Five Saved at Block Party!

We had a fantastic experience in Tennessee! Five people prayed to receive Christ during a worship service Saturday held during at a block party at Mission in the Mountains: The Sequel.

Thirty-one students and adults participated in the trip in which 10/40 students from our church partnered with New Life Community Baptist Church near Dayton, Tennessee. Pastor Mark Olson has been serving in the community with the church for a number of years and is working hard to reach the rural, but diverse community.

The trailer park community near where the church meets includes a number of people involved in drugs, those involved in alternative lifestyles, children living in broken homes and those suffering from a range of illnesses. Olson, his wife, LaDonna, and New Life members work every day to reach out to people encouraging them to start a “new life” with the Lord.

10/40 students and leaders spent Saturday morning in the trailer park washing windows, mowing lawns, handing out care gifts and doing other acts of “random Christian kindness.” Additionally, tables and chairs and other items – such as a “Moon Walk” for children and a face painting station – was set up for the 4 to 7 p.m. block party.

For lunch, the group returned to a noted local culinary treat, Cheezee's. There, everyone enjoyed a variety of home-cooked dishes, including my favorite Cheezee’s dish, fried chicken livers, mashed potatoes and gravy and fried okra! Ummm!

After lunch, the group spent a few hours of recreation at “Pocket Wilderness” just outside the city limits, which features walking trails, old coal mines and a mountain stream.

I was encouraged that we had a number of new students participating in this year’s trip to Tennessee. As you know, this trip represents the “Judea” aspect of efforts in our student ministry to share Jesus Christ with our Jerusalem (local community), Judea (state/region), Samaria (nation and North America) and ends of the earth (world).

My goal is to provide opportunities to provide your student with opportunities to share their faith and be Jesus’ hands and feet locally and globally. Next summer (June 17-24) our group is scheduled to travel to World Changers in Little Rock, Arkansas, for our Samaria experience. One day Shawn and I hope to provide our older students with an opportunity to reach the ends of the earth through an international experience.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support. You are wonderful people! It is an honor and a privilege to serve with you at First Redeemer Church and to serve your students through the 10/40 aspect of our 141 Student Ministry. --Tim