“But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (John 3:17)
Giving and generosity should be the most fundamental character traits within each of us. There are many ways in which we can be generous and giving, some more obvious than others. We can give of our time, our money, our patience. Time is probably something which we could give to each other more generously. We are all so busy rushing to work, rushing to the childminder, rushing to prepare dinner, help the children with homework. Most of us are so caught up in the whirlwind of our own lives that it is easy to overlook the most important things. We are too busy to kiss our partner goodbye or hello, too busy to hug our children, too busy to listen to another’s problems.
There are so many lonely people in the world, that a few moments of our time given generously and genuinely could brighten their whole day. We all want to feel heard, but we need someone to take the time to listen and to hear us. We can listen non- judgementally, advise gently and love unconditionally. All of this can be a lot easier said than done, especially when our acts of generosity and giving are not necessarily appreciated. We should each try to actively and consciously approach life and our treatment of others in a generous way. If we become more aware of our actions we will find that being generous of heart and deed will become like second nature to us.
I feel ashamed of myself now to admit that I used to walk by people who were misfortunate enough to have to beg for money on the street. I would try not to make direct eye contact with them, but would look out of the corner of my eye in disgust and condemnation and a little embarrassment. I would wonder to myself why they just didn’t get a job like everyone else. Their begging annoyed me. I didn’t bother taking the time to ponder how they might have ended up in that situation.
Then one day, on my way to work, I heard a voice calling my name. I looked around wondering who was calling me, when I glanced down and into a vaguely familiar face from my past. It was Tom, an old acquaintance of mine from a few years ago at school. I asked him how he had ended up begging on the streets. He said he’d left school, gotten a job in an office, met his girlfriend and they’d had a child together.
Their child was severely handicapped and his girlfriend just couldn’t cope with looking after her so she left them. He quit his job to care for his child and eventually his savings ran out. He had to put the child into care and his life just went from bad to worse. He had no job and no way to pay the rent. He slept on his friends’ sofas for a while but he felt like he was quickly outstaying his welcome. One night he slept in a bus shelter and he had been begging on the streets and sleeping rough for the past few months.
I willingly gave him the money I had in my purse and made my way slowly to work. Meeting Tom was an epiphany for me. I realised how lucky and blessed I was in my life. It made me think how generous and giving so many people in my life were towards me every day. I took their generosity for granted, and didn’t appreciate how giving my family and friends were to me. I thought about the many poor people I had passed without even bothering or thinking to give them a penny. I felt thoroughly ashamed. I promised myself that I would never pass another person who seemed like they needed help without giving them something-my money, my time, even a kind word.
"Feed the hungry! Help those in trouble! Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you shall be as bright as day. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy you with all good things, and keep you healthy too; and you will be like a well-watered garden, like
an ever-flowing spring. (Isaiah 58:10-11)
And the crowds asked [John the Baptist], "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." (NRSV, Luke 3:10-11)
The Bible tells us to share generously with those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We are not meant to live hard-hearted or self-centred lives. A greedy, miserly life leaves us devoid of anything but an empty craving for more possessions, more power or more status. What are possessions, status and power if our lives are empty of love and kindness and generosity? We should not look for a reward for our generosity. The look of thanks and happiness in another’s eyes should be reward enough.
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses. (Proverbs 28:27)
We don’t have to drive ourselves into poverty in order to help others. We also have a responsibility to care for ourselves and our own needs. The Bible asks that we give generously of our wealth and abilities, regardless of how small the amount may seem. Even the smallest gesture of kindness can make a difference to someone in need.
"And [Jesus] looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a certain poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4)
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8)
We are all unique. We all have different God-given talents and gifts. Everyone has something to offer. A child can give his pocket money to the poor. We can give our time at the weekend to raising money for charity. We can tend to the sick, spend time with the lonely. We can make peace where there is trouble. We can give unselfishly and graciously of our time to our partner, children or parents. We may choose a job where we give of ourselves everyday, for example, nursing or teaching. We can also make an effort to go about our daily lives by giving respect and encouragement to others.
Some people might think that the more we give of ourselves to others, the poorer we become. We may have a little less time or a little less money, but when we give to others we bring meaning and fulfilment to our own lives in a way that all the money and possessions in the world can never match.
Jesus said, "For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give - large or small - will be used to measure what is given back to you." (Luke 6:38)
Our generosity and giving towards those less fortunate than us should be motivated by a sincere desire to help other people and to try to make their lives a little easier. We should not look for public recognition or congratulation in our efforts to help. We should try to cultivate humility and quiet in our actions.
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:1-2)
We all have something to give. Some people have riches, others have talents, and we all have time. We should try to generously share our God-given gifts, no matter how large or small they may seem. When we do give with a pure heart, we make life a little easier for someone else and find true meaning and lasting satisfaction in our own lives.
"Giving and Generosity" is an excerpt from the book, "My Love" by Joanne Clancy. If you would like to read more click here to buy the book at Amazon.


The Kingdom Movement
Do you want to become the best version of yourself that God Created you to be?
THE KING’S COUNCIL IS FOR YOU IF…
- You are an entrepreneur ready to upgrade your finances and mission in alignment with your faith.
- You want to operate with intention and purpose on a day-to-day basis.
- You feel God has a calling for your life!
- You do not want to live a life of mediocrity
- You want to be part of a tribe of ambitious, driven individuals who will empower you to live your purpose in all areas of your life.


Come to Summer Adventures Week (better than VBS!) this year to talk to the saints and find out how to be a hero and get into heaven! Enjoy games and crafts, prayers and songs, and totally Catholic fun all week long. We meet Monday-Friday, August 11-15, from 8am-12:15pm each day Cost is only $25 per child. Click here for the Heroes In Heaven registration form. At Heroes In Heaven, kids discover how to be like saints every day!


The Center for Catholic Studies thanks Danute Nourse for supporting the mission of Seton Hall University, including 17 years as Director of Programs for the Center for Catholic Studies.
News and Events
The Chesterton Institute announces the publication of the new issue of The Chesterton Review, vol. 48
The G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture at Seton Hall announces the publication of volume 48, nos. 1 and 2, Spring/Summer 2022—of its widely recognized journal The Chesterton Review.
Over 40 Seton Hall faculty and administrators met for the 24th Faculty Summer Seminar: Ideas of a Catholic University: Then, Now, and into the Future hosted by the Center for Catholic Studies.
Liberi Tutti-a new play based on G. K. Chesterton’s “The Surprise” will be presented at the 2022 Rimini Meeting on August 20th, 2022 at the Galli Theatre in Rimini.
Please join us for the 2022 Faculty Summer Seminar, "Ideas of a Catholic University: Then, Now, and into the Future" facilitated by Dr. Kenneth Parker (Duquesne).
The Scholars Forum in CIT welcomes Dr. Ruth Tsuria talking about her recent publication, Digital Religion: Understanding Religious Practice in Digital Media, second edition (Routledge, 2021).
Inside the Core, we were honored to have Mary Anne Ford, sister-in-law of martyred Maryknoll Sister Ita Ford in Prof. Maribel Landrau's Core III/CAST course, Modern Women of Faith.
Held on April 5, Seton Hall's Synod Session gave faculty the ability to reflect on questions that explored the role of the university in participating more fully in the life of the Church.
The University Core, the Catholic Studies Center, and the Center for Faculty Development join together to sponsor the third Inter-religious panel, this time on the topic of Suffering and Healing.
Tuesday, April 19th at 4 p.m. Walsh Library, Beck Rooms - Dr. J. Michael Stebbins presents Toth-Lonergan Lecture "What Business Is For" exploring spirituality and business.
On March 28, 4:30 p.m. in Jubilee Auditorium, Dr. Gregory Bottaro will kick off Contemplative Community Week with a talk on "Mindfulness, Spirituality, and Mental Health."
The University Core joins the MLK leadership program, Catholic Studies Program, Religion Dept. , Student Services, Unanue Inst., and Campus Ministry to celebrate Martin Luther King, JR. and St.Romero.
The Scholars' Forum in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition looks forward to a talk next week by Dr. Elizabeth Redwine, Coordinator of Core I and Lecturer in the English Department.
The fourth retreat, given by Dr. Anthony Haynor on the theme of Development and Education: Why Intellectual Growth Requires Spiritual Transformation, on April 6, 2022
The G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith & Culture and Inside the Vatican, announce an online conference on the theme of “Follow the Science with G. K. Chesterton and Fr. Stanley L. Jaki"
2022 Spring Bernard J. Lonergan Lecture features Dr. Anne M. Carpenter as she presents "God's Glory, in Part, is You" Bernard Lonergan, Interiority, and Theological Aesthetics.
The G. K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture announces an online conference on the theme of The Global Chesterton Series: “Chesterton Upside Down—The Australian Experience"
Core II classes begin the semester with Plato's Crito and one of two New Testament letters -- Paul's first letter to the Corinthians or the first letter of John. All deal with the meaning of life.
This Toth-Lonergan Endowed Chair Lecture will be presented by Michael Stebbins titled 'Real Grace: Change, Freedom, Power'. The event will be at 5 p.m. in the Beck Rooms of Walsh Library.
The Scholars' Forum in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition is pleased to welcome Prof. Allan Wright, talking about his book, Loch Arbour, on Wed., Dec. 1, at 4 p.m. on TEAMS.


26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.
27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. (1 Nehi 8:26-27)
During the course of my Church education, I always thought that the “great and spacious building” was the world and the people who live in the world. But Nephi later defines it as “… vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men.” (1 Nephi 12:18). The spacious building is also populated with members of the church, people who have partaken of the fruit of the tree. I beleive that these are the people who are going to cause the members of the church the greatest trouble in the last days.
Another point that I never noticed before was that the building “stood as if it were in the air”. Is there any better way to depict pride? It reminds me of President Bensen’s talk on pride (Cleansing the Inner Vessel, Ensign May 1986 and Beware of Pride, Ensign may 1989).
In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride. It is always considered as a sin. We are not speaking of a wholesome view of self-worth, which is best established by a close relationship with God. But we are speaking of pride as the universal sin, as someone has described it.
Mormon writes that “the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction.” (Moro. 8:27.) The Lord says in the Doctrine and Covenants, “Beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old.” (D&C 38:39.)
Essentially, pride is a “my will” rather than “thy will” approach to life. The opposite of pride is humbleness, meekness, submissiveness (see Alma 13:28), or teachableness.
Pride has been a problem in the Church from the beginning. Lehi’s dream talks about it’s pit falls and how it will lead people people away who have already partaken of “love of God”. It is something that is going to always be a stumbling block for the Church. Lets just not get caught up in it. We don’t need to have the biggest car, the biggest house, or the perfect family. The important part is to say holding onto the Rod of Iron and pressing forward. Just ignore the people in “the great and spacious building”.
How often do we hear people pointing and making fun of someone be cause of how “righteous” they are. And the majority of the time, they are the people who we would go to for help if we needed it. They are the ones that are meek, humble, and closer to God. It is not about what care you drive, but how well you live your religion.
Picture: Lehi’s Dream By Greg Olsen


Ever wondered what happened at the death of Jesus on the cross in the spiritual dimension? "Tetelestai" is a fictional account of what it might have been like. Egwuenu keeps the story in line with Scripture so the reader is immersed in a dramatic story that is beautifully written. Enjoy this very creative book and experience the spiritual reality of what happened at the cross -- the cost, the love, and the power of our Lord and Savior.
LINKS TO BOOK PAGES TO ORDER
- Seventh Dimension - The Door, Book 1, A YA Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension - The King, Book 2, A YA Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension - The Castle, Book 3, A YA Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension - The City, Book 4, A YA Fantasy
- Seventh Dimension - The Prescience, Book 5, A YA F...
- Seventh Dimension Inspirational - Am I Okay, God?
- Children of Dreams, An Adoption Memoir
- Food for Thought: Quick and Easy Recipes for Homes...
- The Donkey and the King


We are a contemporary Christian band from Summerville, SC. Our heart is to combine true servant outreach feeding the hungry with our passion for music and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are a not-for-profit group with a heart to be used by God to pour back into the community and bless others.
Ripple Effect Outreach @ Rocks Pond 2013
2nd Annual Piggly Wiggly Outreach
2nd Saturdays Town Square
Spruill Street Outreach
Spruill Street Outreach -- Lots of souls accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior that day!
You are visitor number: 2813


Founders & International Directors, Missions for Christ Ministries, Inc
First, we take this opportunity with pleasure to thank you for your continued support of this ministry. We have been involved in mission work oversees now for almost twenty years. Our primary calling is to bring training and Bible resources as well as to encourage the church leaders in their calling especially those serving God in the rural communities of the world. We have a sincere passion for the servants of the Lord serving at various capacities in the body of Christ. Missions for Christ ministries (MCM) was first established in Kenya in 2001 and later it was established and registered as a Non-profit organization here in United states. MCM has operation offices both in Africa and here in the United States.
From a remote village in the mountains of Africa to America ..?
Patrick Nyaga, Chairman, Missions for Christ Ministries
I was born and raised in Africa until 1991 when I came in United States. I sensed the call of God upon my life in 1988 while working as a school teacher in one of the local boarding schools in Embu district, in Kenya. Shortly after I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, I got an overwhelming desire and I believe an assignment to pray for those serving in the five fold ministries. This included pastors, Apostles, Evangelist, Teachers and Prophets. I still have the notes I wrote about what I prayed for them about to this day. At the time I did not understand why the Lord had me do that. I mean at the age of twenty three years old, I would go on prayer and fasting for weeks interceeding specifically for these ministers in the mountains. Later on, the Lord helped to understand the vital position that these in the five fold ministry play in the body of Christ. That these are the key people that He has placed in positions of authority within the body of Christ for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. Ephesians 4:11.. "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelist; and some, pastors and teachers; Verse 12; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Verse 13 says ` Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto the stature of the fulness of Christ". I realized that though I may NOT have much financial or material aid to give to these mighty men of God, I can give them my prayer support. This desire has never left me since then. Whenever I meet with ministers of the gospel, and wherever I go, I feel drawn to them with such a compassion to pray for them.
In 1989, the Lord through His Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, `Son, know Me from my Word for I will use you internationally'. At the time, the furthest place I knew was Nairobi the capital city of Kenya. I had no idea where America was, apart from the fact that we mentioned it in our geography class occasionally in the school I was teaching. Having grown up in the rural areas, it was difficult for me to comprehead those powerful words from the Lord. I walked to school from grade one through high school. I walked at least forty five minutes to an hour each way. In some of these rural areas, majority of the pastors still walk today for miles to their churches. After I heard those powerful words form the Lord, I developed a hunger for the Word of God that I did not have before. I continued to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting as I waited for direction. I served in my local church as a youth leader as well as travelling at various regions of Kenya preaching in churches and high schools. In 1989, I was believing God for a wife and I remember asking the Lord to bless me with someone compartible with the calling.
Watch the video clip of our marriage celebrations in Kenya, Africa below
In June of 1990, I got introduced to Mikki Nyaga by a friend of mine who attended South Eastern College (now known as South Eastern University) here in United States. We got married in December of the same year after which I resigned from my teaching profession and joined her in the United States in March of 1991. In 2001, we incoporated Missions for Christ Ministries here in United States as a Non-Profit organization.
After we married, we continued to attend Family Worship Center church here in Lakeland Florida under Pastor Reggie Scarborough. We have always been blessed and encouraged by his teachings on the goodness of the Lord and how to be led by the Spirit of God. We believe truly that, this is one of the mostimportant teaching needed in the Body of Christ today. We have learnt to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as well as to allow Him (Holy Spirit) to lead and guide us in our daily walk. These teachings have enhanced our relationship with our Heavenly Father learning even to trust in Him during the challenging times. When we lost our twins sons and the doctors told us there was no way we could have children, our pastor stood up one Sunday night and spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that the next pregnancy to my wife was going to be normal. We grabbed hold of the Word of the Lord by faith and the following year in 1995, our first son Daniel was born. The next year after that, David our second boy was born. Glory to God! We believe that words spoken by the Spirit of God are powerful and bring forth tremendous results to those who hear and practice them.
The Bible says, ‘...The devil comes to kill, to steal and to destroy, but I (Jesus) have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly....’ (John 10:10). I don’t care what is broken in your life, God can put it together again for you if you can only believe. If you now saw our sons play together, you would think they are twins. We give God all the Glory! From the story of creation, I see that God has a pattern in which He follows in creating things. He calls things into existence that are not. Great pioneers of faith like Abraham simply yielded and followed a step at a time until they came to a complete fulfillment of God’s plan for their lives. I thank God that we have the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, comfort, counsel and reveal to us all things that He hears our Father say and we can depend on Him. I encourage you to hold on to the Word of the Lord today.. for surely it will come to pass. God may have spoken to you about something that may seem too far away out like he did to me, I want to encourage you to hold onto that Word of God and as you exercise your faith and keep following Holy Spirit a step at a time, you will see it come to pass. DO NOT EVER GIVE UP! TRUST GOD AND HE WILL BRING IT TO PASS.
Since the day I arrived in America, Africa has always remained in my heart strong. Often I would be led of the Spirit to pray for my people in Africa and as I did, I would feel their needs and deficits as well as their cry. I saw many hurting church leaders and ministers who needed our help. In 1994, the Spirit of the Lord started dealing with me about taking what I had received (spiritually) in my local church and sharing it with my people in Africa. There is a great deficit in the area of proper Bible training and spiritual guidance. There are shortages of Bibles and christian training materials. Qualified Bible teachers are scarce and places to attend certified Bible schools are few in the rural areas. In 1994, I started to pay regular visits in Africa sharing the Word of God with church leaders as well as their congregations. I also started taking Bibles, and ministerial materials to the pastors and church leaders I knew. On September of 2000, I felt a need to share with my pastor the vision that God had given me for Africa and the plan to begin the Ministry. I believe I was led by the Spirit of God to meet and share the vision that the Lord had given me for Africa. Oh! What a positive response! As a matter of fact since then, my pastor has visited Africa to minister to pastors and the church leaders several times. In May of 2001, Missions for Christ Ministries was birthed in Kenya and shortly thereafter, we got incorporated here in United States as a Non profit organization. In 2006, through the sponsorship by Pastor Reggie Scarborough and the Family Worship Center Churches, Inc. Kenya Bible Training Center (KBTC) was established in Embu town, Kenya.
Our Mission in this Final Hour!
Our primary goal is to reach out and provide opportunities for Bible training as well as the Biblical resources / ministry materials to the pastors and church leaders especially to those serving in the remote communities of Africa. We believe that God is raising and calling forward an army of ministers and ministries from all the parts of the world today to unite, be equipped and go forth teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Spirit and in Truth. Jesus Christ is coming back again soon and we must stay busy about our Father's Kingdom. The Bible says in Ephesians 4;11... ` And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelist; and some, pastors and teachers; Verse 12; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: I like what verse 13 says ` Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto the stature of the fulness of Christ: Oh Glory to God!. There is nothing that excites us more than coming alongside these ministries, and being a part of what God is doing through them. We believe that by providing them with opportunities for training and the necessary teaching resources, they will be enhanced and enriched anabling them to preach the Word of God in Spirit and in truth in their communities with great signs and wonders following (Mark 16:15). Halleluyah!
MCM Operations in Africa
Pastor Angelo & Purity Njagi - Sr. pastors - MCM churches, Mission directors and KBTC teachers
We work hand in hand with Pastor Angelo and his wife Purity who have been pastoring now for over twenty years. They are the senior pastors for the established MCM churches there in Kenya and they oversee the operations of MCM in Africa. They are also directors as well as among the teachers of Kenya Bible Training Center. Since the birthing of this ministry in 2001, they have been actively involved in all the operations on the ground there in Africa and are doing a tremendous job. Pastor Angelo and his wife Purity have a special call in uplifting the pastors and helping them fulfill the call of God in their lives. Under their watch and leadership, sixteen churches have been established with numerous relief outreaches. Glory to God! About MCM churches.
It is important to God that all people know the truth about God’s Word. The Bible says, ‘They shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall set them free” (John 8:32). God placed in our hearts a vision to help take the practical truths of His Word to the nations (Mark 16:15) through training of native church leaders and making available the Bible training resources. Two main ways in which we achieve these goals are through establishing:-
Evangelism and church planting. Develop and establish an MCM ministerial team that will work together with other church leaders to reach the lost and bring them to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This team is responsible for holding gospel outreach activities at various towns, cities and nations. They are responsible for introducing the new converts or believers to the Bible believing local churches in their communities for discipleship.
Administrative Offices - the missions outreach offices
A Bible School - Designed to place more emphasis on the Word and Spirit of God
The Retreat Center - A place full of God's worship atmosphere where those with a calling of God upon their lives like pastors and church leaders can come for the purpose of seeking God through prayer and fasting for the sake of their ministries or nations as well as brotherly fellowship.
A resource Center / Library - A facility with teaching and study resources like Bibles & concordences , audio and video in DVDs or VHS tapes formats or similar christian training materials. These materials are made available for loaning to the church leaders through specified guidelines and program set by our MCM library resource team.
Chapel & Auditorium – Designated halls to be utilized during the minister's leadership conferences, seminars or during other christian gatherings including medical clinics.
Vocation School - Classrooms designed to accommodate those that need training in cumputers, video and audio (media) as well as decorating and domestic upkeep
The fulfillment at work! Glory be to God!
Since this ministry began in 2001, with your help we have been able to:
Establish numerous churches: Over sixteen churches have already been started and established by MCM and currently operating under pastors who have graduated from KBTC. It is surely a dream come true and we give all the Glory to God for His faithfulness and for the fulfillment of His promise!
MCM Outreaches: Taking the gospel of faith, hope, salvation and healing to the various communities and villages in Africa through crusades and videos as well as distribute books, tapes and videos in the rural communities through local pastors and trained and equipped pastors and lay people in these regions
Kenya Bible Training Center (KBTC): Through the sponsorship of Pastor Reggie Scarborough with Family Worship Center Churches, Inc., Kenya Bible Training Center, was started in Embu town in 2006. It is an inter-denominational and multi - national school whose primary purpose is to train pastors and church leaders. It offers a one year curriculum with Biblical truth’s of God’s Word. This school is unique in that it places strong empasis on the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Today, over thirty denominations have sent their church leaders to train at Kenya Bible Training Center. KBTC has thus far trained and graduated one hundred and one pastors and church leaders some of which are now pastoring churches and others ministering through out the regions of Kenya and other parts of Africa.
From all of us here at Missions for Christ Ministries,
Thank you very much for your continued support and your generous heart for missions. You as our partner are a key part in all these accomplishments and you share in the rewards-glory to God! You are helping to bring change to the lives of many pastors, church leaders and their congregations in Africa as well as to win souls for the Kingdom of God. May God Richly Bless You!


The Christmas City 2017 – Christmas Ornament
It’s only fitting that “The Christmas City” has an ornament to display it’s almighty Bethlehem star. Add this star to your Christmas tree & watch how it shines! The Christmas city is a magical place that truly embraces the Christmas spirt. Imagine yourself walking down the old cobble stone roads, with a winters chill in the air, and the sound of children playing as carolers sing through the night! That is the feeling you get when you come to Bethlehem, PA the Christmas City. As you hang up this beautiful porcelain ornament, you will be bringing a little sprinkle of the city’s Christmas spirt into your home. Feel the holiday magic this season and every season after as you share a piece of the Christmas city with everyone who gathers around your tree. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
- 3″ round
- Glossy print
- Warm white color
- Pre-strung with ribbon (Colors & styles may vary)
- Comes with a small gift box for safe keeping and gift giving!
See more Christmas Ornaments from our 2017 Christmas collection here.


More than 2,000 different events held at around 70 locations throughout Europe, including church conventions, the festival weekend in Wittenberg and the Reformation World Exhibition: Since October 31, 2016, the Reformation year has moved and inspired hundreds of thousands of people. They are all fascinated by the effect that the Reformation had on our society. Furthermore, much thought has been given to the impact that the 95 theses, that Martin Luther is believed to have hammered onto the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg 500 years ago on October 31, 1517, have had on the course of our society.
What can we learn from the Reformation when we look back at it? From its ideas, its spirit and its power? Taking a look back at the Reformation is extremely worthwhile. After all, this movement inspired people to great deeds; because it has shaped our views of responsibility and freedom; and because the Reformation has never lost any of its appeal, even today.
“The anniversary of the Reformation is bringing together people from all parts of the world to discuss the social issues of our time. Throughout our history, there has hardly been an event that has had such a major impact on life in Europe and the fostering of democracy and human rights.”
Overcoming boundaries and creating momentum
The Volkswagen Group is a partner of this tremendous international event. This partnership has included providing 239 Volkswagen cars and commercial vehicles to support the Reformation anniversary. These vehicles transport the anniversary's organizers, guests and other participants to various event venues. In doing so, they facilitate encounters characterized by openness, tolerance – and the desire to put something in motion and strengthen our society.
The organizers of the Reformation anniversary are also focused on transporting huge amounts of equipment. This is why the Volkswagen fleet consists primarily of commercial vehicles.
Overcoming boundaries and creating momentum: The Reformation truck made by Scania linked 19 countries and 67 cities on the European Tour of Stations. The organizers of the Reformation anniversary outfitted this truck with several monitors and multimedia programs, as a way of illuminating the roots of the Reformation, encouraging people to reflect and prompting them to talk about their encounters with the values of the Reformation. During its tour across Europe, the truck stopped at four VW locations: in Wolfsburg, Zwickau, Emden and Osnabrück.
The Reformation was the driving force behind far-reaching, epochal change that people ultimately achieved by working together. The world of the automobile is also on the verge of a new age.
“We are going through tremendous technological change. To meet these challenges and become a leading provider of sustainable mobility, Volkswagen unites the skills, knowledge and courage of many people.”
The Reformation anniversary will end on October 31, 2017 – with a magnificent celebration where it all began: in the Luther city of Wittenberg.


We are all so busy these days. Whether it’s career, family, or just life in general it seems we are going 100mph in 3 directions all at once. If you are anything like me finding time for yourself can be challenging. As a mother of 5 between family, work, and volunteering it can be very difficult to squeeze in time to nurture my faith. No matter how fast are lives go I feel it is still very important to find time for faith. If you can’t find time, then you’ll just have to make time.
So how do we find or make time for faith in a fast-paced life? I don’t claim to have the perfect solution but this is what has been working well for me.
- A devotional. I have seen devotionals in bookstores and have even received one as a gift but didn’t pick them up right away. After cracking one open I soon learned it was a great way for me to get my daily dose of the bible as well as a practical example or message for me to think about throughout my day. I’ve tried reading right before bed, or first thing in the morning. I gave up trying to have a routine and have since gone with whenever I have time in the day. My devotional has put on many miles being tossed into my purse or briefcase so I am ready whenever I have a few minutes to read. Rather than check my facebook or twitter I simply read the scripture on my smartphone and 1-page devotional message for that day. There are many different devotionals out there. I am recently finished one for women by Jill Briscoe and love it. Now my husband and I are reading a couples devotional book together each evening. I am confident you can find a devotional that works for you.
- Prayer beads*. I was raised Catholic but never learned how to use a rosary so when this concept of prayer beads was first presented to me I was skeptical. After trying it out I discovered how easy it was and how helpful it was for me to structure my prayer. I have 2 of these; 1 is meant for adults and 1 for children. I tend to use the children’s version. I have them on a key-chain ring and they hang in my car. Rather than listening to the radio or talking on the phone I hold my prayer beads and pray on my way to work each morning.
- Schedule Bible Time. It doesn’t always work well with our schedule but I try very hard to fit in bible time in the evenings with the kids. We usually do a “bath, book, bedtime” type of routine so one evening a week I replace book with bible. This has worked very well with the kids especially after they each got their own bible and bible case to carry it in. They love gathering on the floor with me to read together. Although they each have their own bible appropriate for their age we are still able to all read and discuss the same stories. It is so much fun to hear the kids explain to one another the various stories and talk about what they feel the bible is telling them.
*Prayer Beads: You can find beads to make this at your local craft store. I cannot take credit for this as I learned all about it from a pastor at a local church.
Happy Face Bead-This bead prompts you to talk with God about the joys of our lives, the things we love about God and the things we are thankful for that make us happy.
Blue Bead-This bead represents the things in life that make us sad or things we wish we hadn’t done. A time to talk to God for forgiveness.
Flower or Animal Bead-This bead represents the amazing natural world God created. The plants, animals, etc that we love.
Star Bead-This bead is for the ‘star person’ in our prayer life for the day. If you told someone you’d pray for them or someone you feel needs prayers that day.
Heart Bead-This bead is for the people we love…friends, family, teachers, coaches…and even the people in the world we haven’t met yet.


Btw, if/when I do not have a skirt of slacks available to me (traveling, backed up on laundry, etc), my rule is to dress like I would dress on a date: nice jeans, heels, nice blouse, jewelry, make-up, etc. ??
I’m glad someone mentioned jeans and heels. That’s something I wear to church also if I do not have “church clothes” available for whatever reason. Dark jeans are nice, and flattering, and paired with heels, a nice top and a blazer can be quite dressy (that’s actually erring on the dressy side for me because I’m something of a tomboy!) For daily mass if I make it there, I’ve been known to show up in anything from scrubs to sweats (to payday loans in TX my understanding daily mass can be much more casual), but occasionally I will dress up a little. I tend to observe what others wear to daily mass or Sunday mass and go from there with my own wardrobe.
OK Sarah, well noted. For the record we have had discussions on the blog pertaining to men and modesty: I have not noticed that men wear tight jeans much, but to be honest, I don’t pay that much attention to men ??
Not to turn this very worthwhile article into a fashion commentary but it might be worth mentioning (as the men here, and the Monseignor as well, appear not to appreciate) today’s fashions are designed for the most part for the under 25 female …not for the mature woman….regardless of price! However that being said it is still possible for most of us to find appropriate clothing for Church. As many have mentioned, the non-Catholics do not seem to have this problem. If you stand outside any Protestant Church you will notice the entering congregants in dresses, perhaps an occasional appropriate pant suit, and the men in jackets and ties. Try the same exercise in front of most if not all Catholic Churches on any given Sunday and you will think the “beach crowd” has been mis-directed. Since so few times, if ever, are we reminded of this truth from the pulpit, it would appear we have either forgotten or rejected this truth. Yes, God cares what is in our hearts…but our clothing often indicates outwardly that our hearts are indifferent to this Reality. What kind of witness to truth are WE presenting with such indifference? Tomorrow I must attend the occasion of the funeral of one of our teen-age parishioners. A very sad event….and one at which I can almost guarantee everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, will be appropriately dressed out of respect for the ily. Do we not owe the same respect to He who died for our salvation? After all, every Mass is a BANQUET as well as a re-presentation of Calvary’s Cross! Let us dress as if we REALLY believed that!
Although I like to wear trousers and a shirt (and my Dad always wears a tie to Mass), I am often very much aware that there are those among us whose clothes are ragged and unclean because of personal circumstances
Although I am all for modesty, I feel that once modesty is accounted for, the issue of dress is rather more complex than is being given due.
The irony is that only in the Catholic Church do we have the Real Presence…Jesus present to us in a SUBSTANTIAL way
Apart from the difficulties a daily Mass goer can face regarding dress – quite likely attending Mass on the way to or from work, shopping etc. and having to do with whatever ‘work clothes’ or such – I can’t help feeling that clothes always bring judgement from other people (as has been noted above). In the past, the rich dressed well; the poor could not. Unfortunately there are still many poor among us, and often the same still stands. Even today, clothes cannot be separated from making social statements (business suits, designer labels, gang clothes, goths, sports enthusiasts etc.).


- IDAK Counseling, since 1995
- Telephone and Office Sessions
- Ministry Leaders
- Mid-Career Advancement
- Retired Military
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Biography: Chuck has been assisting ministry leaders with their career advancement since 1995. He began his work life with the United States Air Force (1958 to 1979) retiring as a security and law enforcement superintendent in the grade of Senior Master Sergeant. He completed his ministerial training through the distance education program of The Christian and Missionary Alliance culminating with his ordination in 1985.Chuck has been involved in pastoral ministry since 1979 when he first served as an assistant pastor in North Dakota then became the assistant to the superintendent for church growth and evangelism, Rocky Mountain District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Montana. He joined the staff at the Christian and Missionary Alliance Headquarters in 1991 where he served as division of Church Ministries administrator and later as the director for operations responsible for all support functions as well as division representative to all interdenominational leadership teams and committees until his retirement in August 2001. Since his retirement, Chuck continues to coach and counsel men and women to find fulfilling careers.
Chuck enjoys his family and likes to golf when possible. His favorite vacation areas are mountains and oceans.
Thank you for contacting this counselor. Please fill out the boxes below and press “Submit”. The counselor will respond to you within two business days.


Dream of Pope Innocent: Nightmare for Heretics
Pope Innocent III was the most influential pontiff of the Middle Ages. His reign championed now-beloved saints, and left indelible stains on a land once called Occitania. What remains of Innocent’s legacy? What remains of the enemies he sought to destroy?
This spirited film explores conflicts between institutional belief and personal faith, between material power and mystical experience.
Dream of Pope Innocent weaves interviews with authors, historians, theologians, philosophers, and modern-day mystics together with art, music, animation, and stunning locations in Italy and France.


Elm Hill Books
||8.50" l x 6.50" w x 0.50"
Teachable Moments consists of theological reflections on the world's most familiar prayer taken from the lips of Jesus Himself, repeated on a weekly basis in churches throughout the world. Many who claim the name Christian are captive to a culture that is in subtle if not direct contradiction to the radical implications of this Prayer. Teachable Moments confronts that unhealthy captivity. The radical nature of the Creator God as Abba Father, and what it means to be citizens of God's Kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven,” deserves to be taken seriously.
Written in a readable and thought-provoking style, Teachable Moments will prompt new thoughts about Jesus’ radical theology of God as Abba Father. When Jesus taught his disciples this brief prayer, he had an agenda much larger than just words to pray. He was concerned with our understanding of God and the nature of our relationship with God. He was teaching about the nature of Kingdom citizenship on earth as it is in heaven, the nature of forgiveness which breaks the unhealthy cycle of revenge, the nature of temptation and pervasive evil in the world. Jesus’ goal was to correct and redirect all the wrong-headed misconceptions the world has accumulated about the one true God who He understood as Abba Father. Finally, this provocative book asks the all-important question: What kind of Jesus says and teaches things like these? Who are we following?
Teachable Moments is intended for the most faithful person occupying a pew on Sunday morning repeating these familiar words of The LORD’s Prayer, but also it is for the person who never enters a church but nonetheless knows the words by memory. Adult Bible Study groups will find this book a beneficial curriculum for Bible study and discussion. Pastors will find these theological reflections helpful in sermon preparation on The LORD’s Prayer.


Joe Powers: A Very Harmonica Christmas
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, 1535 NE 17th Ave, Portland, OR 97232 Click for directions
Box Office opens at 6:00 p.m.
Doors open for seating at 6:15 p.m.
Concert starts at 7:00 p.m.
$20 Early Bird Discount/General Admission (now through October 15)
$25 Regular Price/General Admission (starting October 16)
Limited parking is available in the church parking lot (first come first served), enter the lot on NE 16th Ave. An accessible entrance to the church is located on 17th Ave.
Joe Powers and his musical friends invite you to kick off the holiday season with a program of Classical, Jazz, Holiday melodies, and more!


God’s grace saves you. Have you accepted God’s grace? Come to Pactolus and see how God’s grace can change your life forever.
“Everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3:15
Get ready for Vacation Bible School. This years theme is “The Fruit of the spirit.” Bring your kids for a day of fun games, crafts, music and a great story. We also have a Back to School giveaway you won’t want to miss. Join us Saturday July 26th the fun begins at 10am and we will end at 2pm. A pizza lunch is included.
Join us This Sunday as we explore Paul’s letter to the Churches of Galatia, this letter has been extremely helpful in the history of the church, and in the personal lives of God’s people, in helping them to see, understand, and experience His amazing grace. In this relatively short letter, Paul gives his readers instruction in the grace of God and life in the Spirit. Those who study it are sure to grow deeper in their understanding and experience of God’s grace and will be transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Monday Night Men’s Group meets at 6:00 pm in the downstairs fellowship hall. Our study is taking a summer break. I hope you can join us in August when we begin our study again.
Our next Kid’s Day will be July 26. This will be our annual Vocational Bible School. If you have elementary age kids, join us for the fun. 10am-2pm
Please keep South Sudan in your prayers!
Welcome to Pactolus United Methodist Church! We are located in the Colonial Heights area of Kingsport, TN @ 170 Pactolus Rd.


Reading Assignment – Week 6
Reading Assignment – Week 6
READING ASSIGNMENTS in Textbook Foundations of Theological Study
“Preaching The Gospel: St. Paul & The Beginnings of Christian Theology” by Karl Barth pp 104-111
“Revelation And Its Transmission” The Second Vatican Council pp 100-104
“The Evolution of Doctrine” by John Henry Newman pp 214-218
“The Mystery of the Church” Second Vatican Council pp 218-230
READING ASSIGNMENTS in Bible
Acts of the Apostles, Chapters 2-3 and Chapters 8-9 Paul’s Persecution and Conversion.
READING ASSIGNMENTS – Supplemental Papers (Posted on Blackboard)
Supplemental paper #11 posted on Blackboard – “The Great Schism” from New World The Great Schism.doc The Great Schism.doc – Alternative Formats
Supplemental paper #12 posted on Blackboard – “Luther & The Protestant Reformation” Luther and the Protestant Reformation .doc Luther and the Protestant Reformation .doc – Alternative Formats
You will post your 3-4 paragraph response (minimum of 300-350 words per post) to at least 3 of the questions listed below. Please create a new “section” for each question you complete. Label the section with the Question #. Please include some direct reference to the assigned readings, including direct quotes and page numbers. Connection to your personal experience should also be included.
1. St. Paul’s letters were composed to early Christian churches he had established before the Gospels were written (Mark was the first Gospel written 65-75 CE). Karl Barth identifies threads of Paul’s Christian theology in his letters. Identify and describe at least 3 of the ideas Paul wrote about and comment if they are valuable in your Christian faith, or in your life.
2. As we learned last week, the first 2 chapters of the Acts of the Apostles are filled with powerful images: the ascension of Jesus to God the Father, the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples in Jerusalem, and the baptism of 3,000 believers on Pentecost. We now focus our attention on the formation of the Christian community in Jerusalem and throughout the world. Acts 2:42-47 presents the pattern of life of the new Christians. They truly lived out the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Describe how the early Christians behaved toward one another as they lived in community with one another. Could such a pattern be of value in our modern world? Why or why not.
3. This week we again touch on the subject of the Revelation of God through the Church. In this week’s reading on the transmission of Revelation, the focus is on how the words and deeds of God have formed the Israelites in the Old Testament and continue to form us in this millennium. Define natural revelation, general revelation, and special revelation. Include 2-3 other aspects of God’s revelation that exist in the article. Have you experienced God’s revelation in your life? Do you believe God’s revelation is ongoing throughout history?
4. In reading about the “mystery” of the Church, you learned that “The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church” was one of the most significant documents generated by the Second Vatican Council in the 1960’s. In the article what images and metaphors are used to describe the Church? What does the document say about the relationship of the Catholic Church to God’s kingdom? And what is the relation between the Catholic Church and other Christian churches?
5. After reading the Supplemental article on “The Great Schism,” please list (in simple terms) two reasons why this schism occurred. What is your opinion of this momentous division? Does this schism still exist today?
6. The Protestant Reformation began when Martin Luther tacked his 95 statements up on the door of his Church in Germany. After reading the supplemental paper, identify 2-3 aspects of the turmoil that followed Luther’s action. You may comment on the causes, the abuses in the Catholic church at the time, the long-term result of the separation of the German church from Rome, etc. Does this division of the Catholics and Lutherans still exist today? Has there been any progress made in healing the differences? What do you think could be done to encourage more connection?
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When I first became a youth minister I found that God was going to require more time from me and so were the children at my church, Sowing The Seeds Of Faith Ministries. The first thing I did was ask God if he was sure I had what it takes to be a minister. Even though I was already doing the work I had many doubts. My main one was, I don’t look or act like a minister. I’m not locked into traditions, I have tattoos and to some people’s dismay, I have dread locks.
Yes, I love Christ, working with the children, most of the time, and being a part of a congregation that worships with all their hearts, but I did not feel like I had arrived yet. And many elders looked at me the same way. They were so much more knowledgeable and had more experience and seemed to have all the time in the world to be ministers. Where as I was struggling to be the perfect mom and wife.
I found that I could effectively schedule time to be in every place I was suppose to be, but life had a way a knocking me off the perfect path I had set for myself. My kids needed me outside of the allotted time scheduled for them. My husband wanted to invade the time I scheduled for the church. I stuck to my guns, I tried anyway, and that seemed to cause even more problems. Problems that when they arrived gave me cause to ask God “Are you sure you want me to minister? I can barely schedule my time.” Many nights I prayed that God would make me perfect for the job. I even cried about how bad of a wife and mother I was. Ministry was something that didn’t come easy to me. I felt like if I lacked in motherhood, how could I thrive as one of God’s teachers?
It was a very lonely feeling.
I remember one day when I was at a very low moment, depressed and discouraged, and I wanted to give up. I felt like it was too hard. Like I wasn’t strong enough. And then the song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” came on and it was like Jesus was talking to me! “If you need me, call me. No matter where you are. No matter how far. Just call my name I’ll be there in a hurry. You don’t have to worry…”. My spirit was lifted almost instantly. I may not have been perfect, but I was chosen.
And then one day I sat down and wrote out everything it was that I did each day. From errands to family game nights. What I saw amazed me! No everything wasn’t done perfectly in the times I designated for them, but they were done! So my girls didn’t always have the best and ironed clothes, they had quality time that they enjoyed. And my husband didn’t have to come home and worry about meals or chores, some how God had helped me accomplish everything I had written for my self to do.
It was a moment of enlightenment, that I realized that all that worry and stress was for nothing. I may not be the best at everything, but I’m pretty good at most of it.


Bible one year reading plan printable. Print as many copies as you need. Slow steady printable bible reading planner. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I think this is a beautiful idea and i too love the jesus storybook bible.
Here is a plan that is set up for you to go through the whole bible in a year but with a twist. 52 week bible reading plan epistles the law history ps alms poetry prophecy gospels week sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday. Inspiring printable bookmark bible reading plan printable images. Here is your custom one year chronological bible reading plan.
Reply becky daye 27 november 2012 at 1059 am. Thirty one days to know gods plan for us. Bible reading for new christians. The bible contains the best wisdom for living.
Bible reading plan daily bible reading schedule printable daily bible reading schedule printable free printable bible reading charts in a year bible reading plans printable. One year is a registered trademark used. Whether you want a daily bible reading plan a one year plan a historical overview or a plan for beginners this schedule can help. Many christians take the beginning of a new year to evaluate their bible reading habits and then change or begin a bible reading plan.
This plan is a general overview of gods encounter with humanity our responses to him and how he gives us hope salvation and an eternal future. It divides up your reading into the main types of genres literature such as gospels law narrative history psalms poetry prophecy and epistlesthat way you can go though the entire bible by reading the different types of writings. My oldest child is now 9 but before she was born we were given the advent book. Free 365 day bible reading plan.
See 7 best images of printable bookmark bible reading plan.


THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
What was not always known was that behind the star presence Mel Gibson held ardent Christian (Traditionalist Catholic) beliefs. Initially, The Passion of the Christ, Gibsons personal work of faith about the last hours of Jesus Christ, was thought to be a disaster in the offing. After failing to get studio backing, Gibson financed the entire film himself to the tune of an estimated $30-50 million. Gibson had initially intended to shoot the film in Latin and Aramaic (the languages of Christs time) and leave it unsubtitled, letting the images speak for themselves, but evidently someone persuaded him of the financial disaster that this would mean and to release the film with subtitles. The great surprise that promptly came was that The Passion of the Christ found a massive audience. Indeed, so much so that the film ended up becoming the No. 1 highest grossing film of 2004. Moreover, it inaugurated a new genre niche of Christian cinema with Hollywood suddenly rushing to pander to this newfound audience niche with films like The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005), The Nativity Story (2005) and Evan Almighty (2007), as well as grassroots promotional campaigns that gave these films advance screenings in churches.
The Passion of the Christ is odd for a film purporting to be about the life of Jesus Christ. For such a work of personal faith on Mel Gibsons part, there is almost nothing mentioned throughout of what Christs message was if someone sat down to watch the film knowing nothing about Christian beliefs, they would be hard-pressed to find out anything about what Christ stood for. There is a brief scene where we get some of the Sermon on the Mount, a slightly longer one that covers the Last Supper, a wordless flashback showing that the woman caught in adultery that Christ prevented from being stoned was Mary Magdalen, and a brief 30 second scene of the boulder across the tomb being rolled back and a naked Jim Caviezel emerging resurrected.
When it comes down to it, The Passion of the Christ is almost entirely a 127-minute film about the brutalisation, humiliation and torture of one individual. Mel Gibson gives us a long, extended scene where we see Jim Caviezel manacled up and flogged until his skin is bloody and raw we even get to see gruesome shots of a clawed cat-of-nine-tails digging into his skin and tearing the flesh out. The flogging goes on for some 10-15 minutes without interruption or cutting away. Gibson lets us feel every blow he even has the Roman soldiers standing around counting off each lash. This is followed by the staging of the Stations of the Cross with a bloodied Jim Caviezel carrying the cross up the hill to Golgotha while being jeered at by onlookers, flogged by soldiers and repeatedly collapsing into the sand. Gibson drags this scene out for some 31 minutes. Along with the additional scenes of Caviezel being nailed onto the cross in no-blood-spared detail, The Passion of the Christ amounts to a torture scenario that is dragged out for nearly an hour of screen time.
Indeed, Mel Gibsons focus on torture and sadism becomes so gratuitous that The Passion of the Christ should head the list of the most bloodthirsty films among the recent fad for so-called Torture Porn films see Saw (2004) and sequels, Hostel (2005) etc. In comparison to The Passion of the Christ, Saw sheds almost no blood, while all the torture scenes in Hostel put together would last about ten minutes as compared to The Passion of the Christs nearly one prolonged hour of seeing Jim Caviezel being brutalized. The irony of this is that while the Moral Majority raised a good deal of ire about the nastiness of Saw, Hostel etc and their depiction of scenes of torture, they raised holy hell about The Passion of the Christ being slapped with a R rating in many countries, meaning that children were unable to see this spectacle of bloodthirsty sadism. As a matter of protest against this double-standard, I never went to see The Passion of the Christ when it came out theatrically, but am sorry that I never did as I missed one the most extreme works of the modern Torture Porn fad.
Even aside from the prolonged torture scenes, Mel Gibsons direction comes ludicrously overwrought. The number of scenes with Jim Caviezel collapsing in slow-motion detail during the climbing to Golgotha starts to become singularly tiresome. A simple scene like him drawing the line in the sand in the flashback to the woman caught in adultery scene is blown up to the point that the trail of sand pops like shotgun blasts. When the spear is jabbed into Christs side to see if he is dead, Gibson has the onlookers being sprayed with fluid for something like two minutes. Similarly, Barrabas is not a mere criminal but almost a cartoon caricature of a lunatic madman and physically deformed to boot. One of the silliest scenes in the film is when Judas is taunted and pursued by a crowd of children (who seem to be being stirred up by Satan) and hounded along a road outside of the city before being driven to hang himself. Quite why the children pick on Judas is never clear, nor are we sure why Mel Gibson could not contrive some less thoroughly overwrought idea of conveying Judass guilt and desolation of the soul than the idea of a crowd of demonically possessed kids. One suspects that a good deal of this might have emerged out of Mel Gibsons initial intent to shoot the film without subtitled dialogue and the need to have to convey his story in pictures and emotions rather than words.
The best scenes in the film are those with a morally troubled Pontius Pilate arguing with the Pharisees and unsure of what to do. Mel Gibson builds Pilate out with much more depth than he is usually accorded in most accounts of the Gospels and Hritso Naumov Shopov gives a performance that holds an unexpected sympathy and moral complexity.
Actor Jim Caviezel, who would appear in real-life to be someone who is as strongly fervent in his Catholic beliefs as Mel Gibson, gives a performance as Jesus that is almost entirely relayed physically. Gibson for some reason has Caviezel made up in a way that physically extends his facial features to the point that he almost looks like a spiny anteater. In the few scenes that we do not see Jim Caviezel bloodied, muddied and being tortured, his looks have been given an almost impossible hyper-real handsomeness. Satan, by contrast, is cast with the androgynous Rosalinda Celantano who is tall, bony and spends all her screen time slinking around the backs of crowds covered in a black hood.


God's Plan to Produce the Kingdom on the Earth
January 28, 2007 • By Derek Brown
Let’s focus on the parable of the wheat and the tares " Matt 13:24-43. It is an interesting parable - where a man had a field and he went and sowed some seed in the field and looked for a harvest to come. But the thing that's interesting to me is the interpretation of that parable. If you look at verse 36 it says that Jesus left the multitudes and went into the house and his disciples came to him asking him to explain the parable of the wheat and tares.
Jesus answered and said the one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man - himself. This is simple stuff. This is the sort of thing my 9 year old daughter can understand. The one that sows the seed is Jesus. The field is what? What does it say in the bible? It is the world. It is not the church. Can I let that sink in?
What is the field that God is concerned about? It's the world. If you go back to verse 24 - you know what's amazing about that field? Look at verse 24. Whose field is it? It belongs to Jesus. The world belongs to Jesus " but you say I thought Satan was in control. Look what it says - there is an enemy who is trying to stop what Jesus is wanting to do but all he can do is try and frustrate Jesus from producing fruit because the field is not his. The field " the world - belongs to Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the one who then chooses to sow the seed. Here is the challenging part. What is the seed? The good seed are what? The children of the kingdom. That's you and I. So let's put the parable together. Jesus owns the field. He's the one that wants to sow the seed and he chooses to sow the seed where? In the world. Where does God want to sow you? Not in the church. I'm not saying you can't be a member of the church and make a contribution there.
But God wants to sow you in the world because that's the only way the kingdom is going to come to the world. It's not going to come by preaching, by singing, by us declaring things within the confines of the church walls - while they have their place - these things on their own will not produce the kingdom in the field. There's a important place for prayer and worship but God is going to bring the kingdom by sowing seed in the world. It's his world - he owns the seed, he owns the world. He has every angle covered.
He says I want to sow you there. He puts you in the dirt. How many like being buried in the dirt? It's dark, dirty. I don't like it here God! I want to go back where it's comfortable. What am I doing out here in the dirt? There are nasty people out here. It's dark. There are lots of people out here that don't like you. What am I doing here?
God's heart is the field. God knows the only way that he can reproduce who He is in the field is to sow people who know Him and who will be willing to let death work in them so that life will be released to others. Because he is the Lord and master of the field and Lord and master of the seed He can choose where he places you.
You might protest all you like. “God I don't want to be here”. God’s response - who is in charge here? God sows the seed when he wants to, where he wants to. Our responsibility is to produce the kingdom where he has planted us. God is sovereign but we are responsible. One of the most challenging features of the kingdom is that God expects fruit.
You and I will have to give an account of what fruit we produced where He planted us. If God was to come to you now and say, listen, I planted you in this part of the field, how is it going? You might be tempted to say “It's terrible. I can't wait for Sunday to get out of here. What on earth am I doing over here Lord? I'm a lovely Christian. I want to be back with my friends on Sunday.” God says you don't understand the kingdom do you? What's that Lord? He says I want to bring who I am, my heart, my mercy, my compassion, my justice, my sense of right and wrong, I want to bring that into the world into which I have placed you and I want you to produce some fruit.
You remember what Jesus did when he came along to the fig tree and didn't find fruit? Not very nice, is it? God wouldn't do that to us. You know what it says in Matthew 21? I have taken the kingdom away from the nation that won't produce the fruit of the kingdom and I'm giving the kingdom to a nation that will produce kingdom fruit.
God is serious about the kingdom. He will take it away from us and give it to somebody else who will produce the fruit because the main game is to see the kingdom being established on the earth. If he finds that those who should be producing aren’t then he will look for others who will produce.
So let’s go back to the parable. You have a field that belongs to Jesus, seed belongs to Jesus, plants us where he wants to, it's not easy, it's going to be a difficult road - but there's a bottom line and that is can we produce fruit.
So what is the fruit? In simple terms what God is looking for is what's in Matthew 6. God wants to see His will done on the earth. That's what fruit is. Wherever God's will is being done on the earth. That is the fruit of the kingdom.
Fruit would be things like this: reconciliation, mercy, forgiveness, righteousness, hope, justice, peace, joy, faith, salvation, healing. How many think the world would be better if some of those things were practised? But the challenge is who is going to produce them?
How can we do this?
• Accept God’s right to plant us where he chooses
• Embrace the message of the Kingdom
• Rely on the Holy Spirit
• Take action
The Kingdom and You
In this passage Jesus explains to His disciples that we are the salt of the earth. Again notice His emphasis " we are to influence the earth. Salt preserves, salt adds taste " this is the effect Christians are to have in the world. However if they lose this quality " they have lost their function and are good for nothing. Strong words but it shows the intensity with which Jesus views our role. He goes on to use another analogy " that we are the light of the world. But again notice the emphasis " let your shine in such a way that men might see your good works. Light = good works. Putting these two together Jesus clearly teaches that our role is to make a practical difference in the world " to produce the fruit of the Kingdom.
This issue of producing fruit is raised by God in His message to us thru Isaiah. In this passage God raises the question " why has my vine not produced fruit after I took such care to look after it? If you look at verse 7 -" this parable is explained. The vine is God’s people and the fruit He was expecting was justice and righteousness " but instead He found only bloodshed and distress.
Jesus takes up this parable and concludes that the Kingdom belongs to those who produce its fruit. To those who don’t produce its fruit the Kingdom is taken away.
Jesus knew that people were caught up with thinking the Kingdom was coming immediately. So he told this parable which showed the real message of the Kingdom to us is personal responsibility. The parable of the talents has to do with using what God has given us productively and having to give an account for what we have done. Each person is judged on their own actions not in comparison with someone else. Those who are not productive suffer loss while those are productive enjoy enlargement.
What has he given us to use?
- Spiritual gifts
Our challenge are we using our talents to produce the fruit of the Kingdom in our market place?


The God Kind of LoveMay 26, 2017
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2
1. IT’S GOD’S LOVE. Walking in love is a process that involves sacrifice, commitment, and follow-through, but it doesn’t originate in our humanity. We are born with a tendency to act selfishly, but the moment we receive Jesus, God’s love is deposited within us and we can move into a new dimension of becoming considerate and valuing others.
The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5b
2. SHOW MERCY. When you show mercy, you will be shown mercy (James 2:13). Study the Word to learn how God’s love responds: Bless those who curse you (Luke 6:28), pray for your enemies, and forgive those who have hurt you. If you get tempted to become judgmental toward someone, all you have to do is look in the mirror and get a reminder of how much mercy God has shown you.
3. FAITH WORKS THROUGH LOVE (Galatians 5:6). The power of the Holy Spirit — His anointing — is activated to flow when we are walking in love. If you aren’t getting good results in prayer, check your love walk. The world will know we are Christians by our love for one another (John 13:35)!
God Bless You!
PRAY THIS PRAYER:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). The love of God has been poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit within me (Romans 5:5). By His grace I can do this thing. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Love as revealed in Jesus, seen as spiritual and selfless and a model for humanity.
Copyright © 2017 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. “Agape.” The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright © 2017 by Houghton.


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As a member of the worldwide church of the Nazarene...
WE BELIEVE in one God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
WE BELIEVE that the Old and New Testament Scriptures are inspired by God and contain all the truth necessary to faith and Christian living.
WE BELIEVE that , without a redeeming God, we are all hopelessly and eternally lost.
WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection, has atoned for the sin of the whole human race; and that whoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is made right with God, is given new life, and is saved from the dominion of sin. Sometimes this is called “being saved.”
WE BELIEVE that, after being “saved,” believers should submit themselves fully to the Lordship of Jesus, growing in grace and [becoming like Jesus]. Sometimes this is called being “entirely sanctified.”
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit confirms in our spirit that we have been forgiven, that we belong to God, and that we are living in obedience to Him.
WE BELIEVE that our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.


The Mission Of The Democratic Faith Working Group – North Dallas Gazette
The Mission of the Democratic Faith Working Group – North Dallas Gazette
Rep. James E. Clyburn says that repealing the Affordable Care Act would have devastating effects on “the least of these.” (NNPA)
By Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.)
Growing up in a church parsonage, the eldest son of a fundamentalist Christian minister, grounded me securely in faith and family. My dad’s sermons, which were based in Old Testament scriptures as often as they were in the New Testament, offered up pretty big doses of Judeo-Christian doctrines that still guide me today as Chair of the Democratic Faith Working Group (DFWG) in the United States House of Representatives.
The Old …


We will be having revival services at Paran Baptist Church, from Sunday, February 26th through Wednesday, February 29th. Service begins at 7 pm each night. Tony Lynch will be preaching, and we will also be having special singing during revival. All are welcome to come in and worship the Lord with us. We are a traditional, Bible based church located at 1603 Johnsonville Hwy, in Lake City, SC. We pray that all of our visitors will receive special spiritual blessing during revival!


New Norcia is approximately 150 km inland from Jurien Bay and it is the only monastic town in Australia. It was founded in 1847, which is less than 20 years after Perth was settled. Two Benedictine monks fleeing religious persecution in Spain moved to England and then to Western Australia seeking a religious mission to work among the Aborigines.
With a generous land grant and a phenomenal capacity for work the monastery became self sustaining. Today there is a farm harvesting wheat, canola and lupins, as well as olives; a bakery which sells its produce through the gift shop, a hotel, a roadhouse, a caravan park, as well as an educational program of school camps. The abbey church is open to the public and people can pay to have baptisms or weddings performed there.
The magnificence of these buildings which suddenly appeared in the countryside was quite a shock that the photos can't really convey
|The monks' quarters and statue of St Benedict|
|The courtyard of the Monks' quarters|
Despite all this there are now only 11 monks in residence, and much of the work is done by paid employees. The buildings are substantial, but most are not used for their original purposes. In the past the monastery ran an orphanage for aboriginal children, who were part of the stolen generation. Their parents lived locally but government policy had them removed from their families and handed over to the monastery. There were separate boys and girls aboriginal schools. As well there was a boarding school for non aboriginal boys and one for girls. The girls school was run by nuns and there was a convent on site as well.
|St. Gertrude's Girls School|
|St. Ildephonsis Boys School|
|Above and below, the Aboriginal boys home and school|
The schools have now closed down, but the buildings remain devoted to other uses. Still fulfilling their original purpose are the Abbey Church and the chapels in the boys and girls schools. They have been beautifully decorated by monks of an earlier period.
|The Abbey Church|
|Inside the church an burial monument for the founder|
|Inside the chapel of the boys' school|
|Inside the chapel of the girls' school|
We resisted the charms of the gift shop and missed out on the last loaf of bread. It is very obvious that the gift shop is another part of their successful business enterprises. It was a very interesting place to visit and the oranised tour was well worth doing. The tour guide was very impressive. We didn't have time to explore the museum, which I'm sure would have been very interesting.
To return to our main focus of seeing the natural environment at its best, today's delight was the abundance of Ringneck parrots which were using the roadside as their personal restaurant, and were hardly bothered by passing traffic. But speaking of traffic, we have been on the Great Northern Highway today and I think we have seen nearly as many trucks today as we have in all the rest of the trip combined. Staying at Bindoon it was trucks all night. It's a bit of a shock.


“I know that when I embark on a new spiritual journey, Satan will do anything to make sure I fail.” –Steve
I’m in the Colorado Springs airport right now, and I am embarking on a new spiritual journey. I just got done with my EDGE Corps training, and I now face the daunting task of fundraising the money needed for me go to my mission field: Arizona State University. Satan has a firm grasp on many students on the campus, and the last thing he wants is a God-sent missionary shaking things up. Satan will do everything he can to wear me out, tear me down, and finally convince me that I am not supposed to be on EDGE Corps. The staff of the Navigators preached over and over again, “This is going to be hard.” “You will fail.” “You cannot do this on your own.”
I have a feeling I am going to learn this the hard way. I imagine myself going back home, doing everything in my power to fundraise my support, and falling flat on my face. It will only be when I do everything in God’s power that He will reveal to me is sovereignty over this challenge. One thing I do know is this: God has started me on this journey, and God will finish everything He starts.Please pray that God will demonstrate His power through my fundraising in such a way that I cannot take credit for it. I don’t know how He will do it, and it’s scary to hand over that trust to Him. But just like everything else in my life, I fail the most when I try to make it on my own. Thank God I have the Lord as my strength.


THE OAKS RETREAT
RAXIA BAILEY, DIRECTOR
I love the Oaks because of the unity it brings. Followers of Christ are able to come together and learn more about Jesus, worship Jesus, and go to Auburn proclaiming the name of Jesus. You meet the best of friends and truly get to see an awesome picture of the body of Christ!!
COME TO THE OAKS!!!
CAREY CLARK, DIRECTOR
I love the Oaks because freshmen can see the Gospel lived out before they even step on campus through older brothers and sisters in Christ. Every time I talk to my friends from other schools they've talked about how much they wished they had something like it at their school. The Oaks was really instrumental in helping me find a church body quicker and in showing me what Christ centered community looks like. What I’ve seen through the Oaks over the past few years would bring joy to any Christ follower. The Lord is more glorified because of the Oaks and that’s why I want to be a part of it!
CAROLINE DAVIS, COUNSELOR TRAINER
Y’all! Sign up for the Oaks Retreat! I wouldn’t be the person I am today if the Lord hadn’t lead me here freshman year. The Lord used the Oaks Retreat to help set me on a path to activley seek after Him and to seek out a community of believers that would spur me along in faith! It’s amazing what can happen when we invite the Lord into a space and give Him the glory. My freshman year, I was saved at the Oaks Retreat and then I had the privilege of coming back and getting to lead as a counselor my sophomore year! I can’t wait to see the ways that the Lord will move this year and can’t wait to see those relationships forming with one another and with our Father in Heaven! WOOHOO!!
JD STRAWN, COUNSELOR TRAINER
This will be my second year serving on leadership for the Oaks and I couldn’t be more grateful for another chance to see how mighty our God is. Every year I’ve seen Him faithfully work through the Oaks in different ways. I’ve seen my friends and myself grow in love for the Lord and I’ve seen him expand his Kingdom and reach the lost through this retreat time and time again. I am completely stOAKed to be able to serve through the Oaks again!
CONNOR CURTIS, HEAD OF PRAYER
I love the oaks because it's shown me what living a dynamic, Christ-oriented, and God-honoring life looks like in College. I got to meet older believers that really invested in me and helped me find a church. I made a ton of friends at the Oaks and some of them even ended up being my roommates later! The Oaks really helped me establish a great community in Auburn and helped equip me to grow in Christ in college.
JANE FRANCES ARMOUR, HEAD OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
The Oaks has meant so many things to me. It has meant seeing more of Christ’s love, experiencing so much of His grace, truly seeing the power of prayer, and growing in community. Every year the Lord uses the Oaks in huge ways, and it's amazing to watch the Lord work. The Oaks teaches people that following the Lord is the best decision they can make, community is a beautiful gift, and there is so much joy in being obedient to the Lord. Come to the Oaks and see how big our God is and how He is truly worth everything!
NICOLE GUAY, ASSISTANT TO PUBLIC RELATIONS
I love the Oaks because it’s a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God. It’s been such a sweet picture of a community of believers striving after unity and holiness together. Not only did it build me up, encourage me, and surround me with believers who push me to look more like Christ, but it also created a platform for me to become a part of and stay invested in community once I got to Auburn. Honestly, my favorite way the Oaks has moved in my life was in the months after we left as I continued to see the body of Christ working together to see the Kingdom grow. It wasn’t a three day retreat (which was incredible), it was a year long, then a two year long part of my life that challenges me and fights with me to look more like Jesus. I believe that the Oaks is such a powerful opportunity for God to begin shaping your college years.
DANIEL BOBBITT, ASSISTANT TO PUBLIC RELATIONS
Like almost every high school senior, my senior year was filled with anxiety and worry over the unknown of college. I had some difficult friendships and found myself lacking community and spiritual depth. I spent this time searching for fulfillment—and I wasn’t finding it. At the beginning of the summer I received a DM from an oaks counselor inviting me to attend. Being an out of state student I knew nothing about the oaks and left him hanging for a solid two weeks. During this time the Lord really grew my desire for community, and eventually, I signed up not knowing a soul. Fast forward a year and I can clearly see how the Lord used the Oaks to show me his grace. Getting plugged into a local church pushed me in my faith and since then I’ve seen myself mature, and was actually baptized last year! I love the Oaks because the Lord is faithful and uses the retreat to impact the trajectory of freshman’s lives—including my own.
KARA BROOKS, HEAD OF LOGISTICS
I love the Oaks because it is a constant picture of the Lord’s grace, sufficiency, and goodness. I have walked into the Oaks each year wiser than the last, but still very much a broken human in need of a Savior. This past year, the Lord provided such a beautiful picture of His Kingdom— each child with different talents, strengths, hobbies, and gifts— working together to reflect the glory of God. What a joy it was to witness and take part in this!! God is so good and I can’t wait to see YOU at Oaks 2020!!!
LINDSEY FRANKLIN, ASSISTANT TO LOGISTICS
The Oaks Retreat was exactly what I didn’t know I needed as an incoming freshman. It was the first time I saw true, self-forgetful, biblical community that was living unashamed and in awe of Christ. The Oaks Retreat truly rocked my world as a freshman and shaped so so much of that year which culminated in my decision that Jesus is indeed worth my life in college and far beyond. That’s why I knew that I had to be a counselor - the Father does big big things in the lives of freshmen at the Oaks (and us older people too!!) and I don’t wanna miss it! You shouldn’t either!!!
HAIDEN JACKS, HEAD OF OPERATIONS
I love the Oaks Retreat because the Lord is moving so evidently throughout it. The Oaks Retreat has allowed me to meet what are now some of my closest friends. I love how it brings Christians who are wise and a little further ahead on the same path to meet with the incoming freshman and point them in the right direction. Through the Oaks Retreat the Lord revealed to me the only truth in life and that's that there is no eternal satisfaction in anything that this Earth has to offer, but Jesus Christ who lived a life of no sin, died on the cross for my sin, ascended in to heaven on the third day and conquered death. That is the only thing I should be living my life for.
BROOKE EZEKIEL, HEAD OF REGISTRATION
The Oaks Retreat is easily one of the best things I've ever had the privilege to be a part of. As a freshman, it was so cool for me to see older believers pursuing Christ and encouraging me to do the same. If I had to sum up my freshman year in one word, it would be refining. The Lord grew me so much and taught me so much about Himself, and I truly believe that The Oaks was the start of it all. The next year, I had the opportunity to be a counselor for the retreat. It was such an incredible experience, and I got to see so many people raised from death to life just at The Oaks! Last year, I had the privilege of serving on Leadership and the Lord really used that position to reveal more about His provision as well as the power of prayer. I could not be more excited for the opportunity to serve this ministry again as the Lord moves and as His will is done. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness and letting me be a part of what He is going to accomplish at Oaks 2020!!! I’m #stOAKed!
KATHERINE PARSLOW, HEAD OF FUNDRAISING
Every year, my involvement with the Oaks Retreat has been such a sweet gift. When I came to the Oaks as a freshman, I was primarily concerned with making a name for myself and feeling known as I stepped into this new season of life. But how kind the Lord has been to humble me and change the desires of my heart! Since coming to Auburn, I’ve understood the gospel and how it changes every part of my life with a greater depth and richness than ever before. Three years later, I’m still so thankful for the community I found through the Oaks that encourages total surrender and obedience to Christ! Today, the Oaks Retreat continues to serve as a beautiful pillar- a place of remembrance and celebration for all God has done in my life.
WALKER EIFORD, HEAD OF FINANCE
The oaks has been a passion of mine since I went my freshman year! The retreat gives freshmen an opportunity to connect with other believers and churches before getting thrown into the craziness of college, which was huge for me. I met friends, I was shown the gospel, and I found the faith family I would soon do life with!!
EMMA KATE SHELTON, HEAD OF HOSPITALITY
Being from a small town and not knowing a lot of people coming to Auburn, I was intimidated and feared that I would not have as strong of a community as I did back home. The Lord used the Oaks Retreat to completely remove that fear and confirm that Auburn is where He had called me. I was absolutely blown away by just how much these people truly LOVE the Lord. The Oaks was simply a glimpse of how much the Lord would continue to use community in Auburn to open my eyes and refine me into more of His image. I love the Oaks Retreat because it has drawn me to such a deeper love of Him!
BENJAMIN STOCKS, HEAD OF MAIN SESSIONS
Although I didn't go to the Oaks as an incoming freshman, I did get to serve as the sound guy in 2019, so I got to see what a great and vital experience it is for not only getting plugged into a church body but also forming community before you've even started taking classes. It is so important that as a freshman you have a church body that you can serve, a community where you can belong, and people to spur you on personally in your walk with Christ. The Oaks is the number one way to get all of that and more, and you will be glad you were a part of it!
FULLER MUSSELWHITE, HEAD OF SUSTAINMENT
Coming into Auburn from out of state, I knew very few people entering my freshman year. However, I embraced the opportunity to meet so many great people, the Oaks Retreat serving as the focal point by immediately connecting me with others who love Christ and Auburn as much as I do. Since then, I’ve continued to grow in my faith and build so many incredible relationships. I have also enjoyed the privilege of being able to give back to the Oaks as a counselor and now as a part of Oaks Leadership. The Oaks Retreat is absolutely amazing and I can’t wait so see how God moves through it this year.