Month: August 2019

August 28, 2019 The Homeschool Ministry

Recess

Even though it’s summer, the homeschool group has had some happenings over the past couple of months with our weekly recess. We have continued our weekly recess every Thursday at 3:30 in area parks.

Recess is a time for parents and children of homeschool families to gather for about 45 minutes at an area park.  The purpose of recess is really two-fold. It is for the kids to be able to get together, play, socialize, and get some exercise. It is a blessing for the kids to be able to build their friendships with other kids in our group.  In addition to the benefits for the kids, it is also a time for the parents to engage with each other.  Parents need it just as much as the kids do and so recess is also a time for the parents to get together for the encouragement and fellowship that we need.

Picture Day

With summer quickly coming to an end, and fall upon us, the homeschool group will be busy with upcoming events during the traditional school year. One such event is a Homeschool Picture Day. It is a time for our families to have their kid’s pictures taken as well as an invitation to other homeschool families in the area. Last year, the photo day brought many families from the community down to have their photos taken.  

With the photo day, we are also going to use it as an opportunity to display homeschool curriculum to anyone that is interested in taking a look at what some of our group’s families use. Choosing the right curriculum for your kids can be a daunting task and so we will also have options on display for any families that attend the photo day to view.  We would like to provide this service to any families that are considering homeschooling or just looking to change their current curriculum. 

Fall Field Trips

Once we move into fall there will more field trips and educational activities to come. The purpose of the fields trips is, like recess, a chance for families to fellowship and engage with each other but is more than that. It is also an opportunity to get us out into our community more and sometimes out of Menomonie to engage with the larger world and find some educational lessons that you can not get at home.

If you know anyone who would be interested in learning more about homeschooling and curriculum, having their homeschooled child’s picture taken, or attending recess, please reach out to our group or email homeschool@jfbelievers.com.

August 25, 2019 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read about what God has been doing through Shofar Mission in the Philippines.

Team Ministry

During the latter part of July and early August, our short-term missions team taught four Ministry Training Institute classes, three women’s discipleship classes, hosted a youth leader’s follow-up, taught in the Bantayan Jail, preached at six different churches, led a children’s outreach in Cebu City, taught science lessons at two city schools, hosted a 3-day summit for university students, and held two live radio broadcasts in downtown Cebu City. Whew! What a ride it has been. We’re thankful for all the ministry that God has allowed us to be a part of in the Philippines. Our heart is to build up local churches and disciples for the furtherance of Christ’s Kingdom.

After the team left, we jumped right back into our normal rhythms of campus outreach and primary/secondary education.

Campus Outreach

This semester, Street Level Ministries is meeting twice a week for dinner and bible study to accommodate students’ schedules. We’re also actively pursuing more ministry opportunities at one of the universities in the city, as God continues to point us back to students there. Aside from weekly meetings, we’re also utilizing our new “banana stand” to get out on the streets for live Street Level Radio broadcasts and Word on the Street Magazine distribution.

Exploring Creation Science

Primary and secondary schools are in full swing (well, aside from a holiday nearly every week!), which means more students are being taught why they believe what they believe. Through Shofar’s Exploring Creation Science lessons, students from grade 4 all the way to grade 12 discover how the sciences of biology, geology, astronomy, chemistry, and human anatomy support God’s creation.

Prayer Requests

Thank you for your continued support and prayers for Shofar Mission. If you are compelled, please remember to pray for the following:

  • That the team’s endeavors would continue to bear fruit that remains in the lives of those whom we ministered to.
  • For the Street Level students to grow in their faith, maturity as disciples, and passion to reach out to their classmates and universities.
  • For continued relationships with primary and secondary schools that we’ve worked with in the past, as well as new schools to teach Exploring Creation Science.
August 22, 2019 Nehemiah Deacon Ministry

Let’s Raise the Roof!

The Nehemiah ministry recently undertook a large roof project that involved some major repairs on the leaky rooftop above the radio room. The Nehemiah crew started Thursday evening by removing all of the old steel that was causing some of the leakage. The old steel was re-purposed at the JFB campground to build a new woodshed. There were some small repairs and prep work completed that evening as well. We also needed a hydraulic lift for the job. Thank you Brian H. for not only helping us out with the entire project but also in providing us with the much-needed hydraulic lift. So then the end of the first evening arrived.

The next day we welcomed Adam M. and Bryan V. from JFB Duluth in order to both oversee and help us with the application of the new roof materials. We left no stone ‘uncovered” with this project. We applied several layers of material including rolls of tar-type material and new steel panels. Lastly, Brian used a chainsaw looking tool with a large circular blade that cut notches into the stone walls to tuck flashing into. The entire project took us one evening and two days to complete. Adam and Brian did a fine job in both helping and directing us through the large roof project we undertook. The Nehemiah ministry at JFB Menomonie are very grateful and thankful for their assistance.

All the underlay is installed.
An epic shot of Adam and Brian….
Is Brian cutting up the church or what?
All Finished!
Check out this video of our second day of progress.

Other Projects

You may have also noticed the new patio awning we finished installing a few weeks ago over our front patio. It really gives the patio a nice clean look. Despite the fact that it’s cranky, it’s very easy to set up. Did you catch the joke? It’s a “crank” out style awning. Well maybe that’s not so funny. The Nehemiah ministry also has some brick repair to do on one of the corners of the church. There are new bookshelves in the works for the church entryway as well.

The New Awning

Final Thoughts

Thank you again for giving us the privilege of working on and around our church. God is so good in letting us be a part of this ministry. We not only grow closer as brothers in this ministry but we grow stronger in our construction skills as well. Some of us have no background in construction at all and yet God gives us the desire and ability to get the projects finished well. Praise God that He is so Good!

August 19, 2019 River Falls Ministry

Find the latest news from JFBelievers church plant and Street Level college ministry in River Falls, WI.

Blind Munchies Coffeehouse – River Falls

This last month we officially opened The Blind Munchies Coffeehouse  on August 1st in River Falls! We spent the last month getting it ready for customers. This preparation included setting up the register, bakery case, and some decor. We also had a training day for the volunteers from Menomonie that will be helping. The website and Facebook page are also officially running – check out the links below.

The coffeehouse is serving up fresh bakery from Menomonie along with coffee drinks, tea, and specialty sodas. Our open hours are starting with Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sunday evenings.

We have already had some customers and look forward to getting to know the community through it.

Things to Come

School will be starting in just a few short weeks. We are looking forward to getting onto the University of River Falls campus again, and being a part of some events. These events include a table at the campus organization fair, a few coffee giveaways from the Blind Munchies, and some bonfires (of course with smores).

September Schedule

  • Sundays: 5pm / JFBelievers Bible Study, 6pm / meal
  • Tuesdays: 6:30pm / Street Level Meal, 7:00pm / Study

Blind Munchies Coffeehouse Hours

  • Sundays: 3pm – 5pm
  • Thursdays: 9am – 9pm
  • Saturdays: 9am – 1pm

River Falls Ministry Online

August 16, 2019 Co/Mission Couples Ministry

Rewind OneLife

JUNE: Mid-June drew us away from life in Menomonie for a couple of days to Duluth. OneLife group members (kids and all) took to the highway to help JFBDuluth host a coffee and ice cream vending booth at the Park Point Rummage Sale event. They share our heart in connecting with the community. It was a very nice time shaking hands with people and working shoulder to shoulder with our northern family.

THE NO-CANOEING CANOE TRIP: We had the novel idea of canoeing the “Green” Cedar River. With all the best intentions we gathered enough canoes and planned the route. The moment the Sunday service ended, dark clouds moved in with an overwhelming amount of lightening. Lightning-strikes and metal boats on water do not make for safe events. So, at the last minute, the group decided to cruise to Bayport for ice cream and chill at a park when the storm passed.

Ice Cream Kiddies
They’s lovin’ them some ice cream

JULY: First of all, I have to expose a grave ignorance on my part. Back in July, when Duluth Community Group joined OneLife to host our 4th Annual Biking for Tacos event, it wasn’t until we were almost completely done with the entire event that I connected why Laura was wearing that huge colorful sombrero. See, the event was called Biking for “TACOS”! Really, I thought she was just overly concerned about sunburn or something… Sheesh! I am slow.

Biking for Tacos this year put us in conversations with people from the community again; even some long-ago acquaintances. It was a great way to share a little fun with Menomonie. Duluth crew, it was really nice to hang with you guys for a couple of days.

  • Time to Eat
  • Jason and Adam
  • Follow the Gray Sand Road
  • Tasty Stuff
  • “Bikers”
  • Getting Ready
  • Los Tacos
  • Hydration

NEIGHBORHOODS: Over the summer, various OneLife members hosted gatherings in their neighborhoods to connect with neighbors and co-workers. These gatherings included various activities like homemade ice cream and hot dogs, evening breakfast, and a movie in the woods. This year these events seemed decently attended and connections were made, and at very little cost or work.

Fast Forward

As we head into the fall, we will be meeting twice a month to fellowship together. We have a few ideas in mind like our annual flag football and chili day, among other things. We are really looking forward to what’s in store.

let's play ball
…last year’s flag football game

Keep your eyes on the church calendar for more information about when we are meeting and what we are doing.

August 13, 2019 Believers Church Duluth

A Letter From The 1st Century…

Two months ago, a letter came in the mail. It was an eye-catching parcel addressed to the church, and from all outward appearances, it looked like it had been sent by someone we knew, personally. Indeed, it was mailed to us by the children in Menomonie’s “Foundations Room” program. A small note inside the envelope read, “Hey gang! We were studying Paul’s letters of encouragement to the churches, so we thought we’d send our beloved sister church a letter! All the words are from the kids alone & in their handwriting (& spelling) Love you guys! Danielle K”

If I’m honest, reading through the pile was a bit emotional. I wavered between bursts of laughter and heartfelt tears. The encouragement they meant by their little epistle had certainly found its mark, and I feel it most appropriate to pass along their words of edification to the rest of our church…after all, it was all of us to whom they wrote. I hope you are as blessed by their words as I am.

The letter reads as follows:  

“To the church of God which is at Duluth and all the Sants thar:

Greetings frum the Foundations Room kids at JFBeleavers Menomunie. Grace and peace we are writing to you to encourage you in bilding up your church. I hope it is warming up for you up thar.

I hope you are geting to know each other. more. I hope your new security system works well. We are praying that new people will come over to the church. We’re praying for you, if you get sad or mad, just think of God and that he’s watching over you. God always has enough grace for you, and you can never do too much sin to make him not be able to forgive. Whenever you’re stressed out, just go the Bible for help and encourgement.

We’re really proud of the work you have been doing up there. Keep up the good work. We hope you are encourged by the verses and quotes we are sending you

Love, your church family,

Madison, Micah, Hannah, Caleb, Josie, Sophia”

A 1st Century Reply…

A letter like that truly deserved a response. So, a few weeks later, from my office at the church, I composed an epistle of my own…it read:

“Justin the Elder, called to be a pastor of Christ Jesus to the city of Duluth, by the will of God, and Jesse our brother. To the Foundations Room and all her glorious instructors, along with the church of God in Menomonie and those who are being sanctified in Christ Jesus.

Grace and Peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God always for your love and concern, as I continue to do, having received your letter of encouragement. My soul being refreshed by your words I am now able to continue, in the strength of God’s spirit, with the ministry entrusted to me. Having received the consolation of God by your hand, I wish myself to impart to you a gift, if possible, that we may rejoice together in the grace of God. For my joy is found in your rejoicing. I pray that you may prosper in all things and that your soul will be refreshed by the gift. I’m thinking Twinkies maybe. Something like that.

It is my hope that I may see you again before winter if God wills, for the spirit warns me continually of its coming, as the devil seeks to make war against the saints through the use of much ice and of snow. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against blizzards and shoveling caused by principalities and spiritual wickedness in high places that really know how to make life difficult. Nevertheless, we do not lose heart. For the Spirit Himself testifies, that those who persevere in long months of dark and cold will reap the true joys of heaven if they freeze not.

Now concerning livestock. I hear that there are some among you who have ponies? And I do believe it! For there must be ponies among you, that those of you who are spiritual may be edified along with the saints of old. But let not the ponies, nor chickens, nor dogs, nor cats, nor any such thing in the kingdom of God, bring division among you, my little children, for the kingdom of God is not ponies and donkeys, but the Spirit of God in the bond of love.

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.

Now I urge you, brethren, take note of those who cause division, and tell on them that they may be spanked, for sound discipline is truly painful for the moment, but afterword yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness for those who refuse it not.

I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. When I come, I will bring Ira with me, for he is a true son to me and useful in the ministry, and a beloved brother as you well know.

Greet the friends by name, but stay away from kissing each other with a holy kiss, for “the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable”. The spirit has told me that flu season will be upon us shortly, and I hope to find you in good health when I come. Peace be to you. Our friends greet you. Jesse the Elder greets you. Chelsey greets you. The elect lady Sara and her children greet you in the Lord.

I, Justin, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine. It is the way I write. May the grace of Christ dwell in you richly. Amen!!”

A Promise Fulfilled…

I saw Pastor Tim only recently, and I passed along a package of snacks to be delivered to the kids. In it was a note that said this:

“As I had purposed in my heart a month ago, brethren, to provide for you a gift, so now I seek to complete my desire to bless you as well. Although it be not Twinkies, according to what I had said in my first epistle, I believe that, by the grace of God, you will be blessed by our offering. It is a super-sweet savor to the Lord that tastes like caramel.

For this reason I have sent you Tim, my father in the Lord, whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will deliver this generous gift that is being administered by us, and he will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. Amen”

Thanks for the encouragement, kids!

Enjoy the Cracker Jack!

-Pastor Justin (a bond-slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ).