Author: Believers Church

July 20, 2022 Believers Church

At the peak of summer, we’ve been outdoors as much as possible: Grill outs, Bible studies in the park, coffee outreach gigs and more. Keep reading for the latest news from Believers Church ministry in River Falls.

Going Mobile

We took out the mobile coffeehouse a couple times during “River Falls Days”. Firstly at “Taste of River Falls”, which was a gathering of about 50 pop-up vendors and food trucks. The event started off with heavy rain, but once the weather cleared up and the band started playing 90s cover songs, it turned out to be a good time. Later that week we set up near city hall. It was a beautiful day and hundreds of people were out. We met a lot of new people and were able to talk about our purpose and mission, as well as supply some cold brew. Some of us made the local newspaper, find a link here.

Parks and Rec

Our Bible studies have been meeting in Glen Park for most of the summer. It’s just a few minute walk from the coffeehouse, so it’s easy to get to. The Wednesday Community Studies meet there regularly. Some of the students from Campus Church, who stayed for the summer, have been joining us each week for discussion. For Street Level, we’ve done grill outs and have been reading through a book together. One night, some of us met up at the Coon Rapids Dam Park to hang out and do a picnic.

Pre-season

We are also fully preparing for things this fall semester. This includes collaborating with the other locations for advertising, websites, and social media. Additionally the students are communicating with the university to work out our rooms and get student addresses for a freshman mailer. There are a lot of things to keep in prayer, here are a few:

  • That God would provide discernment and guidance in our preparations.
  • That we would get the right rooms and outreach locations set on campus.
  • That the students would experience discipleship and growth.
July 13, 2022 Believers Church

Hello Everyone! Summer is officially almost to an end here in the Twin Ports! Well, not entirely over, we’ve still got a bit of sunshine left on the docket, and we’ve definitely been making the most of the beautiful weather and heat while it lasts!

Speaking of heat, one nice cool update we’ve added to combat the blistering temperatures is an AC unit in the balcony of our Sanctuary. If you haven’t checked out the construction upgrades that have been made, I highly recommend it viewing the handiwork! Some of the other fun things and updates happening in Duluth are as follows:

Bike Trip And Fun Times

Once a year (sometimes more) when the weather complies, we like to break out our bicycles and hit the streets. This year we biked over 30 miles from Duluth all the way to Carlton and back where we stopped for food and fellowship. We even got to help a gentleman out with a flat tire on the trail. It was cool to have the tools, equipment, and know-how to bless a community member in need. The trek back to Duluth went much quicker than the ride down, and it culminated in getting ice cream together. Halfway through the bike ride, we stopped at a waterfall and did a bit of hiking together. Unfortunately, we only saw one penny-farth on the trail.

In addition to our bike trip, since the nice weather is so fleeting, this past month we also made a trip out to Gordy’s in Cloquet. Another great time of fellowship, food, and good conversation with family and friends from the community. This is another Duluth favorite, we like to at least make it out here for great food once a year (sometimes more).

The rainy 4th of July didn’t stop us from playing with fireworks and eating chicken. Our coffee house was opened up and we spent the drizzly day playing board games in fellowship and eating some very delectable entrees.

Church

We’re continuing our study through Matthew on Sundays, recently going through Matthew 6 and looking at the issue of our motives. Our Wednesdays have been consistent with rewinds which have been great! Small group discussions revolving around the previous Sunday’s message have helped to keep what we’ve been learning on Sunday in our minds, as well as getting the chance to learn new insights and perspectives from others all while connecting deeper and being vulnerable with each other. On non-rewind Wednesdays, we’ve continued through our Men’s and Women’s book studies (Disciplines of a Godly Man / Godly Woman) along with finishing up the Book of Jeremiah on the more traditional Wednesday services.

Looking Ahead

Please keep missions in prayer both local and foreign as we have members of the family here going on mission soon! A team is set to travel to New Orleans very soon, please keep them in prayer to stay flexible and remember that God is in control. We’ve also got people planning to head out to the Philippines and India in the near future so please pray for their safety, protection, and nearness to God as they prep for the good works ahead of them.

Please also keep Street Level and our Campus Church in prayer as we continue planning and seeing how this Fall shakes out. We’ve got a lot of exciting changes on the horizon and we’re looking forward to seeing what God has in store for this community.

That’s all for now folks, God has continued to bless us and we are grateful to be a part of his kingdom. Thanks for praying for us and we’ll see you in the next update!

-Seth

Some fellowship.
Some biking.
Some fighting.
July 8, 2022 Believers Church

Every Sunday we gather and sing songs to our Lord. If you are anything like the average Christian much of the time you are making noise and on occasion while singing those words you are truly worshipping. Every now and then while singing an often-sung line, something will suddenly hit me differently. It’s as though I’m hearing it for the very first time. It has nothing to do with “liking” the song. In fact, the last time it occurred it happened in a song I felt was overdone and had no strong inclination towards. We were in the midst of repeating a song that I had sung countless times in a mindless dull routine.

The Words We Sing

And the verse started,

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

And the next verse,

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine  

Words Made Real

The reality of the words we were singing became very real all at once. Guys, one day we are done with all of this. And that is a fact. No more fighting our own sin, no more constant disappointment, no more struggle. One day Jesus is coming back and it isn’t as though any of you reading this do not “know” this. But there is a difference between “knowing” it and believing and living in light of it. I was left with an overwhelming feeling of hope. I was reminded that my hope, fulfillment, and joy do not need to be full now. Because my hope is not in the here and now. It isn’t found in this world. It is found in Christ and one day it will be fully recognized.  

Jesus defeated Satan, He defeated the power of death, and one day our risen Savior is coming to take us out of here. Don’t forget it. On the days you have had enough remember what will happen one day.

I was reminded of Psalm 42

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You.

Why do you let yourself think the thoughts you do? Why do you forget what is true? Do you remember what Jesus did? Do you remember what He will do? Does your life reflect that this life is not the end-all and be-all? How does your life prove that one day Jesus is coming to get you?  

Hope in God, nothing else. Remember what is true. And praise Jesus for what He has already done, and what He will one day do.

June 28, 2022 Believers Church

By Nick Samens

A month ago, our homeschool group was able to attend the MACHE Homeschool Convention together in Arden Hills, MN. It was not only informational, but also inspirational. The sessions covered a broad group of topics with titles like “Parents are Uniquely Qualified to Teach and Disciple Their Children” and “Fear Not, You and Your Children Can Learn Math Together.”

The conference was held in a large church that had many rooms. The mornings started with an introduction and worship, then we all split to the sessions of our choice. At any given hour there were 8 different talks going. In the gymnasium there were vendors selling curriculum, books, helpful materials, and yes, essential oils. Despite my lack of interest in expanding my lavender inventory, I took personal inventory of what would benefit my own heart, my children’s education, and the flourishing of my family the most.

In one such session the speaker pointed out the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset when it comes to teaching our kids. The simplest way to sum it up is that someone with a growth mindset views intelligence, abilities, and talents as learnable and capable of improvement through effort. On the other hand, someone with a fixed mindset views those same traits as inherently stable and unchangeable over time. I think this provides a special opportunity as parents to teach (and often times learn with) our kids about how often God provides the means and we have to provide effort in our growth and discipleship. Things don’t always happen “just because”, somethings always being formed, molded, carried out one way or another.

Finishing off the second day I attended a session regarding the “legal” process of how homeschool came to be, where it is now, and where it’s heading. I actually listened to this speaker the day before and wasn’t thrilled to say the least. Maybe my patience regarding anything politics has warn as thin as frog hair but I sat through another one of his sessions with a different heart and attitude. I realized that despite his “fire” for law, without guys like him we would not have the fundamental right to choose how we educate our kids. I left his session with a different attitude and a reason to pray and support the people behind the scenes who really do play a large role in why we get to live/parent the way we do.

One thing that has been of the upmost importance to my wife and I since we started homeschooling was to do it for very “offensive” reasons. Such as seeing your child’s education as more of a lifestyle, an opportunity to spend more time with them, and to essentially, by God’s grace, cultivate an atmosphere where they are properly equipped to love those in a lost and dying world and bring life to it. All and all it was a special time of learning and fellowship with the other parents from our group who attended.

June 25, 2022 Believers Church

Street Level Ministries

What a crazy month it has been! Some students have been wrapping up their semester with final projects, papers, and presentations. Other students are starting summer classes. Each university operates on a different schedule, so there’s no slowing down during the summer.

We’ve continued meeting on Fridays for dinner and discussions. In Toledo, a few students who previously attended Shofar Camps joined! Last week in Cebu, we had a couple SLM alumni surprise us in the office and at our meeting. Ruby Mae was in the city to process paperwork for GRADUATION! Can you believe it? In August, we’re holding a one-day summit on the west side of the island. The directors of all 4 branches of SLM will teach and lead discussions about living an unwasted life.

  • Britt, Anisa, Rona, Fia, Jael, Mae, KC, & Garie
  • Friday nights in Cebu…
  • …and Toledo!
  • Izzy…goofing off!
  • Learning how to bake brownies….
  • …enjoying the fruit of our labor!
  • Ruby Mae is graduating!

Street Level Radio & Word on the Street

We’re excited to announce a new sponsor of Street Level Radio! Draft Punk Craft Café is now an official sponsor and host of one of our Wi-Fi antennas. This antenna connects to the SLR antennas at our office, thus expanding our broadcasting reach! In the coming months, we plan to add more antennas to cover the area near National Bookstore. We recently joined the USA staff online to pray together and hung up posters around the city. Althea and Christian (from the SLM Toledo group) started volunteering and will help hang up posters around Toledo next weekend.

Issue 90 of Word on the Street Magazine is almost ready for printing, and Issue 91 has begun! Passing out magazines is a primary means of meeting students and inviting them to SLM. Last month, Britt met a Senior High School art professor while passing out magazines and fliers. He introduced her to his graduating students on campus, and all of them got a copy of WOTS.

  • New SLR banner at BBC’s Printstop
  • Can you find the SLR antenna at Draft Punk?
  • Global radio mixdown!
  • University of San Carlos Senior High School Students with WOTS
  • Working on WOTS drafts at a local cafe that lets us distribute magazines there

Exploring Creation Science

The 2021-2022 school year has ended for many private schools, but there is still plenty to do. Limited face-2-face classes for students at Banawa Nazarene School will begin on Monday, June 27 with staff and student orientation. This includes information like entering and exiting the building safely, handwashing/sanitizing station, mandatory face mask wearing, emergency contact information, etc. Since we will be away for orientation, Laura visited the school last Monday to talk through what school reopening will look like and how students can participate during classroom lessons. Laura will teach her first in-person class on June 30.  

All the schools are beginning to plan for classes to start again. Some will start the first week of August. Each school has their own set of rules and regulations in accordance with the Department of Education and government protocols. Plans are being discussed for Laura to teach more in all three schools. She may have occasional guest lessons for schools as more schools bring students back, she has gotten requests from schools that have been waiting to have lessons again in person.

Laura will be attending the moving up ceremony for grade 6 and graduation for grade 12 Southern Bethany Christian School students on June 30 at South Town Center in Talisay.

  • Laura & Caren catch up at the school office
  • Banawa Nazarene Grade 6 in March 2020
  • Grade 6 at Banawa Nazarene graduates
  • Visiting Southern Bethany to talk through summer classes & graduation

Shofar TV

Exploring Creation Science lessons for students in grades 4-12 continue to be recorded for use on Shofar TV. We are hoping this part of the ministry will be launched by the time the school year begins. It will be another way to reach students we wouldn’t normally come into contact with and provide an opportunity to share about Shofar Missions. We are also following up on to broadcast Shofar TV at other cable stations throughout Cebu.

Team Prep

The first missions team since January 2020 will arrive in August. Ministry plans include a Street Level Summit, Shofar Youth Leader Summit, and Ministry Training Institute classes for pastors in three different locations: Cebu City, Balamban, and Bantayan.

As things open up more and restrictions ease, ministry groups are starting to hold meetings again. The Cebu City Ministerial Fellowship is a group of pastors that gather each month. School principals join if they have something to invite the other private schools to or if there is discussion about school related items, since that often involves pastors. We were invited by the pastor and his daughter at Banawa Nazarene Church & School to present Shofar Missions at one of their meetings. We will attend in July to share the Ministry Training Institute, Street Level Ministries, and Exploring Creation Science. We visited the Four Square Gospel Church of Cebu City to meet the pastor, who serves as the group’s chairman. The church is close to our office – about a 20-minute walk. We look forward to developing a relationship with him and the others involved in the ministerial fellowship!

  • Four Square Gospel Church of Cebu City
  • SLM Summit Poster
  • Youth Leader Summit Poster
  • One of the Ministry Training Institute Banners
June 19, 2022 Believers Church

It is hard to not worship and see God in his creation during the summers in Wisconsin. We have been blessed to be able to spend a lot of time outside this summer doing outreaches, Bible studies, and fellowshipping. Keep reading to find out what we have been up to this past month.

Street Level

Outdoor Bible studies, camping, and fellowship are what our Street Level River Falls summer has been made up of so far. Recently, we had the opportunity to connect with the Superior and Menomonie Street Levels for camping overnight in Poplar, WI. It rained a little bit, but we still had a great time seeing each other, making s’mores, and hiking at Ammicon Falls. On Mondays, we are a smaller group, and we meet in various parks around town, grill out, and are going through the book “One at a Time” by Kyle Idleman. It is challenging us to be observant about the people that God has put in front of us.

Church

For Wednesday church this summer, we have been able to join Menomonie’s small group Rewinds. We host a small group in River Falls, and when weather permits, we are outside at Glen Park. A few of the students, we met during the school year, are still around for the summer and join us.

Coffeehouse

Last summer we brought the coffeehouse to Music in the Park, and it was such a fun time we decided to try something similar this year. On Thursdays, we set up the coffee kiosk in different places around town. Most recently we were in Heritage Park. It’s been a nice way to get out into the community and interact with people that otherwise may not know we are there.

We are hoping to be able to do a few more it reaches this summer including a Taste of River Falls event and something during River Falls days. Please be in prayer as we plan and consider these events.

Prayer Requests

  • For direction on outreaches this summer
  • That we would continue to meet people in the community
  • That we would use our time well this summer to prepare for the return of the students in the fall

For Further Information