Author: Believers Church

August 28, 2018 Believers Church

Party on the Roof

Street Level Ministries Cebu turns One!
Street Level Ministries Cebu turns one!

Since our last news update, Street Level Ministries Cebu celebrated our first birthday! We played games, distributed prizes, ate chocolate cake, and watched a short film. My favorite part was listening to stories told by each of the three original SLM members: KC, Atheena, and Manel. They shared their memories from our first meeting and the influence SLM has made in their lives. Fifteen people attended… most of them would not have been there if those three ladies did not invite them! The party was held on the Teofel Hostel Roofdeck, which is becoming SLM’s “party spot.” We’re planning to host more events there throughout the next year, including a movie night and one-day conference.

Return for a Visit to Wisconsin

Hello Kitty in Taiwan
You never know what you’ll find in a new airport…

A few weeks after the party, we flew back to the states for a visit. Since we traveled through an airport we had never been to, we ued our layover to explore (see photo) 🙂 Our trip to Wisconsin began in true summer style: camping! We spent a few days in the Chequamegon National Forest for the School of Ministry Retreat. The fresh air and peaceful quiet of the north woods did our souls and bodies good. I think it helped us get over our jet lag, too! Although, maybe that was the coffee… either way, the retreat was beneficial and helpful training. Many of the things we discussed at the retreat answered questions that were rolling around in our brains before we even left the Philippines!

Community Life

Word on the Street Launch Meeting
The gathering of Word on the Street Magazine writers from four locations!

In addition to camping trips and time with our families, we were thankful to join various ministries and fellowship groups! Laura joined Kindred Ministry a few times and got her hands dirty (with coffee grounds) in the Blind Munchies Mobile Coffeehouse. I enjoyed playing piano on Sundays and helping out at Street Level worknights for Music on the Hill. We also attended a Word on the Street Launch Meeting with writers from four locations: Menomonie, Superior, River Falls, and the Philippines!

The Great JFBelievers Church Get-Together

JFBelivers Church Campout
Saturday morning devotions at the campout

We closed out our trip with the annual church campout and baptisms at Camp Croix. This is one of our favorite JFB events of the year. The other is, of course, the great New Year’s Eve game night and junk food buffet! We enjoyed catching up with those in our respective fellowship groups as well as meeting new people from both churches. Highlights included hitching a ride (in or on) Faygo Canoe services and witnessing three baptisms! On Sunday afternoon, a handful of people gathered in our post-campout stupor – tired, dirty, and smelly – to unload the church van and coffeehouse trailer. As I was hauling a cooler downstairs, I couldn’t help but smile and think, “This is church.” Not the Sunday service, but rather, serving each other and God, joking, laughing, and being downright giddy just to be together. Thank you, JFB, for being my church… my family.

Prayer Requests

  • Safe travels back to Cebu (Aug 28-29) and quick recovery from jet lag
  • SLM students to grow in their relationships with God and to put Him first in their lives
  • God’s direction as we plan a one-day conference in November
  • Wisdom, courage, boldness, and love… the battle is fierce.

As we head back to Cebu, I think about the magnitude of what God has called us to. It can be overwhelming to consider the thousands of people who don’t know Him… or believe that their religiosity will save them. Then there are those who actively fight against us. It’s a warzone unlike any other, yet I know Jesus leads us in and through every battle.

“Fear not; be brave for Christ. Live bravely for him who die lovingly for you.” – Charles Spurgeon

– Brittany

 

August 22, 2018 Believers Church

New Carpet!

Isn’t there a nice clean feeling about the smell and touch of new carpet? This past spring the Nehemiah ministry installed new carpet in the sanctuary. We had some help from the One life and Gnosko ministries in removing the old carpet. After about a week of work we had the new carpet squares all laid. This transformed the look and feel of our sanctuary many times over. Thank’s to the Creative Team addition, the shelving on the stage in the sanctuary gives the new carpet and even nicer look. One large advantage of the “glued down” carpet squares is that they stay down. No more tripping over old smelly buckled carpet. In this case there is no such thing as a “nice trip”.

Other Things

We have also been troubleshooting the roof above the radio room. All I can say for now is we believe we are making progress towards identifying the problematic leak. We have also recently installed a large A/C unit that is located up in the balcony area. You may have noticed that the sanctuary is actually cooler than years past on those hot and humid days. The extra A/C unit seems to be pulling it’s weight very well. We have also helped install new locks on the front sanctuary doors that allow for better security measures. Lately we’ve been prepping for some new signs and decor in the main hallway between the bathrooms and coffeehouse. It’s going to be very nice when completed. Kudos to the Creative Team once again for their creative eye in how it will be laid out.

We’ve always got something to do around the church when it comes to repairs and general upkeep. Thank you for your prayers and allowing us to serve you as well as our Lord. May Jesus have all the glory!

Nehemiah Ministry

August 19, 2018 Believers Church

What’s Happening

The end of Summer is near which means a new season for the River Falls Ministry. Starting in September we will be changing some of the things we are doing at the Street Level Place and focusing on reaching out to the college students as they come back to school.

We are still meeting for a Sunday Bible Study and Meal at 5 pm which will continue into the fall. Right now, we are in the book of Colossians and will be moving into 1 Thessalonians.  Doing the meals after the study has offered the opportunity for us to get to know people more.

Until the students come back we will be hosting two more community grill outs. The Tuesday grill outs this summer have allowed for us to continue to meet people in the community. We never know who God is going to bring in the door to have a meal with us.

Once the students are back in September Street Level will resume on Tuesday nights. We are looking forward to seeing some familiar faces that we haven’t seen in a few months. Also, we will outreach on campus through tables, posters, and possibly a bonfire on campus and trail walk.

Additionally, the Street Level place will have more open hours this semester. It will be a coffeehouse type atmosphere. We will be open for study and for people who just want to hang out. There will be music playing and the coffee bar will be open for full service.

We are looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us this semester. Thank you for all your participation and prayers!

 

September Calendar

  • Sundays: 5pm / JFBelievers Bible Study,  6pm / Meal
  • Tuesdays: 6:30pm / Meal, 7:00pm / Street Level Meeting
  • Thursdays: Open for Coffee and Study / 5:00pm – 9:00pm

Online 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 16, 2018 Believers Church
OneLife ministry fellowship 2018
Grillin’ and Chillin’

OneLIfe Ministry has enjoyed an eventful summer so far. Since the last report (there was snow on the ground), we gathered for fellowship and fire with group members and group visitors, hosted four decently attended neighborhood cookouts, a group of us went to Kentucky on mission, and we have formulated some plans for the rest of summer and fall.

What Was

We started out the summer with neighborhood cookouts in July at Pederstuen’s and Samens’. The day was quite warm but meat was roasting and conversations were cooking. We met some new people and said hello to some familiar neighbors. Later, O’Gara’s and Dyer’s (via Cline’s) hosted a second set of cookouts. A number of the people invited from our hoods were people that the host home was already connecting with outside of OneLife. This has shown to be a more natural way to hang out. We will be looking for more opportunities like that.

Fire Time!

Additionally, we held a fire fellowship at Tom and Becky’s house. Originally it was our intention to go camping this summer, but with Kentucky on the calendar for a good number of us, it wasn’t likely to happen. We have opted for at least this year to make time to fellowship with all members and visitors at least twice this year, giving opportunity for good conversation. Perhaps camping is in the cards for next year?

What Is

Currently, OneLife ministry members have been scheming up some games for the church campout this year. This Sunday we will be bringing into focus some solid options. You want a glimpse? …“In the Water”-beach volleyball! We’re planning to get the net out into the water to go head to head with anyone who wants in. I sense some dampness coming on. Be on the lookout for other fun games on the list (to watch or participate in). Events will be listed on the activity board by the mobile coffeehouse.

Before August is out, OneLife members will be heading out to the Drive-In Theater again. This has proven to be a fun time in the past (no matter what potentially yucky movie was playing). We always have fun just hanging out and meeting people.

What Next

As OneLife ministry heads into fall, we have bikes and tacos on the brain. You guessed it! Biking for Tacos is coming in September and we’re partnering with the Menomonie Public Library. We’ll be riding the loop around the lake and so start/finish will be at the library… where the tacos are! Students will be back and community (church and city) are all invited. Date and time is coming soon… Stay tuned.

We also are gearing up for fall retreat time for us. We’re set for heading to the JFB campground on September 21-22. Pray for good weather and an enriching time with the Master. For those wondering, stew is back on the menu.

Also, as I rub my temples with my index fingers in circular motions, I sense an October chili and flag football game in the air. We did this once a couple of years ago and, other than the Heinous-Brunner-Domination happening left and right, it was a really, really nice time. Our members really get on that. It’s a great time of exercising (and not the demon-removal type)!

Once winter makes its ugly return, we will be looking indoors for new adventures. We hope to translate the “neighborhood cookout” idea into something in homes some way. We have a creative bunch, something will pop.

Mad-town flexin'
Grrrrr!

Who We Is

OneLife Ministry is for young couples / families to be together both missionally and in fellowship. Usually we meet at 2pm on Sunday afternoons. If you would like to take part or even join as a member, get in touch with us. We would love to connect. onelife@jfbelievers.com

August 14, 2018 Believers Church

“How much wood could a…”

Last Sunday, the members of Gnosko, Kindred, and OneLife (the splitters) took on the job of replenishing the wood supply at the church campground. The project included falling a tree and chopping up several downed trees. With the help of a couple of Stihl saws, hardcore splitting machinery, and some sweat and muscle, we were able to make a good supply for the church camp out, future fall retreats and incidental fellowship days. In addition, a couple of the crew members brush-hogged and brush sawed the encroaching weed-ness back to a more acceptable line.

Thanks to all who participated. It was a perfect balmy 90 degree summer day to do this project. We all went home a little less fresh.

Ministry Community

This weekend also included a get-a-way for the Ministry Community here at JFB. We cruised over by Gilman, WI for some fellowship and learning around a nice camp fire. Hard to believe the School of Ministry began 21 years ago.

August 13, 2018 Believers Church

Recent Stuff

This past month has marked milestones for JFB Duluth. Thanks to those who joined us in celebrating our 10th anniversary. It is truly a privilege to be a part of JFB Duluth. We are truly thankful for the faithfulness, prayers and support of those from Menomonie in helping establish JFB Duluth. As we celebrate the past 10 years, we are careful not to rest on our laurels. It seems God has been impressing upon us as a church and individuals to truly seek His will for our lives in all the details; therefore, we make it our aim to continue to press on for what God would have JFB Duluth to become both corporately and individually.

What’s New

A new ministry group has taken shape this past month in Duluth called the community group. Essentially, this group consists of those who are already actively involved in the church and beyond the age demographic for Street Level. The group met together and brainstormed our vision for the next year which will consist of regular, consistent events in the community as well as occasional Bible/book study and possible construction/hands on projects for those in need. The community group is also responsible for our weekly curbside coffee which is now in its second year. Thus far, we’ve gone to a local park and given away food. Most recently, we gave away over 70 root beer floats! The weather was quite cooperative and we enjoyed fellowship with one another while meeting local Duluthians. Please pray that we’d be attentive to each other while also reaching out to those in the community.

Teaching

We continue to march through the books of 1 and 2nd Peter on Sundays. This has been a helpful book in examining the themes of suffering, humility and submission. Wednesday nights have consisted of the usual Psalms and a recent video by Francis Chan that sparked discussion about seeking God’s will for our lives. We are truly blessed to have such deep teaching and access to God’s word, yet we are reminded that without personal application and obedience there is no experience of knowing God and his power.
Please pray for the upcoming fall semester for Street Level as well as the community group. Specifically, pray that God would add to our number those who would labor alongside us in reaching
the Twin Ports.
-Matt