What we do
GSM India is focused on living out the message of Jesus through both faith and deeds…and inviting others to join us in doing the same. In James 2:14-17, the brother of Jesus writes
Good Samaritan Mission India Promo from Cherish.Kibler on Vimeo.
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”
Following in the footsteps of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, we have adopted the motto, “Soup, soap, and salvation.” As you get in touch with the intense physical needs of the people of India, you’ll soon find out that without the basic necessities of life, it is difficult to hear the message of God’s love. As followers of Jesus, we believe that we are called to simultaneously share the Good News and embody the Good News.
Our Ministries & Projects
As we carry out this important mission, we’re impacting the nation of India in many ways… Orphanages
In India, there is a huge suffering because of starvation and poverty. About 40% of the Indian population is starving everyday and these starvation deaths takes place slowly and silently. About 30,000 orphan kids dying every day all over the world with hunger and starvation. And 85 % of these deaths take place in Asia and Africa. Surely there must be a Christian response to feed these hungry kids and once again there is GSM – India.


Licensed Esthetician & Health & Relationship Coach
Detroit, MI, USA
Hello, I am a licensed esthetician (skincare specialist) and a certified health and life coach. My expertise includes helping others obtain and maintain overall health. Whether it be with physical, mental, or emotional health. I specialize in relationship coaching and challenging mindset growth for personal development. My expertise will always be grounded on the foundation of my love for Christ and building character through biblical principals!
certified health coach
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2017 – The 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation
2017 is an important year for the Protestant Church in that it marks the 500th anniversary of the year (October 31, 1517) Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses (Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences) to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, thus launching the Protestant Reformation, a religious, political, intellectual and cultural revolution that divided Catholic Europe. The Reformation redefined the beliefs and structures that had dominated Europe for decades by questioning the Catholic Church’s authority to define Christian practice. Significantly, reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin argued for the inherent power and indisputable authority of the Scriptures and worked to put Bibles into the hands of common men and women, not just clergy.
As a Christian school in 2017 whose mission is to educate and disciple young people based on a biblical worldview, we owe a debt of gratitude to courageous followers of Christ, such as Martin Luther, who have gone before and forged a path for us to follow. Gramercy Christian School is a ministry of Faith Evangelical Bible Church (FEBC) and in recognition of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, FEBC is hosting a three-part documentary on the Reformation called “This Changed Everything.” Parents and students alike are invited to come during the month of October and learn about this revolutionary historical event.
Please click here for more information or contact our office at 252-223-5199 or FEBC at 252-223-5416.


Pope Francis spent a peaceful night in Rome’s Gemelli hospital after he was hospitalized with a respiratory infection on March 29. Despite initial concerns, medical staff expressed optimism about his recovery, and nursing staff have said they expect him to be discharged soon, possibly in time for Palm Sunday celebrations on April 2.
The Vatican has confirmed that the 86-year-old pontiff has been diagnosed with a respiratory infection that requires “a few days” of treatment.
The Holy See Press Office Director, Matteo Bruni, has said that the pope was grateful for the prayers and support of those who had reached out to him. Bruni had earlier stated that the pope was at the hospital for some previously scheduled checkups. The Vatican has excluded COVID-19 as the cause of his illness.
Pope Francis’ health has been the subject of increased scrutiny in recent years. He has undergone colon surgery and begun using a wheelchair or walking stick due to chronic knee pain. This latest hospitalization has led to speculation about a possible resignation on health grounds, following the historic precedent of his late predecessor Benedict XVI.
In an interview with Italian Swiss television RSI broadcast on March 12, Francis said that he would consider resignation if he experienced “a tiredness that doesn’t let you see things clearly. A lack of clarity, of knowing how to evaluate situations.”
World Leaders and Catholics Worldwide Pray for Pope Francis Speedy Recovery
Pope Francis’ hospitalization is a cause for concern for many, but there is hope for a swift recovery. Let us keep the Holy Father in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
The 86-year-old pontiff was taken to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday and diagnosed with a respiratory infection that required “a few days” of treatment, the Vatican has said.
Pope Francis has been admitted to the Gemelli Hospital in Rome for “some days” after being diagnosed with a respiratory infection. The Vatican confirmed the news in a statement on March 29. The statement indicated that the pope had been experiencing difficulty breathing and underwent medical tests at the hospital. Although COVID-19 infection was excluded, the medical results showed a respiratory infection that requires appropriate medical treatment.
Pope Francis has a history of chronic knee pain and wheelchair reliance. He had colon surgery in July 2021 at Gemelli Hospital due to diverticulitis, with a 10-day recovery period.


We want to make some of our writings available to you. If you should want to receive copies in larger quantities please e-mail or write so that we can arrange this for you.
Health and Prosperity: What Does the Bible Really Teach us? This compares some present-day teachings with simple, logical and common-sense interpretation of Scripture. For example: What is the true scriptural meaning of the “hundredfold return.”?
I Will Pray in the Spirit. Focussing on the ever controversial gift of speaking in tongues, this writing deals with the “cessationist” position from Scripture, showing that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still valid for today.
The Pastor Mentality. Compares the Biblical pattern for church life with various aspects of present-day church. Shows from Scripture what a Christian meeting should be like, with emphasis on the scriptural pattern for spiritual leadership.
Alcohol and the Christian. Contends, for unique reasons, that the Apostle Paul would be forced to write differently today than he did in his day on this subject. Deals with scriptural and cultural perspectives, and the Christian response in light of Biblical principles.
NEW BOOKLET AVAILABLE:
Does God Exist? This is the booklet form of the article of the same name on this website. A great tool to share with those who have doubts about God and the Bible.
To receive any of the above a $4.00 donation is suggested for each booklet, postage paid in the U.S.A. and Canada. We will gladly air mail overseas as many as a donation will allow, less postage.
Please contact us at the e-mail address below to make arrangements.


"Mariposa 🦋 The butterfly is a symbol of resurrection - of new life, new dreams, and new beginnings.
When choosing my very own SEDA jewellery, I chose the Mariposa, for her lifelike resemblance and wonderment, as well as a reminder of transformation and hope.
As I wear her, with outstretched wings, I am reminded to leave the old behind and soar towards new horizons. Philippians 3.13-14.
With all diligence, I choose to live light, free, and as beautiful as God created me to be.
Alexia Rae." @sincerely.alexiarae


The Church of South India affirms that the Church is the Servant of God to carry on the mission rooted in Jesus Christ based on the Scriptures. The Church through her mission expresses solidarity with the broken communities for a new hope to face the challenges of life. The Cross continuous to be the sign of hope for the witnessing Church, which strives towards Unity, Peace and Reconciliation as a vibrant Channel of God.
- Greetings to you in the precious name of lord and saviour jesus Christ. As Marken family we are celebrating our 23rd harvest festival on 2nd of September 2012. Let this celebration bring fellowsity and unity among us. I also wish all the teachers a Happy Teachers Day, which falls on 5th of September 2012. May all the teachers remainded that they are carrying out the ministries of Jesus.
Events & News
Mission Statement of the Church
History of CSI
The Church of South India is the result of the union of churches of varying traditions Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed. It was inaugurated in September 1947, after protracted negotiation among the churches concerned. Organized into 22 dioceses, each under the spiritual supervision of a bishop, the church as a whole is governed by a synod, which elects a moderator (presiding bishop) every 2 years. Episcopacy is thus combined with Synodical government, and the church explicitly recognizes that Episcopal, Presbyterian, and congregational elements are all necessary for the church's life. The Scriptures are the ultimate standard of faith and practice. The historic creeds are accepted as interpreting the biblical faith, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are recognized as of binding obligation.


“Not my will, but thy will” (Ps. 143:10; Matt. 26:39) To preserve your life is to give up your rights to self, so that the Holy Spirit may work through you to accomplish eternal life.
I am bound to no man except to the man Christ Jesus, But I am obligated to every man through the man Christ Jesus, ~ Dev
To live is the signature of eternity, But to die is the sad effect of sin. ~ Dev


The Publishing Ministry Arm of Biblical Life College & Seminary and Biblical Life Assembly
"Instruction for Living Biblically" ™
Biblical Life Publishing stives to provide the best service and materials available.
Most orders are shipped within two business days via either First Class Mail or Priority Mail with Confirmation Delivery. If you provide an e-mail address with your order, you will receive a confirmation when the order has been shipped.
If any CD or DVD proves be defective within 90 days of purchase, it will be replaced free of charge. Simply mail the defect disk back to Biblical Life Publishing with a short description of the program. A replacement disk will be shipped within two business days.


The Great Nurse of Humanity, the Noble Woman Mother Teresa—a name symbolizing love, peace and shelter. Mother Teresa is the last heir of all the great human beings who have suffered endlessly and sacrificed their lives to free people from oppression, exploitation and cruelty. Such people are rare in today’s age.
Date of Birth and Childhood
Year of Death of Florence Nightingale. Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910 in an Albanian Roman Catholic farming family. That place was Skopje, a small village in the southern part of what was then Yugoslavia. No one has a relationship with anyone, but it seems as if Nightingale has passed the lamp of peace, service and care in Mother Teresa’s hand without anyone noticing. In the hands of his rightful successor. Mother Teresa is a living icon of love, compassion, kindness, service and care.
His father’s name is Nicolas Bozaxhiu, mother’s name is Dronafile. His father Bojazhiu was a grocer by profession. He named the daughter Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu .
Florence Nightingale Wounded Crippled Helpless Crying Soldier & Florence Nightingale, a noble woman of the nineteenth century, was called ‘Lady. By serving the people, how many people have saved the lamp of life from being extinguished. Similarly, another nightingale has constantly given his love, compassion, peace and service to this metropolis of Kolkata, this subcontinent. The worthy successor of Florence Nightingale is this noble woman Mother Teresa.
This poor Albanian couple never imagined that their very quiet daughter would one day dedicate her life to realizing her dream of alleviating the world’s suffering. Little did they know the power that the little girl used to pray with her eyes closed before the pictures of the merciful Jesus and Mother Mary. This silent prayer to God was the source of all Mother’s strength. Even in later life, no matter how busy he was, he observed the prayer time with almost military strictness. The Agnes had two sisters and a brother. One of his legs was weak. A veil of shame surrounded him all the time for this physical deformity. Agnes became fatherless at the age of seven. In Yugoslavia, which was wounded by the First World War, his mother raised her child with great difficulty. It was through her mother’s inspiration that Agnes gained faith in kindness to the poor and devotion to God. He was attracted to religious activities from a young age.
While attending public school in Skopje, Agnes was drawn to the missionary work of the Sodality. He used to read Sangh papers regularly. Various news of India were published in that newspaper. In his own words, “At the age of twelve I first knew I had a vocation to help the poor. I wanted to be a missionary. Letters from the Jesuits of Yugoslavia were read aloud in the Skopje public school class. In all those letters, there was a special mention of Kolkata. Hearing all that, Agnes became attracted to Kolkata.
Joining the Loreto Society
Mother Teresa came to know about the Loreto Society of Ireland working in India. He contacted the head office of Loreto Sangha in Dublin. Then with his mother’s permission he went to Bathernham in Ireland and joined the Loreto Sangha.
Mother Teresa came to Calcutta, India in 1928 at the age of 18 to serve as a missionary. Loretta, a noble woman nurse from Ireland, inspired him to dedicate himself to this service.
The first to touch the soil of Bengal welcomed him. From that first day, Agnes became a person of Bengal in her mind and soul. She had not yet become a full-fledged nun. He was sent to Darjeeling to complete his apprenticeship. After completing the two-year course, she took the nun’s vow. Returned to Calcutta as Sister Agnes.
Mother Teresa Entali was appointed as a teacher in the Bengali Department of St. Mary’s School. His subjects were geography and history. She was a teacher of that school for twenty years. 1942 AD became the principal of that school. While teaching at the school, the poverty of the residents of the nearby Motijheel slum, the suffering of the children deeply disturbed him. It was the time of World War II.
The city of Calcutta was suffering from man-made famine. In the hope of two handfuls of rice, in the hope of a rice starch, village people are flocking to Kolkata in droves, starving to death by eating bad food. Sister Agnes began her work at this time. He soon realized that holding back ties does not serve the poor. He has to come out of the safe life of four walls to stand next to the poor and hungry people of today with hope and hope.
On September 10, 1946 AD, he realized a miracle while going to Darjeeling. He heard God’s revelation. Talking about this realization, Mother herself said, “…a call within a call ………. The message was clear. I was to leave the convent and help the poor, while living among them.”
If you want to serve the poor, you have to do it from among the poor. Mother would always remember the day of receiving this order from God. He used to say the day of decision – the day of inspiration. That was the beginning of the transformation from Sister Agnes to Mother Teresa.
Missionaries of Charity founded by Mother observes this day as Inspiration Day. Sangh thinks that their Sangh was founded on 10th September 1946 AD. With permission from the Mother Superior, Agnes left Loreto. Loreto left the robes of the nuns and picked up a thick blue sari. On that day, his possessions were five rupees, a Bible, a crucifix and a rosary.
And with it was unimaginable morale and dependence on God. She changed her paternal name to Teresa. Sister Teresa Saint Teresa of France died in 1897 AD at the age of 24. This poor nun is Mother Teresa’s mentor. I need to build myself up a bit more before I can fully get down to work. Went to Patna and took basic medical training in a hospital run by the Society of Catholic Medical Missionaries.
He came back to Calcutta in 1940 AD. Arrived at the shelter of the nuns of the Little Sisters of the Poor Sangha. Then he came up from there to a room in Motijheel basti for five taka rent. He took Indian citizenship that year.
His hard struggle for the welfare of poor humanity began. This is where he started his first school – by teaching a few children A B C D in the tree. After finishing teaching, he used to go to the scavengers’ mahalla of the corporation. He used to inquire about their family. He used to take care of the sick. Then he would go out begging for money and medicines. After spending the whole day in the slums and on the road, he used to sleep at night at St. Joseph’s Home on Lower Circular Road. He used to serve the elderly in this ashram.
Missionaries of Charity
In 1950, he started his first ministry at 64A, Lower Circular Road in lonely poverty with only eight nuns. This road is now called Jagadishchandra Bose Road. Established his Missionaries of Charity.
This is how he dedicated himself to the service of people and humanity in Calcutta. He poured his soul into the service of the oppressed, the poor, the helpless humanity. Gradually he started building his service organization. He began to take the people who were suffering and suffering with the love and compassion of a mother. He established the Missionaries of Charity with a capital of only five rupees. Today it has expanded to hundreds of branches all over the world. The branch of this service is also in Bangladesh. He has established many children’s homes, women’s work centers, mobile medical centers, food and clothing distribution centers and leprosy centers in many countries for the service and education of humanity. However, he has also received recognition for his immense service to humanity.
Mother’s service centers spread across 52 countries of the world. His Missionaries of Charity have many branches – 60 centers and hundreds of service centers in the city of Calcutta. There are more than hundred branches in different regions of India. Mother has prestige all over the world. His nuns are accompanied by a group of male workers. They are called Brother of Missionaries. They have been working equally with the nuns in the same mind, with the same faith.
At first the Missionaries of Charity were under the Archbishop of Calcutta. Since then it has come under the direct control of the Pope at the Vatican. Mother herself has set the rules of her organization. Like other Roman Catholic nuns, members of this order take vows of poverty, chastity and discipline. But the vow of poverty of this institution is very strictly observed. In the mother’s words — “to be able to love the poor and know the poor we must be poor ourselves.” Like the mother, her nuns also have a few thick blue sari, a prayer book and a cross. They do not take any help from their relatives, they do all their work with their own hands. In this day and age it would seem incredible that there is no electric fan in the mother house. There are a few for visitors and guests only.
From the early days of Motijheel slums, Mother used to walk. 1964 AD Pope Paul VI donated his white Lincoln Continental limousine when he came to India for his use. Mother did not use that car. Sold it at auction and built a home for lepers. The Maha Yajna of mother’s service started in Calcutta. Mother had to take ten years to build the first ashram outside Calcutta. Several girls from Ranchi joined Mother’s Sangh. So it was to them that he gifted the first ashram outside Calcutta — Sisters of Charity (1960 AD). Then he built Shishu Bhavan in Delhi. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated this building. Swiss Ambassador and Union Minister Krishna Menon were also present. After setting up sevasrams in Bombay and other parts after Delhi, Mother stepped into the arena of outer India. He went to Venezuela, Rome, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, various Latin American countries, Australia, Jordan, Yemen etc.
By February 1976 AD he established about twenty ashrams outside India. Mother Teresa, the icon of humanity, needs a huge amount of money every day for this huge work around the world. But there is no direct source of this income. All depends on donations from various people and organizations. Mother is totally dependent on God for money. He only prays. Don’t know where the money will come from. But everything comes to his feet as needed. Mother had no such distinction between rich and poor, educated and uneducated people. Just as he would accept the donation of the rich in the service of the poor, so he would accept the smallest donation collected by begging from the poorest person with utmost respect.
Tagore Ramakrishna said about life service in Shivajnana. Vivekananda showed us that way. But in Mother was embodied the fullness of this vow. His power of service was miraculous. Which is incredible in the eyes of common people like us. But he was a deen from deen among us. He slept in a small room, with only one window, on a bed of leaves on the ground. According to Missionaries of Charity, the mother used to spend only sixty rupees a month on herself. In between eating, wearing, medicine etc. People all over the world are equally interested in this man with white saree, blue fringe, head veil, small body, slow speaking. Just two words to ‘Mother Teresa’ – fake, genuine, high, low, hypocrite, saint, devil – would bring everyone’s head to mind. It is doubtful whether God himself appeared in human form and would have received such respect and devotion from people in all parts of the world. Mother is great in her actions. There was not a single person in the world who had the power to reject any of Mother’s words.
In 1985, United Nations Secretary General Perez de Cuellar said in a meeting about Mother, ‘the most powerful human being on earth’. Our Chief Minister said in a respectful tone, don’t listen to Mother. That is, there is no way not to obey his words. The Pope’s palace in the Vatican was not open to the general public. At Mother’s insistence, Pope Paul was forced to build a home for Jesus’ people there. This was Mother Teresa. And whatever he did whenever and wherever, he did it for the deen’s sake—for the despicable, the neglected, the starving, the sick.
Awards and honors
Mother Teresa set an unparalleled example of loving people. The whole world recognized it head on, rewarded him with both hands.
1962 AD Awarded Padma Shri by Government of India. Mother was awarded the Magsaysay Award that year. 1967 AD Received the 23rd Pope John Peace Prize from Pope Paul VI. In the same year, he was given the Good Samaritan Award in Boston, USA.
A month later, he received the John F. Kennedy International Recognition Award for International Understanding. In recognition of the development of spirituality, Prince Philip of England gave the Mother the Templeton Award for Progress in Religion in 1973. 1974 AD Received Mater et Magistro Award from USA.
Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 in recognition of her services to humanity. In 1980, he received the Bharat Ratna, the highest state honor of the Government of India.
He donated 15 lakh rupees of Nobel Prize and about 1 crore rupees of other awards to the service of humanity. Mother Teresa built a treatment and service center for leprosy patients with Nobel Prize money.
The largest effort to immortalize Mother is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The Ceres Medal recognizes those who deliver a handful of food to the world’s hungry. The obverse of this medal bears the image of a malnourished child holding a begging bowl. On the other side is the statue of Mother Teresa.
Health loss and death
Mother worked tirelessly without judging time. As a result, he fell ill in 1984 AD. A pacemaker should be placed in the chest. Yet there was no end to his forays across the globe. He has been sick again and again. He recovered with the diligent treatment and care of the doctors. Jumped back to work. This is how he brought forward the last lagna of his life. A few days before Mahaprayan, he had to move around in a wheel chair.
On September 5, 1997, Mother Teresa, the epitome of humanity at the Mother House in Calcutta, took eternal refuge in the arms of her beloved and adorable Lord Jesus at the age of 87. The whole world is motherless.


I am a 22 years young Tennessee native and I am a follower of Christ and a wife to my best friend. I’m a small town nobody who’s biggest dreams are to honor Jesus with the way I live my life, love my husband well, and love people well.
Since my Senior year of high school I started to develop an interest in photography and was fascinated with the art form of it. Photography for me has been a blessing in disguise. The people I have met and became friends with as well the places it’s taken me is something I will never take for granted. The fact that I take photos of people and give them something to hang on their walls and cherish forever is what makes me feel like I’m fulfilling my purpose in life.


It’s been long 40 days. Filled with prayer, fasten and good deeds. At least that’s how it should be. Being Orthodox, the Big Lent is rather a hard time. We turn vegan for this time, eating only vegetable and fruits, and whatever you can prepare out of those, we don’t touch meat or any food that would come from animals, and we’re only allowed to eat fish two times in this long period of time. But it’s not the essence of the fastening time. More importantly we go to church for beautiful masses, not only on Sundays but also Wednesdays or Fridays. It’s time for deep prayer and confession. It’s like this big cleaning you do during spring, only this time you cleanse your soul.
But now, this time is over and Good News is coming! The Resurrection!
The most important event, holiday, celebration of the year for all Christians. And again, Easter is not about chocolate eggs, big brunch with your family – although this one is important, or about eating a lamb. It’s about the essence of Christianity, the point when it all actually started. The Resurrection.
This year it happens one week after Catholic Easter, and most of the time it is like that, because Orthodox uses different calendar to settle the date yearly. So living in catholic country we don’t really get Easter holidays. Well we do, but on different time. Right after Sunday we go back to normal lives, but the good spirit of Resurrection stays and brightens our days.
To all my Orthodox readers, I wish you a blessed time, happy days spend with your family, in peace and love. Lots of hope for the future, health and well, appetite. There is a lot of food to eat on Sunday! Be happy and spread the world!
Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen!
Ps. Lack of posts this week was caused by the circle of sleep – work – church – sleep. I’m coming back soon!


Larry A. Schroth
August 3, 2023
Funeral services for Larry A. Schroth, 73, of Brunswick, will be Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at Brunswick Congregational Church with Pastor Robert Moore officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, August 8, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Brunswick Congregational Church. Interment will be in West Willowdale Cemetery.
Larry died Aug. 5, at his home.
Beyer Snider Memorial Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.beyersnidermemorialfh.com....


Griner is a church that cares about people
By applying God’s Word, we seek to set each life free from the bondage of spiritual issues, emotional wounds, physical and financial concerns.
Griner is a church where all are welcome
We are a people who purpose to bring glory to God, To live lives of holiness and obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word, To live in harmony with others and share His Gospel and love with all people.
Dan Mohler is coming to Griner
Dan Mohler will be @ Griner June 11,12,13, 2021.
Speaking times are June 11, 2021 (Friday) 6:30pm
June 12, 2021 (Saturday) 9:30am
1:00pm (with a Youth focus) and 6:30pm
June 13, 2021 (Sunday) 9:30am


Women in History
For Women’s History Month I like to highlight a woman from the Bible from whom women can draw strength and/or encouragement.
This month I am taking a look at Abigail.
Abigail was the wife of Nabal. (1 Samuel 25). Nabal was very rich. The Bible says that Abigail was discerning and beautiful, but Nabal was harsh and badly behaved. The story goes on to say that King David became aware of Nabal’s wealth and that he could afford to provide his army with a meal. He sent his young messenger to Nabal to greet him courteously and petition him for food for the men, particularly since David’s men had allowed Nabal’s workers to do their work in peace.
However, when Nabal received the message from David, he became indignant and said, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” (1 Samuel 25:10,11 ESV).
I should point out at this juncture that the translation of Nabal’s name is “fool.”
So, David’s men returned and told David what Nabal had said. David was furious! He prepared his men to kill all of Nabal’s household and his servants.
Thankfully, one of Nabal’s young men told the incident to Abigail, Nabal’s wife. When she heard of it, she immediately jumped into action. She had the servants prepare a feast for David and his men, and sent them on to David – without her husband’s knowledge.
She herself jumped on a horse and rode furiously to meet up with David to appease his anger. She apologized for the foolish behavior of her husband, and humbly implored him to accept her gifts. With that, David relented and her entire household was saved from being slaughtered.
For Us Today
How many Abigails do we have out there? How many women are married to foolish husbands? I believe it may be many, and it is to you that I now speak. It is sometimes necessary to step in and save a situation which your husband has messed up. God won’t be mad at you. Just as we sometimes have to clean up a household mess, we must also be bold enough to clean up other messes. It is often necessary to correct situations caused by your husband without mentioning it to him. He may not verbally thank you for it, but he will surely be grateful when his life is spared in one way or another.
I salute the Old Testament Abigail and all the Abigails out there who have had to stay quiet and do the right thing to keep a marriage alive. I salute your strength and courage. I salute your discernment and willingness to follow God whether your husband did or not. I salute you for raising your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord! I salute you for setting a Godly example for them.
I have heard many stories of women who have persevered, despite opposition, and remained faithful to God and church – returning home to abuse. There is reward coming. If we continue with the Biblical story, we see that David never forgot Abigail’s action. Upon the sudden death of Nabal, David took her as his wife and she became queen.
God does not sleep. He is our vindicator. Keep on doing right, and your faithfulness will be rewarded.


As I sit at the table aching for him to come near me, to
hold me, comfort me, anything to feel
a connection, I sit in
silence frustration anger. It is my own pride and
stubbornness that keeps me from reaching for him or speaking out loud the
longing I am feeling. Instead I push the yearning deep down inside, along with
the lump in my throat and reach for my phone. My phone. Not flesh and blood
but an object that holds no value in the end.
and engagement. I feel like it gets
me more than he does. An object…..a flipping phone. It has no living parts,
no blood or life flowing through it. Only wires, screws and whatever else is in
there. But no, not life. Not really.
to the ones that matter the most. My family. My husband, my children and Oh
Lord forgive me, to You.
mind my profanity, I love Jesus but I curse a little.)
only I was to have a boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/companion, my life would be better. I’m
not saying being lonely and wanting companionship is wrong or the longing to be
loved and live a life with someone is not validated, it is. Read that
again if you need to, IT IS! However, it is not what will fill you up to the
brim. Only Jesus can.
let Him. It is
It is ME that needs to seek and to cling to the vine, to the cross.
not always be the “honeymoon” stage. Where the excitement of a new
life together fills our days and nights. Keeping us warm between the sheets.
There will be stages, what I like to call them, “what the hell was I
thinking” stage. The stage where the sheets between the two of you makes
you shiver to the bone. You will get visions of a life alone and free, no
matter how fleeting they come and go. A life imagined, where you could do
whatever the hell you wanted without it effecting an entire household, where
you didn’t have to ask “permission” just to run to Shoppers Drug Mart
for an hour or two.
despair, but this is me, bleeding out like I do when I write, I can’t help it. When it flows it flows fast. It is also for those that
are not yet married, be prepared for these kinds of seasons. They are rigid and
can make you feel like you are fighting a rip tide as it pulls you and your spouse
further and further apart. You need to
cling to Christ and let Him love your spouse the way you cannot. Let Him help
you reach for your husband instead of that dead, cold, plastic phone or
whatever your vice might be. It will not fill you. Or it might, but it is fake
and fleeting, just like a drug. After your fix wears out you will need another,
and another and another.
and loss has had its toll. How are we getting through it? Jesus. There are many
mine. Then when everything slows down, we look at each other and we know the gap
that the enemy has started to build and we cling to each other again, to Him.
The three of us. Cause that is the only way we are going to survive.


some ideas of what I talk about:
Families, become what you are...
intimate communities of life and love
Defining "what really matters" in family life helps us stay focused on the big reasons we teach our own. Parents are primarily concerned with what kind of people they will raise. People of integrity, faith, honesty, empathy, diligence. Busyness, chaos and distractions can cause us to lose sight of the big picture. The "tyranny of the urgent" should not be the state in which our families run. This talk is about recognizing and avoiding the pitfalls that create discord and disorder in our day and provides practical advice about actively changing clutter and chaos (emotional, spiritual and temporal) into a more joyful, ordered environment.
Raising Holy Children: what does that even mean?
It's easy to think obedient, cooperative and well behaved mean the same thing as holy. Lord, knows - I’m not well behaved - but I am striving for holiness! Holy and perfect? NOT the same thing.
A Well Ordered Life: finding the Good, the True and the Beautiful amidst the laundry
What has laundry got to do with a rich homeschooling life? Order changes everything. In the laundry room, kitchen, activity choices and in our hearts...order helps our mood and our productivity. How do we "get order" when we are so busy raising children? It is valuable, freeing AND possible!
Dictation: love and language
Dictation, used well, is perhaps the single most effective and efficient tool at our disposal to teach language. In an environment of love, we discover the world of language one on one with our children. Each lesson is perfectly tailored to a child's skill level and aptitude. Learn how Language Arts can be easily presented in a simple, short and loving lesson daily.
Why Education Matters
If the most important work we do as parents is to raise good and thoughtful children, then why does education matter at all? Education matters because to truly reach our full potential as humans we need to expand the mind to its full capacity. Education's proper place is to develop people to their fullest potential without worshipping education.
How to Read a Book so it Becomes the Curriculum
Literature can be the backbone for so many subjects. History, geography, culture, sciences, art, music...and other subjects, can be studied through literature. When we read aloud well to our children, that beautiful family study that we all imagined homeschooling to be comes to life. This talk discusses ideas for family study through literature and vital resources.
Homeschooling, simplified: what matters most
OR Revolution of Mercy
Parents are primarily concerned with what kind of people they will raise. People of integrity, faith, honesty, empathy, diligence. It’s easy to lose sit of the big picture. Recognize and avoid the pitfalls that create discord, clutter and chaos (emotional, spiritual and temporal) into a more joyful, ordered environment.
Homeschooling through the Challenging Times
Our vocation should be joyful and love should be what defines our families. But it isn't always so. Emotional strife, a difficult child, financial hardship or physical illness can tarnish joy. We can ease the impact of difficulties by preparation, and developing contingency plans for when things go awry.
Shortcuts to Joy: homeschooling the way you thought it would be
We all learn best in an environment of joy. Joy is a means to reach our full potential. How do we find joy and keep joy? By employing these two tools: simplicity and surrender.
Transcending the Laundry and other Homeschooling Realities
What has laundry got to do with a rich homeschooling life? Order changes everything. In our homes, our activities and in our hearts...order helps our mood and our productivity. And our mood...


The Catholic Education Foundation Endowment Program has seen significant growth in recent years as more donors have decided to honor loved ones by making gifts that will impact needy families in perpetuity. For more information about establishing a named fund, please contact Kevin Woodward at email@example.com or call 502.585.2747.
The Helen Asman Dahlem Scholarship Fund
In 2016, Helen Asman Dahlem’s son, Bernard A. Dahlem, along with his family, established a permanent endowment scholarship fund at the Catholic Education Foundation of Louisville to honor her loving memory and the Catholic education that so defined her life and that of her family. Originally endowed with $500,000 by the Dahlem family, the Foundation is working to match this amount and create a permanent fund of $1 million that will provide the gift of a Catholic education to a deserving young child whose family longs for the same God-blessed education that Helen received in her life.
Helen Dillon Mazzoli & Rosanne Dillon Endowment Fund
In the fall of 2017, the Honorable Romano L. Mazzoli established the Helen Dillon Mazzoli & Rosanne Dillon Endowment Fund in loving memory of his beloved wife Helen Dillon Mazzoli who passed away in 2012 and in honor of her sister, Rosanne Dillon. Proceeds from the fund will be directed towards providing tuition assistance to families who could never afford the full cost of a Catholic Education.


Lent Basics - Prayer and Reflection
This Lent we strip it back to basics
Each week there will be a theme – and there will be a couple of prayers for you to get to know for the week. Each day there will be a verse and a question under the theme.
We have tried to leave lots of space in this Lent book for you to write and muse your own prayers.
The hope is we all draw close and closer to God.
We say thank you to Canon Chris RUSSELL of Saint Laurence, Reading for the gift of this booklet and sharing it through Emma


WELCOME TO AGAPE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
After much prayer concerning the naming of the church “Agape” was chosen. “Agape” refers to the love of God; it is a love by choice. It denotes an undefeatable benevolence and unconquerable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of the other person, no matter what he does. It is the self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return.
Agape Christian Fellowship Church is a church with a big heart and helping hands. Attending to the needs of the people is not a top-down operation. Members of Agape love and serve one another.
John 15:12 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
All are welcomed. People who are looking for a church home want to feel like part of a family, they are hungry for love, for a sense of belonging in a world that feels like a cold and lonely place.
We believe that it is our responsibility to point people to Jesus; teach the word of God; evangelize the world; bring healing and deliverance to the body of Christ and to give hope to a lost world.
4421 Route 130 South
Burlington, New Jersey 08016


Prescott Christian Church
I’ve worked with several different youth ministries. All of them had great students. But with my youth group going to Mexicali, I have seen some great leadership development, lives changed, hearts softened, eyes opened, etc. These students will carry with them forever what they learned in Mexicali.
Northpark Community Church
Mexico Outreach is a focal point of our student ministry each year. The students that are bold enough to attend tend to after the trip, take Jesus more seriously and share a bond with one another that the other students simply do not have. It gives our students a focused time to rise out of themselves and put others first in every way.
Ocean View Baptist Church
Mexico Outreach makes it possible for us to provide an excellent mission experience to our kids. Financially, it cannot be beat. It is Christ centered. The atmosphere that Mexico Outreach creates through chapels and by providing meals, etc makes it so that we as leaders can interact with our students on a more intimate level, since we don’t have to take care of those huge details. It is the best thing we do as a youth ministry!
Cornerstone Bible Church
Mexico Outreach has helped our students experience God in real and powerful ways and has brought families together in ways I never thought possible.


Let me start by saying I am not a Christian. I am not an ‘anything’. I consider myself ‘spiritual’.
I think all religions have the same message. Be a kiff person. And don’t be shit to others. End of story.
Good vibes = Good times.
So I was amused when my best friend’s daughter was given her first bible by her Grandpa for her 3rd birthday.
Aptly titled, ‘MY FIRST BIBLE’, I found it on the shelf and was discussing it with my equally religious-less yet spiritual friend.
When you’re a mom there are so many fundamentals you need to teach your child. Whether it’s eating habits, language, hygiene, morals or religion – these things shape your little one into the adult they will one day become. Especially religion.
My friend and I, as adults, have decided that we don’t want to live a ‘religious’ life, but a spiritual one. Meaning we don’t feel the need to punt one religion’s God and put everyone else’s down.
But is it fair to take away the choice from a little one? Do you teach them a little of all the religions, or start them straight up on a ‘spiritual path’?
Maybe it is right to read this kiddie bible as a bedtime story? Let her know the characters, the lessons. Perhaps it is only fair to give this child an open mind to make her own choices when she is of age.
until… WE OPENED THE BOOK.
WOULD YOU READ THIS TO YOUR CHILD?????
Maybe you would? But I sure as hell wouldn’t. And if THIS is how some kids learn the Bible. Then God help our children. And I mean that. Plus, in this book, Jesus has a chubby tummy… COME ONE , that’s the one thing WE all agree with, he rocked some lean ass abs.
So to you, whoever you are, wherever you are, whoever or whatever you pray to. I hope you have a wonderful day. Just be a good person. That’s all any God really wants 🙂 (oh and probably for us NOT to scare the shit out of our kids with the kind of book seen above)


Sermon: Elder David Lee
SABBATH SCHOOL PROGRAM
Adult Sabbath School – 10:00 am
Children’s Sabbath School – 10:00 am
Kindergarten: Lillian Lee
Primary: Grace Chung
Middlers: Karen Koo
Juniors: Stephen Kim
Adults: Kenneth Choi
Bible Reading Challenge: Matthew 19-21
OC Small Group will meet Friday at Angie/Paul Kim’s house at 6:30pm! We are going over the parables of Jesus! Please contact Pastor DP for more information!
IE Young Adults/CAMPUS will meet at Phil’s house in Riverside. Please contact Christina Lee for more information!
IE Family Small Group will meet at the Saesim’s on March 2nd!
Gym night is this Sabbath. Pastor Robin invited the church to come over to his house (11556 Waterwell Ct., Riverside, CA) for afternoon fellowship, sundown worship and dinner! Please let Pastor DP know if you’re coming for dinner ASAP!
Sundown worship: 4:45pm
Gym night: 7:00pm
SOS (Sabbath of Service)
Starting March 10th, outreach committee is launching SOS, Sabbath of Service! Every 2nd Sabbath of the month we will go out to various locations and spread the love of Jesus and build relationships with our community! SOS is a great opportunity for your family to participate and be blessed! For more information, please contact our outreach coordinator, Daren Lam.
We will have joint worship with the Korean Ministry and Children’s Ministry on March 24th with guest speaker, Elizer Sacay. He is the vice president of Asian/Pacific Ministries at SECC.
Please join us for our annual Easter picnic on March 31st right after the Language School! Details will be posted soon so stay tuned!
YLSDA LANGUAGE SCHOOL
We are starting Korean classes on March 31st! This is a new semester with 4 teachers/missionaries coming from Korea to teach our children! Registration will open very soon. Please contact Language School Principal Ruth Chang for more information!
YLSDA ANNUAL CHURCH RETREAT
Dates: May 11-13
Location: Pine Summit Christian Camp, Big Bear (check out pinesummit.com for pictures)
Come for nature, fellowship & fun! We welcome day-trippers as well!
YLSDA DAILY DEVOTIONAL
If you want to receive our very own YLSDA daily devotional message, please contact Pastor Robin (firstname.lastname@example.org)
If you have a prayer request, please contact Lori Jo (email@example.com) and we will pray for you!
Giving is now more convenient! We have “recurring donation” option where you can give your tithe and offerings automatically on a schedule that you set up. The link is on our church website under “Give” – http://yorbalindasda.org/give. All you have to do is register for an account and you can get started at any time. Please contact Michelle Park (firstname.lastname@example.org) if you have any questions.
WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENT EMAIL
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Neighborhood Builder, By Rex and Brenda Bost
BEING BORN IN AMERICA HAS NEVER MEANT AS MUCH TO US AS IT DOES NOW.
The things and opportunities that we take for granted took on a whole new meaning after we returned from a mission trip in Copan, Honduras. As part of a volunteer group originating from Hephzibah Baptist Church in Wendell, we were able to go and give back a portion of the blessings we have experienced in our own lives. The trip is arranged through the North Carolina Mission Board, the local officials in Copan, and the local missionaries there. The mission at hand was to build a school for a Chorti Indian tribe in the beautiful mountains of Copan. While the lay of the land is among the most beautiful in the world, all of the water in Honduras is polluted. This was going to be the first school building for the Chorti from San Isidro Village. They had been meeting for school only for a short while in a little dirt floor Catholic Church. With very little opportunity available, illiteracy is the norm, and everyone in school is presently in first grade, which includes ages 5 to 13.
After 13, most children drop out of school to work and help their families. On any given day, some children must walk for miles into town to sell the wood they can carry on their backs for money instead of going to school.
To offer an incentive to go to school, the government of Copan now has a program of one meal a day if they attend school, so many children go in order to eat the only meal they will get. (While Rex has participated in several mission trips in the past in Honduras, this was Brenda’s first. And while every mission has been one of great need and compassion, these people were the poorest of the poor.)
The Chorti are direct descendents of the Mayan civilization that live in the Western part of Honduras, eastern part of Guatemala and into El Salvador. There are 42 villages located in the mountains of western Honduras around the city of Copan Ruinas. They are small villages ranging in population from 200 to 1500, with the average size being about 500 to 750. Very few of them have electricity or water, or health care; there is no secondary education in any village, no public transportation, and no form of communication other than a possible portable radio.
Unfortunately, because of the illiteracy of these people, they have lost the valuable land rights they had when the Mayans thrived as a civilization between 200 AD and 800 AD. The descendants usually don’t own the land they live on, and therefore must depend on working for other landowners. When the growing season is finished, as it is now, the people go hungry.
The key to helping them survive is education. We quickly learned the wise saying “give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime” was true. It breaks your heart, because you just want to give them the things they need, but without the education to follow simple directions on a medicine bottle, you realize you can’t just give them things. “With the local government finally donating a small hillside to the San Isidro Village, we were able to build them a school on their land. With the promise of actually seeing us there working for them, it has encouraged them to start the process of relocating their families.
While the men were busy working on the school building, the women volunteers were working with the women and children in the village. Each day we would load up in the 4-wheel drive truck or the van, and travel about a half an hour up the mountain. Our mission was to introduce God’s love to them, not only by our presence, but also by telling them stories from the Bible. It was an awesome experience to be with them everyday in such an intimate way. We usually had around 30 children to work with in the morning. We told them a Bible story first, and taught them this song in Spanish. “Yo Tengo Un Amigo Que Me Ama” – I have a friend that loves me. They loved the song, and would really sing out by the end of the week. After our Bible stories, we used the opportunity to teach dental health. From the generous donations of local dentists, we had carried about 200 toothbrushes up with us. These kids had never owned a toothbrush before! We taught them the importance of brushing, and then the day came when we all went outside for the grand finale of actually brushing. We poured a little baking soda and salt in their hands and watched them as they dipped their brushes in. We were not able to give them the toothpaste we had brought for fear the children would eat it. They also could not afford to buy it so we taught them to use baking soda. It was a big hit. The teacher of the school is keeping their toothbrushes in school, and they get to brush everyday, and get a sticker! Hopefully this will enable them to develop a habit of brushing.
In the afternoon, the ladies of the village came. We usually had around 12 the week we were there, but reports back from Honduras now say the number has grown to 22! They told us that they appreciated us coming and teaching them because nobody had done that before, and there was a lot they didn’t know. Some of the ladies would walk over the mountains for half an hour to over an hour to get to the small church where we were meeting. It was amazing. We taught them Bible truths first, and dental hygiene second. Most of them had either rotting teeth or no teeth, and it really was interesting to see them wanting to learn how to take care of their mouths.
Coming home was a very humbling experience. It is very hard to leave when you feel you just got started, but reality set in and we had to return. The actual mission would last for 3 weeks total, and as we were returning to the states, our oldest son, Wells, was arriving to follow in dad’s footsteps. I can’t think of any greater gift in the world than the opportunity to help someone less fortunate, and then to watch your children do the same thing. God has been good to us, and we are glad we could do a small part to say thank you.


Landscape of Hope – Theology in the City (2019)
Photos by Dezy Nair
This Landscape of Hope event was part of the Theology in the City Conference at Concordia University. Theology in the City is a free week-long conference hosted by the Department of Theological Studies explores the themes of resilience, hope, suspicion and fear through a multidisciplinary lens.
It took place on October 31 at St Jax Church in Montreal. Here is a short film on the event.
Photos by Leigh Glynn-Finnegan and Daniel Valenzuela


Catholic Social Teaching and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights
by : Ted Keating,
SM, Director for Justice and Peace
On December 10, 1998, the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Out of the ashes of the Shoa (the Holocaust) and of the other barbarisms of World War II rose up this foundational document that has guided the development of international human rights standards and the movements for the protection of human dignity for fifty years. The negotiations preceding the document and its final acceptance by the almost all of the nations of the world is a story of surprise, mystery, and the perseverance of hope itself. Eleanor Roosevelt, the US ambassador to the United Nations at the time it was accepted and the principal US negotiator, will forever remain linked to document in the historic memory of this country. Her personal presence and reputation was an important factor in the outcome.
The Catholic Church in a continuously developing way has made the defense of human dignity by the protection of human rights a principal focus of its social role in the contemporary world. Beginning with Pius XII's Christmas radio message in 1944, developing through the teachings of John XXIII, Vatican II, Paul VI, and culminating in a fully developed magisterial theology of the Churchs mission with regard to human rights in the papacy of John Paul II, Catholics now approach this 50th anniversary with an integral and holistic sense that it is not possible to be Church in these times without a concerted plan for dealing with human rights. The painful and tragic experiences of the Church in Latin and Central America during the 1970s and 1980s have left the Church in that area of the world with a developed pastoral de derechos humanos that includes vigilance for violations of human rights occurring in society, programs of human rights education. and fostering of the consciousness of human rights as a way of transforming society and furthering the evangelization of culture. John Paul II, in commenting on the horrors of World War II Germany on the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, said that the only way to avoid another disaster like Nazi Germany was to teach "a new spirit, the spirit of the rights of the human person, the rights of nations, of international justice and solidarity". Such a hope cannot be realized by aspirations alone but by educating for human dignity, the most basic hope of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To pursue the Churchs social mission in this era is inconceivable without involvement in the movements for human rights.
We, who are Catholics in the United States, face severe challenges in the face of this anniversary. If one of the best kept secrets in the Church is its social teaching as a book of some years ago declared one of the most shocking secrets in the United States is the centrality of the human rights worldview to the mission of the Church in our times. Our US bishops said in The Harvest of Justice Is Sown in Peace (1993) that "an indispensable condition for a just and peaceful world order is the promotion and defense of human rights." In Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on Parish Social Mission (1993), they said "advocacy on human rights, development and peace through legislative networks ... are also signs of a faith without boundaries and a parish serious about its social responsibilities." John Paul II, known most throughout the secular world for his indefatigable defense of human rights, has not only declared human rights to be the minimum of human dignity in our time but also that education for human dignity a critical concern of the Church. He has also publicly encouraged and applauded Christians throughout the world involved in human rights associations and movements. He said in 1988 that he hopes that these actions will not remain the reserve of a few in the Church but the "rather one of universal and common concern."
Many readers of this newsletter are precisely the people that John Paul II is addressing the ones who take seriously the integral pursuit of human rights as an outgrowth of faith and spirituality in our times. The true challenge of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration is most explicit for those in the US who have taken up the challenge of the defense of human rights and know how central it is for the Church. We in the US assume that human rights is an international issue, usually relevant to underdeveloped nations or to nations under brutal authoritarian rule. Our US foreign policy constantly frames human rights concerns as an issue for other nations that we denounce, sanction, isolate. A persistent attitude of what is called US exceptionalism in a number of areas of our development as a people leaves us with a sense that we are above these concerns of the rest of the world. "Look, we invented democracy, we invented constitutional protection of civil rights, we were born in revolution against authoritarianism. Our negotiation of international human rights treaties and our support of human rights around the world is a way to share what we have in this country with others." So we have not ratified many of the most basic human rights covenants and it causes no public comment. Amnesty International and United Nations Human Rights Commission concludes that the implementation of the death penalty in this country violates the standards of international human rights and we are shocked and outraged as a people. At international summits, our government takes the position that neither housing nor food nor health care is a human right even for children at international summits because to do otherwise would shift our internal political, economic, and legal approach to social services in this country, and there is little public comment.
When we try to strategize with social advocates in other nations around the world within the Church in general and the religious life in particular, our rhetoric breaks down. Almost all of the nations of the world in applying standards of human dignity to their internal social systems now use universally applicable principles of human rights negotiated in treaties and covenants. They have programs of education for human dignity that bring these standards and covenants before the people in order to build a society and culture rooted in human rights. In this country. we still engage in a host of different social agendas having to do with welfare reform, the family farm, the death penalty, the rights of immigrants, racism, affirmative action, civil rights, workers rights, environmental pollution, native Americans, health care without any common language or consistent vision of justice applicable to these separate social issues. We too often competitively divide our energies and resources among the issues without a way of collaborating together around common areas of concern. We are left with almost no ways of creating the essential cross-border international solidarity movements with groups working on similar issues in other countries because they are working under human rights standards, and we are working under a host of different languages of justice and advocacy coming out of century of US social movements. It is time for the US advocacy community to join the rest of the human race and begin learning, adopting, and adapting the universal and common language of human dignity of our time international human rights.
Some surprising results occur when we begin to do this. 1) We begin to find common connections in the social issues faced by family farmers in the US and small farmers throughout the world. 2) We find that welfare reform issues in this country look a lot like structural adjustment issues in other countries. 3) We are able to begin building cross-border connections between Native Americans in the US and movements of indigenous peoples around the world that are already decades old. 4) We find that many of our issues of racism here in the US find reverberations throughout the colonial mindset of Western culture. 5) We find whole new strategies for envisioning what is wrong with the death penalty in the US as we see how it is reflected in more extreme situations around the world. We begin to discover that our narrow take on US social issues is broadened by the realization of what globalization is doing across the face of the world and in the US at the same time. We come to realize that advocacy will only be effective in the future in cross-border solidarity movements that connect grassroots movements with similar movements around the world to confront a global agenda by corporations, governments, and international institutions that can no longer be dealt country by country.
We also begin to learn how enmeshed in the US culture of individualism that we had become as US social advocates. Contemporary human rights standards codified in a number of covenants are much more communitarian than our traditionally individualistic and competitive social strategies in the United States. Other cultures that also value the individual are more attuned and sensitive to the needs for protection of communities and cultures and peoples as well. This integration evokes a human rights tradition that not only protects the individual but that also insists on social responsibility, concern for the common good, commitment to the community.
So the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights leaves the most seasoned US social advocates without a whole new agenda: 1) the reframing of US social justice movements under the paradigm of commonly accepted international standards of human rights and human rights law; 2) learning a whole new language and system of analysis that will compel us to become more global in our thinking and strategizing about the most local of issues in the US: 3) finding ways to dialogue and communicate with social movements around the world to discover how globalized agendas are affecting us all and to begin forming more globalized strategies for dealing with them.
Happy 50th. While the challenges of this new agenda are great, they also have the potential for renewing US social justice movements. We cannot imagine that we will be young forever. Even revolutions get old. To put it bluntly, we are already a little behind the times in our failure to embrace the international human rights movement in the US. This will be one of the most important US social justice agendas of the coming years.
For more information contact :
Reprinted from Catholic Peace Voice, Spring/Summer 1998, XXIII, Number 213, the national newspaper of Pax Christi USA.


What Prayer Can Do
Few weeks ago, a woman called and requested prayer for her husband who has just be diagnosed with Cancer of Mesothelioma and Prostate cancer at the same time. She was very devastated and was worried about losing her husband, their house and some other things. The trauma was so much that she felt she has reached the end of the road.
We ask her to be calm and recommended some scriptural readings. We also ask her set some time to pray for her husband every day. While we are telling her what to do, we assigned her some Prayer Warriors and Intercessors. They prayed about instantaneous intervention of God prominent mercy and healing power.
Seven Days later, she called and said, she is currently at the Hospital where her husband has been confirmed with Mesothelioma and prostate Cancers and a new test was conducted this morning and the findings was negative. The doctor conducted another test and the result was negative. No more Cancers, No more mesothelioma, and No more Prostate God has healed my husband she said.
My Friend, if we pray, God answers prayer and he will bring it to pass our heartfelt desires. God can heal any cancers, he can heal any diseases and he will heal all manner of infirmities. Expect your miracle soon.
Potent Prayer Team


This was a post on the archives list this morning.
Deacon Laurence presided over the financial records of the early church in Rome. In 258, the Emperor Valerian confiscated all Church property and summarily executed Pope Sixtus II and seven deacon who were responsible for distributing goods and funds as needed, primarily to widows and orphans. The remaining deacon, Laurence, was charged with providing records of the funds.
As any good archivist, Laurence informed the emperor that such a massive FOIA request would take three days to process. He saw that all remaining funds were spent out and distributed to the poor. When the Emperor demanded to see the wealth of the Church, Laurence presented him with the widows, orphans and other needy Church members and informed him that they were the treasures of the Church. The Emperor was not impressed. He had Laurence roasted alive over a fire on a gridiron. Laurence is reputed to have said, at one point, "You may turn me over; I am well done on this side."
It is traditional to remember St. Laurence with sandwiches of cold cuts on August 10, the day of his demise.


I have recently been following Heather Younger at Employee Fanatix and ordered her book The Art of Caring Leadership, a must-read for Servant-Leaders. In her
Towards a Theology of Institutions by David Specht and Richard Broholm represents chapter nine of the book we are using as a guide, Practicing Servant-Leadership: Succeeding Through Trust, Bravery, and Forgiveness by Larry C. Spears and Michelle Lawrence.
I think it is befitting that after the presidential debate that took place last night, that this chapter speaks about this particular moment in time being both a terribly auspicious and an incredibly exciting moment to be exploring Servant-Leadership and Robert Greenleaf’s call for a theology of institutions. While there are innumerable opportunities for leadership to fail, some failures are particularly grievous, for, in each instance, they appear to reflect a fundamental lack of clarity on the part of those in leadership about what and whom they were holding in trust.
Today, we are facing a level of dispiritedness and lack of confidence in the commitment and capacity of public institutions, private institutions, and leaders that are unmatched. At the same time, is it also an exciting and provocative time to explore the lively intersectionality of the human spirit, sacred tradition, leadership, and institutional life.
Robert Greenleaf realized in the 1970’s, the necessity of existing institutions recognizing and adopting servant-leadership as a way of life and leading. We are in desperate need to understand and adopt servant-leadership in our institutions, both socially and politically in today’s atmosphere.
To that end, Specht and Broholm offer four theological premises for those who would hold organizations in trust. Let’s recap each.
Premise #1: Institutions Are a Part of God’s Order
Decent humanity and basic human respect are inextricably tied to and not separate from its social and political institutions.
Premise #2: God Loves Institutions
All faith and spiritual traditions understand that God’s love is universal but also the true essence of God’s intimate concern for each of us as individuals. Servant Leaders understand that rooting ourselves in the premise that God loves institutions (even in their mess) is an essential basis for the compassionate regard for organizations and institutions that enable us to hold them in trust.
Premise #3: Institutions are Living Systems
The affirmative belief that institutions are whole and living systems allows us to see first that institutions are alive and that institutions are systems. As such, they are wholly and completely interdependent on the evolving world around them, both impacting and affecting everything around them. The authors put it this way, “A fundamental mindfulness discipline of healthy organizations and institutions is maintaining a consistent awareness of these two dimensions of the institution’s utter interdependence with the world around it: both its fundamental dependence upon the world and the inevitable intended and unintended consequences of its decisions and actions upon that same world.”
Premise #4: Institutions are Called and Gifted, They are Fallen, and They are Capable of Being Redeemed
These premises hold three important theological assertions concerning the nature of institutions that stand in their own right and are interdependent on one another. As called and gifted institutions, they are called here for a reason. They are intended to represent instruments of God’s healing and reconciliation and to serve the common good, and good things are expected of them. Institutions are fallen and prone to inflating themselves, displaying disrespect and forgetfulness for its membership, and act in ways that neglect of harm the common good. In this way, institutions are capable of both great good and immeasurable harm.
Fundamentally speaking, holding an institution in trust, particularly around its brokenness, and in recognition of the realities mentioned above- that it is gifted and called, that it is fallen and that it is capable of being reawakened to its absolute best and evolved consciousness for the good of its people. Each of these premises can coexist simultaneously as possibilities within the life of institutions, each presenting in great measure, at any given moment in the life of an organization.
To human decency and respect for one another,
I read an article today and it spoke about the seven components of human-centered leadership which align quite nicely with the concept of the Serving
I have been working with ULEAD, Inc. for several years now. My service began over several conversations with Ritch Hochstetler, Chief Ideation Trailblazer of ULEAD,
I have been following Tim Ferris for some time now, and I appreciate his 5-Bullet Friday emails. This past Friday’s email was, as usual, excellent.


An effective leader will work with church and community leaders of all ages to address the needs of young adults and opportunities for growing as Christian disciples. Young-adult ministry shall be for, with, and by young adults. Young adults in the congregation and community will grow in faith as Christian disciples. Description of Responsibilities. The Pastor of Outreach and Young Adults will: 1) Share a commitment to the Church of Jesus Christ and the priesthood of all believers. 2) Utilize prayer as the key to ministry. 3) Reach out, invite, form relationships and engage young adults in the ministries of Trinity.
JOB DESCRIPTION MINISTER OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS Position: Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt Reports to: Senior Pastor Department: Ministry The Minister of Youth and Young Adults is responsible for the development and implementation of the vision, strategy and tactical elements for all programs related to youth and young adults at § Be called. Job Description: Position Summary: The Young Adult Ministry Leader will implement a comprehensive program of Christian life development for the 18 – 35 year old, college, career, single and married adults in our community. It is essential that this person be able to connect with young adults on a social and spiritual level, with the intent of.
YOUNG ADULTS PASTOR POSITION DESCRIPTION (revised 03.18.2015) ABOUT ENGEDI Engedi Church is a young, passionate and missional community of around 1400 people who are committed to loving and serving God, our neighbors and the world. We preach the gospel, and we do our best to live it out. Since our inception in. world. It is to that end that we are seeking a Young Adult Pastor who is passionate about seeing young adults develop their relationship with Jesus and be on mission with Him. While working with a team of volunteer leaders, the Young Adult Pastor will be responsible for the development and oversight of our Young Adult ministry (Impact, age 18-25).
Jun 15, 2011 · Job Description; Nativity Church of Fargo Mission Statement Young Adult Coordinator and Youth Ministry Position for Nativity Church. Position available: Young Adult Coordinator, (60%) Youth Ministry Coordinator, (40%), Nativity Church of Fargo, 100% time position, (40 hours a week), (11 months, to begin Fall of 2011). Local Church Officer Job Descriptions Positions Required in All Congregations. Every congregation must make provision for including these functions according to The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, ¶244, ¶249. Positions may be combined except for the financial functions. Young Adult Ministries Coordinator (¶253 and.
515 Young Adult Ministry jobs available on Indeed.com. Apply to Coordinator, Youth Coordinator, Assistant and more! Skip to Job Postings, Search Close. Find Youth, and Young Adult Ministry Director will: In order to accomplish this, the Children’s, Youth, and Young Adult Ministry Director needs: Easy apply. The Pastor Job Description includes pastor responsibilities and duites: Preaching and Teaching: The Pastor will be the primary preacher for worship services. The Pastor also will provide leadership in planning and executing the Adult Education programs and other programs in discipleship and ministry training, in coordination with other ordained and lay leaders.


WMST 245. Dying for God: Martyrs and Monks. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Early Christians were attracted to dramatic narratives of suffering--whether about spectacular deaths in the arena or extreme self-denial in the desert. This course explores the world of martyrs and monks and considers how ancient ideals about pain, gender, and sexuality continue to influence Christian thinking about holiness and sainthood. Crosslisted as CLAS 235 and RELI 253.


What are the three most important words I’ve ever heard in my life? I love you? Nope. I’ll give you a hint. Jesus spoke them on the cross just moments before he died. Here’s another hint. These words changed me when I finally started taking them seriously. I went from a life abiding in shame and guilt and pain to a life abiding in love. Ready for the answer?
It is finished.
Now I am freer than I’ve ever been in my life: free to be who God made me to be; free to believe who God says I am; free to enjoy the process of becoming. I love more and receive love more. Even in the midst of struggle, my passion is alive, well and becoming stronger every day.
But still, every once in a while, I hit road blocks. Like the other day. Suddenly I was stopped and there were yellow caution signs and orange detour signs all over the place. These allegorical signs shout out warnings to me.
- You’re a failure!
- You should have done more!
- You should have done less!
- You laughed too loud!
- You were not prepared!
- You were unloving!
- You cheapened grace!
What? Cheapened grace? Hey, that’s a new one!
It happened after I wrote Being Seen. I heard about one of my favorite pastor-teachers accusing another of my favorite pastor-teachers. The accusation? Antinomianism. (That’s a big word!) It’s basically a derogatory term in Christian circles and refers to teachings that cheapen grace by discouraging personal accountability.
You know what I’m talking about. We’ve seen the scene played out in many movies. The Italian gangster confesses to the priest, gets absolution, then goes out and kills again. Cheapening grace is when you decide that since Jesus paid for sin, once and for all, nothing anyone does matters anymore.
But we all know that’s not true. Sin is ugly and violent and destructive. It matters. That fictitious movie gangster went out and killed another – after a supposed absolution! If he was real, his sin totally mattered, especially to the family of the murdered person.
And yet, in Being Seen I wrote that my sin was not mine. Isn’t that cheapening grace? And yes, that’s right. I just compared my possible sin to the sin of a murdering gangster. Sin is sin. And if I cheapened grace with my words, then wouldn’t I be encouraging some murdering gangster to continue on?
In the words of Charlie Brown, “AAUGH!”
The truth is this: the moment I begin to shout down the accuser of my soul with, “IT IS FINISHED! IT IS FINISHED! IT IS FINISHED!” there’s going to be some push back. Doubts and funky feelings start to fight for space. It is no coincidence that antinomianism shows up right after I wrote those words about disclaiming my sin in Being Seen.
Look, I don’t want to be someone who cheapens grace. I don’t! But even more, I won’t go back to the lies that tell me I’m guilty. Because of Jesus, I am innocent and I refuse to water down this amazing grace. If I err, may it be on the side of overstepping grace, rather than going back to the accuser’s road blocks and signage.
And I as I meditate on those famous three words of Jesus and look on my life and the lives of others I know well, I can see that He was talking about more than sin. Jesus was also talking about ending the harmful, twisted effects of sin on this world: poverty, loneliness, hopelessness, disease, fatherlessness. The list goes on.
At the cross, Jesus put an end to everything that had the authority to keep us from dwelling in the transforming power of God’s love.
And that’s where I want to remain – dwelling in His love. In this dwelling place of love I am becoming more and more like… me. The real me, the daughter made in her Father’s image. And as I do, my desire transforms from the simple goal of abstaining from sin to the complexity of magnificent dreams, filled with relentless passionate love acts that change the world around me.
And guess what? Some of those dreams are in process now. Some of those love acts are happening. Some really good stuff is REALLY happening! This is an exciting life. This is a life worth living. This is what Jesus died for.
It is finished.
Do you have a question for me? Write it in the REPLY box and post it to me in the Comments section!
Carla Porter writes, sings, designs architectural interiors and loves God, all in Los Angeles, California.
© 2013, Carla Porter and Whisper of Grace, all rights reserved.


apoLuo WORKSHOP CONTENT #009: MAY I PRAY FOR YOU?
#9 of a series devoted to sending churches. The content of this post is adapted from BMW’s 6-hour apoLuo workshop. Numbered articles are intended to be read sequentially for maximum benefit.
What can your church do for your missionaries as they begin the support raising process? Everyone knows what needs to be done, but few may know where to start. Regardless of how much they may want to assist, people may feel helpless. But they can pray.
Richard Bewes has said, “We talk about ‘praying for the Work.’ The reality is that prayer is the work.”
“We talk about ‘praying for the Work.’ The reality is that prayer is the work.” ~ Richard Bewes
For what do you pray when your missionaries haven’t even unpacked the van they drove to Candidate Orientation? They don’t have any meetings scheduled. They may not have met their future co-workers—in fact, they may not even be sure to what country they’re headed. Their hearts are alternately filled with dreams and fears and excitement and dread. Their heads are engorged with two intense weeks’ worth of training they haven’t even had time to process.
Here are a few suggestions.
I’ve already mentioned BMW’s strategy to recruit at least 50,000 people who will intercede daily for our ministries and missionaries around the world. Now is the time for your missionaries to begin recruiting members for their own band of daily prayer warriors, people who will wage a persistent air war while the missionaries execute their ground assault. Your appointees have been trained and equipped to begin this process, and will be held accountable for their efforts. As their pastor, you can announce this ministry often from the pulpit and on other occasions. The very best people to serve as the first PrayerForce recruits are people from your missionaries’ families and sending church. You should join it yourself.
PRAY FOR WISDOM
Raising support is not a simple matter, and your appointees have been made aware of its complexities, challenges, demands and rewards. As they begin this exciting adventure, they will need great wisdom to know
- Whom they should have on their DEP Squad
- How to manage their time and order their priorities
- If, how and when to cut out the safety net of employment in order to go on deputation full-time
- What to do about their housing, especially if they’re still paying a mortgage or have a lease
- What to include in their presentation package
- How to clearly and passionately articulate their burden
- How to discern which potential partners should be pursued, and how to pursue them
- How to handle the effects of deputation on their family relationships
Your missionaries will expand this list during their first week back at your church!
PRAY FOR ENERGY
BMW’s DEPUTATION tactical team discovered two critical aspects of effective deputation in its research: effort and organization.
One cannot dabble in support raising and expect to get to the field. One spring I had an appointee (who had spent the winter months holed up in New England) tell me, “Our support just didn’t’ come in as quickly as we’d expected it to.” He and his wife resigned from the mission and went on to other things.
Support doesn’t just “come in”. True, God provides support in His time; but it doesn’t drop out of the sky. Deputation can be an intense, exhausting, demanding period in a missionary couple’s life. It may require people to expend energy they never knew they had, to do things of which they didn’t think themselves capable. But by God’s grace, it can be done and God can teach some valuable lessons in the process—one of which is that missionary life can be intense, exhausting and demanding!
A commitment to missions is not like getting a Nexus card so life can be expedited. Yet, it is an exhilarating ride in the grace and power of God, and people experience things on deputation that astound and energize them and leave them awestruck at God’s ability to orchestrate His work.
This doesn’t happen without effort. I’ve had appointees report that they were consistently contacting five new pastors each month and think they were doing well. The law of averages suggests that out of fifty new contacts, appointees might hear back from ten to fifteen pastors. Of those, they might be able to schedule meetings in three to five churches. Of those churches, one or two may actually become ministry partners.
Five contacts a month won’t cut it. Deputation cannot be a hobby. Your people can begin to pray now that your missionary appointees will have the energy, stamina and patience to be effective in this vital part of their missionary experience.
PRAY FOR STRATEGIC EFFECTIVENESS
Organization and a well-conceived support raising strategy was, as stated above, another key component to getting to the field in a timely fashion. Pray for creativity, for the ability to establish realistic goals and for faithfulness in following up and tracking contacts and nurturing relationships. (We require all BMW candidates to come to Candidate Orientation with TntMPD donor management software already downloaded on their computers, and we provide them with a quick-start seminar and lab in its use. Completing the 12-hour online tutorial provided by the software developers is one of the early tasks on BMW appointees’ Personal Development Plans.)
Establishing geographic hubs—starting with the 50-mile radius around your church—and planning support raising expeditions into those places will be necessary for an effective deputation ministry. Your church can begin praying now that God will enable your missionaries to create these hubs and nurture fruitful relationships within them.
Optimizing relationship building opportunities through pastors’ fellowships, conferences and conventions, Christian business gatherings and small groups is another thing you can bathe with prayer right now. Ask God to open doors in these groups so your missionaries can begin to form a network of interested, committed people who will become part of their—your—ministry team.
Don’t think that just because nothing has happened yet, there’s nothing to pray about. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Rob Heijermans, Biblical Ministries Worldwide


How we can help you.
Mid-Valley Association exists to assist partner churches to effectively fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
We are a cooperative partnership of Southern Baptist Churches in Fresno and surrounding three counties.
The Purpose of this Association is to assist, encourage and coordinate the efforts of our cooperating congregations as they labor together to fulfill the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.
To accomplish our purpose, we focus on assisting each of our congregations with five priorities:
- Church Starting
- Church Health
- Pastor/Leadership Development
New Association Mission Strategist
After being mentored by some pastors in the Fresno area, I was encouraged to pursue further theological education. My wife, Megan, and I moved to Louisville, KY a week after our wedding in order for me pursue an M.Div at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I graduated in 2014. While studying at Southern, I received my first call to pastor at New Salem Baptist Church in Cox’s Creek, KY in August of 2012.
After serving at New Salem, the Lord called me to serve as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Oakhurst, CA. I began serving at FBC Oakhurst in August 2014 after finishing my degree at Southern Seminary. I had the wonderful task of shepherding God’s people by preaching and teaching the inerrant Word and discipling our members. I began a PhD in Preaching from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and I am in my dissertation phase.
While serving at FBC Oakhurst, I saw the benefit and blessing of our local Mid-Valley Baptist Association. I served on the board of the association for six years. While serving on the association’s board, I was a part of a local cohort of pastors from our association.
I believe cooperation among Southern Baptist Churches is one of our greatest strengths. We are truly better together. As The Baptist Faith and Message says: “Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ’s Kingdom” (BFM 2000, Article XIV). Southern Baptists are at our best when we work together to send missionaries, train pastors, plant, replant, and revitalize churches in order to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. I want to encourage pastors and help churches carry out the mission that God has given us.
I am looking forward to serving the churches of Central California as we seek to labor together for Christ’s Kingdom.
678 E. Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA. 93710


- 5:00 p.m., Come As You Are in the Chapel with Contemporary Christian Music. In the Summer we do Mass on the Grass on the Rectory Lawn.
- 8:00 a.m., Quiet Mass in the Chapel with no music. Lasts about 45 minutes.
- 10:00 a.m. Mass with Traditional Choir and some guitar music in the Main Church followed by Coffee Hour. In the Summer, Coffee Hour is outside on the lawn.
5:00 p.m. After Sports Service. Wear what you want, even your uniform! An informal service with guitar and contemporary music.


Pope Francis has made it clear he expects the Church, on every level, to implement whatever steps are necessary to ensure the protection of minors and vulnerable adults and to respond to their needs with fairness and mercy.
The aim of the New Zealand Diocese’s is to provide a consistent vision to create and foster a secure physical, emotional and spiritual culture in our faith communities, enabling everyone to enjoy the fullness of life in Jesus Christ.
Creating safe environments involves active participation and responsibility taken by all parishes. It requires collaboration, vigilance and a proactive approach through policies, procedures and practices. Visit the National Safeguarding website.
The “National Guidelines for the Prevention of and Response to Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand” prescribes the commitment of the Church to have safeguarding measures in place in our organisations. These guidelines have been approved by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and the Congregational Leaders Conference of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Diocese of Auckland, with all the Dioceses in New Zealand works with the National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS) to implement the guidelines. NOPS is an agency of the Mixed Commission, a partnership between the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZCBC) and Congregation Leaders Conference of Aotearoa New Zealand (CLCANZ). It sets out the strategic direction of the Catholic Church’s safeguarding policy for children, young people and adults at risk. It is also responsible for monitoring and auditing the compliance of Dioceses and Religious Orders and have designed Safeguarding Culture Standards to ensure best practice to create and maintain safe environments for our children, youth and vulnerable. NOPS also responds to all complaints about abuse in the Church and manages complaints procedures.
Please visit the Auckland Catholic website to view more information.
Attending safeguarding seminars is mandatory for all those who work with children, youth and vulnerable adults. If you are a involved in ministry as a volunteer/worker in any of your parish or ethnic communities, you need to complete the safeguarding requirements. You could be involved in any of the following ministries/roles:
- Altar Server Trainers
- Children’s Liturgy of the Word
- Choir Leaders – where children are included in the general choir and for children’s choir
- Crèche helpers
- Ministers of Holy Communion to the sick and housebound
- Pastoral Visitor
- Parent Helpers / Chaperons on camps
- Parish visitors (Legion of Mary etc)
- Prison ministry teams and visitors
- RCIA Catechists
- Sacramental Preparation
- Sunday School Teachers
- Youth Ministry Leaders
- Those involved in other pastoral work involving children, youth or vulnerable adults e.g. prayer groups
Parishes need to keep a record of all those who attend the safeguarding training sessions as part of their compliance requirements. You need to register your attendance due to the number of spaces available. Please register by emailing your name, your email address, your Parish name, your ministry role and the location/date you are attending to firstname.lastname@example.org.
Communities need to record the following information of their volunteers who have completed the safeguarding process. The diocese also need records of this information.
- Name of volunteer
- Volunteer area
- Date police vet clearance received
- Date of level one training (which is all they require).
Volunteers play a crucial role in the activities which occur throughout many church entities. It is important that volunteers are well supported in their role, that they know the boundaries of their role, and that they are fully aware of the safeguarding expectations of the church. As well as ensuring safe practices around children and vulnerable adults, it is important to acknowledge that when working with others, the volunteers themselves may be placed in a vulnerable situation. All measures must be taken to prevent this occurrence.
In addition to volunteers being subject to the referee checks, safety checking and police vetting process, there are two other key steps which must be followed:
1. A Volunteer Agreement is completed. In advance of the person being asked to sign the agreement, the person should be directed to where they can find a copy of the Church’s Safeguarding Policy.
2. The Code of Conduct is read, understood and signed by the person. A copy of this should be provided for the person to take away.
We will be assisting Parishes with the implementation of the National Safeguarding Framework and will keep you updated on upcoming information and training sessions.
Code of Conduct
A National Safeguarding Framework – Working Together for a Safe Church has been developed and released by NOPS and the Auckland Diocese, along with the Dioceses of NZ will be implementing these national policies and procedures.
The Safeguarding Framework includes a Code of Conduct for Employees & Volunteers. This document replaces the current “Standards for Volunteers & Employees in Ministry” and will be signed by all employees and volunteers when they start their role.
Core Safeguarding Practices have been created for Communities to follow throughout all usual activities, special events and programmes.
“…we acknowledge with deep sadness and regret that a number of clergy and religious have sexually abused children, adolescents and adults who have been in their pastoral care. To these victims we offer our sincere apology“ New Zealand Catholic Bishops, A Path to Healing – Te Houhanga Rongo.
A protocol for dealing with complaints of abuse was established by the bishops in 1993 called A Path to Healing, Te Houhanga Rongo.
The bishops and congregational leaders established the National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS) to oversee the response to complaints of abuse.
Abuse can be sexual, physical or emotional. The Church takes all complaints of abuse seriously. Where the complaint of abuse appears to be of a criminal nature we encourage complainants to take the matter to the police, and will support them in doing so. If the alleged abuse is reported to the police, we will not protect the accused/offender from the processes of civil law nor hide the facts from those entitled to know.
To report a complaint of abuse by a member of the clergy or of a religious order, please contact:
The National Office of Professional Standards:
Phone: 0800 114 622/ Email: email@example.com
Auckland Diocese Contact:
Sister Jane O’Carroll – Pastoral Assistant to the Bishop
Phone: 09 360 3003 / Email: firstname.lastname@example.org


In one God, creator and sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally coexisting in three persons -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired, inerrant and trustworthy Word of God, the complete revelation or His Will for the salvation of human beings, and the final authority for all matters about which it speaks.
That human nature derives from two historical persons, male and female, created in God's image. They were created perfect, but they sinned, plunging themselves and all human beings into sin, guilt, suffering and death.
That the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ and His bodily resurrection provide the only grounds for justification, forgiveness and salvation for all who believe, and only those who trust in Him alone are born of the Holy Spirit, are true members of the Church, and will spend eternity with Christ.
That the Holy Spirit is the agent of regeneration and renewal for believers in Jesus Christ, that He makes the presence of Jesus Christ real in believers, and that He comforts, guides, convicts and enables believers to live in ways that honor Him.
In the importance of marriage, and although the Bible states that divorce is permissable in two circumstances (adultery and abandonment) we will do all we can to preserve marriage.