Month: June 2019

June 28, 2019 The Homeschool Ministry

Summer is now upon us and for many families (homeschooling or not), school and education takes a backseat to outdoor time, trips, and overall unscheduled play time.  Because of our more relaxed schedule, it’s a good time to look at the upcoming school year.  Consider how the past school year went for all family members and take time to think about what God would have you change for next year.  Prayerfully evaluate what kind of changes need to be made: Homeschool or Public School, Scheduling Issues, Curriculum Changes, Etc. 

The attached PDF Seven_Steps_to_Successful_Homeschooling is an easy read through to either help you consider to homeschool or, if you are already homeschooling, to help identify changes that need to be made.  If you would like more information on homeschooling or are interested in hanging out with our homeschool group, please email homeschool@jfbelievers.com or find us on Facebook: JFB Homeschool Group.

June 25, 2019 Shofar Missions Cebu

Over the course of three weeks, the first of two short-term missions team arrived and hosted two youth leadership training retreats, four ministry training classes, three women’s discipleship classes, one children’s outreach, and a campus Bible study. God has been good to us and those we have ministered to as Shofar Mission has sought to build up local Filipino churches and disciples to expand Christ’s Kingdom.

MINISTRY TRAINING INSTITUTE CLASSES

  • 4 LOCATIONS
  • 81 STUDENTS
  • 32 CHURCHES

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING RETREATS

  • 2 LOCATIONS
  • 38 YOUTH
  • 22 CHURCHES
  • MTI work 2019
  • Street Level fun
  • Cruising with the Shofar Mission team

After the team left, we settled into a new Shofar Mission office space and got back into the rhythm of our normal ministries. We have continued meeting with students in Street Level Ministries for a weekly dinner and Bible study. A few of them have even shown some curiosity in being involved with Word on the Street Magazine and Street Level Radio. Next week, we will resume Shofar’s Science Creation lessons at local primary schools.

  • hanging with the ladies at Shofar Mission
  • Street Level at Shofar Mission offiec

We have a few more weeks until the second team comes. Please keep the team in your prayers as we are still in the midst of planning and scheduling the trip.

June 24, 2019 Blind Munchies Coffeehouse

We kicked off the beginning of spring/summer season with a Study Night with Street Level Ministries. There was free coffee, free wifi, and a lot of students. It was a good night and we hope to do more in the future! We also had the opportunity to take the mobile coffeehouse down to campus before the end of the semester. The Creative Team also painted an awesome mural on the coffeehouse floor!

The Blind Munchies and Street Level's Study Night in full swing.
New mural Creative Team painted on the floor in the coffeehouse.

Throughout the summer we will be out in the community with our mobile coffeehouse. We will be going to River Falls for Street Level River Falls’ annual rummage sale, to the Menomonie Public Library for ‘Biking for Tacos’ with One Life Ministry, and some concerts at ‘Music Over Menomin’ with Burning Dog Radio. Keep y our eye out for us and pray for our community outreaches this summer!

To keep up with our whereabouts & what’s new you checkout our instagram or facebook page.

June 19, 2019 River Falls Ministry

During this last month, in River Falls, we continued to meet for the Sunday evening Bible Study and meal. We have been going through the book of Ephesians for the majority of the studies. Since the school has been out, we have been a smaller group. This has allowed us to spend more time discussing the text as we read through it.

Within the next few days, we will be holding our Rummage Sale (June 22) with the help of Street Level, Menomonie. The Blind Munchies Coffeehouse trailer will again be joining us this year. During this sale, we hope to meet people and engage with them. The last few weeks we have been preparing for the sale and gathering items for it. Thank you to everyone who contributed items.

We also spent time on converting the location we have been meeting in into a non-profit coffeehouse. The faux brick facade received the 2nd coat of paint, Blind Munchies Coffeehouse mural has been completed, and we started working on our menu sign. Check out the mural we have been working on with the Creative Team from JFBelievers, Menomonie.

This next month we look forward to a coffee giveaway during River Falls Days. We will be giving away hot coffee and cold-press at the soon to be Blind Munchies location.

Please pray for our upcoming outreach events; that we would meet new people and have the opportunity to engage with them. Also, for the transition of the current meeting space into a coffeehouse. We hope this will give us further opportunities in the community. And for our Sunday evening Bible Study that the people would be growing in maturity.

July Calendar

  • Sundays: 5pm / JFBelievers Bible Study,  6pm / meal
  • Saturday, July 13, 7am-3pm: River Falls Days Coffee Giveaway

River Falls Ministry Online

June 16, 2019 Co/Mission Couples Ministry

Reaching out in Red Wing MN

In May and June, we headed to Red Wing to assist Patti from the Connected Connection. The Gnosko member’s split into two groups. One staying behind to assist in organizing and the other group trekked to the property where we moved some of Patti’s items back to the shop location.

We moved a twenty-foot bar with ornated detailing from the 1880s. Moving that large item proved challenging. The group was able to get it from inside the building and onto a trailer bound for Red Wing. Back at the shop, a transformation of the outdoor space was completed with teamwork. Lunch was provided by Patti.

The next time we went we assisted Patti with shipments going to Honduras via cargo plane. We cleaned and organized donated items. We are blessed to help Patti, who at 78 years young is moving mountains assisting others. Pattie is a great example of serving others and does not let her age stop her.

Heyde Center for the Arts

In April, Gnosko found a bit of sunshine, warmth, and fellowship. We attended the 55th Annual Spring Art Show at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls, WI. Local artists from the Chippewa Valley were invited to submit their art for the free show. This is a great community event to enjoy different mediums of art and creations. What a uniquely individual spark God puts within each of us…He created us to create, and this is just one form of that. Here’s a good article that speaks to it. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/make-god-look-great-create. Wrapping up our fellowship destination was by unanimous decision to Olson’s Ice Cream!

Healthier Living Update

With the help of the Holy Spirit, lots of support and encouragement, our Gnosko group is feeling much lighter these days. To the tune of 137 pounds (that’s 548 sticks of butter) and 68.25 inches lost! Please continue to pray and support our healthy habits.

June 13, 2019 Believers Church Duluth

It’s important to us at JFB Duluth that we never find ourselves gathering together as mere acquaintances at some type of empty, shallow social club. The church, and this church specifically, is designed by God to be much more than that. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 to not forsake gathering together. I am convinced this is meant to be much more than a command to have records showing our perfect attendance. Attending weekly church services without a depth of relationship and commitment and involvement will not be enough to fulfill what God is asking for in that verse. In fact, the verse prior says we are to consider how to spur one another to love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24)

Getting to Know One Another

It’s clear all throughout scripture that God is greatly concerned with the way we interact with one another as believers. God says that above all we are to love one another. We are to willingly offer hospitality to one another. We should use our gifts to serve one another. (1 Peter 4:8-10) The Bible says we are to be unified. (Ephesians 4:3) Christians offer real accountability and say the hard things that need to be said out of love and compassion. (Proverbs 27:6) We are to be faithful in prayer for one another. (Romans 12:12)  If we are going to do this for one another it will necessitate more than simple attendance. We need to spend time with one another and get to know each other. We will spend time hearing about what God has done and is doing in on another’s lives. Real Christian fellowship goes far beyond the surface level conversations that suffice for worldly friendships.

Women’s Bible Study and Men’s Breakfast

Knowing God’s desire for us to involve ourselves in each other’s lives, we seek to do what we can to encourage that to happen. A couple of weeks ago the women of the church got together to have a Bible study where they discussed the tendency many have to make friendship a selfish endeavor, and how to instead pursue a Biblical idea of friendship. These nights the women get together have been full of good food and great discussion. The highs and lows that are experienced when following God are able to be discussed. It allows for an opportunity to come together, open up, and actively participate in all of the things scripture tells us should be part of a gathering of believers.  

On the same day, the men of the church started their day early by sharing a meal together as well. A couple of us came down to the church to cook breakfast and brew coffee, giving us a chance to truly serve one another and offer hospitality as the Bible says. Then all of the men of the church stopped in for breakfast on their commute to work. We were able to start the day focusing on God and His plan for the day. We were also able to obey scripture by spending time praying for each person on their way out the door for God’s blessing and direction for the day ahead and whatever else God was doing in their lives.

5th Wednesday of May

The last Wednesday of May we took a break from our regular routine of gathering at the church and headed over to a local park where we spent the evening grilling out, playing yard games, and just enjoying each other’s company. God blessed us with a great night and perfect weather. It was a good opportunity to step back from the busyness that comes along with church and be reminded of the privilege it is to be part of a church like ours (even if our frisbee skills need some work).

Stay Engaged

I can say without a doubt that I have found deeper friendships in this church than I have experienced elsewhere. Getting to be involved with all of you is a great joy in my life. My life is enriched by being a part of this fellowship and no doubt many of you can say the same. Remember that. Because, if you are a part of this church there will be times when people’s involvement is unwanted. You will have times when instead of embracing the fellowship and accountability that is offered, you will instead desire to run and hide. Remember that it truly is a privilege and joy to be engaged in the calling of God with one another.  

Pastor Jesse