Compass 13

ISSUE 13 | March-June 2015

THE POINT OF THE STORY P. 6

WHEN FAITH COSTS P. 10 THE NOT SO STRAIGHT PATH P. 20

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FROM PASTOR JESSE Stories are an integral part of life. I still remember stories that my mom and dad told me when I was a kid. A couple decades later I read some of those same stories to my three children. Family gatherings provide opportunities for us to relive stories that have been told countless times but still make us laugh. When someone comes into my office seeking pastoral counseling, it’s inevitable that the individual doesn’t just speak in theoretical terms about an issue, but rather spills their guts in telling their story. As a preacher, I sometimes search my memory for a story that will help illustrate a spiritual truth that I want to share from Scripture. I hear stories at staff meetings, around the dinner table, over a cup of coffee with a friend and on the golf course.

Then, when I want to relax, I sit in front of the TV and get lost in a story created in Hollywood.

JESSE SMITH

SENIOR PASTOR

Each issue of the COMPASS magazine includes stories—real stories from real people in our church family. Sometimes a story is about victory, but sometimes a story replays the intense wrestling match of trying to make sense of difficult circumstances. Hopefully, you will connect with one of the stories on these pages and will be both encouraged in your faith, as well as challenged to live it out in the world around you. And if you feel like your current life story is without hope, remember that when you invite God into your story, He is able to write a new chapter that will amaze you.

The COMPASS also includes lots of information about ministries, support groups and events that our church offers. Please contact us in the church office if you need more information about how to get connected to the First Cov family.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Mark Shetler EDITOR Melissa Shetler EXECUTIVE DESIGN Jessica Ripley PHOTOGRAPHY Christina Harrison, Randy Wehner Cover photo by Christina Harrison CONTRIBUTORS Jen Briggs, Hank Brys, Amy Byrne, Dawn Jeske, Kyle Kerchner, Bryan Krenzin, Tami Krenzin, Tim Layfield, Heather Popish, Mark Shetler

THE COMPASS IS A PUBLICATION OF First Covenant Church of Sacramento P.O. Box 276450 Sacramento, CA 95827 916.861.2240 • www.firstcov.org

Enjoy the stories!

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

Did you like this issue? Did a particular article stick out to you? Interested in contributing to the next issue? Whatever it is, we want to hear from you! Send us your feedback by emailing compass@firstcov.org or post a comment to our page at facebook.com/firstcov.

COMPASS Magazine is First Cov's quarterly publication. In a church our size, it can be an overwhelming task to meet everyone and know everything that is happening.

The COMPASS serves as a platform to bring our church family closer together. Within its pages, you will find true stories about the people and ministries of First Cov. And, most importantly, it will help guide you farther along The Path to becoming a fullydevoted follower of Jesus Christ.

CONTENTS

CLASSIC WORSHIP SERVICE Sundays at 8:30 a.m.

MODERN WORSHIP SERVICES

04 • Thread of Grace 06 • The Point of the Story 07 • Make a Second Choice 09 • Heroes 10 • When Faith Costs 16 • Journey of Grief 17 • A Thursday in December 18 • He>I 20 • The Not So Straight Path 21 • I Was in Love

Sundays at 10 and 11:30 a.m.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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For more information on these ministries, as well as Equipping Classes and Growth Groups, visit firstcov.org

SUNDAY: WORSHIP | KIDS FIRST | ON EAGLES WINGS (SPECIAL NEEDS) TUESDAY: MOM’S CONNECTION | MOSAIC (SENIOR ADULTS) | RENOVATE (HIGH SCHOOL) | 18.25 (COLLEGE MINISTRY) | YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (25-35) WEDNESDAY: IDENTITY (MIDDLE SCHOOL) | MEN’S MINISTRIES | WOMEN’S MINISTRIES THURSDAY: WOMEN’S MINISTRIES | CELEBRATE RECOVERY | CHOIR

COMING SOON WOMEN’S CREATE AND CONNECT | MARCH 14, APRIL 25, JUNE 13 Bring your own project and supplies and hang out with fellow crafters. Come and go as you like, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Please bring a snack to share and meet in the Chapel. Contact Jennie at jnagy@firstcov.org

SPRING EQUIPPING CLASSES | APRIL 26–MAY 17 We offer a variety of classes at various times throughout the week to help equip you to be a more fully devoted follower of Christ. For class descriptions visit firstcov.org/equipping

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS | MARCH 14, MARCH 27, APRIL 18, MAY 5, JUNE 5, JUNE 20 Enjoy a variety of great social events for ages 25-35. Contact Jessica at jripley@firstcov.org

CLUB 45 GO TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO | MAY 1–3 Students in grades 4-5 will experience a powerful weekend of serving the homeless community in the Bay Area. Contact Patricia at pmiguel@firstcov.org

YOUNG COUPLES’ BRUNCH | MARCH 15 Couples in their 20’s-40’s, married 0-15 years, gather for a delicious brunch at 10 a.m. in the Chapel. For tickets and more info contact Suzanne at spennington@firstcov.org

PRESCHOOL SPRING SING | MAY 8 Our Preschool children will delight family and friends in this special evening of song and entertainment. Join us at 6:30 p.m. in the Worship Center.

CHOSEN ONES | MARCH 15, APRIL 19, MAY 17, JUNE 21 Join other families who have fostered or adopted children—or who are interested in fostering or adopting—for conversation, information and encouragement with a light lunch. Contact chosenones@firstcov.org ON EAGLE’S WINGS | MARCH 21, APRIL 25, MAY 16, JUNE 20 Caring, trained workers provide a respite night on Saturdays for special needs children and their siblings, 4:00-6:30 p.m. in Room 103. Contact oneagleswings@firstcov.org JIMBOYS FUNDRAISER | MARCH 22 Support our Mexicali Global Outreach team with their fundraiser at Jimboy’s Tacos located at 11065 Folsom Boulevard between Zinfandel and Sunrise. A portion of every purchase, 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., will go to our team.

PRAYER EXPERIENCE | APRIL 2–3 A unique self-guided, interactive event created to help you reflect on the beauty of the Lord’s Prayer. Allow one hour to participate. April 2, 12:00-8:00 p.m. and April 3, 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Contact Patricia at pmiguel@firstcov.org EASTER WORSHIP | APRIL 4–5 Celebrate the incredible truth that Jesus is alive with our dynamic Easter services. Modern services are April 4 at 5:00 p.m. and April 5 at 11:00 a.m.

The classic service is April 5 at 9:00 a.m.

MOSAIC SPECIAL BRUNCH | APRIL 7 All seniors are invited to this spring brunch with a special program at 9:30 a.m. in Room 200. Contact Suzanne at spennington@firstcov.org CHOSEN ONES SIMULCAST EVENT | APRIL 10–11 Families who are interested, or who are presently involved, in foster care and adoption, have a valuable opportunity to receive relevant training and encouragement through this simulcast event. Contact chosenones@ firstcov.org MEXICALI CELEBRATION | APRIL 14 Hear stories of how God used our team of students and adults on their recent trip to Mexicali. Join us at 6:30 p.m. in the Worship Center.

WOMEN’S RETREAT | APRIL 17–19 Speaker Shannon Ethridge and worship leader Mary James will lead women in an inspiring weekend at Mission Springs Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Contact Jennie at jnagy@firstcov.org GLOBAL OUTREACH LUNCH | APRIL 26 Meet Gary and Mary Lou Sander who work with the Covenant Church in Colombia. Hear about how God is transforming lives in this Latin American nation. Meet in the chapel at 12:45 p.m. Donations accepted for lunch.

MOSAIC END-OF-YEAR BRUNCH | JUNE 2 All seniors are invited to a delicious brunch before entering the summer schedule. Join us at 9:30 a.m. in Room 200. Contact Suzanne at spennington@firstcov.org DANCE STUDIO SPRING RECITAL | JUNE 6 Our dance studio has over 200 children, youth and adults involved in learning a wide variety of traditional and modern styles. Performances are at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the Worship Center. Admission is free.

MOSAIC LINE DANCING | 2ND & 4TH TUESDAYS OF JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST Our seniors’ ministry has a special summer schedule featuring line dancing for all levels of experience. Join us at 9:30 a.m. in Room 200. Contact Suzanne at spennington@firstcov.org CONGREGATIONAL MEETING | JUNE 14 Celebrate what God is doing in our church family at our Congregational Meeting. Lunch will be served on the patio at 12:45 p.m. and the meeting starts in the Worship Center at 1:30 p.m. The agenda will include worship, reception of new members, ministry reports and selection of new elders.

CHILD DEDICATIONS | JUNE 21 If you would like your child dedicated to the Lord in one of our worship services, please contact Carolyn at cmelville@firstcov.org SUMMER BLAST | JUNE 22–26 All kids are invited to the highlight of the summer! This high-energy, high quality program is for children 5 years through grade 5. Contact Patricia at pmiguel@firstcov.org DANCE STUDIO SUMMER SESSION | BEGINS JUNE 29 Fun instruction available in a variety of styles for children, youth and adults.

Contact Carolyn at cmelville@firstcov.org ALL CHURCH CAMP OUT | JULY 17–19 Get to know others in our church family while enjoying the facilities at Lake Francis Resort. Contact Suzanne at spennington@firstcov.org IDENTITY MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP | JULY 23–26 Middle school students will build friendships while exploring relevant issues of faith during this great camp experience. Contact Patricia at pmiguel@ firstcov.org RENOVATE HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP | JULY 26 –AUGUST 1 High school students will be active in a wide variety of fast-paced activities while being challenged to grow spiritually. Contact Patricia at pmiguel@ firstcov.org

Thread of Grace

BY AMY BYRNE

Have you ever noticed themes that God is weaving through the fabric of your life? I admit it’s often difficult for me to discern the intricate ways He is working in my life when I’m in the middle of daily schedules, demands and responsibilities that eat up my quiet space and ability to reflect. But lately I have realized that God has been pushing through the noise, showing me how He has been using the details of my life to do His handiwork in my heart.

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After my husband and I brought home our son through foster care three years ago and navigated the complex road to adoption, the demands of three young kids, one with special needs, seemed overwhelming most days. I was frequently in survival mode, often feeling depressed and on-edge. As a family we were suddenly confronted with odd behaviors such as repeated light switch flipping, an obsession with all things water and the unnecessary hording of toys. We needed to learn a new way of communicating with this sweet boy who had very little ability to communicate with us. Admittedly, I was frazzled.

During this journey, there were days of serious doubt. “Is this really what God is calling us to?” I wondered. “Did I miss something, God, because this is hard, probably the hardest thing I have ever done?” I wrestled with these thoughts and began to share them with a godly woman with whom I have a special relationship. Slowly, God began to show me a theme He had been working in my life for years.

He began bringing to mind pictures of special moments He had orchestrated in my past: sitting and singing with a lonely wheelchair bound orphan in Ecuador, playing in elementary school with the little girl who didn’t speak English or smell the best, befriending the girl in college that was socially awkward and often isolated, and interacting with my nephew who has a severe disability. My memory recalled the hurting children I have encountered as a social worker, the precious people of other cultures I have met on global outreach trips and countless other souls that I have “randomly” met but who have impacted me in significant ways.

God was using these memories to show me how He has been using all sorts of experiences in my life. I began to notice the recurring themes of compassion, kindness, encouragement and justice. He has been patiently training me to see those who are unseen, to make sure they know they are cared about. These same themes are at the center of my growing relationship with God. His acts of compassion, kindness and encouragement toward me are innumerable. I began to discern a deeply woven thread that God has been infusing into the fabric of my life. As new experiences come my way, I sense God’s hand at work, and my heart is stirred to respond in a Christ-like manner.

I have to be honest with you—I am not Mother Theresa.

Remember the three kids, the schedules, the demands and the responsibilities? They often get the best of me.

In my ugly moments I am compassionless, lacking in kindness, without words of encouragement and seeking justice only for myself. I have a long way to go in my endeavor to be true to the heart that God has given me, to live out the life He has called me to. But it has been in doing the hard things in my life that I see Him the most clearly and rely on Him the most deeply.

Oh, how thankful I am that I have a Savior who is never lacking in compassion, kindness, encouragement and justice. He continues to weave into the fabric of my being the threads of unending grace.

Amy Byrne and husband, Jamey, lead Chosen Ones, the orphan care ministry at First Cov. Amy is a Marriage and Family Therapist and mother of three energetic kids. In her spare time she loves reading, crafts and exercising while listening to a good audio book.

WWW.FIRSTCOV.ORG

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The

P int of the

Story

BY JEN BRIGGS

“Through every good thing, bad thing, positive decision and not so great decision, there is a lesson to learn...I have to let my story be used.”

As a writer, I am all about the

story. The details like time of day, clothing, what direction people are facing may seem trivial and unnecessary, but the details are what bring a story together and turn it into something magical.

When I think about my story, I kind of wonder how much of it is actually my story and how much of it is another story unfolding in my life.

I know that I have made choices, good and not so good. There have been things that have happened that have been awesome and things that thus far have no explanation. As a writer, I know that things have been put in a story for a reason. As someone who is a part of a story I have to believe that there is a purpose to my character and the events that have happened in my life.

Before most books hit the shelves, many rewrites happen to give the story more meaning or depth to the

character. Those edits are often the things that make you root for the hero and form a love/loathe relationship with the villain. In real life, I am unable to rewrite my story and for good reason. Through every good thing, bad thing, positive decision and not so great decision, there is a lesson to learn. Depth and meaning are being added to my story. What is done with that depth is entirely up to me. I may not be able to change the way things happened in the past, but I am able use those things towards my future. That means I have to let my story be used. I am not always sure about how that is supposed to come to fruition, but I guess that is not entirely up to me. My choice lies in not sitting on the bench when I have a chance to play.

One thing I have learned over and over through the various things

I have gone through is this: life lessons are often more simple.

I always overcomplicate things because of my deep desire to understand and make sense of things. Take God’s grace for example. I spent years and years trying to earn it. I was in a class one day and a person told me, “Grace is a free gift. It is nothing you can earn.” For whatever reason, it clicked in my head and my relationship with God went from something that I approached in shame to something that held greater meaning. Sometimes I wonder when He is going to say, “Enough is enough. I am done with you.” And then I am sitting in church on a Sunday morning and my pastor says, “There is nothing you can do that is going to make God love you less.”

I am not able to rewrite my story.

There are times I wish I could, either because the pain was too much or because I was the one to hurt others. Although it feels like I am watching other people live the life I wanted, I have also learned the grass is not always greener on the other side. There is a reason for everything that has, and has not, happened. Whether something has an explanation or not, there is something that God is trying to teach you through it.

Jen Briggs has been going to First Cov since high school.

She enjoys reading, writing and baking. Jennifer is involved in the As You Are (AYA) ministry.

Make a Second Choice

BY DAWN JESKE

One of my four year-old preschool friends was obsessed with the color green. The green crayons, the green chairs, literally anything green, were his alone. Most of the time there was enough green to go around but there were some epic meltdowns, especially when the last green chair was taken! We would tell our friend to “make a second choice” and choose a chair of another color so he could learn how to deal with his disappointment and to see that second choices can be just as good and sometimes even better than first choices. Often we would ask him to be a ‘patient waiter’ so he could learn trust and to take turns. Practicing second choices and being a patient waiter really works. I know because I have had to be a patient waiter and my second choice became the best choice I ever made.

I never was one who wanted to be like everybody else. Most of my friends grew up planning to be teachers or nurses. Oh no, not me.

I was going to be a writer or someone famous. I was smart, I had talent and I was going places. So while my friends were learning how to teach reading and write nursing care plans, I was volunteering at the campus radio station and interning at a local advertising agency.

Then one day, as I was heading towards my final semester at college, I realized I really wanted to be a teacher after all. Screech. Halt. Oops.

But it was too late to change my major so I quickly stuffed that desire into my trash bag of regrets and kept on going. My first choice became my second choice and I was stuck with it. Oh well.

I had my career in public relations and, honestly, it wasn’t as fancy or fulfilling as I thought it would be. Fast forward fifteen years. I was married, the mother of two young sons and juggling part-time jobs and freelance gigs around their schedule when I found myself with the opportunity to go back to school. I had taught Sunday School and interned in children’s ministries and I was so excited. This was it; God was giving me the chance to get a teaching credential after all. But with two boys in elementary school and a husband who traveled for work, there just was no way I could make the schedule work. I was so disappointed. Scratch that. I was angry at God for teasing me and then closing the door. A friend suggested I look into early childhood classes at the community college. At least that way, I could teach preschool. I settled for my second choice.

Even though preschool was my second choice, I loved it! I even had to admit to God that He was right. Preschool was a good fit for me. Okay, it was the best fit for me and our family at the time. God even blessed me with wonderful mentor teachers and Christian preschools to work at. During this time, First Covenant was making plans for the big move from La Riviera to Rancho Cordova and there was lots of talk about all the great ministry that would be done in the new building, including, wait for it, yep, a preschool. Sign me up, Lord! I’m ready!

Sometimes you just don’t get your first choice.

I may have been ready but God certainly was not. I remember driving past the church a few years after we had moved in and literally giving up. “Lord, I know I want a preschool at First Cov but if it’s not Your will then that’s okay.” Sometimes you just don’t get your first choice.

And sometimes you just have to be a patient waiter. There were things happening at First Cov that I was unaware of. And then came the day when I was asked if I knew anyone who would be interested in starting a preschool at First Cov. The miracles and blessings that have flowed from First Cov’s preschool ministry could fill a book and then some.

Being a preschool teacher certainly wasn’t my first choice and becoming a preschool director required me to be a patient waiter. I know that this was God’s first choice for me, but I am so glad He is a God who allows second choices!

The founding director of First Covenant Preschool, Dawn Larson Jeske went back to school and earned an MA in Child Development in 2010. Happily married for 35 years, her husband Tom is the preschool’s unofficial, but much-appreciated, Assistant Director In Charge of Some Assembly Required. Never ones for an empty nest, they currently share their home with two fur-children, Teddy the wonder-dog and Elsie the ninja-cat.

ON THE SPOT QUESTION:

WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE OF YOUR LIFE STORY UP TO THIS POINT?

Lost in a Foreign Country Found by Christ —Ida Fuad

My Life’s a Mess But I Can Handle It —Ashleigh Hand

Blessed Beyond Expectation —Sara Hart

Can I Please Take A Mulligan?

Grace for Another Chance —Brian Kellogg

From the Streets to Salvation­— I Didn’t Know I Was Lost —Matt Mason

Evidence of Christ— My Life Testimony­ ­— Olivia Nance

Chosen!

Not Forgotten —Susil Sada

Blessed!

And Still Blessed —Pastor Ted Smith

Arggh!

Praise Be To The Lord —Patty Villarreal

I love heroes.

This is just something you should know about me. I know that it isn’t a unique stance to take, and I doubt that I have ruffled any feathers by saying it, but it seemed important to start by laying all my cards on the table. Heroes inspire me, they draw me in, they shine a light on the world and make me want to be better, be stronger, hold on a minute longer, just be more. It’s that moment in Lord of the Rings where Gandalf rears up on his white horse and saves the battle at Helm’s Deep. It’s the scene in the fifth Harry Potter when Dumbledore shows up at the Ministry of Magic and defends Harry in his futile battle against He Who Shall Not Be Named. It’s the moment in the book Rumo when the title character charges towards the underworld to save his kinsfolk without a second thought of personal safety. Heroes are the hope in the hopeless moment; they are who and what gives us the courage to be what we cannot. I love heroes.

My love of heroes started as a child in Sunday School. We learned many stories from the Bible, but none mattered as much as the ones that focused on one of the heroes: Moses freeing the Israelites from the Egyptians, Benaiah jumping into a pit to fight a lion, Elijah standing

I was so confused. What about the heroes of old? Were they evil and selfish in a way that I hadn’t understood before? Had I been lied to? I needed to know. I started rereading these epic stories and discovered that I had missed the point the whole time. Moses never wanted to be a hero; he just obeyed (reluctantly) when God called him and allowed God to work through him. Benaiah offered his life in that pit to save the citizens of God’s kingdom. Elijah didn’t stand in opposition of the

“

I started rereading these epic stories and discovered that I had missed the point the whole time.”

pagan prophets but stood in faith that God’s name was worth defending.

Esther believed that the Israelites were God’s chosen people and were worth saving. David didn’t view this giant as a mere opponent that he needed to fight but as a speaker of slurs against the most high name of

HEROES

BY KYLE KERCHNER

up to 850 pagan prophets, Esther saving the people of God and (the granddaddy of them all) David slaying the giant. As a child I knew that this was the faith for me. I understood it to be a faith of great strength overcoming evil. I wanted to be a hero so badly, and if believing meant that I, too, could be immortalized in story, I knew that I was in. I practiced throwing small rocks at imaginary nine-foot tall heads and practiced victory speeches. I believed it was only a matter of time. I was in. I was amped up. I was anxious to start fighting, making myself tough with knowledge and strength. I was prepared to be great. I was ready.

But then one day, when I was 16, I met Jesus and all the hope that I had placed in my heroic strength and stature came crashing down. His call was not what I expected. He asked me to lay down my life and follow Him. Not lay it down in an historic battle of champion fighters (which I would have gladly done) but lay it down in the giving over of control. He called me to pick up my cross and offer my body as a living sacrifice. He called me to place my mind, my heart, my purposes on things above and not on my own glory. In easier terms, He called me to not be a hero in the sense that I previously placed my hope, but in a much truer and more important way. He called me to servanthood.

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the Lord. These great heroes had something in common; they all viewed themselves as nothing more than servants of the true hero that was to save the world. God is not offering a chance to share in His fame, but a call to be supporting characters in the epic story of redemption that He is writing.

Encountering Jesus flipped my worldview. I finally understood what true heroism was. We enter God’s story as servants, holding our own names as unimportant side notes compared to the surpassing greatness of the one who called us. In the words of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Kyle Colin Kerchner joined the First Cov staff at the end of 2014. Though he was born and raised in Fair Oaks, he has not called Sacramento home in nearly a decade. Having worked with students in the worlds of camp, college and church, he has come to one simple conclusion: we were made to do this Jesus life in community. Kyle is currently in the process of relaunching our college ministry.

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BY MARK SHETLER

WHILE WE MAY LIVE IN A “CHRISTIAN” NATION, WE EXPERIENCE MANY

BUT WHAT IS IT LIKE TO TRY TO FOLLOW CHRIST WHERE THE VAST

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FORCES THAT CHALLENGE OUR DEVOTION TO

MAJORITY OF CITIZENS ARE MUSLIM AND THE GOVERNMENT IS AT LEAST

CHRIST. MATERIALISM, DETERIORATION OF MORAL STANDARDS AND

SUSPICIOUS, IF NOT HOSTILE, TO THOSE IDENTIFIED AS CHRISTIAN? HOW

A GROWING ATTITUDE OF ENTITLEMENT IN AMERICA COME IN SHARP

WOULD IT AFFECT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR VERY ATTENDANCE AT A

CONTRAST TO THE CALLS OF THE GOSPEL TO CARE FOR THE POOR,

HOUSE CHURCH MEETING WAS BEING NOTED BY INTELLIGENCE AGENTS

PURSUE A LIFE OF HOLINESS AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO BEING

AND THAT YOUR DAILY LIFE WAS BEING SCRUTINIZED BY THEIR WATCHFUL

SERVANTS TO THE WORLD AROUND US. DEDICATING OURSELVES TO

EYES, DETERMINING IF YOU WERE A “THREAT” TO THE NATION?

DISCIPLESHIP IDENTIFIES US AS BEING PART OF A MINORITY, OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD OR RIDICULED BY OTHERS. YES, LIVING AS A TRUE FOLLOWER OF JESUS IN THIS “CHRISTIAN” NATION IS DIFFICULT.

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A few months ago, two young families began attending First Covenant Church. They are from Iran. They dared to be pastors and ministry leaders among a church planting movement in their home country as well as in Turkey. Because of threats made against Christian workers in Iran, the United States government has granted them refugee status and they are seeking to establish a new life in Sacramento.

placed under arrest. The officials demanded that he tell them where Fashid was, but Davoud explained he had no idea. “We will tear you apart!” they threatened, then proceeded to beat and kick him in hopes of ascertaining some helpful information. Frustrated, the guards took Davoud away in handcuffs.

Davoud Kabuli was blessed to grow up in a practicing Christian family, a rarity in the Islamic Republic of Iran. His father has been a pastor there and, despite witnessing the danger his father faced for sharing the Gospel with Muslims, Davoud felt the call of God to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the ministry. In 2005, he was able to relocate to Turkey in order to attend a Christian seminary. It was there that he met his Iranian roommate, a younger Ershak Nia. After receiving his biblical training, Davoud returned a year later to Iran with a passion to share the Gospel with his Muslim countrymen. He worked diligently and the Lord blessed his ministry. People began to respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ, and soon Davoud was overseeing six house churches, all located in one province, with a total membership of about 110. All of these new believers were from a Muslim background.

“WE WILL TEAR YOU APART!” THEY THREATENED, THEN PROCEEDED TO BEAT AND KICK HIM IN HOPES OF ASCERTAINING SOME HELPFUL INFORMATION.

During this time of fruitful ministry, Davoud was privileged to meet Christian leaders from around the country. When visiting a friend’s church, he found himself very attracted to a young Muslim background believer, Samareh Noori. After putting her faith in Christ and connecting herself to a group of new Christians, Samareh began serving the church as a children’s teacher and a worship leader. Davoud and Samareh got engaged and looked forward to doing ministry together.

While there was great joy in his heart for the growth of the house churches and his relationship with Samareh, Davoud and a number of his Christian co-workers sensed that they were in danger. There were no specific signs or threats, but as they prayed and discussed their ministry together, they decided to take some precautions. They became more cautious in public settings and changed their cell phone numbers in case someone had been listening in on their conversations.

A couple months passed and the Christian leaders wanted to prepare for special Christmas Eve services. Because of concerns for safety, they chose to meet in the capital of Tehran where their presence was less likely to be noticed. After the meeting, Davoud went to a friend’s apartment to spend the night. He was awakened at 6:00 in the morning by a phone call from a co-worker nervously reporting, “They are knocking on my door. They are out to get us!” The call was abruptly ended and Davoud immediately called his friend and fellow pastor Farshid. There was no answer, so Davoud quickly went to his house to see if he was okay. After knocking on the door, Davoud was surprised to see a stranger answer. The man presented Davoud with a badge. He was a member of the revolutionary guard. An intelligence agent also appeared and they demanded Davoud’s identification. Recognizing his name, knowing the reputation of his father as a Christian troublemaker, being aware of his own leadership in the Christian movement, Davoud was immediately

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Farshid was found at his mother-in-law’s house and was arrested, as were 70 other Christian workers within a couple of hours. Davoud, now blindfolded, was taken to an intelligence office. He couldn’t see anyone, but he clearly recognized the voices of his brothers and sisters in Christ who had also been captured and were undergoing intense interrogation.

Davoud was repeatedly questioned about the practices of the church members and the roles that different individuals played in the Christian movement.

After 14 hours in custody, Davoud was told that an intelligence agent was going to escort him back to his home city. Unexpectedly, the agent said that he knew Davoud’s father and that no matter what happened to him in the past, he never went into hiding. Determined that Davoud was not a flight risk either, he forced the young pastor to sign a document promising he would turn himself in the next day at the office in his hometown.

Once released, Davoud made his way to his brother’s house in Tehran.

He was also a Christian leader and they together called co-workers to warn them about possible arrest. While Davoud recognized the voices of his friends on the other end of the phone, they eerily responded, “Who are you? I’m sorry I don’t recognize your name.” Everyone was fearful that they were being watched and were to be arrested soon as well.

Although Davoud’s father had been arrested in the past and the family had been frequently harassed by the Islamic Republic over the years, this situation seemed more ominous. Davoud’s mother eventually convinced him to book a flight to Turkey where he would be safe until the situation quieted down. After making the arrangements, Davoud left Tehran to travel to his home in order to retrieve his passport. Reaching his home at approximately 2:00 in the morning, Davoud found that his house had been broken into and ransacked. Everything of value was gone, including his passport.

A quick decision was made that it would be best for Davoud to pay some smugglers to secure his escape by land over the border. He traveled with a friend to the northern part of the country and paid a price of $1800 USD. He hid for two days while preparations were made.

At 6:00 Christmas morning 2010, Davoud and three professional smugglers made a two-hour trek across the border on foot into neighboring Turkey.

Arrangements had been made to eventually reach a car that could then take Davoud to a city where there was a Christian church. Upon arriving, Davoud applied for refugee status, but a serious war in his spirit raged on. The young pastor’s conscience was bothering him. He struggled, “Should I stay or should I go back?” Davoud knew that there were fellow believers still in Iran that were disappointed that he chose to leave. After about a week, six of his co-workers arrived in Turkey, having found a way to escape themselves. It was obvious that they would never again have the freedom to do ministry in Iran. They were blacklisted by the government, just as Davoud’s father had been. They would have to simply trust that the seeds of the Gospel had taken root among the people, and that new leaders would emerge to continue the work.

While Davoud was finding some peace, he remained worried for his fiancé who was still in Iran. Samareh was overwhelmed with grief. Davoud was gone and many of her friends were in prison. She cried continually, asking God to guide her. Finally, she was able to make plans with Davoud’s sister to fly to Turkey. Samareh knew she would not return to Iran if she made it safely into Turkey. She was interrogated by government officials at the airport, but was finally granted permission to make her flight and to be reunited with her groom-to-be.

Davoud baptizes a new believer in a portable pool set up in a house church in Iran.

Davoud and Samareh married in Turkey and dove into ministry side by side, first at an established church, then moving to a new city to plant a new Christian outreach to Muslims. They once again experienced fruitful ministry and were blessed with the birth of their daughter Persis. ____________________ Having been born in a strong Iranian Muslim family, Ershak grew up seeking to follow the tenets of the Islamic faith. As a young teenager, he prayed three times a day as Shi’a tradition prescribes. While he firmly believed in God, he felt as if something was missing. When his grandfather, who had been working in the United States, came home for a visit, he shocked the family as he related his story of being “saved” by believing in Jesus. As his grandfather passionately shared his testimony, Ershak was deeply moved. He and his mother willingly watched the Farsi version of the “JESUS” film that his grandfather had obtained in America. At the end of the movie, both he and his mother bowed their heads and followed the instructions to pray to receive Jesus. Ershak wept. He recalls that he experienced the Spirit of God like a wind in that moment as described in John 3. His grandfather returned to the United States and Ershak was left without anyone to disciple him.

There was no Bible study for him to attend, no youth

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Persis, Davoud and Samareh’s darling little girl, is named after a Christian worker mentioned in Romans 16.

WWW.FIRSTCOV.ORG

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A youthful Ershak leading worship, preaching and baptizing a new believer as part of the Christian movement in Turkey.

group to plug into. He didn’t even know what the different books of the Bible were about.

Later, when in high school, Ershak discussed some of his spiritual questions and thoughts with a teacher. He asked the teacher what would happen if he decided to become a Christian. The teacher respectfully but firmly replied that such a decision was out of the question. He told his student that if he became a Christian that he would always want to talk about his religion and influence others. “You just can’t do that,” he argued.

“You’ll be a heretic!”

The one Christian influence on his life at that time was a television ministry that aired in his city. It was encouraging in some ways, but Ershak still needed something more. His behaviors were similar to those of his friends. He used bad language, smoked, used marijuana and looked at pornography. Several times he and a friend broke into someone’s home to steal money. He was far from living like the Jesus that he had prayed to a couple of years before.

Iran has mandatory military service and Ershak reached the age of 16 when he would have to serve his country. But Ershak wanted to avoid this imposition on his life. He and his family decided that he should go to Turkey to escape the demands of his government. While there, Ershak was able to attend a church, a brand new experience for him. He began to learn more about faith in Christ. At one service, a pastor laid hands on the young man and prayed for him. Something incredible, even miraculous, happened. Ershak was touched by the Holy Spirit in a mighty way and his desire for alcohol, drugs, pornography and stealing vanished.

He knew he wanted more of Jesus.

He read the entire New Testament COMPASS MAGAZINE 14

in two weeks and developed an overwhelming passion to share the Good News with others. He began reading the Old Testament, which proved more difficult than the New, but within six months he had finished it all.

With a deep hunger for more teaching from the Word of God and a passion for evangelism, Ershak asked a pastor he had met for permission to attend the seminary that he ran. The pastor denied his request, citing his young age as the reason. Not dissuaded, Ershak bathed the situation in prayer and regularly emailed the pastor asking him to reconsider his decision.

Finally, the pastor invited Ershak to attend a one week conference in Istanbul. Ershak was thrilled and participated fully in the theological training made available to him there. The pastor was impressed with the sincerity and obvious giftedness of the young man, and by the end of the week gave him permission to enroll in the seminary. It was there that he met Davoud.

After completing the year-long course of study, Ershak refused to accept the popular opinion that he was too young to be a pastor. He began to

share his faith with Muslims, but the conversations led to heated and unfruitful debate about the status of Jesus as compared to the other prophets. No one was turning to the truth of the Gospel. One evening Ershak prayed late into the night and the Lord impressed upon him to read Ezekiel 3. As he pondered the message, Ershak was impressed with God’s instructions to Ezekiel to confront the people of his day with the serious nature of their sin. Ershak gained a new strategy and began sharing with Muslims that the real universal issue is sin and that Islam offers no assurance of forgiveness. Only Jesus could offer that because of His sacrifice on the cross. In a short period of time, about 20 Muslims prayed to follow Christ and a church was born. ____________________ Saghar also grew up in a Muslim family. As a young woman she was devoted to her faith, though her relationship with God was distant. When she was 13, Saghar’s aunt became a believer in Jesus. Eventually Saghar’s older sister became a Christian as well. Saghar had not been convinced that the Gospel message was real. But when her sister became ill with a blood disease, sought prayer from the church, and received a powerful healing, Saghar experienced her own spiritual breakthrough and determined that Jesus was truly alive. She wanted to follow Christ but lived in an area where there was no church. She learned what she could on visits with her sister, but she needed to be a part of the body of Christ to really grow.

ERSHAK DISCUSSED SOME OF HIS SPIRITUAL QUESTIONS AND THOUGHTS WITH A TEACHER. HE ASKED THE TEACHER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF HE DECIDED TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN. THE TEACHER RESPECTFULLY BUT FIRMLY REPLIED THAT SUCH A DECISION WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION. A couple of years later, Saghar’s family met Davoud. It did not take long until Davoud had discipled the family and a house church was planted in their home. Saghar grew in her faith, and was surprised when a brother in the Lord told her that she was supposed to become a worship leader. She had no musical training or teacher, but she began to teach herself to play the guitar and to sing. At first it sounded terrible, but her fellow church members were patient and encouraged her. Her skill level improved and With their seminary classmates, a young Davoud and younger Ershak are in the back row, third and fifth from the left.

God seemed to anoint her efforts. Soon she was the worship leader for six house churches.

Saghar had an opportunity to travel to Turkey to attend a Christian conference in Istanbul. It was there that she met the young pastor Ershak. Saghar was definitely taken with the preacher, but living in two different countries made it difficult to pursue a relationship. Their paths crossed again at a subsequent conference, but still borders separated them most of the time.

In part because of a miraculous healing of her father’s cardio disease, other family members and friends (some radical Muslims), came to put their faith in Christ. In 2012, because of the religious persecution in Iran, Saghar traveled to Turkey once again and this time asked for refugee status. She met up with Ershak but was saddened to hear that he had received permission to move to the United States and already had his airline tickets. Saghar bravely asked Ershak not to go because she had fallen in love with him. He quickly cancelled his plans and decided to stay in Turkey until his bride-to-be also received permission to come to the United States. They married and worked together in planting a new church that quickly grew to nearly 100 members, all Muslim background believers. ____________________ Davoud and his family first arrived in the United States in May 2013 and at first settled in Texas. Several months ago they decided to relocate to Sacramento because Samareh has family living here. Shortly afterwards, Ershak and Saghar arrived in Sacramento as well, and both families have been getting connected at First Cov. These Christian leaders have faced a lot of difficulties both in Iran and Turkey. They are very thankful to be in the safety of America, but their hearts are still burdened for the people of Iran and others from the Arab/Muslim world. They do not claim to understand fully God’s plan for them being here in Sacramento, but they are anxious to share the truth of the Gospel with Iranian and other middle eastern immigrants living in the region. They also hope to dispel the myths sometimes portrayed in the media that all Iranians are evil or that all Muslims are terrorists.

They want the world to know that there is always another side to the story, that many people are not yet Christ-followers simply because they have never truly been told the story of Jesus, and that He is the only one who can bring peace to the tragic story of this world.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE ONGOING IMPRISONMENT OF FARSHID, DAVOUD’S FRIEND WHO WAS ARRESTED ON THE SAME DAY AS HE WAS, VISIT WWW.FREEFARSHID.ORG. Mark Shetler was the editor of the “Raider News”, his high school newspaper and now uses his love for journalism in the COMPASS magazine. He serves as Executive Pastor at First Cov and has a passion for reaching the unreached.

He and his amazing wife Melissa help lead Bridges, a ministry to the refugee community in Sacramento.

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WWW.FIRSTCOV.ORG

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Journey of Grief

BY HEATHER POPISH

W

hen I saw my baby girl for the first time, utter contentment swept through my whole being. I can hardly put into words all of the emotions I was feeling.

Less than two weeks later, my precious Grandma died very suddenly. A grief deeper than I could ever have imagined crept into my soul and took root in what I had expected to be the happiest time of my life.

As the following months rolled by, the joy I felt while holding my baby was always partially hidden by a fog of grief, not unlike brilliant sunlight masked by thick, dark cloud cover. Two completely opposite emotions were both inside of me, battling for prime location, each trying to block the other out.

In my mind, I knew what was supposed to happen. I could use my reason and intellect to support the knowledge that joy should win out over grief. It is healthier to be happy than sad. There was so much for me to be thankful for. However, emotions do not listen to reason or sound advice. They float through you, as uncontrollable as the wind, tearing through logic and ignoring all of your wellintentioned decisions.

If you think you can control grief, you cannot. If you decide you

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should just will it away, it will not work. If you beg others to physically pull you out of this deep pit of despair, they will unintentionally let you down. Only God is strong enough to pull you up and heal you, if you let Him. You struggle through, day by day, hour by hour, realizing your life will never go back to the way it was. That person you loved with all your heart, whom you will now miss for the rest of your entire life, is gone.

But just when you think you cannot continue to live through all the pain and warring emotions for even one more day, something shifts. You realize that you have to make a choice between joy and grief every day.

Letting your emotions dictate your life will cause you to get lost. You cannot choose joy by yourself. You need God to help heal you, no matter how long or painful the process may be.

He has always been with me, holding me up, even when I was caught up in my emotions and couldn’t feel Him. He has taught me that maybe joy can coincide peacefully with grief and they do not need to wage war on a daily basis. Maybe grief is not a dark, poisonous plant whose roots have been watered by one’s own tears. Maybe grief is not so big and strong that it will take over everything else.

Instead, it becomes clear that grief is more like the waves in an ocean. They come and go, ebb and flow. It can be frustrating to feel on top of the world one day, and exhausted by sad thoughts the next, but that constant change is how waves work. Fighting against them will get you knocked over. Wishing they would stop is time wasted.

Waves are strong and they do not ever stop, but they can be lived with. Instead of fighting waves of grief, embrace them. Decide to accept that this is your new life, your new reality. Get your feet wet, listen to the soothing sounds of the water, and enjoy the warmth of sand between your toes whenever you are able.

“PERHAPS WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO COMPARE OUR JOYS AND GRIEVANCES SIDE BY SIDE, WE MIGHT TAKE EVERY GOOD THING FOR GRANTED.” I will miss my Grandma the rest of my life. I will think about her every day, and hopefully continue to dream about her at night. I will look at pictures of us, I can wear a piece of her jewelry to keep her close, and I will record every memory I have of her to make sure I never forget.

But I will also have joy. Grief and joy are not mutually exclusive emotions, but unfortunately are ones that need to co-exist. If only everyone in the world could have joy all the time and never grieve.

But perhaps without the ability to compare our joys and grievances side by side, we might take every good thing for granted.

My baby girl will always be precious to me, but maybe now she is even more so, because I more fully understand how fragile life can be. I know how quickly someone you love can be taken from you. I take advantage of every moment with my baby, memorize every smile and hold in my heart every precious moment with her. She is a little piece of joy inside of me, ensuring that the grief keeps receding and does not take root.

Heather Popish lives in Rancho Cordova with her husband and two children.

She is a stay-at-home mom who enjoys baking, reading and cross-stitching.

Need some help?

CELEBRATE RECOVERY:

GRIEFSHARE:

A Bible-based 12-step program for all kinds of hurts, habits and hang-ups. Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Visit firstcov.org/cr for more information.

LAY COUNSELING:

Help for dealing with the pain of losing a loved one. New groups forming throughout the year. Contact pmiguel@firstcov.org for the current schedule.

DIVORCECARE:

Caring non-professionals trained to listen, guide and pray. Call Jennie at 916.861.1622 for a confidential appointment.

Assistance in finding healing and hope after a broken relationship. Contact pmiguel@ firstcov.org to find out more.

A THURSDAY IN DECEMBER

BY TAMI KRENZIN

THAT THURSDAY IN DECEMBER, WE SAW OUR PRECIOUS AUDREY ON THE SCREEN, AND I JOKED THAT SHE HAD A LITTLE “BELLY” ON HER. LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT LITTLE “BELLY” WAS AN INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG...

A little over a year ago, a Thursday in December, I was excited to see a new image of our second daughter, Audrey, at my 22-week ultrasound appointment.

Up to that point, my life story had not been written the way I had predicted. I never expected to marry later in life. When I finally found my husband Bryan, I did not anticipate struggling to have children. I had to wait for Bryan, but God certainly would not force me to wait even longer to have children—so I thought. After my first miscarriage, I had a difficult time recovering emotionally. Many women have miscarriages, but the fact that they are common does not make the loss any easier.

Although it took some time to get pregnant again, God eventually blessed us with our daughter Kate. When we decided to have another child, I was grateful that it did not take long to get pregnant again. But that pregnancy ended in miscarriage—another difficult loss. I expected that it could be another long, emotional process to get pregnant again.

To my surprise, I was pregnant again the next month with Audrey. I was so thankful that we did not have to wait for her. I became more at ease each time we passed a milestone indicating that she was healthy. For 22 weeks, not one day passed without me thanking God for the gift of another healthy daughter.

That Thursday in December, we saw our precious Audrey on the screen, and I joked that she had a little “belly” on her. Little did I know that little “belly” was an indication something was wrong. The doctor informed us that Audrey had swelling, and he did not know the cause. Testing would need to be done, but the results did not provide any answers. Though gripped with fear, I remained hopeful, knowing God was in complete control and could intervene on her behalf.

A couple of days after we learned of Audrey’s unexplained condition.

I drove to Placerville where it was snowing. I looked around at the magnificence of God’s creation and was reminded of His sovereignty.

I felt a sense of sweet peace in that moment. I would like to say that I remained at peace in the weeks to follow, but waves of fear engulfed me. Our friends and family provided support through prayer and encouragement. Some indicated that they felt at peace, believing that God was going to heal Audrey. Peace, however, is a gift, even if only for a moment; it does not necessarily signal the outcome.

What had started as an uneventful pregnancy now turned into a month of complications and scares. Without knowing the cause of Audrey’s condition, the specialist gave her a better than 50 percent chance of making it. That was very difficult to hear, but as an attorney, I focused on what that meant—it was more likely than not that she would make it. Each day she stayed with us increased the chances of survival. We had to wait. I forced myself to avoid entertaining thoughts of the worst case scenario because I could not imagine having to endure a stillbirth.

Certainly, God would spare me such pain. I told Him that would be too much for me to bear.

For the next month, Audrey seemed to be weathering her condition.

With the weeks that passed, I truly believed she would make it, but knew it would be a tough road ahead. Then, at 26 weeks of pregnancy, we were devastated when the specialist informed us our unborn daughter had passed away. God had answered our prayers for healing, but not in a way we would ever have chosen or will ever understand—He chose to take her Home. Giving birth to her and saying goodbye was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do.

The road to healing has been, and continues to be, very long. But by God’s grace, I am walking that road. I have been a Christian for a long time, but I continue to struggle with this painful experience. I struggle with trusting God’s plan, with the purpose of prayer and with living in such pain and loss. I will never be okay with losing Audrey, but I am trusting that God will finish what He has started in me, that I will embrace, not fear, His plan. Audrey left me with a special gift—I now long for Home in a way that I never have before—to be with her and my Creator and to understand why this was part of our story. Heaven is no longer a distant thought; it defines my hope.

Tami Krenzin is a Deputy Attorney General for the State of California, practicing criminal law in the federal courts. She has been attending First Covenant for 10 years. She is married to Bryan Krenzin, and they have a beautiful daughter named Kate.

WWW.FIRSTCOV.ORG

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HE>I AN INTERVIEW WITH NATHAN DENNIS

BY TIM LAYFIELD

As a pastor to high school students it is my passion to see students

TL: I know you have grown up in a Christian home. What do you think are the advantages of growing up in a Christian home? What are the disadvantages?

ND: A big advantage would be growing up and knowing who God is. Truth is, if my family had not been Christian, then I would most likely not be one either. It seems to me, though, that when someone is younger in a Christian home, there is a lot of pressure to be that “good little Christian” everybody wants them to be. They try to do that good stuff because they want older people to be happy with them. But when they get older and start to rebel against their family, it gets a lot easier to fall away from God, especially if they don’t have Christian friends that care about their relationship with God.

understand the concept of “He is greater than I” (HE>I). Simply put, God is just bigger and better than I could ever be. It doesn’t matter how hard I run, how many hours I study or work out, how much I act like I’ve got it together, “I” just doesn’t measure up to the “HE” who is consistently perfect in every way. Yet, somehow by His grace, “HE” has come to live inside of me and “I” now have purpose for my life.

There is no greater joy for me than when students embrace Jesus and put their faith in Him. They start to discover their God given talents and serve others in His name. Somewhere along the way God’s story intersects with their story and students begin to discover that they have been created for more than this world offers. God’s purposes for their lives begin to take root, and their spirits begin to grow.

Nathan Dennis is a sophomore at El Camino High School. Nathan has been around the church for a long time but he didn’t really have a personal relationship with Christ. Last year he started to attend Renovate High School Ministries on Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings. What an incredible privilege it has been for me to watch Nathan come to faith and proceed to live his new faith out loud.

I recently sat down with Nathan to chat about his new passion for God.

TL: Describe your life before you really starting getting involved in Renovate. What was your attitude towards church? What was your relationship with God like?

ND: When I was younger I liked church, but as I got older and became exposed to the world, my rebellious nature told me that I had so many more fun things to do than spend an hour at church on Sundays. Not only did I not like church but I started creating idols for myself to try and fill that space that only God can. I idolized basketball for quite a while, to the point that my grades were dropping because all I would do was shoot hoops in my backyard. Then I idolized the Navy SEALS, thinking that all I had to do was become a SEAL and I would be happy. These things just kept separating me from God. I still believed He was real, but never really gave Him much thought.

TL: What made you become open to getting involved in Renovate?

ND: I first started getting involved last summer when Renovate would meet in the park during the month of July. Back then, Ben Hill was really the only person I knew, but one day at the park he convinced me to go to Renovate Summer Camp (RSC). I went because it sounded fun but I never knew God had a plan to change my life that week.

TL: How did your relationship with God change at RSC? ND: When I was at RSC, the first thing that hit me was the love I was getting from people I barely knew. That, combined with the amazing messages and “good times” we had, was what really got me to rethink my relationship with God. That week was when I really committed my life to Christ.

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TL: In what ways are you serving Christ now (specific ministries as well as your other places)?

TL: What is God teaching you?

ND: The biggest thing that God has been teaching me is that pride can be a poison. It’s what destroys relationship and can ultimately come between you and God. To have a successful relationship with God, we need to realize that we are not great because of what we’ve done, but because of what He has done in us.

E N RYO

!

ND: Right now, I am on the Renovate student leadership team. I frequently serve at different events put on by the church such as the Golf Tournament and Christmas Mall. At school I try to be a reflection of Christ to my friends that don’t know Him.

E V E R FO SUMMER BLAST JUNE 22–26

A high-energy, high quality program for children 5 years through grade 5. The week includes crafts, art, engaging Bible stories, music, dinner each night and so much more!

IDENTITY MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP JULY 23–26 Middle school students will build friendships while exploring relevant issues of faith during this great camp experience.

TL: What would you say to other Christians who are just attending church but not really involved in anything?

ND: It wasn’t until I got involved that I fully realized who God is and what He wants for me. God is ready to transform your life, but you have to take the first step.

Nathan’s growth has been amazing to watch. Nathan is part of a small group of boys known as “The Brotherhood”. They meet with me weekly to be discipled and mentored. Nathan is preparing his first sermon that he will preach in Mexicali later this month. Growth is a process, one step after another. It takes time. There will be missed steps but we do not have to worry because, “He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world,” (1 John 4:4, NIV). So take that next step. Make that move. You have been created for so much more. HE>I. Tim Layfield is the High School Pastor at First Covenant Church and has been working in student ministries for over 16 years. He has been married to his wife Jessica for 15 years. They have three children, Ethan, Jacob and Mary.

RENOVATE HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP JULY 26 –AUGUST 1 High school students will be active in a wide variety of fastpaced activities while being challenged to grow spiritually.

ALL CHURCH CAMP OUT JULY 17–19 Get to know others in our church family while enjoying the facilities at Lake Francis Resort. Contact Suzanne at spennington@firstcov.org

THE N OT T H G I A R T SO S PATH

BY H A N

I started earning a steady paycheck at 19 when I became a glazier. For those not well-versed in the construction world, a glazier is a tradesman who puts glass in window frames. After many years of working for others, I felt like the Lord was leading me to go into business for myself, but I was worried about the financial strain starting a business would cause.

I got a big break when a Christian contractor I knew was willing to use me for a sizable job. While I was still a bit uneasy at times, I moved forward with the business and the Lord always provided enough for us to meet our bills. Proverbs 3:5-6 became my personal theme: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV)

other contractors reneged on payments they owed me for work I had already completed. “Why is this happening?” I pressed God for an answer. I wrestled with feelings of doubt, discouragement, frustration and fear about how I would lead my family now. Despite my emotions, I decided to finish the remaining jobs to fulfill my contractual obligations. I wanted to be a man of my word.

K B RY S

shop as project manager. Maybe this is where the Lord wanted me.

I started to find some peace again, but after a year of work I was told the shop needed to downsize and I was abruptly unemployed again.

Back to side jobs and working out of my garage. I was humbled. I kept wondering where the straight path was for me.

While the Lord continued to provide us with just enough money to make ends meet, I was deeply motivated to find a solution to my lack of employment. I got a job with a union glass shop as project manager. I was there for about three months when I was let go with no explanation. I started to do side jobs out of my garage to keep our bills paid. After about a year I got another job with a nonunion

My loving wife and daughter actively tried to help me consider what I really wanted to do. I considered a different line of work. I sent out resumes, filled out applications for anything that sounded interesting, considered going back to school and prayed a lot. After a year, there was still nothing. I wasn’t sure I was even on a path anymore.

I WASN’T SURE I WAS EVEN ON A PATH ANYMORE.

Then, I was told that there was going to be an opening on the maintenance staff at the church.

I weighed the pros and cons. I would be making less money than I had been used to in the past, and I felt my pride protest that I was overqualified. I think I heard the Lord chuckle, “Overqualified?

Ha! Ha! I’m asking you to take a

But my path didn’t stay straight.

After seven years of steady growth, my business collapsed because

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step of faith and trust me with all of your heart. Don’t lean on your understanding.”

I applied for the position and was subsequently hired. I know now that this is where I am supposed to be at this stage of my life. I am so thankful for the opportunity to support so many wonderful ministries in this church, and I can say that this journey has taught me to trust Him more and more.

I don’t claim to understand why my career path, or my life for that matter, contains so many seeming detours, but I believe that one day I’ll look back and see that the path He has led me on was straighter than I thought. I guess it’s a matter of perspective.

Hank Brys has been a Christian for 39 years and has attended First Cov since 1994. He and his bride Lisa have been married for 36 years and they have two grown children Nick and Dena, and four grandchildren Evan, Hayden, Averi and Quinn. Hank is involved in Mexicali Global Outreach trips, Lay Counseling Ministries and Men’s Ministries.

I Was in Love

BY ANONYMOUS

I was in love. He was a football player. I was a ghost, not one of the popular crowd. But I wasn’t a rebel either, just one of the ninety percent of high school kids who went to school, yearned to be popular, and yet crept through the halls, mostly unseen and unacknowledged.

Becoming the girlfriend of a football player raised my status from unknown to almost famous.

I got invited to parties I’d only heard about previously, but never attended. Suddenly, I was in on the campus gossip. I smiled more, paid more attention to my clothes, my hair. I was on top of the world.

Until I became pregnant.

I was seventeen. Scared. Not emotionally or physically ready to be a mother. I would have an abortion.

Roe v. Wade had just passed.

Doctors clamoured to jump on the train of enlightened health care.

Women deserved the right to have control over their own bodies. “It wasn’t a baby. It was just a mass of cells. Life didn’t begin until birth.” I believed it. I had the abortion.

Four years later, God intervened in my life in a mighty way. After years of living in the world, it all came to a standstill when I met a man who loved me in spite of everything I’d done, and everything I was. His name was Jesus. He began the process of transforming my life.

I eventually got married, bore two beautiful children and rarely thought about poor choices I had made or the child whose life I had ended. Until the day God helped me face what I had been trying to hide. My past was not pretty, and I hoped that no one would smell the pile of soiled diapers that were disguised by the veneer of being the American version of “good wife and mother”.

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I was by myself, cleaning my husband’s office so he wouldn’t be distracted by the mess when he sat down to do his homework.

Christian music played in the background, and I thanked God for my two kids and for grandparents who wanted to babysit so I could have some alone time. Like sticking a knife into the toaster, God suddenly shocked me by reminding me of the abortion I’d conveniently forgotten about.

I needed healing from that experience. Tears burst from my eyes, bitter and salty with regret.

I fell on the carpet, weeping like I’d done the night I’d received Jesus. I’d finally dealt with the choice I’d swept casually away like yesterday’s dust bunnies.

It seems more acceptable to discuss a whole variety of sins and mistakes than it is admitting to having had an abortion. It seems like the “unforgiveable sin” in some Christian circles.

“You’ve had a what? An abortion?

What kind of monster are you?

Who kills their unborn child?”

I rarely tell people I’ve had an abortion. I wish I hadn’t done it, but I did. It’s part of my story.

And in that story I have found the grace of God. I still think about the boy who’s waiting for me in Heaven. I know there won’t be any anger on his face, only joy to finally meet the one who gave him life, even if it did not result in birth.

I also know that when I look into the face of my Savior that I will see forgiveness, compassion and the assurance that all things have been made new.

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iPRAYER ENCOURAGEMENT THE DIFFICULT SIDE OF PRAYER AND FAITH

BY BRYAN KRENZIN

As we walk with God, one of the most difficult things we face is when God does not answer our prayers in the way we expect. This was never truer for me than in 2014. Almost every prayer I uttered last year was answered opposite of my request. It started with the passing of our second daughter Audrey in January, a late term stillbirth, and continued throughout the year in various other trials. It was a period of supreme testing. I still don’t have answers and probably never will.

I have come to accept that even if I had the answers, I would not be able to understand them in my finite mind.

I find good news in 1 John 5:14-15: “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”(ESV) I have used this verse in my writings before, but it has a new meaning for me after this past year. When we pray and God answers differently than we asked, it requires a raw faith in God to see the bigger picture.

When God said “no” to a miracle for our precious daughter I then had a choice: Do I continue to follow God and see the bigger picture or do I walk away? The verse says God hears me, but why does it seem that the answer He gave to my petition was so cruel? Honestly, I struggled for months with this thought and many times raised my voice (and fist) at God for allowing such tragedy and pain in our lives.

I slipped into a state of heart-felt anger, and bitterness crept into the core of my being.

It doesn’t matter where you are in your walk with God, trials can shake you to the core, test your faith and take you to the edge. I have been a Christian for 36 years and been in leadership for at least ten of those years. I have tried to live a good life before the Lord, but that did not result in an escape from difficulties or sorrow.

The answer to this year’s long wrestling match was simple trust. I had to choose to trust the Lord and so I began to have an honest conversation with Him. This is real prayer. I had to trust Him as the Master of the Universe and accept that He had my (and my family’s) best interests in mind, even though my “why” was not answered. So, I finally had to ask myself, “Is trust just a word I carelessly use or will it be the condition of my heart? If I truly trust my Savior, the bitterness and anger must cease.” It started with a simple, though difficult, conversation, but God met me with the power to trust despite my circumstances and emotions.

The raw anger did not go away overnight, but my journey back has been steady with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Am I “all better” now? Not by a longshot, but I am learning to truly trust Him. I will never be “over” the sting of losing Audrey, but I have assurance looking forward to the day when I can meet our daughter who is in the hands of our heavenly Father. This is the long view of faith, not the faith that produced a miracle, but the kind of faith that carries us through the fire and stands the test of time.

You may be facing extreme struggles right now. I encourage you to talk with God and share your entire heart with Him, including the anger and sadness and doubt. The Bible promises that He does hear your prayers, even the ones that may seem a bit ugly. Conversing with God, no matter how raw it gets, keeps you focused on Him even if it doesn’t sound super spiritual. Your pain may not ever go away, but it can come to the point of being manageable. Bitterness does not have to overwhelm you. It starts with simple trust and an honest conversation with God. It did for me.

Celebrate the incredible truth that Jesus is alive with our dynamic Easter services.

MODERN SERVICES: April 4 at 5 p.m.

April 5 at 11 a.m.

CLASSIC SERVICE: April 5 at 9 a.m.

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