Archive for January, 2008

January has been a great month for us. On January 6^th we welcomed back 108 students. I taught “Christian Marriage & Dating” the second week of school. This is also the time of year when we interview and choose members for the Summer Ministry Team – this always proves to be an interesting process, but God is always faithful to guide us through. The third weekend in January we had our annual alumni retreat; it was a great weekend filled with lots of activity and visiting with previous students. We also have our semi-annual board meeting this month.  David & Drenda Duff

We had a great trip to Mexico in December. We built two houses and had a dedication service for both houses. We also did a Kids’ Program each afternoon that was well received, even though we couldn’t speak Spanish and they couldn’t speak English (we did puppet shows to some Spanish tapes). One of the blessings of the Mexico trip was to see a broad spectrum of ages all working together. Our oldest member was 69 and our youngest 14, with a whole range in between. I was so blessed by the quality youth who came along, who were on fire for God! It speaks to God’s faithfulness in raising up another generation of believers. We also had a special Christmas Craft Sunday in our church, with a good number of new faces. My message focused on how Christmas fits into the big picture of the Bible. Our Christmas Eve Service was also well received; the building was packed. The needs are great, the challenges sometimes overwhelming, but God’s grace is amazing! I have a feeling in my heart that something is happening within the community and our church, and we are going to have growth. The next months, I believe, will be very interesting – keep praying for us!! Henry & Marilyn Vandermeer

I’ve been conducting the Christian Education classes in the local public school. Every week I get to teach the Bible to the grade 4 class. The curriculum was put together by the Lacombe Ministerial Association and is approved by the county for use in the schools. I teach the Old Testament and another person teaches the New Testament to the Grade 5 class. It is a real opportunity and a privilege to be able to do this.  Gordon & Val Rowland

I had a very good visit with a couple in our community about the Bible and what it means to serve God – a conversation I have with them every time I visit them.  I pray in time it will bring fruit for the Kingdom of God. I also visited with two men in our community; one has been attending our church for several years and faithfully inviting people to church.  The other man recently started attending our church. When the first man’s health became bad enough that he couldn’t attend church, this man started bringing him to church. As we were visiting, he said people think he started attending because his friend needed a ride. But that was wrong! He’d decided he needed to attend church, and that his friend should also keep attending church. The second man’s wife has also been attending. I’ve been praying that he and his wife would come to church for six years, and the Lord is finally answering! Dan & Caroline Enns

I (Teresa) work at Avenal Elementary School and hear so many problems that the parents are going through with their marriages and children. Many come and ask me if I know of any counseling system that they may attend to get help. I smile at them and give them the information. I smile because at our church we offer family counseling! We are learning more about how the man should LOVE his wife and how the woman should RESPECT her husband, and how both will be great examples to their children so that they can also learn to LOVE AND RESPECT.  All of us are learning how to live with our children, what to do in different situations, and how to strengthen our marriage – all through the Word of God. The best part is that this counseling came just in time to reach new families attending our church. Many people are looking for a human being to fix their life, and I am so glad I work at a school because with prayer and courage I can share the great information I have to help these families. Raul & Teresa Corona