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Understanding Christian Citizenship JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP ILLINOIS MEMBERS ILLINOIS FOCUS INSIDE NEWS ON THE WEB IN THIS ISSUE / TELLING THE STORIES OF WHAT GOD IS DOING IN THE LIVES OF HIS PEOPLE Let's Stay in Touch! FEATURES Visit lakeunionherald.org for 14 more on these and other stories Christian Citizenship Today The Lansing Community Services By Nicholas Miller Center was recognized with the Your Best Pathway to Health mega clinic comes to Indianapolis, April 8‒10. When the Community Organization of the Year event was held three years ago in Los Angeles, Award at the Delta Township Community they served many people in need, but still fell Duvivier Sarah 16 Awards event, held Oct. 23, 2019, at the short. What happened and how can we avoid Crown Plaza Lansing West. a similar situation in Indy? PERSPECTIVES Christians, Liberty and vimeo.com/lakeunionherald President's Perspective 4 Justice Today New videos added on a regular basis Lest We Forget 8 By David Hamstra Conversations with God 9 A team of 38 AMITA Health associates As a member of the Denominational and doctors embarked on a mission trip Conexiones 11 Prayer Leader’s Network and 20 to El Salvador in November to treat those One Voice 46 in need. The team is from throughout the America’s National Prayer Committee, Jim Wallis’ Interview AMITA Health system, representing a wide I have the privilege to pray with, and EVANGELISM with David Hamstra range of specialties and positions. But one for, new and dear friends. As diverse thing has drawn them together — a call in Sharing Our Hope 10 as we are (denominationally and their hearts to serve others. Follow us at lakeunionherald Telling God’s Stories 12 politically), the one thing that brings 22 Partnership With God 45 The Daniel 11 Symposium at the Berrien us together is our desire for Christ to Springs Village Church brought a dynamic On The Edge 47 Jesus Among the Religious lead each of us to be more in line with blend of scholars and laypeople. A beauti- Liberty Advocates ful spirit was sensed between participants THIS WEEK His perspective and His agenda. May LIFESTYLE By John Simon with opposing viewpoints, all drawn to- I recommend that you expand your Family Focus 6 gether by a bond much deeper than their prayer circle to include Christ’s other interpretation of Daniel 11. Alive & Well 7 sheep, not of this fold (John 10:16 KJV)? 24 You can be a blessing, and I predict CURRENT MATTERS Jesus Among Theologians The Lake Union Herald’s digital reach New elementary school opens is Indiana you will receive a blessing. exploded in 2019. Our website wel- AdventHealth 26 and Political Scientists comed some 40,000 visits; Facebook and Andrews University 27 By Nathaniel Gibbs Welcome to the launch of our weekly Instagram followers to our page jumped e-newsletter Lake Union Herald E-News Get the latest news to your News 28 five-fold and the Vimeo channel saw a Gary Burns spike. As we continue to expand our digi- Editor Calendar at-a-Glance 40 tal efforts, we pause to say, “Thank you.” Mileposts 42 LAKE UNION HERALD Announcements 43 NEWSLETTER Get the Classifieds 44 ADDRESS CORRECTION Only paid subscribers (see below) should contact the Lake Union Herald office with latest news to your their address changes. Members should contact their local church clerks directly for all Lake Union Herald address changes. Contact phone numbers and our mailing address are listed below for your convenience. email inbox each week. COVER ILLUSTRATION: SARAH DUVIVIER Online submissions can be made at http://herald.lakeunion.org under “Subscription Change.” Lake Union Herald office: 269-473-8242 Michigan: 517-316-1552 Sign up at The Lake Union Herald (ISSN 0194-908X) is published monthly (except for January/February, June/July and November/ Lake Region: 773-846-2661 Indiana: 317-844-6201 ext. 241 December) by the Lake Union Conference, P.O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. Periodicals postage paid at Berrien Illinois: 630-856-2860 Wisconsin: 920-484-6555 Springs, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Yearly subscription price is $12.50. Vol. 112, No. 1. POSTMASTER: Send all Members outside the Lake Union may subscribe by sending a check for $12.50 (per year) to lakeunionherald.org address changes to: Lake Union Herald, P. O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. P.O. Box 287, Berrien Springs, MI 49103-0287. Note: If you are a member of a church in the Lake Union but are not receiving the Lake Union Herald, please request it through your church clerk or local conference secretary. 2 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 LAKE UNION HERALD LAKE UNION HERALD JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 3 PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE from ear to ear, and preaching the gospel of liberty to all who are bound by sin and shame. A Modern Day Joseph And what about missions right here at home? There are people in our communities who can’t read, don’t speak our native tongue, don’t know how to use a com- The Bible is replete with stories of divinely chosen puter, don’t have enough money to get a professional haircut, still need basic clothing or suits in which to examples of ordinary people who worked in modest go on job interviews, or just go to church! Maybe you can’t go abroad, but what can you sacrifice for Jesus’ positions in society whom God used for His glory, people cause right here at home? Can you volunteer to teach Courtesy Joseph Simpson a computer class at one of our schools? Do you have a who saw themselves too small to be used by God. E Joseph Simpson favorite sportcoat or purse you could part with for the can’t afford the services that Pathway provides. I’m ex- sake of someone else’s well-being? Can you advo- The Bible is replete with stories of divinely chosen for underserved communities across the nation for cited that God still places His people in high places to cate for others who don’t know how to speak up for examples of ordinary people who worked in modest upwards of 5,000 to 7,000 people over two or three bless His people. Now, when I say bless “His people,” themselves? positions in society whom God used for His glory, days, typically held in a stadium. Dr. Randy Griffin, who I’m not just speaking of us. I am fortunate to have both Historically, we have been a very socially conscious people who saw themselves as too small to be used by hosts a smaller mobile dental clinic across the Lake medical and dental coverage. However, I’m speaking of people having taught former slaves how to read just af- God. Union, stated that the people served at our LUC dental the man who rides the bus every day to work because ter their emancipation. Still today, our church provides Yet God also uses people in high places, too! For clinics often ask, “What’s the catch? Is this really free?” he can’t afford a car on his multiple part-time salaries; nationally recognized disaster relief services right here instance, Joseph, Esther, Daniel and Nehemiah, just to which his team replies, “Yes, it’s absolutely free!” or the woman who works three part-time jobs, yet still at home, not to mention abroad. Yet, maybe we’re not to name a few, were people whom God strategically After the exploratory meeting concluded, City as engaged with the disadvantaged or disenfranchised E Maurice Valentine can’t afford health coverage; or the retiree who has no placed in high positions of responsibility to be a bless- Councilman Joe Simpson sprang to his feet. I’ll never dental coverage. as we used to be. Does anyone remember Ingathering ing to others. Recently I had the privilege to meet such forget his big smile and great enthusiasm for the Today our young adults are focused on social justice. in the cold of winter, all for the less fortunate? These a person. His name is Joe Simpson. But I’ll share more Pathway project. He stated, “This is just what our city Thank God our beginnings as a church are deeply root- are the experiences I loved as a young person. Each about the exciting things God accomplished through needs! I’m going to get you in to see the mayor!” ed in wholistic care, meeting the needs of the masses time we left the four walls of our church, it was an adventure in faith that lessened my focus on self and Joe in just a bit. Councilman Simpson did not disappoint. Within — much like Jesus who spent more time healing than helped me to be aware of others. The Lake Union Conference is working closely with months, a select group of the Pathway leadership team preaching or teaching. We are treading in His footsteps Three thousand volunteers are needed for Pathway, the Indiana and Lake Region conferences to prepare to met with Joe Hogsett, mayor of Indianapolis, where the whenever we champion the cause of the less fortunate the majority of which are not healthcare professionals, host the General Conference Session in Indianapolis same video was shown. I’m told the mayor was moved and serve their needs socially, physically, educationally although they are critical to its success. Remember, this year. Therefore, last year we convened a meeting and became a strong advocate for the Pathway endeav- and, yes, spiritually, as the greatest need of all is to God uses ordinary people, too! Would you prayerfully of as many key leaders in the Indianapolis area as or.
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