1 Sundays DATE SPEAKER MESSAGE OTHER ELEMENTS We are bombarded …BUT WHO DO YOU with the American KNOW WHO LIVES August 28 Pastor Joshua Finley Radical series begins Communion Dream. Make money. LIKE THAT? Sept 4 Pastor Joshua Finley Radical series, part 2 Get stuff. Be comfort- DO YOU? able. Live well. Have Sept 11 Pastor Joshua Finley Radical series, part 3 Groups Fair fun. It’s easy for Join us this fall for Sept 18 Pastor Joshua Finley Radical series, part 4 American Christians our Radical series, to forget how Jesus August 28–October 30. Sept 25 Rev. Jack Taylor (see bio below) Radical series, part 5 said His followers Based loosely on the would actually live, book Radical: Taking Oct 2 Pastor Joshua Finley Radical series, part 6 what their new life- Back Your Faith style would actually from the American Oct 9 Pastor Joshua Finley Radical series, part 7 Water Baptism look like. They would, Dream by David Oct 16 Kamal Saleem (see bio below) Radical series, part 8 He said, leave behind Platt, our 10-week security, money, Radical series will Oct 23 Pastor Mike Cavanaugh Radical series, part 9 Communion convenience, even look at what Jesus family for Him. They really said about Oct 30 Robert Stearns (see bio below) Radical series ends would abandon every- being His disciple. thing for the gospel. Jack Taylor is president of Dimensions Ministries, has pastored several churches and authored They would take up Are you ready for the Radical challenge? 13 books and has a ministry which has spanned six decades. During the last 40 years he has trav- their crosses daily... eled extensively, ministering the Word of God to the Body of Christ at large. His ministry took a dramatic turn with increased manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit after a visit to Toronto in August 1994, where he experienced a significant healing both physically and spiritually. His heart is in the Kingdom of God, and he believes that true revival in the church awaits a rediscovery of the Kingdom in the church. God has gifted Jack with an apostolic insight into the word of God and the heart to communicate the fullness of God’s Kingdom to all who will hear. Jack is our guest speaker on Sunday, Sept. 25, during our regular morning services and also Saturday, Sept. 24, 9am, 11am & 2pm as part of our Kingdom Conference (pages 16–17).

Kamal Saleem was born to a large Sunni Muslim family in the heart of the Middle East, was recruited by the Muslim Brotherhood at a very early age and completed his first mission to Israel at the age of seven. He left his family and home in the Middle East as a young man to enter his mission field — the United States — bringing with him a tremendous passion to convert as many Christians and Jews as possible for the glory of Allah. Over 25 years ago, Kamal’s world turned upside down when he was seriously injured in an auto- @ Fall sermon series: August 28–October 30 mobile accident. Many of Kamal’s caregivers were Christians who ministered the unconditional love of Jesus Christ to him as he recovered, and their love and sacrificial giving caused him to acknowl- edge his need for the Savior. Kamal has since become a man on a new mission — as an ambassador Take a new step as a radical disciple of Jesus Christ! for the one true and living God, the great I Am, Jehovah God of the Bible. Kamal Saleem and his wife Victoria share a passion for teaching on radical Islam’s true agenda and the power of praying The book Radical and theradicalexperiment.org website suggest 5 specific challenges for for Muslims around the world. He has written his story in the book The Blood of Lambs, and they EGC authentic Christ-followers: started Koome Ministries in 2006. Kamal is our guest speaker on Sunday, October 16, during our regular morning services and also at 2 * To pray for the entire world evening meetings — 6pm Sunday, October 16, and 7pm Monday, October 17 — as part of our focus on * To read through the entire Word missions in the month of October. * To commit our lives to multiplying community * To sacrifice our money for a specific purpose Robert Stearns is the founder and executive director of Eagles’ Wings, a ministry involved in a variety of outreaches and strategic projects around the world. He has ministered in 30 nations * To give our time in another context around the world and maintains a significant focus on the Eastern United States and Israel. Robert is the visionary behind the worldwide prayer initiative, “The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jeru- In what areas is God encouraging you to grow? In what specific ways can you take a new salem,” which is observed every year the first Sunday in October, and he also serves as the North step in following Him? Listen to each Sunday’s message for some practical suggestions — East Director for Christians United for Israel. Robert has been a featured guest columnist in both then encourage your fellow EGCers in your Community Group as you begin to…get radical. “Charisma” and “Ministries Today” magazines; is in demand internationally as a keynote speaker, worship leader and soloist; and has lectured in colleges and universities across America. He is an See page 19 for some resources to help you get even more from this fall’s Radical series. accomplished recording artist and has authored several books. Robert will speak on Sunday, October 30, during our morning services and also at 6 pm. 2 3 Classes, Seminars & Events For more information about any of these classes, seminars or events, please contact the church, 624-5560 or [email protected].

welcome luncheon baptism in the ‘the Journey’ classes Are you new to EGC? Then you are invited to our next Welcome Lunch- Holy Spirit seminar The Journey at Elim Gospel Church is an ongoing process. The steps of this

eon Sunday, October 2, 12:30–1:30pm. Meet some of our Discover what the Bible teaches about the Baptism in the Journey are designed to help you in your spiritual growth. It is our goal that pastors & leaders, as well as others new here at EGC, at a 1-hour casual Holy Spirit, what happens when believers are baptized you would continually experience new levels of Christ’s transforming love in pizza lunch in the youth room. And if an EGCer invited you to church, in the Holy Spirit and possible hindrances to receiving each area of your life. Additionally, our desire is to assist you in finding your they are welcome to come with you. To sign-up or for more info, contact it. You will then have an opportunity to be prayed for by unique fit in the family of believers at EGC. For each step of the Journey we Janette Button, [email protected] or 624-5560. See page 11 church leaders to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. offer a class that serves as a launching pad for growth within that step. Each for what one recent attendee had to say about his experience. More info or to register: [email protected]. class experience will help you learn about the many ongoing growth opportuni- ties available to you. These include small group involvement, growth seminars, Thursday, Sept. 15, 6:30pm. service, outreach and ongoing leadership development. The next series of Journey classes begins in October. To register or get more info about the Jour- ney, contact 624-5560 or [email protected]. You can also visit www. Men’s elimgospel.org for more information. Breakfast The Fall Groups Fair is Sunday, Sept. 11, at The next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast is the end of both the 9:00 & 10:45am services. The Commu- Discover Class — The Discover class is an introduction to life at EGC. You will learn about our church’s mission, values, beliefs, history and lead- Saturday, Sept. 10, 7:30–9am at nity Groups for the Fall quarter will be represented. Check the Lima Family Restaurant on Main out the groups, meet the leaders, and sign up for a group! ers. After this class you will be better equipped to answer the question, “Is this Street. EGCer Phil Egge, member of Many of the groups will be based on the Sunday morning church a good fit for me?” The class is open to everyone interested in attending. Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Radical series. There are groups open to everyone and Saturday, October 15, 9am. Christ ministries, will share how this some just for men, women, young adults or teens. unique group is about more than Missed the Groups Fair? Contact Pastor Eric Scott and he Connect Class — Authentic community plays a vital role in the growth of every Christ-follower. The Connect class will equip you motorcycles. Cost is $6 and is payable can help you get plugged into a group, ericscott@elimgos- with key building blocks necessary for meaningful relationships. In this class you will also learn how to get plugged into a Community at the restaurant. The breakfast is open pel.org or 624-5560. Group and what it means to be a member at Elim Gospel Church. After completion of this class you may apply to become a member of to all men and their sons. To register, EGC. The class is open to everyone who has completed the Discover class. Saturday, October 22, 9am. contact Ernie Thompson at 226-9489 Not sure if a Community Group is for you? Here’s what a few or [email protected]. EGCers have said about the benefits of being in a group: Grow Class — Each of us want to grow, yet many of us don’t know where to begin. In the Grow class, you will learn how to and then develop your own spiritual growth plan. This plan will help you identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth in your disciple- “Groups are a great way to meet new folks, develop friendships, and build each ship. Topics include: the process of growing, making disciples, avoiding growth-killers and practical next steps you can begin taking right other up in the Faith. [In our Whispers series-based discussion group] it didn’t take long for the barriers to drop and everyone to feel comfortable in sharing away towards growth. This class is open to everyone who has completed the Connect class. Saturday, October 29, 9am. square openly and honestly. Sharing personal experiences and holding each other up in prayer are extremely encouraging to me in maintaining my Christian walk. As Influence Class — Every person has some level of influence. In this class, we explore together the topic of servant leadership at dance/bonfire I look back on almost every group I’ve been involved with, I notice that I’ve grown EGC. We walk through the expectations, standards and DNA that each of the Influencers in our church family commit to living out. This EGCers of all ages — and their friends in some unexpected way.” – Steve Szabla class is open to everyone who has completed the Grow class and is an Elim Gospel Church member. Saturday, October 8, 9am. — are invited to a traditional square & line dance with a live caller and “What a blessing it was to me to be a part of a Whispers Series Community Group. Our musicians, and a bonfire.F riday, group encouraged each other, listened to each other and learned from each other. The relationships we formed will be everlasting, which is all part of God’s plan.” October 7, 7:00–9:30pm at Growing in outreach water baptism Beinetti’s barn at Great Bend Farm, – Carrie Szabla Gain a greater understanding of how you can reach out to those Have you been baptized since you believed 160 Plains Rd, Honeoye Falls. Bring a around you — and the inspiration and practical tools to do it! snack to share and a jacket/sweatshirt; “A small group of us Elim ladies gathered together to discuss the Whispers series this in Christ? Water baptisms are scheduled for No prerequisite. Saturday, November 5, 9am. hot chocolate & cider will be provided. spring. We laid aside the regular responsibilities of a Sunday evening and met in the Sunday, October 9 during the 10:45am Donations of chopped regular firewood lovely home of co-leader Helen Taylor. The real blessing was getting to meet many service. A required instructional class for are appreciated for our bonfire (not new Elim members and sharing how we all have come to know the Lord, and how to adults will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, during the 10:45am service. broken pieces of dimensional lumber; discern when He was speaking. Some group members were new to this because they There is also an instructional class for children Sunday, Oct. 2. If please put wood under the red trailers have not walked with the Lord very long. Then we had quite a few ladies who were Growing in Service you’re interested in being baptized, contact Pastor Eric (624-5560 where furniture is stored for interna- seasoned in the faith. It was this mixture of variety that made this group so dynamic. This class will help you find your place of ministry in the or [email protected]) for adults & teens OR Children’s tionals, or contact Marty Douglas at As we fellowshipped together, everyone had a chance to share and ask questions as we church. Discover your God-given SHAPE (Spiritual gifts, Pastor Rob Hagstrom (624-5560 or [email protected]) [email protected]). More drew a little closer to Him. It was something I looked forward to every weekend, and it Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experience) and how God has a for kids. Then Philip…told him the good news about Jesus. They info: Don and Sharon Oppedisano, became one of the highlights of spring because as we gathered together in His name, place for the uniquely designed you. No prerequisite. came to some water and the [man] said, “Look, here is water. His presence rested among us. (Matthew 18:20).” – Brenda Collier 582-2059. Saturday, November 19, 9am. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” Acts 8:35–36

4 5 For Everyone For Young Adults, Groups Fair. Sunday, Sept. 11. Check out all the Fall College Students & Teens Community Groups and then get plugged into one. Outbreak. Sundays, 5:30–8:00pm. For ages 12–24. See Kingdom Conference. Sept. 22–25. See page 16–17. pages 20–21. Young Adults. See page 7 for more info about small Square Dance & Bonfire.Friday, Oct. 7, 7–9:30pm at gotcommunity? Great Bend Farm in Honeoye Falls. See page 4. groups & special events. Young Adult Luncheon. Sunday, October 23, 12:15 pm Is it time you started doing life Water Baptism. Oct. 9, during 10:45am service. In- formen forwomen structional class on Sunday, Oct. 2, 10:45am. See page 5. in youth room. See page 7. together with other believers? BASIC meetings at area campuses. See page 7. Care Connection. Serve your community in practical Sunday am Men’s Groups Women’s Group Here are some groups that you ways. See page 8 for more info. BASIC College Ministries’ Fall Young Adult Con- If you’d like to meet other men in the When: Sundays, 9:00–10:15 am ference. Oct. 28–30 at Rochester Plaza Hotel. See page 26 church and grow in your faith, this is Contact: Diane Braun, 704-2946 / may join at any time. To find out & also thebasicsite.org. the place to be! These 2 men’s groups [email protected] more, just contact the leader of meet on Sunday mornings & alternate Location: Lower Level Conference Room For Recent Guests Saturate. Elim Fellowship’s Youth & Young Adult the group, or contact the church between sermon-based discussions This women’s group alternates be- Conference. Nov. 10–12 at EGC. See page 26. Welcome Luncheon. Sunday, Oct. 2, 12:30–1:30pm and books related to men & their walk tween sermon-based discussions and at [email protected] or in the youth room. For recent guests to EGC. See page 4. with Christ. The groups are open — dvd curriculum related to women and 624-5560. you may join at anytime; come as their walk with Christ. It’s a great op- For Children­ often as you are able. Childcare is portunity for you to meet other ladies For where two or three come available through KidzChurch. in the church and grow in your walk KidzChurch. Sundays 9:00 & 10:45am. Church on a For Adults with Christ! This is an open group — together in my name, there am kid’s level for 1st–6th graders. Also, preschool classes The Journey Classes. Discover more about Elim When: Sundays, 9:00–10:15 am you may join at anytime; come as and nursery care for infants. See page 18. I with them. Matthew 18:20 Gospel Church, your place here, and the next steps in Contact: Michael Braun, 738-6309 / often as you are able. Childcare is your spiritual journey. See page 5. KidzQuest. Fun & discipleship for infants–6th grade. [email protected] available through KidzChurch. Sundays 6–8pm, begins Sept. 11. See page 18. Location: EGC Office Conference Room Baptism in the Holy Spirit Seminar. Thursday, pm Harvest Party. Oct. 31, 6–8pm for all kids 3–12. See Sept. 15, 6:30 . See page 4. When: Sundays, 9:00–10:15 am back page and page 18. Growing in Outreach. Saturday, Nov. 5, 9am. See p 5. Contact: Don Lamb, 489-9273 / [email protected] Growing in Service. Saturday, Nov. 19, 9am. See p 5. foreveryone Location: Lower Level Class Room For Homeschoolers for co11ege students Community Groups (Home Education League of Parents). H.E.L.P. For The next Groups Fair is Sunday, Sept. 11, at the end of both For Men more info about EGC’s support group for homeschooling BASIC (Brothers And Sisters In Christ) the 9:00 & 10:45 am services, and the Community Groups families, contact Glenn & Sandy Marino at 742-3597. Men’s Bible Study Men’s Fellowship Breakfast. Saturday, Sept. 10, BASIC @ Geneseo. Tuesdays 7 pm. for the Fall 2011 quarter will be represented. Check out When: Saturdays, 7–9 am, twice/month 7:30am at Lima Family Restaurant. See page 4. Enrichment Classes. Thursdays 12:30–3:15pm, begins BASIC @ MCC. Wednesdays 12 & 4 pm. the groups (many will be based on Contact: Don Oppedisano, 507-5747 / the fall Radical sermon series), meet Men’s Group. Sundays 9:00–10:15am in lower level Sept. 29. BASIC @ U of R. Wednesdays 7:30 pm. [email protected] the leaders, ask questions and sign classroom. See page 7. BASIC @ FLCC. Thursdays 5:30 pm. Location: various homes up for a group! Men’s Group. Sundays 9:00–10:15am in office wing This group includes men from vari- BASIC @ Nazareth. Thursdays 8 pm. Missed the Fall Groups Fair? conference room. See page 7. International Student Ministry ous churches in the area. They have BASIC @ Brockport. Fridays 7:30 pm. Contact Pastor Eric (624-5560 or breakfast together, do a Bible study International Friendship Picnic. BASIC @ RIT. Fridays 7 pm. [email protected]) and Men’s Bible Study. Saturdays 7–9am. More info: Don Saturday, Sept. 17 and close with prayer. he’ll help you get plugged in now. Oppedisano, [email protected]. See page 7. at Victory Baptist Church, Rochester. See page 15. For BASIC groups at other campuses, see www.thebasicsite.org/find-a- Men’s Conference. Saturday, Oct. 1 at EGC, sponsored campus or call the BASIC office at by Elim Fellowship. See page 26. 585-624-7930. Prayer BASIC Fall Conference. Oct. 28–30 at the Sundays 8:30–8:55am in the sanctuary (front left). Rochester Plaza Hotel. See page 26. foryouth For Women Oasis Prayer Room is open weekdays 6am–10pm and weekends 8am–10pm, with live streaming from the Women’s Group. Sundays 9:00–10:15am in the lower Cadres level conference room. See page 7. International House of Prayer when there are no EGC live sessions scheduled. The Oasis is located in the office wing foryoung adults Cadres are small groups of students who meet weekly to WOW. nd th do life together and grow in God. Friendships are formed For moms of young children. 2 & 4 Wednesdays lower level. For young adults 18–30, married or single. For more info: Young Adults and lives are changed in these powerful groups. Disciples 9:30–11:30am starting Sept. 14. Contact Bethany Warsaw, Director Dan Freda, 624-5560 or [email protected]. [email protected]. Live sessions: Saturdays 8–9am; Monday–Friday 6–7am; don’t walk alone! If you are breathing… you need to be Tuesdays 12–1pm; Wednesdays 9am–noon (women); Small Groups kick-off for the fall on September 11. in a cadre. Outbreak is not a ‘meeting’ but a movement Bible Study. Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted by Mondays & Wednesdays 7–8pm; last Thursday of each Luncheon. Sunday, October 23, 12:15 pm (after 2nd service) in the youth room. that happens 24/7…GET CONNECTED!!! Next Cadre Priscilla Shirer. Mondays 9–11:30am, Sept. 26–Nov. 7 month 7–8pm (join with all Oasis ministry partners for Get to know each other and what’s happening with the young adult ministry. Connection is Sept. 11 at Outbreak. For info: Pastor (child care available) OR Wednesdays 7–9pm, Sept. 28– a powerful time of corporate prayer and worship). RSVP to Dan Freda (above) by Wednesday, October 19. Seth, 624-5560 or [email protected]. Nov. 9. $20. More info: Pat Barous, [email protected]. HAPPENING@EGC 6 7 The purpose of Care Connection is to put the love of Car Care Christ into action and be His hands extended to our neighbors — to connect with and help meet the needs by the of those around us. numbers Then the King will say…“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something 26 to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a Women were served at the Car Care stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed event on July 16. While their vehicles me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you were maintained & cleaned, the ladies were pampered with manicures, craft came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when time, yummy foods, and gifts of cloth- did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you some- ing, food & car supplies. thing to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, 18 whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters Children who experienced a VBS-type of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:34–40 morning with games, object lessons, crafts & food treats. To sign up for an event or for more info, stop by the CC table in the lobby on Sundays or contact Care 11 Connection Director Shawn Neitz, careconnection@ Towns represented by the ladies who elimgospel.org or 624-5560. received car care — Lima, Avon, Honeoye Falls, Hemlock, Bloomfield, For up-to-date Care Connection opportunities, see Rochester, Farmington, Canandaigua, www.elimgospel.org (click on Ministries). Hilton, Fairport, Oswego. 58 Volunteers who served at the event. Connecting Thank you so much for helping me this way. – Emma, Farmington It made me feel special. – Dawn, Hilton 31 Businesses that sponsored the event. This is a very thoughtful and a very different event. See page 22 for the list. willing hearts Thank you very much. – Sharry, Rochester After spending the morning making and serving smoothies and iced 411 coffees, I felt fulfilled as I gathered my stuff and said good-byes. Hours given by EGCers truly “connect- with Imagine my surprise when the ing willing hearts with real needs.” Lord gave me a prophetic impression of His joy at my fulfilling His Scriptural Some of the many ways EGCers helped: real needs mandate to give a drink in His name and serve the poor. car maintenance, car detailing & cleaning, manicures, card crafts, food box distribution, I already knew that servicing cars would be a blessing to smoothie maker, snack table replenisher, the women we served, but I was surprised at the depth of MondayS Ronald McDonald House gift bag assembly, greeter, photographer, – Prepare & serve a meal for families importance to the Lord my act of serving drinks had been. sponsor coordinator, children’s area, set up, Sept 19 & Oct 17 at the House while their children are in the hospital. CC bus 4–7 pm. – Annette, EGC volunteer clean up.

Photos from top: Joshua Okrah, Yixu Wu, Xu Chen & Greg Ross scrub a van; Zach Leslie checks tire pressure; Elisabeth Cavanaugh listens while giving a Tuesdays RUMS (Recycle Unused Medical Supplies). Sort unused medical supplies manicure; Phillip Griffin, Greg Brower & Scott Leslie check a car’s “vitals”; a young girl makes a craft; Anna Ross pushes kids on a playground swing; Patrice, Sept 20 & Oct 18 to distribute overseas at the InterVol Warehouse. CC bus 5-9 pm. Jamie & Abby Fox help Care Connection assistant Vic Neitz; Jill Douglas leads an object lesson for some children of the women served; a relaxing manicure; Matt Morgan adds wiper fluid. Photos by Hans Sieber. Wednesdays open Door Mission – Serve a meal for the homeless, sing, pray, Sept 14 & Oct 12 or preach. CC bus 6:45–9:45 pm.

Thursdays Foodlink – Sort & label food for distribution to a 5-county area. Sept 1 & Oct 6 CC bus 5:30–8:30 pm.

SundayS Conesus Nursing Home – Visit with residents. All ages welcome! Sept 25 & Oct 23 Meet at the facility, 6131 Big Tree Rd., Livonia, 1:45–3:00 pm.

Get your family, friends or community group and sign up for a Care Connection event together! All ages can serve at Ronald McDonald House & Conesus Nursing Home, and ages 8+ are welcome at Foodlink. 8 9 September october

Invite a friend to come with you to the Welcome Luncheon on Sunday, October 2, after the 10:45am service. Here’s what one recent attendee said about how a Welcome Luncheon helped him begin to get plugged into EGC. “My wife, Cristina and I really enjoyed the Welcome Luncheon we attended. We felt it was professionally put together while at the same time being relaxed and welcoming. We had come from a church on the West Coast and really hoped to find a church that we enjoyed as much as the one we left and felt we found that church here. After attending the Luncheon, we started attending the Journey classes. We also found the classes to be well put together, but relaxed at the same time. One of the things that has really stood out to us here at EGC is that we are not made to feel inadequate or “not quite getting it.” Rather, we are welcomed to investigate various aspects of the church and plug in to serve where we feel we can best be involved. Using the military as an illustration, it’s my opinion that a person who freely “enlists” enjoys the service far more than the one who is “drafted.” I believe I have been given the opportunity to enlist here at EGC.” – Larry Keifer

10 11 Taking the Good News around the World

Above left: A Ugandan girl at the Moonlight Day & Boarding School. Center: Nathan, a teacher at the school, draws water from a Above left: Outbreak teens perform “The Exchange,” a wordless drama that demonstrates the Gospel, at the Open Door Mission as part of Project 585. UWP tank. Right: Students at Moonlight school, site of Uganda Water Project tank #50, which can be seen in the background. Right: Madison Simmons, Lisa Simmons, Sam Marino & Jared Adams repaint the base of the light poles in the Honeoye Falls-Lima school parking lot. Uganda — EGC helps sponsor Ugandan Water Project, which provides safe, accessible drinking water Project 585 — Our Outbreak teens & leaders reached out to serve our neighbors in our own area code for a week in August. thru rainwater collection tanks. Here’s a report from a recent trip by Director & EGCer James Harrington. EGC helps “The idea of a local mission trip started when Pastor Seth “What’s so special about Moonlight Day & Boarding teachers here and a small handful of students who decided that nobody is ready to reach the nations until they support School in Zirobwe, Uganda? In many ways it is just worship Jesus, and it is they who brought us here. We reach out to their own area, and so began Project 585 — a over 50 another example of a typical rainwater harvesting have chosen to make a bold expression of Christ’s missions trip to our area. We put together a great team of missionaries installation at a local school in rural Uganda — love by bringing clean water to these precious people. people who had committed to helping the people of area and missions handmade brick building, iron sheeted roof and code 585. Throughout the week we found ourselves helping beautiful brown children smiling at us from inside Speaking with Sinaan, the religion teacher, who han- organizations, dles classes in both Islam and Christianity, I explain a local widow by pulling weeds, trimming trees, mowing spreading the simple classrooms. But, for the Ugandan Water her lawn, staining her porch and just plain listening. Then Project, this site is anything but typical. that it is the love of Christ that compels us to help Good News of his students be healthier. I see a mixed expression we were off helping Elim Bible Institute by power washing “This trip showed me that it is the simple things that can be the most Jesus Christ Located about 50 km north of Kampala, the village of on his face, and I can only guess at its interpretation. rugs, moving furniture, painting, weeding and cleaning. effective way to bless someone and open the door for you to show them around the Zirobwe takes only a little over an hour to reach by car. Perhaps he is trying to reconcile the typical polarity Next was EGC, where we weeded the whole area. After God. It doesn’t have to be this huge extravagant deal! It can be as simple world. Typical of Ugandan communities, the village has only of our two faiths with this tangible expression of love that we were giving food away in grocery store parking lots as making a PB&J sandwich for someone who has trouble coming by food, a short strip of red dirt road lined with simple brick given to his school....I can’t know for sure but I do and praying for people in the mall. Then we were in the or mowing the yard for someone who can not do it. Or simply talking to In each issue and metal shops selling things like paraffin oil, sugar, know this: at Moonlight…The Son is rising. inner city handing out food, performing our skit, and giving someone, asking them their story and listening — I mean giving your full we feature testimonies to the homeless. We went to HFL Middle and beans, and of course, airtime for cell phones (most — James Harrington, UWP Director focus — because most people really appreciate someone actually taking reports from often purchased in 5 and 10 cent increments). The Manor Schools and painted their light pole bases. All these the time to just sit and listen and do nothing else. I saw that several times — just a few local population travels on foot with an occasional things were so amazing, but the best part of the trip was not only to the people we were ministering to but also our team. So God is of them — motorcycle, taxi or van packed with passengers. Campus Target held its building our relationships with each other and God. teaching me to listen — to others and, more importantly, to Him.” annual Commissioning Everyday during the week, the leaders would ask, “What – Sam Marino as well as Moonlight is bigger than its first impression. The small have you learned about God, others, or yourself?” I decided EGCers Service at EGC on building on the roadside doesn’t seem to be able to to really put some thought into it. What I learned about God Photos: below left: The Project 585 team makes sandwiches at Open Door Mission. who go on August 21, to officially handle more than 70 students, but our pre-site report launch 17 young adults is that He will become personal with you even when you’re Below: Team leaders Pastor Seth, Jacinda Deir & Dan Freda pack boxes at Foodlink. short-term says there are more than 400. The plot is long and into missions in Asia. not in some other nation — He was and is with me in my trips. narrow; behind the first are a second and a third block This year’s group will be based near universities in local area. What I learned about others is that they really of classrooms and an open schoolyard, with a large are accepting to what you have to say. Last but not least… For more three large Asian cities, reaching out to the thousands of plastic rain cistern tank resting patiently on a cement students living there; the team will return in May 2012. myself. This one was a little trickier…what is there to learn about EGC’s pad waiting to be fed from the gutters on the roof. when I’ve known myself forever?! But after thinking a missions, Another team of longer term workers will join them in This unassuming school is the site of Rainwater Tank January. More info: campustarget.org. while, I learned that I truly can do anything. It doesn’t mean pick up a 50. As neighbor families tend to chores in the nearby I will always feel that way, but at least I know in my heart Below: EGCers, families & friends pray for the 2011-12 Cam- copy of our yards and a little toddler with no pants scratches at pus Target team at the CT Commissioning Service in August, that with God on my team, I’m dynamite!” Missions the packed clay soil with a stick, I think back on all of the night before the team left for Asia. – Shannon O’Grady around the the schools and churches where we have helped bring World water in the last three years…and I am humbled at booklet, this milestone. When we first visited Tank #1 in August 2008, did we realize the potential ...or the true need? available at Humbling. Exciting. Sobering. the Free Resources There’s more to Moonlight. Looking at the school rack in name painted on the building there is another critical the lobby. detail — a crescent moon and star. This is a Muslim school. What excites us more than that this is our 50th project is the fact that we have placed this important resource at this Muslim school. There are two Christian 12 13 Taking the Good News around the World

Guatemala & Costa Rica — EGCer Amber Durkee tells her hon- Rafael and like the majority of the workers I encountered, he est story of how God has been preparing her for medical missions. was from Nicaragua and didn’t speak English. The day that we left the hotel, I talked to him for about 45 minutes and hilippians 1:6 says: “…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to toward the end I felt like God wanted me to say something so I Pcompletion until the day of Christ Jesus.” This year I have seen the truth of just mentioned that I was a Christian. He began telling me his this verse taking place in my own life. I have never been more aware of the fact experience in the church and why he doesn’t go anymore which that God is actively molding me into the person He wants me to be and that He opened an opportunity for me to explain why I am a Christian is preparing me for something great. In 2008, I went on my first mission trip to and the difference Christ has made in my life. I was amazed Morelia, Mexico with a team from Outbreak. On that trip, God made it clear to that God had given me the opportunity to share my testimony me that He had some sort of missions work in my future, and the two trips I have in Spanish! The words that I wrote in my journal on the bus taken this year have solidified that calling even more. ride home were “I can’t believe that conversation gave me so irst, I had the opportunity to spend my week of Easter vacation at an much joy!” Forphanage in Guatemala. I stayed at the Hogar de Vida y Nutricion (Home of know in my head that Christ is able to shine through me, Life and Nutrition) in San Andres, along with my team of 21 other Grove City Ibut I often found myself doubting if the people around College students. Hogar de Vida is home to about 30 kids who have either been Amber Durkee, center, spent her Easter break in Guatemala on a short- me actually noticed a difference in my life. I was frustrated local universities — EGC’s International Student Ministry abandoned or taken out of their home because of malnourishment or abuse. We term mission trip with a team of fellow students from Grove City College. because I didn’t have many opportunities to share the gospel reaches out to students from around the world who are attending were able to give the few Guatemalan staff members a much needed break by with people through my words, but God decided to give me my life for medical missions. The Sunday before I left, Pastor our area colleges. playing soccer with the kids, doing crafts, taking them to a swimming hole, and Josh prayed for me and several other people as he usually does. abundant confirmation that people do see Jesus through my caring for them in general. The kids were extremely loving and trusting from the A lady who attends Zion Fellowship “just happened to be” at actions and it was truly amazing. Toward the end of my trip, I want to say thank you to all of the individuals who donated items and/ moment we arrived and it was so much fun getting to know them! The long term EGC that day and during the meet and greet time, she came three different people told me that they noticed something or volunteered their time to help with the annual International Student missionary couple at Hogar de Vida told us several times that just spending time over and gave me the contact information of some missionaries different about me. One person was a local Costa Rican who Furniture Giveaway on August 13. Together we are successfully sharing with the kids meant so much because it’s hard for the staff to give all of the kids she knew in Costa Rica. I emailed them and through a series had known me for less than a day when he asked what my God’s transforming love with the nations on our doorstep! the attention they need. They also said how thankful they are for us and the other of events, the Lord worked it out perfectly for me to visit their religion was. I told him and he said he was a Christian and teams that come, because we bring life, love and encouragement to everyone in clinic a few days before I left Costa Rica. The day before I figured I was too just by the way I lived. He told me that he In the planning for this year’s Furniture Giveaway, we made a critical the home and no amount of money can buy that. Hearing this directly from the was supposed to go, I asked one of my professors and also could see the peace I carried. Another person was from my decision to reform the way that we structure it. In the past we have missionaries made me realize the difference short-term trips really can make. my host parents what they knew about La Carpio, where the program and said that I stood out from many of the other hosted nearly 400 students, providing them with a meal and delivering very day our team worked on projects in the community or at the home, which clinic is located. They told me that it is a dangerous area, full Americans who fit the stereotypical college kid description. His furniture to their apartments in the course of one Saturday. For the first Eincluded painting the school in San Andres and traveling to a remote village of poverty and drugs and they recommended not going. I was exact words were, “I could definitely tell that you lived your time, this year we separated the event into 4 different Saturdays with of indigenous Quiché people where we washed and cut children’s hair. Most of a little nervous, but honestly this made me even more excited life for Jesus.” That has never happened to me before – people each of the partnering churches taking the responsibility for hosting one the kids had lice and rarely have the chance to wash their hair with shampoo. The to go! I was reminded of a specific prophecy during my Senior I hardly know telling me that they can see Jesus in the way I of those Saturdays. Our hope was to evenly distribute the work load kids at Hogar de Vida also had lice and several times while hugging one of them, Prayer and Prophecy when I graduated from high school saying live. It is also completely amazing that God saw my frustration over a series of days, and as a result, give ourselves more time and I thought about the possibility that I could get lice. However, the next instant I that God would bring me to dangerous places but would keep and He answered with overwhelming confirmation that He is in opportunity to interact with the students we are serving. EGC hosted the would realize that there’s no way I could stop playing with them out of a fear me safe. I felt like God said that this was the first time people fact using my ordinary life to reach people. 2nd of 4 Saturdays on August 13. Now we are close but not finished yet. of catching lice. The Lord used this to teach me that wherever He sends me, He were telling me not to go somewhere but it wouldn’t be the n so many ways God has shown me the power of Himself We still have a couple of steps before we have completed our task. On will give me such a great love for the people there that I will be willing to catch last. I was on my guard, but I was not scared because I was living in me – when I was struggling with adjusting to the I Saturday, September 10, we will be assisting two of our partnering whatever they have in order to serve and love them. That was a powerful lesson so sure that God had provided this opportunity and wanted new culture, God was my strength and comfort; when I was churches, Ridgeland Community Church and Covenant Life Church, with and another hint that God is preparing me. me to go. I can’t even describe how perfect the day I spent in having fun and in awe of God’s beauty, He assured me that He the clinic was. I ended up taking the height, weight and blood the last Furniture Giveaway event for this year. We anticipate that this have been studying Spanish for 7 years and both trips made me realize even was shining through me. This is not a story about cool places pressure of all the patients that day but what’s really amazing will be the largest of the 4 events. If you are available, we can use your more how much I love speaking Spanish! I was able to communicate very well I’ve been and fun things I’ve done to show that I’m a good I is that I had just learned how to do all of that and say all of help with moving furniture, and we are in need of trucks to deliver it. with the kids and even got to read my bilingual Bible with a few of the girls one Christian; this is a testimony to the power of God to rescue the right vocabulary in my Spanish class at the university. day. Before this trip, I was intimidated by the thought of being a missionary, but a life and shape it into one that will accomplish His purpose. Then on Saturday, September 17, we will be hosting a Picnic for Literally everything that I used in the clinic I had been tested after all I learned in Guatemala, especially from the missionaries, I can definitely How great is our God. – Amber Durkee international students and their families. We are anticipating 300–400 on in my class. I almost cried because I could not believe how see myself doing medical missions work people to attend this event at Victory Baptist Church in Rochester, which God had prepared me for that day. I kept thinking, “I’m going someday. It’s exciting to see His plan for me will consist of a brief program, followed by a picnic lunch and various to be working in a place like this someday,” and I just felt so unfold one step at a time. other sporting and family activities. Do you enjoy a lively game of fútbol? overwhelmed and thankful. My safety was never threatened, I n July, I went to Costa Rica with a study had one of the best experiences of my life, and there is no way Are you artistic and able to do face painting or balloon animals? Do Iabroad program and spent 5 weeks living I could have worked out the circumstances myself – God had you have a secret family recipe that you could share with our guests? If with a host family and taking a class called planned for me to be there. you are willing to serve, meet new people and initiate a friendship with “Spanish for Health Care Professionals” at a international friends, we have a place for you! major lesson God taught me in Costa Rica is that it is all local university. Aabout people. God really heightened my awareness and For more information on the last Furniture Giveaway or the International ne of the main reasons I went to Costa grew His love for people in my heart. I have never met so Student Picnic, contact Greg Ross at [email protected] or 519- ORica was for the Spanish medical class many different people from different backgrounds in such a 3975. – Greg Ross, EGC’s International Student Ministry Director and even before I left, God was orchestrating short period of time and I have never enjoyed spending time an event that completely confirmed His call on with strangers more than I did in Costa Rica. One especially Photos: above: International students arrive at the Furniture Giveaway, eager to find memorable experience happened at a hotel I stayed at one furnishings for their new apartments — and new American friends. The Lord gave Amber Durkee such a love for these Guatemalan children that she overcame her fear of weekend. I just love speaking Spanish so I struck up a Left: Roger Pimm, Zach Leslie and Scott Leslie help load furniture on a truck to catching head lice. conversation with one of the security guards. His name was deliver to the international students’ apartments.

14 15 cost / registration Cost for EGCers is only $39 per person for the entire conference. Cost for non- EGCers is $59. Please note: if you include your conference registration payment with your Sunday morning offering, you must use a separate check. Register online: elimgospel.org/kingdomconference. You can also download a registration brochure to mail in. Or contact the church at 585-624-5560 or kingdomconference@ elimgospel.org.

16 17 RESOURCES

For more information about Resources to help you get even more out of EGC’s ministry for kids, contact the Radical series (see page 2): the church at 624-5560 or: • The book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt, is available at the Radical table in the KidzExpress Pastor Rob Hagstrom EGC lobby for $10. [email protected] “This book challenged me to re-evaluate what I thought was important. I highly recommend getting this book and reading it together as a family.” – Pastor Seth Goodson “One of the big ideas I got out of Radical was the challenge to get out of Parents, check out Pastor Rob’s blog my comfort zone more and take risks for the sake of the Gospel and the at parentzexpress.blogspot.com. Find out Kingdom of God.” – Pastor Rob Hagstrom what’s happening each week in KidzExpress “Radical put into words concerns about the American Church that have so you can reinforce it at home during the been tumbling around in me for a long time. However, the challenge is now week and get encouragement on parenting for me to take those concerns and allow my Father in heaven to direct me. from other parents in our church family. I’m trusting the series “Radical” we are embarking on as a family will help clarify the Father’s direction.” – Pastor Eric Scott “I was overwhelmingly struck by the call to live for God the way He intends and asks us to live in the Bible. In particular, by getting out of the ‘me’ shell kidzquest. Sundays 6pm. to focus on the ‘others’ needs around me.” – Pastor Wayne Hedlund KidzChurch. Sundays 9:00 & 10:45 am. KidzQuest starts for this school year on “Radical is thought-provoking and won’t leave you the same. It asks the questions many of us feel but are afraid to ask. You will be glad you read it.” – Todd Cavanaugh, BASIC Director For all kidz, preschool–6th grade, and nursery, too… Sunday, September 11. KidzQuest is a it’s church on a kid’s level! discipleship program for gradeschoolers • Join a Radical discussion-based Community Group this fall. Attend the Groups Fair (after either that meets 6–8pm Sunday nights during the service on Sunday, Sept. 11) and sign up for a group — get radical in community! Sundays in September: “Game On!” school year. We also provide childcare for Kids are invited to wear their fav- The Radical Experiment website infants–preK. • (www.radicalexperiment.org) has many helpful resources, in- orite team jersey and game paint cluding an overview of David Platt’s 1-year Radical Challenge, Bible reading plans, suggestions as we discuss “Dedication to the Interested in being a part of the KidzQuest for prayer, recommended books, and more. Team,” “Focus on the Goal,” and team on Sunday nights? Please contact • Pastor Josh’s blog will feature special guest bloggers during the Radical series. Check it out at “Feel the Burn.” Pastor Rob for more details. www.elimgospel.org/radicalblog.

Sundays in October: “Welcome to • The book, Operation World, lists all the nations of the world, so you can pray for them, as Express Airlines.” We’ll be learning operation suggested in the book Radical. It’s available at the Resource Center for $10. about believers in other countries, christmas child • EGC’s Facebook page & Twitter. Encourage other EGCers & share what God is speaking to you what their lives are like and how we during the series and what new “radical” steps He’s prodding you to take in your walk follow- can have an impact — even from far See page 30 to see how you can make a dif- ing Him. On Facebook, follow EGC at Elim Gospel Church. On Twitter, follow EGC @elimgospel away and across oceans. ference in the life of a child this Christmas. and use hashtag #radicalegc for Radical tweets.

Harvest Party — October 31 The Harvest Party is 2 hours of games, food & prizes — a safe & fun alternative to trick-or-treating. This year’s theme is Cartoon Land, so CD Series now available at the Resource Center: come dressed as your favorite cartoon character and you could win a Hostage. We’re all held hostage at times. What is your captor? prize! See back page for a bigger version of this year’s poster. In this 5-part series, discover how to truly break free from Every year over 75 volunteers come together to put on the Harvest these ties that bind. Messages: Breaking Free from Fear; Party, the children’s ministry’s largest outreach event. To be a part Breaking Free from Bitterness; Breaking Free from Sin; of this year’s amazing team, please contact Pastor Rob to help in one Breaking Free from Envy; Breaking Free from Lies. $25. or more of these areas: concessions, games, decorations, registration, set up, or clean up. You can also sign up at the Care Connection Table The Naked Truth. This 3-part series deals with relationships. in October. Messages: Relational Intelligence by Pastor Joshua Finley; We’re also looking for paint and other materials to help transform Our Marriages Can Save the World by Stacy Cline; Myths the church for this event. Contact Pastor Rob to make a donation. that Will Make You Miserable by Pastor Joshua Finley. $25. Parents: Avoid the registration lines at the event! Pre-purchase your tickets at the table in the kids’ lobby, Sunday mornings in Other CD series you may like: Fool-proofing Your Life from Pastor Mike Cavanaugh, $25 (Messages: October. Children 3–12 are $3 each; parents and children 2 & under What kind of fool am I?; If it walks like a fool and talks like a fool…; What to do when you love a fool; get in FOR FREE! Portrait of a fool; Wise men don’t do it; Sexual folly) and Prodigal God, a 6-part series based on Timo- thy Keller’s book of the same title, with messages from EGC Pastors Joshua, Wayne & Mike, $35. 18 19 The Outbreak worship team outbreak events is looking for more musicians. Cadre connection. Sunday, Sept. 11. Come out for a crazy night at Outbreak where you Contact Dan Freda if you’re can get connected with other students and join a cadre. interested, 624-5560 or [email protected]. Baptism in the holy spirit Class. Thursday, Sept. 15, 6:30pm. Discover what the Bible teaches about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, what happens when believers are baptized in the Holy Spirit and possible hindrances to receiving it. You will then have an opportunity to be prayed for by Care Collection. Cadres church leaders to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. are competing to see which Parent meeting. Sunday, Sept. 18, 12:30–1:30pm. Find out what is happening in Outbreak can earn the most points for this fall and ask your questions. Thanksgiving food items collect- ed (turkeys, stuffing, gravy, Kingdom conference. Sept. 22–25. See pages 16–17 for more about this event at EGC. boxed potatoes, Jello, pie crust, Men’s conference. Saturday, Oct. 1 at EGC. For all guys. See page 26 for more info. canned green beans & corn, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie Journey Classes. The Journey series begins this fall in October. See page 5 for more about the filling and evaporated milk). Journey, including class descriptions and dates. The winning cadre earns a pizza party & movie night! Care Collection. Oct. 2–Nov. 13. We’re collecting non-perishable food items that Outbreak will help distribute to needy families in Rochester for Thanksgiving. See box at right and page 30. Basic conference. Oct. 28–30 at the Rochester Plaza Hotel. For all college students,winning young adults and high school juniors & seniors. The theme is “The Blueprint: Discovering God’s Plan for your Life.” Headline speakers are Pastors Pierre DuPlessis and Mike Cavanaugh, with worship artist for ages 12–24 outbreakgeneration.com Phil Wickham. Register online at thebasicsite.org or pick up a brochure at Outbreak. pm Sundays 5:30–8:00 saturate conference. Nov. 10–12 at EGC. For all teens & young adults. Main speaker is See page 13 for photos & reports Adam McCain, with worship leaders Derek Levendusky and Mike Kim (see page 26). Cost is $56 Outbreak Pastor Seth Goodson,624-5560 / [email protected] the Project 585 Mission trip by early bird date of Oct. 30 (includes conference and Friday lunch); $66 after Oct. 30; $76 at the and page 31 for the EGC Open. door. Pick up & hand in registration forms at Outbreak. Last year’s Care Collection.

Cadre/ a tight knit core of “This last year our cadre had an awesome opportunity to see God move in someone’s life. One September & October Sunday nights @ Outbreak: trained soldiers and devoted week as we met, the guys all decided they wanted to do something different, step out in faith, friends fighting together for a cadres and bless someone in the community. We decided we were going to do a ‘treasure hunt’ and pay cause; loyally giving their lives for someone’s groceries to show them the love of God. So, the next week we all pitched in a little money, enough to pay for one another. for a cart full of groceries. We headed down to the local store, Save-a-lot, and walked around the store. We wanted to be intentional about whose groceries we bought. We waited until we felt God speak. Beforehand, we had asked God to give The life of a Christian cannot be us a picture of whom He wanted us to bless. We all got various things, but one of them was a lady in a pink shirt. After a lived alone. Disciples don’t walk couple of minutes we saw a lady in a pink shirt. We thought “This must be it!” A couple of the guys and I went up to her and alone. And in fact many people introduced ourselves and asked if we could buy groceries for her. She was a little surprised, but she would not let us. She fail to become the success they went on her way and we walked away a little confused because we thought for sure God was going to move in a mighty way. have always dreamed they could But we were not going to just give up there. We asked a couple more people and after some awkward moments, still no one be, simply because they have was receptive towards it. We were heading towards the front of the store getting ready to leave, and on our way out I saw a failed to recognize the people lady that God told me to ask. So we went up to the lady, who was holding her little baby, walking through the aisle. We said that God has strategically sur- we wanted to bless her and buy her groceries and without hesitation she was like “sure.” We told her to fill up the cart as full rounded them with to help as she could. So she got some groceries and we waited for her near the checkout lines. While them become great. Cadres we were checking out she kept asking why we were doing this. She was really confused. All the are made up of small groups of guys loaded her groceries in boxes and brought them out to her car. Right before she was students that meet weekly to do about to leave she thanked us and said that this was a true blessing because she was going life together and grow in God. through a hard time. She told us she had just lost her job and she had two kids to support. Friendships are formed and lives After her mentioning that she was going through a hard time, I asked if I could pray for are changed in these powerful her. All of us stood in the parking lot and prayed for the lady. We prayed for God to show groups. her His love and for financial breakthrough. After that she went on her way, but it was The next Cadre Connection evident that seeds of love were planted in her heart. The whole situation was neat because is at Outbreak on Sunday, Sept. we thought we had heard from God and we had a lot of expectation for God to move. 11, 5:30pm. Get connected! After getting rejected a couple times, we got a little discouraged, but it was just a matter of waiting upon God’s timing. It was great for all of us to see God touch her life and ours, and I * Get a daily Bible reading plan at http://outbreakgeneration.com/#/ think we all learned that God can do cool things right down the street!” — Brandon Lampson cadres/reading-plan. * PARENTS: Our blog is the primary means * Did you know you can get all permission slips on our website… of communication with you! Cadre: Liam Clements, Dan Costello, Eric Dietsch, Josh Henderson, Alex Kinney, Mitchell Kinney, Brandon Lampson, Bryce Lampson, Alex Merrel, Jon Pellicano, Gabriel Schickling and more stuff, too! outbreakgeneration.com outbreakgeneration.blogspot.com

20 21 Next time you shop at these area What’s a Regional Elim Gospel Church businesses, tell them THANK you for sponsoring the Car Care Lay Pastor? 1679 Dalton Road, Lima, NY 14485 event at Elim Gospel Church! The Lay Pastors assist in accomplish- ing EGC’s mission of “Helping one Web site: www.elimgospel.org Car Care S ponsors Car Care Connection Care another experience Christ’s transform- Phone: 585-624-5560 Auto Plus, Geneseo ing love…” through partnering with Autoworks of Mendon, Ltd. Emergency phone: 585-750-5560 the pastoral staff in overseeing the AutoZone, Geneseo and Henrietta Fax: 585-624-9677 Briggs, Livonia care, fellowship and welcome needs Bucci Auto Repair, Rush of the EGC family in their distinct re- E-mail: [email protected] CARS, West Bloomfield gions. They welcome new EGCers in Pastors & Staff email: Commercial Automotive, Livonia their region; coordinate benevolence [email protected] Crane’s Automotive Services, HF for families in need (for example, or- Pulse editor: terricavanaugh@ Deckman, Honeoye Falls ganize meals when someone is in the where do I fit? Foodlink, Rochester elimgospel.org or 624-5560 hospital); pray for the families in their Currently, the church is divided into 9 geographic Grease Lightning, Geneseo region; and organize social events. GroMoore Farms, Henrietta regions (see map above). Guenther Performace, Livonia Our desire is to provide localized care cripture tells us that a group of believers is meant to work together, like • Canandaigua • Rochester EGC Office Hours Image Auto to our church family through these how the various parts of our bodies work together; each has a different Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri: 9 am–5 pm; S Kirkwood, Lima qualified leaders. • Honeoye Falls • Rush Middle function, but all are needed to be healthy. Romans 12:4–8 says, “For just Tues: 9 am–6 pm; Sat: 9 am–1 pm LJ Kiefer, Honeoye Falls Pastor Eric Scott leads the Lay Pastors as each of us has one body with many members, and these members • Lima East • Southern Mark’s World of Wheels, East Avon as part of the Care Ministry. The EGC do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form Mike’s Service Center, Lima • Lima North • Western Directory lists the people in your one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Mobil, Geneseo • Lima South Our Church Leaders Molye Chevrolet, Honeoye Falls region. od has made each of us unique…with different skills, spiritual gifts, NAPA Auto Parts, Honeoye Falls Lead Pastor: Joshua Finley Geducation, life experience, personalities, etc. And each of us is needed Pioneer, East Avon Executive Pastor: Wayne Hedlund to make our church body whole and healthy. On Sunday mornings you Plato’s Closet of Connecticut via might see just a few upfront people, like the worship team or the main Church of the Living God, CT Traveling Ministries Pastoral Team: Mike Cavanaugh, speaker. But LOTS of other people are offering their “bodies as a living Rhodes Automotive, Avon Doug Cowburn, Dick Dreyer, Seth Rush Auto Repair sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1) all throughout the Pray for these folks from our church as they travel and minister — for safety, health & effective- Goodson, Rob Hagstrom, Eric Target, Victor and Henrietta Scott, Jerry Warsaw week. Townline Garage, Rush ness in ministry — and for their families who may remain at home. here do you fit in at EGC? How does God want to use the unique Transmission Performance, E. Bloomfield Elders: Hayden Bennett, Dave West’s, Livonia Sept 17-18 Canaltown Days, Palmyra YOU to serve the rest of our church body? Below are some current Pastor Mike Cavanaugh Borowiec, Mike Cavanaugh, Tim W Sept 27-28 SUNY Oswego areas where you could serve. Is one of them for you? (Elim Fellowship VP) Chapman, Dick Dreyer, Joshua Sept 11 Lighthouse Community Church, South Butler, NY Sept 30-Oct 1 Elim Fellowship Men’s Conference, EGC Finley, Michael Schutterop, Tom Sept 13 Pastors Seminar, South Gate Ministries, Waterville, NY Are you a musician or vocalist who is passionate about your art-form? Oct 5 Avon Lioness Club Warsaw Sept 15 WINGS, Lima, NY Are you interested in joining a family of other musicians here at EGC? I’d Oct 19 Potsdam Finish Line Event Hey, EGC staff, what’s Sept 18 Wellspring Church, Penn Yan, NY love to share how you can get involved in serving and extending God’s King- Oct 28-30 BASIC Conference, Rochester Sept 23 Kingdom Conference, EGC dom through music right here on one of our worship teams! Please email me playing on your Ipod? Sept 25 Faith Tabernacle, Lockport, NY Regional Lay Pastors at [email protected] or call the church office at 624-5560 and we’ll Joe Jansen (Elim Fellowship Sept 26-28 EF Canada Annual Ministers Conference, Montreal Canandaigua: Jim & Melanie McGuire, set up a time to talk. US Ministries Director) Oct 2 Freedom Community Church, New Freedom, PA 657-4124, [email protected] Oct 3 EF Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, Lancaster, PA Sept 1 New Life Church, Herkimer, NY Do you have a friendly voice and a smiling face? Do you enjoy Oct 6 EF Tri-Regional Conference, South Butler, NY Sept 10-11 Urban Harvest Ministries, NYC Honeoye Falls: Don & Sharon interacting with people over the phone? If you’d like to serve for a few hours Oct 7-9 City Life Church, Newport News, VA Sept 17-19 The Rock, Fort Wayne, IN Oppedisano, 582-2059, honeoyefalls@ during the week or on a Saturday morning, we have an opportunity for you! Oct 23 Elim Gospel Church Sept 22-23 House of Praise for All People, DE elimgospel.org We are looking for a few people interested in helping in the church office with Oct 27 NYC Pastors Day Away, Mt Bethel, PA Oct 1 New Covenant Community Church, reception duties and other light tasks. Contact Janette Button at janettebutton Oct 29-30 BASIC Conference, Rochester Audubon, NJ Lima East: Nathan & Emily Sanders, @elimgospel.org. Oct 2 EF Mid-Atlantic Regional, Lancaster, PA 857-5330, [email protected] Pastor Seth Goodson: “Be Lifted High” – Bethel; “Shine Your Light” – Brenda Collier Oct 6 EF Tri-Regional, S Butler, NY Oct 8-9 Hope Community Church, MI Lima North: Dave & Debbie Hinton, Sept 16-17 The Tabernacle, Orchard Park, NY Wanna serve but not sure where? For more info about finding where The Fathers House New York Live; “Destiny Soaking” – Paul Yadao; Oct 14-15 Marriage Retreat 624-4124, [email protected] you can best serve the EGC body, talk to our Ministry Partner Director “Rebel” – Lecrae Sept 30-Oct 1 The Tabernacle, Orchard Park, NY Oct 26-28 NYC Regional, Mt. Bethel, PA Lima South: Mush & Alexa Schneider, Kathryn Hagstrom, [email protected] or 624-5560. Traci Cavanaugh, Executive Assistant: Tercer Cielo, Enrique Lucatero, Campus Target Team 624-9127, [email protected] Josh Jansen (BASIC) Aug 22-May Asia Israel Houghton Aug 31- Sept 2 SUNY Oneonta Rochester: Jim & Louise Gleeson, Pastor Eric Scott: “Jesus Culture.” My daughter Natalie loaded it. Sept 1 SUNY Delhi 359-8602, [email protected] Bernard Evans Sept 5-7 SUNY Morrisville Rush Middle: Bill & Laurie Phillips, Christmas Community Sing Dan Freda, Young Adults Director: John Mark McMillan’s, “The Medicine.” Most Sundays Door To Hope Church, Hopewell, NY Sept 12-14 SUNY Oswego 359-3342, [email protected] Every Christmas the churches of Lima collaborate to create a wonderful Sept 24 Calvary Gospel Church, New York Mills, NY Sept 20 Onondaga Community College Pastor Rob Hagstrom: Future of Forestry Sept 30-Oct 1 EF Men’s Conference, EGC choral event called the Lima Christmas Community Sing. If you are Sept 26 Stony Brook University Southern: John & Gina Kenney, Sept 27-28 Suffolk Community College interested in joining EGC’s Christmas Choir for this event, please Pastor Wayne Hedlund: It’s not an ipod, it’s a Droid X! I am a big fan of James Harrington 669-9512, [email protected] contact EGC Worship Director Nate Hinton at natehinton@elimgospel. Oct 1 Youth Revolution, Pioneer Christian movie scores, so “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and Ugandan Water Project Fellowship, Arcade, NY Western: Hayden & Esther Bennett, org or 624-5560. and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Sept 3 Jesus Fest, Whitehall NY Oct 28-30 BASIC Conference, Rochester 624-3366, [email protected] 22 23 Pastor Wayne Hedlund accepts Kathryn Hagstrom is our new new position with Elim Fellowship Care Ministry Assistant Pastor Wayne Hedlund has been a part of EGC for almost 20 years. He first began attending EGC as a Kathryn has joined our staff and is in training to take over for Cindy Scott (see below). student from Roberts Wesleyan College. After his graduation in 1992, then Lead Pastor Mike Cavanaugh encouraged Wayne to join the church staff as an intern and he became the full-time Children’s Pastor (aka and told me about a Jesus-shaped hole in my heart that only “Skippy”) nine months later. He took a break from pastoral ministry for a few years in the early 2000s, What are your responsibilities as Care Ministry Assistant? He could fill. That was the first time that anyone told me that then came back in 2004 and has been on the staff since. Over the past two decades, Wayne has served on God wants to be personal with us. I accepted Jesus into my the staff in several capacities — Children’s Pastor, Youth Pastor, Young Adults Director, BASIC Ministries Assisting Pastor Eric in any ways needed, from being a liaison to Lay Pastors to heart that day and my journey began. My life was still very Director and Church Administrator. Since 2004 he has served as our Executive Pastor, and at different ordering cards, or running reports. I also am the Ministry chaotic, but God was definitely guiding my life. He led me to times his roles have included Small Groups & Classes Coordinator, Care Pastor, Creative Arts Director, Lobby Host Ministries and Partner Director, as we begin to launch our new Volunteer Elim Bible Institute in 2005, and that’s when a true life change Sunday Service Coordinator, Special Events Director and more. Since 2009, he has worked closely with Lead Pastor Joshua Finley, with process [watch for more details in upcoming Pulse issues]. I began to happen as I began to open my past and wounds to his responsibilities including implementing vision and developing the budget, overseeing church staff meetings and serving as “boss” to will be helping to assist people in getting set up in a volunteer Him. By God’s mercy and unfailing love, He is beginning to several other pastoral and administrative staff members. opportunity position, as well as connecting with Department restore a lot of relationships and bring people in my family Connectors on how things are looking for their areas. back to him. During the May 2010 Elim Fellowship Leadership Conference, Pastor Wayne felt prompted by God to begin blogging and encouraging pastors, sharing with them what he has learned helping lead EGC. He explains, “I wanted to specifically target pastors of smaller churches, What is your vision for your new job? What outside interests do you have? and my hope was to provide practical input to them regarding a myriad of church & ministry topics like Strategic Planning for the Local I would love to see Pastor Eric be able to run freely in his gifting I picked up the guitar when I was (continued on page 27) Church, Hosting Exceptional Services, Developing a Guest Friendly Environment, Time Management for the local pastor, and a lot more.” of ministering to others and not be bogged down with any His blog (www.transformingleader.org) ended up being a great success and resulted in the development of some coaching relationships unnecessary administrative tasks, which I can take on for him. with select pastors. This led him to consider the idea that maybe God was directing him into a new phase of ministry. As the Ministry Partner Director, which I am very excited about, Cindy Scott – helping Over this summer, he met several times with Pastors Joshua Finley and Mike Cavanaugh (the Vice President of Elim Fellowship since I would love to see a majority of EGC members serving the others find their niche 2009), and there was agreement among them that God was leading Wayne to a new position at Elim Fellowship (EF). Over the fall church body in areas that they truly enjoy on a regular basis, to increase the health and flow of our church as we continue Cindy Scott is stepping down from months, Pastor Wayne will be training Doug Cowburn (see below) to take over his many responsibilities as Executive Pastor. His hours to grow. I would like to see a double in our numbers of people her position on the staff of EGC to will gradually decrease at EGC and increase at EF, until he begins working full-time in his new job in January. serving by the end of next year. continue pursuing her God-given Pastor Wayne will be working in two different departments at Elim Fellowship, whose headquarters are located just a stone’s throw away passion through other avenues. Over on Dalton Road. He’ll split his time between serving as the Associate Director of the US Ministries Dept, directed (continued on page 27) How did God lead you to this new position? the past two years, she has served I had previously worked at The Father’s House [a church us in several capacities — as Office in Chili] in several capacities, one being their Care Ministry Manager, Executive Secretary, and Care Secretary, Assistant. I left that aspect of my job there shortly before and she has been instrumental in developing our new getting married [to EGC Children’s Pastor Rob Hagstrom]. Doug Cowburn joins the staff Ministry Partner (Volunteer) Program — all while going Then one day, Pastor Josh met with me and my new husband and asked if I would be interested in accepting a job at EGC as to school full-time to earn a Masters in Ministry degree as our new Executive Pastor the Care Ministry Assistant. After praying about it and getting all from Southwestern Christian University. green lights, I accepted and here I am today. Doug Cowburn is “returning to his first love” — he grew Doug continues, “Pastor Josh and Cindy loves helping people find fulfillment in their up in Central New York, and after leaving the state to I hit it off. During that time we both God-designed “niche” through discovering their calling, What gifts, talents, experiences & education attend grad school in Virginia & then pastor in Las Vegas, sensed and hoped that God might be gifts, talents and personality type. She recently earned have helped prepare you? he is now returning to NY, this time to join the staff here preparing me to come to EGC, even her Professional Coaching certification and says, “The I have had a lot of personal life experience with God radically Coach Training is filled with the importance of ‘Destiny at EGC. though we both had no idea what that transforming my life through many major care issues, which by Design’ and I am sure that the next step is exactly Doug, 36, was raised in Waterville, NY, where his dad might look like. This past winter, Sharon has opened my heart to long to see God do the same for what God has for me at this time.” She looks forward was the pastor of an Elim-affiliated church. Doug was led and I were praying about a possible others. I have been through a Christian program called Mercy to Christ by his parents at a young age, and when he transition from Las Vegas, and at the Ministries of America, where God really began to heal me to this next phase of her life, in which she’ll be able to was seven, “I told my dad that I wanted to be a pastor same time Pastor Josh was seeking personally from deep wounds and where he began to speak devote more time to meeting with people one-on-one like him, and I never looked back. I was baptized in the God’s direction and asked us to to me about my identity in Him. This is what gave me passion and helping others see their “Destiny by Design.” consider coming to EGC. We prayed, sought counsel and sensed that this to pursue serving in care ministry positions, to see others gain Holy Spirit when I was 11. After high school I pursued Her new ministry is called “Bridges to what could be” what I now had. I also received some great training while at my calling by coming straight to Elim Bible Institute.” After was exactly what God wanted.” the Father’s House, including Summit Leadership Classes and will be multifaceted. You can check out her website graduating from EBI, he attended Regent University in Doug brings his gifts, passion and experience to his new job as our and their Care Ministry elective. I worked part-time as the Care (www.bridgestowhatcouldbe.snappages.com), which Virginia Beach, where he earned a Masters in Practical Executive Pastor, succeeding Pastor Wayne Hedlund (see above). Doug Pastor’s assistant while also working part-time for the Pastor tells about her next steps. She will be doing individual Theology and certification as a leadership coach. says, “I’m excited about how God will be using my perspective and and his wife as their personal assistant. I tend to be a very Life Coaching, as well as teaching for Elim Bible He then went to Las Vegas to join the staff of Canyon experiences that I have gained working at Canyon Ridge Christian Church. organized person and see the big picture — how to make Institute. She plans to continue her education to be a Ridge Christian Church, a congregation that has grown I have a huge passion for church and leadership health. I believe God has things work in a streamlined and efficient way. I believe that coach trainer with Lifeforming Leadership Coaching to almost 7,000 people who attend 4 weekend services. been teaching me over the past 10 years that the strength of the church this gift will help me to keep track of the new Ministry Partner (lifeformingcoach.com) and also do some writing “that program as the Director. I also have a very strong administrative Doug led the Small Group and Singles ministries; he can be found as each of us takes on the mission of Christ in our individual I have put off for too long.” spheres of influence. I have a huge value for teamwork and team building. gifting that will help me when assisting Pastor Eric. also worked on the church’s discipleship systems and Cindy says, “I love EGC and it’s been an honor serving special events. I want to build on the work that has been laid by Pastor Wayne and to help bring health and vitality to EGC’s future as a growing, Kingdom-impacting What is your personal background? here for these years. I’ve really enjoyed getting an up- About four years ago, Doug began participating in Elim church.” I had a very difficult upbringing with many obstacles that the close view of Pastor Josh’s visionary leadership.” She Fellowship’s WINGS, a 3-year mentoring program for enemy used to try to destroy me. When I was about 14 my humorously adds, “I really like the Care Pastor [her Doug and his family — his wife Sharon and their (continued on page 27) younger ministers. There he met Pastor Joshua Finley. aunt sat with me on her bed and ministered to my hurting heart husband, Eric Scott] — I think I have a crush on him!” U pdate S taff 24 25 Pastor Doug, continued from page 24 sons Brian, almost 9 and in 4th grade, and Zachary, age 7 and 2nd grade — have moved into a home in Lima. Doug began full-time hours at the end of August, beginning to work with Pastor Wayne and learn all his responsibilities, Elim Ministries with the goal of assuming full responsibility of his position in January. Doug says, “Friends and family at EGC, my family and I are very excited about starting a new chapter of our lives with you. It is almost 15 years to the day that Sharon and I moved into campus housing as married students at EBI! We look forward to getting to know you in the coming weeks and months.” Special Events Give Doug & his family a big “Welcome to EGC!” when you see them!

Elim Fellowship Men’s Conference. Family Bulletin Board contains announcements for and Saturday, October 1 at EGC. More info & from the EGC congregation. Ads are not necessarily Pastor Wayne, continued from page 24 registration: elimfellowship.org or 582-2790. endorsed by EGC. To submit an item: [email protected] or 624-5560. by EGCer Joe Jansen, and working in the Executive Dept. with Pastor Mike, Next issue deadline is Friday, October 14. Ron Burgio (President) and Chris Ball (General Secretary). Since both positions BASIC College & Young Adult Conference. are newly created, his exact job responsibilities haven’t been defined yet, but he Needed: EGC is looking for a full-size truck Oct. 28–30 at Rochester Plaza Hotel. More info with an 8’ bed. will continue to expand his vision to help pastors and will be working to support If you have one you’d like to donate, contact Facilities Director Shawn and strengthen Elim Fellowship’s mission, which is “to strengthen the leader, & registration: thebasicsite.org or 624-7930. Neitz, 624-5560 or [email protected]. equip the church, and reach the world.” Wanted: The Quilters Group is looking for donations of unused cot- Pastor Wayne has many great memories from his years on the EGC staff — “the ton fabric (¼ yard or more) and monetary donations to purchase fabric, Saturate: Elim Fellowship’s Youth & Young batting and supplies. Quilts are donated to the Zion House, Avon, as early Harvest Parties, teens over to my house, mission trips to NYSUM [New Adult Conference. Nov. 10–12 at EGC. More a personal gift for each resident. Zion House is a women veterans’ York School of Urban Ministry], the revival meetings with Ray Sell and a couple info & registration: Pastor Seth (see page 21). transitional home. For donations, contact Joyce Blowers, 226-2577 of pastors retreats that I’ll never forget. In more recent years, I fondly remember or Vic Neitz, 201-6594. our Christmas Eve services, EGC’s 20th Anniversary, hosting small groups in Wanted to rent: a 3+ (preferably 4) BR house in the HF-L school my home, and spending many great hours with our leadership team dreaming district, starting mid- to late October. Needs to be pet friendly. Please about and planning for the future of EGC. Most of my favorite memories involve call Kirsten or Graig 204-0508 or email [email protected]. the camaraderie that I enjoyed working with our ministry team and the great November 10-12,2011 Comfort Keeper® helps seniors maintain their independence by people in our church. It has been a joy to get to know some awesome people at at Elim Gospel Church providing companion care, light housekeeping, meal preparation, inci- Elim Gospel Church. In particular, I have great love and respect for our church in Lima, New York dental transportation, and more. Benefits; flexible full and/or part time elders, pastors, and staff. We have an amazing leadership team at EGC. I will For youth ages 12+, positions; own transportation required. To learn more call 585-249- young adults, 0100 or submit an application at www.comfortkeepers.com. certainly miss working so closely with them each week!” and youth leaders Need a wedding DJ? Todd Cavanaugh has been providing Although his job is changing and he will no longer be on the staff at EGC, Pastor wedding entertainment since 2004. Check out www.imperialdjentertain- Wayne and his family — his wife Becky and their children Amelia, Benjamin, ment.com or email [email protected]. Derek & Eliot — still plan to be a part of our church. They will remain living in Companion Care: I am available for part-time elderly companion Lima, and you’ll still see them on most Sunday mornings. Remember to say a care for shopping, appointments, small meals, etc. Rates negotiable big THANKS for serving our church family as part of the staff all these years, according to the situation. Call Mary Ann Fuller at (585) 944-2648. and pray for them — and the rest of the staff! — during this fall’s time of transition. Piano tuning & repairs. Ask for EGC discount. Call Jerry Warsaw at 704-2080. We will take a special offering on Sunday, September 4, to bless Pastor Wayne and his family in their transition. For more info about Elim Bible Institute’s new Patmos Prayer Project, below, email [email protected] or call 1-800-670-ELIM. Kathryn Hagstrom, continued from page 25 about 16, just as a fun thing to teach myself. I really enjoy just sitting and playing for hours even if I don’t play actual songs. I also am a big camper, hiker, adventure seeker. My husband and I love to take long drives to explore new places, even if it’s local streets that we’ve never driven down before.

How long have you attended EGC and what do you most appreciate about our church? I came to EGC on and off while I was a student at EBI. Featuring Special Guest Then I made the switch back here from TFH in January Adam McCain plus of this year. There is so much history here and such Keith Brown & Josh Finley a widespread touch that EGC has on the world. I love and Worship Leaders knowing that I am a little part of something that has such Derek Levendusky & Mike Kim a HUGE influence around the world. 26 27 caught In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 1 Corinthians 12:18 From Pastor Rob: “This year’s Jr. Camp Judah was by far the most Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of powerful and amazing week since we started attending Camp Judah. you is a part of it. I Corinthians 12:27 Of course it was filled with great games, challenges and activities, but we also saw God move in our hearts in a new and mighty way. Our camp speaker, Laura Coleman, did an outstanding job teaching us that there is no such thing as a Jr. Holy Spirit. Not only did campers get healed in their bodies and hearts and receive words of encouragement, anna leslie we also learned about how God has a specific purpose for everyone and that we have been created for such a time as this.” has served our EGC family in many ways over the past 17serving years. She moved problems around me was not to expect others to invoke to Lima and began attending EGC with her family in 1994, when she was a change but to make the best of my own opportunities. two years old. Her parents served as ushers and when she got old enough, I hope that others will take the challenge and give their Anna helped alongside them as sort of a “junior usher.” She has used her time, possessions and experience to show the love of dance training to perform in various EGC venues, such as the Christmas Eve Christ to one another without expecting anything back.” services. She volunteered as a helper in the children’s ministry for about five Anna is no less busy than most of us. She attended years and still helps with childcare for various church events. Genesee Community College last year and just began During the last Community Groups quarter, Anna offered to watch about 10 Elim Bible Institute this fall. She works as a cashier at children for Tylere & Holly Weaver’s Community Group — free of charge. the Geneseo Wegmans, as well as part-time at Desired Holly says, “She didn’t want to accept pay, but said that she wanted to serve Haven Bed & Breakfast and at occasional jobs like and give back to the church. She always has a smile and works with a cheer- babysitting and college work-study. She also does quite ful heart. She blessed several families and the children!” a bit of photography, including some senior and family Most recently, Anna has begun serving on the Tech Team in the sound booth. portraits. Her hobbies include reading, baking, dancing She explains, “My desire to become involved as a tech person was partly the and rock climbing. Anna and her family — dad Scott, desire to learn new skills and partly an interest in being involved in a ministry mom Joan and brother Zachary — usually use Saturday I’ve never tried before.” evenings as “family nights,” playing games, reading or watching movies together. They also have quite a me- Anna says about using her gifts and interests to serve the body of Christ at nagerie of pets to take care of, including 2 dogs, 2 cats EGC, “I believe as Christians, it is our responsibility to operate as a family and 6 chickens. and use our gifts to serve one another and others. As our culture has increased its focus on materialism and busyness, I think that the church has lost its sense Thank you, Anna, for taking the time and using your Anthony LaBarca: “God spoke to me that I of community and service. In essence, the body of Christ has become more gifts and passions to serve your EGC family! am going to be able to show the guys in my like a business and less like a family. I realized the only way to transform the sports team what it means to be a Christian.”

Madelyn George: “I really liked the night services and how you could get The mission of Elim Gospel Church together with the Lord and talk with is to help one another Him. The Lord told me to some day go to Uganda like experience Christ’s transforming love, my dad and help a family come to so that we can love Him, ourselves, know the Lord.” our families, our church and our world.

28 29 Here are 2 simple projects YOU can participate in this fall!

Care Collection: We are again collecting non- Josh Borowiec, Dave Borowiec, perishable food items to give to families in need in Ed Harrington, Keith Crippen the Rochester area, as well as for our local food bank. 1st Place Team proudly displays their trophy: Mike Roeder, Chris Last year we were able to help over 200 families with the Thank you Richter, Peter George, Maurice Hopkins. ingredients for their Thanksgiving meals! to everyone Everyone can donate! Drop off food items in the shopping cart by the Care Connection table in the EGC who participated lobby on Sundays, October 2–November 13. Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in in, helped with At Outbreak on Sunday, Nov. 13, our teens will play desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the and sponsored some crazy games while bagging up all our items. Then Good News of God’s love. This program from Samaritan’s Purse is an oppor- they’ll take our donations to Rochester for Thanksgiving tunity for people of all ages to get involved in a simple, hands-on missions the tournament. and distribute it with hosts Joy Community Church. project, while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas — Jesus Christ. See ya next year Preferred items: Turkeys, Stuffing, Gravy, Boxed Samaritan’s Purse has reached millions of children — 8 million just last Jessica Freda takes a swing. on June 18! Potatoes, Canned Green Beans, Canned Corn, year — in over 130 countries with the message of God’s love through the Cranberry Sauce, Jell-O, Pie Crust, Evaporated Milk, simplest of gifts — shoe boxes filled with school supplies, toys and personal Pumpkin Pie Filling. items. Along with the boxes, children are given “The Greatest Gift of All” illustrated Gospel storybooks, available in over 45 languages. Local churches then invite the young people to participate in a 12-week follow-up disciple- Enjoying the chicken & ribs banquet after the tournament. ship program, where many boys and girls — and later their families — receive Jesus as their Savior. It’s easy and fun to get involved in this unique opportunity to share God’s love with children & their families around the world! You decide whether your box is for a boy or girl and for what age child. Fill your box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child, such as small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, candy, even a note from you (see brochure for suggestions of what to include and what not to include). Families, friends, cadres and Community Groups can “shop & stuff” together and make it even more fun. To get started, pick up a brochure at the table in the lobby (starting Oct. 23). Follow the simple directions to make your own Christmas shoe box, then Gordy Schmitt looks forward to the next hole while Doug Booth tallies their score. bring the filled box back to the table by Sunday, November 13. If you have any questions, contact Children’s Pastor Rob Hagstrom at 624- 5560 or robhagstrom@ elimgospel.org. To get helpful info about packing shoe boxes and see stories about the power of a simple gift through Operation Christmas Child (you can even track your shoebox!), see samaritanspurse.org. The NOT Last Place Team, l to r: Andrew Danglis, Josh Cummings, Dan Carey, Pastor Rob Hagstrom

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