Formerly the Minnesota Christian Chronicle
Vol. 33, No. 12
December 2011
www.christianexaminer.com
Carl Nelson
Book Review
Alternative Christmas gift ideas bless the recipient and the giver
Which is more important, evangelism or compassion?
Inviting men into a new conversation page 15
page 4
page 3
FREE
Better to Give
Minnesota for Marriage says survey shows strong support for marriage amendment Christian Examiner staff report TWIN CITIES — With nearly a year to go before Minnesotans go to the polls to vote on whether the state should constitutionally define marriage as between a man and a woman, a new poll finds strong support for traditional marriage definitions. Minnesota for Marriage, a group that supports the marriage amendment, released the results of a survey in November that showed 51 percent of voters support the marriage amendment while 40 percent do not support it. In addition, 56 percent of Minnesotans believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. “This data shows there is very strong voter support for the marriage amendment in Minnesota,” said John
Helmberger, chairman of Minnesota for Marriage, via a media release. “Our surveys for the past 15 months have shown steady support for traditional marriage, with a strong majority of Minnesotans saying they plan to vote for the amendment.” The survey included 500 randomly selected registered and active voters and has a margin of error of +/-4.4 percent. Interviews were conducted by telephone using both landlines and cell numbers. In addition, the survey also found that only 26 percent of Minnesotans generally believe the state is headed in the right direction, while more than 60 percent believe the state is not. Nearly three-fourths of those surSee AMENDMENT, page 14
More than 5,000 bikes have been donated this year creating the challenge of finding enough room to store them.
Free Wheelin’
‘A flair for the stage’ Woman finds early calling to tell stories By Scott Noble TWIN CITIES — “At the age of four,” Pati Kachel recalled, “a crowd gathered as I stood on a table top, singing and dancing at our neighborhood library’s bookmobile. During elementary school years, I was the kid who organized summer neighborhood talent shows in our garage. I loved dressing up in costumes to sing, dance and perform in skits.” Those early performance experiences weren’t just childhood endeavors, however, but ultimately were a precursor to and played a significant role in what Kachel believes God has called her to, which is to “develop and share earthly stories with scriptural truth.” Kachel serves as communicaSee STORIES, page 9 INDEX
Editorial .......................... 4-5
Bikes 4 Kids initiative now largest distributor of free bikes in country By Scott Noble
Pati Kachel traveled to The Netherlands to research and develop her portrayal of Corrie ten Boom.
TWIN CITIES — Three years ago, local author Terry Esau (“Be the Surprise” and “Surprise Me”) got a call from a friend whose neighbor was going through a difficult time. The friend asked Esau if he or someone he knew would have a bike to donate to the family. After that initial request, several of Esau’s friends responded with their willingness to donate a bike. That episode got Esau thinking about how many bikes are sitting in people’s garages, collecting dust and not being used.
He decided to organize an effort to collect bikes, rehab them—if needed—and then give them to needy kids. The first year, the new initiative—Free Bikes 4 Kidz—collected nearly 350 bikes. In 2010, the group collected 1,500 bikes and gave away more than 1,100 of them. As of late November, Free Bikes 4 Kidz has already taken in 5,000 bikes this year, making it the largest distributor of free bikes in the country, according to Esau. “Every year, more people are aware of what we are doing, more media jumps on board because
it’s a feel-good story,” Esau said. “But also this year, Allina Hospitals and Clinics have come alongside us as a sponsor. They threw some significant weight behind our cause with full page ads in all the local papers, not to mention encouraging their 24,000 employees to donate a bike. We actually took in almost 4,000 bikes in one day on Oct. 22.” When he started Free Bikes 4 Kidz, Esau said he had no idea it would become the largest distributor of free bikes in the country. “I’m sort of a professional See FREE BIKES, page 8
Love INC reopens office, has new focus and strategy Ministry connects churches and volunteers with needs in area By Scott Noble
Calendar ..................... 10-11
Community Briefs......... 12-13
Professional Service Directory .......................... 12
Classifieds ....................... 13
Reviews ........................... 15 Love INC in Delano, Minn., connects churches and ministries to help those most in need in their community.
MINNEAPOLIS — Love INC (In the Name of Christ) closed its national headquarters in Minneapolis last January, citing lack of funds. However, within a matter of weeks, the organization was diligently working to reopen and restructure the national office. Love INC helps network church ministries and volunteers to meet the needs of those in their communities—regardless of where they are located. It has established affiliates across the country to help meet needs in their specific areas. The ministry also works with local governments and community organizations to help provide muchneeded assistance.
Immediately after Love INC closed its national headquarters, the board hired an administrative person to assist with the closing of the national headquarters and also to assist with the administrative tasks related to restructuring the national office. Steven Ough, board chair for Love INC, said it was difficult going through the process of restructuring, but the ministry has grown stronger because of it. “As difficult and traumatic as going through a restructuring like this is, it has given us the opportunity to examine every aspect of the ministry, from who are we and who do we want to be to how do See LOVE INC, page 6