"Building God's Kingdom One Life at a Time." - 1 Peter 2:4-5 Sheldon First Reformed Church - First Reformed ...
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“Building God’s Kingdom One Life at a Time.”
~ 1 Peter 2:4-5 ~
Sheldon First Reformed Church
on Wednesday.
Next Steps Code
February
Wally’s Retirement Party—Jan. 23
Dec 21 Jan - Dec 21 Annual Budget
Beginning Cash Balance $ 49,290.63
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
General Fund 73,804.99 568,500.98 514,902.58
Interest Income 1.84 15.63
Transfer In 0.00 40,000.00
Total Income 73,806.83 608,516.61 514,902.58
Gross Profit 73,806.83 608,516.61 514,902.58
Expense
Classis Dues 0.00 46,006.00 46,006.00
Congregational Care 2,178.97 11,182.16 12,900.00
Education 31.98 12,239.39 14,750.00
Facilities & Grounds 12,766.69 111,320.79 104,400.00
General and Consistory 1,519.95 18,169.49 12,250.00
Office 1,376.06 18,107.46 14,795.00
Outreach 2,385.81 15,769.73 18,500.00
Payroll Expenses 23,699.48 262,939.11 285,281.58
Sound System Equipment 0.00 24,134.21
Transfer Out 30,000.00 75,000.00
Worship 733.26 2,963.30 4,500.00
Youth Groups 37.73 1,443.99 1,520.00
Total Expense 74,729.93 599,275.63 514,902.58
Net Ordinary Income -923.10 9,240.98 0.00
Net Cash Flow -923.10 9,240.98 0.00
Ending Cash Balance $ 48,367.53
Jan - Dec 21 Budget
Beginning Cash Balance as of January 1, 2021 $ 73,385.73
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
Benevolent Fund 188,343.10 200,000.00
Missions 27,785.00
Sunday School 5,585.74
Total Income 221,713.84 200,000.00
Gross Profit 221,713.84 200,000.00
Expense
Commitments
Beth Blankers/Campus Crusade 6,500.00 6,500.00
Bethesda Christian Counseling 4,000.00 4,000.00
Grooters, Jay & Amy-Costa Rica 3,000.00 3,000.00
Harlan Moss-SD Prison Ministry 5,000.00 5,000.00
Inspiration Hills 5,000.00 5,000.00
JakeKorver-ProclaimAviationMin 6,500.00 6,500.00
JoJo Bong-Asian Youth 3,500.00 3,500.00
Lay Mission Fund 0.00 10,000.00
Love Inc 6,500.00 6,500.00
Mission & Service Projects 0.00 5,000.00
Mission to India-ChurchPlanters 7,500.00 7,500.00
Mission to India-Literacy Prog 2,500.00 2,500.00
Missionary Home in Orange City 500.00 500.00
Northwestern College 2,500.00 2,500.00
Pascal,Sasha&Sara-Moldova 3,000.00 3,000.00
Reformed Church in America
Brownell-Japan 6,800.00 6,800.00
GraceCovenantMinistry-
Annville 6,800.00 6,800.00
Krebs-Mission Hospital Chaplin 6,800.00 6,800.00
Phil&Olivia Iekel-Nicaragua 6,800.00 6,800.00
Wilson-Cambodia 6,800.00 6,800.00
Total Reformed Church in America 34,000.00 34,000.00
Rise Fest 2,500.00 2,500.00
Rise Ministries 6,500.00 6,500.00
SandalsOnSand Min (B Godbersen) 2,500.00 2,500.00
Sheldon Christian School 6,500.00 6,500.00
Synod of Heartland 2,500.00 2,500.00
Talking Bibles 6,500.00 6,500.00
Touch of Hope Haiti 6,500.00 6,500.00
Vasileiadis,PavlosMeggan-Greece 3,000.00 3,000.00
Victory Ranch-South Carolina 3,000.00 3,000.00
Village Northwest Unlimited 6,500.00 6,500.00
Words of Hope 24,000.00 24,000.00
Total Commitments 160,000.00 175,000.00
Non-Commitments 2,000.00 2,500.00
RCA College Scholarships 3,750.00 10,000.00
Seminary Scholarships 0.00 2,200.00
YTD Offerings Paid Out 19,611.24
Total Expense 185,361.24 189,700.00
Net Ordinary Income 36,352.60 10,300.00
Net Cash Flow 36,352.60 10,300.00
Ending Cash Balance $ 109,738.33
Allocations:
Scholarships 8,500.00
Benevolent 101,238.33
Total $109,738.33
2022 SHEPHERDING TEAMS
First Reformed Church, Sheldon
The congregation is divided into nine groups - one for each Elder/Deacon pair. You and
your Consistory partner are responsible for keeping in regular contact with the families
listed under your group. Such contact would involve calling on those who are
experiencing some significant trial or illness or who may be involved in a crisis
situation such as a job loss, major life change, or family death. Your contact with your
families would also include acknowledging joyful occasions like the birth of a baby, the
marriage of a son or daughter, a wedding anniversary, a promotion at work, or
retirement, etc. In all of these situations, offer an appropriate prayer to the Lord.
The names of the families under your care are listed below:
Team 1: Galen Van Velzen & Jamie Elgersma
Ed Alons – Kendall De Groot
Team 2: Marwin Vogel & Chad Jager
Evan De Hoogh – Trevor Fuerstenberg
Team 3: John Boender & Jett Korver
Steven Gardfrey – Tyler Jorgensen
Team 4: Rod Kroeze & Daniel Ten Clay
Brent Kamstra – Kent Lode
Team 5: Greg Winkel & Shane Jager
Eileen Martens – Tim Peelen
Team 6: Ed Alons & Mitch Jensen
Brady Peters – Roger Sterler
Team 7: Larry Van Meeteren & John Oostra
Charles Storm – Jeremy Van Ess
Team 8: Dennis Popkes & Brian Van Meeteren
Norma Van Gorp – Matt Vermeer
Team 9: Jay Van Wyk & Craig Van Meeteren
Marwin Vogel – Brad Zuetenhorst
2022 MINISTRY TEAMS CONTACT PEOPLE
EXECUTIVE TEAM PRAYER CHAIN COORDINATOR
Pastor Paul - President Brenda Godbersen – 712-348-0392
John Boender - Vice President brendagodbersen@gmail.com
Rod Kroeze - Clerk
Brian Van Meeteren – Chairman of Deacons PULPIT SUPPLY
Daniel Ten Clay– Secretary of Deacons John Boender - 712-348-1767
jboender@netllc.net
BUILDING & GROUNDS
John Oostra - 712-348-4055 SACRAMENTS
johneoostra@gmail.com Rod Kroeze - 712-344-2536
rkroeze72@hotmail.com
CHURCH PRIVILEGE
Jay Van Wyk - 712-324-1046 SAFETY & SECURITY
jvanwyk@vanwyk.com Ed Alons - 712-324-1360
edmachine1969@gmail.com
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
Galen Van Velzen - 712-324-1783 TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
reduo@nethtc.net Craig Van Meeteren - 712-539-8076
We Care - Joyce Fedders - 712-539-9945 craigavm@hotmail.com
jfedders@nethtc.net
WOMEN TO WOMEN
ENDOWMENT FUND Sarah Van Meeteren—712-539-8077
Brian Van Meeteren - 712-348-3356 slkoobs@msn.com
bvanmeet@c-i-service.com
WORK GROUPS
KIDS HOPE USA Nadine De Hoogh - 712-348-3652
Erica Wassenaar - 712-348-0946 gndehoogh@msn.com
frckidshope@outlook.com
MEMORIAL FUND
Brian Van Meeteren - 712-348-3356
bvanmeet@c-i-service.com
MISSION COMMITTEE
Greg Winkel - 712-348-1903
glwinkel@netllc.net
NURSERY
Denise Portz – 712-324-1068
vandernaald77@gmail.com
OUTREACH COMMITTEE
Julianna Kempema - 616-337-4696
frcchristianed@outlook.com
WEBSITE: www.sheldonfirstreformed.com
WORSHIP VIDEO: www.sheldonfirstreformed.com/worshipservices.cfm
BULLETIN: www.sheldonfirstreformed.com/bulletin.cfm OR paper copies are available in bulletin box
outside the north kitchen door
RADIO BROADCAST: Sundays at 10 AM on FM 100.7
TV BROADCAST: Tuesdays at 4 PM on local cable channel 12
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/sheldonfirstreformed
E-GIVING LINK: Text the word “SFRC” to the number 833-484-7253 or give online at
www.sheldonfirstreformed.com/give
TRADITIONAL GIVING: Mail to Sheldon First Reformed Church, 1101 7th Street, Sheldon, IA 51201 OR
drop your offering in the slot on the church office door during the week
MY CHURCH APP: Download on Google Play or the App Store OR text the words “SFRC APP” to the
number 833-484-7253
PRAYER REQUESTS/PRAISES: Call the church office at 324-2130 or email Pastor Paul at
frcpastor@outlook.com
NEXT STEPS CODE: The QR code is on the bulletin cover. Using your smartphone device scan the code &
it will bring you to a page that will take you to our Connection Card, Prayer Requests, or Giving.
PARENTS: Children’s bulletins are available at www.sheldonfirstreformed.com/childrensbulletins.cfm.
SUNDAY SCHOOL GUIDES: Pick up in the youth house.
ALPHA TEENS & RCYF: Check the Remind App & Instagram for upcoming activities & any updates.
You can either go to the remind app and type in, or just text the following:
Alpha Teens: Text@alphateen to 81010
RCYF: Text@rcyffirst to 81010
KIDS PROGRAMS: To keep up with what is going on with our kids program, sign up to receive reminder
text messages from FRC Kidz. Just text the following:
Text@ frckidz to the number 81010
DURING THE WEEK: The church is open from 8 AM - 4 PM Monday through Thursday, and from 8 AM -
1 PM on Friday. During the week you may use the north & south doors to get your mail or drop off
offerings etc. in the office. You will need to ring the door bell (silver button) to the right of these doors to
enter the church. Wendy will buzz you in from the office.
If you would like to receive church emails & don’t currently receive them, please call the church
(324-2130) & provide Wendy with your email address. You may also fill out the connection card with this
info & place it in the basket as you leave the sanctuary.
BULLETIN & NEWSLETTER ITEMS: If you would like items included in either, please get the items to the
office by 10 AM on Thursday morning for the bulletin & the Thursday of the last full week of the month for
inclusion in the upcoming newsletter.I serve with both the Phnom Penh Bible School (PPBS) and the Theological Education by Extension Association (TEEAC). God has called me to love, encourage, and equip my students to discover, understand, and live into God’s very good intentions for themselves, their families, churches, and their communities. I do this through various activities both at PPBS where I was a full-time faculty member during 2021 and at TEEAC where I served on the Board and am currently working on study materials that will be used in both ministries. Over the space of 28 weeks in 2021, I taught 42 students in four courses. The Year 1 students and I studied the book of Genesis. In Year 3, we studied Holistic Ministry. The Year 4 students studied Global Mission and Biblical Leadership. We were able to study Global Mission in person but Biblical Leadership was mostly online. In addition to teaching, I also mentored students in a small group and served on the Chapel Committee. Blessings of 2021 Returning! The first thing to celebrate technically happened in 2020, but it made much of 2021 possible—being able to return to Cambodia, even if I had to take five COVID tests, be wheeled in, and be locked in a government-sponsored hotel on arrival … praise God we got back into the country! Year 1 students. During the first semester we walked through the book of Genesis together. I count teaching first-year students among one of the highest privileges at the Bible school; it is an opportunity to help them get off to a good start, both individually, and as a group. As part of this, I share with them a Latin phrase I was taught at seminary: “Si vales, valeo.” It means: “If you succeed, I succeed.” The hope is during our time together they will learn to use their gifts to build up one another rather than compete with one another or choose to walk alone during their time at the school, and hopefully, one day, encourage others to do the same in churches throughout Cambodia. I believe that I was successful in laying a good foundation for this as I watched them grow together as a class and I look forward to checking in with them in the future when we study together again in later years. Another wonderful outcome was the majority of students met the objectives of the course—to better understand the themes and message of Genesis and to be more confident in their understanding and use of Genesis in their lives and ministries. While this may not seem very “exciting,” it truly is! I am thankful for the work of the Lord in the lives of these young people. I look forward to seeing how He will continue His work in and through them and the Cambodian church as a result! Shared experiences across the globe. Having to go completely online this year meant teachers and students needed to find ways to use the tools God had given us already to continue our task at hand—study His Word. While attending a Zoom conference for my role in TEEAC, I learned about new tools and techniques for online learning which I brought to PPBS and used in my classes: a combination of Zoom (for large and small group video groups) and Google Classroom. This is exciting because of the shared learning between organizations within the TEEAC network and, from there, to PPBS, and then, within the PPBS network. It was also exciting to see how the tech-savvy students within each of my classes jumped in to help me and their fellow students adapt to this new way of teaching and learning—si vales valeo! We succeed together! (cf. 1 Cor. 12:18) We used what God had given us for His glory. Because of many of you, funds were remaining from the RCA’s 2020 COVID relief gift to help students like Sota who needed financial assistance for extra phone data to study even more online during 2021. Our thanks to those who participated in this! Your help is greatly appreciated and so greatly useful! Khin Sota, still water runs deep. I want to introduce you to Khin Sota. Over the past three years, I have come to know him and watch him become a quiet, thoughtful young servant of God. Despite navigating obstacles in 2021, Sota was generally the first to “show up” for Zoom class and was at the top of his class to start during sharing time. For his “Act of Love” activity in our Holistic
Ministry class, Sota led members of his church to use the resources God had given them to meet the needs of several families in their community that were locked down in their homes due to COVID. They delivered food, sat a safe distance to eat together, and prayed with them. Through these simple acts of love, coved in prayer, Sota and members of the church helped the physical, social, and spiritual needs of the neighbors, sharing food and the hope they have in Christ. They opened new doors for relationships in the future. Another student, Chhoeung Veasna, came in a close second having done his Act of Love just days after being released from the hospital. His presentation photos show him carrying out his activities one-handed with an IV still in his hand and the drip seen clearly in the background! The lives of these young men should help us stop and reflect as we continue to face COVID-related challenges. What will be our response? What can we learn from the servant example of Sota and Veasna as they follow Jesus into a lost and broken world so loved by God to show His love in all parts of life? Challenges of 2021 Wheeled back to Cambodia. We were “displaced” from Cambodia in 2020 and then when Cambodia opened back up, we almost didn’t make it back for the new school year. Another challenge is I went back to Cambodia in a wheelchair because of a back injury during our time in Oregon. This made the trip back one of the most difficult ever and sadly added to my list of health issues. We give thanks to the Lord that that surgical option that the doctor first discussed for the compressed and bulging disc was not, in the end, necessary because of physical therapy! COVID. The Royal Cambodian Government understood that the country’s healthcare facilities and medical personnel would be quickly overwhelmed if COVID continued to spread as quickly and widely as it began early in the year and for these reasons closures were widespread and longer-term than in 2020. This meant students could not come to campus and, much of the time, neither could teachers! At times, our whole neighborhood was quarantined—there was no going in or out. The only exceptions were medical. Moving. Speaking of neighborhoods, another challenge we faced was that our landlord decided just after the beginning of the year that he wanted to move back into his house. So, we moved, not once, but twice The amazing grace of this situation was the Lord provided another house quite quickly through an alumni couple of PPBS which was equally close to both Garden of Life and the Bible school! It was a great opportunity even in “community lockdowns” to bear witness to the hope we have in Christ—we even had the opportunity to provide transportation for our landlord’s elderly mom when she wanted to receive her first COVID vaccination. New ways of learning. I spent many hours learning how to use Google Classroom and making instructional videos for my fellow teachers and finding videos in the Cambodian language for my students. Relocating. One of the most challenging things we faced during 2021 was the final decision to relocate to the U.S. We began thinking a bit about this when we spent time in Oregon last year and saw our family there also needed us; my Aunt could use help on the ranch and my mom could use more help. Now, considering the situation with the pandemic and the lack of options for legally obtaining my medicines, our previous vision of living and serving in Cambodia “until death do us part” no longer seemed viable; heartbreakingly, we discerned it would be best to relocate to the U.S. We will share more details in our next newsletter, but for now please know that we are not retiring, we are relocating to Oregon. In 2022, we will make trips back to Cambodia to continue our work with our local partners; Deb will return in February for a month and we both will return in May for two months. Please contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. Hopes for 2020 Before beginning each Biblical Leadership class, I asked students to take turns reading the following text from Proverbs 3:5-8: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. I look forward to “walking the talk,” more deeply teaching my students as I share about the great faithfulness of our God and how He is worthy of our trust. I look forward to continuing this incredibly scary journey of “letting go” of something that was never mine to begin with—God’s mission in Cambodia and the development of the next generation of leaders of His church there. Yes, there is still much to be done and I still have my part to play, though my role is changing and I am now preparing to pass the baton on to others and change the way I connect with some leaders. My specific goals for 2022 include completing the final three or four chapters of the Holistic Ministry TEE Study Guide that I’ve
been working on for several years. I’ll be heading back to Cambodia in May to teach this class as well as one other class where I
will prepare and send out possibly my last group of students in their final semester with a clear vision of who God is calling them
to be and what God is calling them to do. I’ll also be coaching three students in 2022.
Beyond these hopes is the possibility of a second book due on Biblical Leadership.
On our return from Cambodia, Deb and I will begin, as possible, to make visits to congregations. Finally, we are looking forward to
trusting in the Lord and acknowledging Him and what plans He has for us as we discern what comes after 2022.
How We Can Pray
• Praise God for 26 years together and rejoice with us that God’s kingdom continues to expand in Cambodia! What we had
prayed and hoped for when we first arrived days after our honeymoon is more and more becoming a reality—the Cambodian
church that Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge attempted to destroy is growing and maturing to the point where expatriates no longer
need to take the lead. Now we join with our Cambodian partners at their invitation; the Joshua Project estimates that Cambodia is
now over 3.4% Christian and growing annually at near 8.8%! In 2021, PPBS celebrated its 29th Foundation Day, thanks be to God!
• Pray that God will continue to work through our Local Cambodian Ministry Partners so every person in Cambodia will have the
opportunity to hear about Jesus, come to know God, worship Him, enjoy Him, and share Him with others! We continue to pray for
the unreached peoples of Cambodia.
• Give thanks to the Lord for providing continued, stable financial support. The statements of support shared at General Synod
were so encouraging and edifying.
• Pray that the next generation of Christian leaders in Cambodia, both being produced by PPBS and TEEAC as well as those
currently serving at the Garden of Life, would discern God’s call and be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, knowing that in the Lord their labors are not in vain.
• As for the Bible school specifically, continue to pray for qualified Cambodian and expatriate teachers, especially with the vision
to serve full-time and long term.
• Give thanks and continued prayer for my physical and emotional health. The compressed disc in my back was successfully
treated with physiotherapy and exercise! Sadly, I was unable to have the surgery for my chronic pain condition which was
postponed from 2019. However, by God’s amazing intervention, we were able to replenish my medications which were not
available in Cambodia! In other good news, I received a clean bill of health from a complete physical checkup—all is good except
for my chronic health issues. For these good results, we give thanks to the Lord, and for the chronic pain and emotional challenges
that they bring I would ask that you join me in asking that the Lord’s Kingdom would come, and His will be done.
• Pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for 2022 as we navigate our relocation to Oregon and our transition to American. Even
though we have only been here for a few months, we have already experienced “reverse culture shock.” Likewise, as I sit here in
my barn office (outside), I can tell you that I am still getting used to the change in the weather; Alexa tells me that it is 38 degrees
right now and 86 degrees in Phnom Penh!
Thank you
While we do not often have the opportunity to tell you in person, you all truly are a blessing to us, thank you!
We realize some of you wish we would communicate more directly and more often and, truth be told, so do we. Between what
often feels like two jobs—the one I do with our various local ministry partners in Cambodia, and the one that I have with the RCA
partners in the U.S—it is often difficult to turn my attention away from the needs in Cambodia, even for other important things in
the U.S., even my family, even my health and well-being.
And so, I’ll do the best I can for now by writing these words of gratitude: Thank You to all of the individuals and congregations in
and outside of the RCA who gave generously of their finances and prayers and words of encouragement in notes and ecards—
thank you! What a blessing you are!
The Pascals in Moldova
World Team Europe Area Director, Jerry, visited Moldova for a week this month. One
item on the agenda was talking about the future of our church-planting team in
Moldova and our family's desire to have more teammates laboring beside us in our
neighborhood. We felt encouraged with Jerry's desire to recruit more teammate for
this effort from Europe. Pray that God would bring us more teammates, the right
teammates and at the right time.
Please pray for us as Sara and the kids all
have serious coughs that are lingering.
This isn't omicron and we still fully expect
to be hit with that as well. Pray for health
and protection so we can meet with
people.
Thank you for caring for us and being part of
this team. We want to see God glorified and
the people to Moldova to know the grace of
God in Jesus Christ. If you want to partner
with us financially you can always give a tax
deductible gift at www.missiondispatch.org
Praise God with us for the 2021 results on social media. We are
spending 2022 trying to get more creative, meeting more seekers Thank you for your prayer and financial
and seeing more people become disciples of Jesus. partnership!
Update from Grace Covenant Ministries
January 2022
“to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and
forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:25 NIV)
As we enter this New Year, the last verse of the hymn “O God, Our Help In Ages Past,” resonates within us. “O God, our help in ages
past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while life shall last, And our eternal home”.
Two months ago, we asked for your help in securing a box truck (used for the trade stores and hauling of supplies to work projects)
and a forklift (used in the trade store warehouse). Because of the generous support of churches, organizations, and individuals we
were able to secure the needed equipment. We also received loads of building materials. Now we are in need for groups to help us
with repair projects on area homes and with on campus projects.The reoccurring surges of COVID has again affected some activities on campus. But it has also brought some opportunities for
service. We have been helping families with food deliveries and supplying of wood to help keep their homes warm.
During the past two weeks there has been a considerable amount of flooding in Jackson County. No lives were lost, but there was
considerable property damage (off campus). We thank you for helping us to share the love of Christ with those we have been
called to serve here in Appalachia.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HEARTLAND
You see this caption at the end of most of my emails, “What’s Happening in the Heartland” is usually a short list of new
pastors, church anniversaries, the deaths of retired pastors - things like that. Today I’m leading off with What’s
happening… and then we’ll go to What will be happening… and I’ll wind up with What else is happening… Hey, nothing
like a good three point sermon, right?
Right now we’re lamenting, and we’re blessing a number of churches. As 2022 begins, 31 congregations from Dakota
Classis, two from Minnesota Classis and three from West Sioux Classis have left the RCA. There have been deep roots
and strong ties with these churches, some congregations going back into the 1880s for their beginnings. Sadness and
lament… there’s always grief in separations.
And there’s also blessing ~ As these congregations move to ARC’s Dakota Network, please be praying that God will
bless them with focused and fruitful ministry in their communities. We pray the Kingdom will be built up and that people
will come to know Jesus. It’s a new year, and a new start for our brothers and sisters in Christ - God bless you!!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work
within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Yes, immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. It’ already happening. Glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus for generations to come - amen? Amen!!
Tom SmithOur Mailing address is:
Words of Hope
700 Ball Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Dear Friend,
Happy New Year, prayer partners! I am so grateful for each of you and your faithful prayers on behalf of this incredible
ministry.
During my quiet times leading up to 2022, one word seemed to come up again and again. My eyes were drawn to it. My
mind pondered it. And my heart began to treasure it. What word?
“Behold.”
The word, of course, permeates the gospel accounts of Christmas, but for some reason, it resonated with my spiritual
journey. To behold is to step aside, to turn our head, to look at in a new way. Something is breaking in.
As I pondered the word, I began to treasure deeply the incredible gift of Jesus’ incarnation -- God becoming a human
being -- and his great love for each human being. “Who am I?” I wondered. And who are we, that we should be allowed
to behold the wonderful news of Jesus?! What a gift!So, as you pray this month, please pray for the world to behold the
wonder of God’s love for them in Jesus. I don’t know what 2022 has in store, but I am ready to behold God’s glory
among the peoples of the world.
Thank you for joining me in prayer,
Jon
Pray Around the World
SOUTH SUDAN — Continue to pray for everyone still suffering from severe flooding in South Sudan. Floodwaters have
been high since June of 2021, the worst flooding the region has experienced in 60 years. Homes, farms, and markets
have been destroyed. The UN reports that 35,000 people have been displaced. Pray for relief for people who are
searching for shelter, food, and medical supplies.
ALBANIA — Our Albanian leader writes that the team has received “great feedback on our platforms and for more than
just one specific program. We get encouragement for our dedication and for pressing on faithfully over the years,
compliments on the quality of our programs, and even suggestions on new programs.” Unfortunately, travel restrictions
are again limiting the expansion of ministry efforts into nearby Kosovo and Macedonia.
UGANDA — We are thankful for the time that President Jon was able to spend visiting our ministry partners
in Uganda recently. When Jon asked what the best part of our producer Kezie’s job is, she explained that getting to
hear stories of lives being changed and restored because of the gospel is what keeps her going. Especially during
pandemic lockdowns, Words of Hope media has become a lifeline of hope and support for people in Uganda.
TURKEY — Give thanks that Words of Hope’s Turkish ministry leader has completed more than 1000 programs since
he started! He says that his main goal is to share the good news of Jesus. He writes and records programs for both
radio and television. He reads and studies the Bible to prepare for each program like a sermon. His programs address
everyday issues from a biblical perspective.
IRAN — We are thankful that some of the house church members in Iran were able to gather together safely to
celebrate Christmas. They had Christmas decorations and even a beautiful Christmas cake! At the party, the daughter
of one of the church members gave her heart to Jesus, surrounded by many other believers. This was an amazing
answer to prayer for the mother, who has been a believer for a long time.NEPAL — We give thanks for news of more than 25 baptisms in Nepal! More believers are joining the churches, and
three additional church fellowships have started. Please continue in prayer for the country as COVID-19 cases are once
again on the rise. Our leader also reports that the political situation in Nepal is concerning, and that the socio-economic
situation for many individuals is cause for great concern.
ENGLISH — We received the following note from a reader, “My sister sent me a copy of “My Grace is Sufficient,” and it
has really blessed my husband and I. Twenty months ago he suffered a brain aneurysm and subsequent stroke. As a
result he is in a wheelchair and has challenges communicating even though he understands what is going on. We were
told he would not live and certainly not recover cognitive function, but our God is one of miracles, and he has.”
BHUTAN — We praise the Lord for this good news from Bhutan! Three new house church fellowships have started. Our
leader reports that 30 children, 8 young people, and 3 families have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. A church
congregation has outgrown their current place of worship as so many have joined recently. Let’s pray for this group of
Christians as they navigate growth-related planning.
INDONESIA — Please pray for the people living on the island of East Java, Indonesia. In early December, the Mount
Semeru volcano erupted. Thousands of people were forced to flee, and many individuals lost their lives. The team there
has been working to help provide for the daily needs of some of the displaced people at this time. Pray that God would
provide relief, strength, and comfort.
NEPAL — We give thanks that during COVID-19, our team in Nepal has been able to provide basic food relief for
thousands of people. Specifically, hot meals were provided for people stranded on the streets in Kathmandu during
lockdowns for many months. We are also thankful that our ministry leader was eventually able to visit the far-west region
of Nepal to offer training and encouragement, despite many COVID-related challenges.
INDIA — Our leader in India sends these words of encouragement and challenge: “I have been meditating on the life of
John the Baptist. Prepare the way for the Lord. John the Baptist prepared the way with a message and a lifestyle. We
need the message of Christ. We need the messenger also. Paul says we are Christ’s ambassadors.” Let us all aim to
prepare the way for Christ in this new year, through our words and through our actions.
NIGER — Please pray for the team of evangelists in Niger. One leader has moved with his family into a new ministry
area, but people there have refused to rent out a house for them. Currently they are making do by sheltering in a house
made from grass. The local church has purchased land in order to hopefully build something better for the family. Pray
that they would be provided for and accepted into the community as they seek to minister there.
Keith Krebs
Bahrain
American Mission Hospital’s mission and vision: To provide high-quality healthcare at an
affordable cost to all who seek care, and to provide this care based on the biblical principles of
compassion, grace, and love. To be a leader in setting the standards of high-quality, innovative
healthcare in Bahrain.
My Mission Goals: To encourage and spiritually care for doctors, nurses, and staff in new and creative ways. To
develop practical pastoral care skills and actions to bless and encourage patients. To find and train a new chaplain to
replace me.
Blessings of 2021
I have been using a way to pray called “palms down, palms up” with patients. I first read Philippians 4:4-7. And then we
rest our hands, palms down, in front of us and release our anxieties and petitions to God one at a time. After each
“release,” we turn our palms up to receive from God. For example, we release anxieties over a quickly approachingsurgery and then receive the presence and peace of God. We release concerns for family members back home and then receive God’s care for them. We confess and release our sins and receive God’s forgiveness. One day I visited a resident who was admitted for alcohol detoxification. He shared his anxieties and how he wanted to quit drinking. I share with him about Alcoholics Anonymous and how he could contact them. And then we talked about turning his struggle over to God on a moment-by-moment, day-by-day basis. And then we used “palms down, palms up” to begin turning his struggle over to God. He was grateful for the new way to pray. This prayer has been a wonderful spiritual resource for patients, staff, and in our daily chapel service. Challenges of 2021 The COVID 19 pandemic has added a lot of stress to the hospital staff. Many tested positive as well as their family members. Schools were closed and stay-at-home learning created challenges for households where husband and wife are both working. Many spouses of AMH staff have lost jobs and financial pressures added even more stress. I have spent a lot of time with staff, listening and praying. Hopes for 2022 Denise and I look forward to connecting with our supporting churches in this time of transition and sharing our stories and gratitude. I look forward to conversations and gatherings and prayer for all our RCA missionaries in the Middle East and Europe. God’s grace is being revealed and at work in amazing ways and I am grateful that I will be involved in the lives of those serving in these ministries. How We Can Pray After eight years serving the American Mission Hospital in Bahrain, Denise and I have returned to the United States. I will conclude my time as Chaplain at the end of March 2022. And then I will begin a new calling, serving RCA Global Mission as the Spiritual Care Coordinator for RCA Mission in Europe and the Middle East. Additional Needs As Denise and I move into our next chapter in ministry, I want you to be aware of two opportunities to continue supporting RCA Global Mission. One, I invite you to continue my support as I begin my new position as the Spiritual Care Coordinator for RCA Mission in Europe and the Middle East. I will be providing spiritual care to all missionaries and mission partners in Europe and the Middle East. I will schedule regular check-in meetings with the missionaries and partners to provide a safe space and provide chaplain services. I will also be leading retreat gatherings for the missionaries in Europe one year, and the Middle East the next year. Two, I invite you to support Chaplain Paul Deutsch, the new Chaplain at the American Mission Hospital. Thank you Prayers, cards, letters, and emails have been greatly appreciated. I know by the way God has sustained and protected Denise and I over these past eight years, we have had the strong spiritual support of all of you in our supporting churches and we are very grateful. Keith & Denise Krebs
JAKE & BRITTANY
attained.
Our last newsletter highlighted three significant events on the horizon. Let us share with you
the results and next steps. First, at the end of 2021, the plan was to wrap up my maintenance training with my
FAA aircraft maintenance test. It is a huge relief and joy to announce that I successfully completed my A&P
Mechanic’s Licensing on December 10th.
So many of you have played a significant role in making that a possibility and it brought me to
some unusual tears that night reflecting on the faithfulness of our partners from the very start back in 2019.
Considering where I started mechanically, it was a really big deal for me. It is deeply humbling to think about all I
have yet to learn and improve on. I am continuing to work with Proclaim in the aviation shop at Worthington to
gain more experience before the next steps arrive.
Jake & Brittany Korver proclaimaviation.org/donate
jakekorver@gmail.com PO Box 356 • Worthington, MN 56187 • connect@proclaimaviation.org
(712) 348-1583accepted. anticipated.
The second significant event was our And the third significant event? The
January candidate evaluation with anticipation of welcoming our first child into
Ethnos360 Aviation, our prospective missionary the world around the beginning of March. Brittany has been
sending agency, in McNeal, Arizona. We just returned blessed with a trouble-free pregnancy thus far and we are so
home from an incredible week there, meeting other grateful to the Lord for that gift! We are very excited to meet our
families whose experience and stories simply blew us little one. We have chosen not to find out the gender, so that
away and inspired us greatly. By God’s grace, the definitely adds to the anticipation!
evaluation went smoothly and we gladly accepted an
invitation to officially join their team! We can’t possibly Brittany’s workload last year has been beyond “full-time” and
overstate the significance of that last sentence. The Lord quite frankly, I don’t know how she has done it with so few
has brought us full circle—from the initial tugging on our complaints. As many of you know, she has been working full-
hearts starting in 2015, to this specific missions time at The Daily Apple health food store here in Worthington,
organization that excites us and fits us. Ethnos 360 has a while also working as a contract social worker for New Horizons
strong emphasis on church planting efforts in locations Adoption Agency. On top of that, she continues to take online
where there is no access to Scripture and an absence of Bible classes to meet an Ethnos360 requirement, and pumps
any churches. And to be clear, we’re not talking about out some incredible meals for us throughout each week. She is
buildings; we’re talking about Christ’s bride, the fellowship just beginning to back off on her hours to allow time for her
of His beloved people praising Him together in all they do. chiropractor and midwife appointments and other
It is a high honor for us to be able to associate ourselves responsibilities. Once the baby is born, she will have no
with the Ethnos360 Aviation team. shortage of work to do at home, and will be done with her job as
we prepare to move to another state.
Aerial view of the Ethnos 360 Aviation
Training Center in Arizona
A New FAA A&P Mechanic
Central Missouri will become our new home in August. We will both be training full-time at the Ethnos360
Training Center outside of Camdenton, Missouri. We have heard it is a very full nine months, learning things pertaining to culture and
language acquisition, simple living, church planting, and much more. After this year of training, we will move to Arizona for advanced aviation
training before heading overseas.
the timeline 2022 2023 2024
WORTHINGTON, MN CAMDENTON, MO McNEAL, AZ OVERSEAS
Aug. 2022—Start Mission Aug. 2023—Advanced flight Summer 2024—To the Nations
Training Course and family field training for Long-Term Service
The Lord has been so faithful to meet our needs and grow our hearts as we continue down this path He has been
laying for us. Our financial needs keep us praising Him for what comes in, and trusting Him for what is still needed
as we move into this new season of changes. Thank you so much for reading along and we hope to hear from
you with any questions!
Jake & Brittany
A thriving Church for every People.AN UPDATE FROM
JAMES & BETH
Keeping Missionaries on Mission from Cru’s Boulder Office
January 2022
Sprinting to get Unstuck Prayer Requests
- Pray for the Rhode Island
Sometimes in ministry missionaries feel stuck. This feeling has been team as they implement their
experienced more regularly over the past couple years as staff have new discipleship idea this
responded and flexed how they meet and engage new college students. semester.
Relying heavily on virtual connections is a poor substitute to in person - Earlier this month, 1000
connections. families lost their homes to a
fire in Boulder County. Pray for
There is a staff team located in Providence, RI, whose scope includes our community as we come
colleges in three different states. Over the past couple years connecting along side them in rebuilding
with their students to disciple and journey with them spiritually has their lives.
become more challenging between traveling to the colleges and also the
current freshmen and sophomores have had a unique first two years of
college. The Rhode Island team was feeling stuck on how to engage well with their students so they
invited Beth and her coworker to spend a week with them to facilitate a Design Sprint.
A Design Sprint is five days of very focused, structured meetings to take a closer look at a challenging
current reality and then quickly brainstorm, prototype and test a
potential new solution. Throughout those five days the Rhode Island
team had an opportunity to dream up and select ideas that might
work well for their unique scope of colleges that could remove some
barriers. By the end of the week, Beth and her coworker were
conducting virtual interviews with some of their students to see what
they thought about their new discipleship and spiritual development
structure. Overall, their student's were very excited about the
potential of this new discipleship opportunity, and they gave great
feedback that the team can use to continue to develop their new idea The Rhode Island team hard at work!
over the course of this next semester.
James was recently asked to take a look at some key finance spreadsheet tools used by Cru’s greater
finance group that oversees multiple ministries within Cru. Some of the automation and coding is not
working properly, so they asked James to take a look, troubleshoot, and fix the issues.
Both of us are enjoying using our unique gifts to serve and equip Cru’s staff to continue moving God’s
mission forward. Thank you for your partnership in ministry with us!
James: jdborgens@gmail.com 253-508-2150 give.cru.org/0672788
Beth: elizabeth.borgens@cru.org 402-613-1412 give.cru.org/0611276
2020 W 10th Ave #202, Broomfield, CO 80020FEBRUARY 2022
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5
5:15-5:45 Creative
Movement
5:15-6:30 Meal
6:15-7:30 Alpha Teens
6:30-7:30 TeamKID & Adult
Bible Study
7:30-8:15 Bell Choir
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Professions of Faith - 5:15-5:45 Creative
Kourtney Dekker & 6:00 Outreach Meeting Movement
Wesley Kruse 7:00 Congregational Care 5:15-6:30 Meal
3:30-6:30 Core Class 101 - Meeting 6:15-7:30 Alpha Teens
opening class with meal 6:30-7:30 TeamKID & Adult
7:00-8:30 RCYF Bible Study
7:30-8:15 Bell Choir
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Communion 5:15-5:45 Creative
Creative Movement 7:00 Women 2 Women Mtg Movement
2:00 Community Unity 5:15-6:30 Meal
Service @ Pavilion 6:15-7:30 Alpha Teens
3:30-5:00 Core Class 101 6:30-7:30 TeamKID & Adult
6:00 Communion @ CRH 4:30-6:00 Mobile Food Bible Study
7:00-8:30 RCYF Truck @ Armory 7:30-8:15 Bell Choir
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
5:15-5:45 Creative
3:30-5:00 Core Class 101 5:30-6:30 Sheldon Unity Movement
7:00-8:30 RCYF Meal - FRC is in charge of 5:15-6:30 Meal
this meal at Living Water 6:15-7:30 Alpha Teens
6:30-7:30 TeamKID & Adult
Bible Study
7:30-8:15 Bell Choir
27 28
3:30-5:00 Core Class 101
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