|
by Jody Hansell
 This summer I had the opportunity to go on a missions trip to
Zimbabwe, Africa with Teen Missions International,
along with thirty other high school students. In June we arrived in Merritt Island,
Florida for two weeks of intense training, called Boot Camp, designed to
prepare us for our mission field. We were to become an evangelistic team
traveling by dirt bike to different schools in Zimbabwe to share the
gospel with the people.
The first two weeks at Boot Camp were the most difficult weeks I have
ever endured. I learned so much in turning to God for strength to get
through everything, but I was counting down the days until we left
Florida. Even in the heat and the hurricane conditions, running the
obstacle course daily at 5:30a, the mosquitoes, the fleas, the wet
tents, constantly running to and from each activity, only bathing every
few days, God taught our group a lot. An instantaneous bond was formed
when we first came together. It was evident that He had hand-picked each
person on the team. We were so different, from all walks of life, but we
had an incredible love for God. Our days at Boot Camp were filled with
powerful worship, bonding experiences, dirt bike training, and classes
for drama, speaking, and puppet ministry. The only thing getting me
through those two weeks was knowing that when they were over I would
have the opportunity to share Christ with the people in Zimbabwe.
At the end of our time in Boot Camp we flew to South Africa and rode
a truck to Bikita, Zimbabwe. We traveled in a 25 kilometer radius of the
school where we were based. While there, we shared the gospel with over
25,000 people during 53 presentations. The strategy was to do the
presentations at the schools because they were the center of each
community. We shared a method of agriculture that uses a minimal amount
of water in order to equip them to better meet their physical needs. If
the system we set up at the schools is successful, the people will then
have the opportunity to purchase one for their own house at a small
cost. To meet their spiritual needs, we shared Christ with them. On an
average, 20-30 people came forward to accept Christ at each evening
presentation. We also prayed with people concerning any special needs.
For our evangelism time we stayed in tents on the property of a
primary school. Each day we split into two groups for the presentations.
The first group would go to a school in another village, doing an
afternoon presentation for the school children and then an evening
presentation for the community. The following day, the other group would
go to the same school and do the agriculture presentation and perform
another evening presentation for the community. Each group would do two
presentations each day, and we visited about 25 villages.
Here is what a typical day was like:
We woke up at 5:45a, and
immediately began practicing the day's presentation, full of songs,
puppets, dramas, and preaching. Following that, we had reading time and
then we ate breakfast: the native tea, the native porridge, and cereal.
At 8a we had individual devotions. From 8:45 to 11, we had Bible classes
and group devotions. At 11a we had 'free' time during which I would take
a bucket bath (if there was time), washed my dirty clothes, got dressed
for the presentation (long black skirt and a green or maroon collared
shirt), gas and oil the dirt bike, fill my canteen with water, and pack
anything I would need for the day. After lunch, we left for the school.
The ride to each school varied from twenty minutes to an hour. Upon
arriving, we were surrounded by school children. Before the presentation
for the children we sang songs and played games with them. At the school
where I spoke there were over 800 children. After the presentation we
went on "Angel Patrol" where we rode around to huts and invited people
to the evening presentation. Upon arriving back at the school, we broke
into small groups and prayed, asking God to prepare the hearts of the
people who would come that evening. At 5:30p we began the evening
presentation. When we started there would only be five to ten people
there, but the crowd would quickly grow to hundreds. The presentation
included singing, dramas, puppets, a sermon, part of the Jesus film and
an altar call. Then we packed up and rode back to base camp. We
typically returned between 8:30 and 9p, when we finally ate dinner.
After that, we quickly went to sleep. Our days were very full and there
was little time to relax.
We felt Satan's attack as the summer progressed. We had unforeseen
distractions during presentations such as stray animals or drunken men,
rainy weather, and rocks thrown at our van window causing minor damage.
God graciously protected us!
This summer was a very humbling experience for me as I realized the
weakness of my faith. So many people on my team were much further along
spiritually and I was challenged to learn more and have higher standards
in all areas of my life. I also saw another perspective of team work.
During high school, I always seemed to be the one in leadership, but
this summer I became a follower. I learned a lot, grew so much closer to
God, and now have a new passion for the Word. Our worship times were
very moving and no matter where we were or what was going on, our focus
was on Him. I learned a lot about submission, as well. There were so
many rules to follow, and it was easy to try to find a way round the
little ones. But I learned if I can't obey God in little areas, how can
I obey Him in the bigger ones? And we saw how one breakage of the rules
would negatively affect the whole team. This allowed us to see how we
all make up the body of Christ and we have to all work together. I was
pushed beyond my comfort zone through this new experience and constantly
went to God for His support and strength.
I have returned a different person with a new perspective on the
daily routines. Although I was sad to leave Zimbabwe, I knew I was not
leaving the mission field, only changing locations. I am excited to
follow God's continued direction as I enter Grove City College in
Pennsylvania this fall
Growing Mature, Ministering Disciples
The Nurture of Children and Youth
by Nancy Nasrallah
The articles in this issue exemplify the pursuit of our
core values 7 and 9, the development of
disciples of all ages. Core Value #7 seeks the growth of mature, ministering
disciples while the nurture of children and youth is the goal of Core Value #9.
Jesus set this precedence of teaching not only adults but also
children when He said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not
hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Then He
held and blessed the children.
(Mark 10:14,16)
Christian education is taken seriously at Central for all ages.
Teaching the little children is primarily under the direction of Rhonda
Herman, Director of Children's Ministries, and Helena Santos, Assistant
for Preschool Ministries. Their ministry encompasses Sunday morning
classes and worship, vacation Bible school, confirmation classes, our
new pre-school, and various special programs throughout the year. Chris
Ritchie is our Youth Director in charge of the middle and senior high
youth groups. Evidence of the efforts of Rhonda, Chris, their armies of
volunteers, and their predecessors is shown in this month's articles
about the M&M Kids, the missions trips by the youth and Jody Hansell,
and the preschool. There is so much more going on in those areas and so
much growth in the young people! And not only are the children of
Central members blessed, but so are their friends whom they bring to
youth group events or vacation Bible school.
Education does not stop at graduation, but we change the name to
discipleship. Discipleship is a term that means following Jesus, and
encompasses Scripture knowledge, prayer, emulating Jesus, and being able
to minister to others. The Centinel series on members of our
congregation is intended to highlight one of our disciples in each
issue, and to show how each one is different and not necessarily
well-known! Our writer continues to express her amazement at Pat
Alexander's energy, compassion, and humility. There are articles in
every Centinel about Central's disciples and their activities.
Last month, for example, we read about a
missions trip to Romania, Corin Chubski's outreach
and discipleship, and the retreat to Summit Lake.
Every week disciples teach in Sunday School, lead Bible studies, and
assist with the youth groups. Other disciples type, clean, cook,
telephone, you name it!
Every arm of the church is involved in discipleship, although Adult
Education and Small Group Ministries provide most of the structure.
Bringing Greg Meadows on as Interim Director of Small Groups and Young
Adult Ministries (see related article) is an effort to strengthen our
discipling, and to provide more spiritual leadership for those of
college age and beyond. There are Sunday School classes of various kinds
and topics; a variety of groups for study, fellowship, or prayer; access
to interdenominational Bible studies; multiple mission and ministry
opportunities within and without Central. BUT, you can attend these and
not grow in knowledge of Christ. Warming the bench may encourage the
players, but it won't strengthen the arms and legs, which will be needed
for the race that undoubtedly lies ahead. It is the heart yearning for
the living presence of Christ that will grow in maturity.
Pray for the desire to grow, if you don't have it, and for His best
means of growth for you. Physical therapists prescribe different
exercises for different weaknesses. God is no different, and prescribes
different means of growth as He sees best. At Central there is a wealth
of opportunity to grow, to stretch the spiritual muscles, and to run a
spiritual race. Read the bulletin, talk to a pastor or staff member,
listen to God, and Go! Seek the Lord!
- A Personal Relationship with Jesus as Savior, Lord, and God
- Commitment to the Truth of God's Revealed Word
- Worship as the Center of Church Life
- The Great Commission - Near and Far in Word and Deed
- A Biblical World View that Speaks to Our Culture
- Kingdom Vision - We are One Part of the Whole Body of Christ
- Growing Mature, Ministering Disciples
- A Diverse, Loving Community
- The Nurture of Children and Youth
- Servanthood & Stewardship Inside and Outside of Central
- Prayer
|
by Dottie Jones, Worship Chair
A joyful and educational event which helps us to understand our
Jewish roots is celebrated every fall, beginning on the fifteenth day of
Tishri, the seventh month in the Hebrew calendar. Sukkot, the Biblical
Feast of Tabernacles, is a harvest festival symbolizing Thanksgiving.
The festival commemorates the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in
the wilderness living in booths called sukkahs, and is a reminder of
God's care for them. It is also a time to ponder the final harvest of
the nations in the Messianic age when all nations are brought into God's
kingdom.
For the New Covenant believer, Sukkot is a promise of living water. A
water libation was part of the priestly ritual during the celebration.
On the last day of the feast, the golden vessel of water was poured out,
symbolizing their dependence upon God to send down his blessing from
heaven, the rain, onto the dry land. It was on that greatest day of the
feast that Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If a man is thirsty,
let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture
has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
(John 7:37-38)
Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit to quench our spiritual
thirsting and produce a harvest of fruit in us (see
John 15:5).
Herb Lowe, an elder at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Columbia,
is the impetus behind the celebration which his church has held for the
last eleven years. They build their sukkahs out of cornstalks and tree
branches and decorate them with natural fruits and vegetables. They will
be coming to Central to lead our celebration of the Feast of
Tabernacles. Building bridges between Christians and Jews is one of our
purposes - to come together in great celebration of Who God is. We
encourage you to invite Jewish friends as well as those from different
churches and denominations to join us in this joyful event which will be
held at 6p on Sunday, October 3.
To further prepare yourself, read the following Scriptures:
Leviticus 23:33-44,
Zechariah 14:1-21,
Psalm 118,
John 7:37-38;
15:5.
by The Music Search Committee
While there may be a chance that we will have a new
Director of Music Ministries
in place by the end of September, it now seems likely that it
will be closer to December before we fill the position. The search
committee, however, has been active and productive.
As most of you are aware, last May we decided to ask Tom Brantigan,
our Interim Organist, to serve as the permanent director of the Chancel
Choir. Tom has a doctorate in music from Northwestern University. Before
entering his current career in the software industry, Tom spent more
than a dozen years as the Minister of Music directing a full choir
program. While there, he also conducted several other state and local
choral groups. As our choir grew to know and love Tom and as Tom got to
know the choir, it became abundantly clear that we had found a perfect
match.
In addition to providing the very best for the Chancel Choir, hiring
Tom has allowed us the freedom to seek an individual for the full time
Director position with more strength in contemporary worship and in
youth and children's music. This shift, however, has slowed down the
search process. We are still talking with some promising candidates and
by mid-September new ads will appear in national periodicals which more
accurately identify the cluster of skills desired for this position.
Until we find the permanent Director, the music needs of the
congregation will be well met. As Tom shifts over to the Chancel Choir,
Jay Biddison and Ruth Williams will fill in on the organ through
December. We have started a choir for the youth (grades 6-12) and hired
an interim director, Terry Eberhart. The Children's Choir will continue
for those in grades 1-5 under the direction of Terry and Andrea
Kefauver. Both Andrea and Terry are Peabody-trained musicians and share
a love of children. Meanwhile, the dedicated members of the 8:30 Worship
Team will continue to bless us with their sacrificial service.
As we push on, please continue to embrace the search process with
your prayers.
Greg Meadows, our Youth Intern during this and last summer, has
accepted the position of Interim Director of Small Groups and Young
Adult Ministries. The job is to assist in strengthening the small group
ministry at Central and to provide direction for ministries to college
age and young adults. This one-year position will enable Session to
define Central's needs and where God is leading in these areas of
growth, in order to better plan for a permanent solution.
Greg received his Master's Degree in Theological Studies in May 1999
from Heritage Theological Seminary in Cambridge, Ontario. In addition to
his youth work here, he has had experience leading a college/career
ministry in his home church. When asked, he said his first goal in
taking this position was to glorify God. We are excited to have Greg
onboard, and look forward to seeing how God will use him to build up His
body. Welcome, Greg!
by Tom Brantigan
The Chancel Choir is gearing up for the Fall season under the new
direction of Tom Brantigan (see The Search Goes On...).
We are issuing a special invitation to the congregation and friends of the congregation
to join us for an exciting year of music, worship, and fun. Rehearsals
take place Thursdays (7:30 - 9:30p in the Choir Room) and the choir
sings every Sunday for the 11:00a worship service. No auditions are
required, just a desire to sing.
This year, we will be starting to work on Christmas music very early
in preparation for a "Festival of Christmas Brass" at 4:00p on December
19th. It will include a large brass and percussion ensemble, the Chancel
Choir, and Children's Choirs. Featured in the concert will be the John
Rutter "Gloria" - a fantastic celebration in music of Christ's birth.
Big things are planned for the year. Don't just listen. Come to
rehearsal and sing with us!
|
