Month: February 2020

February 28, 2020 The Homeschool Ministry

Why We Need Community

Community is an important aspect of every Christians life. At our church we have many ways in which we are all affected by our church community. One of the blessings of being part of a community is the ways in which the church community is part of homeschooling our kids.

Kids need to be part of a community just like adults do. They need influencers in their lives to help them move towards Christ and not away from him. They need people to help them mature and learn how to make life decisions. The homeschool group at Believer’s Church is meant to be that influence in the lives of our kids, but it takes more then the group itself.

Our kids also need the influence of those other than their parents and peers. They need other adults, of all ages, who can also influence them towards the Kingdom of God. This happens through formal events we plan, but more often it happens through the day to day interactions you have with them. 

Community Lessons

For the more formal side of things, we have had various people from the church over the past years teach lessons for our homeschool group. Different educational and life topics have been taught to our group by members of our church community. This gives the kids the benefit of hearing from different people other than their parents.  There are many members who have skills, talents, and abilities that us as parents, just don’t have.  Their knowledge is shared and the kids come to realize that people at the their church can teach them some pretty interesting things.  Thank you to all of you who have come in over the past couple years to share and teach us!

We’ve had some fun lessons over the past years!

Community Interactions

On the more informal side, we belong to a community so all the members of our community can be a positive influence on our kids. Children follow other kids, but they also follow the adults in their lives. While parents have an enormous impact on the lives of their children, often kids will follow the examples of other adults that take the time to interact with them. The impact you may be having on our kids may not seem obvious now but it will be shown over time.

In the upcoming months, we have a STEM camp planned for the kids and will have a few more learning activities for the kids taught by members of the church community. If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about our homeschool group, please email homeschool@jfbelievers.com for more information.

February 25, 2020 Shofar Missions Cebu

Read the latest update from the mission field and Shofar Mission Cebu.

Team Preparations

Have you noticed that the JFB mission’s season has turned into mission’s year? Plans for the spring team are already in the works, so we’ve been able to do some of the advance prep for them to come. We recently took a trip south of the city to present Shofar Mission and the upcoming ministries to a regional group of pastors. As a parachurch organization, we’re always thankful to make new friends and be a part of what God is doing in local churches throughout the Philippines. We’re looking forward to seeing what He has in store for the next team and glad to be a part of all the teams that come here…

Exploring Creation Science

This branch of Shofar Mission seeks to equip young and developing minds to know why they believe what they believe. A variety of lessons are taught to primary and secondary students in both private and public schools. In February, lessons were taught to grades 4-12 at four different schools (two new schools). Each lesson includes a mixture of lecture, PowerPoint, video, discussion, and experiments. For the younger students, there is more lecture and experiments, whereas the older students engage more with video teaching and challenging group discussions. Many of the high school students have already made up their minds about what they believe about creation, science, and how we all got here. Through Exploring Creation Science, they are challenged to consider if what they believe is actually true, or if perhaps God’s good design in creation and science actually work together.

Not only does God use this branch of Shofar Mission to reach students, but it also provides opportunities to build relationships with teachers, principals, and pastors of churches that have schools. We’ve found that many of them run in the same circles, so a lot of the new schools bridge off of relationships with previous schools! God continues to open new doors as this ministry keeps growing and expanding. On the docket for the upcoming school year is the development of new curriculum for both senior high and elementary lessons as well as reaching out to new schools (public and private).

Campus Outreach

Did you know that in 2018, there were over 2.3 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s) throughout the world? Over 50% of them worked in western Asia, many of them in closed nations that are hostile to the gospel.[1] For Filipinos, it is quite easy to find work in these nations. So, what does this have to do with campus ministry? A lot, in fact. In many conversations with young people (both high school and college students), their dream is to work abroad so they can send money home to their families. What would happen if while they’re studying here in the Philippines, the gospel really got a hold of them, then propelled them into closed nations where they can go and make disciples? We could change the world for King and Kingdom…

Through Street Level Ministries, students are able to participate in God’s Kingdom work and be equipped for whatever God may call them to in the future. Members can volunteer for Word on the Street Magazine or Street Level Radio, receive solid biblical teaching, engage in Christian community, and have multiple opportunities to reach out to other students. During the past month, we held two live radio broadcasts (one on-campus and one off-campus), passed out WOTS magazines, held weekly dinners and biblical discussions, launched the next issue of WOTS, met on campus for a verse-by-verse Bible study, and took an early morning hike to see the city. We were even able to have an informational booth on campus during Student’s Day at the University of the Visayas.

It’s amazing to be a part of all that God is doing among the university students here, and our prayers are that the seeds we plant would grow and bear fruit for years to come… in the Philippines and to the ends of the world.

Prayer Requests

  1. Team Preparations – that God would open and close doors as He sees fit as we plan and prepare, and that we would be able to reach the people He wants us to.
  2. Exploring Creation Science – meetings with new schools, scheduling of lessons for the next school year, and development of new curriculum.
  3. Campus Outreach – for the students to make the most of their remaining school year (many of them graduate in May) and seek the Kingdom first at their university.

[1] https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/survey/labor-and-employment/survey-overseas-filipinos

February 22, 2020 Blind Munchies Coffeehouse

Here’s your update on all things coffeehouse! It has been a great couple of months to be serving the Lord through the coffeehouse! We have been able to give away coffee to students during a study night, work on new bakery items, ideate new menu ideas, added some avenues to give proceeds to non-profit organizations, and been able to continue serving Saturday breakfasts to students and the community.

Photo of Study Night at The Blind Munchies

This past study night we gave away coffee to a lot of students who were preparing for their finals. It was an awesome way to serve students and to get the word out about the coffeehouse and, of course, $2 Saturday Student Breakfasts!

Soups up!

We haven’t only been tinkering with new bakery items, we have also been expanding our daytime menu. Our daytime menu now includes Soup with homemade bread weekdays and new goodies in the cold case like sandwiches! These to-go items have been a hit with students!

Poster for the Soda promo.. more to come in the future!

Another exciting thing that God is doing is opening up new avenues to donate our proceeds to various ministries. We are on our way to funding a well building in rural South Asia! We are also running a soda special this month to raise support for the mission in David, Kentucky that Street Level participated in last year, so buy some soda this week! We will continue to look for ways to support what God is doing in Menomonie, the USA, & the world!

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to see regular Blind Munchies Coffeehouse updates!

February 20, 2020 River Falls Ministry

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

Plant Sale

School starting up again meant for a busy season for the college ministry. We strategized a variety of outreaches and means by which to connect with the campus. This semester we hosted something that we’ve been planning to do for a quite while: a plant sale at the coffeehouse.

“Plant donations” came in from people at the Menomonie church and by the time we were ready, we had over 100 plants distributed throughout the coffeehouse. We heavily advertised the sale to the students and were happy to see the outcome many new people stopping in. Aside from finding some new decor for their dorms, they also got to see the coffeehouse and get some information about Street Level. It was nice to see so many people hanging out and having conversations in our space!

Getting Out

The college group recently joined Street Level Twin Ports in Menomonie for a fun weekend of fellowship. Friday night, we played games at the Street Level house and heard a few people share what God has been doing in their lives and on their campuses. The next day we all met at the Blind Munchies coffeehouse for a hearty breakfast before heading out to the ice to fight it out in broom ball.

Writers from Word on the Street Magazine recently joined together in Duluth for a great weekend to focus on the magazine. We worked together on the topic of “who is our audience?” in addition to launching into our next issue. The highlight of the weekend was a creative writing workshop with a professional writer. She took us through extremely helpful writing and thinking exercises that we can use to boost our skills.

Please Pray…

  1. For growing desire for discipleship in the hearts of the students.
  2. For discernment and wisdom as we make plans the rest of the semester in Street Level.
  3. As we continue to outreach and advertise for the church plant, that we’d be able to present a clear message about who we are.

For Further Information

February 16, 2020 Co/Mission Couples Ministry

An Old-Fashioned House Hop

Gnosko has had a couple of group fellowship events recently.  First up was a Progressive Dinner in Mid-December.   It was an opportunity to host an old fashioned house hop.  We even dressed up a bit to add an element of something unique.   Each home had a small group responsible for setting up food and décor. We met prior to our first round to prepare together.   The full group showed up at each location to partake in that particular course.  We had three courses—appetizers, main dish, and dessert!  

What a great time was had by all in interaction, preparation, and more. These events are fun to change things up. To mix and mingle with the rest of the group. Along with the ones we had pairings with for the food prep portion.  The evening was capped off with a nice round of Baloney.   We truly learn more about one another when we get a peek into gaming strategies. Who’s competitive and who’s not, and best of all who is not a good liar!  Some do not have the fine art of a poker face. We had some great koinonia. 

Beginning a New Year

At the end of January, we enjoyed another time of Gnosko games and goodies with game day and treats.  There were endless options for games laid out on the tables. The same could be said for the food selections.   We ended up with three good games groups.   We are grateful to be able to come together and have this time in fellowship, food, and fun. As well as opportunities to pray for and encourage one another.  

Small-Group Gatherings

We have had opportunities and time throughout the month to get together on our own. With a couple or two in our group and just have dinner together. Or getting together in town for an activity.  This spurs a natural opportunity to include and encourage one another in our day to day dealings. As well as continue to reach out to the greater community.  We also seek to remember to include our neighbors whether it’s in a bigger group event. Or just in a small setting on our own.

This brings to mind a great Bible verse: Philippians 2: 1-2 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Please pray for us as we are seeking where God wants to lead our group this year.

February 13, 2020 Pastor Jesse Moss

Our campus ministry has always been an important part of this church. So, the start of a new semester is always an exciting time for us. But this semester we have something new that God is doing to look forward to. Over winter break Street Level became an officially recognized student org at the UM-Duluth Campus! In the last month, students returned back to campus for the start of another semester. Which means Street Level started back up after mostly taking a break through the winter break.

Two Campuses: One Mission

Our local Twin Ports chapter of Street Level is now on two campuses but still with one mission: to encourage, lead, and provide opportunities for college students to seek Jesus wholeheartedly and to follow Him with every aspect of their lives. We begin the semester with information tables at both campuses. We gave away coffee and let students know more about Street Level.

Street Level Road Trip

We also launched into this semester with a fun trip off campus to the Street Level House in Menomonie. Street Level all piled into a van and headed south where we joined with the other US-based Street level groups (sorry Cebu) for a night filled with fellowship, games, and snacks. We took time to hear about the different things God is doing in the ministries and individuals from each campus. It is always encouraging to hear about the ministry that is happening that we sometimes aren’t aware of. In the morning we fueled up with breakfast provided by the Blind Munchies. Then we headed to the ice where we took part in the great SL Broomball tournament of 2020.

Judging by the amount of time people spent on their backs, we may have lacked some talent. But it was made up for by enthusiasm. After the victors claimed their prize, we had a bbq on the frozen lake and even made a snowman.

Word on the Street Magazine

We are currently printing our 43rd issue of Word on the Street. The magazine has changed a lot over the years. We are always hoping and looking for ways to get better at what God has called us to do. In the last week, JFB Duluth hosted a WOTS workshop where we came together to talk about everything magazine and writing. We spent the morning launching our next issue and talking about some things specific to our magazine and staff. In the afternoon we were blessed to be joined by a professional writer. She shared her insights and taught us how to be more creative and effective in our writing. See the picture below of the notes from our meeting… don’t worry we don’t really know what it says either….  

Fellowship

The typical month has four Wednesdays in it. Occasionally we will see a month with one extra. When this happens, we take the opportunity to get out of the church and do something fun in the community. January happened to be one of those months so we took over a room at a local pizza place and set up an easel and played Pictionary. It was an entertaining night, probably more so because it turns out that God did not intend for many of us to be artists…    

The Super Bowl is always a good time for us to all come together and enjoy each other’s company over some delicious food. (I think there might be a TV on with the game somewhere too, I’m pretty sure I heard that the Packers won)

We Can’t do This Alone

Despite how it might read it has not been all fun and games up here. God had a mission for us, and it isn’t easy. We will never be able to be the church that He intends on our own. We can train ourselves to the best of our ability as we did at the WOTS workshop, we can be together united in fellowship, we can gain new ministries as we did at UMD, but if God is not behind it these things are of limited value. If your inclined to pray for us, pray that Street Level would be an organization that is lead by God, grown by Him, and used by Him at both campuses. Pray that these opportunities for fellowship go beyond a fun night but deeper to true unity as the one body of Christ that we are to be.