Recovering Freedom in Christ
by Shawn Leonard, Rose Valley Friends
Shawn participated in the Mountain Ministry and is now on staff, helping others. He is a member at Rose Valley Friends Church, in Kelso, WA, and teaches Sunday school.
Mountain Ministries, located just outside of Kelso, WA., is a one-year discipleship program designed to lead a person from a life of drugs and alcohol to a life committed to serving Jesus Christ. With a 70% success rate, Mountain Ministries shows that Jesus Christ is the answer to drugs, alcohol, and other forms of addiction. Gary and Fay Miller, the executive directors, have dedicated their home, property, money and time to “the Mountain” because of the call God put on their lives. I have seen lives restored…lives that were once on the road to death. Even the animals seem to become healthy. It is a very challenging area to serve, but can also produce the greatest rewards. God loves to restore people’s lives and relationships. God is a God of restoration.
>>read more and join the dialogue>>
Celebrate Recovery: Healing Discipleship
by Becky Emmons, 2nd Street Community, a ministry of Friends.In 2005 2nd Street Community Church, a ministry of Friends in Newberg, OR, launched Celebrate Recovery and soon outgrew its facility. After talking with Newberg pastors, asking them to join us, Northside Community Church offered their building, several other churches offered resources, and in November 2008, we changed our name to “Newberg Community Celebrate Recovery”. We are followers of Jesus Christ who have found a safe place to take off our masks and take the first step to change – surrendering our lives and wills to our true Higher Power, Jesus Christ!
>>read more and get contact information>>
Two Reflections: Disciplining our Minds
We asked Doug Wedin, pastor, and Carole Spencer, director of the Friends Center at George Fox Evangelical Seminary, to provide short essays on “disciplining the mind and body as servants of the Lord,” (Query 18). They gave us good essays on the importance of intentional thinking and the spiritual discipline of studying.
>>read more and respond to their thoughts>>
Keeping Current with Local Outreach ~ Lynwood Playgroup
by Penny Krueger, Lynwood Friends
In Titus 2:4, older women are told to teach younger women how to love. This verse had been on my heart for several months. The Lord was clearly speaking to me, but what action was needed? I prayed and pondered, and one day as I walked in northeast Portland I saw a sign in front of a church. “Playgroup: Where moms and kids connect.” I discovered that a playgroup is a gathering that allows children to have fun while mothers visit. I could do that for our community! I could help moms learn what is good through a weekly playgroup housed in our church. Through this I could provide loving support to mothers and their families.
>>read more about Penny Krueger’s ministry to moms>>
Keeping Current with Global Outreach – Uncovering God’s Faithfulness
by Patrick N, NWYM Friend Serving Abroad
As we approach the end of the year, we often reflect upon the events of the previous twelve months, especially those things that are enjoyable to recall. Maybe we are reminded of those rare moments spent with family and friends. Perhaps we remember a special occasion or milestone like a wedding, graduation or the birth of a baby. One of the big thrills of the year for our family was how God provided us with visas to live in Israel, this after hearing of so many people who were denied this privilege. Of course, God’s people don’t only encounter favorable circumstances.Undoubtedly, there are some whose year was marked by tragedy.
>>read the rest of Patrick’s article>>
Churches Work to Serve the Latino Community
By Jennifer Perez, NWYM Immigration Advocacy Ministry Team
Each September several churches in Newberg partner together to put on an event called “Serve and Celebrate.” The fair-like event reaches out to members of the local community, providing a festival atmosphere with free food, music and on- and off-site services, such as haircuts, family photos, bike repair, house cleaning, etc. One of the services available this year, spearheaded by members of Newberg Friends Church, was assistance with passport applications for children.
>>read more and view some photos of the event >>
Announcements and Updates
- Three new church plants
- New Young Adult Leadership Development group
- Hayden Lake Young Adults minister in Portland
- Youth Challenged through Local Service Applications
- North Africa Ministry Exploration
- Men’s Retreats Updates
Download a PDF copy of the February 2010 Connection
