May 2023 Newsletter

Our lead pastor

A note from Rob

Hello North Metro Church,

Wow! I just want to begin by thanking the Lord and celebrating the incredible Easter weekend we had last month. We had over 4,000 people on campus over the weekend, and since the roller coaster of COVID-19, let me just say that it has been a while since we have seen this number in attendance at NMC. That's over 4,000 people that we got to help find and follow Jesus in some way or another. Whether you are checking NMC out for the first time or have been a family member for many years, I am so grateful that you are here. God's house is meant to be full! In addition, 33 people acknowledged Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior for the first time! Come on, somebody!! God is so good! If you are new to following Jesus or want to learn more about who God is or what your next step might be, I encourage you to check out our Find and Follow pages on northmetro.org!

In February, we asked you to fill out a quick survey because we wanted to know about a few different ways we could serve you all better. Well, the results are in! So (drum roll please), we are changing our service times! Starting on Sunday, June 4, we will shift our service times just a little to 9:15am and 11:00am. We believe this change will not only fit our schedules a little better but will also help to balance out the attendance at each service. So make sure to make that change on your calendar!

As school comes to an end this month and the summer begins, I am praying that you are able to find moments in the busyness to rest and enjoy the ones you love around you. We have a lot in store for you as a church, but don’t forget to slow down and recoup because the fall semester will be here before you know it.

Grateful for you,

Rob McDowell

ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

May is the month that we celebrate several different events…the most famous being Mother’s Day. But May is also the month in which we celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage in our country.

As a church, we are piggybacking on what our country is celebrating, but in a different way. We want to highlight those from specific cultures and ethnicities who have furthered or who are currently furthering the Gospel and their impact within the Kingdom of God throughout the years.

One such person is Pastor, Dr. Wayne Cordiero. Dr. Cordiero has become a major influence in my life as of late through some of the many books he has authored, specifically those that he wrote in order to help pastors.

He is the founding pastor of New Hope Oahu, one of the fastest-growing churches in the nation. Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, New Hope Oahu is known for redeeming the arts and technology for the Kingdom of God. New Hope Oahu has seen more than 73,000 first-time decisions in Hawaii since its inception in 1995. Cordeiro is a church planter at heart, with more than 130 churches planted in the Pacific Rim countries of the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and Myanmar. Nationally, Cordeiro has planted churches in Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. He has made it one of his goals in life to invest in future leaders and to release the God-given potential of the new generation through his work as a professor at New Hope Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, and Pacific Rim Christian University in Honolulu, Hawaii.

I recently had the opportunity to sit under his teaching for a few days, and listening to him was like drinking from a fire hydrant. He has been a faithful servant of the Lord for years, and the Lord’s hand is still mightily upon him. His passion for seeing pastors live emotionally healthy lives and finish well is contagious and inspiring.

I know that my time here as lead pastor of our church will come to an end one day. (I admittedly hope that day is more than a decade away). But when that time comes, if the legacy I leave behind is a fraction of what the Lord has done within and through Dr. Cordiero, I will leave this place humbled and grateful.

The Lord is using His beloved children in every corner of the world. It is our joy to honor and celebrate all of our Christian brothers and sisters who have gone before us and stand with us today within the Asian-Pacific American community. Our stories together are richer and more powerful than if we were apart.

Glory be to God alone,

Rob McDowell

Connect

and Grow

WELCOME HOME

SUNDAY, MAY 28 | 11:30AM-12:30PM

Welcome Home is designed to help you learn about everything that makes up North Metro Church and give you the next steps on how you can belong to our family. Visit northmetro.org/events to learn more and sign up.

GROUPS

At NMC, we genuinely believe that we are better together. For that reason, we want everyone to circle up with others in a group. We have three different types of groups that you can join. They include Connection Groups that meet over shared interests such as hiking, board games, or movies; Community Groups that meet for fellowship, prayer, and study of the Bible; and Care Groups that assist anyone walking through difficulty or life transition. If you want to join a Connection Group, Community Group, Care Group, or even start your own group, then check out northmetro.org/groups.

TABLESETTERS

When we serve others, we set the table for them to experience the grace of God. That’s why around here, we call our volunteers Tablesetters. Our goal is for everyone to experience the joy of serving others as a Tablesetter and serve somewhere within our church. Regardless of your schedule, experience, or gifting, there’s a fulfilling place for you to serve here! Visit northmetro.org/serve to browse opportunities and take the next step to serve.

PRAYER

Prayer is powerful. It's one of the most important things we can do as a church. Our staff and leadership would love to come alongside you, fight for you in whatever difficulty you may be experiencing, and celebrate any answered prayers! To share your prayer requests, visit northmetro.org/prayer.

MERGE

Strong, healthy marriages start long before the wedding. To build a marriage that lasts and gets off to a great start, we encourage all engaged couples to participate in Merge, our premarital discipleship class. Merge classes areavailable to those who regularly attend NMC and are already engaged. The next session begins Wednesday, May 24, from 6:00-9:00pm.

RE|ENGAGE

re|engage is a marriage enrichment ministry designed for couples ready to invest time and energy into building a stronger marriage. Through a mix of large-group teaching and small-group discussion, you and your spouse are challenged and encouraged with practical ways to apply the gospel of Jesus to your marriage. Couples are discipled and equipped to grow in their walk with Christ and their marriages by studying and applying biblical principles within a small group structure. We offer re|engage twice a year, beginning in August and January.

DIVORCE CARE

Divorce Care is a mix of support and learning for those currently separated or divorced. We understand that divorce can be one of life's most painful trials, and while God hates divorce, He doesn't hate divorced people. Our Divorce Care ministry is led by individuals who understand what you're experiencing and will support you as you move forward. Through Divorce Care, you will learn how to deal with the heartache of the past and look forward to rebuilding your life.

Care

FOSTER & ADOPTION SUPPORT

Scripture urges believers to look after the orphans in our community. One way we do this at NMC is to come around families in foster care or adoption. In addition, this group is a place to find support and encouragement from others who understand these specific challenges. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

Stephen Ministry is a one-on-one care ministry that supports those experiencing difficult times. Stephen Ministers are members of our NMC community who are well trained in encouraging others enduring painful times such as the loss of a loved one, a marriage, a job, or one's health. If you are facing any of life's difficult circumstances, please consider using a Stephen Minister to help bear your burdens.

FRESH START

Is there someone in your life that has hurt you deeply? Have you tried to forgive, but when you hear or see the person, feelings of anger or bitterness crop up in your life? If so, the ministry of Fresh Start can help free your heart. It is a process that will help you live “Forgiven, Forgiving & Free." It will help you understand what forgiveness is and what it is not.

Women's groups meet on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings. Men's groups meet depending on individual availability.

PURE DESIRE

Pure Desire is a men's ministry that provides hope, freedom, and healing from sexual brokenness through Jesus Christ. Through this group, you will understand how family of origin and trauma impact your behavior, how addiction affects brain chemistry, and develop a plan to create freedom from addiction. Don't let shame keep you from finding help; know there is hope as you walk out this journey with other Christ-followers.

INFERTILITY & LOSS SUPPORT

When God calls our hearts to grow our families, He never promises that it will be easy. But, He does promise to lead when we are lost. So, take refuge in knowing you’re not alone. If you struggle with infertility or have experienced miscarriage or infant loss, there’s a place for you. This month's meeting will be Monday, May 15, at 7:00pm.

WOMEN’S CANCER SUPPORT

Cancer hits with a terrible punch, whether it’s you or a spouse, parent, sibling, child, or friend. We can't take you out of this storm, but we can walk alongside you and hold you up when the weight is too heavy. We can be that safe place to let all your feelings fall. We can have the honor of praying continually for you and your family. We can be that safe group of ladies that get it without explanation or apologies; we just get it all.

If cancer has affected you in any way, we encourage you to reach out to NMC's Cancer Support Group. You will find an amazing community of brave, strong women that have learned to trust God no matter what because He is trustworthy. This month's meeting will be Sunday, May 26, at 1:00pm.

BEAUTY FOR ASHES

Beauty for Ashes is a confidential group designed to provide encouragement and hope to women whose husbands struggle with sexual addiction. We understand the devastation of a husband's betrayal; however, our goal is not to stay in this place of wounding but to seek the Lord for healing and hope. This month's meetings will be Thursdays, May 11 and 25, at 7:00pm.

For more information or to sign up for any of our Care Ministries, visit our Care page at northmetro.org/care.

CONGRATULATIONS NMCU CLASS OF 2023

We are beyond excited to share that our inaugural NMCU Core Class has graduated from our 40-week class of walking through the entire Bible. They completed all four semesters (101-104) on The Torah, The History, Prophets, and Writings, The Gospels and the Early Church, and The Letters. Our first graduating class was comprised of 307 people! After our final teaching in 104 on Sunday, March 26, over 400 family members celebrated the graduates with Zeigler's BBQ, an ice cream truck, inflatables, and games.

Here is what some of our students said about their experiences in NMCU:

What was something you learned that was new to you or helpful to you in your walk with Jesus?

The links between books in the arc of the story are much much more clear to me now.

The way the books are divided into categories and where each book falls & why.

Learning in depth more of God's plans for His people, why He has those in place, and all the threads throughout that lead to Jesus. It's absolutely amazing.

I knew there was a purpose to everything God did. But it was really eye-opening to see how EVERYTHING pointed to Jesus. Once laid out, it all made sense.

All of Revelation was new in how I was able to read it this time.

The “Take Aways” & Biblical Threads were helpful in knowing God’s love, judgment, and justice.

Based on your experience in NMCU, would you find value in continuing on and/or encouraging a friend to do so?

If so, why? If not, why not?

Yes. We are not only taught about the content of the Bible but the context in which it was written and how it all interconnects. The materials and instructors are awesome, and you're encouraged in your relationship with our Messiah.

Definitely! I learned so many new things, and the presentation was always very engaging & as I read through my Bible this year, SO many things jumped out at me from NMCU. I also feel like I know the Bible better, where things are. Previously I had 6+ years of Discipleship Training in another denomination, Inductive Bible Study & Bible years of various Woman's Bible studies. NMCU is upper-level to them all. Thank you! Looking forward to the next modules.

Absolutely! I feel better grounded in my knowledge of the Bible and would love to dig in deeper with NMCU. I would encourage anyone to take this course.

Absolutely. It is an impressively comprehensive study of the Bible. All believers should have a full and thorough understanding of God's word from Genesis to Revelation.

If you haven't jumped into NMCU yet, we invite you to join us during summer school. Classes are offered in-person or on-demand to work around your travel schedule. If you start this summer, you can finish the Core Classes by August 2024, and then jump into the live classes when they resume in September 2024.

For more details or sign-ups, check it out at northmetro.org.

Charles Abrams

Bob Acklie

Susie Acklie

Cindy Adair

Owen Adair

Diane Adams

Mark Adams

Sandra Adamson

Craig Allen

Sue Allen

Caroline Allman

Matt Allman

Olawande Arasi

Dave Armbrester

Jeniene Armbrester

Alyssa Arrington

Andrew Bailey

Laurie Bailey Rush Bailey

Ashley Barnett

MeMe Bassett

Xandra Beard

Clark Beasley

Diane Bellew

Nicole Benson

Jonathan Bermudez

Annie Berry

Sean Berzler

Virginia Blackwell

Jennifer Blair

Greg Blount

Michelle Blount

Keith Bowman

Nancy Bowman

Cyri Boyd

Carolyn Brelsford

James Brelsford

Eric Brown

Jenny Brown

Bill Bryant

Kathy Bryant

Chip Busbee

Denise Cacciatore

Judy Cahill

Karen Cain

Libby Campbell

Tammy Campbell

John Cannon

Alfredo Carbajal

Cheryl Cash

Jeri Chafin

Keith Chafin

Brick Chance

Kristin Chance

Cathy Chapman

Greg Chastain

Janice Chastain

Robert Childress

Vanessa Childress

Leah Chirone

Sean Chirone

Doug Congleton

Jill Congleton

Rachel Cook

Cynthia Crowell

Ed Crowell

Philip Cunard

Susan Cunard

Shanna Daigle

Jean Daniel

Jim DeLozier

Kim DeLozier

Rudy Diaz

José Díaz

Kim Dover

Randy Dover

Glenn Drennan

Jana Drennan

Lou Duckwall

Denis Duncan

Kara Duncan

Bonnie Dye

Caitlin Eastin

Kevin Eaton

Lydia Eaton

Mark Eberhard

Reeny Eberhard

Irene Edmister

Sarah Edmunds

Renee Edwards

Daniel Eidson

Jo Ellen Ellis

Brian Ellison

Courtney Ellison

Dale Enix

Becky Everette

David Farmer

Mallory Farmer

Andy Feldman

Paula Fellabaum

Rion Flynn

Fonda Froistad

Nancy Gaby

Candance Gales

David Gallion

Lisa Gallion

Elvira Gavina

David Gillham

Harriett Gillham

Brian Goldsmith

Kelly Goldsmith

Mark Graham

Nikki Graham

Jontisha Graves

David Green

Jill Green

Melanie Grindstaff

Nick Grosse

Robert Hardy

Catherine Harold

Jim Harold

Misty Haynes

Shannon Herring

Tyler Herring

Daniel Hicks

Don Hicks

Lina Hicks

Karen Hill

Kevin Hofmann

Lisa Hofmann

Deborah Holland

Shawn Holland

Vicki Holland

Elaine Hulon

Chris Hunter

Mike Hunter

Lee Hurtt

Patricia Hurtt

Steve Ingram

Grady Ireland

Celia Jernigan

Brad Johnson

Herb Johnson

Martha Johnson

Brooke Johnston

Chuck Johnston

Eileen Johnston

Byron Keel

Kelley Keel

Holly Keeshen

Chris Kelly

Tim Kelly

Marshall Kennemer

Cheryl King

Phil Kirkland

Susan Kirkland

Dreama Koltvedt

Les Koltvedt

Cindy Kroeger

Mary Pat Lacy

Andy Lampert

Ann Lampert

Caleb Lampert

Sunny Lampert

Janice Lawson

Chris Levine

Terri Levine

Annette Lewis

Barbara Lilley

Douglas Lilley

Lori Loving

Mike Loving

Debbie Magee

Jess Magee

Tom Magee

John Maggard

Suzanne McGeary

Matt McGee

Maureen McGee

David McGinnis

Maggie Meacham

Stephanie Meacham

Alyssa Meiste

Trevor Meiste

Kevin Melby

Marlene Melby

Kate Mickler

Claire Miles

Tim Miles

Craig Miller

Janice Moore

Dana Morelly

Debbie Moreno

Jim Mosman

Lynne Mosman

Indira Moss

Chris Murphy

Chrissy Murphy

Rebekah Nama

Erin Nason

Janet Nesbitt

Lisa Newberry

Ralph Newberry

Carole OKelley

Mary Overstreet

Vicki Pannell

Diana Pethel

Dave Piotter

Michelle Piotter

Jill Pivato

Tony Poole

Denise Porter

Yannick Post

Sydney Price

Wanda Rademacher

Amy Rainey

Braxton Rainey

David Reed

Carrie Reeser

Ryan Reeser

Gretchen Reif

Chip Renno

Tammy Renno

Susan Rittenberg

Carl Roach

Amy Robinson

Tim Robinson

Janice Roche

Laura Rock

Lori Rockwell

Ronald Rockwell

Brian Russell

Lesa Russell

Katie Sanders

Scott Sanders

Penny Santner

Tosin Sanya

Brenda Segal

Becky Sessions

Lewe Sessions

Diane Shepard

Daniel Shields

Kelsey Shields

Heather Simoneau

Sheri Sitton

Angela Smith

Barbara Smith

Courtney Smith

Dan Smith

Nadia Smith

Susan Smith

John Snyder

Melissa Snyder

David Sparks

Lenee Sparks

Kevin Spillane

Peggy Spillane

Theron Stancil

Karen Stannard

Claire Starks

Dana Starks

Karl Steinichen

Samantha Stenger

Vicki Stephens

Lawanda Stewart

Kim Suchan

Chris Sutton

Pam Sutton

Ginny Swancy

Brad Thomas

Susan Thomas

Abigail Tipton

Josh Tipton

Joy Titus

Alfredo Tovi

Beth Tovi

Nancy Townsend

Ward Townsend

Kim Tucker

Richard Tucker

Stephen Tynes

Jim Underwood

Sandy Underwood

Tiffany Vaca

Brittany Van Galder

Daniel Van Galder

Terry Varner

Nikki Verna

Robb Verna

Bridget Watson

Katherine Watson

Barbara Williams

Dan Williams

Greg Williams

Latrice Williams

Kim Williamson

Marian Williamson

Suzie Winship

Grace Winter

Jack Winter

Dottie Wobb

Kyndell Woodward

Nathan Woodward

Edward Wostbrock

Liz Wostbrock

Suzette Yeomans

Jenifer Youssi

Like any normal marriage, Shawn and Amanda Goodrich have experienced their fair share of challenges in the last 14 years.

They constantly struggle to balance two demanding jobs, two busy boys, family activities, finances, and personal time. As pressures mounted over the years, they began fighting over every detail–or not talking at all. They sought traditional marriage counseling to help strengthen their relationship, but things only grew worse.

"We went through a couple of marriage counselors, and it was deflating," Shawn says. "They would pit us against each other and create tension. We wanted our marriage to work, but we needed something vastly different. We were at our last straw."

Then, when Shawn and Amanda experienced a difficult family event, the added stress and difficult emotions brought them to their breaking point. They didn’t know where else to turn and were close to calling it quits–but they weren’t ready to give up just yet.

A Calling to Get Involved

Luckily, just a few years prior, a good friend invited Shawn and Amanda to attend a Sunday service at North Metro Church.

Although they both grew up believing in God, getting to church wasn’t a priority for a long time. But Shawn felt a stirring in his heart to press in deeper with the Lord–and they both thought going to church would be good for their family–so they accepted.

The Goodrich family started attending NMC sporadically. As the messages began to hit home, Shawn and Amanda found themselves drawn more and more to the church.

One Sunday, Amanda heard about re|engage, NMC’s care ministry for couples who want to invest in their marriages through a Christ-centered approach. Shawn and Amanda were immediately interested, but their busy schedules prevented them from joining.

But one year later, still struggling in their marriage, they knew it was time to act.

"I saw in the newsletter that NMC was hosting re|engage again," Amanda says. "We were in between marriage counselors, and we had to do something–or it wasn't

going to end well. Re|engage stuck out to me every time it came around, like something was telling me we should do this. So I went to Shawn, and he agreed. We decided we needed to make re|engage work."

With the help of friends and NMC’s childcare reimbursement support, Shawn and Amanda were able to secure coverage for their boys so they could attend the classes. They signed up for re|engage and plunged ahead with trepidation–but also with hope.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Although Shawn and Amanda weren’t sure what to expect with re|engage, they quickly found they weren’t alone in their struggles and concerns.

In fact, their small group had couples from all different stages of life, from newlyweds to grandparents. Some were in active crisis, like Shawn and Amanda, but others were participating in re|engage simply to build and maintain a strong and healthy marital foundation. But no matter their background or story, each couple had wisdom, insight, and experiences to share.

For Shawn and Amanda, the re|engage environment was a breath of fresh air.

"Everyone had similar problems," Shawn says. "There's no fear of judgment here. We could laugh and joke about things as a group, and it wasn’t me and Amanda against each other. For us, re|engage was more relaxed and much better than seeing a marriage counselor. It felt like God was here to help us, and he wanted us to be together."

For 10 weeks, their small group gathered to discuss deep topics in their marriages. Although Shawn and Amanda admit it took a few sessions for everyone to get comfortable, it wasn’t long until the conversations took off and close friendships blossomed.

“It was a little awkward at first,” Amanda says. “But after a few weeks everyone is very open. It’s extremely helpful to hear different stories and ideas. And the group leaders are there to guide us. Overall, re|engage has been a great community for us. By the end, you know about each other’s lives, and you’re sharing advice. It pushes you and drives you to work on your marriage.”

Today, Shawn and Amanda are wrapping up their second round of re|engage. Their

first experience helped them comprehend and digest the concepts. This time, they’ve been able to fully soak in what they’ve learned and communicate at an even deeper level. As re|engage veterans, they even spark “icebreaker” conversations at their table and provide guidance for first-time members.

On the Path To Healing and Restoration

Although Shawn and Amanda aren’t quite where they want to be, their marriage is healing and on the path to restoration. They’re learning and practicing humility, grace, forgiveness, patience, and the art of letting things go. Re|engage has even helped them with parenting–and their kids are noticing the positive difference all around.

“We’re far from perfect,” Amanda says. “Life is still there, and we still have arguments. But what’s changed is we’re handling situations differently and working together now instead of fighting. We’re also spending more time together and making it a point to show each other affection.”

Shawn and Amanda continue to lean on their re|engage small group community, inside and outside the classroom. They check in on each other, gather for social events, and try to sit together during church. Best of all, if they ever need guidance or support, a helpful and listening ear is only a phone call away.

Their experience with re|engage has strengthened their faith and brought them closer to each other – and to God. They’re consistently coming to church, praying more, and seeking the Lord individually and as a couple.

“To see people come back from really bad situations, to see a radical transformation in a marriage–that makes it feel promising for yours,” Amanda says. “It’s freeing to feel like you’re not alone and at a loss anymore. We were broken, but going through this showed us there’s a reason God put us together. He’s softening our hearts. Re|engage goes beyond your marriage. It’s amazing – and worth it.”

The next re|engage class begins in August. Go to northmetro.org/events to sign up for the re|engage interest meeting and the class!

Gather July 27-30 with NMC family members for our Hunger Revival with powerful worship and guest speakers. Mark your calendars and get ready to seek after God together. More details to follow.

IT’S BACK! IT’S BACK! IT’S BACK!

The NMC Kids podcast, Talk of the Town, is back for its fourth season! This summer, we’re going to explore God and science through the creation narrative. We’ll take time in each episode to explore a different day and aspect of creation. Then, we’ll talk through a science experiment that goes along with our story! You and your family can do these experiments at home and talk about God’s wonderful creation. Kids can also watch the experiments on our Town Square YouTube channel, where our Kid Talk kids will demonstrate each one. At the end of each episode, we’ll dig a little deeper into how to apply what we’ve learned to our lives.

We know that families look forward to the Talk of the Town podcast each summer. Our hope and prayer is that by learning more and experiencing God’s creation in a new light, kids will grow in their relationship with Him. Our goal is for kids and families to explore Bible stories, characters, and how it all points back to Jesus. Explore with us this season on Talk of the Town: God of Science!

Upcoming

CHURCHWIDE

BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, MAY 21 | 11:30AM

One of our favorite things here at NMC is celebrating life change through water baptism. If you’re ready to take this step in your faith journey, we invite you to attend the next adult baptism class. For more information about our beliefs on baptism and to sign up for the class, visit northmetro.org/baptism.

MOBILIZATION

SATURDAY SERVE

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 | 8:30AM

Join us Saturday, June 3, for a time of serving and loving our community. We will serve with Hands Extended International, MUST Ministries, and Bethany Christian Services. Sign up by visiting northmetro.org/serve.

WAYMARK ROYAL FAMILY KIDS CAMP

SUNDAY, JUNE 4 - FRIDAY, JUNE 9

Since 2008, Waymark has provided a oneweek, overnight camp for children ages 6-12 in the foster care system. These camps serve to create positive memories and instill the truth that they are loved, valued and God has a plan and purpose for their life. Children experience activities such as swimming, fishing, horseback riding, rock climbing, canoeing, Chapel, and team

games, as well as specialized activities such as “Everybody’s birthday party,” a Superhero Event for the boys, and a Princess Ball among many others. Children receive a memory bag, Bible, photo album, and mail throughout the week. You can serve at an activity, for a day or the week, and/ or sponsor a child to go camping! Connect with our Mobilization Director, Bud Darr, at bdarr@northmetro.org to get involved.

CIRCLES USA

Did you know that here in Cobb County, over 17% of our children live below the poverty line? The ramifications of poverty are heartbreaking and can include homelessness, food insecurity, and children being removed from their homes and entering the foster care system simply because their families cannot afford to adequately care for them. Circles USA works to move families out of poverty, and you can be involved in this work in many ways, including offering a meal, becoming an ally, and so much more. To serve with Circles USA, go to northmetro.org/serve.

WAYMARK COMMUNITY4YOUTH

A way to serve and connect with teens and kids is through Waymark's Community4Youth Mentoring program, which includes one-on-one and group mentoring (Compass Groups). Community4Youth mentorship program provides a support system for kids in foster care through connections made with caring adults. Connect with our

Mobilization Director, Bud Darr, at bdarr@northmetro.org to get involved.

CHARACTER EDUCATION MENTORING AT KENNESAW MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

You can invest in the next generation by becoming a mentor to encourage students every month at Kennesaw Mountain High School (KMHS). As a mentor, you'll help facilitate the social-emotional curriculum, Habitudes by Dr. Tim Elmore. This is an opportunity to engage students in the public school environment, where they spend so much time—all while equipping them with tools for healthy leadership in their world and the world around them. Take the next step by emailing Jill Stewart at jstewart@northmetro.org or check out the details at northmetro.org/serve.

KIDS

NMC KIDS AT THE PARK

SATURDAY, MAY 6 | 1:00-3:30PM

We're taking Town Square out of the building for some games, ice cream, and a whole lot of fun. We will be at Lost Mountain Park! You'll find Mobi and us from 1:00pm to 3:30pm and we'd love to see you there! See our website for more information and the address to the park. There is no cost or sign-up for this event, so invite your friends and family and stop in anytime.

you & your family

ELEMENTARY BAPTISM CLASS

SUNDAY, MAY 7 | 9:30-10:15AM

This 45-minute class is designed for you and your child to attend together. If your elementary-aged child has already taken the step of salvation, this class is the perfect next step! For more information on the baptism process, visit northmetro.org/ events.

TOWN SQUARE OFFERING

The Kids Clean Water Project is receiving 100% of our Town Square offering. This project brings clean water and Christ's love to those around the world in desperate need of both. By doing this, they experience love and hope. We want to help provide clean drinking water for families who may have never had clean water before. Every $10 we raise means another child can have clean water for ten years.

PARENT AND KID RESOURCES

We know that sometimes parenting can feel overwhelming, and you don't know what resources to trust. Have you ever wondered how to engage in conversations with your kids about gender, identity, and sex? Or do you want to help your kids build a better Biblical vocabulary? We have picked out a few of our favorite resources that can be found on our website at northmetro.org/kids.

STUDENTS

SHIFT

SUNDAYS | 9:30AM & 11:30AM

Shift is our environment for 5-7th grade students. Through teaching, worship, games, and connections in small groups, we help students find and follow Jesus. We meet during all Sunday morning worship services in the Shift Room.

SHIFT NIGHTS

2ND & 4TH WEDNESDAYS | 6:30-8:00PM

We believe friendships and an incredible community can profoundly shape our students' lives. So we want to invite our 5-7th students and their friends to our Shift Nights on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month to have time to build additional community and stronger friendships with other students in Shift. Join us for everything from movie nights to large group games. These nights are always free, and dinner is provided. Drop off your student at the Cafe doors and have them meet us in the Shift Room.

COMPASS

SUNDAYS | 6:30-8:30PM

Compass is our environment for 8-12th grade students. Through teaching, worship, events, and small groups, we help students find and follow Jesus. Follow us on Instagram @nmcstudents to know about

upcoming services and events, or check out the schedule online at northmetro.org.

COLLEGE

COLLEGE BIBLE STUDY GROUP

TUESDAYS | 6:45-8:30PM

College students, join us on-campus under the outdoor Pavillion for our NMC College Bible Study Group. We will experience community, dive deep into Bible study, and share a meal! This is a place for you, no matter what your walk with God looks like. For more details, visit northmetro.org/college.

PAID COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The College Internship Program is a paid internship designed for enrolled college students. This program is for students who want to understand and experience all the inner workings of the local church to decide if they want to pursue vocational ministry. It’s designed to make them more aware of their character, competency, strengths, and weaknesses while increasing their understanding of the disciplemaking process. In addition, they will have the opportunity to explore different ministries behind the scenes and what is needed to make each ministry function and thrive. If you're interested in applying for the 2023-2024 school year, check out northmetro.org/intern-program or email Rebecca Ross at rross@northmetro.org for more details.

An update from Ivan Mijango. Redeemer's House or Casa del Redentor is North Metro Church's international ministry in Panajachel, Guatemala.

Redeemer's House Hospital Trip

Last month Redeemer's House was invited by the Ríos de Gloria ministry to participate in a visit to the national hospital in Retalhuleu, a city located 4 hours from Panajachel (Redeemer's House base).

In Guatemala, approximately 70% of the population does not have health insurance and cannot pay for services in a private hospital, so national hospitals constantly exceed their maximum capacity to care for this percentage of the population.

When we serve with Ríos de Gloria, we take care of cooking the food for dinner and packing bags with personal hygiene items and snacks

since, during their hospital visits, patients only receive one meal a day and cannot have visitors at any time. Many people lack something as essential as toilet paper or even a glass of purified water.

Upon entering the hospital, the Redeemer’s House team immediately went to the maternity section where all the mothers who have just given birth and those who are about to do so are located. We had the opportunity to pray for each one of them and share a plate of food and some bags that we had prepared. Some women had sadly lost their babies and were heartbroken; we were able to talk and hug them in

that difficult moment and share the Word of God.

By the end of the night, the team had served more than 250 meals and prayed for each patient who was admitted to the hospital, some terminally ill, some full of questions about their future, and some hoping for good news. Each member of the Redeemer's House staff had a different experience, but without a doubt, we all agree on something: a hug, a smile, and a prayer seem to be very simple, but they make a difference in the lives of the people with whom we can share the love of God every week, and that's the DNA of Redeemer's House.

We get to partner with Redeemer's House to help people find and follow Jesus in Guatemala because of your obedience in giving. To get involved, you can go to northmetro.org/serve.

Ivan Mijango Casa del Redentor Director

2025 GOALS

As we head toward the year 2025 we are praying our guts out and being fully dependent on the Lord! He has entrusted us with our vision, to “Be Missed,” and our mission, “We Help People Find and Follow Jesus.” To live that out, we have set three God-sized goals to aim for as a church.

GOAL #1: HELP 1,000 PEOPLE FIND JESUS

PEOPLE FOUND 71

PEOPLE ENROLLED IN NMCU

1,428

We’re telling our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers about our great God who loves us immeasurably more than we can imagine. We want to celebrate with you if you’ve played a part in helping someone move from death to life or if you came to faith in Christ! We invite you to share your story by visiting the Contact Us page at northmetro.org.

3

Before Jesus left the disciples, He said, “Go make disciples.” A tangible way to see that hope realized is through our discipleship program, NMCU. We’re looking to see 1,000 people faithfully following Jesus, equipped with knowledge of Scripture, to ultimately share their beliefs with others. NMCU creates disciples that make disciples.

Church plants are an expression of our multiplication strategy, multiplying the mission to help people find and follow Jesus. We currently support three church plants including Take Hold in Scotland, Grace Auburn in Auburn, Alabama, and Creekside in Dallas, Georgia.

YTD March 2022

Income: $5,043,286.22

Expense: $4,003,943.37

Over(under): $1,039,342.85

Saturday,

Sunday,

Sunday,

Adult Baptism Class 11:30am

Sunday, May 28 We Want a King 9:30am & 11:30am

Sunday,