McGinnity and Labour Action Team leader John Kelly had the chance to enjoy lunch and speak to Lunch Club members at the church.
Parishioners are invited to attend the Lunch Club each Thursday where they get the chance to enjoy a meal prepared by King's Church volunteers.
John Kelly said it was a pleasure to attend the club.
John Kelly said: "It was a delight to get the chance to speak to the members of The King's Church Lunch Club, to hear their concerns and priorities for the community, and of course to enjoy a delicious lunch in the process.
"Members of the club made us very welcome.
"I'd like to thank Pastor Brian Lake for inviting us and the members of the Lunch Club for making us so welcome."


False Shepherds: A Clear and Present Danger
We said last week that we know that we are under God’s judgment in America because God has turned us over to wicked politicians. Similarly, we also know that we are under God’s judgment because God has turned the nation over to wicked pastors. We have a far greater problem than a political problem in America as grave as that problem is, we have a pulpit problem. False shepherds are leading the sheep to the slaughter. Israel went into captivity because the shepherds stopped feeding God’s people the truth.
Isa 5:13 Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honorable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst.
Jer 23:1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the LORD.
Jer 23:2 Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: “You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD.
Jer 23:4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD.
Purpose: To learn from Scripture how to distinguish a false shepherd from a true shepherd and to develop discernment in choosing a church that represents historical, biblical Christianity.


Come and Sing Christmas Carols
Thursday 15th December 2022 7:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: Turing Locke
Come and celebrate Christmas with New Life Church and Eddie’s Café by joining the Eddington community for some traditional Christmas carol singing.
The event takes place in the courtyard between the Hyatt Centric and Turing Locke. Carol sheets will be provided and mulled wine should be available to purchase from the Dutch Bar.
What better way is there to start your Christmas celebrations?


Your church probably engages in many different processes. Each of these processes (some may be intentional and known and some may not be as well-known or even intentional) contributes to the mission of your church.
These processes determine the success of your church. Without them, there would not be any discipleship, mentoring, evangelism, training, and so on. Processes−once developed and set in motion−tend to self-perpetuate until someone intentionally changes them (this is often easier said than done). The sum of all the processes defines not only what the church does but also determines the success or lack of it.
One of the most powerful ways that we as children’s pastors (middle management) can add value to our churches and Senior Pastors is to know the processes our churches engage in. What does this mean? It means knowing each step of what happens and what doesn’t, and who does it and why. Are there steps that can be skipped or abbreviated? Are there steps which must remain? Know the individual people who handle the processes and learn their strengths, weaknesses, and needs.
By becoming well-educated in all of this it will help those of us who are children’s pastors to better serve our churches and our senior pastors. It will also help us build greater traction in our children’s ministries which we have been entrusted to oversee.
How many of us have had that feeling that we can’t make changes, that our roles are not that important, and that we are stuck in just doing what we are told to do? Stop feeling this way. Become active in helping with the whole. Make yourself a student of your church and its processes. As you become a student of your church’s processes you will discover it is one of the greatest ways you can add value to your church and everyone connected to it. It also enhances the importance of your role that you personally play. This will also produce enormous long-term rewards for you.


Effective Immediately- No Outdoor Watering From 10am-6pm Until Further Notice By Order of the City Council
Historic Trinity Church- The South Dakota State Historical Society announced in early May 2016 that it had awarded a Historical Preservation Grant from the Deadwood Fund for the purpose of repairing the large altar window in the Historic Trinity Church in Groton. Groton Attorney Richard Kolker has incorporated a nonprofit organization, the Groton Historical Society, to oversee the care and preservation of the Church. The Brown County Historical Society, which has owned the Church since 1975, then deeded the property to the Groton Historical Society. The attached booklet accompanied the grant application, and provides a history of the Church and a description and photos of the windows to be repaired.
The City Public Works Dept is currently inspecting Load Management in residences and businesses. Please contact Shawn at 397-7462 to set up an appointment.
Groton Area Activities


If you'd like to know
a little about how Christ has blessed us with opportunities to serve
Him, you can read about our start, our
church planting, our planting of a
Crisis Pregnancy Center and
more church planting.
We were working with
the Youth at
Calvary Temple Church in Terre
when we felt that God was calling us into full time missionary work.
After talking it over with our pastor we came into agreement that we
would serve as missionaries to Russia. <back>
We sold almost all
of our possessions at public auction and departed for Russia in 1997.
We arrived in Syzran, Russia and started working to start a church (it
was a re-birth) as at one time there was a church but it had not
functioned for quite a while. That early church "Rock of Salvation" was
a good experience for us. I wish I could say that all was just
wonderful but that would be less than honest. God grew us through those
early challenges. We were able to bring together a body of believers
and we bought a building that we then remodeled into a church. Today
that church still stands with its own pastor. <back>
Crisis Pregnancy Center
During our time with
our first Church God placed on our hearts the need for us to reach out
to our city in the form of a
Crisis Pregnancy Center. The Center of Life was formed. We were able
with the help of our dear friends and sponsors to buy a property in a
good location and remodel an old house into a modern building that
stands out as a shining light to our city.
In 2004 we had at
least 10 babies born that would not have been if we had not been there.
We averaged about 15 visits a month by women seeking help. We expanded
our Center to also take care of material needs for mothers as a lot of
the reasons that women in Russia seek abortion are because they do not
have the resources to take care of the babies.
We also have given
aide and medicine, diapers, formula and other material helps to a
special hospital that takes care of abandoned babies. In November and
December we have worked with an organization that helps mothers and
children in our city. We have served well over 225 women and children
though our center this year alone. This was all done while finishing
This year we already
have plans to put in a phone and a bathroom (already done except for the
pluming) to make this center one of a kind. We have had people from 4
other cities come to us and ask to see how we operated. We have given
them information and offered help for them to start their own centers.
Our Center has been operating for since 2000. <back>
More Church Planting
After "Rock of
Salvation" was settled we felt God leading us to start another church in
a different section of the city here in Syzran. It took over a year and
a half for us to officially register our new Church "Alive Faith" That
is now our current work in progress. We are training a pastor to take
over this work now. <back>
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On The World Wide Web
I cancelled my subscription to the local newspaper five years ago. The national news pages were so biased I could hardly bear to read them, and the local stuff was more like a gossip column. Since I became interested in blogs, mainly through listening to Hugh Hewitt, I've cautiously moved forward, read with alacrity and find it an easy way, if a bit of a time-tyrant, to keep continually updated information before my constituency. Here are some I'm currently working with:
I like Big Ideas. By that, I mean thoughts about things that cross over the boundaries of disciplines I'm interested in: Science & Theology, Politics and Missions, stuff like that. This BLOG gives me an opportunity to write about these things and try out some of the new ideas I come up with. Feel free to read and leave comments.
Introduction to New Testament Literature"Our Sunday Dialogue"
The Biblical Literature Blog is a pilot project for the class I teach Sunday mornings at Yucaipa Christian Church*. The main idea behind this course is looking at the Bible as ancient literature rather than as a devotional or holy book. There are lessons and resources posted on the site which reflect our discussion-based classes. Feel free to read and participate, even if you're not a student.
Inland Empire Bible Institute
Christian Education is perhaps the most important issue for believers these days, given the political, social and cultural situation in which we live. I've always found it's much more productive just to teach the Bible and let people come to their own political and cultural decisions than it is to try to bend them to my way of thinking, which may or may not be biblical to begin with. IEBI was founded in 2005 by Pastor Ted Hurlburt and I became involved in 2008. I manage this front-end website and also the Online Learning System which is linked there.
YCC Global Outreach
As always, Christian Mission is a major category for me. Many people misunderstand what this involvement is all about. Missionaries have taken a bad rap in the past few decades. All the bad stuff that has happened has been hung on their shoulders by academics and commentators who didn't like Christianity in the first place and found a useful scapegoat in people who were too busy working to better the lives of others to defend themselves. I manage this site for YCC Global Outreach, the mission arm of Yucaipa Christian Church. Here you'll find links to all the missionaries they support, descriptions of their Short Term Outreaches and all the paperwork and paraphernalia that makes an organization like YCC Global Outreach tick.


It is that time of the year…
What? Is it almost Christmas? As we get close to this special time of the year, from Starbeck Mission we want to wish you a Merry Christmas and to invite you to consider what Christmas is really about and to join us for our Christmas dinner and/or one of the Special Christmas meetings. It is totally free!
Welcome to Starbeck Mission, a Christian Independent Evangelical Church located in the heart of Starbeck, Harrogate (next to the allotments!)
Who are we?
We are a group of Christians who meet in Starbeck. You can find “What we believe” here. If you have any questions, please contact us and we will respond as soon as possible.
What is happening during the week?
Do come along and join us on Sunday mornings and evenings, or check out “What’s Going On” for details of what happens during our busy week!
The church is taking necessary precautions. Services have resumed as usual and some are live-streamed. Contact us for more details.


The 2017 Sunbeam Celebration will be here before we know it! We want to make sure everyone marks their calendars for October 7th, 2017. This years celebration will be held at Atonement Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN. Thank you to all that are helping putting this wonderful event together.
Even with it a few months away, we are starting the search for both silent and live auction items! This is where we could use help from YOU! If you own a business or know anyone that does and it willing to donate items, time or services, please let us know! We are grateful for any items big or small.
All money raised at the celebration goes to support the ongoing operation at Sunbeam. This celebration could not be possible without all of YOU!
Please feel free to contact either team coordinator Mel Harmon or social media coordinator Maureen McCarthy with questions or items for donation.
Mel Harmon- firstname.lastname@example.org
Maureen McCarthy- email@example.com