April 2022 Connections by College Church In Wheaton

APRIL 2022

CONNECTIONS L O C A L & G L O BA L S TO R I E S, N E W S A N D E V E N T S O F C O L L E G E C H U RC H

“W.H. Brisbane was a most hated man but in this particular hatred, there is an oxymoronic glory.” Read “The Glory of a Hated Man” by Wallace Alcorn on p. 14

GLOBAL VOICES

I BELIEVE

SIDE BY SIDE

LOCALLY SOURCED

Born into Missions

What you believe

A Fish Tale

Beautiful Work

FAITH DE LE COUR | 6

CHARLENE MILLER | 10

CHERYCE BERG | 12

EMILY IVERSON | 17

TABLE OF CONTENTS PA GE 02

PAG E 14

April Highlights

The Glory of a Hated Man WALLACE ALCORN

PA GE 05 From the Editor WIL TRIGGS

PAG E 17 Beautiful Work EMILY IVERSON

PA GE 06

PAG E 18

Born Into Missions

Making the Cut

FAITH DE LE COUR

PAT CIRRINCIONE

PA GE 08 Prayer Gatherings

PAG E 19 Milestones & Missionary Movement

PAG E 20 PA GE 09

At the Bookstall

Ukraine Update

PAG E 22

PA GE 10

Run for the Stars 2022

What You Believe CHARLENE MILLER

PA GE 12

LANCE CLEMMONS

PAG E 23 Looking Ahead: May Preview

A Fish Tale

PAG E 24

CHERYCE BERG

Finding Your Way Around College Church

332 E. Seminary, Wheaton, IL 60187 (630) 668-0878 | www.college-church.org

Connections is a monthly newsletter published for and about the people of College Church. Send news items and suggestions to: connections@college-church.org. Keep Connections in mind to promote a community event to the College Church family. Send event information by the following dates: For the May issue: April 9 For the June issue: May 9 | For the July issue: June 9

CONTRIBUTORS WALLACE ALCORN

FAITH DE LE COUR

After years of teaching New Testament on undergraduate and graduate levels, Wallace Alcorn now focuses his thinking, research, and writing on a theology of the Christian experience, which he terms teleological realism.

and her husband, Stan, have been married for 38 years. They have four children—Bethany and Andy Bowden, with their three children, live in England. Anna and her husband, Mitchell Burke, live in California. Their twin sons, Joseph and John, live in Charlotte.

CHERYCE BERG

EMILY IVERSON

is director of children’s ministries at College Church. Cheryce met her husband, Mark, at Wheaton College and is mom to Josh, Ryan (wife, Jacki) and Luke. She enjoys writing, cooking, travel, running, taking walks with Mark, and hosting people in their home.

serves with the Sanctity of Human Life Task Force. She and her husband, Chris, participate in a variety of pro-life activities. Currently, she is keeping track of three legislative bills in the IL General Assembly and keeping people informed about these bills. She takes care of the home and will soon be taking care of the garden when it is a little bit warmer out.

PAT CIRRINCIONE a regular contributor to Connections, enjoys meeting people and getting to know them. She is both a writer and reader. She and her husband, Sal, enjoy spending time with their two sons and their families, especially with their five granddaughters.

LANCE CLEMENS Lance Clemens serves as the marketing director of Run for the STARS. When hes not working, he also volunteers in the STARS Ministry and serves on the advisory board for AgeGuide and the board of directors for the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans.

CHARLENE MILLER participates in Mom2Mom and was on this year’s women’s retreat committee. She married her high school sweetheart, Daniel. and they have a son, Jonah. Charlene and Daniel are part of the Life Together Sunday morning community. If you’re looking for a good project, ask Charlene for advice on building a cardboard rocket ship.

PAT TIITO Pat has enjoyed living in the Wheaton/ WinQeld area and being part of College Church for the last 20 years. She enjoyed a 30-year career working as an artisan in stained-glass. She learned to play the harp and has played at Wynscape. She also has enjoyed serving in Kids’ Harbor.

COVER IMAGE: This pastel drawing by Pat Tiito recognizes thesacriQceofthelambduringPassionWeek.

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES

PASSION WEEK

Everyone welcome. Join us at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Livestream broadcast is at 9 : 3 0 with a rebroadcast at 1 . You can watch it at college- church. org/ livestream

SERMON SERIES

APRIL 10: Palm Sunday: The Story of God’s Triumph Over Death for Life, 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. APRIL 14: Thursday Communion, 7:00 p.m. APRIL 15: Good Friday, Death, 6 and 8 p.m. APRIL 17: Easter Sunday, Life, 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. APRIL 3: Songs of Victory: Psalm 60

From Erik Dewar pastor of worship and music

APRIL 10: Palm Sunday: The Story of God’s Triumph Over Death for Life

“…The Lord Jesus on the night he was betrayed took bread-( We hear these familiar words whenever the Lords Supper is celebrated at College Church, and this year as we relive the story of redemption during Holy Week, we have the opportunity to remember those events of the upper room on the very night they occurred —Thursday.

“Triumph!” Mark 11:1-10 APRIL 17: Easter Sunday “Life” Mark 16:1-8 APRIL 24: STARS Ministry Sunday. STARS will participate in all three services.

SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICES Everyone welcome. 5 p.m. in Commons Hall

The Feast of Unleavened Bread was the day the Passover Lamb was prepared for sacrifice. It was a moment shared with family to celebrate how God delivered his people from Egypt. In Jesus’ day, the population of Jerusalem swelled to six times its normal size that week as many gathered from far and wide.

APRIL 3: Community Celebration in the Sanctuary, “How Jesus, the true Passover Lamb, kept the feast with his Can We Do Evangelism Today?( with Pastor Josh Moody, disciples in the upper room that evening as he prepared to and a gathering in Commons Hall afterwards be sacriQced for the sins of the world the next day. He was still serving, still teaching, still modeling. Precious words of APRIL 24: Titus 3:8-15, Pastor Baxter Helm hope were promised, and it was on that Thursday evening that he instituted the new covenant in his blood. Youre invited to come to the Sanctuary at 7 p. m. on April 1 4 to share in the Lords Supper, to behold the One who came, not to be served, but to serve and give his life a ransom for many, to behold the One who knelt on the floor to wash the feet of those who would desert him later that night. Join us in worshiping this Jesus at our Thursday Communion service this year.

ADULT COMMUNITIES

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

All meet during the 9:30 hour.

MONTHLY GATHERING

ALL NATIONS in C101

APRIL 9: In Commons Hall from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Jim Tebbe looking at God’s mission—Book of Acts

MOM2MOM

Focus: Developing globally minded Christians through teaching, discussion and fellowship for the purpose of gospel impact.

APRIL 4: Large Group Gathering at 9:30 a.m. Meet in Commons Hall and enjoy a time together as moms and kids. Then, moms and mentors will enjoy a coffee break and discussion together while kids enjoy playing and snacks in Kids’ Harbor.

FORUM 15 in CL01 David Fetzer is leading the community in a study of Proverbs: Gaining the Wisdom Needed for Living God’s Way. Bruce Main will begin a study on the Life of Christ this month. GREEK CLASS in the Board Room Jon Laansma (1 John) knowledge of Greek is not required for this class.

APRIL 18: Book Club at 7:30 p.m. This year we’re delighted to be reading First Ask Why by Shelly Wildman this month we’re focusing on chapters 10-11, “Intentional Family Memories and Intentional Cultural Awareness.”

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY

JoinusonWednesdaysforthemorningsessionsa. 1 - 0 3 : 9 ( m.) Focus: People of any age and background coming together or the evening sessions (6:45–8:15 p.m.), as we study the to listen faithfully to Gods Word through discussion of Beatitudestogether(Matthew5:1-2).Our desire is for all the original Greek wording. women to be able to study the Bible. Please contact Mary at mdemoss@college-church.org or ext. 123 if you would JOINT HEIRS like to join this Bible study. Stay tuned for summer Bible in Commons Hall C104F study plans. Variety of topics— Special speakers

MEN’S MINISTRIES

LIFE TOGETHER COMUNITY in Commons Gym Focus: a group for people desiring authentic biblical community. All adults, ages 25–40, are welcome, including those who are single, married, widowed or divorced. Join us for a time of fellowship, teaching, discussion and prayer. LOGOS in Commons Hall C104E Dan Haase and Dave Setran teaching Paul’s letter to the Philippians Focus: Strengthening knowledge of and relationship with God through interactive teaching of the Bible. Strong emphasis on building fellowship through weekly share and prayer time, as well as periodic social events.

BIBLE STUDY Join us Wednesday at 6 : 4 5 p. m. in the Commons (C002A-B) as we dive into our study of 1 Peter each week. Cantmakeitinperson?JoindiscussiongrouponZoom: https: / college- church- org. zoom. us/ j/ 8 3 2 4 2 9 0 7 5 9 ?pwd= dG8 rWUJSTnhBN0 JhSUZsbTVYUDQ4 dz0 9 Meeting ID: 832 4290 7599 Passcode: 530315

MEN’S GATHERING & GROUNDS DAY OPPORTUNITY

Doug Moo and Josh Maurer teaching the Book of Hebrews

Men’s Gathering breakfast, worship, testimonials, devotion on Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 a.m. in the Commons. Then stay for the spring clean-up around the church. Bring a pair of gloves—tools and lunch provided at 1 2 p. m. Please register at college- church. org/ events

VERITAS in Commons Hall C104 B&D

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Neil Wright teaching the Book of Revelation

Grounds Day—Saturday, April 9 (Rain date: April 16, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.) Meet in the Commons for refreshments and assignments for the spring clean-up around the church grounds.

LIVING WORD in Commons Hall C104 A&C

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (KIDS’ HARBOR)

STARS

SUNDAYS

Nursery (0-2) at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

INCLUSION CLASSES at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

Bible School (preschool-fifth grade) at 9:30 a.m.

TEEN STARS at 9:30 a.m. No in-person class on April 17.

Wonders of Worship “WOW” (K-third grade) during second half of 11 a.m. service

YOUNG ADULT/ADULT/MULTI-GENERATIONAL at 9:30 a.m. No in-person class on April 17.

Children’s Church (preschool) at 11 a.m. Preschool at 5 p.m.

YOUNG ADULT/ADULT at 11 a.m. No in-person class on April 17 and April 24.

God’s Children Sing and Children’s Choirs at 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS

STARS CHOIR, 5-6:15 p.m. No choir on April 17 and April 24.

Wednesday club programs at 6 : 4 5 p. m. ( End April 2 0 )

DURING THE WEEK

MIDDLE SCHOOL (KMS) SUNDAY FOUNDATIONS: Meeting at 9:30 p.m. in the KMS room at 9 : 3 0 a. m. ( 4 / 3 , 4 / 1 0 , 4 / 2 4 ) . No Foundations on April 17. Happy Easter! KMS WEDNESDAY: 6 : 4 5 p. m. in the KMs room( 4 / 6 , 4 / 1 3 , 4/20, 4/27)

HIGH SCHOOL (HYACKS) SUNDAY RHYTHMS: Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Crossings. No Sunday Rhythms on April 17. Happy Easter! LARGE GROUP SUNDAY SLAM: April 10 at 6:45 p.m. meet in the gym. SLAM GROUPS: April 3 and April 24, 6:45 p.m. at homes

COLLEGE GROUP COLLEGE CONNECT: May 1 in the Commons at 10:45 a.m. SUNDAY MORNING: 10:45 a.m. in the Commons. No College Group on April 17. Happy Easter! HOME GROUPS: Monday- Wednesday at 7 p. m. in homes

COINS FOR CARING NETWORK Watch for baby bottles! Caring Network l wil be distributing baby bottles on April 24 and May 1 in the Narthex, Kids Harbor, Commons and College Group. Kids’ coin collection is on May 1 and May 8.

PRAISE IN ACTION: Wednesdays, 6 : 4 5 - 8 : 1 5 p. m. FRIDAY NIGHT FUN: Friday, April 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. BUDDY BREAK: Friday, April 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. COMING UP: RUN FOR THE STARS: Saturday, June 11, 8 a.m.

MEMBERSHIP Ready to participate fully in the life and ministries of College Church? Come find out about College Churchs history, core beliefs, ministries and what it means for you to be a member. This one-day only membership opportunity will be Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to noon; registration is requested. For more info, contact Christy at membership@college-church.org, or call (630) 668-0878, ext. 175.

VISITORS LUNCH AreyounewtoCollegeChurch?fso,youreinvitedtoour Visitors Lunch on Sunday, April 24, at noon in the lobby outside the Sanctuary. Come and meetpastorsandsta,learnaboutCollege ChurchandQndouthowyoucangetinvolved. Lunch is on us!

KEENAGERS Join the Keenagers as they meet on Friday, April 29, at 5:30 p.m. for punch and fellowship, followed by a delicious meal at 6 p.m. After dinner, hear from Dr. Jerry Root. Evening cost is $10 per person. Please make reservations (or cancel) no later than Tuesday, April 26, by emailing Keenagers@ college-church.org or calling (630) 668-0878.

Caring Network is a College Church ministry partner which offers Christ-centered counsel and resources to women who are Dr. Jerry Root is the recently retired (2021) professor experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and ofevangelismandthedirectorofWheatonEvangelism may consider abortion. College Church is nitiativeattheBillyGrahamCenteratWheatonCollege. distributing baby bottles for you to take home with you, fill WellknownforhisscholarshiponC.S.LewisandhisJerry with coins, cash and checks and return by Mother’s Day, has a strong connection with College Church, as he was May8.Yourdonationshelpthisministryassist womenpastor and of the college ministry here from 1980 to 1990. rescue babies. Pick up your baby bottle at church on April He is a popular speaker, whose talks are always current, 24 and remember to return it by Mother’s Day. challenging, thought provoking and entertaining.

FROM THE EDITOR

LE NTE N ROSE

We have a Lenten rose near our front door. Every spring its leaves reach up and give us Rowers the color of red wine. One day it looks dead, and the next it goes green as buds push themselves out of the death and decay and stretch to the sky. ts an early Rower and by the time the roses and tulips and fritillarias come out it’s just a plant with big green leaves. But the Lenten rose comes early and, though near to the ground, is dramatic. This Rower is said to symbolize serenity, tranquility and peace. Alternately, it can also symbolize scandal or anxiety. I’m not sure how those two meanings happened. It’s a strange combination of meanings oddly appropriate for this particular moment. Human connections seem to have a similar mix of positive and negative. This Qnds echoes in this issue of Connections. m thinking speciQcally of Pat Cirrinciones article on being an inRuencer, or Charlene Millers story of faith and abuse or Wallace Alcorns article about his own family and the families of slaves who found liberation from his grandfather. Life can be messy, but also, the family of God can transcend the human families we cling to and free us as we move toward heaven. As daring as some of these stories are, they don’t hide the hard things. When it comes to family truths, neither does the Bible. Theres no whitewashing the big and little mess-ups. But that’s not the end of any story. And as I have been working on these stories, Ukraine is never far from my heart and mind— praying for our brothers and sisters there. I’ve also been struck with the family of God, how Scripture points us to new relationships and transcendent realities. f one member su ers, all su er together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. ( 1 Cor 1 2 : 6 ) So then you are no longer strangers and aliens but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. (Eph. 2:19) While there are tough and hard things in some of the stories we tell and the lives we live, we serve and follow a Savior who is taking us out of this world and into the next, taking us to a place where we are eternal family. We should light the way this Easter so others may Qnd the open welcoming arms of Jesus.

WI L T RI GGS

G LO B AL VOI CES

Born Into Missions Faith De Le Cour Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. —Ephesians 3:20-21

duction. We discovered our mutual mis sions call along with a growing attraction to one another, and in September 1983, we were married at College Church.

I was called to missions, God called me to Stan, but truthfully, I did not feel called to Japan. Yet obedient to As of the end of March 2022, I am God’s call, I went with great hopes and retired from holding executive positions expectations. First, we had to go to fullfocused on missionary/member care time language school for two years. Stan in two mission organizations, first in had previously been in Japan on two Japan with Asian Access and then withshort-term trips. He had a good grasp SIM USA. For the past six years, I have of culture, but language acquisition had oversight for the departments was hard, so the mission placed us at providing selection, training, personnela missionary language school with an administration, care and development individualized curriculum that worked of over seven hundred global workers well for him. I was placed in a more advanced, but disappointingly, not very sent from SIM USA. demanding class. The language school I was born into missions. My parents was in a summer resort town, and in the winter, there were few people around going to Brazil as missionaries at ages 20 with whom I could practice speaking Japanese. Even our local Japanese later. They never returned to full-time church wanted us to do a youth ministry overseas ministry, yet world mission was using English. always central in our family life. Our daughter Bethany was born days I graduated from Wheaton College after I finished my basic language in 1977 with a BS in mathematics. course. Six months later we moved to I received my master’s in management Tokorozawa, on the edge of Tokyo, an (MBA) from Northwestern University’s area where we lived for the remainder of Kellogg Graduate School of Business our 30 years in Japan. Disappointments while working in Chicago. In my final began to mount for me. Stan was year of that degree, I sensed the Lord teaching at an English-for-evangelism preparing me to serve him overseas center, and I was home with a baby. and so I determined that I would not I wanted to be involved in ministry, yet seriously consider a marriage partner the only opportunities available for who was not interested in missions. me at that time were to teach English I met Stan at an event for single adultsclasses in our home. While I was not at College Church. I did not realize he trained to teach English, God enabled was accepted to be a career missionary me to get some guidance from others, to Japan until two weeks after our intro - and I taught children’s classes, a private

class for a teenage girl and a class for “housewives.” Many years later, we met one of the women on a train and were blessed to discover that she and her husband had become baptized believers.

Early in that second term, I began noticing that many of our language school classmates had not returned to Japan for multiple reasons, some of them preventable. I was introduced to Jill Briscoe at a conference, and she inspired me with her ministry of encouragement through visiting Summers were hard. We did not have an air conditioner in missionaries. My concern for missionary care, retention our home because other missionaries felt it was a luxury. and resilience began to grow from that time. Along with It was extremely hot and humid, and our home would not several other more experienced missionary women from cool down in the evenings. Even today, I am not a happy multiplemissions,helpedtodevelopaWomeninMinistry camper when I become overheated. It did not help that focus for the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association Stan was working in air-conditioning all day, enjoying the (JEMA). Through those relationships, I was being mentored interaction with people. My increasing frustration led to as a missionary, loved for my contributions and valued as despair, and I went through a dark season of questioning a coworker. why I was even in Japan. Gratefully, God blessed me with another new missionary mom, whom I would meet To add to our family, we decided to pursue adoption rather at the McDonald’s playland for mutual support and than risk another pregnancy. After a lengthy process, in encouragement while our toddlers played. (As an aside, January of 1995 we adopted Joseph and John, twin boys we made sure we had air conditioning when we returned from Russia, who joined our family at 15 months old. for our second term!) We saw God at work in bringing them to us and hung on to that when the adjustments to two active young boys Six months before leaving on our first home assignment, challenged our family dynamics. we discovered was pregnant with twins. We were excited and looked forward to returning to the U.S. in time for Not long after, my mother was diagnosed with cancer their birth. However, two weeks before we were to leave and died two days before Stan’s father’s death. The Japan, went into labor. Our identical twin sons realities wereof personally navigating complex challenges, born at 27 weeks gestation, in the car, on the way to the family dynamics in a cross-cultural setting, loss and grief maternity hospital. We made a choice as we left our furthered home my passion to provide excellent care for others that whatever happened, we wanted to give God glory. serving Christ overseas. They died hours later. We returned to the U. S. grieving, In 2000, I took on a formal role at Asian Access in the and emotionally exhausted yet held up by the Lord and developing field of missionary care. It was the first time his people. What a hard way to end our first term! the mission had a woman in a leadership position, and There is now significant focus in mission circles to figure there were some awkward and rocky times. I remember out how to support first-term missionaries, many who one of our Japanese leaders encouraging me to be faithful leave prematurely. SIM USA has set up regular coaching with what was in front of me and to trust that God in his through the term, offers preventative counseling and time would bring growth opportunities. encourages on-field mentoring. I advise sending churchran across a paper by Dr. Laura Mae Gardner ( Wycliffe/ es and mission organizations to care well for their firstSIL) entitled “A Proposal for Member Care within term missionaries. Organizations( written in 1 9 8 . t listed numerous That was not in place back in the mid- 8 0 s. Our mission opportunities for training and growth in member supervisors had to return for family reasons in our first care. began systematically attending them. Over the year in Japan. The next supervisors were peers with a little next thirteen years, I took on a role of member care more experience than we had, but they lived a distance “cheerleader” for the foreign missions community in away. No counseling resources were available in Japan Japan. I served as the Member Care Committee Chair at that time, and this was before the internet (shocking, I for JEMA for three years and contributed to a member know) when phone calls were expensive to make. care column in the Japan Harvest magazine. Twice I facilitated a one-stop counseling center at a national We extended that Qrst home assignment so could go church planters institute and coordinated seminars for through a pregnancy under the care of doctors in the U.S. visiting member care professionals. I offered introductory Our daughter Anna was born in October, and we were back talks on member care to multi-mission gatherings and in Japan two months later. Starting with our second term, informally consulted with missionaries and organizations Stan planted an international church and served as its pastor on member care in Japan. for the next 23 years. I led English Bible studies for ladies of the church, which included several foreign wives of Japanese. continued on next page

continued from page 7 care facilitators. I led a restructure of the entire SIM USA One of my greatest joys was bringing a Japanese Wycliffe home assignment debriefing process. It was a joy to missionary to the World Evangelical Alliance Global Mission Commission consultation in Pattaya, Thailand. hear how missionaries enjoyed their campus visits after At that conference, the Global Member Care Network experiencing the new structure. leadership team invited her to join them. She brought a wealth of personal experience of being an Asian minority on a mission team. Most Japanese sending churches and organizations did not understand the needs of their missionaries, and she began the process of educating them on ways to care for their sent ones.

It became clear to the SIM USA president that my strengths in leadership and the ability to connect people to resources were the best way for me to care for missionaries. In 2016, wasappointedasthevicepresidentofpeople/ chiefpeople officer. had oversight for member care, personnel/ HR, and other functions related to our onboarding processes. It has been a privilege and great responsibility to bring the care and services provided to our SIM USA missionaries to a higher professional standard over the last eight years.

Asian Access developed a partnership with SIM USA in 2011. I was on the partnership search and transition team. Through that relationship, the president of SIM USA asked me to become the director of member care. Meanwhile, I look back to that young missionary wife who was wonStan and I were realizing we needed to relocate to the dering where she could serve given who God had created U.S. when our sons graduated from high school. God her to be. I see again that God can do so much more than confirmed that this was his direction through our leaders what we ask or imagine. God has been faithful and gentle with me through the early years of questioning, feeling from mission agencies and sending churches. We moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in July 2013 and live near the left out, grieving losses. God has occasionally allowed me to glimpse how those “small ministries” in which I faithfulSIM USA office. ly served brought encouragement to other missionaries. Stan has worked relentlessly to develop the partnership As I retire, God has given me a role of being a respectbetween the missionary, his or her sending church and ed voice in the organizational care of missionaries and a SIM USA. He spent three years on the member care team mentor to younger leaders. and became a facilitator in the Healing the Wounds of Trauma program. We expanded the number of member All glory goes to God!

PRAYER GATHERINGS ONLINE & IN PERSON Call the church office or email info@college-church.org for details on these prayer meetings. Sunday Morning Prayer 8:15-8:40 a.m. in C101 Monday Morning Prayer 6:15-7:15 a.m. Board Room Wednesday Night Prayer ( Zoom only) 7 - 8 p. m. Led by the Missions Office APRIL 6: Rod & Kathy Duttweiler APRIL 13: Curt Cole APRIL 20: PaulAdams APRIL 27: Manny Mill

HANNAH PRAYER FELLOWSHIP will meet on Wednesday, April 1 3 , at 1 : 3 0 p. m. in C1 0 1 in the Commons. Join the group as it hears an update from one of our missionaries and then spend time in prayer.

DORCAS PRAYER FELLOWSHIP meets Wednesday, April 2 0 , at 1 : 3 0 in the Upper Deck at Covenant Living at Windsor Park to hear from Phil Smith about his recently started work as Director of International Partnerships for Accessible Hope nternationa Both men and women are welcome at this meeting.

AARON-HUR PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

will meet at its usual time this month. Friday Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Board Room) 12-1 p.m.LedbyWilandLorraineTriggs.Theweeklyprayerguide is also available at our website: https:/ bit.ly/2ZkqQLA Our Prayer Pulse email goes out every Monday. You can get prayer updates via that email. Sign up by clicking “Enews signup” on our website. If you already receive other emails from College Church, click “manage my preferences” at the bottom of any email and select Prayer Pulse to add yourself.

GL OBA L VOI CES

UKRAINE UPDATE Crises like the war in Ukraine present an opportunity for GREATER EUROPE MISSION (GEM) the global church to respond practically and prayerfully in College Church missionaries Jim and Lynette Hatcher and dependence upon Lord. Millions of Ukrainians have fled Greg and Debby Nichols work with GEM to reach out to the as refugees and millions more are internally displaced unbelieving across Europe and seek to help those people within Ukraine. The board of missions approved special grow to know and love the Lord. GEM workers are in place gifts of $17,800 to Barnabas International, SEND and GEM in Ukraine and along the border in an effort to help those to help them. There are so many ways to respond, from affected or displaced; funds will help outfit these camps giving a friendly welcome to incoming Ukrainians at the who are receiving refugees. www.gemission.org international terminal of OHare, to joining a prayer group to consistently pray for current needs. The groups listed BARNABAS INTERNATIONAL

College below have ties with us at College Church. We invite you Church missionaries Charley and Cheryl Warne and Barnabas International serve global workers through to join us in the following ways: mentoring and training workers to seek the heart of PRAY—Join our new prayer group for Eastern Europe. God. Funds given to Barnabas will give them flexibility GIVE—Support organizations responding to this crisis to respond to needs as they arise in Ukraine, especially such as those listed below and keep up to date at: in assisting their ministry partners in the country. www. college- church. org/ ukraine www.barnabas.org GO—Consider serving on a short-term team to Eastern Europe. For more information, please email: missions@college-church.org

WAYS TO GIVE. To give a financial gift, we have identified five options for giving in connection with our churchsupported missionaries.

A FAMILY FOR EVERY ORPHAN (AFFEO) College Church missionary Anita Deyneka and AFFEO strive to help orphans find loving families in their home countries, including Ukraine. Funds given to AFFEO will be used to provide food, water and medical supplies to these orphans and to provide means for them to leave the country, if necessary. www.afamilyforeveryorphan.org SEND INTERNATIONAL

College Church missionaries Chad and Leanna Wiebe work with SEND to partner with churches who are sending The home church of College Church missionaries Charley missionaries to unreached nations around the world. andCherylWarner, rpinBibleChurchandthepastorswho SEND is collecting funds for Ukraine to provide rapid relief visited College Church are housing displaced citizens of as the needs arise. www.send.org Ukraine. Funds given to the church will go to humanitarian, Stay up to date at college-church.org/ukraine refugee and war relief. www.biblechurch.com.ua IRPIN BIBLE CHURCH

I BEL I EVE

What You Believe Charlene Miller As I wrote this, I struggled to think of a lighthearted, witty, funny anecdote to begin my testimony. And while I have many such stories, just talk to me after church to find out about last Easter with my son and Target, try as hard as I could, there was no way to fit a fun anecdote. My husband advised me to prepare you for the heaviness of my testimony and I quote him, “some of these things you could say to someone would suck the breath out of them.” Even when I retell these stories to my husband, who has lived some of this with me, his eyes get wide as I charge straight on through. So, you’ll have to forgive me if I am blunt because this was my life. This is what God rescued me from. There’s no soft

I recently read this quote from Tish Harrison Warren’s recent book, Prayer in the Night , that really struck me, “We have to decide what we believe about who

Growing up, my parents informed my beliefs of who God was and what he was like. My parents separated when I was in elementary school, and my early memories of God were from my mother falling to the ground and wailing to God, “Why have you cursed me with such horrible kids? Why God?” She had just finished choking me, and this was her response—to cry out to something for her misfortune. Looking back, I now know my mother had an unmedicated mental disorder that caused violent

episodes like this. For a ten- year- old, this was downstairs, all verythe family wouldn’t have heard me knocking. confusing. God had given me this mother who could The Lord is good. not take care of me, and that was scary. And more so, it To this day, this remains a turning point in my life. Talk seemed he was on her side. about trusting God, turning from mother and father, Between the ages of 10 and 14 years old, my visitations with my mother dwindled. And eventually she moved away when I was 14, citing that I was too much of a burden to be around. I remember thinking, how could there be a God who gave me this mother who doesn’t love me? On the other hand, my father raised me to be a student, a hard worker, to say my prayers, and to fear God. My father was an abusive alcoholic who I was afraid of, but he believed in God. And believed God had dealt him a bad hand. He believed in an angry God and perhaps was angry with God himself. Those high school years, because of the physical abuse, I went to school in long sleeve shirts and had a rotation of friends who bought me school lunches, because at home I was not worthy of those things. A dear friend noticed me and began to invite me to church house groups on Sunday, where they served free lunches and gave me an opportunity to be away from my own home. This led to an invitation to a weekend high school retreat at a swanky (to me) hotel, again with food and safety. The reason for the retreat—getting to know God more—was very far from my mind. But fortunately, I wasn’t far from God’s mind. This retreat was the first time I heard the gospel. I heard of a loving God, who cared about me, and there was nothing I could do to earn that love. This was the first time I learned about Jesus and what he did for me. And what he can continue to do in my life. That a relationship with God was active and living. I could participate. And I so wanted to. I was filled with the joy and hope that the gospel brings.

being persecuted for your convictions. It’s not something I would wish on anyone, let alone an 18-year-old who hasn’t graduated high school yet. But what an opportunity to trust in the Lord to provide for your needs as he does the sparrows. It strengthened my faith and continues to in the way I relate to and lean on the Lord. The Lord good continues to be my Father, my provider, my Savior. I had to trust him to meet my needs because there was no one else. I graduated high school and college and learned to consider the church my family. If you’ve gotten to know us this past year we’ve been at College Church, you may have noticed that I have tactfully avoided talking about my past. It’s hard. Vulnerability is hard. I would go so far to say it is hard to be surrounded by people who have generations of whole and solid Christian families. That is not my story. But it is the hope for my son’s story. My hope is that he will know the gospel and know the church as his family. Just as God saw me through my own proverbial Egypt, I know he will see me through this current season of an undiagnosed medical condition. I wake up not knowing each day whether my legs are going to be able to walk. Whether one side of my body is going to go limp, and will be rushed to the ER to check for a stroke. As I lay as still as possible in a big CT machine looking for errors in my brain, I have a small nagging longing for my mother and father to come and take care of me and remember that they can’t.

I re-mourn. But a wave of peace washes over me as I remember my God has provided for my every need, and Coming home from retreat was a di erent story and heledmetothischurchbody.Andrejoiceinhisgoodness! where things went sideways for me. My father did not understand what was going on with me. He is convinced to Psalm 62:5-7 has been very encouraging to me: this day that joined a cult. continued to su er abuse at alone, O my soul, wait in silence, For God his hands, but this time I could cry out to God. I could say for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and you know the plans you have for me, thy will be done, and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. wrestle with what it meant to honor my father and mother. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.” On early Easter morning, my dad, after a night of drinking, threatening and verbally assaulting me told me that I had to leave and never come back. He did not like my Growing up, no teacher, no lawyer, no counselor, none newfound faith in Christ. At 2 a.m. Easter morning, I left of my friends’ parents saw the abuse I was facing, but my home with my coat and my wallet and started walking. God saw, and he became my rescuer. You may be at a The Lord reminded me of a family that lived in a different point where you need to consider what you believe about town whom I had visited once, and my dad didn’t know. God and who is us. s he good? Merciful? s he a father As I knocked on the front door, I saw a light was on. The to you? A friend? Healer? The beauty of God is that he husband answered the door and let me in. I later found is infinite. He reveals himself in different ways to us in out the Lord had woken him from his sleep to come different seasons. downstairs and do some late-night work. Had he not come So, what do you believe about God and who he is?

SI D E B Y S I DE

A Fish Tale Cheryce Berg

Once upon a time, there was an empty in a red truck. He put them in the big space in Kids’ Harbor. But one day, a glass box on top of the black cabinet big glass box arrived for the empty filled with gravel and water and bubbles space. It was carefully lifted on top and reefs. He gave them toy jellyfish to of a black cabinet, filled with gravel play with and more fish food. And most and gallons of water and blasted with of them were very happy, except for the bubbles. Then it was lonely for many ones who weren’t… days because the water was being …who went to fish heaven and the crabs made perfect for… on the bottom ate what was left of them. Fish! Just a few at first, and they were called “test fish.” Their job was to test the water. They didn’t get names because when the water wasn’t perfect yet, some of them… …went to fish heaven and the crabs on the bottom ate what was left of them. Kids’ Harbor was sad. But the happy fish got coral reefs plants to hide and play in yummy food. And the kids and the teachers the workers in Kids’ Harbor waited of days for…

and fish and lots

More fish! Colorful fish! They arrived one by one with the Fish Doc, Mr. Matt. Mr. Matt brought the fish in water in little bags in little boxes in bigger boxes

One day before Christmas, something scary happened and all the fish almost went to fish heaven. The feeder was broken down, the bubbles stopped bubbling and the fish were gasping for air at the top. But thankfully God helped the workers to notice and call Mr. Matt the Fish Doc who raced to the rescue. He fixed the feeder and the bubbler, and the fish loved him for it. And then came Valentine’s Day when the Qsh were ready for names because they were very happy in Kids’ Harbor. So there was a big contest where kids thought of Qshynamesandthefavoritenameswere picked by the workers. The winners were given candy and special crowns that said, “Champion Fish Namer.”

These are the names they were given: Scooter, named by Eliza Squiggle, named by Josiah Clark, is the Clown Fish Herr, is the StarQsh who is boy. Tangerine, named by green and likes to hide. He Zavian Shirley, is the Clown only comes out to eat the Fish girl. They have stripes brine shrimp feast. of black, white and yelloworange. Scooter and Tangerine have a famous relative And then there are Crabs, who eat yukky things on the bottom and don’t have names but are still appreciated for named Nemo, who is in the movies. their hard work. Oona, named by Celia Maurer, Speaking of eating, have you seen the brine shrimp feast is the Three-Stripe Damsel, yet? You can watch it if you come by the big glass box on who wears stripes of black Sunday morning around 9:15 am. All the fish get excited and white. Oona used to be and wiggle swim all over. afraid and hide in the coral, but now she is not afraid Mr. Matt the Fish Doc has more fish waiting to come to anymore of the kids who peek in the glass box. their new home in Kids’ Harbor: a blue Dory, a yellow tang Sherbet, named by Justus and an angel fish. They will come when it is warm enough Atchison, is the Royal Gamma, for them to travel in their little bags in little boxes in bigger and he is shades of purple, boxes in a red truck. We will give them names, toofuchsia, orange and yellow. He is an acrobat who likes to swim sideways or even upside down because God made him to swim in tiny openings in caves.

…and they will all live happily ever after in the big glass box in Kids’ Harbor.

Gary, named by Piper Panner, is COMMUNION AT the Goby Fish COLLEGE CHURCH boy, and Sophia APRIL 3 Speedy, named by Sebastian Moore, is the Goby Fish girl. Both are long, white Qsh vacuum cleaners. They gulp up dirty gravel and spit it back out clean and sparkly. Everyone needs a Goby or two. Big Al, named by Becca Roe, is the Sailfin Tang, who is big and flat with black and white stripes, a yellow tail and who can change colors when he wants to. He was bullied in his other home and so came to Kids’ Harbor so his scars could heal. He is now all better and happy.

WALLACE ALCORN

T he G l o r y o f a Hated Man

F ACE T O FA CE

cipation Proclamation. They alone of the thousands enslaved across the southern

They came mostly on foot. They came piled onto buckboards and arrived in skiffs, rowboats and barges. Some rode their master’s mules, able to appropriate them because the planters had fled inland upon the Union Army occupation of the Port Royal region. The black folks did. The whites came on horseback and in carriages. They came from the South C There were free Blacks among them, but most had been enslaved on those plantations. They were slaves—or, to date, had been. The few white people who chose to attend the reading were, for the most part, missionaries from New England. Eastern newspaper reporters would telegraph coverage of this New Year’s Day in 1863 that would

The military governor wanted every slave to hear in person Lincoln’s Eman

The all-black Union regiment stood proudly in formation as its colonel pre sided over the ceremony. On the plat form under live oaks were white dig nitaries. All were abolitionists to one degree or another, to be sure. But one . white, native Carolinian was chosen to read. It was, the colonel said, “an in finitely appropriate thing.” He had been born and reared in the area, owning a nearby plantation and its slaves. But twenty-six years earlier, he had freed them. No theoretical abolitionist, but one who actually freed slaves, the con sequence being economic impoverish ment as well as suffering personal and political persecution. A modern histo . ry of South Carolina finds: “Among the whites, he was the most hated man in D -

The Reverend Doctor William Henry Brisbane ( 1 8 0 6 - 1 8 7 8 ) began to read: “That on the 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free. . ( This most hated man in the district preached that the most hated man of all time told his disciples: “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! ( ( Lk 6 : 2 ) .

Brisbane moved to Wisconsin ( 1 8 5 3 ) and became pastor of Madison’s First Baptist—until he was dismissed for preaching against slavery. At the outbreak of the Civil W he became a regimental chaplain in the Union Army. He was appointed U.S. Direct Tax Commission for South Carolina chairman to confiscate abandoned plantations and auction them to collect federal taxes. (These, of course, were owned by his family, former friends, and neighbors. )

W. H. Brisbane was a most hated man, but in this particular hatred, there is an oxymoronic glory. This is the glory of a hated man. It’s Brisbane’s story, of course, but it is also my story.

It began in 1806, and at age four, he was adopted by his wealthy and aristocratic uncle, becoming heir to a plantation on the Ashley River north of Charleston. He received a gentleman’s education at a Vermont military academy. He attended a theological institute, ordained Baptist and earned an M.D. Supported by inheriting the plantation with over 30 slaves, he published a Charleston Baptist newspaper promoting slavery—and then lost it when he became unconvinced and pastored churches.

Hedivestedhimselfofslavesin1 8 3 7andfledtoCincinnati where he became pastor of First Baptist Church—until he preached against slavery. He founded an abolitionist Baptist church down the street from Jonathan Blanchard’s Presbyterian church, and they became friends and coactivists. There, and later in Philadelphia, he wrote articles for abolitionist newspapers, edited his own and authored Of his service for the United States, the federal atto anti-slavery novels plus a book against slavery (1847). for South Carolina wrote as late as 1 9 1 7 : Active in an “underground railroad,” he counseled fugitive slaves and defended them in court. A founder of a free “….he returned to his native state in the pay of the mission society and becoming its president, Brisbane’s enemy as one of that confiscatory body created by actions forced others to create the then pro-slavery the conqueror called the direct tax commission, and Southern Baptist Convention ( 1 8 4 5 ) . dressed with a little brief authority used it to oppress and humiliate his former fellow countrymen. Although no longer owning slaves but deeply troubled that many were still enslaved, he returned south and Whilst time has dulled the memory of much of the repurchased at an inflated price what he had divested at bitter pangs of that terrible period yet his name must a depressed price. He escorted 27-33 slaves to Baltimore recall it to all who had to endure the arbitrary insolence and wrote in its newspaper that, although he wanted his of those who then abused the places of authority, and slaves to be free, he also wanted himself to be free. He it is with no pleasure the chronicler records him among took them across Pennsylvania to Ohio where he freed the South Carolinians who possessed a home upon the them. By his example, he effectively caused more slaves Ashley river. ( to become freed than he had freed directly, becoming a continued on next page Barnabas to the abolitionists.

continued from page 15 It was this appointment that put him at Port Royal when the Emancipation Proclamation was to be read. When Brisbane concluded, a voice arose from among the blacks: My country, tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Our fathers God to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing- . Dr. Brisbane sat silent, but the tears in his eyes said, Amen. ( After Reconstruction, he returned to Wisconsin, practiced medicine, pastored churches and made political speeches about his experiences as a slaveholder and then abolitionist, dying in 1878. Four years earlier the Reunion of the Abolitionist Old Guard met in Chicago. Dr. Brisbane was a speaker as was his old Cincinnati friend Jonathan Blanchard, now president of Wheaton College. The two slipped away and spent an afternoon together recalling former days, their Qnal meeting.

Even though none came, I joined him for dinner afterwards. He was a direct descendent of my grandfather’s overseer— learned of William Henry Brisbane when my -grand the one he fired at least once for mistreating his slaves mother sat me down when I was eight for a serious talk: and who cheated him in both purchasing and then selling Wallace, am praying that you will grow into being as When we met he was unfailingly courteous and them. great a man as your grandfather.” He was her grandfa- sincerely respectful. liked him. Yet his final words bot ther and, so, my great, great grandfather, and his story puzzled and shocked me. Looking me in the eyes, said: began to become mine. We will forgive you, but we will never, ever forgive your grandfather.” (sigh) I continued to hear of my grandfather from family but failed to catch what his life means for me until As painful as that was, something else happened that day. underwent clinical pastoral care training. At We thewere event, I presented a brief biographical sketch with encouraged to consider the impact of family stories, and I focus on his transformation from slaveholder to slavebegan my research. Who is Wallace Alcorn because of who freer to abolitionist leader. needed to be careful of wh my grandfather was? Grandma was right. Grandfather and how I put it. I didn’t know what the audience would Brisbane was a great man, but he was great for yet better know or what they would want to know. reasons than she ever learned. The moderator introduced me politely and respectfully. My research brought me into contact with the Penn I read: “That on the 1st day of January, A.D. 1863, all Center of St. Helenas sland. When they thought to persons held as slaves- . ( stage a reenactment of the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation on New Years Day 1 9 7 , they invited me toThe moderator, a black leader, gasped: “That man did play my grandfather and be the reader. This would be on a complete turn-around!” I thought that was what the the site under the same live oaks, now on the grounds of colonel said—now it is believed. the Beaufort Naval Hospital.

I was swamped by black people hugging and kissing me. Being the first of the family’s northern branch to have Many named Brisbane had always known their ancestors contact with the southern in over 125 years, I phoned had taken the name of some man who had freed them and because he did, all slaves were eventually freed. I received their spokesperson. Oh, we know youre down here and what you’re up to. It’s in all the papers.” His tone, though hugs that belong to my grandfather, and I accepted them for polite and even warm, alerted me that none would behim. out.

L OCA L L Y SO U R C ED

Beautiful Work EMILY IVERSON

What are we doing at College Church to help this effort? This month begins our annual Coins for Caring Network baby bottle drive. Beginning April 24, you will see empty baby bottles on display so that you can take one home, fill it with coins, cash and/or a check. Return it on Mother’s Day, May 8, to the collection table in the Narthex (just outside the Sanctuary). These funds go toward this beautiful work of Recently though, a group of college students and I went to helping moms keep and care for their baby. the Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton to help them create a more permanent baby bank. At this location, moms referred by one of the pregnancy resource centers operated by Caring Network are able to grab essential items for their babies for free, including diapers, wipes, formula, etc. It’s wonderful to visit a beautiful place, but recently I found more inspiration at making a place beautiful for young mothers in need. My husband, Chris, and I have been working alongside pro-life groups for many years now. A lot of what we do is important, but we don’t feel that importance all the time. It can feel like a list of tasks.

We gathered at the baby bank, and we learned from Mark DiGiacoma, who participates in this ministry at Church of the Resurrection, that moms have started to talk with each other at the baby bank, and the church wanted to make a more welcoming space. Over the course of multiple weeks, we worked on cleaning the area, making a white picket fence, painting a mural, and creating a space for children to play. The work is ongoing, but I found that making a beautiful place was much more meaningful than enjoying a beautiful place. The real beauty is in the purpose of what we’re doing. Caring Network works with moms who are thinking about getting an abortion, and through counseling, decide to keep their babies. Some of these moms feel such tremendous pressure, and access to these supplies help them make a decision for life. I learned that Church of the Resurrection was asked by Caring Network if they would be willing to host a temporary distribution center. The church agreed to host it for three months originally. That turned into another three months and eventually a permanent baby bank. Now, we are making it more than a place to receive, store and distribute baby care products. We are making it a beautiful space for moms, who have made a beautiful decision. We are not finished yet, but through our simple acts, we are expressing Christ’s love for generations to come.

LI F E L E S S O NS

Making the Cut Pat Cirrincione

At one time or another I believe we’ve all heard the phrase, the cut, the default is to seek help and hope in lesser places, making the cut. ( Whether its in a sport, a theatrical when only the Lord can meet our deepest needs. production, a sorority or fraternity or a job, it means that Every individual is important. The corporate unity and wemadeit,werein.Wegotontheteam,intheplay,inthe purity of God’s people must be internally preserved. club or got the job. Coming from a sports-oriented family, Believers are called to expend e ort to seek out and he I’ve heard that phrase numerous times in my life; however, others make the cut into God’s kingdom through grace, when a friend from church called me to say she had made not performance. the cut into a woman’s group, I was taken aback. I had Christians are equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16never heard that term used within a Christian community, 17). So do not keep what you know about God to yourself. but then, God turned the light bulb on over my head. Extend love and grace to the truly needy in society—the Allow me to go back in time—all the way to the days of elderly, the lonely, the outcasts and the underprivileged. John the Baptist and Jesus. John was deQnitely di erent, the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes in Remember living in the wilderness, wearing a garment of camel’s hair Matthew 5: 1-11 and people to make the cut into the kingdom and a leather belt around his waist and a diet of locusts of God by his words in his book, the Bible. and honey. The only way you could “make the cut” with When one makes the cut, they are assured of things hoped John was to be baptized and confess your sins. John was for and the conviction of promises not yet seen. By faith, all about preparing the way for God’s Son. when tested, they do not grow weary but are pushed forward Then along came Jesus, the Savior, the Son of the living God, with endurance to Qnish the race. (The Book of Hebrews one of the biggest inRuencers of his day, and stillreminds going us of this.) By faith, we who love Jesus stay strong strong.(AlthoughthewordinRuencer(isatermassociated and courageous because we know that he is at work in us. with social media, I thought it described Jesus perfectly). On Good Friday, we remember the one who took our sins For those not accustomed to using the word inRuencer inbody, with every lash of the whip, so that we may upon his everyday conversation, here is what the Miriam Webster have forgiveness of sin and eternal life; for those who are Dictionary says: An inRuencer is a person who is able to according to His purpose; for “God so loved the called generate interest in something by posting (talking) about world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes it. They are people who have dedicated followers and are in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) viewed as experts within their market or Qeld of expertise. Remember, if you don’t rest your soul in Jesus, you’ll They have thousands to millions of followers, and they never Qnd the peace and purpose in making the cut into have the power to a ect buying habits, change individual God’s kingdom. Choose for yourselves this day, this Easter thinking and even form public opinion.” Jesus was, and is, season, and all through the year, whom you will serve, without a doubt the greatest inRuencer then and now. and what making the cut means to you without Jesus, the Then there were the bashers, or the Pharisees, Sadducees Savior, the Son of the Living God. and scribes. It was their self-appointed job to publicly What kind of inRuencer do you mock Jesus and make sure that he wasn’t allowed to make wish to become? Who will you the cut into their circle of inRuence. serve? The god of Super Bowls, the Oscar idol, the Now let’s fast forward to today. As I said earlier, making the Olympic gold? What cut are cut means to succeed at something, to be chosen out of a you looking to make? Qeldofcandidatesorpossibilities.tmeansbecoming apart Because “as for me of a Super Bowl Team or getting a part in a movie that allows you to win an Oscar or Academy Award or being chosen to and my house, we will serve compete in the Olympics with some of the best athletes in the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) the world. However, for the vast majority who don’t make

M I L E S T O N ES

MI SSI ON A RY M OVEMEN T

BIRTHS

TRANSITIONS

Marc Loyal was born to College Church missionaries Isaac and Jenn Stough on March 8. His paternal grandparents are Tim and Beth Stough and paternal great grandparents are Ken and Grace Bryer.

Anita Deyneka ( March 1 4 , 2 0 2 ) With College Church, she’s transitioning from career missionary to missions associate. Anita is not retiring from ministry.

Noah Santiago was born to Erica and Frank Scoffield Nellessen on January 27. He is the first grandchild of Jeff and Mary Nellessen

MARRIAGES Madison Traxinger, program coordinator of student ministries at College Church, married Ethan Cilley on March 27 at Kuiper’s Farm. Joe Gosselin and Ashley Ramsland were married in Wheaton on February 5 . Ashley is a College Church member and serves as the nursery superintendent in Kids’ Harbor. Whitney McKevitt is Ashley’s sister.

DEATHS Pray for Juanita Taetzsch and family as they grieve the loss of Juanita’s husband, Bill, who passed away in Carol Stream on March 12. Pray for the family of longtime member Sonia Jackson who passed away on March 1 0 in Wheaton.

Stan and Faith DeLaCour (March 31, 2022) Retiring from missionary service.

RESIGNATIONS Brad and Christy Keating (December 2021) David and Georgina Johnson (May 2022)

NEW MISSIONARIES Julie and Daniel T. ( Wycliffe/ Asia) approved November 2021 Kristiana Miller ( GEM/ Austria) approved February 2022 Josh and Elise (undisclosed location) approved March 2022

MOVED TO NEW ORGANIZATIONS Rod and Kathy Duttweiler from United World Mission to Faith & Learning International John and Leila L from S M to OMF nternational

Pray for Marilyn (Eric) Enstrom and family as they grieve the loss of Marilyn’s father, Bob Cowan, who passed away in Michigan on March 7. Pray for Debbie Van Der Molen and College Church missionary Jeff Van Der Molen and family as they grieve the loss of Debbie’s husband and Jeff’s brother, Ed, who passed away on March 6. Pray for the family of Dr. Ben Kietzman who passed away on March 1 in Carol Stream. Pray for Alex (Carlos) Bell and family as they grieve the loss of Alex’s mother, who passed away on March 1. Pray for Womens Ministries Director Mindy (Chad) Rynbrandt and family as they grieve the loss of Mindy’s father, Richard Austin, who passed away in Walworth, Wisconsin, on February 2 8 .

God Centered Life features the Bible teaching of Pastor Josh. This exciting ministry with a global reach continues

grow

impact

through

podcasts, online and on the radio. Here in

Pray for Karen Olsen and family as they grieve the loss of Karen’s father, Sheldon Olsen, who passed in Wheaton on February 24.

the US, the program is heard on the radio

Pray for Ann (Doug) Classen and her extended family as they grieve the loss of Ann’s father, Jack Ocenasek, who passed away in Minnesota on February 14.

and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and can have daily

Pray for Linda (Ned) Gulbransen and family as they grieve the loss of Linda’s mother, Patricia Petrie, who passed away on February 18.

Your prayers and partnership with this ministry are

Pray for the family of College Church member Arlene Hare, who passed away on January 30.

in about 70 locations. You can listen locally on Moody Radio (WMBI) at 10 p.m. M-F devotionals delivered right to your inbox.

greatly appreciated.

godcenteredlife.org

ART SHOW

Wild Woods 29

7-9PM

10AM3PM

APRIL APRIL 20

presented by STARS FAMILY SERVICES A DISABILITY MINISTRY

COLLEGE CHURCH COMMONS

at the Bookstall COMING THIS SPRING

Everyday Holiness The newest book from Senior Pastor Josh Moody You don’t have to pick between being boring and being bad. There is a better way: a biblical understanding of holiness.

on following the pattern of Christlike living. Moody uncovers Paul’s practical steps to begin, by putting sin to death, including tackling particular sins that are common to us all.

We put on behavior beQtting our status as David Brooks’ The Road to Character, and Jordan chosen, holy, beloved children of God. We wear Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life, both in their own spiritual clothes that reRect the reality of who we way underline our renewed interest in character are—a rescued, forgiven people who have been and responsibility today. In the church too we shown grace upon grace, now overRowing to sense the need for a fresh call to holiness. With those around us. Everyday Holiness impacts our moral scandals in the news, it is time to listen to character, our families, our homes, and our work, what the Bible says about becoming more like as well as the church and wider community. Jesus. What is holiness? Why should we be holy? This book is a must-read for those who are What place does grace and the gospel play in looking to live a full, satisfying life that centers the drama of becoming more like Christ? And on God. Moody’s eminently practical book is a most practically, how do we become holy? helpful guide no matter where we are in our Dr. Josh Moody leads us with clarity along a spiritual journey. path to a simple biblical profundity: holiness is becoming who we are in Christ. Holiness isn’t about a drab or dreary lifestyle. It’s not about faking it or being inauthentic. Holiness is becoming who you were made to be. There’s a sweetness, a joy, a freedom in pursuing Jesus. We were designed to live like this, so we find our fullest flourishing there. Focusing on chapters three and four of Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Everyday Holiness starts by highlighting that true holiness begins with new life in Christ. He has not only saved us from death but also set us apart for life. Those who are in Christ are not only called to be holy but are given the power to be so through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Like the Colossians, we need to realize that as, in Christ, we already are “holy,” we are now to live in holy ways, setting our minds and hearts

L OCA L L Y S O UR CED

Run for the STARS 2022 – Live and In-Person! Lance Clemens Can you believe it? The Run for the STARS is returning to an in-person race on June 11– our nineteenth year for the run. We are excited to gather once again as a visible witness for Christ as wells as a visible witness to each other and our community. This year’s theme is “Unity through Community” and comes from Ephesians 1:7-9, where the Apostle Paul wrote: n him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all YEAR’S GOALS wisdom and insight making known[c] to us the THIS mystery Weforth hope in you can help us achieve our goals for 2 0 2 . of his will, according to his purpose, which he set Thoseall goals are: Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” • To make our local and global communities more aware of the STARS Ministry at College Church and how we To stay connected as a global community, participants as a church may also enter the race virtually. We want to continue to body can come along families who have a child with a developmental disability. unite our brothers and sisters in Christ here with friends and families across the U.S. and the world who cannot join us in person on June 11. Due to the integrity of the in-person race, those who participate virtually will not be eligible for an award in their age category.

• To have more than 700 participants in the run.

Remember, this is a 5 K run/ walk and a 5 0 - yard dash for children age eight and under and the STARS. It is a memorable event for families and a great time to reconnect in community.

LAST YEAR RESULTS • In 2021, the Race raised over $45,000 and had more than 250 participants take part virtually across the globe. The race proceeds helped the STARS Ministry:

• To raise over $60,000. WHAT CAN YOU DO?

2. Volunteer to support the race, especially on race day— email Lance Clemens at lmc530740@gmail.com to let him know that you and/ or your family are available. 3.

• Provide more than $10,000 in scholarships for 46 children, teens, adults and eight families to attend respite camps and retreats in the Midwest. • Fund the entire costs of the fall weekend retreat for 20 adult STARS, giving parents a weekend to themselves. • Provide STARS Family Services with a $23,000 grant to fund job coaches for 15 adults to work at Twice is Nice and the STARS Resale Shops.

Sign up to run/ walk/ dash individually, as a family or with small groups of friends and neighbors at www.runforthestars.com

Donate prizes ( i. e. , Cubs/ Sox tickets, gift cards, local dining experiences, vacation rentals, etc.) to help make the raffle a grand event for all in-person participants. If you are willing to donate raffle prizes or can help us consolidate local raffle prizes, again email Lance Clemens.

4. Help us promote the event on social media and by word of mouth. 5.

We are still looking for additional corporate/ indivi sponsors. For more information, you can go to the website or email Lance Clemens directly.

We hope you can join us for this special event the second Saturday in June. It is truly a special time with a special purpose with so many unrealized benefits. You won’t want to miss it!

LOOKING AHEAD

ANNUAL MEETING MAY 15

C AMER ATA CHIC AGO CH AMBER ORCHE S TR A

Golden Age of Baroque Concert Tartini Trumpet Concerto with fantastic trumpeter Travis Heath

3 p.m. Saturday April 23, 2022 College Church, Wheaton In a celebration of the Golden Era of Baroque, trumpeter Travis Heath performs the Tartini Trumpet Concerto and Handel’s Trumpet Concerto with Camerata Chicago conducted by Maestro Drostan Hall. Camerata Chicago will perform the Concerto Grosso Alexander’s Feast by Handel and a variety of baroque and lyrical classics in a program which heralds the delights of spring. TICKETS AVAIL ABLE AT: Camerata Chicago Tickets (ticketleap.com) Use coupon code CCCC for a 25% DISCOUNT After Discount: Adult $37.50; Senior: $30; Students: $8; Children $1.50. Discount coupon available online only and not at the door.

cameratachicago.org 23

FINDING YOUR WAY SANCTUARY BUILDING

TUNNEL

TO COMMONS

THE COMMONS BUILDING

TUNNEL TO SANCTUARY

Commons LL2

CROSSINGS BUILDING Wesley Street

Clapham School

STARS Resale Shop

Toms Price

Front Street

April 2022 Connections

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Lokking Ahead

Run for the STARS 2022

Everyday Holiness

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Beautiful Work

The Glory of a Hated Man

A Fish Tale

What You Believe

Ukraine Update

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Born Into Missions

From the Editor

April Highlights

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