CHCS Newsletter April 2015 Missions Week

APRIL 2015 SPECIAL MISSIONS WEEK EDITION

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CHCS News H E I G H T S

C H R I S T I A N

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by Sonya Wilkins Each year our Missions Week is such a special time for our whole school to unite in spirit and purpose. This year is no exception as we have just wrapped up a great time of living out our mission statement, “…that produces servant-leaders…” and this year’s theme of “Do Something!” We strive to make serving others an everyday occurance.

However, it is a joy to focus one entire week to this endeavor. A total of 11 high school groups served in Jamaica, Mexico, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Locally students served at Crosslines, Rapha House headquarters, Life House, God’s Resort, Thru the Roof ministry, Uncut Stone camp, and a brand new urban Christian school in Kansas City. Another group of students put their craft skills to work creating projects that when sold, will benefit the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. High School students weren’t the only ones out serving. Our Middle School students had their own variety of projects (see related stories).

Elementary students love to be involved by praying for their partner groups. Even with snow days threatening to derail our big send-off, we had a sweet time of prayer as the high school and middle school groups visited their partner elementary classes. The younger students enjoy meeting the older students face to face and having one on one interaction. What an encouragement!

The week we returned from Spring Break, two days were devoted to chapel mission reports. It’s wonderful to hear the stories that come back. Some of those stories are shared here in this newsletter. We appreciate your commitment and involvement with us through your financial support, donations, and most of all, prayers.

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Community Needs Outreach The Community Needs Outreach Team had eight members. These were Josh Birchard, Daniel Geary, Matthew Hampton, Jared King, Jacob Knudsen, Bryce LePage, Conner Reed and Kobe Thomas. Mr. Horton was the sponsor and Jonathan Horton assisted on Thursday and Friday when we traveled to Kansas City.

Our team served at Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission on Monday and learned about ministry to the homeless and those in extreme financial need. On Tuesday, we helped at Mr. and Mrs. Limkeman’s new home which they are building to replace the home they lost to the May 2011 tornado. Our work consisted primarily of picking up rocks in the front yard and masking windows and electrical boxes, etc., to prepare for spraying texture on the ceilings and walls. Our group volunteered for Bright Futures on Wednesday at the Joplin R-8 administration building, where we sorted and organized clothing that will be given to kids in need, thanks to the Bright Futures program.

On Thursday and Friday we served at Urban Christian Academy in urban Kansas City. UCA is a new Christian school that was established this year to serve at risk kids in an economically deprived area of Kansas City. Funded entirely by donations, because these families cannot afford tuition, UCA currently offers kindergarten, but plans to add one grade each year through fifth grade. We learned about Urban ministry and the issues these kids face due to the situation they were born into. The director told us that 40% of the class is homeless, and that the students are more likely to know someone in prison than someone who has gone to college! Our service consisted of painting, yard work, demolition of a chain link fence, working on a restroom remodel project, grouting wall tile and doing other repairs. We also had an opportunity to interact with the students during recess and lunch time.

CHCS News

by Nelson Horton In addition to having the privilege of helping people by serving in hands on, our group enjoyed learning more about the various opportunities we have to meet needs right in our own community and state. There are many ways that we can use the gifts and opportunities God has given each of us, to help others.

CHCS News

Life House Â

Our group went to the Life House Monday through Thursday. We cleaned and organized as needed before conducting our VBS program once the children arrived. We had praise and worship, Bible lesson time, crafts, and organized activities each day with the children. We were also able to feed the children to finish out each day.

We also went to the Boys and Girls Club and helped them clean and organized their facility.

We also spent a few hours cleaning, building, and organizing at CHCS and CHCC before heading over to the Life House. On Friday we went to Walmart for our random acts of kindness day.

Throughout the year we raised money for the purpose of purchasing food for people in need. Our students benefit from this immensely as they see what it looks and feels like to meet genuine needs of other people. We had a great week and look forward to doing it again next year.Â

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by John Blankenship

CHCS News

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Missouri Baptist Children’s Home Each year the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home has a spring craft festival to raise funds that help support the services offered by the home. It was our pleasure to help this effort by spending the week making crafts for them to sell. This year’s group made various craft projects that included blankets, scrapbooks, decorated jars, painted canvases, paracord key chains,

Crosslines

The Crosslines Mission team, headed up by Mike Endicott and Charmagne Stanley and involving nine hardworking students, had a busy week this year. Monday began with helping the ministry load items into a semi-truck for their move to a new facility. They also helped with loading a large amount of donated food from a local trade show on to Crosslines truck and then unloaded it all for them back at their facility. The rest of the week was spent in various tasks including pantry work; demolishing old wooden shelving; cleaning; packaging bread, flour, sugar, and diapers for distribution; yard work involved in the move; and help with the ministry’s clothing distribution. Students were also able to tour the ministry’s new facility.

by Kim Hamilton

and many other sellable items. Each day we would take a break for lunch and then get right back to work. At times the work was tedious but the students worked hard all week. I was really proud of their willingness and their consistent positive attitude. On Friday, we delivered our handmade crafts to the home, took a tour of the facilities, met some of the kids that live there and learned more about their fantastic programs.

by Charmagne Stanley

CHCS News

Hometown Bound

by Pam Green

Hometown Bound consisted of Mr. Casey, Mrs. Green, Mallory Esgar and 19 juniors and seniors. They left on Monday and stayed until Saturday morning at Ozark Camp. Ozark Camp is a church camp that is located in Neosho, MO. On Monday afternoon we worked at God’s Resort painting, cleaning, putting up siding and a fence. We had a cookout with some of the residents and then presented our black light hand performance of Amazing Grace for them.

Tuesday and Wednesday we spent the day installing carpet tiles and painting the Thru the Roof house. We finished everything at the house and helped move the furniture back. We also helped them make decorations for their upcoming event called Jesus Jam. On Wednesday evening, we had a talent show with the Thru the Roof kids at CHCC. After the talent show we went over to the Thru the Roof house to celebrate the new changes in the house and have some prayer time.

Thursday the group went to help out a couple who are working at restoring a church camp. We cleaned up a large trash pile, built a stage and helped to make a bridge.

We went back to God’s Resort on Friday morning and afternoon. We finished up painting and other projects there.

Friday night we hosted the Parents Night Out for the Thru the Roof kids. They came out to our camp and we cooked hotdogs and played lots of games.

In the evenings at Ozark Camp the mission group ate dinner together, played games together, worshipped together, had campfires together, had devotions together, stayed up late together, and had an awesome week together!

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Rapha House

Rapha House is an organization based in Cambodia and Thailand; their main goal is rescuing and rehabilitating young girls who have been sex-trafficked. Rapha House employees teach these girls how to make bags to sell in America. The profit goes back to the girls who made the bags. Working at the local Rapha House Business office essentially means inspecting, counting, and putting price tags on Rapha House bags. Though the work was tedious, we had plenty of fun bonding with the workers. Students Ben Chaffee and Logan Hobbs enjoyed reading the eavesdropping worker Jen through our long work days. The week wasn’t all work, though. On Wednesday of Missions Week, our group only worked half of the day, spending the afternoon lounging at Mrs. Russell’s house and watching the Rapha House film “Finding Home.” This film is an amazing explanation of the Rapha House mission. Our mission team loved bonding with our fellow students, getting to know the Rapha staff, and eating the delicious cookies baked and provided by Mrs. Russell.

CHCS News

by Michaela Keele

CHCS News

Mexico Mission

Eighteen juniors and seniors spent Missions Week in the mountains of Southern Mexico. We flew to Mexico City and then drove another 6 hours NE to Huitzitzilingo, MX in the state of Hidalgo. YWAM has spent several years working in this remote area and we presented a program of dramas, testimonies, music, puppets and healtheducation to over 1000 people during the week. It was a blessing to hear how the Lord has worked in the small communities over the years. In one town, just a few years ago, parents would not let their children come to the programs. Yet we were more than welcomed with loving hearts... three women even swept water off the court where we were playing games with their kids, so we wouldn’t slip and fall. After spending four hours in this town, we saw tears in the eyes of some of the children as we left. They were very sweet and very receptive. We also spent one day visiting schools. One school was an alternative school for kids who had been kicked out of public school for behavioral issues.

These kids received us with open arms - and the superintendent over 15 other schools loved what we presented and asked us to come back and spend a full week teaching the kids about Jesus and how he can change your heart. It was at this alternative school that we had the kids come up to Jesus during our skit - King of Hearts! I had never seen this happen before - the Holy Spirit is definitely at work, and the fields are ripe. Our kids were touched by the open hearts and friendly welcome we received. One said her favorite part of the week was ‘seeing the faces of the young kids as we presented Christ to them’. Another said ‘it was neat to see Christ’s love and joy poured out’...

Many of our kids were blessed by the relationships

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by Jean Miller

that were built within the group. One also said it was ‘sweet to learn what it’s like to be a real missionary’. Thank you for making this a priority at College Heights, and for letting me take our kids to Mexico. The Lord continues to bless me and our kids through this week!

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Jamaica Mission This year during missions week our group reached over 2600 individuals. We held a three day After School Bible Camp, visited four different schools, led Sunday Morning Kids’ church, participated in a Youth Outreach Rally, prayed over the city, and painted at the local church. It was a great week with both fun and growing opportunities.

The students did an excellent job and were moved by several encounters.

CHCS News

by Katie Strawn

CHCS News

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Redbird

by Tabitha Davison This year 15 students traveled to Redbird and served a family in need of a new roof and shared testimonies and worship time with the students at Redbird Christian School.

Much fun was had by all.

Ozark Missionby Mary Colin The freshman group grew so close on our trip to Ozark. The YWAM (Youth With a Mission) staff were transparent and real. Our students were able to learn in a classroom setting, sing praises together, pray in intercession and hit the streets to evangelize. The intimacy of the trip not only drew the students closer to Christ, but to each other as well. In addition to the value from the trip itself, the students were prayed for by Mrs. Satterfield’s class. We visited them on our return, and the third grade students greeted us with candy and love notes!

CHCS News

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Cookson Hills Mission

by Phillip Jordan Cookson Hills, a place of hope and restoration, was a wonderful place to spend missions week 2015. I, along with my wife Sarah, had the privilege of leading 18 sophomores on this impactful week. During our time at Cookson Hills, we worked painting fences, cleaning construction sites, and tearing up a foundation. We also led a children’s program at the school, hosted a game night with one of the families, and held a worship service with staff members from YWAM. Through this week, our students took away a better appreciation for their families and life in Joplin and saw what a blessing it is to serve others.

Please be in prayer for the children and families receiving hope and restoration from the Lord through ministry of Cookson Hills.

CHCS News

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Elementary Mission Each year as the middle and high school students prepare to participate in a week of mission work in our community, country and around the world, our elementary students play an important role by supporting the secondary students. They do this with prayer. Each elementary class is assigned a mission group to pray for.

Before Missions Week the students pray that hearts will be prepared for the task set before them, that they will be prepared to receive the message that is being delivered, and for safety and health for the secondary students. During Missions Week they pray for lives to be touched and for continued safety and protection. For those traveling and participating in Missions Week it is reassuring to know that back at home base (CHCS) people are praying for and thinking about them. Thank you elementary students and teachers for your support!!

Middle School Missions

Middle school students participated in several activities and service projects throughout the school and community demonstrating a servant attitude and heart. At the sixth grade level, students attended the Autumn Care Assisted Living Resource Center on Zora Avenue. Upon arrival, students greeted the elderly and relayed a positive attitude to the residents. Therapy dogs were also on staff, and residents and students playfully enjoyed their role in providing a positive interaction. Also, in close proximity, Humphrey Park and the Frisco Trail were on the agenda to pick up trash and debris. On another day, students stayed on campus and cleaned designated building areas. At the seventh grade level, students traveled to Maranatha Bible Camp and served in cleanup on the campground. Limbs were picked up and leaves were raked. These students worked all day and were such a blessing to the staff.

On another day, students alternated with eighth grade students in a variety of service projects on campus. These activities included reading to first and second grade students, building and outside cleanup, and for providing interaction in Spanish class with elementary students.

At the eighth grade level, the class was able to choose their service activity. Several attended the Humane

by Kelli Barnett Society; there, they cleaned pens and interacted with animals and staff. Also, several students served at two local assisted living facilities, Silver Creek and College View Manor. Students provided interaction with the residents through visiting and playing games. Their presence provided a joy and source of energy.

In the students’ reflection, they gained a greater knowledge in their usefulness, impact, and respect in various walks of life.

ECFA ACCREDITED – On November 12, 2012, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability announced the accreditation of College

Heights Christian School. Accreditation is based on the ECFA’s Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship, including financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance, and ethical fundraising. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.

MISSION STATEMENT

CHCS glorifies God through excellence as a Christ-centered learning environment that produces servant-leaders with a Biblical worldview.

COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL n 4311 E. NEWMAN ROAD n JOPLIN, MISSOURI 64801 n 471-782-4114 n WWW.COLLEGHEIGHTS.ORG