Building Faith by Serving Neighboring School by Asbury Church

January / February 2015

Building Faith by Serving Neighboring School

opefully, you enjoyed the Christmas holidays and are looking forward to 2015. I want to review some accomplishments from last year and address a few things coming up in 2015. Of course, the big news last year was our work on the path forward that Tom outlined at the close of 2013. Most of the visible activity and changes were associated with worship services. In preparation for those changes, we upgraded the sound system in the Sanctuary, installed environmental projection and other lighting, and modified the stage area. The number of worship services was reduced from five to three. These were major changes for many in our congregation. For some it was disruptive—and we appreciate your patience and cooperation. We've been asked why worship attendance numbers have continued to decline even after the changes. Many churches, including Asbury, have experienced reduced attendance over the past several years. Measured relatively, we are actually doing pretty well. However, we believe that Asbury can do better. Adjusting our worship services was just one part of the plan. There was no expectation that those changes alone would change numbers. Several components must be integrated. The other two parts of the plan are outward focus and adult discipleship development. I've recently addressed outward focus in this column. Good progress has also been made in discipleship development. The initial result of this work will be revealed over the next several months. At the end of 2012, many of us made commitments to a campaign to eliminate our mortgage debt and create an endowment for the longterm care of our facility. This is a three-year initiative ending December 2015. We are pleased to report that payment of commitments is on schedule. We should have our debt retired and a $1 million endowment in place as we enter 2016. A very big thank you for all who are participating. If you have not yet signed on to myasburytulsa.org, the beginning of a new year would be a great time to do so. You can see the calendar of ministries and events. In many cases, registration can be done here also. You can configure what communications you want to receive from the church. Many of us are looking for ways to automate and simplify our lives. There is a new feature to easily set up recurring electronic giving of your tithe. You can also review your giving history. This year will be a time of looking carefully focusing our resources for maximum effectiveness. It is not possible to operate with excellence while trying to be all things to all people. You will also be hearing much more about the primary purpose of Asbury which is to make disciples. Your prayers and support are very much appreciated as we face a challenging and exciting 2015.

Dwight Yoder, Executive Director

January / February 2015

Contents A Word from Tom Harrison Press On! Serving Him Through H.I.M. Thanksgiving Baskets, Adopt a Christmas Child, and 2nd Saturday Building Faith by Serving Neighboring School Are You an Emotionally Safe Person? Weekend to Remember RoadMap Fall 2014 Asbury Goes to India Think Big. Think Really, Really Big. #SBM2015 Upward: Our Story The Penny Wars Are On! Sharing the Win Grandpa John Special Announcements

1 2 4 6 8 11 12 13 14 18 20 22 24 25 26 27

We need you! Do you have a story of what God has done in your life? Please contact us and tell us a little bit about what God has done. We will all be encouraged by hearing stories of what God is doing in the lives of those around us. Are you a writer or someone who enjoys writing? The Communications Department is always looking for someone to do an interview and write a story for us for Tidings. Have you noticed that we’ve been making some changes in Tidings? Please give us your feedback—both good and bad. Email kmains@ asburytulsa.org or call 918.392.1140. Editor: Asbury Communications Department, 918.392.1140, kmains@asburytulsa.org Graphic Design: Tim Jurgensen, tjurgensen@asburytulsa.org Photographers: Sarah Adams (yellowchairphotography.com), Chris Lo (matchadesign.com), Mark Moore (mark moore.photo.net) Guest Contributors: Guy Ames, Radhika Aussiker, John Cook, Jim Davis, Charlene Giles, Heather Horton, Tresa Johnson, Diane King, Stephanie King, Katelyn Moore, Christina Treat, Jacquelyn Turner, John Westervelt Asbury Tidings is a bi-monthly publication designed to tell stories of lives being transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. You may read back issues by visiting www.asburytulsa.org.

PASTOR TOM

A Word From Tom Harrison

ou’ll find both information and inspiration in this edition of Tidings. There are so many wonderful things (and people) who are making a real difference in people’s lives. I wish I had a video camera to show you my world. We do so many things so well! Asbury is an amazing church! I speak for our pastors and staff when I say, “Thank you!” We are so grateful we are able to pursue our call from God. Our ability to do what we do is based on your generosity. We spoke in November of 2013 about emphasizing three things at Asbury: worship, discipleship and outward focus. We made some changes in our worship services and continue to work to improve these in a lot of different ways. We also believe that helping our members understand the importance of being the church outside our building is core. Both worship and faith-sharing are components of discipleship. Every church’s essential ethos (identity/ character) should be rooted in “making disciples.” I’m not sure a church which doesn’t do this is truly a church. This is what Jesus told us to do (Matthew 28:18–20). Making disciples was His bottom line. A “disciple” is literally a follower or learner. While Jesus selected an original band of twelve (Peter, James and John were the

core group), He also commissioned larger numbers to go on short-term “volunteer in mission trips.” Being a disciple fully engages the head (knowledge, biblical worldview), the heart (worship, emotion) and the hands (service, witness). A disciple is someone who is “all in” for life. Living for Jesus means that He is not merely my “Savior” (who saves me from my sin), but He is my “Lord.” The Lord (the term is found exactly 5,000 times in the Bible) governs and rules my life. A disciple wholeheartedly follows Jesus. Disciples aren’t problem-free, but they have found a genuine purpose and call in their lives. They are the ones who will experience the joy of Christ in the fullest and most abundant way. My prayer for 2015 is that our congregation will truly be a “disciple making church.” It’s rooted in our Methodist DNA. John Wesley and the early Methodists made disciples. It’s rooted in Asbury’s DNA, too. It’s certainly nothing new, but we must be reminded about it. Asbury brought Jason Jackson onto our staff in June of 2014. I first heard about Jason from Pastor Jon Odom (he was Jon’s Hebrew teacher at Asbury Theological Seminary) and from Pastor Todd Craig. Jason has been given the task of helping us sharpen our discipleship focus. Our staff and some of our laity

have begun a series of classes about discipleship. The intent is not merely another class with information; we hope this will lead to transformation of lives. This will be unveiled to you later in 2015. I’m grateful! I’m optimistic! We exist (“to make disciples”), and 2015 will see us intensify our efforts to make this happen in an inter-generational way.

Dr. Tom Harrison, Senior Pastor

Saviour What an incredible night at Asbury hosting the Saviour concert. Over 2,400 in attendance. Thank you to all for such a wonderful message and performance.

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

PASTORAL INSIGHT

Press On! By Pastor Guy Ames

Immediately after the Christmas shopping rush subsides, our inboxes, mailboxes and TV ads fill up with weight reduction remedies, health club discounts, Weight Watcher’s membership buys, etc., etc., etc. Why? Because advertisers know that Americans love opportunities to “start over again.” We long to somehow create a better tomorrow. So at this time of the year, we hear the familiar voices of comparisons. How did 2014 compare with 2013? What changes do you hope to accomplish in the coming year? Even for those who had successes in life, love, family and businesss, we keep hoping to do better, to make improvements, to learn from the past. This kind of optimism keeps us believing that somehow next year can be better than the last, that life can improve, that God has more in store. Why else would so many of us fill out the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes entry and mail it in? We have hope! In his book, Midcourse Correction, Gordon MacDonald highlights the phrase “vital optimism” to describe that inner conviction that whatever the past has been, the future can and will be brighter. MacDonald borrowed the phrase from military historian John Keegan. He describes the impact of two battles of World War I in which the British lost over 240,000 troops and suffered an unthinkable number of wounded. They had never experienced any losses of that magnitude. Keegan notes that this marked the end of an age of vital optimism that has never been recovered by the English. Almost overnight, Great Britain lost this vital optimism and

worse, never recovered their former self. The phrase “vital optimism” strikes a chord with me. We all need that quality of spirit that runs deep, not just in nations but also in individuals. Vital optimism requires a belief that the best is yet to come. This kind of optimistic spirit energizes nations, businesses, churches, marriages, families. Optimism of this sort seems palpable; we can almost feel it…it’s obvious. And when that optimism leaves, those same nations, businesses, churches and homes begin to shrivel. We watch the fire inside go out, and from that day on we are simply marking time. This is how God has made us. From the time we are toddlers attempting to walk and overcoming many falls, we continue to get up and try again. “I can do it by myself” is one of the first phrases that toddler learns to say. Vital optimism is rooted in how God has made us. Imprisoned and nearing the end of his life and ministry, the Apostle Paul writes a thank you letter to his generous friends in the Philippian Church. Many of them are concerned that Paul’s agitators have gained the upper hand while he is imprisoned, so he writes to remind them that

TIDINGS January / February 2015

PASTORAL INSIGHT

God is not finished with him yet. Three times he offers words of great hope, words of vital optimism: “I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, Revised Standard Version) Someone put it this way, “God is not finished with me!” Living in a world of instant—microwaves, immediate communication— we too easily grow impatient. Real and lasting change takes time, and we must remember that we are a work in progress. “For God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13, Revised Standard Version) Vital optimism coupled with resurrection faith believes that God’s work in us is for greater purposes. I love Jeremiah’s reminder to the refugee people of Israel who have become captives in Babylon (modern day Iraq). Life seemed bleak and any hope for meaningful future had been lost, but Jeremiah reminds them that God is not yet finished. “I will fulfil to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29: 10b–13) Finally, the Apostle Paul reminds his friends that hope and faith must be coupled with action. Vital optimism calls for us to take steps in the direction to which God is leading. “I do not consider that I have (arrived or have reached perfection); but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3: 13–14) These are times not to retreat but to press ahead! God invites us to learn the power of forgetting the past. There is great danger in living in the past. The past always seems bigger than the present. Too many of us live in the land of “what might have been” or “what used to be” or “what happened to me back then.” There comes a time when, in faith, we must let go of the past and live in the present that God has given us. Christians have an advantage over others as we speak of lives of vital optimism. Our faith does not lie in the memory of a great leader, teacher or prophet. We are Easter people (all year long), who are anchored to the reality of the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus points to possibilities beyond even death. The resurrection of Jesus reminds us that even pain itself cannot contain God’s great purposes or God’s will. After 80 years of battling alongside of Joshua, living with the

Hebrew children in the wilderness and bringing down the walls of Jericho, Caleb is ready to receive the land that Moses promised him. Most of the Israelites are wanting the good productive land, cities and vineyards that the Canaanites left. Caleb asks for the hill country. He reminds Joshua of their military exploits and how he helped defeat their enemies and says, “Now that I’m 85 years, give me the hill country where there are still giants to defeat. Maybe God has more in store for me.” (Joshua 14:12). I love that kind of optimism. In 1914 the famed inventor, Thomas Edison, awakened one night to discover that his company compound and factory in West Orange, New Jersey, had caught fire. The founder of General Electric, the incandescent light, phonograph and motion pictures was losing all of his laboratories, equipment and projects. Over $2 million in losses were only insured for $238,000 because they assumed the concrete buildings were fireproof. His 24-year-old son, Charles, looked frantically for him and found him at the height of the fire standing with his white hair blowing in the wind looking at the blaze. He couldn’t imagine how his father would deal with this; at 67 years of age, all of his life’s work was being lost. Edison, seeing Charles, called out, “Son, go get your mother; she’ll never see a fire like this as long as she lives.” The next morning, with everything in ashes, he gathered his employees around him and acknowledged that at his age he wondered about what to do. Then with his typical energy he told the group, “I’ve decided to rebuild.” He began sending staff to purchase materials for building and for projects, when in almost an afterthought he asked, “Can anyone tell me where we can get some money to pay for this?” As he thought about the loss of the night before, Edison told his team, “There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.” (From The Lucky Penny, March 01, 2012, www.luckypennylane.com) For followers of Jesus Christ, we have more than sheer will power and good fortune to build our hope upon. For over 2000 years, the resurrection of Jesus has been the cornerstone of our hope and our vital optimism. Followers of Jesus can and do live through suffering, persecution, disappointment, sickness, and death itself, because of a confident expectation. We stand confident on the affirmation that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. For that reason “ forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (we) press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13–14) One of my early mentors in ministry would always end his conversations or letters with the phrase, “press on!” That’s the way I want to continue to live by pressing on for Christ’s sake. Praise God! God is not finished with you, with me, with our loved ones, with our church, with our world. So press on!

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

LOCAL OUTREACH

Ms. Pritchett is always grateful for the tasks performed by the H.I.M. volunteers. “There are just some things I can no longer do myself. I am always happy to see them come – they always bring me a flower. It’s a wonderful service, and I appreciate everything they do.” Arlyn Daering, who has been volunteering with H.I.M. for many years, said, “I had been part of the mission we (Asbury) took to Monterrey, Mexico, but they (the mission trips) became fewer and far between, and I wanted to do something more often. I heard about Home Improvement and thought it sounded like something I could do with my talents, so I showed up. I’ve always enjoyed it.” He uses the many and varied skills he had learned from his father in-law, as well as some learned on his own. Some of the “chores” he has done with H.I.M. include hanging ceiling fans, installing light fixtures, repairing drains or faucets, and simple lawn maintenance items such as raking leaves and cleaning gutters. During the last H.I.M. workday, he and Ken Weikel, another H.I.M. volunteer, helped move bedroom furniture for another Asbury lady.

Serving Him Through H.I.M. Asbury’s Home Improvement Ministry By Diane Thompson King

n the third Saturday of every other month, from February thru October, a group of volunteers spend a Saturday morning helping widows and single women who are Asbury members with minor repairs and maintenance of their homes. In keeping with the biblical directive in James 1:27 to “look after widows and orphans in their distress,” they plan and prepare to help these ladies with minor repairs and maintenance that they cannot do themselves. This ministry has been helping for almost 13 years and is known as Asbury’s Home Improvement Ministry (H.I.M.) Although H.I.M. functions as one of Asbury’s “men’s” ministries, it also includes several father/daughter, father/son and husband/wife volunteers who are regulars in this endeavor. During the latest regular workday, John Lye, a four-year veteran H.I.M. volunteer and his 9-year-old daughter, Anna, raked leaves and cleaned gutters for Joyce Pritchett, an Asbury widow. Their providing this service for Ms. Pritchett also provided them another opportunity to spend quality time together. “The work is pretty basic most of the time; it’s usually nothing too hard,” says Lye. “Being able to do things to help widows and single women with something they can’t do themselves is a blessing for them and us both.”

Bobby and Beverly Latimer (one of the husband/wife volunteers) have been volunteering with H.I.M. for seven or eight years and share the feeling that “It’s a wonderful experience. Those ladies just love us, and the people we work with, Michiel (Conner) and Ric (Shust) are lots of fun. Beverly and I are not the technical type, we consider ourselves as just the laborers. We do things like yard work. We can’t do any electrical or plumbing, but we can do what we call labor, and we love it.” During the latest H.I.M. workday, they helped Ms Jeri Potts, another Asbury widow, remove and haul away some particularly problematic hedge vines and trim some rose bushes. She shared, “There were vines that had to be cut back, and it became a huge pile as they continued to work on it. After a while, I noticed that Bobby wasn’t there, so I asked Beverly where he went. She said that he had gone home to get his own trailer, and when he got back, they hauled every bit of it off.” The Latimers didn’t realize it for a while, but they were the H.I.M. volunteers who had helped Ms. Potts plant the rose bushes on another H.I.M. workday many months before. “They were surprised because of how big and gorgeous the roses had become,” said Ms. Potts. It slowly dawned on each of them that this was where they had helped with the planting, and it was exciting for them to see the fruits of their labor. When all the work was finished that day, Ms Potts said her yard was exceptional. “They went above and beyond. I felt I was truly blessed. It is nice to know that when it gets to where you have something that’s too much to handle, there’s someone to help.” Approximately ten days prior to each H.I.M. workday, the applications that have been submitted are collected and reviewed by a H.I.M. coordinator to determine the details of

TIDINGS January / February 2015

LOCAL OUTREACH

what will actually be needed. There have been instances when requests cannot be accomplished by H.I.M. volunteers because the work may require a licensed specialist or may require more time than is available during a regular H.I.M. workday. Although Asbury’s Home Improvement Ministry functions to perform minor repairs and maintenance, the ladies are also encouraged to become an active member of one of the many adult discipleship communities at Asbury so the community members can help them out with these needs.

volunteers may participate on several projects during a typical workday. However, all work should be completed by around noon.

Ric Shust (Rust Team), Terry Fisher (Orange Team), Jim Gibson (Blue Team) and Craig McElwain (Gray Team) are captains of the four H.I.M. volunteer “teams.” In the past, there were additional teams, but with declining volunteer participation, several have merged. Ric said that “Our team is the Rust Team, because we merged the Red and Orange teams. Our motto is, ‘We may wear out, but…we’ll never rust out!’”

“We give them a flower when we arrive at the house,” says Shust. “Then we pray with them before we leave when the job is done.”

Even though each team has several active members, not all are able to participate every workday. H.I.M. volunteers typically go to a home with at least one other volunteer rather than as individuals, and sometimes the work may require several team members. If requests are smaller and less time consuming, some

On the designated Home Improvement Ministry workdays, all volunteers meet in the Café Area (outside of the Family Room) at 8:00 am for fellowship, coffee and snacks. During this preparation time, each team’s workday selections, schedules and requests are discussed, refined and coordinated so that all volunteers can leave the church by nine o’clock.

Asbury’s Home Improvement Ministry workdays for 2015 are scheduled to be held on the following third Saturdays: February 21, April 18, June 20, August 15 and October 17. Asbury’s widows and/or single women with needs for basic/minor home repairs or maintenance may fill out an application (found in the resource area) and submit it at the Guest Services desk at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled workday. If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, please contact Michiel Conner at 918.640.4382 or michiel0930@sbcglobal.net.

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

LOCAL OUTREACH

Thanksgiving Baskets, Adopt a Christmas Child, and 2nd Saturday By Jacquelyn Turner

utreach. We hear this word all the time at church, and for many of us it can evoke a range of emotions—from joy and fulfillment, to fear and anxiety. Outreach is unpredictable; you never quite know what will happen in the journey of serving others. Outreach is a vehicle for Christians to obey Christ’s mandate to make disciples of all nations. It provides opportunities to intentionally reach out to others through a specific service. But what happens if you are called to a life of fulfilling the Great Commission through outreach? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me. In May of 2013 I graduated from a private Christian university with a Master of Arts in Missions. A mission’s degree is perfect for someone who aspires to be a missionary, but what exactly does that profession entail? What type of location or people group does one have to reach out to in order to be on a mission’s field? Unlike my fellow missionary colleagues, I never felt called to a foreign land like Brazil, China, or France. Sometimes I would wait for the ceiling above to break open and hear a voice from the heavens scream down very specifically, “Haiti! I am calling you to serve in Haiti!”

Instead, God began to define my call once I started doing local outreaches. During my three-year stint in graduate school, I felt like God wanted me to get involved at my church through volunteer work, and I signed up to help out with my church youth group. This experience led me to be a bus captain for a Mobile Kids Club outreach to Tulsa’s low-income neighborhoods and eventually paved the way for me to do an inner-city internship at Metro World Child in Brooklyn, New York. God began to speak to me through these volunteer and outreach experiences, and by the time I graduated, I realized God had called me to a specific mission field, not to a foreign land overseas, but here in the urban and lower income areas of America. Four days before graduating with my degree, I quit my retail job so I could devote all of my time to ministry. I discovered a non-profit youth organization that was hiring missions majors, and I knew I was on track. The position was for a United Way agency called Youth at Heart, formally known as Destination Discovery. Destination Discovery was conceived in 1976 with the help of Asbury United Methodist Church and two other Methodist churches in Tulsa. The three churches collaborated to do programming and activities for children living in government-funded housing. Asbury has maintained a strong and supportive relationship with the organization, as evidenced by the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas outreaches. After working as an enrichment leader at Youth at Heart for over a year, I was asked to come

TIDINGS January / February 2015

LOCAL OUTREACH

alongside Asbury’s amazing 2nd Saturday volunteers and plan the Thanksgiving and Christmas block parties for six Youth at Heart sites. The task seemed a bit daunting at first, but then I remembered how God had used my life experiences to prepare me for this moment. It was my turn to not only take part in an amazing outreach but also help train other leaders and volunteers to do the same.

the third grader since she was in first grade. Sue says that she will continue to tutor Drayonna at Asbury until she finishes the program in sixth grade.

The 2nd Saturday outreach on November 8 was a huge success! Volunteer groups from Asbury, ORU and other local communities put together over 180 Thanksgiving baskets, complete with a turkey and everything needed to cook a delicious Thanksgiving meal. After preparing the baskets, the groups went to six Youth at Heart sites—Normandy, Apache, Comanche, South Haven, Sandy Park and Edenwood apartment complexes. Volunteers helped put on carnival-themed block parties at each location. Over 250 Youth at Heart kids and their family members came out to play fun carnival games, get their faces painted, and hear a positive character lesson on “gratitude.” One lucky family from each site even went home with a special raffle giveaway, a Google tablet!

At the 2nd Saturday on December 13, volunteers from Asbury and the local community repeated the block party outreach, this time distributing the Christmas gifts to over 700 children and veterans. Groups of volunteers went to eight different apartment complexes and schools to host the Christmas block parties and distribute gifts to the families. The gifts were accumulated through the generosity of Asbury members participating in the annual Adopt a Christmas Child program at the church. Every year Asbury members buy Christmas presents for children from low-income families to ensure they have presents on Christmas morning. As a Youth at Heart leader, I have personally witnessed the joy and gratitude from the parents for the kindness and generosity of the Asbury members.

One special group of volunteers at the Thanksgiving block parties were the tutors from Asbury’s weekly Youth at Heart tutoring program. The tutoring program started back in the early 1980’s by Darlene Mann and is still thriving 30 years later. Every Monday, students from Normandy Apartments come to Asbury for tutoring and help with homework. One of the tutors, Sue Hembree, participated in the Thanksgiving outreach and was delighted to go out to Normandy Apartments where her student, 8-year-old Drayonna, lives with her family. Sue has formed a wonderful relationship with Drayonna and has tutored

Doing local outreaches with Youth at Heart, Asbury, and other ministries in the city of Tulsa has changed my life. If I had not listened to the gentle nudge from God to get involved local volunteer work, I would have missed out on being able to reach and build relationships with amazing people from all different ethnic and social economic backgrounds right in my own city. Outreach is important because it allows us to be the hands and feet of God, and I am thrilled to spend the rest of my life doing just that.

“She’s very special,” praised Sue. “To come and see her face light up, to see how much she’s improved and she’s learned, that’s why I come back.”

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

LOCAL OUTREACH

Building Faith by Serving Neighboring School Faithbuilders Community Partners with Grove Elementary School By Diane Thompson King

The little schoolhouse sits on the corner of South 61st Place by Highway 169, only a few blocks from Asbury United Methodist Church, but in some ways it is light years away.

Grove Elementary School is part of the Union school district, and one Asbury discipleship community has decided to serve the Lord Jesus by stepping up to the plate to help the children and teachers there.

learn at school. The school administrators thought that perhaps Asbury could help, so they attended a meeting of the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s local outreach committee. They came seeking help, anything, any way they could get it.

It all began about two years ago when the principal and community coordinator of Grove decided to seek help from Asbury. So many families were in need of basic provisions that it was affecting the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to

Steve Zenthoefer was the chairman of the Asbury committee, and he heard their plea. It struck a chord in his heart, and he decided to approach his own community, Faithbuilders, to see if they would be part of the answer for

TIDINGS January / February 2015

LOCAL OUTREACH

this school’s cry for help. “Our community has many teachers in it, so it just seemed like a natural fit.” The Faithbuilders jumped in with enthusiasm, and today a group of ten women go to Grove Elementary every Wednesday and a group of eight men go every Thursday to help tutor and mentor the children. “We basically meet with a small group of children whom the teacher selects, and we help them with their reading and math skills,” explains Zenthoefer. “A lot of them really want to learn, but because of their situation, they don’t have anyone to help them if they are having trouble.” Zenthoefer’s wife, Ann, is also very involved in this ministry and expresses her passion for reaching out to the families of Grove Elementary through the children. “There are people in serious need all around Asbury on every corner,” she states. “First Baptist Church of Tulsa handed out winter coats to Union schools last year. They gave 400+ coats and still ran out because there weren’t enough. “The women are doing a lot with the kids, and of course the kids love them. But the men—they are so important— because so many of these kids have no male role models, no fathers living in the home. It is interesting what the women observe, then to compare it with what the men see the next day—it’s a whole different perspective. They see something we don’t and vice versa. . . it takes both men and women to effectively raise the children.” Several individuals and small groups within the Faithbuilders community have “adopted” about 30 Grove families to provide them with basic needs and give them Christmas gifts. They have been surprised

to find some who have little to no food in the house, no winter coats, no shoes. One family has a dad with no job, a son with no shoes, and nobody owns a coat. Not only do the Faithbuilders want to supply this family with the clothing they so badly need, but thanks to Asbury’s OJT (Overcoming Job Transition) ministry, they hope to help the father with his resume and perhaps find him a job. This fits well with Asbury’s philosophy that we don’t want to merely alleviate immediate needs, but to go that step further and invest in their development so that this cycle of lack can be broken as they lift themselves out of poverty. Ann Zenthoefer remembers one child from last year, a little guy named Mark who was so thin, he looked like he was from Ethiopia. She noticed as he ran up to her that he looked like he had a huge bump on his lower back. Upon further investigation, they discovered his much-too-big jeans were bunched up at the waist and fastened with zip ties to hold them up. He had no pants or underwear in his small size. He also had no coat. Linda Furman, who along with Ann spearheads this ministry for the Faithbuilders, says, “It’s so sad. Some of these kids can’t even concentrate because they’re hungry. One little boy, a little first grader, comes to school and has a hard time staying awake because his single mom has to take him to work with her. She is the night receptionist at

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

LOCAL OUTREACH

a hotel. So he’s up all night, and then he comes to school exhausted. It’s heartbreaking.” The school’s parent/community liason, Sara Fitch, explains that Grove is a “community school,” a select group of schools in the Union district that partners with the community resources to break barriers that hinder learning. “We depend on these partners to help, whether it be finances, food, clothing, or mentoring and volunteering.” At the beginning of the year, Fitch polled the Grove teachers to see who would like to have volunteer mentors for their classes. Teachers from all grades responded positively, and especially the third grade team because of the extensive testing done at that grade level. “If I had more volunteers tomorrow, I could easily place them into a classroom by next week,” says Fitch. The teachers select which students to place with the mentors and what they need help with the most. She affirms that nothing the volunteers are asked to do is difficult nor would it be something they couldn’t readily understand. “The volunteers do teach, but most importantly they connect by spending time with them. That is the win/ win here. When they walk into the hallway and see each other, their faces just light up in the biggest smiles – you can tell the volunteers just love those kids, and the children look forward to Wednesdays and Thursdays. This makes the kids want to come to school.” The children are receiving a role model they so badly need: adults who are reliable, responsible, dependable, steady. Even children who live with both a mom and a dad may not get that at home.

The Faithbuilders community also helps by contributing to an emergency fund set up for unexpected crises that may arise with Grove families. This is coordinated with the counselors at the school. One example of the fund’s usage was when a family discovered that they had bed bugs. The fund paid to have their place fumigated. Ann Zenthoefer asserts that the Faithbuilders do not wish to be alone in supporting these neighbors who are literally right in Asbury’s back yard. The needs are so great that any help, even if it is occasionally rather than a regularly scheduled weekly activity, would be welcome. Ann suggests, “Other communities could jump in, as well. They could help with a class party or teacher appreciation luncheon, something that doesn’t have to be every week.” One individual who is a member of the Harvest community enjoys tutoring the children with the men on Thursdays. The Christian Explorers community also helps Grove Elementary by providing shelving and a supply closet filled with supplies for the teachers to use for their teaching needs, as well as items like underwear and socks for children who are doing without. Steve Zenthoefer reveals that he has two tennis buddies, neither of whom attends church, but they have both become involved in tutoring the children and love it! “This is so rewarding. The kids just need a little time, attention, help, and love.” If you or your community would be interested in volunteering with the Faithbuilders’ group, call or email Ann Zenthoefer at 918.230.1809, arzen@cox.net, or Linda Furman at 918.740.0323, jnlfurman@cox.net or directly with Grove Elementary by contacting Sara Fitch at 918.357.8858 or fitch.sara@unionps.org.

TIDINGS January / February 2015

CARE AND MARRIAGE

Are You an Emotionally Safe Person? By Charlene Giles

hether building relationships with our family members, people at our school or workplace, or strangers sitting beside us on a plane, honest conversations depend upon whether others view us as someone who is emotionally safe. Maybe you’ve never thought about it this way, but each of us makes decisions about how vulnerable we choose to be with others based on our perception of their likelihood of being nurturing to us or hurtful. When folks are already wounded from a recent loss or wound, they especially need to be cautious about those in whom they confide. As a counselor, I often suggest that vulnerable people seek out “cotton ball” people for a while—those who will nurture rather than cause more harm. How do others perceive you? Are you someone who is emotionally safe for them to approach? Are you emotionally safe for longer term friendships? For lasting, intimate parent-child or marriage relationships? Ask yourself these questions based on Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend’s book, Safe People in order to explore the concept of your own emotional safety to others.

1. When you hurt, do you admit you were wrong and seek forgiveness quickly? 2. How well do you respect boundaries that others request? 3. How often do you ask others to tell you the truth about yourself and your part in the relationship? 4. Are you quick to forgive others when they have wronged you? 5. How well do you keep confidences when people share highly private information with you? 6. Do you permit others to take off their masks and be real when they are around you? 7. After spending time with you, do people feel encouraged to move forward in their lives? Because we are all broken people and incapable of representing God’s agape love fully, there is only one truly “safe” person— Jesus Christ. Yet, as His disciples, we seek to convey that love to those around us by being accepting and responsible in all our relationships.

Safe People 101 Have you sometimes invested yourself into relationships that left you with nothing but a low sense of personal value? Learn basics for making safe relationship choices. DVD/discussion. $10 includes book by Cloud and Townsend. Lynn Archibald facilitator. 6:00–7:30 pm. Seven Wednesday nights beginning February 11. (No meeting March 18.)

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

CARE AND MARRIAGE

Weekend to Remember

ast February, after being married for 34 years, we attended our very first marriage conference, “Weekend to Remember.” It wasn’t that we felt like we really needed it, because we do have a good marriage. But why not do what we can to make it even better. That’s just what happened. It was so meaningful to us. Our favorite part was at the end when we looked into each other’s eyes and recited our marriage vows again. We are recommitted to each other. This was very meaningful to us, and I would recommend it to anyone in any stage of their marriage. Investing time and energy into your marriage is like investing into your family. Life isn’t always easy, but with a strong marriage we feel our family can survive life’s challenges. Tresa and Jerry Johnson

hree years ago, Rachel and I opened a Christmas present from her parents, and inside was a Weekend to Remember brochure. Her parents had previously attended Weekend events themselves and are long-time supporters of Family Life, the sponsoring ministry. Even with a 41-year healthy marriage, they recognized the value of a weekend of Godly focus on marriage, and they wanted to share that with us. As a further present, they included the travel costs to any of the Weekend events around the country, so we chose the grand Skytop Lodge in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Parents and grandparents, this makes a great gift!

Once at the Weekend, we were impressed with the balance of presentations and time for intentional discussion with each other. It is a God-centered curriculum, yet offers very practical ways to establish and keep a healthy marriage. We also noticed the wide range of attendees—from newlyweds to 40+ years, from strong marriages to those who said this is our last shot at saving it. We both walked away renewed and refreshed, and highly recommend Weekend to Remember. We hope you consider going. Jim and Rachel Davis

oe and I have been married for three and a half years. We determined early on we would spend the majority of our time prior to the “big day” getting wisdom on marriage and family. That we did! While very much in love, the odds were against us. We came from two entirely different backgrounds! Not to mention, I had never been married until 39 years old. Joe was married before with a teenage son. The good news is that we both shared a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ whom we leaned on to lead and guide our lives. He led us to pre-engagement, blended family and Asbury’s Couple to Couple marriage counseling. With all this, we still encountered a rocky start with the added pressure of pregnancy. Our close friends and accountability couple, Ray and Stella, challenged some of our marriage constructs with biblical truth. Their prayers, candor and unconditional support helped us to find some common ground. They encouraged us to go to a Weekend to Remember. When pride kept us from acknowledging the need for more marriage teaching, they sponsored us to go. How could we say no? We attended the Weekend to Remember on February 14, 2014. This weekend proved to be true to its name. Not only

TIDINGS January / February 2015

were we reminded of things we had learned in Couple to Couple but also this event added to basic building blocks of marriage concepts with practical tools. We still use these tools today. We learned that God’s plan for oneness involves three things: leave, cleave, and become one flesh. Because of our natural differences and self-centeredness, conflict can arise. Learning to accept and receive each other as God’s intended gift helps us to operate as a team and not as adversaries. We are familiar with the enemy’s tactics more than ever and recognize his intended purpose to divide. As we deepen our relationship with our Creator and prefer one another more than ourselves, we will have the marriage that God intends for us to have. Through the encouragement of events like Weekend to Remember, we wholeheartedly believe that our marriage can be a witness for Christ to our families for generations to come. Joe & Radhika Aussieker

Friday, February 13–Sunday, February 15 7:00 pm Friday–12:30 pm Sunday Renaissance Tulsa Hotel, 6808 S. 107th East Ave. Have fun while you learn practical skills and biblical principles to strengthen and reenergize your marriage. Great for engaged couples too. Save significantly on cost of registration at http://shop. familylife.com/p-3715-tulsa. aspx using group name, AsburyTulsa, or call 1.800. FL.TODAY.

DISCIPLESHIP

RoadMap Fall 2014 BIBLICAL STUDIES Here & Now…Then & There: A Lecture Study on Revelation by Beth Moore Cindy Read Tuesday 9:15–11:15 am, Room 2818 Dee Dee Geddie Tuesday 6:30–8:00 pm, Room 2820 January 13–March 31 (except March 17) Cost: $10.00 How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life Jackie Carter Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 pm February 4–March 11 Room 2201 Cost: $10 Luke Part 1, A Precepts Study Nancy Staab Tuesdays 9:30–11:00 am January 13–March 24 Room 1504 Cost: $30.00 Judges, Driving Out Your Enemies. A Precepts Study Dee Paige Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 pm Orientation January 7 Classes January 14–February 25 Room 1504 Cost: $15.00 Believers Bible Study Don Herrold Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 pm

Ongoing through May Room 1508 No Cost Revelation, Part 2. Bringing It All To Completion Gail Knox Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 pm January 7–May 13 (except 3/18) Room 2818 Cost: $15

CARE GriefShare Ann Peterson & Larry McCool Wednesdays 3:00–4:30 pm OR 6:00–7:30 pm February 11–May 27 (except 3/18) Room 2319 Cost: $15 Beyond GriefShare Ann Peterson & Larry McCool Wednesdays 3:00–4:30 pm OR 6:00–7:30 pm February 11–May 27 (except 3/18) Room 2314 Cost: $15 Safe People 101 Lynn Archibald Wednesdays 6:00–7:30 pm February 11–April 1 (except 3/18) Room 2821 Cost: $10

FINANCIAL Christian Estate and Legacy Planning David Battles, Mark Springer & Pastor Guy Ames Wednesday 7:00–8:30 pm May 6 Parlor No Cost Financial Peace University Ron Carter Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 pm January 28–April 1 (except 3/18) Room 1502 Cost: $95 (first class is a free preview session) The Legacy Journey Ron Carter Sundays 6:00–8:00 pm February 1–March 15 Room 2820 Cost: $105 (first class is a free preview session)

MARRIAGE & FAMILY Parenting With The End In Mind Betty Higgins Wednesdays 6:00–8:00 pm January 14–February 25 (except 1/21) Room 2500 Cost: $15 (includes book) 8 Great Dates 2nd Thursdays, February– November (except June & July) Only cost is for child care: $5/ child, $20 max per family Child care hours: 6:00 pm– 8:45 pm

Child care reservations: RSVP to asanderson@ asburytulsa.org Weekend to Remember Valentine Getaway Hosted by FamilyLife Weekend Event: Friday, February 13–Sunday, February 15 7:00 pm Friday–12:30 pm Sunday Renaissance Tulsa Hotel, 6808 S. 107th East Ave. Questions? Contact: pat. calhoun007@gmail.com

MISSIONS Perspectives on the World Christian Movement 15 different expert missions instructors from around the country Tuesdays 6:00–9:00 pm January 13–May 5 Family Room Cost: $250 (some partial scholarships available)

WOMEN Mothers’ Fellowship: Women Living Well Katie Ruley Wednesdays 9:45–11:45 am January 14–April 29 (except 3/18) Room 2820 Cost: $10

For more information, pick up a RoadMap brochure at any Guest Services desk or visit www.asburytulsa.org/roadmap. If you have questions, email discipleship@asburytulsa.org or contact Robin Brush at 918.392.1133.

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

GLOBAL OUTREACH

The Asbury Seminary Alumni Council at the Taj Mahal.

Asbury Goes to India By Jim Davis

This past September, Jim Lenderman, Asbury’s Senior Associate Pastor, and Jim Davis, Asbury’s Director of Global Outreach, made the trek to the other side of the world for a visit to Bangalore, India. The trip was in connection with Asbury Theological Seminary, the seminary in Kentucky to which “our” Asbury has strong ties. Many on our pastoral staff are Asbury Seminary graduates. The main purpose of the trip was to attend Asbury Seminary’s Alumni Council meeting. Jim Lenderman is on the Council, and Tom Harrison is a past chair. As Asbury Seminary has intentionally become more international over the past decade, so has its Alumni Council. There are now seven nationalities represented on the Council, and this was the first meeting to be held outside of the United States. The intent is to continue to develop the seminary as a world-class, evangelical school.

TIDINGS January / February 2015

GLOBAL OUTREACH

The host site for the meeting was the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies, or SAIACS (pronounced sigh-acks) for short. The vision and mission of the two seminaries – SAIACS and Asbury – are similar, and there is exchange of both faculty and students between the two. Each is committed not only to excellence in theological education but to preparing students for service to the Kingdom of God. About forty percent of graduates from each seminary go on to full time missions or teaching, a higher percentage than many seminaries. SAIACS is in Bangalore (previously called Bengaluru), a city of over 8 million and known as the Silicon Valley of India because of its role in the information technology industry. Bangalore is predominantly Hindu, with very little Christian presence. SAIACS trains Christian leaders from India and other nations to take Christ into the world, whether through ministry, missions or academics. The Hindu influence is strong in Bangalore. There are thousands of Hindu gods and no lack of places to worship, with over 1000 temples in the city and shrines and idols on most streets. While we might think there’s a church on every corner in Tulsa, the presence of the Hindu gods in Bangalore is a hundredfold more. As Christians who know the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, it is heavy to see millions of lost souls worshipping false gods. They bow to idols made of human hands and to gods without transforming power. Jim Davis went along on the trip to explore some missions and ministry possibilities in India. India is one of the most diverse nations on earth, with about 2300 “people groups,” or distinct ethnolinguistic groups. About 2000 of these people groups are unreached with the gospel of Jesus Christ, which represents about a third of the unreached people groups in the whole world. This diversity is even played out in the languages throughout India. There is no single common language throughout India, and even Hindi and English, the two government languages, are not spoken throughout the whole population. The predominant language in Bangalore is

Kannada, but our host at SAIACS was from another city, and his first language is Tamil. When we traveled up to Delhi, we found the road signs in four languages: Hindi, English, Bengali and Urdu. This in itself presents challenges to ministry in India. The trip to India and the interaction with SAIACS and other Indian ministries were valuable in gaining insight to a country in need of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. As we maintain conversation with those we met, we will pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for future connections between Asbury Tulsa and ministry work in India. Please join us in that prayer and for the Gospel to spread and transform lives in India.

The Asbury Seminary Alumni Council at SAIACS seminary.

A Maasai and Other Friends in India One of the Asbury Alumni Council members on our trip was Masai – yes, the African tribe that lives in Kenya and Tanzania. Michael is from Kenya, where he currently lives and ministers, but he is an Asbury Theological Seminary graduate and serves on the Alumni Council. It was a joy to get to know Michael on this trip.

It was so encouraging to hear that the Gospel is also getting to the least of the least and changing hearts and lives.

Michael shared many of his Masai traditions and stories with us. He was interested in all of the free-roaming cows in India, which are sacred in India and roam about, even in the midst of huge cities. The Masai are cattle herders and measure wealth by the size of their herds. There’s also a belief that the Masai own all the cattle of the world, so he laughed about how some of the Masai cattle had managed to wander off to India! He also told about the right of passage for Masai boys to become men: killing a lion with your bare hands. Michael has done this! Wow, you don’t of hear that in Tulsa very often. He shared the story of how a group of boys together track the lion, surround it, and then close in as a group for the kill. It takes the whole team to prevent boys from being killed. However, we all found humor in that Michael is scared of dogs and didn’t at all like the stray dogs in the streets of Bangalore! Michael is a dear brother in Christ, and it is encouraging to know of his ministry in

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

Jim Lenderman with Michael from Kenya. Both are wearing Masai bracelets.

GLOBAL OUTREACH

Kenya, serving the same Living God that we do here in the U.S.

Jim Lenderman with Bauta from Nigeria.

We also were with Bauta, from Jos, Nigeria. He lives and ministers in hostile territory in northern Nigeria with radical Muslims persecuting Christians. He and his fellow believers live with the real possibility that they could be attacked or even killed because of professing Jesus as Lord. However, he continues ministering, not in fear, but in confidence that God is in control. What an encouragement to see Bauta serve in such bold way. It makes most of our struggles in life seem completely trivial. We had the privilege of spending time with Asbury Alumni Council members from the U.S., England, Colombia, India, Kenya, Nigeria and Singapore. Each had unique perspectives to offer on Scripture, worship, and ministry, and ideas to strengthen Asbury seminary. It was a joy to be with these brothers and sisters.

Radically Different Ministry Contexts

A road sign in Delhi demonstrates India’s diversity. The four languages are Hindi, English, Bengali, and Urdu.

Shrines are throughout India. Just as in Paul’s description of Athens in Acts 17:16, “he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.”

While in India, we heard from a variety of local, Indian-run ministries working local contexts. Bangalore is in Karnataka state, which is one of the least evangelized southern states. The state population is about 83 percent Hindu, 11 percent Muslim, and 2 percent Christian. One of our speakers made reference to Paul’s comment about Athens in Acts 17:16 – “he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.” Karnataka is full of Hindu idols and temples. The Karnataka Evangelical Association is committed to bringing the hope of Jesus Christ to Karnataka. It’s a dry and hard ground, and many agencies don’t like to work there as a result. In recent years, there have been many attacks on Christians from radical Hindu groups, which further discourages ministries from working there. However, God is at work! Those in ministry there seek to find bridges of influence into the culture through vulnerable women, children and community health evangelism. We also heard of their work in some contexts that we simply don’t have here in America. It

TIDINGS January / February 2015

was so encouraging to hear that the Gospel is also getting to the least of the least and changing hearts and lives. The following are some of those contexts.

Bonded Labor While we think of slavery as a thing of the past, that’s not the case in many parts of the world, including India. While it’s not in the form of owning another human being, it is just as much capturing and enslaving, even extending to the next generation of those enslaved. It goes by the term bonded labor debt, which is illegal in India, yet it is still practiced in society. Here’s how it unfolds: a person with no money takes a loan from an unscrupulous business owner and promises to pay it back by working for the business. The setting in which the Evangelical Association is working is with rock quarry workers. While the borrowers willingly agree to the terms, they are uneducated and have little to no understanding of the high interest rates and low wages. They are never able to pay off the loan. There can be many reasons for the original loan, including medical bills, funeral costs, or even for a wedding. The amounts are often only $500–600, but that is enough to saddle a family with generations of bonded labor. That seems inconceivable to those of us in America. Many times, further loans are taken out to help provide for the family. There are several ways the debt can be passed on to the borrower’s children. Education is not free in India, even for primary school. While a family might be able to send a child to school for a few years, they often realize it is unsustainable financially, and the children will start working with their father to help pay off the debt. Injuries are also a common reason for bringing children into bonded labor. The quarry work is done by hand, driving chisels into the rock with hammers and hand-carrying large slabs of rock. There is usually no safety equipment, and many workers wear sandals. Debilitating injuries are common, but that does not release the worker from their debt, and there is no workers’ compensation insurance. The only

GLOBAL OUTREACH

solution is to bring in family members to keep working against the debt. One father interviewed about his situation said he could accept that his choices meant a lifetime of bonded labor for himself; however, the weight of knowing he has also put that on his children was overwhelming. So how do you even begin to address this problem? Those of us with financial resources immediately think of buying the workers out of slavery. I am confident that Asbury here in Tulsa could quickly raise funds to buy out hundreds or even thousands of contracts. However, that doesn’t solve the problem. The workers have no other skills, often no education, and are in a situation that is hopeless. It would only be a matter of time before the only option is to take out another loan. The Evangelical Association has instead decided to address the next generation by providing for the children of workers. They are ensuring that children are able to go to school and stay in school until graduating. Some students even hope to go to university someday. This provides a way to break the cycle of bonded labor across generations. In addition, there are Bible school classes for the children to learn about Jesus and His love for them. This, of course, reaches the parents as well, offering the hope of Jesus to them in their own context. They are willing to listen to ministry workers, who genuinely care about their family and offer a way out for their children. This is the transforming power of the Gospel in action! This ministry to the quarry workers is completely Indian-led and staffed, and all funding is from within India. Let’s rejoice that our brothers and sisters in India have the vision and resources to reach out to those in desperate physical and spiritual need.

Ministry to Transgenders Another team we heard from is ministering to men who have become women and have been dedicated to Hindu gods at temples— a ministry context we simply do not have in the U.S. They are shunned and hated by society, to the point where they are often

beat up in public. However, at the same time they are viewed as queens or goddesses of the god they serve and are often wanted by society for giving spiritual blessings, such as when someone starts a new job or buys a new house. It is a strange, two-faced perception of them. They are under the control of gurus, and are used for financial gain for the guru and the temple. It is almost impossible to leave their situation, because the guru has control over them, and in many cases they have had surgeries or medical treatments that cannot be reversed. They have also lived a life of exploitation, abuse, and often have no skills or education. Reentry to mainstream society is an unlikely option. An Indian couple has begun ministering to this large group of people. They are teaching skills in sewing and other trades that can provide an income to satisfy the guru, yet offer a life of legitimate, moral work. They also teach them of the hope and power of Jesus Christ. A few of these women (the term that they use) have come to faith in Christ! But what does that look like in this setting? No one knows, including the women and those ministering to them. They are praying for the Holy Spirit to provide guidance. While the power of Jesus can overcome sin and bondage in their lives, they can’t just easily go back to life before the temple. They must find what it means to be a Christ-follower in their context. Just as Jesus spent time with sinners and tax collectors instead of the teachers of the law, so these Indian missionaries are spending time with those hated by society. They are loving them like no one ever has before and are speaking truth to them. They are being Jesus to a dark part of society. Praise be to God that the Gospel message is for everyone! Praise be to God that we now have fellow believers in a world that is so very foreign to us.

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

SAIACS seminary

STUDENTS

Think Big. Think Really, Really Big. Girls’ Night 2014 By Katelyn Moore

f you asked me to pinpoint my favorite part of the retreat, I wouldn’t be able to. There’s no way I could pick just one. It might have been the first night, watching our speaker crouched on the stage, looking our teenage girls in the eyes and telling them they are loved. They are enough. “You are loved. You are enough.” Over and over until they started to believe it.

My favorite moment could have been during the strobe light pillow fight as Caroline and I watched from the safety of the tech booth and ran the music. We could see the girls, but they couldn’t see anything. They were running into each other, dancing and falling over, and we all laughed until our stomachs hurt.

It might have been watching the girls as they lined up around the auditorium to trade in the labels they wear full of lies that they are worthless, unclean, hated, or outcasts—for labels that held the truth: pure, priceless, loved, precious, accepted.

The best part might have been when we assigned the girls to “families.” Each “family” had one or two girls from each grade, and they were paired together by matching friendship bracelets. Watching them sit and talk and bond with friends they had only

TIDINGS January / February 2015

STUDENTS

ThinkBig320 Prayer Lord give me Your eyes to see with, Your ears to hear with, Your mind to think with, and Your heart to care. Give me Your voice to speak with, in gentle strength I’ll share. Give me Your hands to serve with, Your feet to move with, I anticipate Your power through me to do exceedingly, abundantly, beyond. By Carol Baker and Megan Hutchinson

just met, in all different grades and personalities, was a true picture of a gospel-centered community, and I could have burst into tears on the spot (blaming exhaustion of course). If only all gospel community would involve chocolate fountains and nail painting… There is great community that happens when people can unite in a common interest or belief. In this case, we brought together young women of God, and we got to talk with them about some dangerous lies that tend to trap us. Things like: “I feel accepted if I look put together,” “I am valuable based on how I perform,” “I need approval, so I please people,” or “I am accepted based on who I spend time with.” We talked about how these things can overtake us. We start to believe that performance and appearance give us value and worth. We start to live for the approval of man, not of God. But that’s not how it should be. Galatians 1:10 warns us that if we’re still trying to please people, we’re not serving Christ. We

don’t have to pretend we’ve got it all together. We don’t have to worry about performance, appearance or pleasing people. Jesus loves us exactly the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. Let me tell you, these young women are a force to be reckoned with. They love deeply, laugh hard, and listen intently. They are thirsty for life and Truth, and they are not content to wait for a time when they can begin living for the Lord. Right now, over and over again, they are choosing to live not for man but for God alone because they know God is able to do “exceedingly, abundantly, beyond all that we could ask for or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20. So as we move forward, we are praying this ThinkBig320 prayer together and expecting exceedingly, abundantly, beyond. For Caroline and I both, it is a privilege to serve these young women and a blessing to be a part of their stories. We will continue to think really, really big with them.

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

STUDENTS

#SBM2015 Spring Break Missions 2015 We—the student ministry staff—have been working hard to refine the purpose and practice of Spring Break Missions. We have made a few changes that we believe will enhance the experience not only for our students but also for the communities in which we serve. Each grade, 7th–12th, will now serve at its own location, adding two new destinations to our plan for missions. The locations are as follows: • 7th Grade – Inner City Houston, Texas Students will serve meals, sort food and clothing, deliver lunches to underprivileged preschoolers, dance with Alzheimer patients, help elementary students with homework, minister to the homeless, and so much more. They will bring the joy of Christ to everyone they meet as well as being exposed to many new cultural experiences! • 8th Grade – Rural Kentucky The students will be doing home repair through projects such as new porch construction, new wheelchair ramp construction, stoop construction, repairing and replacing

floors and roofs, and interior construction. • NEW TRIP! 9th Grade – Tucson, Arizona Students will experience southwestern U.S. culture while serving either in the inner city, a neighboring Native American village, or a mining town. Our team members will exercise their gifts, abilities and interests through playing sports, teaching children, and repairing buildings with our local partner church. • 10th Grade – Trelawny Parish, Jamaica We partner with Praying Pelican Missions, who in turn partner with local pastors and churches in construction, evangelism and relationship building. Each pastor and church has a connection to their local public schools so we spend our mornings serving children in the schools and our afternoons completing construction projects for local churches. • NEW TRIP! 11th Grade – Belize Students and leaders will be exposed to a different culture while being given the opportunity to speak in churches,

Encourage teens to become disciples. Donate to Spring Break Missions. 20

TIDINGS January / February 2015

STUDENTS

serve in schools and work on construction projects for local churches and homes. • 12th Grade – Guatemala City, Guatemala With a combination of construction, evangelism and relationship building, we continue to help Engadi Boys Home and Hope for Tomorrow orphanage expand their ministries to an area that desperately needs Christ and his kingdom. Approximately 325 students and 110 leaders will be serving in these communities this March, and we need your help. We are all called to share the Gospel to the world. This call looks different for each of us, but none of us can take it lightly. You may not be able to go, but you can share through your financial gifts to send these students and leaders as they answer the call.

not only helps to subsidize the cost for our participants but also helps fund other mission opportunities, both locally and globally, throughout the rest of the year. Please consider partnering with us in this incredible ministry opportunity with your prayers and your financial gifts. Together we can mobilize teenagers who are capable of making a difference and a huge impact in these communities, as well as changing their own hearts as they get out of their comfort zone, experience new cultures, and begin to cultivate a heart for the nations.

These trips would not be possible without the support of our generous stockholders. That’s why the Missions’ Stock Campaign is an integral part of Spring Break Missions. Our goal for the 2015 Stockholder Campaign is $150,000. This Missions’ Stock money

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

It’s an honor to serve alongside you, The Student Ministry Staff Mark, Caroline, Josh and Katelyn

CHILDREN

Upward: Our Story By Stephanie King

ur family’s involvement with Upward began in 2003 when our son Miles was in kindergarten. He was playing in an intramural league at school, and we were so disappointed with the way the games were run and the behavior of the fans (for kindergarten games!) Someone at church invited us to give Upward a try. We liked the fact that practices and games were limited to one hour a week each. We were excited hear about how Upward stressed the fundamentals of basketball and good sportsmanship and learning about Jesus. Needless to say, it was a great experience for our family (and kindergarten basketball is highly entertaining). Our daughter Mallory signed up to play as soon as she was old enough in 2005, followed by our youngest Marissa in 2009. Despite not having a huge amount of basketball knowledge, I got in on the action as an assistant coach.

Upward’s Mission is “Promoting Discovery of Jesus through Sports”. One of the things we have loved about Upward is that each and every practice includes a devotion led by the coach, learning a simple scripture and praying together. One of the highlights each week for the players (besides the snack) is the star presentation after the game. The players and families gather in one of our classrooms, and the coach presents each player with a star for their uniform. The star is awarded is based on a characteristic the player displayed that day. The red star is for best defense, the gray for best offense, blue for best effort, gold for best sportsmanship and the coveted white star is for most Christlike. My kids could not wait for me to get that star ironed on each week!

Miles’ 1st grade team ’05. He is in Small Group with Chris Loerke on the far left and Reece Dixon 2nd from right. Miles is in the middle in front of the coach.

TIDINGS January / February 2015

CHILDREN

Upward Facts Upward’s mission “Promoting Discovery of Jesus through Sports” Upward sports was established in 1995 at a Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Today, approximately half a million players at more than 2,000 churches in 47 states participate in camps, clinics, and leagues through Upward Sports Recreation Division. This year, Asbury will host over 200 players grades K–6th in our league and 70 coaches It takes over 150 volunteers to run a game weekend here at Asbury. The season runs eight weeks in January and February with practice beginning in December. Over 50 different churches are represented by our players as well as students who do not have a church home.

Coaching Marissa her first year of playing in ’09.

One of the things we encourage here at Asbury is for our alumni players to come back to volunteer as coaches and referees. This year we have ten teen coaches working with basketball and cheer and several more working as referees. They do it because they had a great experience with Upward basketball in the past, and they love the kids. And the players love having a teen coach! Another great thing that happens during the basketball season is that our Asbury teens volunteer to run the concession stand, and all the proceeds help fund Spring Break Mission trips. My children and I have been amazingly blessed by the coaches we have worked with and the friendships we have made. Miles, who is now a junior in high school, and two of the other boys from his first grade team, are in Small Group together. I have a student in my freshman Small Group that I coached when she was in third grade. This season continues our family affair with Upward. Marissa will be playing in the 5–6th grade division (it’s all about the socks!), and Miles and Mallory will be coaching and refereeing. If you’ve got a Friday night or Saturday free in January or February, come on out and catch some entertaining basketball and cheer, and don’t forget your money for popcorn!

’08 with Miles and Mallory.

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

CHILDREN

The Penny Wars Are On! By Christina Treat

hen I sat down to discuss projects for children’s ministry with our staff, one thing became clear. We needed to be more intentional on encouraging students to bring offering. We didn’t want the importance of giving to be shuffled to the back of the line. We want our children to know THEY matter and what THEY contribute matters as well. We want them to realize they are an integral part of our church, and when we teach children that their worship matters, we teach them that they are enough—right here and right now as members of the church community. It matters that children learn their prayers, songs, questions, gifts, service and lives can have a BIG impact. The Bible also tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” So, how do you convey that excitement about giving to children and encourage them to give themselves? Obviously, it begins with teaching them the biblical reasons and mandate for giving, but it also helps to inject a little bit of fun into the process! By doing so, the children in our ministry get to develop the habit of doing something that God calls us to do, and enjoy the actual giving part at the same time. I mean, we are talking about children here! And children = FUN! So…we got creative. Now we have children running back and forth in children’s ministry, jumping couches and hiding behind chairs. We have

kids tiptoeing past classrooms and laughing as they “target” their competition with silver ammo. We have troops plotting together and determining the best plan of attack. What exactly is going on up there in children’s ministry?! Let me explain… Each classroom has a large container next to their doors. Students from each class are encouraged to bring pennies to fill their jar. For each penny in their jar, they earn one point. However, if someone from another classroom puts a silver coin in their jar, that results in one negative point. The Penny War will run through the school year, ending in May. Totals will be announced then, and the class with the most points wins. (We are thinking some kind of shaving cream fight might be in order for the winners!) The money collected will go toward supporting the children's ministry mission projects. And let me just say, the response has been awesome. The kids are having a blast bringing in their pennies to help out their class total while lugging along their bags full of silver coins to “bomb” the opposing classrooms with. If you get a chance, come see our competition in full swing on Sunday mornings in children’s ministry. We even encourage you to bring along a few coins of your own to join in on the fun. But be careful—you never know who could be hiding behind a door or under a table waiting to make their next move!

TIDINGS January / February 2015

CHILDREN

and wisdom with our kids. Seeing a line at the volunteer table made my heart burst with happiness! So many people who listened to a tug on their heart and felt called to serve with our future generations! What an incredible blessing. As a result of the campaign, prayer and the response from our congregation, our spring 2015 volunteer opportunities have been filled! THANK YOU. Our volunteers are truly an amazing group of individuals! They love to go above and beyond for these kids, your kids. One of the best parts of my job is to “share the wins” that I witness our volunteers having with our children. On Sunday, November 30, children’s ministry had a pajama day during our service hours. It was so much fun to see our adult volunteers bring to life the kid at heart, sporting their snowmen and reindeer pajamas and enjoying popcorn right alongside the kids. I spotted Al St. John in his plaid pajama pants helping a group of students build their Advent calendars. Al volunteers every Sunday in the fourth and fifth grade room. Each morning before service, he plays card games with the students. There is always a group lined up waiting for him! I saw Justin and Melissa Yates volunteering in one of our kindergarten rooms and was reminded that they have followed the same group of kids since they were 3! I visited the 4-year-old rooms and got to see Dale and Mary Margret Mathis and Mary Ann Smith using fun props from home to engage the kids they serve. They are always committed to going the extra mile just to make sure our children are connecting with the lesson on Sunday mornings. This is just a small glimpse into how our volunteers make each Sunday special!

Sharing the Win By Heather Horton

llow me to introduce myself…My name is Heather Horton, and I am the children’s ministry volunteer recruiter. My husband, Michael, and I have been married for 6 ½ years, and we have two beautiful miracle daughters, Harper (3) and Hadley (10 months). I grew up as a member of Asbury since 1994, going through confirmation, spending my spring breaks on mission trips and volunteering for many Vacation Bible Schools through the years. As a mom now, I have a strong desire for our girls to be in a church that help mold and shape them in their walk with Jesus Christ just as mine was over 20 years ago. In January when I began this position, I knew changes needed to be made. Parent-volunteer relationships needed to be reestablished, and I wanted to make sure our volunteers were feeling appreciated for their service. Above all, I wanted our congregation to understand just how much fun we have on Sunday mornings in children’s ministry and that their time and service is an intricate part of a child’s spiritual development.

In an effort to show greater appreciation for our volunteers, we hosted our first, annual “Parents’ Night Out” on December 5 for all our current volunteers serving children 6 weeks to sixth grade. We provided them an evening of free child care while they had a few hours to Christmas shop, go to dinner or simply enjoy a kid-free evening. All of the kids (and staff) wore their pajamas, made a Christmas present for their parents, had popcorn and watched a Christmas movie. Over 70 kids participated in this event! We hope to see even more next year! I’m thankful for the people who answer the call placed on their hearts to serve in our children’s ministry. I know their service is Kingdom building, and I look forward to sharing more “wins” in the days to come.

The Learn to Share campaign launched in October and received an overwhelming response from our congregation. In one Sunday, we had over 90 people sign on to share their time, love

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

GRANDPA JOHN

I remember my decision to continue in two monthly bridge groups that Nelda and I enjoyed. I could host bridge for the pleasure of talking to women. One of the groups disbanded after several players died. The Jayne and Bill Mason bridge group continued until Jayne’s death in September 2014. Almost every September throughout the 1990’s, I vacationed with the Wesley Eight. The group consisted of my brother Wallace and his wife Barbara, George and Martha from Kansas, Jed and Jini from Vermont, my widowed sister Harriette, and me. All but two wives were a part of the youth group at Wesley church in Oklahoma City.

Platonic Love

George and I were college roommates at OU and served as naval officers during the Korean War. I took leave to take a train ride from California to Oklahoma for the wedding of George and Martha. Martha became my friend. As we vacationed together in the 90s, this confident one made time for the two of us to visit alone. She sensed that I needed to share thoughts with a woman. George trusted both of us. Our platonic love grew. If you lose spousal love by death or separation, then it helps to discover platonic love.

Six days a week, I am on my treadmill first thing in the morning for 20 minutes of prayer. It was Saturday August 9, 2014. I set the timer for 20 minutes and began with my regular opening “Praise God, love You Jesus, thanks Holy Spirit.” I usually repeat this several times. I thank the Holy Spirit, because He has been generous in sharing thoughts that are the basis of stories. On this day, the Holy Spirit began a conversation with me as I walked with my eyes closed. When I opened my eyes, two minutes remained on the timer.

The year was 2000. The Asbury Tidings was printed on newsprint. Jan Weinheimer, editor and friend, agreed to serialize my novelette “Malchus and Rachel – Platonic Love” in the Tidings. This story of a Roman boy and a Jewish girl takes place during the time of Jesus. I was experiencing platonic love in my life which helped in developing Malchus’ character. Today this book can be read on www.jwestervelt.com or you can download a copy from Amazon’s Kindle by clicking a link on this same webpage.

by John C. Westervelt ummer events of 2014 set me to reminiscing. It was May, and I was in the 3-year-old classroom at Asbury on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In June, I began procedures to clear some debris from the hearing canal in my inner ear. My balance was better for a while before it got worse.

I was reminded of the present poor performance of my aging balance system. It became clear to me that I was no longer able to work in the preschool classroom. As encouragement, He reminded me that I had taught 300 3-year-olds that Jesus loves them and how to safely cut with scissors. Of course, my heart will ache as I miss the children and teachers. It is then that I remember the joy of 20 years of loving the children and teachers. That can never be taken from me in this world or the next. I felt a lot of spiritual love from the teachers and children in the rooms and halls of Asbury Preschool. One of these teachers, Paula, had asked me so often over the years, “How can I help you?” that I let her take me to the doctor for the hearing canal procedures. It was late Friday afternoon August 15 just before my son Paul would begin his commute from his Houston office to his home in Katy. But first he called me just to visit. He reminded me that his mother died on August 14, 1987. His son Brett, who was 5, remembers Grandma Nelda well. Amy, who was 2, likely does not.

To read more stories go to www.jwestervelt.com. You can click on a link there to download my books from Kindle.

TIDINGS January / February 2015

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Deaths Sandra Oxley died 10/6/2014 Edward Enlow died 11/2/2014, spouse of Teresa Enlow John Ogren died 11/3/2014, spouse of Santita Ogren Ruby Nell Mitchell died 11/3/2014, mother of Scott (Gretchen) Mitchell

Bill Parkinson died 11/7/2014 James Knight died 11/16/2014, spouse of Bettye Knight (m) Troy Burnett died 11/17/2014, spouse of Nelda Burnett Maralee Jones died 11/18/2014, spouse of Vernon Jones

Milestone Anniversaries 65 years

Gordon and Chris Gresh 02/18/50

Paul and Shirley Hockett 01/14/55

Gordon and Chris Gresh 02/18/50

Donald and Chris Hoose 02/06/60 Dean and Jessie Cox 02/07/60

60 years

50 years

Paul and Shirley Hockett 01/14/55 Fred and Nancy Gardner 01/15/55 Jim and Norma Morrison 02/12/55 Don and Ruth Bauer 02/27/55

Jim and Cheryl Shearrer 01/23/65

55 years

Don and Ruth Bauer 02/27/55

Giles and Barbara Gere 01/10/60

Larry and Judy Kindred 01/31/60

Donald and Chris Hoose 02/06/60

Giles and Barbara Gere 01/10/60 Larry and Judy Kindred 01/31/60

Dean and Jessie Cox 02/07/60

January / February 2015 TIDINGS

45 years Kirk and Adell Nellis 02/14/1970

40 years Terry and Jann Berg 11/30/74 Sam and Chrissy Thorpe 12/19/74

Jim and Cheryl Shearrer 01/23/65

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Members

Kimberly Campbell

Wanda Fillmore

Casey Hawkins

Jan Norman

Joan Caudle

Andrea Follows

Kyle and Kristen Henry

Billye Payne

Josh and Bonny Coats with Elijah and Adelyn

Neil Geiser

Steve and Carol Lehto

Gladys Raj

Liz DeWitt

Colette and Lance Gopffarth

Tim and Angela Macrae with Max

Kris and Jan Thomas

TIDINGS January / February 2015

Lindsey and Vincent Donaldson

Ron Hardy

Gwen and Lowell Michels

Christian and Carrol Yav with Cayden and Caylan

Kim and Bob Drown

Deanna Hausam

Katelyn Moore

Tim and Nancy Young

Worship Times 8:00 am Traditional Service in Mason Chapel

Looking for Tidings Opportunities?

9:15 am Traditional Service in Sanctuary

We’ve moved that information to Asbury’s Resource Area located in the main lobby.

11:00 am Modern Service in Sanctuary

You can also find information online at www.asburytulsa.org.

General Information Surgery or Hospitalization When you enter the hospital, please designate Asbury as your church. Otherwise, we will not know you are there and a pastor will not know to visit. Some hospitals in the Tulsa area do not ask for this information, so you will need to alert Asbury at 918.492.1771, Monday–Thursday from 8:30 am–5:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am–noon. The after-hour hospitalization and surgery line can be reached at 918.392.1198 and is checked each weekday at 8:30 am. If you know ahead of time and would like a pastor to do a pre-surgery visit, please call 918.492.1771. We encourage you to use the Hospital Visit Online Form. This can be accessed at any time and is a great way to get your message seen in a timely manner. (Go to www.asburytulsa.org and click on “Get Help” in the center of the page. Next, you will see “Hospital Visits” as the second option where you can click on the “submit a hospital request” link). If this is a surgery, please let us know the date and time of surgery in the comments section. Please know that Asbury pastors want to be in prayer for you and your family. After-hour Emergencies If you have an emergency or death to report after hours, please

call 918.392.1192 and leave a message for the pastor on call. You will be contacted as soon as possible. Prayer Line If you would like for Asbury’s prayer team to pray for you, please call 918.392.1142 to leave your prayer request which will be included on Asbury’s prayer list. Death in the Family When a family member dies, you should make one phone call automatically. Contact Victoria Williamson at 918.492.1771 and she will help you make arrangements for your loved one. Victoria will also work with your family to arrange the memorial service at Asbury. www.myasburytulsa.org This website is available to all members as a way to update your contact information, register for events, give online and indicate ministries you would like to receive communication from. Make sure you have an account and check it out. If you have any problems setting up your account, call Kim at 918.392.2159 or email her at krenkema@asburytulsa.org.

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Tulsa, OK Permit #2439