Stories from the Fields

It is truly wonderful to be in the new church addition. We are settling into the offices. Dixie has taken on the “Coffee Ministry,” that greets you as you step into the new building (she loves it and is doing a great job). We see new faces nearly every week. 

People are thinking over what this new building and area might mean in regards to what they may be able to do, now that we have the space and are beginning to increase our numbers. The elders are helping with visitation and counseling – new challenges all the way around. The youth continue to help with music and reaching out to the elderly (what a blessing!). The women in the church are reevaluating their ministries and are bringing the many arms of their ministry into a clearer form and focus. With the men’s group, women’s ministries, and youth all striving to minister in a manner that truly glorifies God and reaches into our wide community, how could anyone not be JUST TRULY BLESSED AND HOPEFUL for our abilities to serve God – now and in the future. God is blessing; we are trying to cooperate with Him.  

Sandy & Joan Strait

I just attended my first AA meeting. What a treat. About a month ago a new lady attended our church for the first time. As I visited with her, I found that she was a licensed DUI/AA/NA instructor. She’d just moved to Hinkley and was looking for a place to have some meetings. I told her she could use the church, and she was quite shocked. She said that no other church she had talked with would open their facility to her. I told her that was pretty sad, but to go ahead and plan some meetings here. At the first meeting, she shared with the group how my message on her first visit here encouraged people to set goals in their life and pursue them. That gave her the encouragement to approach me about hosting meetings…and the rest is history. Praise God!! God continues to amaze me, teaching me to practice what I preach and preach what I practice. To Him be the Glory!!          Dick & Pam Bosworth

We have three young men whom we will be training to become deacons in the not too distant future. Praise the Lord! I also began a baptism class on November 2, as about 7 people have shown interest in baptism and new membership.   Owen & Lori Corcora

We had a tragic and unexpected death. A couple, barely fifty, faithfully attends each week. Lately their daughter and her family had also been attending. One Sunday following a service, they all went to the diner and then went home to enjoy family. 

At 3:00 p.m. the mom, age 51, had a stroke. Two days later, she was home with her Lord. I certainly got to know the entire family better as we prayed and cried together, and it was a sobering reminder to the church that on any given day, God may call us home…a reminder to be about the Kingdom and redeem the time that we have. 

 At her funeral, a certain relative attended. Following the memorial services, she went home, called the deceased lady’s daughter, and said, “I don’t know what you have at that church, but I want it.” She has been coming every Sunday since. Pray that she might be saved because it seems that this is her desire. It is amazing how God indeed does work all things according to His purpose, for His glory.     Jason & Kathi Berga

We continue to see the mission field here. A lady called with questions about the church, so Suzanne and I met with her. She shared her life’s story and requested financial assistance, saying she’d already received some from two other churches. We prayed with her and invited her to become part of a church family, but let her know we could not provide financial assistance. She came to church! 

A 17-year-old young man, who came by the day we moved in, came back to ask questions. He’s not from a Christian home; in fact, his parents are hostile against any religion. He’s done a lot of research on his own, and I believe he has been converted. I answered most of his questions and gave him a Bible. He said he would be interested in coming to church if his parents allow. I pray he will be grounded in the Word and be freed to come to church. I stopped at a yard sale and met the entire family of a lady that attends our church.  Probably would’ve been a long time before I met them had it not been for a yard sale.

I’ve also joined the Chesterfield Fire Dept…they voted me in as a member and also appointed me Chaplain. I look forward to how the Lord will use me in this area.              

Aaron & Suzanne McNally

October has been a busy month of getting started on our 40^th year of Ecola, leading orientation for the students, and getting the staff established into their roles. We have 79 students in our first-year program, and 33 enrolled in our School of Ministry program. The school year got off to a good start, and although this is an abnormally small class, there seems to be a really good atmosphere amongst the student body. The students are enjoying classes and seem eager to learn. We’ve also been enjoying some wonderful and unusual weather.    David & Drenda Duff

I’ve been preaching through the book of Ephesians. On the Sunday that we began chapter 6, I decided to focus on the children. We sang children’s songs, the children shared special music, our son Aaron led our worship time, and the message was “Children Obey and Honor your parents.” The kids really enjoyed having a service for them. One adult commented how nice it was to do something different. Another person told me they’d never heard a whole message dedicated to children like that. It was a very good day.  Paul & Denise DeVall

If you would like to see some pictures of the ministry at Glendorado please click on this link

Prior to the worship service one week, a motorcyclist appeared at our church to say a fellow rider had crashed. Three from our congregation, who are with the Rescue Dept, responded, and I stayed to conduct the service. The rider had several broken ribs.

Following the service, a man appeared at the door to ask for help rescuing his dogs that had gone into an old mine after a bear. Along with the help of the Animal Control officer and Fire Dept. members, we were able to get the dogs out of the mine. Just a normal day of worship in Oriskany! 

David & Ninette Cox

Our local school has changed to a schedule of 4 days per week this year, with Friday usually being the day they are not in session. Several of the moms in our church were concerned that some of the kids wouldn’t have lunch if they weren’t in school, so we started a lunch & learning program (meeting in the park while the weather holds) to feed them physically and spiritually. We’ve met several new families through this outreach and are praying that they will be led by the Holy Spirit to accept God’s gift of salvation through Christ.  

Please be in prayer for Bill and Vicki as Bill battles cancer.  He has already lived much longer than the doctors predicted and continues to minister actively.  Please pray for a complete healing if God so wills and that God will sustain them during this trial.