This is an email I recently received from someone at Zion who has been bringing a “crew” of people on Sundays. After I shot her an email asking her how her “crew” was doing on their journey, this was her reply:

“I have a very diverse crew! Not really sure how far along each one is. One recently was released from prison (haven’t got to know her real well yet).

I really appreciate your offer of help. I’m sure I will need it. So far I am very pleased with the growth I see, in my crew. That includes mine! I always thought that I wouldn’t be able to help others grow.  You know that old line “I don’t know what to say”. Hasn’t been a problem though. I have been able to field questions fairly well. I do have one that has been asking about baptism.

I will not hesitate to shoot you an e-mail when I need help. I just feel so blessed that I am getting them to attend regular. And so blessed that once I get em there you take over (at least for the hour), then I’m back on duty. It all works together.”

I love that she has been bringing her “crew” to church. I love that she is willing to engage their questions. I love that she is seeing growth in her own life. I love that she sees herself as part of the discipling process. I love when people commit to “making disciples.”

Who is in your “crew”? How are you helping them discover life in Jesus?

If you don’t do ANYTHING today, take a minute to read this. I just received the following update from our good friends, Mark and Holly Woodard, missionaries in New Guinea.

Greetings friends & family around the world!

I was just sitting here thinking about the contrasts in our life here and our ‘other life’ in the United States.

Right now it is Sunday afternoon and it is 105 in the sunshine. 

My 7 year old son is out front wielding a 3-foot machete and hacking at a long palm frond in the yard. I believe his intention is to shave off the branches and make himself a new fishing pole.

Our 6 year old is happily humming a tune as he walks around with beads of sweat on his forehead and a large butterfly in one hand and a jar of grasshoppers in the other.  He just came in and asked me for matches and a drink of water.

And, the 12 year old son is re-attaching his slingshot tubing using rubber bands and preparing his pile of rocks to shoot wild birds with his tribal buddies.  It is all about survival out here and a little meat sure helps the protein level in a tribal person’s diet.

Our 15 year old has returned to boarding school & will finish out her 9^th grade year in the next 2 months. To get there, she walked down our mountain, went across the river in a dug-out canoe, flew on a single-engine plane from our grass airstrip for 35 minutes, connected to another single engine plane on the coast & flew the remaining 90 minutes to a tarmac airport.  Then she rode the 20 minutes or so in a van to school.

For a little while now, we’ve been compiling a list of things that make our life different here. Some of these have become so ‘normalized’ in our minds that we no longer think of them as being ‘abnormal’ to a Western mindset.

Here are some real-life-things we experience on a day to day basis living in the tribe:

Every morning Holly wipes the gecko droppings off her kitchen counter & window ledges (The record is 17 geckos on our kitchen screen at one time.).

Our kids can climb over the walls to get out of their bedroom … no ceilings.

It is normal to hear a cough at the door and have a raw lump of wild meat placed into your bare hands.

We eat leaves … all the time (edible greens).

The other morning Mark squashed a centipede & Brandt killed a large spider … IN CHURCH.

We wear the same 4 sets of clothes over and over again.  The kids wear their clothes until they are fully worn, fully stained & full of holes … this makes us more relevant living here.

You can slurp your food & lick your plate (or your coconut shell).

The other morning during school, we were interrupted by some kids bringing some baby bats they had just caught …. Just a little recess break.

Mark wears his same pair of tennis shoes that have been gorilla-glued, drilled, & screwed together to last.  (Why?  It is more relevant than wearing a brand new pair of Nikes around our friends that have no shoes.)

We wash out our Styrofoam & plastic meat-trays and give them to the tribal people to melt into glue for their canoes.

The other afternoon Holly calmly got the garden hose to wash a child’s bathroom break off her foot as she was discussing God’s Word with the mother on the porch.

It is totally normal to see a tribal toddler child holding a long machete or starting a fire.

We wash out every container, jar, & Ziplock bag to re-use + give away for kerosene & salt.

A tribal lady wears Holly’s old pantry curtain as a skirt.

Silence while sitting with a group of friends is totally normal & acceptable.

It is a compliment to be told you are fat.

Tribal logic is very different than Western logic: 2 opposite things can coexist.

Everything, and I mean everything, has a use: empty rice bags are used as school book bags, an old makeup zipper case is used as a man’s wallet to keep his coins safe & banana leaves are used as plates.

EVERYONE here is your friend & will have a cordial conversation with you even if they don’t like you.  It would be rude to pass by a stranger & not say hello.

There is a plain & simple, no-frills approach to life here.

BUT guess what is the SAME? 

The Word of God

People

The Spirit of God in their lives

Our HOPE in Christ

God as our Father and Great Creator Being

Jesus as His Only Son & Our Getting-Back Man

All the Important Stuff is the same.

Hanging our Hope on Christ,

The Woodard Family

Mark, Holly, Allie (15), Brandt (12), Bryce (7), and Brock Christoffer (6)

Now, go ahead and complain about “life” in the U.S…. go ahead, I dare ya!

Life Classes are a great way to pour fuel on your spiritual growth fire. Everyone is at a different place when it comes to embodying the message of Jesus. To continue becoming more and more like Him, we need to engage in environments that will teach, stretch and challenge us to pursue Jesus more. Life Classes are a great way to grow. Check out the list of Life Classes starting this month and register for one today:

Lead Beyond Our Walls

Wednesdays:  March 21^st-May 9^th

Teacher:  Trent Kirkland & Dawna Allison

Time/Location:  6:30pm-8:00pm  Rm. 101 at Clarion Campus

What does it look like to “live like Jesus” in today’s culture?  Our culture tells us that we’re “Number 1” and that the best way to live your life is to focus on yourself.  “It’s all about me”.  Following Jesus requires sacrifice.  It requires that we trade in some of our selfish pursuits in order to minister to those around us.  Come and learn how to serve beyond the walls…beyond the ministries inside the church…and take your faith into a world that desperately needs Christ.

What Made David Great (Men’s Class)

Saturday:  March 24^th  

Teacher:  Trent Kirkland

Time/Location:  6:00pm-8:30pm Rm. 101 at Clarion Campus

Everyone who knows the Bible knows that King David was a great man. And yet everyone familiar with the Bible also recognizes that David did a lot of not-so-great things; adultery, murder, pride. For being a man after God’s own heart, David managed to follow his own heart quite a bit. With all of his flaws, what made him great? Was it David’s courage, his loyalty, his faith, and his success as a leader, musician, and warrior? Sure, but was there something else, something lesser known, that contributed to his greatness? Join men on a journey to answer the question, “what made David great?”

Diapers, Pacifiers and other Holy Things (Mothers of babies & preschoolers)

Thursdays:  March 29^th – May 17^th   

Teacher:  Pam Kirkland

Time/Location:  9:30am-11:00am Room 103/104 at Clarion Campus

This is for every mother who has cried out to God that she no longer has time to spend with Him, who needs to be reminded that she is valuable, who wants to laugh or cry over ups and downs of life with preschoolers and who enjoys her children but needs a break. To order book:

http://www.amazon.com/Diapers-Pacifiers-Other-Holy-Things/dp/0781402468

Books of I & II Peter

Sundays:  March 4^th – April 29^th

Teacher:  Barry Mitchell

Time/Location:  9:00am Rm. 103 at Clarion Campus

Addressed to persecuted believers, Peter’s first letter encourages them with the knowledge that it is possible to live victoriously in the midst of hostility—just as Christ, who suffered unjustly, did. He exhorts them to live a holy life that they might be a witness and evangelize the world through their faithfulness. In his second epistle, Peter warns against the more subtle dangers from within the church—false teachers and errant doctrine. He also emphasizes the importance of scriptural knowledge, for only in understanding true doctrine will heresies be known and immoral behavior be exposed.

Bible Study Methods

Sundays:  March 25^th-May 6^th (no classes on Easter) 

Teacher:  Paul Hickernell

Time/Location:  9:00am Rm. 105 at Clarion Campus

The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to make us like the Son of God.  The Bible’s truths will transform you aligning you with the character and ways of Jesus as you encounter him in the Scriptures.  This study will give you twelve methods for exploring the riches of God’s Word.  At least one of them is exactly what you’re looking for—an approach that’s right for you, right where you are. To order book:  http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Warrens-Bible-Study-Methods/dp/0310273005

 Issues of the Heart (Women’s Study)

Sundays:  March 18^th-April 29^th (no classes on Easter)

Teacher:  Barb Phillips

Time/Location:  9:00am Rm. Lounge at Clarion Campus

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” Proverbs 4:23.  The word “diligence” comes from a Hebrew word which relates to guarding a treasure or deposit of wealth, posting someone at the gate or door of a prison to watch or guard carefully.  It’s easy to understand that the heart is the depository of the most valuable and priceless treasure – it is the wellspring of life!  It is no wonder that what comes out of the mouth originates in the heart.  How are you guarding your heart as you go through every day life?

Man Alive (Men’s Book Study)

Sundays:  March 18^th-April 29^th (no classes on Easter)

Teacher:  Bud Welton

Time/Location:  9:00am Room 104 at Clarion Campus

From Author Patrick Morley: “Over the last four decades I’ve met one-on-one with thousands of men.  Most of them know that Jesus promised “a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10) but too many are confused about what that looks like.  In fact, I’d estimate that 90 percent of Christian men lead lukewarm, stagnant, defeated lives – and they hate it.”  God has a plan to harness the raw, restless energy you feel.  Man Alive will show you how to transform your seven primal needs into a powerful spiritual life.  You Don’t Have to Settle!  To order book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1601423861/ref=rdr_ext_tmb

Disciple Coaching

Coach:  Steve Kornbau/Paul Hickernell/Trent Kirkland/Joe Olkowski

Time/Location:  To be determined

Get one-on-one coaching to help others far from God discover life in Jesus.  This regular, weekly, coaching period is designed to hone your ability to mentor others.  This is not a class to learn about discipleship.  This is on-the-job training for those currently discipling others and want to grow and increase their mentoring capacity.  Space is limited and granted upon approval.  The commitment lasts three months and scheduled to fit you and your coach’s time.  Remember, if we fail at making disciples, we fail at everything.

Gospel of John

Thursdays:  March 22^nd –May 23^rd (excluding April 5^th)

Teacher:  Joe Olkowski

Time/Location:  6:30pm-8:00pm Worship Center at Petroleum Valley Campus

John’s gospel is unique from the other three.  Why did he write?  What was his point?  What did he want us to know about Jesus?  And, what differences will these truths make in our lives?  To order book:  http://www.wjkbooks.com/Products/0664225802/john.aspx

Living Beyond Yourself

Thursdays:  March 22^nd – May 31^st

Teacher:  Julie Hartley/Irene Rader

Time/Location:  6:00pm-8:00pm Room 101

Through this study participants will look at the supernatural aspects of the fruit of the Spirit and that you cannot grow, learn or produce the fruit on your own.  You will be challenged to develop the fruit by maintaining an intimate relationship with the Spirit of God.  A Spirit-filled life truly results in living beyond yourself.

Everyone has a point of view: about politics, about sports, about music, about movies…about Jesus. Over the years many have concluded that Jesus was a great prophet, a powerful teacher, a passionate social justice advocate; it’s their point of view. What if we took time to re-examine our point of view of Jesus from God’s view?

The last week of Jesus’ life is commonly known as the Passion Week. During these final days of Jesus’ life there were a ton of people filled with different points of view about what was happening around them. The disciples, the crowds, the Pharisee’s, and of course Jesus. For the six weeks leading up to Easter we are going to examine the final week of the life of Jesus. We will take a creative look at these familiar moments by asking, “what if Jesus’ final week was lived in the middle of our media driven culture?” What would social media, news media, gossip media among others have to say about what was going on?

This six week series serves a two fold purpose: 1) To help followers of Jesus rethink some familiar stories and prepare their hearts to celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday. 2) To provide those who have yet to conclude exactly how they view Jesus a place to listen, learn and determine their point of view about Him. Prophet, Teacher, Social Advocate…or Savior and Lord?

Invite others to join you for this great series starting Sunday, February 26th and continuing until Easter Sunday!

I love our mission partnerships! It helps us fulfill our mission to take the gospel to the ends of the Earth. We recently sent a special gift to our mission partners in the Philippines, the Gormley’s. In 2008 we took a team there for a medical mission and have also sent a $10,000.00 gift to help with a building project. Here is a letter we recently received from them:

“We wish to express our joy over your heart’s desire to touch the lives of people not only in Pennsylvania but around the world.  When we received the $2500 from you last month, we immediately began to pray for how God would have us to use it while keeping in mind the body of Zion and how they would like to see it used as well.  We know you have a heart for helping people and going out into your community, reaching lives in meaningful, physical ways that become stepping stones for showing them the love of Jesus through your kindness and outreach.

Last summer we held our regular DVBS in May.  We focused our attention on one particular area of relocated squatters from Manila.  A small resettlement area of 6000 families (at that time 6000, they are now more than 12,000 families).  We brought these kids to our facilities and to the best of our ability showed them Jesus through the program of games, songs, stories, skits, and food.  We could tell you story after story of heart-wrenching situations within the families there…kids who don’t KNOW their first name let alone their last, they simply go by BOY; child after child arriving with no shoes on their feet and clothes that most of us would consider throw away rags; those who refused to eat the meager sandwich we had prepared for them because they were saving it for their pregnant mother at home.

The last day of attendance was 490+ with more than 600 different children being ministered to throughout the week.  By God’s help alone it was a successful week in terms of a smooth program, enjoyment, and no major problems.  We fed them, taught them, hugged and loved on them…for a week!  It is impossible for us to continue such efforts on a weekly basis and minister to that number of children every week, but we do what we can.  For the last year, since that DVBS, our young people have started several Bible clubs in that area on Saturday…they teach them, feed them, love on them and try to show them a God that loves them.  (pictures can be viewed at Michelle’s Facebook page).

Our budget last year was a mere $1860.  We will be using $1000 of the money you sent to increase that budget for this year’s VBS;  $500 to support the Saturday Bible clubs for a year;  and $1000 to the vehicle fund.  Many of our people are quite poor and spend much in transportation getting to church; it is a hardship that they endure for the sake of being in church.  We have one vehicle now and most members that have cars willingly help picking up and taking people home.  But, we are hoping and praying to buy another vehicle soon in order to do more.

Thank you for the part you have had and continue to have in the lives the people here that we love and care so deeply.  We look forward to seeing you soon and sharing with you in person of what has been accomplished in the name of God and for the sake of showing His love to the people of the Philippines.”