 We have several exciting updates to share from this year at our church. First, our new mission statement is KNOW GOD, MAKE HIM KNOWN. This reflects Jesus’ command to love Him first and then to love our neighbors as ourselves. Truly, how can we know God without knowing His love? And how can we make Him known apart from passing His love along?
Carolyn shares, “We are seven families represented (including us)—13 adults and 6 children. We had 3–4 new Spanish-speaking families start coming to the church in 2024, with different levels of English. Two families came to our church after only being in Canada a couple of weeks. Although learning English is important and becoming part of the church community is the goal, this Sunday School time allows them to study God’s Word in their mother tongue and share their thoughts freely. One family and one single man are new to the faith, but the others came from churches in Colombia and the Dominican Republic and were looking for a place to fellowship here.” When the Reimers are away, two capable men step in to lead the Bible study, and plans are in place for a more organized time for the children. In May, our congregation began intentionally celebrating Pentecost, including a baby dedication that day. With four little ones in our congregation, we anticipate more dedications to come. We were especially blessed with the births of two new babies this summer: Esther Grace Reimer, born May 18 to Derek and Kirsten Reimer, and Micah Timothy Ryan, born July 23 to Pastor Tim and Kristin. Alongside this joy, we were saddened by the passing of Irene Margaret Klassen, age 88, on May 17, 2025.
Linda Edwards, Correspondent Dalmeny Bible Church has experienced a season rich in ministry, learning, and fellowship. Missions highlights included a sending prayer in March for Jason, Joanne, Hannah, and Olivia Borrowman with AIM before they returned to Hurri Hills, Africa, and a visit from Doug Barr with One Hope – Ranger Lake Bible Camp on March 30. During Lent, the congregation focused on Jesus’ journey to the Cross, enriched by personal testimonies from church members. Children’s Mini-Clubs wrapped up their winter sessions with a Family Showcase, and leaders and volunteers attended both the Youth Workers Conference and the Children’s Impact Conference in Saskatoon. Growing Leaders training continues for adults and youth, and the church’s literacy support program remains active in the local elementary school. Winter fellowship events included Men’s Breakfast Gatherings, an NFL Super Bowl supper for men and boys, and a Lazer Tag outing. Ladies participated in a Winter Retreat, a Charcuterie night, and a Pre-Easter brunch for ladies and girls, alongside showers celebrating a new bride and a new baby. The congregation continues to lift up families experiencing difficult medical situations, providing both practical and spiritual care. Marilyn Harder, Correspondent Evangelical Bible Church Dallas, Oregon Troy Bassham, Pastor ebcdallas.org This summer, we hosted just over 100 local children for our True North VBS. We will soon begin evaluating and searching for an administrative pastor, as Pastor Mike is moving on to serve as senior pastor at a new church. In September, we will launch a new Awana year. Please pray for leaders and helpers, as we typically have between 120 and 140 children each week. In October, we will hold our annual missions conference here at the church with our missionary friends serving in Central Asia. Alison Johnson, Correspondent Jansen Bible Church Jansen, Nebraska Paul Carpenter, Pastor jansenbiblechurch.org The Washington County, Kansas, Rodeo took place on June 13–14. Once again, our JBC women faithfully managed the concession stand this year. Vacation Bible School, held June 16–20, focused on the life and times of Elijah, with 40 students attending. Garrett and Joanna Schlake, serving with InterVarsity in France, were the featured missionaries. Offerings totaled $4,322.03 to help fund Evangelism Week for college students at their university. The Schlakes also led a Q&A session on June 24. In June, Jeff Engelman and his son Josiah traveled to Indonesia to minister at a Bible conference with the Semandang people group, where Jeff grew up and later served as a missionary. On July 6, Brian Dick introduced the new Spanish director of Springs of Life Camp. Brian and Susanna serve with Avant at the camp, which is now managed by Word of Life. Throughout July, our pastoral search committee arranged for several candidates to minister while the Carpenters were in Florida attending the Moretti Ministries Board meeting. We praise the Lord for those seeking His direction in the harvest field, even as we continue to seek His guidance for His flock at Jansen. Tena Dick, Correspondent Martensville Mission Church Martensville, Saskatchewan Justin Klassen, Pastor facebook.com/martensvillemissionchurch The past several months have been full of fellowship, outreach, and new opportunities at MMC. Earlier in the year, our congregation enjoyed several gatherings, including a Super Bowl Party on February 9, a Family Fun Night on February 14, and our Annual General Meeting on February 28. Pastor Justin also led us through a special two-sermon Easter series: Palm Sunday’s The Rocks Will Cry Out and Easter Sunday’s Yet Not I. Our Women’s Bible Study, which began again in March, has been studying the Psalms. God has also been stirring hearts in the area of outreach. Under the leadership of Pastor Brolin, MMC launched our first Soup and Bun Community Supper on March 3. Volunteers from the church prepared and served the meal, and about 20 people from the community attended, along with others from MMC who enjoyed the meal and fellowship together. These suppers have continued monthly since then and will carry on through the summer. It has been encouraging to see new faces come through the doors each month, and we look forward to how God will continue to use this ministry. May was a particularly busy month. In addition to our Community Suppers, we participated in the Martensville Community Garage Sale and the Buster Days parade, where information cards highlighting MMC programs were handed out along the parade route. We also held our Ladies Salad Fiesta, where Kelsey Simes, wife of Associate Pastor Brolin Simes, shared how God has moved in her life. Each of these events provided meaningful opportunities to connect with people in our community and show the love of Christ. As summer has unfolded, most of our regular programming has wound down to give families a chance to rest and enjoy time together. Our youth, however, continue to meet informally twice each month. We wrapped up the ministry season with a Family BBQ on June 8 following the morning service. Looking ahead, plans are underway for our second annual MMC Camping Weekend at Pike Lake in August, which will include an outdoor Sunday Service. Many have already signed up, and we anticipate another wonderful weekend of food, fun, and fellowship. We are also preparing for a baptism service and our Fall Kickoff, both scheduled for September 14. Brenda Quirt, Correspondent Randville Bible Church Iron Mountain, Michigan Jim Janofski, Pastor facebook.com/RandvilleBibleChurch Summer is a joyful time at Randville Bible Church and this year was no exception; we praise God for His faithfulness and rejoice in our church family's love for the Lord and His Word and the joys of being a part of a local family of God's people. Our annual church outreach picnic on the last Sunday of June was a memorable time with a number of visitors in the morning service that left the church nearly full. Many family, friends, and neighbors then gathered to enjoy the annual picnic under the big tent that followed the service. The day was filled with great food, warm fellowship, games, and 15 musicians praising the Lord through bluegrass Gospel. What a special day for this annual outreach event. July brought the blessing of sermons from the Book of Jonah, preached by guest pastor Hill, who touched lives through this expository message series. During this time, Pastor Jim was ministering at a music festival, where he had multiple opportunities to share the Gospel in a variety of musical settings. The power of prayer for boldness in witnessing was clearly felt and seen, and we thank God for His blessings. In August, services have focused on God’s character through various psalms in the theme Psalms We Cherish. How rich is God’s Word! We savor our God as Creator, reflect upon His holy character, His eternal nature, and His care, guidance, and provision as the ultimate Good Shepherd. In September, we will celebrate Grandparents Sunday as we reflect on the role and importance of grandparents in children’s lives. We also will commemorate World Bible Translation Sunday on the last Sunday of the month, focusing on updates in Bible translation work and newly completed languages over the past year. We praise the Lord for His blessings and faithfulness to our small fellowship at RBC! May His name be praised, and may He continue to bless the churches of our FEBC. Pastor Jim Janofski Rock Valley Chapel Beloit, Wisconsin Tim Johnson, Pastor rockvalleychapel.org We praise God for the ways He has been at work in the lives of His people over the past several months! Earlier this year, we celebrated three baptisms at our Easter Sunday service, rejoicing in each person’s commitment to Christ. Holy Week this year was a meaningful and celebratory time for our congregation. We held a Maundy Thursday service that included a brief Seder meal and explanation, a Good Friday service, a Saturday morning prayer time, and Easter Sunday festivities, beginning with food and fellowship before the morning service. We continue to give thanks for God’s faithfulness and the ways He draws people into His family. Karen Broekhuis, Correspondent Salem Church Waldheim, Saskatchewan James VanderVeen, Pastor salemchurch.ca Over the past several months, the Salem family has enjoyed many events and opportunities for fellowship. In February, we hosted a Matt Falk Clean Comedy Night, welcoming visitors from near and far. In March, Gary Krehbiel led a Family Fusion event in the afternoon, bringing couples and families together for laughter and clean fun. Our ladies’ events have resumed as well, with each gathering focused on a specific theme connected to the overall theme of Gather. In March, the theme was Gather in Gratitude, and participants shared testimonies and engaged in meaningful discussions around tables of good food. Looking ahead, we celebrated Waldheim’s joint Easter services, including a Thursday evening service at Salem followed by a youth event. Good Friday services were held at the MB church across town, where attendees also partook in the Lord’s Table together. Easter Sunday services were held at both churches in celebration of the risen Lord. We were also excited to host the Watoto Children’s Choir on April 27 for an evening concert, which included opportunities for host families to connect with choir members. Since spring, we have also celebrated Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and our Grade 12 graduates. Eight individuals shared personal testimonies and were received into membership, including one baptism. These occasions have been a time to rejoice in God’s faithfulness and the blessings He provides. This season also brings change for Salem Church as two key positions are open for applications. Brenda Wiens, who has faithfully served as Director of Family Ministries for the past six years, will be retiring at the end of July. Shawna Mwakikuti, our Office Administrator for the past five years, will be beginning her maternity leave in July. We ask for prayer as we seek God’s guidance in filling these roles with the people He is preparing for these responsibilities. Shawna Mwakikuti, Correspondent Saron Mennonite Church Fairview, Oklahoma Arnold Curby, Pastor It has been a full and joyful summer at Saron! On May 4, the congregation hosted an evening reception honoring high school graduates Karsyn Pendergraft and Bre D’Alberto. June brought more highlights, including Children’s Day at Gloss Mountain State Park on June 8, followed by Communion and a Fellowship Dinner on June 29, where Krista Pendergraft also shared about her mission trip to Ireland. The celebrations continued with the wedding of Amos Nunn, son of Adam and Denise Nunn, to Breanna D’Alberto, daughter of Denny and Rachel D’Alberto, on July 26. The Saron family also rejoiced in two new births: Shalom Susanna Curby, born May 2 to Levi and Kristin Curby, and Miriam Elizabeth Hope Kanary, born July 11 to Hannah and Jonathan Kanary. Arnold and Grace Curby are the proud grandparents of both little ones. Most recently, on August 15, the congregation enjoyed a potluck picnic at Roman Nose State Park following the morning service. The event served as a meaningful time of fellowship as well as an opportunity to connect with the wider community. Grace Curby, Correspondent Vita Bible Church Vita, Manitoba Jonathan Coutts, Pastor
Pastor Jonathan referenced this Casting Crowns song more than once this spring as we journeyed through Acts. If we are the hands and feet of Jesus, what does that look like for us? Our lives here are but a breath, and we should live each moment for God. This year at Vita Bible Church, we have had many opportunities to live out the words of Paul in Romans 12:5, to rejoice with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who mourn. As a body, we rejoiced as we celebrated the dedication of our newest babies on March 9: Arabella Dyck (Jason and Maya Dyck), Wyatt Hofer (Kris and Val Hofer), Timothy Wiebe (Keith and Bethany Wiebe), Liam Unger (Tony and Annabel Unger), and Emmit Rempel (Daniel and Julia Rempel). It was a wonderful time to celebrate our growing congregation. Many relatives and friends came to support these young couples as they dedicated their little ones to the Lord. On the morning of March 23, we mourned together as one body when two of our members, Diedrich and Sara Unger, were tragically called to their eternal home. This painful reminder of the brevity of life renewed our resolve to love and serve with all that we have, being the body Christ calls us to be. Our transition into summer began with unexpected excitement when a bear broke into our church basement, curious to look around and join in on all the activity. This summer, we took a break from our study of Acts and instead looked more deeply into various psalms, worshipping God through David’s writings. Pastor Jonathan also began a new short session with the children during the service, where one child each Sunday places any item of their choice into a special shoebox. Pastor Jonathan then uses that surprise item as an object lesson to draw the children into the love Christ has for them. We are so thankful for our church family and for God’s design for us. He created us to love, support, and encourage one another—rejoicing together, mourning together, holding one another up in prayer, and being His hands and feet. Together, we reach out to the hurting, love the little children, and show them all that Jesus is the Way. Tiffany Tuurenhout, Correspondent
Tags:
The Recommended Content Widget will appear here on the published site.
|
8/22/2025
0 Comments