Spring Update

It's Not About Us…

Have you ever had the feeling you just weren’t hitting the mark?

I was recently speaking at a Christian high school in our area, and I felt that way about the message prepared for those students. The message for the previous student group earlier in the morning session had a great feel. However, the words being spoken this time seemed to fall flat. The presentation finished, and as many people can probably resonate with, my spirit had somewhat of a dissatisfaction based on my own assessment of things. 

Later that day, I received an email about a student who felt the presence of the Holy Spirit during that chapel, and a teacher who started the morning discouraged and left feeling uplifted and invigorated. There was no email about the first session, just the one I felt had fallen short. It was a timely reminder of what we often forget…It’s not about us. 

We can rest in the fact that we are all just seed sowers, and God always gives the increase regardless of how we “feel” things went. He can take a poor presentation and make it the most effective. He can keep us humble in the next moment with something we thought would be amazing that doesn’t turn out as we planned. I Chronicles 16 reminds us to “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” Whatever you have before you to do, hopefully you can rest in relying not on your strength but solely on His.  

Camp at Old Mill Update - ACA Mission Team

April kicked off with a mission team from ACA (Atlantic Christian Academy) in West Palm Beach, Florida, partnering with our ministry for a mission trip. To say that things didn't go as we had originally planned would be an understatement. The team was delayed due to weather for two days in a row! When they finally arrived, the time they had to experience the area and minister was significantly reduced. 

Despite all this, the students who attended made an impact, and they did not lack in the excitement with which they served in many different capacities. Here is a quick rundown of their time in Coatesville and Philadelphia…

Wednesday - The team served with the Bridge Academy in Coatesville and ran the middle school night, including games, crafts, and a lesson.

Thursday - The team served in Philadelphia with Believers Bible Fellowship Church and Franklin Edmunds Middle School, running the after-school program and ministering to the parents.

Friday - The team canvassed the community. They walked the streets of Coatesville handing out Easter invites, translating as we witnessed to many in Spanish, and praying for people along the way. The day culminated with a prayer walk in the east end of Coatesville for Providence Coatesville’s Easter service. 

Jaque Rasku, who serves as the ACA Director of Discipleship, and Pastor Manny have a great vision to see students grow through serving. We look forward to future visits from ACA. Pray for the next few weeks as we transition to a very packed summer of camps, groups, and church events with various churches from our community. The spring has been mixed with the blessing of church retreats and the ministry of the Bridge Academy, along with prayers for addressing facility needs. We are looking to see God do amazing work this summer through all that is planned.

CCP Update - Prison Encouragement

In some of our latest endeavors at Chester County Prison, we have focused on being intentional with encouraging the correctional officers, staff, and leadership. 

So, how many Peace Tea iced tea drinks have you seen at one time in your life? This may seem like a very odd or random question to ask someone, but we have our new personal tally.  Due to a connection with a ministry partner, we were able to deliver over 600 drinks for the staff, along with snacks and other beverages that the officers could consume during their break times. The goal is not only to keep the CCP dining room well stocked, but to show our appreciation for what the correctional officers do each day. The head of the kitchen remarked that “...small gestures like this go a long way for the officers and brighten their day.”

CCGM also went on an “honor mission” of sorts to encourage the treatment staff employees by writing personal encouragement notes and blessing them with gift cards. We work the closest with the treatment staff and coordinate often with certain counselors to best help inmates. Oftentimes, those key conversations help us to meet with an inmate we would not have considered or minister to someone receiving difficult family news. We are thankful to work alongside them. 

These types of activities are a reminder that every church has a county prison near them, and the opportunity to volunteer and engage the staff, or “adopt” a prison, is not as hard as it might seem. 

One recent development has been an open door to greater access in the youth detention center, which is located on the same campus as Chester County Prison. Unfortunately, many of the young men and women who make up that population come from Coatesville. The silver lining is that through summer camps and the BACC we know many of these individuals, and they are willing to listen or receive counsel due to relationships. Pray that we would help shepherd those who are “aging out” of the juvenile facility and transitioning to the main prison. The uncertainty of what is next for these young people makes them receptive to hearing from us, and the ultimate goal is always to share the gospel. 

Providence Church - Outreach and Easter Services

Easter at Providence Coatesville was all about The Road to Redemption. This was the title of our series and theme as we sought to influence our community and be a visible presence. Providence Church held clothing giveaways, food drives, laundromat outreaches, and city-wide canvassing leading up to Easter. 

One of the blessings our family experienced was canvassing together and inviting people to Easter service. On the city blocks near our church many people do not speak English. Our youngest sons, who both speak fluent Spanish due to our time in Florida, were able to see God use their gifts in a tangible way that day. It was a reminder that we need to set aside more time to serve together as a family.

This year, we were blessed to have a morning service for Easter at the Midway Arches on Chestnut Street. Our regular weekly gathering is on Sunday night, and sometimes families find it difficult to attend. Everyone was joyfully overwhelmed as our attendance doubled, and many who were invited through the outreaches came to service! Pastor Josh preached a powerful message, and the follow-up has been fruitful with new families visiting every week. Please pray for Providence Church, Josh and Jordan Crans, and the city of Coatesville. God has brought about many exciting developments, and more is on the horizon for the next few months. 

Ministry Partnerships 

Lancaster Mennonite School 

Going back to visit LMS always provides the opportunity to see some familiar faces from the past while ministering. In April, I had the privilege to speak and rap for the High School and Middle School students. 

As someone who spent many years in Christian education, my encouragement to them was to see the time they spend on campus each day as a training ground and not a Christian “bubble.”  It is those same students who will soon be leading in our communities, and it was a pleasure to encourage them. 

Parkesburg Mennonite Church

The congregation at Parkesburg Mennonite can be described in a word…Faithful. My recent visit reminded me what it looks like for believers to be intentional in prayer and consistent in service. One of the pastors, Elvin Kennel, has been a friend for years, and it was special to fellowship while being challenged through the book of Acts to live out the gospel and be available for Him. We are grateful for their continued support of ministries like The Parkesburg Point and CCGM.

A Word to our Supporters

Prayer is necessary to accomplish any work God sets before you. Giving is an act of worship. We are grateful for those who have prayed for our family and the work being done here. We are thankful and continue to be in awe of the people God brings alongside us to help with financial support. There is really no way to measure your contribution while here on earth, but God is faithful in using all things for His kingdom. 

Grace and Peace