River Region Christian June 2024 Issue

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Faith @ Work:

Cassandra Andrews

Get to know wife, mom and Broker/Owner of Chosen Realty, Cassandra Andrews. Here she shares how she became a believer, ways she implements God’s truths into her life as a wife and mother, and how she strives to serve others biblically in business and the church.

Advice From an

Atheist: Be More Christian, Not Less

by Scott Sauls

If you have been turned off by Christianity or behaviors of Christians in your life, you’ll find encouragement here. Further, Christians will be challenged to consider whether they exhibit true Christ-likeness or simply “religion”.

page 12

Vacation Bible

School Listing

It’s time to sign your kids up to meet with Jesus through learning, singing and fun!

page 14 Ministry

The Shepherd’s Staff

by Kym Klass

The mission of The Shepherd’s Staff is to bring light and hope through the truth of Jesus Christ to the broken – especially those in the ranks of the fatherless and the forgotten. Find out how you can be involved in this life-changing ministry.

Our Mission...

We believe the Good News concerning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is worth sharing with our friends and neighbors in the River Region. Each month we deliver this life-changing message to the centers of activity across our community in a user-friendly and relevant way to empower and equip all those seeking to grow closer to God. Join us in this mission by sharing a copy with your neighbor or by becoming an advertising partner starting next month.

Editor

DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com

Publisher Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com

Research Editor

Wendy McCollum

Contributing Writers

Tim Challies

Bob Crittenden

Jessica Gibbe Fernandez, PhD, LMFT

Kym Klass

Dr. Chris Montgomery

Dave Ramsey

Scott Sauls

Kemi Searcy

Advertising Opportunities

Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702

Content Manager

Anna Watson

Social Media Manager

Scott Davis

Ad Design

Tim Welch, Welch Designs

River Region Christians is published monthly by Keep Sharing, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123. For information, call 334-213-7940. River Region Christians is copyrighted 2024 by KeepSharing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

The opinions expressed in River Region Christians are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. River Region Christians has the right to refuse any content that is not consistent with its statement of faith.

From the Publisher

Thank You For 25 Years

As the Publisher of River Region Christians, I write to you with a mixture of gratitude and heartfelt reflection in this final issue. After 25 years of monthly publications, we have decided to close this chapter of our journey. Our mission, rooted in spreading the Gospel and fostering unity among Christians, has been a labor of love, and it is time to celebrate the profound impact we’ve had together. Since our inception, River Region Christians, or Montgomery’s Journey (as we were first known), has been more than just a magazine; it has been a vessel through which the Word of God has reached countless hearts. Our pages have been filled with stories of faith, testimonies of transformation, and messages of hope that have resonated deeply within our community. It has been our honor and privilege to witness how our content has inspired, uplifted, and brought individuals closer to Christ.

Over the past quarter-century, we have been blessed to see the seeds of faith we’ve planted flourish. Many of you have shared your personal stories of growth in Christ, ignited by the articles, devotionals, and testimonies featured in River Region Christians. Your stories have been a testament to the power of the Gospel and a source of encouragement to us all.

As we reflect on the past 25 years, we are filled with immense gratitude for every reader, writer, and advertiser who has been a part of this journey. Your support and prayers have been the heartbeat of River Region Christians and allowed us to make a lasting impact.

Though this is our final issue, our prayer is that the seeds of faith sown through this publication will continue to bear fruit for years to come. We encourage you to keep sharing the Gospel, building community, and nurturing the faith that has brought us all together.

Thank you for 25 incredible years. It has been an honor to serve you, to grow with you, and to witness the amazing work God has done through our collective efforts. As we close this chapter, we look forward to the new ways God will continue to work in and through our community.

W ith heartfelt gratitude and blessings,

Class of 2024

100% COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE PERFECT ACT SCORES

THE TRINITY CLASS OF 2024

Pastor’s Perspective

by Dr. Chris Montgomery, Frazer Church

Letting Your Voice Be Heard... Wisely

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking... (Proverbs 15:28)

Words. A lot of words are said every day. A lot of words are heard every day. And on most days more words are said than heard.

We find ourselves in an interesting time in history. But this is not an interesting time because people like to hear themselves talk and think themselves smart. This has always been the case. However, this is a unique time in history because of the unique platforms which we possess to try to make our voices be heard. And in many ways, that’s precisely what we are doing. We are trying to “make” our voices be heard.

Sometimes we think that if I am loud enough or harsh enough then people will listen more or listen more often. But when is the constant escalation of enough ever enough? Singing to the cultural tune (or should I say tone!) only leads us to finding ourselves somewhat disappointed when our words do not have the desired effect on those who hear us or read our social media post.

What if there was another way?

Many times, the things that we are speaking about are not only relevant, but important. There are injustices that we see taking place in our own city. There are issues that seemed to be riding cultural waves that look unstoppable in our country. There are causes that are essential to the flourishing of humanity throughout the world. Yet, the question is how do we go about speaking to and for these issues in a way that is actually heard?

15:28 stating, “The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking.” Or what about Ecclesiastes 9:17 that says, “Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king.”

These passages, and others like them, give us an alternative path that is still a possibility in our day. While the chaotic noise of the world swirls franti cally around us and it seems that human arguments flow so freely from the lips of people that care not what damage they cause, there is a way to be heard. It does not come from forcing yourself into a conversation. It cannot come from sham ing or manipulating people. But the way to be heard is to have our hearts ready by soaking them in the godliness of God so that we may speak winsome words to people who are tired of hearing the shouts of the foolish.

Again, what if there is another way to make our voices be heard without entangling ourselves in the shouting matches of ALL CAPITAL LETTERS through the artificial means of technology? What if there is another way to make our voices heard without escalating our voices and sharpening our tone in what has become normative belittling speech?

Scripture offers us this piece of advice in Proverbs

I have a high view of God’s detailed workings in the lives of human beings. I believe that God can bring all of us to a place where the shouting world no longer shines brightly for us. It is in these moments that we are actually ready to hear. It is in these moments where we desire carefully thought out, heartfelt, and godly words. It is also in these moments when we are able to give those same words to the willing and ready. So, my encouragement to you is to not be drawn in to the way the world argues and tries to make their voice heard. Instead seek the anxious-free words of the Lord and then be ready to give them to others in an anxious-free way.

Chris Montgomery is senior pastor of Frazer United Methodist Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL. Visit www.frazer.church.

Choose Better

Five Biblical Models for Making Ethical Decisions

by T. David Gordon

Over the course of a lifetime, not to mention over the course of any given month or week, we have to make many decisions. Some of them are consequential and some insignificant, some change the course of our lives and some barely even register. Yet as Christians we know we are responsible before God to make good decisions in matters both good and small. The question is, what constitutes a good decision? And on what basis do we make them?

T. David Gordon’s brief and readerfriendly new book is a fascinating look at the different models of decision-making but about the basis on which we make them. This makes it a uniquely helpful book.

Gordon begins with a very brief discussion of ethics and says “ethics is about living as God our Maker intended us to live. The ethical task is to think, in a disciplined and faithful way, about human choices in light of human nature, the human condition, human potential, and the divine creational mandate for humans.” In this sense every decision we make is ethical—“it either contributes to or detracts from human life as God created it.” The ethical task is to distinguish good from bad and good from better—to be disciplined and deliberate in making choices.

Over time, Christians have arrived at five different models for making ethical decisions. Each of them asks different questions and these different questions bring different insights to the ethical question. Yet each has the same goal of pleasing and honoring God. The book is framed around these models, with each receiving a chapter-length treatment. They are: The Imitation Model, The Law Model, The Wisdom Model, The Communion Model, and The Warfare Model. What is so good and helpful about laying out these models is to show the harmony between them. Life is complex enough that at various times we need all of them and many decisions must be made on the basis of several models rather than just one. Sometimes we have a clear command to obey, but sometimes we do not and have to apply wisdom or consider what might disrupt our communion with God. If I am faced with the decision of whether or not to commit adultery, the law model is all I need; if I am faced with the decision to embrace a new technology, the wisdom model or communion model offers better guidance; if my church wants to consider keeping or cutting our weekly prayer meeting, we could probably base the decision to maintain it on all of them, with the warfare model playing an especially important role. Choose Better was truly eye-opening for me and has given me a lot to think about as I make decisions. It is easy to read, well-illustrated, humorous at times, and just the right length. I am grateful for it and gladly commend it to you.

Are We Living in the Last Days?

Four Views of the Hope We Share About Revelation and Christ’s Return by

Bryan Chapell

The world is a mess. The world is a mess and seems to be getting messier. I could draw up an inventory of all the wars and conflicts, the diseases and disasters, the rise of immorality and decline of virtue, but that would be to tell you what you have already observed and already know. With all of this in mind, many Christians ask: Are we living in the last days? Is the end near? Is Christ returning soon?

Some time ago, Bryan Chapell was asked to prepare some teaching on the end times. The leaders of Bible Study Fellowship realized that, while they had led thousands of people through the other books of the Bible, they had not yet touched on Revelation. Their rationale was understandable: they thought it would prove too controversial and generate too much discord. But eventually they came to the conviction that by refusing to teach the book, they were depriving members of truth they needed to hear. So they asked Chapell and two other Christian theologians to lead them in a careful study of their perspective on the end times. What Chapell shared at that time forms the basis for his new book.

It’s important to note that Are We Living in the Last Days? is not one of those “Counterpoints” books where various authors explain their perspective on a matter of doctrine and then engage with one another. Rather, Chapell is the book’s sole author and does all the explaining himself. And equally important, he does not defend one of the views ahead of the others. Rather, he does his level best to simply describe the four major perspectives on the end times as accurately and charitably as possible. The perspectives are, of course, Dispensational Premillennialism, Historic Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism.

He accomplishes his purpose well. And while the explanations are necessarily technical at times, he makes each understandable. And then he gets to those crucial final chapters. Here he labors to describe the hope all Christians share, regardless of the perspective they take on the timing and unfolding of the end times. And here he also describes what lies beyond the end times—the glory of heaven and the unmediated presence of Christ. He also draws some crucial distinctions between the various perspectives to show what a person must affirm to hold one of the views instead of the others.

Put together, Are We Living in the Last Days? is a tremendously helpful and clarifying book. Besides that, it is a wonderfully charitable book that explains without dividing and that draws distinctions without taking sides. It lays out the differing perspectives, then focuses heavily on the unity believers share in Christ regardless of their particular understanding of the end times. I am grateful for Chapell’s careful labor and generous spirit and am glad to highly recommend his book.

RRC: What inspired you to dedicate your life to Christ at 16?

CA: My oldest sister, Joyce, gave her life to the Lord and invited me to a Bible study. There, I heard the gospel and realized God’s love for me and us all. At that point, I gave my life to Christ and served Him from that day until now.

RRC: As a church member at Fresh Anointing House of Worship, you enjoy serving in multiple capacities. In what ways are you active in ministry?

CA: Deliverance Ministry and Prophetic Ministry. I assist as needed with the Youth and Women.

RRC: How did God lead you to serve your community through real estate and becom-

ing a broker for your company, Chosen Realty?

CA: In my early twenties in college, God spoke to me about going into real estate. However, I didn’t immediately pursue that career field. That’s when God gave me a dream that revealed how I would begin my real estate career. In the dream, I saw a pregnant woman starting in real estate who did well and went on to become a broker. Little did I know that lady was me. That’s how I started my career, pregnant with ambition. Thirteen years later, I went on to become a broker. It happened the way he showed me in the dream.

RRC: What does it mean to be a Christian in the workplace?

CA: It means to exemplify Christ in all we do and represent Him well. People observe us and how we conduct ourselves not only in church but in our day-to-day lives. This Christian walk is more than lip service, but a lifestyle that reflects a relationship with the lover of our souls, Jesus Christ.

RRC: How have your prayer life and faith sustained you when challenges occur?

CA: You can’t live the life of a Christian effectively without prayer and faith. (The just shall live by faith). Total dependency on God is essential. I need His guidance and wisdom daily, and I communicate with Him during challenging times. It’s not always easy, and I don’t get it right every time, but His grace and mercy sustain me. Walking closely with Him and learning to trust Him is most important. A relationship with Him has been the sustaining strength in my life.

RRC: How have you incorporated Christ into your 29 years of marriage?

CA: I learned to love, respect, and honor my husband as the Lord requires and expects. I was willing to submit and govern myself by the word of God, even when I didn’t want to sometimes (smile). I realized flesh and self have to die daily, and my love for God became my motivation for how I respond to and treat my spouse because I want to please Him.

RRC: What encouraging advice would you give someone struggling with their faith?

CA: Don’t ever quit. The race is not for the faint-hearted, but realize you are not in this race alone. Be strong in the Lord and stand in the power of His might, not your own. The Bible says, “that in the last days, there will be a great falling away. Pray that your faith fails not. When you’re struggling with doubt, unbelief, etc., pursue drawing closer to the Lord and talking with him about your troubles-God cares and will strengthen you.”

RRC: You uphold and live by the biblical principle, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” How has this helped you and others?

CA: I treat others the way I would want to be treated by someone. I utilize this principle in my personal life and my business. I pride myself on giving exceptional service to every seller or homebuyer I represent because it’s the type of service I would personally want and expect.

RRC: How have you encouraged your four sons to become men of God as a mother?

CA: By living a life before them and encouraging them to live by the verse in Deuteronomy 6:7. To pursue and love the Lord with all their hearts and to not conform to this world. I committed to pray with my children, as well as for them, and teach them the word of God.

RRC: How do you live out your faith in a way that exemplifies God’s love toward us and would encourage others to seek God?

CA: I live by learning to love and give of myself to others. A lot of people are in need physically and spiritually. So, there is an opportunity to love and serve others every day. We should love not only in words but in deeds. (John 3:18)

Cassandra Andrews has been married for 29 years to her husband, Jeremiah. They’ve built a life in Montgomery with their four

and Joseph (18).

sons: Jeremiah Jr. (28), Jonathan (25), Joshua (23),

Several years ago, I wrote a book about how I’m tired of taking sides. But sometimes taking sides is unavoidable. When faced with Jesus’ claim that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that no one comes to God the Father except through Him, we have to choose. Do we believe Him or not? When it comes to Jesus, everyone will ultimately take a side.

That is not to say that those who have chosen to side with Jesus won’t ever have doubts. Most of us do at one time or another. Several years into his career as a Presbyterian minister, Francis Schaeffer began to have serious doubts, triggered by a growing concern over how poorly the Christians he knew treated one another. He witnessed negativity, faultfinding, backbiting, gossip, manipulation, power plays, and underhandedness among his fellow ministers. How could these ministers be so uncompromising about the Bible’s teachings about grace, love, kindness, and forgiveness, yet be so not those things in their personal lives?

Schaeffer committed to suspend belief and return to his agnosticism to examine Christianity from the beginning. He spent several months reading and rereading the Bible, immersing himself in philosophy and other world religions, scrutinizing it from every plausible worldview. In the end, he concluded that there is only one reason to be a Christian – because it’s true. That’s the conclusion I’ve come to as well.

We are in good company. The list of intellectual titans who are Christians is not merely two or three. Jonathan Edwards, an early president of Princeton University and a Christian minister, was identified by the Encyclopedia Brittanica as one of the brightest minds ever to set foot on American soil. There are many throughout history who, having looked seriously and with an open mind into the claims of Christianity, became Christians themselves.

Simon Greenleaf, chief founder of Harvard Law School, set out to demonstrate that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a made-up fairy tale, a hoax that could be believed only by

ignorant, unenlightened fools. After looking into the facts, he, like Schaeffer, concluded that it was true.

Oxford historian C.S. Lewis, once an atheist who in his own words was “angry with God for not existing” became a Christian when his close friend J.R.R. Tolkien convinced him that the story of God’s redemption of the world is the Story behind every good story.

More recently, Jordan Monge, a political science major at Harvard, committed her life to Christ. Monge had gained a reputation for tearing down “poorly constructed arguments” that defended religion. Over time, however, thoughtful responses from Christian friends pressed her to begin doubting her doubts. As she considered the cross of Jesus, Christianity became not only plausible but beautiful.

Kirsten Powers, a political news analyst, wrote about how she was converted from atheism to Christianity after discovering the overwhelming body of evidence for biblical truth.

Malcolm Gladwell, journalist, author, speaker and staff writer for The New Yorker returned to Christianity after seeing the incredible power of faith in other people’s lives while researching a book: The billions of lives that have been changed through Jesus is even more convincing evidence for Christianity than any intellectual argument. Crooks returning what they have stolen, dying people finding peace, hurtful people asking forgiveness of those they have hurt, business people doing the less profitable thing because it is right, spouses staying committed to each other through the hard seasons, bereaved parents forgiving their beloved daughter’s murderer.

God’s power – the same power that spoke the galaxies into being, that parted the sea, that caused a blind man to see, and

that raised Jesus from the dead – accounts for billions of people who have become better versions of themselves. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Perhaps you have been turned off to Christianity because of intellectual roadblocks. Are you willing to investigate the works of theological masters? Or the four biographies of Jesus in the Bible? Or at least to embark on the journey that Harvard legal Simon Greenleaf once made, to give it your best shot to prove Christianity is false?

Perhaps your faith has taken a hit because of the behavior of Christians around you. In the midst of your questions, doubts, and disappointments, are there any Christians you know whose lives have shown you glimpses of something different? Something beautiful, lovely, even admirable?

Any of these things could be Jesus speaking to you, reaching out to you, inviting you to come live outside the lines with Him.

To remain true to living outside the lines, I want to share some advice from someone on “the other side” – an atheist, Daniel Fincke. The following are Fincke’s “Top 10 Tips for Christian Evangelism (From an Atheist).” Ironically, I actually find his advice to be quite Christian.

1. Be Like Jesus: Hang with the Sinners and Judge the Judgers.

2. Form Genuine Relationships with People, Don’t Treat Them as Projects.

3. Actions Speak Louder Than Words.

4. Ask More Questions and Do Less Preaching.

happens Amazing

5. Don’t Give Unsolicited Advice or Judgments. Support People and Wait for Them to Ask for Your Input if They Want It.

6. Appreciate that Nominal Christians are Christians Too.

7. Don’t Try to Force Others into Christian Participation.

8. Understand Atheists and Embrace the Opportunity Confrontational Atheists Afford You.

9. Respect Other Religions Even as You Evangelize Their Members.

10. Love Your Enemies, Not Just Your Tribe.

Once we draw a line and side with Jesus, we can no longer draw lines with our fellow human beings. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female. You are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28).

If we want to be like Jesus, we will love all people. “I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Matthew 5:44-46).

Are we on board with this? I sure want to be.

Scott Sauls is a pastor, author and blogger in Tennessee. Visit www.scottsauls.com.

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Blue Ridge Baptist Church

4471 Jasmine Hill Road, Wetumpka

Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 23-27

Times: TBA (334) 567.4325

Calvary Baptist Church

431 W. Fourth Street, Prattville

Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: May 31-June 2

Times: Friday, 6-8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday from 9:45 until noon.

Ages: Preschool – K; Grades 1-6 (334) 365.5213 calvarybaptistprattville.org

Camellia Baptist Church

201 Woodvale Road, Prattville

Theme: The Great Jungle Journey

Dates: June 2-6

Times to be decided

Ages: Pre-K through 6th grade, plus adult classes. (334) 365.0231 www.cbcprattville.org

Century Church at the Well

1001 Marler Road, Pike Road

Theme: Start the Party

Dates: June 17-20

Times: 6 to 8 pm

Visit century.church/vbs

Church of the Highlands

4255 Taylor Road, Montgomery

Theme: Summer Blast

Dates: To be announced

Time: 7:30 a.m. to Noon

Ages: Children entering K through 6th grade. (205) 980.5577 churchofthehighlands.com

Dalraida Baptist Church

3838 Wares Ferry Rd., Montgomery

Theme: Breaker Rock Ridge

Dates: June 3-7

Time: 9 until Noon

Age: Kindergarten through 6th grade (334) 272.2412 dalraidabaptist.com

Eastern Hills Baptist Church

3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery

Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 2-6

Times 5-8 p.m.

Ages: 4 (by August 1st) through 6th grade (334) 272.0604 ehbconline.com

East Memorial Baptist Church

1320 Old Ridge Road, Prattville

Theme: The Great Jungle Journey

Dates: June 17-21

Time: 9 a.m. to Noon

Ages: K5 through 8th Grade Call 365.7500 eastmemorial.org

Eastmont Baptist Church

4505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery

Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 3-7

Time: 8-5 p.m.

Ages: K - grade 6 (334) 277.6300 eastmont.org

First Baptist Church ad on back cover

305 South Perry Street, Montgomery

Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 17-21

Time: 9 a.m. to Noon

Ages: 4-6th grade (334) 834.6310 MontgomeryFBC.org

First Baptist Church

138 S. Washington Street, Prattville

Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 24-28 Time: 8:30 to noon

Ages K4 - 6th Grade. (334) 365-0606 Fbcprattville.org/vbs

First Baptist Church, Wetumpka

205 W. Bridge Street

Theme: Scuba

Dates: June 17-21 Time: 5:30– 8 p.m.

Ages: K-6th grade. (334) 567.5191 fbcwetumpka.com

First Presbyterian, Prattville

211 S. Chestnut Street

Theme: The Great Jungle Journey

Dates: June 3-6 Time: 9- noon

Ages: 4 years old through entering 6th grade Call 365.6387.

First UMC, Montgomery

2416 W. Cloverdale Park

Theme: Camp Firelight

Dates: June 10-12 Time: 9-noon

Ages: Age 3 through 5th grade. (334) 834.8990 fumcmontgomery.org

First UMC, Prattville

100 E. Fourth Street

Theme: Scuba

Dates: June 17-20 Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Ages: Completed Kindergarten thru 5th grade (334) 365.5977 prattvillemethodist.org

First UMC, Wetumpka

306 W. Tuskeena Street

Theme: Build: Build Your Life on Jesus Dates: June 2-5

Visit www.WetumpkaFirst.com/VBS.

Fountain City Baptist

492 East Main Street, Prattville

Theme: The Great Jungle Journey

Dates: June 23-27

Time: 6 - 8 p.m.

Ages 5-12 years old (334) 365.2034 fountaincitybaptist.com

Gateway Baptist Church

3300 Bell Road, Montgomery Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 17-21 Time: 9 am- Noon

Ages: Completed 1st through completed 5th (334) 272.9494 gatewaybaptist.com

Glynwood Baptist Church

376 N. McQueen Smith Road, Prattville Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 2-6 Time: 6-8pm

Ages: 4 through grade 6 (334) 361.9180 glynwoodbc.com

GracePointe VBS

1565 Ray Thorington Road

Theme: Zoomerang

Dates: May 31 from 6-8:30 p.m., SaturdaySunday from 9-11:30 a.m.

Ages: 5-11 years (334) 271.2525 grace-pointe.com

Hayneville Baptist Church

1180 State Hwy 21 N, Hayneville, AL Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: July 21-25

Time: 5:45 until 8:30 p.m.

Ages: K4 - 6th Grade (grade completed) (334) 548.2620 haynevillebaptist.com

Heritage Baptist Church

1849 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery Theme: Connect Camp

Dates: July 15-19

Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ages: K through 8th grade, fee for camp (334) 279.9976 connectcamps.com/montgomery

Heritage Baptist, Prattville 1357 S. Memorial Drive

Theme: The Great Jungle Journey Dates: June 9-13 Time: 6-8p.m.

Ages: Pre-School thru completion of 6th grade (334) 365-2372 hbcprattville.org

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

8570 Vaughn Road, East Montgomery Theme: Steller

Dates: July 22-26 Time: 9 a.m. to Noon

Age: Entering Preschool – rising 5th grade (334) 277.1989 www.holyspiritmgm.org

Millbrook Presbyterian (PCA) 3480 Main Street, Millbrook

Theme: The Great Jungle Journey

Dates: June 24-27

Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m

Ages: Entering K5 thru 5th grade. (334) 285-4031 millbrookpca.org

Montgomery Area

Episcopal Churches

Saint John’s Episcopal Church

113 Madison Ave., Montgomery

Theme: Hometown Nazareth

Dates: June 3-6

Time:8:30 a.m.- Noon

Ages: Rising K4 through rising 6th grade (334) 263.5529 stjohnsmontgomery.org

Morningview Baptist Church

125 Calhoun Road, Montgomery

Theme: Sports Camp

Dates: May 28-31 Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Ages: Completed Kindergarten-5th grade (334) 272.2304 morningview.org

Mountain View Baptist 1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka

Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 10-14 Time: 8-noon

Ages: Completed K5 through 6th grade (334) 567.4458 mvbaptist.com

Mulder UMC

3454 Firetower Road ~ Wetumpka Theme: Camp Firelight

Dates: July 14-17

Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

Ages: 4 years – 6 grade (334) 567.4225 mulderchurch.co

Prattmont Baptist Church

814 Smith Blvd, Prattville Theme: Faith Builders: Restoration Work Ahead

Dates: June 19-23

Time: 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Ages: 4 years – 6 grade (334) 365.0023 prattmont.org

Redland Baptist Church

1266 Dozier Rd, Wetumpka

Theme: The Great Jungle Journey

Date: July 22-24 Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Ages: 5 (by Sept. 1) thru graduated 5th grade (334) 567.8649 redlandbaptistchurch.org

Ridgecrest Baptist Church

5260 Vaughn Road, Montgomery

Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 3-7

Time: 6-8 p.m.

Ages: 1st-6th grade. (334) 277.0011 rbcmontgomery.com

Saint James Church

9045 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Theme: Hometown Nazareth

Dates: June 10-12

Time: 9 to Noon

Ages: K5-5th grade (334) 277.3037 sjlife.com

Taylor Road Baptist Church

1685 Taylor Road

Theme: Breaker Rock Beach

Dates: June 17-21

Time: 8:30 a.m. to Noon

Ages: 4 years through 5th grade. (334) 271.3363 taylorroad.org

Thelma Baptist VBS

810 Weoka Road, Wetumpka

Theme: Start the PartyDates: June 3-7

Time: 9 a.m. to Noon

Children who have completed PreK thru 6th. (334) 567-3665 tlifeonline.com

Thorington Road Baptist 450 Ray Thorington Road, Montgomery

Theme: The Great Jungle Journey

Dates: July 14-18 Time: 6-8:30 p.m.

Ages: K5 yrs. to 5th grade. (334) 396.9376 trbaptist.org

Trinity Presbyterian Church 1728 S. Hull Street, Montgomery Theme: One Way Cafe Dates: June 2-5 Times: Sunday from 5-7:15 p.m., MondayWednesday from 9 a.m.-Noon Ages: Pre-K 4 through completed 6th grade (334) 262.3892 trinitypca.org

Trinity United Methodist Church 610 Fairview Avenue, Prattville Theme: Camp Firelight

Dates: June 10-13 Times: 5-8 p.m. Ages: 3K-Rising 6th graders Dinner provided for children every night. (334) 365.7339 trinityprattville.com

University Church of Christ 5315 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery Theme: Inside Out Dates: June 16-19

Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Ages: newborn thru 6th grade

Adult classes will be available (334) 386.7320 ucoc.org

Vaughn Forest Church 8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Theme: Kids Camp and Parent Experience Dates: July 21-23

Ages: Birth though middle school (334) 279.5433 vaughnforest.com

Vaughn Park Church of Christ 3800 Vaughn Road Theme: Go For Gold Dates: June 23-26

Time: 6:30-8 p.m. (334) 272.2665 vaughnpark.com

Woodland UMC 4428 Wallahatchee Rd, Pike Road Theme: Epic Dates: July 24-26

Time: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Ages: 4 years old -6th grade (334) 272.7230 woodlandlife.org

Young Meadows

Presbyterian Church 5780 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Theme: Sports Camp Dates: June 3-7

Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ages: Kindergarten -5th grade (334) 244.1385 youngmeadows.org

The mission of The Shepherd’s Staff is to bring light and hope through the truth of Jesus Christ to the broken – especially those in the ranks of the fatherless and the forgotten.

It is a ministry that helps through prayer, discipleship, and necessary resources to strengthen families and individuals. The concept for this ministry began in Virginia, where Linnie and Debbie Dickson say their home was a magnet for those in need of hope and a new direction.

The two moved to Alabama on a twoyear commitment in 1985, when they began working to provide a loving family for 10 young men. That number grew to well over 100, and created an intense enthusiasm for helping struggling families.

It became a lifetime labor of family building and restoration, and the Dicksons never left.

Today, the ministry serves through hands-on assistance and volunteer networking, as a resource link, partners with numerous service agencies, and utilizes a dedicated group of servant/volunteers. Whether equipping foster/adoptive families, furnishing a tutor to improve a third grader’s reading scores, sharing Biblical truths with the elderly, or transporting an addict to rehab, the message of The Shepherd’s Staff is the same: Jesus offers life, fulfilled and eternal.

1. Why is this ministry important? The ministry concept is needed to bring the foundational truth of the gospel to God’s first institution: the family. God gave the human race three institutions to help us function properly – the family, the govern-

ment, and the Church. The necessary cornerstone to keep the other two healthy is a godly family. As it has been said for many years: as the man goes, so goes the family; as the family goes, so goes the church; as the church goes, so goes the nation. America declines as our families weaken. The opposite is also true, that is why The Shepherd’s Staff and ministries focused on the message of Jesus Christ are more needed than ever.

2. You responded to God’s call of “follow me.” What led to opening your home in Virginia and how did people begin coming there? After my miraculous transformation to Jesus, (Linnie) was ecstatic. He took my extremism for the devil and his kingdom and ushered me into the kingdom of His dear Son. It was simple. We wanted to share this true euphoria - of forgiveness, fulfillment, and purpose - to anyone and everyone in need. Especially the broken, lonely, down and out, and those who lived as outlandishly as I had. The rejection and avoidance of the general public just intensified as well as justified our push for rebellion and the false euphoria of the sex, drug, and rock and roll explosion in the sixties – of which I helped propagate from 1966 to 1979. The fact is that God used a precious lady...in a life-giving relationship with Jesus. The compassion, time, and dignity she gave me as a human being was impossible to reject. It was John 4, (the) ‘woman at the well experience,’ that Deb and I set our sights on replicating.

At first, we began keeping rebellious teens, then abused women/women and children. These were people in need that someone needed to help, so we did.

3. Why is this ministry important to the community?

The importance to the community can easily be understood by just watching the news. The family breakdown, the last two or three generations of fatherlessness, is vividly on display. With over 55% of white families and over 75% of black families without functional dads in the home, we’re in a desperate slide to our demise as a country. Fatherlessness is one of God’s first judgments on a nation. We are experiencing the results of choosing a Romans 1:18-21 lifestyle.

4. How does The Shepherd’s Staff minister to those it serves?

We minister to those we serve by connecting every met need to Jesus. He is our reason for taking the next step and the only hope for us or those we serve. Through the generosity of His people, he provides so we can share the provisions. Sharing the Word, while sharing a meal, setting up a house with furniture, offering a way out of addiction, or simply listening to the journey of a broken life gives tangible hope.

5. How many volunteers help oversee the ministry? The number of volunteers varies according to the project. We have a group of faithful volunteers we can call at a moment’s notice to set up an apartment, drop off a bag of groceries, or join a family or an individual in need of immediate intervention. Relationships formed between client and volunteer for a specific need usually morph into a therapeutic relationship. Our volunteers have often said the effort benefitted them as much as the people they served. It’s a win-win.

6. We know this ministry has the potential to change many lives - how does it change yours? God gave (Linnie) the verse Philippians 3:10 when I was a student at Liberty University. I really liked the first part of that verse. It says, “That I may KNOW HIM and the power of His resurrection,” and I had run into that transformative power in April of 1979. However, as we took up the cross to follow Him, Jesus was incrementally allowing us to live the rest of the verse which talks about “the fellowship of his suffering being made like unto his death.” The hard part of the ministry, the rejection, realizing that your all is not enough, the betrayals, the disappointments, the setbacks, and the losses are tough, but they are NOTHING compared to what Jesus did for us. The desperation of the “tough” parts is what pointed us to the fact that it is all HIS. The good, the bad, and the ugly... all belongs to Jesus. It is only His power and grace that allows us to offer hope to the next person. It is His love and compassion in our hearts that motivates us to even care. He gets the glory. We get to experience and share God’s undeserved, indescribable grace. We have the blessed privilege of being His children and His servants.

For more information or to volunteer: www.shepherdsstaffministry.org or call: (334) 313-1991.

Kym Klass is a contributing writer and Communications Director of the Media Ministry at Frazer Church in Montgomery.

A Biblical Viewpoint

In the January Faith Radio Ministry Magazine, a free publication released four times yearly, I shared an article: Seeing Cultural Trends Through a Biblical Lens. I wrote, “We can recognize the sufficiency of Scripture to speak to not only how we can live our individual lives to the glory of God, as disciples of Jesus Christ, but also to how we can address issues that are confronting our culture.” I highlighted seven areas:

Preeminence of Scripture

It is important that believers in Christ allow the Word to govern the way we see the world around us. In 2nd Timothy 3:16, we can read: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” God’s Word reflects God’s heart and directs us in His ways. In our analysis of cultural trends, we have to begin with the Word, not our own ideas.

Power of Prayer

We are instructed to pray for our authorities, so that we might be free to live our lives according to God’s principles. Fortunately, in America, we have religious freedom under our Constitution, which enables us to be solid, effective witnesses for Christ. 1st Timothy 2:1-4 says: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”

Protection for Life

A key element that Scripture teaches is that God is the Creator of all life, and

human beings reflect His handiwork. It is vital that we are involved in the protection of life. Jeremiah 1:5 affirms God’s view of life in the womb: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” We can develop an attitude toward human life, including the lives of the unborn that is consistent with our Creator God.

Preservation of Marriage

God’s view toward human life and His establishment of the institution of marriage are found in Genesis. Jesus referred to God’s creative act of Adam and Eve and His ordination of marriage in Mark chapter 10:6-9: “...But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

There are three critical teachings in the area of sexuality in this powerful passage: 1) God has created two genders: male and female, 2) the marriage relationship is defined as one man and one woman in a one-flesh relationship, 3) and God’s intent for strong marriages.

inthians 9:7: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”

We are also called to be sure that we are not spending more than we make. Proverbs 22:7b says: “...the borrower is servant to the lender.”

Another area of responsibility involves rejecting gambling. In 1st Timothy 6:9-10, we can read: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Parental Rights and Responsibilities

Scripture is clear about the responsibility that Christian parents have to raise their children according to the principles of Scripture. Deuteronomy chapter 6 underscores this, when it says in verses 6-7a: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children…”

Preference of Leaders

Participation in Financial Stewardship

The Bible speaks of being good stewards of the resources that God has given to us. We are taught to avoid 1) selfishness 2) debt and 3) irresponsibility through participation in gambling.

We are challenged in Scripture to be charitable and to put the needs of others above our own. We can read in 2nd Cor-

Christians can be devoted to the selection of leaders who reflect their deeply held beliefs. It is important that Christians make a prayerful and informed choice when we vote. Proverbs 29:2 states, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”

These are seven areas in which the Church can be involved, viewing our culture and speaking out in accordance with Scripture.

Scripture: New King James Version.

Parenting Your Adult Children

The 2006 movie Failure to Launch, a movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew McConaughey is a comedy, but it shows one of the many issues parents face with their young adult children. Failure to launch is a known struggle when young adults remain dependent on their parents, and parents struggle when their adult children fail to become self-sufficient adults.

There are also struggles between parents when their young adult children make life decisions like future plans, weddings, careers, and their own parenting approach. Parents often feel the stress of life difficulties their adult children experience, such as financial struggles, addictions, divorce, and illness. Parenting never ends. However, parents can miss out on the joy of continuing relationships with their adult children if they don’t actively work to keep connections open and relationships healthy.

One of the biggest stressors families can face is cutoff, a concept from Bowen Theory (interesting reading). Cutoff is managing unresolved emotional issues with parents, siblings, and other family members by reducing or totally cutting off contact with them. It is seen when adults within a family stop communicating and don’t attend family reunions or holidays.

Cutoff may happen after a disagreement, an argument or fight, or it may happen gradually, which is the most difficult to deal with emotionally, especially when grandchildren are involved, and they grow up without seeing their grandparents.

Some families have a history of cutting off members when disappointed, angry, or experiencing other less-than-pleasant emotions toward them. Children witnessing one of their parents cutoff another family member learn that this is an option when disagreements arise, and they may follow suit later in their lives. Bowen said, “The person who runs away from his family of origin is emotionally as dependent as the person who never leaves home.” He stated, “Staying in contact with previous generations of our families is an emotional work out. The way that people leave home and then “choose” how to continue relating to their parents is crucial for maintaining emotional connections in all future relationships.”

but this communicates lack of respect or feel like judgment or criticism to them.

2) Create a life outside of your parenting. Realize that your relationship with your child is now on an adult-to-adult level. Make it an attractive, friendly relationship.

3) Create your own network of friends and interests, and don’t be totally dependent on your children. They are trying to live their own lives, and when you demand too much time and attention, it can be a drain on your children and their marriages.

4) Do not manipulate your children. Guilt inducing questions or comments will drive them away. “I’ve missed you so much,” is well intended but can sometimes be a guilt producing comment. Find out how certain things you say make your children feel, and be sensitive to their feelings.

Cutoff is an option that can be recommended in certain extreme circumstances, such as with toxic and abusive families, but a mere disagreement does not warrant cutoff. It is important not to expose children or grandchildren to substance, physical, or emotional abuse or any type of illegal activity.

Some general recommendations for parents to help foster a healthy relationship with their adult children include:

1) Do not give unsolicited advice to your adult children. I know this is hard when well-intentioned parents try to help,

5) Be flexible. Plans change for growing families. invitations will continue to come to parents when flexibility, not pressure, exists.

6) Avoidance is the main ingredient in cutoff. Don’t avoid difficult conversations. Problems don’t go away; talk through them with a calm, open mind.

Dr. Jessica Gibbe Fernandez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Alabama. She is a Certified Sex Therapist, a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and an Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Jessica’s clinical interests include marriage and couples therapy, healthy relationships, and family therapy. She sees adolescents and adults with depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem and personal growth issues, life transitions, gender issues (LGBTQ+), sexuality issues, family adjustment and acculturation.

Don’t Risk It All

Q. My husband is a good, hard-working man, who has been stuck in a job he really doesn’t like for almost 10 years. He came to me the other day with an idea to cash out his 401(k) and use the money to open a business. He has always loved the idea of going into business for himself, and I want him to be happy, but I’m not sure this is a good idea. Do you have any advice?

A. Yes, I do have some advice. And it can be summed up in one word. Don’t. I admire your husband’s spirit, but the way he wants to approach this turns the entire situation into a trap. Think about it. If his business idea doesn’t work out, you guys have lost your retirement savings, and bankruptcy becomes a very real possibility. Diving head-first into opening a new business just because you’re bored with your current situation, or tired of answering to others, is not a good idea.

Look, I get it. Lots of folks have an entrepreneurial spirit. And everyone I know like that wants to live their dream. The problem is these dreams can turn into nightmares, for the entrepreneur and everyone around them, if they don’t plan wisely and very carefully ahead of time.

In my mind, one definition of a nightmare in business is “going all in.” When you’re playing cards, this means betting everything on a single hand. You never go “all in” when it comes to business.

So, for the moment, the first question he needs to ask himself is this: How can I live my dream without going all in?

For starters, he needs to find something he truly loves doing and can look forward to every single day. To have any chance of success, he’ll have to live and

breathe that idea. I know you love this guy and want to help. So, the best thing you can do right now is express your concerns about his idea, and offer to help him think about what he could do every day that would make him smile. Once he has the answer to that question, the next step is figuring out how to start that business without putting your entire financial world in danger. In other words, how can he save up some money— and start small—instead of blowing your entire savings or going into debt?

If you have some cash other than your emergency fund or retirement fund, it’s okay to use some of that. But never, ever, go into debt to start a business, or pledge every dime you have to something that could be a complete disaster.

It’s not an either/or proposition. He doesn’t have to risk it all to get away from a job he hates and live his dream!