Overwhelming Love for Our Community, by Jon Donohue

Jesus has a heart for the poor among us. In fact, He equates our care for the poor as our care for Him. In Matthew 25:40 Jesus tells his listeners “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Jesus’ words make it clear that, as a church, our care for people in need is a critical calling. Because of this, it’s a blessing that we can partner with ministries in our community that are meeting such needs.

Love Overwhelming is a non-profit ministry in our community that is engaging in meeting the needs of the most forgotten among us: the homeless. Love Overwhelming was birthed three years ago out of the vision of its current director, Chuck Hendrickson.  At the time, Chuck was working with a local mental health agency that focused on helping homeless people get housing. But through his work, he noticed that there were many people who were “falling through the cracks” of the system. Some were, for one reason or another, unable to walk through the steps required to gain housing, while others were considered too “high risk.” Chuck recognized the needs of those who were still literally out in the cold, and he, along with the help of other ministry partners, developed a mission to help these outsiders. The mission of Love Overwhelming remains the same today: “To extend hope by identifying needs and creatively serving our community.”

One critical way Love Overwhelming advances this mission is through evidence-based best practices like the “housing first” model. Utilizing a network of landlords who serve alongside Love Overwhelming, The strategy of the housing first model is to take individuals who are homeless, and give them housing first. In other words, while other systems require that people first become clean, or get some level of employment, or get better credit, or pay off debts, or get the right kinds of care or state assistance before they receive housing, etc., this strategy provides people with housing first (for one full year) so that they then have their number one concern taken care of in order to then work on the other needs and requirements from a place of security rather than insecurity.

As Chuck told me in a conversation, “We want to create as few barriers as possible for people finding housing, so they can focus on bettering themselves rather than every day trying to find shelter and safety.” He equated it with how people come to Christ. “Jesus doesn’t require us to make ourselves better before He will receive us. So why should we ask others to fix themselves up before we’re willing to help meet their needs?” Chuck also said that the housing first model has also been up and running in Seattle’s King County, and because of it, the average cost to taxpayers to take care of the homeless population in their community dropped four million dollars in one year. It has been a fiscal success as well as a humanitarian success. To this day, Love Overwhelming gets referrals from both our local city governments and local school districts in order to help house the homeless in our community.

Love Overwhelming also operates a ministry called the Urban Rest Stop. The Urban Rest Stop provides a place where those in need of shelter can come find warmth, food, provisions such as clothes and toiletries, and even a warm shower, all in the name of Jesus. There is also a case manager on site who can help walk guests through steps to getting needed SSI, SSD, sign up for insurance, and receive other critical assistance. Through December, the ministry will operate Monday to Wednesday mornings out of the Three Rivers House of Prayer (TriHOP) building located at 1335 11th Avenue in Longview. Beginning in January, the Urban Rest Stop ministry will change locations, though the new location is still undetermined.

In the near future, Love Overwhelming is hoping and praying to open a low barrier shelter that will operate 24-7 and seven days a week. “Low barrier” means that there will be few restrictions with regard to who can come find help getting out of the cold and into a place of safety. While they have the funds to move ahead with the low barrier shelter, the ministry is still seeking a facility that can/will house this shelter. Please pray that just the right location will be provided soon.

There are many ways you can help Love Overwhelming. Prayer is always a critical need. Love Overwhelming is also constantly in need of provisions, as everything they have to offer their guests is provided through donations. This time of year they are especially in need of cold weather gear including warm clothes (hats, gloves, socks, shirts, etc.), coats, sleeping bags, hand warmers, and blankets. Toiletries like small bars of soap and shampoo, as well as nutritious, non-perishable food are also a constant need.

Love Overwhelming is also always looking for people who are willing to volunteer their time. Volunteers are needed to help pack daily living essential bags that are handed out to guests. There are opportunities to serve in the mornings at the Urban Rest Stop as well as overnight (10 PM to 7 AM) at their extreme weather center, which provides overnight shelter for guests when the temperature drops below 31 degrees. There is also a fundraiser committee that is looking for volunteers who can help coordinate fundraising activities for Love Overwhelming.

Between now and Christmas, East Hills is going to be collecting new, warm hats and gloves. Half of these hats and gloves will be given to Love Overwhelming, while the other half will be given to Northgate City Church and their ministry to those in need. Please consider how you can help meet the need for hats and gloves for those struggling to stay warm this winter.

More info can be found at www.loveoverwhelming.org, or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/loveoverwhelming.
All questions and contacts can be directed to Executive Director Chuck Hendrickson:  360.560.3913, or at chendrickson@loveoverwhelming.org.

Making Christmas Meaningful

Three East Hills Alliance families were asked to share their thoughts on how they chose to make Christmas meaningful to them. Thanks to Jim and Sharon Fishel, Jean and Rick Imholte and Pat Enbody for letting us peek into their holiday traditions!


We began early in our marriage, even before children arrived, to try and make Christmas as Christ centered as possible. Several young married couples got together for a party at our house one year just after Thanksgiving to build their own advent wreaths. We would light a candle and read scripture each Sunday that related to the events surrounding Christ’s birth.  On Christmas morning the center candle representing Christ would be lit. This became a tradition that our daughters looked forward to taking part in every Christmas.

Another very special tradition is the reading of a six-page short story “The Other Wise Man” which began a little later when our daughters were in grade school and has now become a part of their own family Christmas activities.  This condensed version of a story by Henry van Dyke was introduced to us through the December ’83 issue of Moody Monthly magazine.  This story follows the events of a fourth magi that sold everything he owned to buy three jewels to give to the king foretold by a new star.  He missed the journey with his three friends because he stopped to aid an injured traveler.  The rest of the story tells how he used his jewels to help others while searching all his life for the King.  At the end of the story the Lord accepts his gift of the jewels as if he had given them to Him.  Even though we have read this story many times it is still so moving that the chosen reader has to pass it on to another reader near the end because of being overcome with emotion.

One year as we hung our stocking on the mantel we decided to put one up for Jesus in the middle.  We then wrote letters telling Jesus what we wanted to give Him for His birthday. Baking together everyone’s favorite cookies, that were usually only eaten and shared at Christmas time, was one of the things our daughters loved to do.  Caroling as a family quartet to our neighbors and sharing plates of those special cookies was always a memorable event.  Making sugared walnuts has taken the cookies place now that we are empty nesters.  Sharing them with our neighbors is a very joyfully received gift.  Last year we got our houses mixed up and delivered them to a family we hadn’t met and made a new friend.

For the last twenty years we’ve faithfully put out a lighted nativity scene under the tree in our front yard with the star hanging in the tree above as a light to others.  

Jim & Sharon Fishel

When I was asked how I find meaning in Christmas each year, I had to really stop and think about it.  Admittedly, our family is a little short on traditions.  I do the usual things like bake and decorate, have Christmas music on, etc.  I guess the way I do things is a little different than some families and it works for us.

The first decorating I do is to set up our large nativity scene.  It just seems right to do that above all, and then I fill in with a tree (most years) and a little globe I have of the nativity. I try to keep decorating simple and focused on the true meaning of Christmas - Christ's birth.  So my tree is only decorated with angels, stars, and reminders of God's gifts to us, our children. No pickles, Coca Cola Santa bears or themed team Christmas trees at our house!  

This year we are  instituting a dollar limit on our gift giving, and hoping to take pressure off our kids and selves to keep it simple and focus on what Christmas is really about.

Another thing we like to do when the "kids" are home is drive around and look at lights.  There is something very special about living in a small town and that sort of magical element of community that you feel at Christmas.  One of our daughters lives in a large metro city, and the hometown feel just isn't there.  With grandchildren now in the middle of our lives, we see everything anew through their eyes.  We are trying to keep the Santa Claus emphasis out of it, and just focus on family, Jesus, and the simple joy of being together.

A strange, but personally meaningful thing for me is a connection I feel to the holy family and Jesus's humble birth when I am out in our barn, cleaning the horse stall.  There is just something about being in a cold, quiet barn that reminds me very physically about what it might have been like for Mary, Joseph and the precious baby Jesus.  I think of all the places He could have been born, and yet God chose this most humble of entries into the world!  It touches me to think that Jesus became low that He might lift us up with Him.

Jean & Rick Imholte

We have always had a very simple Christmas. We don’t buy expensive gifts; it is a time to be with family and close friends. This is the way we celebrated growing up, always reading the Christmas story several times and having a dinner with grandparents, aunts and uncles.

We focus on celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a time to reflect on this and how it changed the world.  I like celebrating with family and close friends and being thankful that I serve Jesus Christ.

Our traditions have changed over the years. From growing up to raising a family and now it is just Evan and me.  He and I always love to set up a Nativity set in his room and several more about the house. Then we always have a dinner Christmas eve with the rest of the family.   - Pat Enbody

Heart to Heart

At East Hills we offer women many ways to connect, serve, learn, and relax.  Some of these opportunities are woven into the fabric of East Hills: Women participate in outreach events, are an integral part of many of our key teams, and serve on various boards and committees.  In addition, there are some unique activities designed just for the women of East Hills.

Each Spring there is a district women’s retreat, and each Fall there is an East Hills women’s retreat.  These times of unplugging from the routines of life create space to make memories together as we get to know each other better.

Alliance Women provides a place for women with a heart for missions to gather to pray and participate in key initiatives for women and families worldwide.

We offer a growing list of recovery group options specifically for women.  These safe places give women a place to gain insight, recover boundaries, and renew hope.

Heart to Heart is a gathering that meets throughout the year in seasons of four to eight weeks for practical Bible study and fellowship.  We want this to be a relaxing and renewing time for women so we provide a meal and childcare, all for free. We are currently engaging in a series called “Found: Valuable gems discovered in an overlooked passage”. Together we have excavated some real treasure that is both universal and personal.

We have talked about how our actions speak louder than words, about ambition, and about thankfulness, all from the perspective of I Thessalonians, a letter from Paul to his dear friends that is a relevant today as it was when he first penned it. Discussions around our tables have been serious, funny, helpful, personal, and challenging.

A few recent comments are:

--There are several things I love about Heart to Heart, I love coming together with other women and hearing and learning more about God through his word and then coming up with ways we can apply that to our lives by discussing and sharing. And being able to share we get to know each better, bringing us closer to each other and also closer to God.

--One of the things that has been so significant to me each time Heart to Heart is offered is the way all the women share at the individual tables.   I am able to see a part of them that is real.  It is not the way they act on Sunday morning-not "I am just fine" language.  Getting to know women on that deeper, more intimate level means so much to me.

--Of course I the love all that goes into preparing the atmosphere with yummy food and pretty table decorations.

--Someone who has never attended does not need to feel that they would be singled out or put on the spot.  I appreciate that you always state that what is discussed at the table needs to stay right there.

--Thank you for Heart to Heart.


Our final meeting of this season will be Thursday, December 5.  We are calling it “Fa la la la la” and it is more of a party than a meeting!  Each table has been claimed by an individual or team and will be decorated in a theme that reflects a popular Christmas song, we will nibble on festive appetizers and desserts, and each woman will make a fun and useful holiday craft. A few surprises are planned as well.  We want this to be a great place to invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker who would enjoy launching the holiday season with us.

Whatever a woman’s season of life, situation, interest, or concern, East Hills values the diversity, talent, and significance of the individuals God has drawn to this safe place. If you would like to chat about any of the opportunities we offer, contact me so that we can get together for a cup of coffee and get to know each other better.

~Pastor Ann

Call to Prayer

Recently East Hills had a Call to Prayer night to kick off 24 hours of prayer for our church, our city and our world. Here are two participants’ experience with the event this year.

My Friend and I, A Call to Prayer
My friend and I recently agreed to meet one afternoon at 2:30 to pray for various needs we are concerned about.

We sat on the living room sofa that Friday and began our conversation together. He would remind me of details about the lives of the people we care about and I would echo His concern back. We spoke about marriages, the husband-wife relationship, about children and the need for parental mentoring, love and discipleship. We shared comments and concerns about our church’s leadership, their need for discernment, balance, encouragement and wisdom; we agreed on the need for acknowledgement of those who serve behind the scenes, those who care for the physical building of the entity called “‘church,” those who mow, clean windows, wash kitchen floors. We prayed for wisdom and direction for the whole body called the CMA, passion and balance for its leadership. We also directed our thoughts towards those international workers who serve in countries that deny or restrict their ability to share my Friend’s love for others who live there. We spoke together of their needs to be supported, encouraged and provided for, so far away from my abundance of material provisions.

We spoke together for about a half-hour. It was a sweet time, He gently reminding me of others’ needs; small things that make a difference in the world I live in for the people He loves. What a privilege to be able to talk with the King, having a two-way conversation that impacts His work on Earth.

Linda Pharr

My prayer night experience:
In the past, I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in prayer times and looked forward to our slot this year. So, I was surprised when this year turned out to be a struggle. A very good time in the end, but a difficult commitment to keep. Our slot was at 11pm (not terribly late), but that day turned out to be a 12-hour field trip day in Seattle!

When we got home I ended up taking an evening nap so that I would be awake for prayer. I did get up by 11, but still very, very, tired. It took the Lord's nudge for me to join Greg and have our prayers together. I am so glad I did! The Lord rejuvenated my spirit as we prayed. I felt bonded to the Lord and to our church. Thank you, Lord, for Your faithful prodding and strength to keep us moving forward!
Karla Bean

Pastor's Corner, Nick Stumbo

"This fall, we had the privilege of hosting Todd and Karen Dinius for our Global Impact week. Although it was our first time to have them here in person, our friendship with the Dinius family extends much further back. Over the last four plus year, EHA has developed a significant international partnership with the Alliance team in Bosnia. We have made a commitment to walk alongside this team as they do ministry in a very dark, challenging part of the world.

Our partnership with Bosnia has five components:
1)Personal Connection- getting to know the team at a deeper level.
2)Partner Care- meeting personal needs of team members.
3) Financial Resourcing.
4)Strategic Prayer.
5)Short-Term Trips.

I encourage you to continue finding ways to participate with us in supporting the Alliance team in Bosnia. The team is comprised of the Dinius's, Mark and Kathy Eikost, Mark and Vivianne Shady, Laura Eckman and
Petula Myers.

Here is a recent update from our friends Mark and Kathy Eikost:
Lights! Camera . . . Action!
October is movie month at our community center (Izvor/The Source).
We sponsor a film seminar for local high school students and then work with them to produce short films. In November we will have our own
gala event where the best teams in various categories will get an award. Click on the link below to see our
promotional video about this event and please pray for us as we serve the community in this challenging
and creative way.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9nLr7WOmto

What price did you pay?
On Wednesdays I meet with Lj who
is very interested in spiritual things. She always has a lot of questions
like “How does holy water work? Why do some Christians cross themselves before entering church and others don’t? Where do demons come from? How do guardian angels work? Why did people come to John to be baptized? Why did Jesus want to be baptized?” You get the idea.

This week we read about the fisherman who left everything to follow Jesus. We talked about a person’s spiritual journey moving from a place far from God to becoming a child of God and serving Him. As I was relating the story Jesus told of the man who considers the cost before building a home she asked me quite simply, “What price did you pay?” No one’s ever asked me that before.

Growing up in America the initial cost to follow Christ is usually minimal unless your family comes from a completely different background. As we move into adulthood we have many opportunities to “pay” by choosing godliness over whatever is popular at the moment. Some may sacrifice popularity, a particular boyfriend or career to walk more closely with God.
Here in Bosnia almost everyone who chooses Christ pays an initial price that may include friends, family, a home or job. As Lj considers the cost of following Jesus, please pray with me that she grasps the immeasurable value of the grace, forgiveness and eternal life she will receive in exchange.

As you consider your own spiritual journey, let me ask you, “What price did you pay?” Where are you at in your walk with Him? Is it time for another costly life decision? May God show you the great wealth of his riches that you will receive in return for your obedience and sacrifice. He is worth it all!

Sincerely,
Kathy, for the Eikosts

If you would like to receive regular updates from the team in Bosnia, contact Debbie Sande at sande@kalama.com to be included in these emails. Each update provides many ways in which you can continue to pray for and support the work in Bosnia.

We stand with them to bring the light of Christ to a dark place! Let us not grow weary in
doing good, for God is in this! Peace-

Pastor Nick

Live From Kelso, it's Monday Night!

By Danny & Jo-El Perez

Mondays are culturally looked upon as the dreadful ending of the weekend, and for many of us mark our return to work, school, and your garden variety of responsibilities. A somber midday attitude is referred to by some as, ‘having a case of the Mondays.’ Therein lies the great challenge for East Hills Alliance attendees to take back Monday night and effectively transform the mundane into the marvelous, of course not without the help of some wonderful curriculums and God’s vision and blessing on one of the many Connection Groups happening at EHA.

We have participated in a number of Monday Night Live seasons, starting long before we got married. One of our favorite things about MNL is that it encompasses a wide spectrum of people; single and married, young and less young, families, individuals, and most importantly, friends. The premise is quite simple really: As Jesus said, “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them,” and MNL is designed with accessibility in mind, so to create an environment where believers of all walks of life can gather, and in the building of those relationships is Christ at work in our lives (Matthew 18:20, NLT).

The current season highlights Peter Scazzero’s Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, a book written out of his experience with living in emotional dysfunction, and how God’s design for our lives is to be one of freedom in all areas, including our emotional lives. As our fellow table members share stories of previous hurts, growth, and God’s redeeming grace in their lives, we are blessed to experience transparent and true friendships and share our own stories. Part of the value of the group comes from the curriculum itself, but the biggest reward comes from unpacking it with other fellow believers.

We look forward to future groups, always prayerfully considering our involvement; we don’t always take part in MNL, since we are involved in other projects around EHA, but when God places the urge in our heart to, we gladly follow. If you are looking for a way to get to know some fellow EHA friends on a deeper level, or if you want to learn more about Connection Groups, prayerfully consider Monday Night Live. We encourage you to make the time and effort to see what happens when believers gather to experience fellowship in the name of Christ; it truly is the best way to make “a case of the Mondays” a good thing to have.

Connection Groups

Noel and Georgia McRae:                           
The Roadrunner Connection Group

Ours is the longest running and largest group of all our small groups. We began about the size of a usual small group, but people who fit in and/or had needs that we could address or assist with would come along. And now we are around 20.

We became the "roadrunner" group back when Nick asked all the groups to name themselves, and the name stuck. We called ourselves "Roadrunners" because at the time we were spread from Kalama, west Longview, north of Kelso, to way out in Rose Valley. As we grew bigger and (some of us) older, it became more of a burden to get houses ready for the group. So, for a while we met in the Fellowship Hall of the church. Then when it became difficult for one of the families to even make that, we moved to Monticello Park and have permission to meet in their nice kitchen area.

A high percentage of our group has special needs — health, kids having special problems, alienation of some family members, etc. We have become aware of most of the problems and have become a safe and known resource for support and understanding.
We recently polled the group about various options - multiplying, changing leaders, etc. All options met with strong disapproval. As a group are meeting needs and functioning well, even though we are larger than other groups and larger than normally recommended for a functioning small group. Because we are already large, we are not seeking new members at this time.
We are a support group that is using its own model and format. We followed the sermon series last year. We have done a book study and a series on apologetics. This year we will do some New Testament book discussion studies, starting with Colossians.

A Call to Prayer, by Jim Venable

“Prayer is the primary work of God’s people.
“We believe that nothing of lasting value can be done unless it is bathed in prayer. So passionate was his belief that prayer undergirds all ministry, Alliance founder A. B. Simpson was compelled to create a prayer league to focus on the world’s evangelization. He believed that the Prayer Alliance would “prove to be the mightiest force in the spread of missions;” that force still drives The Alliance today.” 

The words above are taken directly from the CMA core values. What an amazing legacy to have inherited. Our spiritual inheritance regarding prayer is built on the foundation made up of not only the practice of the man, but on the Spirit-birthed reality that God is mysteriously energized and released to act by the fervent prayers of a sanctified people.

On the other hand, these words present me personally with the daunting challenge to bathe in prayer everything that is worthy of “lasting value.” I know these words should be found in my list of personal core values. But before I affirm that notion, I must carefully consider what that would mean. If I am truly a Follower of the Way and am moving, as the words of the old Petra song declare, to a place “Beyond Belief,” does an examination of my life support that prayer is one of my personal core practices? If you looked at my life would there be sufficient evidence to convict me of prayerfulness?

Perhaps you have felt yourself wrestling with this same dilemma- you value prayer, and you desire to pray, but in practice, you don't pray all that much! What should we do? I know I am at a loss as how to reconcile the desire of wanting to see God reform His Church and vitalize His people with the delight of knowing that is the very thing He is doing. I know it can be done because there are those who breathe Spirit-Filled, God-Agreeing, Jesus-Pleasing, Scripture- Based prayers.

Many of us may have the desire to pray, but never experience the delight of prayer. It may be that we haven’t engaged in the discipline of prayer that empowers us to bridge the gap from desire to delight. Repetitive practice is the only way I know to discipline myself in any arena. I don’t believe prayer is any different. While there is not a “perfect” way to pray, I believe the following adage still applies:
“Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.”  (Vince Lombardi)

Prayer is perfected as we obey the commands of scripture to:
● “Pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17),            
● “In everything give thanks (prayer)” (I Thess. 5:18),        
● “Everything with breath, praise (prayer) the Lord” (Ps. 150:6),
● Petition, intercede, supplicate in prayer (Phil. 4:6, I Tim. 2:1)

A “Call to Prayer,” held in Colorado Springs on August 30/31, not only modeled what a time to practice prayer could look like, but issued an unstated, but spiritually implied challenge to engage congregations in ongoing, family times of corporate prayer. As a result the first of several places and times to “practice” focused prayer is being offered during a 24-hour prayer event scheduled for November 15/16.

The local event will be kicked off with a Prayer Gathering to be held in the EHA Main Hall at 6:30pm on Friday evening and will culminate with the Saturday Evening Service, November 16.

Why Habitat for Humanity By Jason Hoover

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian outreach that takes to heart Jesus’s command to clothe and shelter those in need. I became involved with HFH back in the mid 80’s when the church I was attending at the time tried to help start HFH in the Longview-Kelso area. I was a relatively new home owner and wanted to know more about house construction and repair methods for my house. I felt that HFH was a good opportunity for me to learn about home repair without paying the up front money to work on my own house. It provided a way for me to learn from people I thought would know more about construction than I did. What I learned was way beyond my initial goals.

I became involved with HFH because I was impressed with the way a local chapter was to be organized and its dedication to meeting a critical need: adequate affordable housing. HFH also is committed to sharing the gospel with the families and individuals receiving a home.  Homes are not given away as I had previously thought. Instead a new homeowner must commit to at least 500 hours of volunteer work for HFH, either on a house project or for the organization. The home is a purchased home, but with no interest charged on the loan. All money received in payments is recycled into new projects. There are relatively few paid positions in the organization, thus overhead costs are low and more money is available to lend at no interest.

I found that there are many ways to serve in HFH. Some of the ways are listed below:

● Work on the actual construction of a house.
● Making meals for the workers.
● Work in the HFH office.
● Volunteer to help support the family.
● Provide the training the new homeowner might need such as budgeting, home care, chores, time management, cooking, cleaning, etc.
● Helping the homeowner to take care of the physical needs of the house and family.
● Praying for and with the new homeowners and
           owners-to-be.
● Sharing the gospel to those who ask, “Why are you working on this house for free?”
● Serving on the various committees needed to build a home.

There are many other ways to serve the needs of our community through the HFH organization.

I really appreciated the fact that I did not have to know much to be able to be involved. The people that are in charge have always been helpful and try to find a place for any who have a willing heart.

If you  are interested in learning more about Habitat and its ministry here and around the world you can talk with me or I can get you in touch with others in the church that have served in some fashion, or contact the local organization to find out what services are needed.

Meet the Dinius'

The House Interviews Todd and Karen Dinius, Bosnia

Would you share a little about your backgrounds?
Todd grew up on a farm in north central Indiana and graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. and M.S. in Business Management. He later received a M.S. in Intercultural Leadership Studies from Crown College through their on-line degree program. Karen grew up in a small town in southeastern Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Horticulture. We met in a C&MA church in West Lafayette, Indiana in 2001 while Karen was working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Purdue and Todd was active in leadership at the church. We have three children: Bethany (6), Joshua (4 ½) and Kaitlyn (2 ½).

How did you come to know Jesus? What does that journey look like? 
I (Karen) was introduced to the Lord through a friend in middle school. She invited me to her church and retreats and my interest grew through attending these events. I was struggling with some difficult relationships at that time, and I began reading through the Scriptures. I began to see the hope and life that God wanted to offer me through Christ and I was drawn to Him. I received the Lord in seventh grade and He has changed me in significant ways! I went from being hopeless to being filled with true hope and life. He changed the direction my life was going in and continues to draw me closer and closer to Him.

I (Todd) grew up in a Christian home and accepted Jesus as Lord at an early age. Though my family’s church was non-evangelical, I grew steadily in faith. In college I was very active in The Navigators collegiate ministry and grew tremendously in spiritual disciplines, in relationship with Christ, and in heart for ministry. By the time I finished college I felt a call to full-time Christian ministry and advancement of Christ’s kingdom throughout the world.

What drew you to Bosnia? What has been encouraging? What has been difficult?
I (Todd) served one-year on a team in Sophia, Bulgaria with The Navigators as part of the CoMission Project. During that time my heart was burdened for the people of Eastern Europe. So when the C&MA entered Bosnia in 1998 I began to regularly pray and follow the team’s ministry there. God’s call to us to be servants and ministers to the Bosnian people has kept us there. We had a challenging first term, but God was so faithful and good to us amidst the challenges we faced as a family. We have been encouraged by the relationships that God has blessed us with and this has given us much motivation and strength to press on and persevere in serving there. We have relationships with several non-believers and feel like the Lord has given us many opportunities to share His love with them through our words and actions. We have faced a lot of difficulties in learning the language, adjusting to a new culture, significant health concerns, and some challenging relationships with people back in the States which we have had to navigate through.

What do you enjoy about Bosnian culture? The people?
The culture has a lot of depth and history which makes it very rich. The culture reflects the influence of various people groups because of its long and diverse history including years under Ottoman (Turkish) rule, Austro-Hungarian rule, and Communist rule. It is a place where East meets West and thus (where) several religious groups including Islam, Orthodoxy, and Catholicism express their faith and culture.

We also appreciate the Bosnians’ generous hospitality and love for children.

How does partnership with various church fellowships enhance your vision for Bosnia? How does it help in ministry?
Our partnership churches have been a tremendous encouragement to our team in Bosnia Herzegovina. Their prayers, financial support, communication, and visits have a very real impact upon our ministry. They enable us to undertake ministry efforts that we otherwise would be unable to do on our own. And their ideas, perspective, and prayers help to enlarge our vision for what God can and will do among these people He dearly loves.

When do you return to Bosnia? (If your children are in school, how does that work in Bosnia?)
We plan to return at the end of June 2014. Bethany will attend a public Bosnian Catholic school for 2nd grade and Joshua will attend a Bosnian private kindergarten. We are having our children attend the public school system as long as it is a good fit for them.

How can we pray for you? For your family? For the ministry? For Bosnia?
▪ Health and healing for Todd (headaches, seizures) and Joshua (allergies, chronic ear infections).
▪ Strength and grace for this time while Todd is away on tour.
▪ Spiritual and emotional renewal for us during this year in the States.
▪ Spiritual conversations and relational growth with our friends and clients at The Source.
▪ Salvation of all of our non-believing friends, particularly Lily* who is actively seeking and
 going to church, and Victoria* who is employed at The Source. (*names changed for privacy)
▪ For God to reveal Himself to the Bosnian people through healing (spiritual, physical, emotional).
▪ A renewed vision for mission and outreach within the Bosnian national church.

Can vs. Will

Do you have any stories in the Bible that bother you? You know the kind I am talking about- stories that seem out of place or that present a picture of God or Jesus that appears to be inconsistent with other sections of Scripture. One story that falls into this category for me is in Matthew 21. We ran across it recently in our journey through the One-Year Chronological Bible.

In this particular story, Jesus and his followers are strolling down the road toward Jerusalem. On the way, Jesus notices a fig tree in full leaf, and since he’s hungry, he goes over in search of a nice fig or two for breakfast. When he discovers that the tree has no fruit, he curses the tree, which seems a little odd, and then even more strange, the entire tree shrivels up in short order. The book of Mark also records this story,
adding a side note that figs were not even in season. So, picture some confusion on the disciples faces, as their teacher appears to become upset over a tree not having a fruit at a time of year when no one expected fruit anyway! (Incidentally, the Mark passage seems to intentionally link the fig tree to the 1st century temple system as a vivid illustration of something that appears to be alive but is really dead, but that’s another story for another newsletter.)

As you might imagine, the disciples are surprised when the tree withers so quickly. Jesus responds to them with some oft-quoted words, “I assure you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do thing like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, “May God lift you up and throw you into the sea!’ and it will happen. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Jesus makes a very bold statement about the connection of our faith in prayer to a response of God’s power. He tells his followers that if they believe God will do it, it will happen.

This is where the story has always bothered me. Jesus seems to invite his followers to pray for things- even irrational things- and expect God to come through. While I was wrestling through my theology on this one, I felt like the Holy Spirit revealed something new for me. The words I heard were, “You believe God can do things. But do you believe He will?” This was a humbling moment, for if you look at the passage, Jesus invites us to believe not only that God can do these things, but more importantly that he will!

So I believe that God can heal people. I believe God can reach my lost neighbors. I believe God can bring transformation into lives and change their future. But do I believe that He will? Do you believe that He will? As we enter an exciting season as a church, and as we gather for times of prayer, what would it mean for us to believe not only that God can, but the He will? This is the faith Jesus calls us to. This is the kind of faith I want to develop.

May we encourage and inspire one another to believe in prayer that God WILL.

Praying for and with you-
Pastor Nick

Advancing the Vision for Church Planting

On September 18th, Pastor Nick, Kendra Shaw, and I boarded a plane bound for Dallas, Texas and the Leadership Network Multi-site Jumpstart. Loaded down with computers, plans, dreams, and ideas, we weren’t totally sure what we were getting ourselves into, but we did know that whatever it was, it was going to stretch us and at the same time fine-tune us with regard to the church planting dreams and direction for East Hills. I’m confident to say that at the end of our two days, we feel that all of the above took place in spades.

At our arrival to the event on Thursday morning, September 19, Pastor Nick, Kendra and I had the opportunity to informally meet the other four churches that were walking through the process with us. Coming from North Carolina, West Virginia, Michigan, and the central coast of California, it was clear that a broad cross-section of churches and ministry fields were represented. This dynamic added to the flow of ideas and insights that were shared throughout the process.

Following introductions, the facilitators of the Jumpstart (themselves leaders in the multi-site church planting movement) walked us prayerfully through two straight days of in-depth processing. We began by sharing our own specific vision for planting with the Jumpstart      leaders and other churches using only picture drawings on a whiteboard as visuals, which was a stretch in and of itself! We also had an opportunity to break up into mixed teams with members from all the different churches and develop a six-month plan for launching a multisite church campus. This activity stretched our minds to consider  every aspect of planning that goes into such a launch, and the cross-pollination of leadership helped us all see the holes in our own planning up to that point.

Some of the processing we did was in the form of lecture /discussion with key national leaders in the multi-site church planting realm. Through either live interaction or through video conference, we discussed (in both large and small group formats) everything from the latest data regarding multi-site church planting to the “what not to do’s” with regard to site selection and leadership team development. The discussions, as well as the ideas, links, and resources that came out of these interactions were critical to the fine-tuning of the vision that God has given us.

Throughout the two days, Pastor Nick, Kendra, and I also had opportunities to interact as a team. We dreamed  together. We bounced ideas off one another. We held different ideas that other leaders gave us up to the light of scrutiny with regard to our unique ministry field in the northwest. Some of these ideas we came to embrace, while others we recognized as not ideal fits for launching a church in Longview, Washington. And at the end of our time together, we drafted EHA’s first six-month strategic plan for launching a new site plant in Longview in the fall of 2014! While still in its most basic form, this plan will serve as a critical framework from which we will hang the various details of the planning process over the next six months. It will also serve as a launch pad for our next six-month strategic plan that will take us into the launch of a new campus next fall.

“What does this vision and strategy look like?” you might ask. Great question! On Wednesday evening, October 30 at 6:30pm, Pastor Nick and I will be sharing about many of the details regarding vision, planning, and direction for the future plant. Come to EHA that evening to hear all about it, as well as to ask questions. We know that a second congregation cannot happen without the active investment and involvement of the entire church, so your involvement is critical. I cannot encourage you enough to be there on October 30 to get the full report on where we’ve been and where we believe God is taking us. In the meantime, please be praying for us, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to connect with    either me (jon@easthillsalliance.org) or Pastor Nick (nick@easthillsalliance.org). We would be happy to talk with you about what God is doing! I’m excited to be on this mission with all of you!

Pastor Jon

Connection Groups

East Hills Alliance has six on-going Connection Groups that encourage fellow believers to meet together for fellowship, prayer, study and discussion. This month, three Connection Group leaders share details about their groups.

 Jesse Jorgensen Young Adult Connection Group 
When Julia and I came to East Hills last spring, one of the things we were excited about being a part of was the Young Adult Group. Ever since the group got its new start in late July we have been looking forward to the meetings and have enjoyed the deepening of friendships being formed through the group.

When the group gathered to talk about our vision for the future, one of the words that came up was “transitional”. That word  really is a great way to describe this group. The years following high school are often one of many transitions. Just think about the changes that can accompany these years. Sometimes, it involves moving away from home, attending college, choosing a degree, changing that degree, transferring to a new college, new jobs, friends move away, relationships change, new relationships are started. Change, adjustments, transition, these things are definitely present in the young adult season of life.

Because of this we have defined our group as, “a gathering for anyone in the transitional time after High School through college and into the start of careers.” We meet on a weekly basis to eat good food, play games, and talk about God and life. The meetings take place at 7pm on Tuesday evenings. The location of the meeting changes as we move around to different homes as different ones in the group offer to host. We even took advantage of the wonderful weather this last summer and met at the lake once. We had a picnic, threw a frisbee around and sat in the grass as we talked about a portion of Scripture and prayed for each other.

Studying Scripture has been important to us. We decided that we would pick a book of the Bible and tear it apart together. Often, we’ll read a chapter a week, one paragraph at a time, and talk about the ideas that stand out to us, discussing the implications of it in our lives. Currently, we are reading through 1 Corinthians. I’m always really impressed at the things that can be learned when a group of people read and talk about the Bible together. Every week it seems, someone says something that I never would have thought on my own. Because of this, I leave the group understanding more about God and my relationship with Him.

The group is always open to new people. If you find yourself in the transitional season of life that we face as young adults, we'd love to have you be part of our group. The best way to get involved is to get in contact with me. I’d love to answer any questions you have about the group, and I can put you on the young adult email list in order to make sure you get the pertinent information about where we meet each week and what we plan to do. You can contact me by email at: jesse@easthillsalliance.org or call the church office at 423.0521.


Steve and Susan Jones
The Jones' Connection group meets Wednesdays at 6:30p for dessert at 129 Merced Drive in Kelso.

Our group consists of a variety of people in different stages of life. We have empty  nesters and families with children, shift workers and people who are retired. Our main focus is on prayer. We also go over one or more questions from the weekend's services. We try to fit in a fun night once a month as well as a community service outreach

Last Wednesday we met at the Greg and Karla Bean's home for a game night. We hope to help prepare meals once a month at the Community House this year. Last year we served at the Caring Pregnancy Center by sorting baby clothes and cleaning baby equipment.

“I so appreciate the close friendships that are developed and the love and growth that takes place,” Susan said. ”I hope you will consider spending your Wednesday nights with us.”

For more information, contact  Steve at 431.1253.


The Simmons’ Connection Group
Meets the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from about 12:45p until about 3p Bob and Chris Simmons are both the leaders and the hosts for this group which meets at their home at 700 Canaan Court in Kelso (near Huntington Middle School).

We meet together and enjoy lunch and conversation about what has been going on in our lives over the past couple weeks.  After lunch, we talk about the sermon for that week with an emphasis on how we can apply the principles presented to our lives in the coming days and weeks.  We finish by dividing into men’s and women’s groups to share prayer requests and pray for the needs of each other and the church.

Please contact Bob or Chris if you’re interested in joining their group.
bdsimmons@gmail.com
636.5079 – home
747.3773 – Bob’s cell


Leon and Rene Rennells 
Members: Chris Hageman, Kim & Tim Hansen, Marge Kalal, Doug & Betty Rae Radke, Leon & Rene' Rennells, and Jerry & Bobbi Wilson

Meet Wednesdays weekly, 6:00 to 7:30p, at Rennells' home, 2370 38th Ave., Longview.
Elements of meetings: ice breakers, sermon discussions & prayer in various orders and formats with light refreshments.

Connection Group description: admittedly a few gray hairs in group but each has a passion for children, we encourage each other through highs and lows of life, desire to serve others as directed by Holy Spirit, laugh at ourselves a lot & support each other in prayer during the week.

For more information on the Rennell’s
Connection Group, contact Leon at 442.0545.

In House and Around the Block

Last month The House highlighted Child Evangelism Fellowship as a ministry to believers outside EHA’s church walls…This month we interviewed members who are serving in the church as greeters during the Saturday and Sunday services.  They are Terry and Gayle Reid, Betty Rae Radke, Val Squires and Patti LaRose.

The House:  What made you decide to participate in the greeting ministry at church?

Val Squires: I felt led to "put myself out there" and interact with the people I worship with each week at Saturday night service. Being a member of the Welcome Team is a non-threatening way to meet and serve others.
         
Terry and Gayle Reid: There are many areas of opportunities to serve within the church, and what came to both our minds was serving on the Welcome Team.  In the past we have had the opportunity to visit a few different churches and noticed what a difference it makes in our overall church experience when someone was right there to greet us when we walked in the door, and was available to answer any questions we may have.    
                 
Betty Rae Radke:  We were relatively new to the church, relocating here from eastern Oregon over last the 2 years, so I decided to par ticipate in the greeting ministry to help provide some of the same inviting first impression of this church that I received.

Patti LaRose: I have been attending EHAC for about five yrs. but didn't feel like I was a part of the church. I worked a rotating shift before, so when I found myself on extensive light duty straight day shift, I decided it would be a great opportunity to become more a part of East Hills.


The House: What do you enjoy about being a greeter?

Val Squires: I enjoy welcoming people into our home for corporate worship. I share my smile with them and they  almost always share their smile with me. It's lovely.        

Terry and Gayle Reid: The East Hills family has an incredible way of  making people feel warm and welcome, and add to that a smile,  a kind "hello" and "we are glad you are here" type of welcome may just make someone’s day a little bit better.

Betty Rae Radke: I enjoy being involved in providing the first smile or eye contact to familiar and unfamiliar faces that come in the door and in praying that each one will find in the hour ahead some connection to a personal current need in their life.    I also enjoy having a bit of personal pre-service worship as the music worship team accompanies the coffee brewing!

Patty LaRose: I have gotten to know members of the church and am recognized. I have more of a sense of belonging.


The House: Was there anything difficult for you at first?

Val Squires: For me, the most difficult part of the process was taking the step to contact Nick and say "Yes, I would like to be a member of the Welcome Team."  I was very nervous the first weekend I served but I got through it. Everyone is so kind and gracious.                                      

Terry and Gayle Reid: Being a greeter does come with a couple of challenges, such as: Having to make a
conscious effort to limit visiting time with some of the regular attendees.  We are all one big family, right? How do you ignore family?  Also, trying to figure out who is new vs. who is just attending a different service. I'm not sure why, but it's extremely scary to ask someone if they are new, knowing they could respond with "No, I've been coming here for 5 years."          

Betty Rae Radke: Thinking at first that I “should” ask and remember names of everyone.  Repetition does help, so thanks to the regular attenders!

The House: What is encouraging about this ministry for you?

Val Squires: To date, I have served on Welcome Team 3 times. I recognize many of the Saturday evening regular attendees and as time passes, I hope to learn the names of the people I greet.

 Becoming a member of the Welcome Team started with the challenge of taking a step of faith and saying "Yes." when called to take action. God does not disappoint. He is using me to welcome His beloved children and seekers to worship Him. I feel privileged to do that.

Betty Rae Radke: I guess it is encouraging that I CAN’T keep up with the new faces!

Patty LaRose: I especially like getting to know everyone at church. I am even able to be helpful if someone isn't sure about something. I have more ownership at East Hills. I like to think that if someone is new to East Hills that I am extending a welcoming hand to them when I smile and give them a bulletin.

Meet Todd & Karen Dinius

An update from the Dinius family on their work in Bosnia. 
August 2013
Greetings from Indiana!  

We have been back in the US for home assignment for three months now and have been thoroughly enjoying time with our family and friends!  We spent much of the first 2 months with Karen's family in Pennsylvania, including a family vacation to Bethany Beach, Delaware.  Bethany was so excited to have a beach named after her!  We also attended our church denomination's bi-annual meeting (C&MA General Council) in Tampa, Florida as a whole family in June and Todd attended two training conferences in Colorado Springs, Colorado in July.  It was so good to connect with our fellow International Workers from around the world, particularly those who were sent out 4 years ago with us.  We finally moved on to Indiana at the end of July.  We've spent this past month getting settled into a home, visiting friends, starting school, and preparing for Fall tour.

Answers to Prayer
God has answered many prayers and we want to give Him glory for His goodness and provision!

Housing:  God provided a home for us that is owned by a couple who attend the local Chinese Alliance church.  It is in a quiet neighborhood that is within a 5 minute walk to Bethany’s elementary school.  It also is within walking distance of 7 playgrounds!

Joshua’s Health:  Joshua received ear tubes in early June and his hearing has improved a lot!  As well, he has not been coughing frequently like he did overseas, so we are thankful for this improvement which we are praying continues.

Adjustment:  Our adjustment to being back in the US has gone well overall.  Bethany and Kaitlyn have transitioned smoothly, and Joshua, although missing Bosnia immensely, is getting used to being in America. We all were greatly blessed with fun times this summer connecting with family and friends.

School:  Bethany really enjoys first grade and is like a sponge learning math, reading, and writing.  She is excited to go to school and is already making good friends.  Joshua is looking forward to starting a Pre-K program next week at a nearby church.

The Source:  Our teammates in Bosnia have had a full summer of ministry through camps and English programs as well as personal time to travel and rest.

Prayer Requests
Todd’s Health:  Todd has had multiple tests and appointments with doctors regarding the black-outs/seizures that he has had.  So far no direct cause has been identified, but he is now taking anti-seizure medication to reduce the possibility of it happening again.

Washington Tour:  Todd will be traveling to churches in Washington state for nine weeks beginning at the end of September, not returning to Indiana until right before

Thanksgiving.  Karen and the children will fly out to visit Todd and the church in Kelso, Washington for a long weekend in October.  Please pray for Karen and the children during this long time of separation! Please pray for Todd’s interactions with churches as he shares about God’s work in Bosnia.

Spiritual Refreshment:  We are attending Eagle Church (C&MA) in Zionsville, Indiana and have enjoyed the times of worship there.  Please pray for continued spiritual and emotional renewal for our family as we worship, pray, and fellowship with others.

Bosnian Friend:  Lily, the woman who was going to church with us for the past year, has been traveling a lot over the summer.  Please pray that as she returns to Sarajevo that she and her daughter, Lucy, will get reconnected to church and begin studying the Bible with our co-worker, Kathy.

The Source:  Our team's center is set to start their Fall programs.  Please pray for deepening of relationships with children and families as the center begins classes, seminars, and special activities in September.

Connecting With Us
We would love to connect with you personally while we are back in the US. Our address for the year is: 708 Avondale Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

If you are in Washington state and want to connect with Todd while he is out there, then please send us a message.


Thanks so much for your prayers and support!

Pastor's Corner

I Am Full!
One of my favorite stories about Jesus came up in our recent reading in the Chronological Bible. In John 4, Jesus has a significant conversation with a Samaritan woman. In that first century context, his willingness to speak with her at all was shocking enough, but then Jesus tops that revealing to her that he is indeed the long-awaited Messiah. This passage always reminds me that Jesus is eager to make Himself known to those who hunger and thirst for His salvation.

But the part of the story that really gets me is when the disciples return. As we might expect, they are shocked to find him talking to this woman. They stand there, a bit befuddled about what to say, and so they change the subject to food. Jesus had sent the disciples on an errand to buy bread, and now they have returned. They tell Jesus to eat something. But Jesus responds with this amazing statement, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work.” (John 4:34)

We might expect Jesus to say something like that. It sounds very spiritual, doesn’t it? But look again at what he implies here. Essentially, Jesus tells the disciples that when He serves God and gives His life away, He gets filled up from that process. Doing God’s work energizes, rather than drains him. In our busy, go-go-go world, I wonder if we ever experience this. Work is draining. Kids are exhausting. Volunteering and helping sap our strength. We get to the end of a day most often feeling very depleted and hungry.

Yet here is Jesus saying that to work for God is all the food He needs. What this says to me is that when we live our lives according to God’s plan and God’s call, we are filled up. I get so busy marching to my own agenda, intent on accomplishing my own personal  

to-do list, that I wonder if I have room for God to speak and direct in this way. I am encouraged by this story to reflect on how my “work”, especially the things I do “for God” could come from God’s direction. Let me make four suggestions of how we might all move in this direction:

1. Know who you are. Jesus knew that He had come to seek and save the lost. When he saw a lost woman at the well, He knew that it was God’s will for Him to speak with her. While we will never be Jesus, we have been given an assignment by our Heavenly Father. He has crafted and created us a certain way. We are wired to do certain things well. Lean into these areas of your life.

2. Know who you aren’t. In John 4, Jesus rests at the well because He is tired. He had an awareness of the limits of his humanity. He needed to be refreshed. So often, our work is draining because we get busy trying to live beyond our limits. We try to fulfill someone else’s vision for who we should be or what we should do. You aren’t super-human. You aren’t Jesus. Learn to say “no” to the things that simply go beyond your capabilities.


3. Take time to listen. From the earliest stories of Jesus’ life, we find him escaping to solitary places, not just so he can be alone, but more importantly so that He can pray. The Son of God knew He needed time with God; how much more do you and I need the same thing? We must spend time each day in God’s Word and listening for God’s voice if we hope to know what the Father has and has not called us to do.

4. Walk in obedience. In John 4, Jesus chose to walk through Samaria. Most “proper Jews” would go miles out of their way to avoid the place. I think Jesus’ intentional path through Samaria was in obedience to God’s leading. The events with the woman at the well would never have take place if not for this first step of obeying God. As we make choices to do what God has called us to do in Scripture, we also will put ourselves in places to do the filling, nourishing work that God has for us.

Can you imagine what it would be like to get to the end of a busy, full day and say, “I’m filled up.”? I believe this is the kind of life God invites us into when we listen to His voice and live out of who He has made us to be. May we all experience such fullness from doing His will!

Pastor Nick

Chronological Reading- My favorite verse lately is...

"And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command." Ezekiel 36:26 & 27

What's yours?

The Chronological Bible- September

Hey All! Over the next three weekends, we are going to take a break from preaching through the Chronological Bible as we focus on some "Big Picture" kind of topics during September. But I know that many of you are dedicated to your reading and may be looking for an outlet to process some of what you are reading.

So, I'll open up this conversation and invite you to participate often during the month and interact with one another.

As you read through the kings and prophets of Israel from the time preceding captivity, during that time, and during their return, what are you learning? In other words, what is speaking to you these days?

Two aspects of the time of the prophets have impacted me this time in the reading. 1) I am amazed at how many warnings the people were given. Over and over and over, these prophets warned the people that God would not endure their wickedness or their worship of false gods forever. The prophets even promised that if they would turn from idolatry, God would bring blessing rather than punishment. So I have been impacted by the fact that people either didn't listen, or didn't care to change. Either option is surely an indictment against them. But before I get too high and mighty in looking down on them, I have to pause and wonder if I do this. Do I refuse to listen when God's word corrects me? At times. Do I listen, but decide that change is either too hard or not possible? Yes, I've done that. So as I watch Israel and Judah stubbornly pursue their own interests, I try and remind myself not to do the same!

2) The second aspect that has impacted me is the faithfulness of God. It seems that every day I tire of reading about God's judgment and the coming destruction, the prophets will follow-up this material with some kind of future promise. They extol and worship God for His faithfulness, His goodness, and His unwavering plans to create a people for Himself with new hearts and new spirits. I believe we have received that new heart and new spirit through Christ! And so I am reminded in the midst of my circumstances that I serve a God who has promised good. Even if I can't see how or when, He knows, and that is enough for me.

How about you? Process with us, and be sure to check back and read other's comments!

Peace-
Nick

An Undivided Marriage - Interviews

Undivided. What can an “undivided” relationship look like in a marriage? The House asked several EHA couples/widows to share some of their personal struggles and commitments throughout the years.

Those sharing are : Noel and Georgia McRae, married 56 years with two children; Lorraine Bodin, a widow but married to Buell for 62 years, with  two children; Peggy Breedlove, a widow but married to Jim for 49 years, with two children, and Jim and Denise Cram, married 36 years with two children.

The House: What things were “non-negotiable” in terms of keeping your marriage “undivided?” (Perhaps ways you weathered strong disagreements, while still learning to respect differences and resolve issues…)

Bodin: Divorce never entered our minds.

J. Cram: We work together as a team, both at home and in ministry. We keep each other informed as to our plans and decisions. No purchases over $50.00 without first discussing it with the other  spouse. We take   responsibility for mistakes and don't pass the blame.                    

The House:  What kinds of disagreements were the hardest to resolve?

N. McRae: We have quite different personalities; Georgia is organized, detailed, and Noel is not. Georgia has a planned out 'best" way to go to Safeway, Noel takes a variety of ways. After 56 years, we still don't understand each other.

Bodin:  Communication.  His sister called him stupid, etc, so when an issue arose, he closed off.  It took us awhile to work through this. Our years of marriage were entirely different than these years.                                  His mother had two faces - one for me and one for him. One day he heard the differences and then we had to work through his hatred and still help his mother have a decent living.

Breedlove: Our main problem was Jim’s drinking. The first 16 years were sometimes pretty rough. Then he found Jesus and things became much better. The hard part for me was not to throw things back in his face when I got angry. The past belongs in the past.

D Cram: As most people are aware that opposites attract. I'm methodical and Jim is a "free spirit", go with the flow person. I'm a home body and Jim likes lots of people around. I had to learn how not to be so detail oriented, in simple words, not so picky.  Jim had to learn to respect and value our home.  I needed to learn how to socialize more and Jim needed to learn the value of family time.  Jim's background was moving every 6 months or so after his parents divorced.  I was raised in a home where at the time we met I'd lived there for about 10 years.  I was used to things being constant and he was used to a lot ofvconstant change. Trying to find a happy medium took years of give and take and discussion. One thing that  really helped was learning about how God had made us through classes similar to the DNA classes at East Hills.  The other thing was analyzing the 5 love languages.  This was a huge plus in allowing us to understand each other and how God wanted us to function.

The House: Please share some positive things you feel helped keep both of you committed to the marriage.

N. McRae: We have always surrounded ourselves with friends who are also believers - church, small groups, people we do the most with, etc. We have other friends, but believing friendships have always been the most important.

G. McRae: Even if we haven't worked out our tiff, we still would go to church. Given time and a renewal in our realization that there were more important things, the tiff usually faded pretty quickly. Putting Jesus first will eventually cause all the other "problems" or concerns to move into perspective.

Bodin: We did not live beyond our means. We trusted each other implicitly. We both had talents; we pooled them for the betterment of the household and family. Agreement in our children's rearing - he would not allow the kids to disrespect me.

Breedlove: The kids when they got older were sure they had all the right answers. It was sometimes hard, but Jim and I always presented a united front where they were concerned. If we had a difference of opinion, they never knew it.
     Jim was always generous with money. If he had a dollar, he was always willing to give me 50¢ of it. But that didn’t mean we didn’t have money problems. We just didn’t let it become an issue. We were probably lucky as Jim always had a job and a steady income, however small. Once we all accepted Jesus, faith was a top priority in our home. There were still many disagreements but we had   Jesus to guide and lead us though them. Jim was always very affectionate. It didn’t matter where we were or who was around, he always kissed me goodbye. He was never too macho or embarrassed or shy to show he cared.

J. Cram:  (The fact) that God hates divorce. Love for each other and for God, as well as for our children. Books by Gary Smalley and Gary Chapman regarding understanding our personalities and our love languages. Our understanding of submission in marriage - it is mutual sub-mission, helping each other achieve the purpose, or mission, that God has given to each of us.

D. Cram: Our deep commitment to God.  There was a time many moons ago, that if I thought the way the world thinks today, I would have thrown in the towel and given up on our marriage.  I kept praying and crying out to God in my hurt and pain.  Eventually, as Jim also cried out to God in his hurt and pain, God was able to help us resolve the pain slowly and rebuild our marriage.
     The other high motivation for me was our girls.  I was determined that they would have the wonderful childhood that I had experienced, carefree and fun.  Jim & I didn't allow our struggles to be discussed or mentioned in front of the girls.  We always showed a united front to them.  If you asked them today they would say they had no clue anything was wrong.

The House: What kinds of routine things did you do to keep the marriage relationship alive?

N. McRae: We put our church family and get-togethers primary. We are also blessed by liking - and disliking - most of the same things. We like camping - can't imagine being married to someone who didn't like hiking, wild animals, and camping - and llamas.

G. McRae: Neither of us likes crowds, noise, big cities, etc. We like to find areas of quiet.

Bodin: Square dancing, activities in church groups, traveling together, honor and respect of each other.

Breedlove: We worked to have a strong family relationship. In our years of marriage Jim loved and respected me. He was never a dictator. We both knew who wore the pants in the family, and IT WASN’T ME! God has blessed me greatly since Jim has been gone, but I still miss him a lot. Jim was my lover, my friend and my confidante!  He was the best of husbands and a great father.

J. Cram: Spend time together regularly, whether in the evening at home, coffee at Starbucks, dinner out, or a trip to the beach. Encourage and say positive things to each other.  We had "love cards" I made up that we would put in places for each other to find and read (lunches, Bible, sink, luggage, etc) Show physical and verbal signs of affection (kisses, hugs, and "I love you's")

D. Cram: After we conquered our problems we were much more conscientious about spending time together. Walks, coffee together, trips to Lowes for house stuff without the kids. My love languages are quality time and acts of service. Jim's are words of affirmation and acts of service.  When we begin to focus on these things for each other it set a good pattern of living.

Mexico Missions

The Team: Josh Droke, Logan Taylor, Randi Taylor, Keven Broschat, Claudia Broschat, Christian Broschat, Kendall Broschat, Shannon Gilman, Kyle Gilman, Justin Gilman, Vicki Echerd

What we’re looking forward to:
Kendall: Looking forward to playing with the children and making new friends.

Claudia: I am looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and making a bigger impact in missions.  We are told that mission work can happen in our everyday lives through the people we come in contact with all around us. I like this idea of missions because it requires little on my part.  It's easy.  Working at an elementary school, I have a huge responsibility to positively affect the children around me through my words and actions.  I do that every day without even thinking about it.  It is a natural part of who I am.To think about missions on a global scale is whole other thing. I am not a very outgoing or social person. Sitting in the background and quietly observing is where I can be found most days.  Going on this Mexico Mission trip is a step outside the norm for me.  I feel like I will actually be doing something on the missions field. It is exciting and scary.  I pray the bravery I assume others have who have gone on mission trips in the past finds it way to me.  My nerves tell me this is a huge leap but hopefully when it's over it will be a small step.  A hand-holding small step I have taken with family and friends.

Keven: I'm looking most forward to this being an eye opening experience for all the children.  Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to being able to serve God by spreading the word and doing work in his name, but, we could do that and have done that here.  I anticipate seeing how everyone responds to serving people without the distractions of cell phones, televisions and all the things that go with being in a comfortable and familiar environment.  In Mexico, it will be about serving God without distractions.  I want the children to see how having God in your life can be enough to fill you up, and a lot of the things or items don't matter as much as they think.

Shannon: First of all I am excited about taking this mission trip with my two younger boys and my mom.  I am looking forward to watching my sons grow while they serve. I also see this as a time where we will bond with each other and my mom as well. Our family has a sponsor child at Rancho de sus Niño’s and her name is Dianna; I cannot wait to see how much she has grown not just physically but spiritually. There are a few other girls that I made connections with and I cannot wait to see them again. The children and staff at Rancho have a special place in my heart and I look forward to introducing them to more of my family and hearing how things have been and how God is using them. I also am looking forward to meeting new people as we do on these trips; meeting the new staff and family at Rancho as well as other team members from other churches.  I love going and ministering into the villages.  There is a hunger for God, there is a hunger for healing, and there is a hunger for his love. I just love that we get to be used by God and we get to go along with the teenagers  from Rancho and other adult staff (most who grew up at the orphanage) and we get to witness to the people and love on them.

Justin: Working with the children in Mexico and serving God.

Kyle: This is new for me and I know God has big plans for me. I look forward to using my Spanish I have been learning the last two years.

Our prayer requests:
Shannon: That my boys will be transformed by this trip.   Also, that we will have neither health complications nor injuries and that we will be kept safe. I know from previous trips team members can get tired so pray that we can all keep in good spirits.

Kyle: Pray for protection and that we glorify God on this trip!

Justin: Pray that we will have no injuries, illnesses, and learn what God wants us to learn.

Vicki: That I would see God move in ways that I’ve not seen before; that I will be willing to get out of my comfort zone; that I won’t get in the way of His plan; that I will see what God has prepared for me to see (fully expecting to be blown away by what He will do); that there will be harmony with me and my travel buddies; that I won’t listen to the “mocking voice;” that I can deal with the heat.

Claudia: Pray for safe travel there and back.

Keven: Please pray for my back. It's been bothering me  lately and I'm a little worried about the long drives, sleeping conditions, and some of the work we'll be doing.  I'm hoping that I won't aggravate it more. Please pray for all of our  safety and health.

Josh: I am praying that I will be more focused on what God is doing than on the logistics of the trip, and that what He is up to will be more important to me that anything else.  Please pray that we all choose our words carefully, choose patience over stubbornness, and choose to come together for a movement of God that is way bigger than ourselves.

On Hearing God

How does God speak to us? It seems like we often hear that a key to faith is hearing God’s voice and then doing what He says. This is all well and good when “the voice” of God we hear is through Scripture. In fact, we could spend a lifetime simply trying to do what He says in His Word. But this same Word also holds out another promise to us- that God is a God who continues to speak. He has something to say about our personal situations and the individual experiences we all have from day to day. So, in the rush of life, how exactly does God speak to us? Someone asked me this very question a few weeks ago. I thought for a bit about how I personally attempt to listen to God. Like many others, I try to take some time each day to be quiet before God, in a prayerful place to listen to what God might have to say. As I pondered this approach, however, it occurred to me that very rarely if ever have I heard God in that moment!

Now that seems kind of strange, doesn’t it? I believe in a God who is speaking and who wants to speak to me, yet when I actually go to listen, I must honestly admit that I rarely hear anything. Perhaps you are encouraged by this! Maybe you have grown weary of this kind of listening because it feels like wasted time where very odd and random things pop into your mind. Be at ease,-you are not alone!

But back to the question at hand- how do we hear God speak? I am not trying to create precedence here or say this is the right way, but I want to share my experience because you may find similarities. What I have found is that when I am setting aside time to hear from God, though I rarely hear from Him in that moment, I very often hear from Him in that season. In other words, when I am being consistent in this posture of listening, I will find that at other times in my day, a voice or a thought will suddenly pop up and somehow in my soul I just know it is God’s voice. An answer to a question. A new perspective. A lyric from a song I haven’t thought of in ages. A verse in Scripture I haven’t read in months. But there it is. To me, I feel like God has to catch me off guard in these moments.

The more I think about it, the more this makes sense to me. When I sit and pray, “God, I want to hear your voice,” whether I realize it or not, I have many presuppositions in that moment. I have ideas of what God should or shouldn’t say. I have ideas of what He will say and how He will say it. I put up all these filters that make actually hearing His voice in that moment difficult if not impossible. But in doing this, I believe that I am somehow aligning my heart with His. I am opening up a portion of my soul and making it more ready to receive. And at just the right moment, God speaks. When I am not even aware of Him, He is aware of me and of my need to hear His voice. And so He speaks.

So though I rarely hear God “in the moment”, I will continue to be one who listens. And when He catches me off guard and speaks just what I need to hear, I will be grateful that He spoke in His way, and His time.

We have a speaking God. May we be a listening people!

Where We Are Now

Toward Two Congregations
I sat at Starbucks across from a church planter who has just launched a congregation in Kelso. In his first message to the new church community, he had challenged them to search their hearts for their motive in joining the movement. He voiced the words that have been on our collective hearts and minds, “This area doesn’t simply need more churches. So why are we doing this? Because there’s a lot of people who aren’t reached, and we need more churches determined to reach them.” Amen, brother, amen!

A few years back, we called every church in town and asked for their seating capacity. We took this number and we doubled it. Then we added a few thousand just to be sure. The results? We discovered that if every church in town was filled to capacity twice a weekend, there would still be 25,000 people without a seat! Does this county need more churches for churched people? No, but we could use a whole lot more faith communities that are   effective in reaching the lost and creating bridges for  people to walk back to God.

In May of this year, Jon and Susan Donohue went through a church planters’ assessment and were given an enthusiatic recommendation to be site planters. Since that time, we have continued to progress toward a date of September 2014 to launch this second congregation, and the Donohues will be a critical cog in working alongside this venture.

Our Alliance District is also stepping up and partnering with East Hills. To begin with, they have provided us with a 6-month “planning phase” grant of $6,000 to help offset the cost of salary for Jon. They have also covered our registration for a year-long cohort called The Multi-Site Jump Start Lab. Run by the Leadership Network, this process will have two separate two-day gatherings in Dallas, as well as a mid-year online forum. Jon and I will both take part in this, along with Kendra Shaw, out of the District Office, who will serve as a mentor and a coach in this process.  While Jon will take a significant role in the launch, we need to all clearly understand that this is a team effort. WE are planting a church. WE together are launching a second congregation. And in the end, we will be one church meeting as two congregations. So this will still be us! And WE need all hands on deck! Right now, we want to encourage you to continue praying for the process and the location of the second congregation. In the months to come, you will also hear opportunities to jump on board financially, and ultimately the chance to partner with the second congregation. Be praying for God to move in your heart about your level of involvement.

Kelso/Longview doesn’t need one more cozy place for Christians to sing nicemusic. We need places of restoration and redemption where people who are far from God find that He is the very center of life, and so they return to Him. That is what we are trying to build here at East Hills, and in the next congregation as well. May God’s Kingdom expand through us!

Daily Bible Reading

Several years ago I shamefully realized that I found time to read the paper every day but not my Bible. With fresh determination I canceled my subscription to The Daily News. and purchased a read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year Bible – it also happened to be in chronological order. I jumped in to whatever day it was in the year and read daily. That was the beginning of a habit I have continued ever since. I’ve lost track of how many years I’ve been doing this. Ironically, late in 2012 I thought I would take a break at the end of this year and maybe do some topical studies or some other kind of devotion. Then Nick announced that we would be reading through a yearly chronological Bible as a church body and it wasn’t too hard to figure out that God was telling me not to give up my daily reading.

Every day I get up 15 minutes earlier than I need to in order to have time to do my daily reading. Now before you spit out your coffee and call me names, I realize not everyone is a morning person. This is just what works for me. My husband (bless his night owl heart) does much better just staying at the table after dinner when he has something to accomplish.

Why do I continue to do this day after day? There are several reasons. The most basic is that it’s the right thing to do. How often have I told my kids, “Do the right thing even if it’s not the easy thing?” If I am a Christian, then God should be the most important thing in my life. How can I be a Christ follower if I don’t know what Christ says? Granted there are parts of the Bible that I know better than others and there are parts that are quite honestly tedious to read. However you can’t only have dessert; you must have your vegetables too. The Bible says that all Scripture is important so I read all Scripture. (This is where I channel my stubborn side into something positive.) I truly love starting my day in God’s Word. It keeps me focused. By starting every day with the most important thing in my life, it doesn’t really matter what happens the rest of the day. Each time I read I try to learn something new. I love how we have been focusing on the Old Testament as a foreshadowing of Christ. There are so many things to learn within these pages and since I continue to make mistakes I know I must continue to learn.

I will close with some encouragement from the greatest source of inspiration. Psalm 112:1 “Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.”  Psalm 115:13-16 “he will bless those who fear the Lord – small and great alike. May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Go get your Bible and start reading because Galatians 6:9 tells us “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Jennifer Sharer

Chronological Reflection

Read the entire Bible in a year… Sure, I thought, I’ll try that. Chronologically? Intriguing! I’ve always wondered what order all those old testament books actually go in. I would love to get some context on the prophets. But stick to it? 365 days straight? You’re kidding, right?
You see, I have always known that I should be doing quiet times every day. I should be spending time in God’s word daily. I should have the follow through to make it a priority, even when life is crazy, or the kids are crazy, or my work is crazy, or when… you get the idea. There are a lot of things that can seem “more important” in the here and now. I have to make my lunch. Ashlynn has to go to the bathroom. Sharilee needs to be fed.

I tend to be the kind of person that jumps into things, and does really well at first. I have done Bible reading programs before that were supposed to take a year, and somewhere around Leviticus I have fallen off the wagon. My most recent one year Bible plan took about 18 months. I made it, but only because it was a forgiving plan that had a “Catch Me Up” button that meant it would look like I had always been on pace to finish on February 12. I mean March 16. I mean April 30. Yeah – that was when I was supposed to finish.

This “Chronological Bible” plan is less forgiving. There are readings assigned to each day. If you miss on February 14, what do you do on February 15? When Pastor Nick introduced “Grace Mondays” I balked. Would that make me feel like this was possible? Would I be able to give myself grace on Mondays to skip back to where I was supposed to be? Would I feel like I was cheating?

But then, an interesting thing happened. I stayed on track. The realization that it didn’t matter where I was, on Monday I would be “caught up” made me stress less. And what I noticed each day has kept me more on track that anything else. Simply put: on days I do my Bible reading in the morning, no matter how late I am running, how many things are on my to do list, how many times Sharilee woke up hungry in the middle of the night – things just seemed less stressful. I made the mistake a few mornings early on deciding I was “running too late,” or “I’ll sleep a few extra minutes and catch up at night.” The results were obvious. I was a walking train-wreck of anxiety, frustration, and feeling like I needed to save the world all by myself. You see, God’s plan – get up early and meet with Him – has changed my priorities and focus back to one on God.

So – wherever you are, whatever your plan was, however far behind you are: offer yourself some grace. Jump back in with both feet. Set a time and a place – and see what it does for your priorities and anxiety. You might just find out what I did. Even when reading about Israelites toiling in the desert God has a message of peace to speak into your life each and every day, and it will affect your attitude and disposition in ways that you would never want to go back to the “old way” again.

Wendy Droke

The Chronological Bible- Week 22

This week brings us to the end of the united Kingdom of Israel. Solomon's wisdom gives way to the in-fighting and separation of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.

Solomon's wisdom is on full display in Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs and the end of Proverbs. His most poetic language, in the Chronological reading, leads directly into the outcome of his life- how his heart is led astray by his many foreign marriages. What do you make of this? How did such a wise man end up with such a foolish heart?

Happy Reading! Be blessed-

Nick

The Chronological Bible- Week 20

Well, it appears this posting has become an every-other-week kind of event! Sorry about that. We'll try to stay more on top of it here!

This week is an interesting bridge between the leadership and poetry of David into the life and wisdom of Solomon. The Chronological readings provide an interesting week for us, in that the building of the temple- which is reported in two different books- will consume the bulk of the week. Some of this technical detail (size, height, amount, builders, etc) can become burdensome to our modern mind, but these passages are communicating an important point. This building, this temple to the Most High God, would become the pinnacle place of life and worship for the entire Jewish nation. The completed work would be so impressive that foreign dignitaries, most notably the Queen of Sheba, would take pilgrimages just to behold the wonder.

So I encourage you as you read to keep in mind the New Testament. In light of this week's reading, how shocking would Jesus' statement have been that he would tear down the Temple and rebuild it in three days? (yes, it was a different temple by then, but I would argue that it carried the same weight of importance in the Hebrew heart.) How crazy was it for Peter and Paul to tell the church that they had become the living Temple? What does it mean for us personally if our bodies are now the Temple of the Holy Spirit? When we grasp the deep significance of the first Old Testament Temple, we can appreciate in new ways the "new" Temple we have become through Christ.

Read in joy-
Nick

The Chronological Bible- Week 18

Hey Folks! Thanks for keeping up with the reading through the Old Testament. May the Spirit continue to whisper good things from the Word!

This week, we'll watch the transition of leadership from David to his son Solomon. I'm always encouraged by the ways in which David created a leadership position for Solomon, encouraged him, and then helped protect Solomon's kingdom while he was still alive. The typical pattern of kingship in those days would have been for an old king to hold onto power until he died. David, however, looked ahead and saw that he needed to pass on leadership to his son while he still had a say in the matter. There's a lesson here about leading and leaving a legacy.

There's also a lesson here about wisdom. Early in his leadership, Solomon receives the blessing of wisdom from the Lord. But by the end of his life, he has compromised his leadership, and the entire kingdom, through the worship of foriegn and false gods. This is a sad commentary on the move of the human heart- we can know all there is to know in the world, but the focus of our worship will always determine the outcome of our lives. So, what you know isn't nearly as important as what (or who) you worship!

May your reading lead you into deeper and more authentic worship of the one true God!

Nick