I'm very excited to finally be able to "spill the beans" about a new ministry my brother Frank is starting in Elderon, WI.
Good Samaritan bible study - will meet every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. This ministry has been in the works in this area for over 40 years....honestly. When I was a little girl, we had several families living in the Birnamwood area that attended our church in Wausau. I remember always hearing..."we will have a church in Birnamwood - some day." Brother and Sister Groves and their children waited for this to happen as long as I can remember. Too bad, Brother Groves passed on this Spring and never saw this ministry in the works.
My sister Lori, moved to Eland over 20 years ago and has hosted a Tuesday night youth bible study in her home for almost as long. Her children have been very involved in this youth ministry and have witnessed to MANY friends at their school. Some of which have since married other family members. Some are no longer involved in our church because it is over 30 miles away. Her family has been waiting for a church in this area for many years. Not everyone is willing to drive 30 - 45 minutes to attend a church service and twice on Sunday...
This area is located around 2 Indian Reservations. Since we are Native - we have an established relationship with members in those communities. This area also has MANY Hispanic families - there are many large dairy and potato farms to work at. Frank - is often asked if he is Mexican. I know that being part of a minority, it is easier to be accepted into a community when you "look like" others. I know not everything I say is politically correct - however, it is the truth - as I see and live it anyway. I think that Frank will be an excellent fit out here. I am so looking forward to his being used to share the gospel with those who really need to hear it - including ME! I'm not known for my faithfulness...to a building anyway.
My friend Lisa called me back in February and said "I think I found a church for Frank." She was right! The building was already a church and the congregation outgrew this one and built a new church in Birnamwood. Frank has been trying to go about all of this in the "right" way. I hate politics - especially in the church (that is my opinion). It has taken longer than we expected. I don't want to say anything here that might sound like a complaint. I'm not complaining - rather I'm testifying to the fact that God answers prayers. It might take over 40 years - like Moses in the wilderness - but, prayers have been answered!
This ministry is only a bible study for now. However, I know that there is a need for one in this area. Frank is calling it Good Samaritan - because, that is what he feels led to be. He doesn't want to leave anyone behind, on the side of the road - rather encourage them, help them stand up and brush themselves off and begin their "walk" again. This bible study will more be about the study of scripture not an organization. All will be welcome to come as you are - barn boots and all!
I know I have a lot of baggage - luggage actually - that I carry around. I am so willing to leave it on the steps of this little church and go in and worship - being accepted for who I am and where I happen to be in my relationship with Him. I don't want to pick it back up when I leave.
I have had a tremendous year of growth. Emotionally, spiritually, physically (actually loss not growth) and feel that it will be nice to have a Good Samaritan stop and pick me up and help me brush myself off. I hope I can do the same for someone too. Please feel free to pray for the bible study in Elderon, WI.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Good Samaritan bible study - will meet every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. This ministry has been in the works in this area for over 40 years....honestly. When I was a little girl, we had several families living in the Birnamwood area that attended our church in Wausau. I remember always hearing..."we will have a church in Birnamwood - some day." Brother and Sister Groves and their children waited for this to happen as long as I can remember. Too bad, Brother Groves passed on this Spring and never saw this ministry in the works.
My sister Lori, moved to Eland over 20 years ago and has hosted a Tuesday night youth bible study in her home for almost as long. Her children have been very involved in this youth ministry and have witnessed to MANY friends at their school. Some of which have since married other family members. Some are no longer involved in our church because it is over 30 miles away. Her family has been waiting for a church in this area for many years. Not everyone is willing to drive 30 - 45 minutes to attend a church service and twice on Sunday...
This area is located around 2 Indian Reservations. Since we are Native - we have an established relationship with members in those communities. This area also has MANY Hispanic families - there are many large dairy and potato farms to work at. Frank - is often asked if he is Mexican. I know that being part of a minority, it is easier to be accepted into a community when you "look like" others. I know not everything I say is politically correct - however, it is the truth - as I see and live it anyway. I think that Frank will be an excellent fit out here. I am so looking forward to his being used to share the gospel with those who really need to hear it - including ME! I'm not known for my faithfulness...to a building anyway.
My friend Lisa called me back in February and said "I think I found a church for Frank." She was right! The building was already a church and the congregation outgrew this one and built a new church in Birnamwood. Frank has been trying to go about all of this in the "right" way. I hate politics - especially in the church (that is my opinion). It has taken longer than we expected. I don't want to say anything here that might sound like a complaint. I'm not complaining - rather I'm testifying to the fact that God answers prayers. It might take over 40 years - like Moses in the wilderness - but, prayers have been answered!
This ministry is only a bible study for now. However, I know that there is a need for one in this area. Frank is calling it Good Samaritan - because, that is what he feels led to be. He doesn't want to leave anyone behind, on the side of the road - rather encourage them, help them stand up and brush themselves off and begin their "walk" again. This bible study will more be about the study of scripture not an organization. All will be welcome to come as you are - barn boots and all!
I know I have a lot of baggage - luggage actually - that I carry around. I am so willing to leave it on the steps of this little church and go in and worship - being accepted for who I am and where I happen to be in my relationship with Him. I don't want to pick it back up when I leave.
I have had a tremendous year of growth. Emotionally, spiritually, physically (actually loss not growth) and feel that it will be nice to have a Good Samaritan stop and pick me up and help me brush myself off. I hope I can do the same for someone too. Please feel free to pray for the bible study in Elderon, WI.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Great insight! A person with a true heart for the broken, poor, and minority is really what Jesus called us to have. Jesus said in Mark 2:17 that it is "not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle Frank is one of the few people I know who really understands the purpose of ministry. Its not about the money or the pageantry but about souls! I can't wait to see what God does and to be apart of it!
And this is why she is a social work major. A 4.0 highest honors, Dean's List, scholarship recipient UWSP student. Not that I'm proud...she works hard for her grades.
ReplyDeleteI'd be curious why you (or Frank) think that our area needs a bible study or bible church. No offense intended but the area seems flooded with churches. There are Catholic, Lutheran (of several synods), Baptist, Grace, 7th Day Adventist, and God knows what all.
ReplyDeleteWhat is different about this one?
First, no offense taken. I appreciate free thinking people! Also, what I say here is my opinion - I'm not sure how others attending this bible study feel. I can only share what I think. My desire is for a closer relationship with Jesus. I don't feel I'm being "fed" by standard denominational churches. I'm not saying anything bad about other faiths - just that I don't "fit" in. I just want to have my own relationship with Jesus based on scripture. As a free thinker - I want to read His word, work on myself and not have any denominational politics involved. If you live out here you know how many different taverns there are. (A community should have at least as many churches and taverns). A crowd will hang out at one over the other based on common experiences or where they feel comfortable. This bible study is just like that. It is an Apostolic bible study because we believe in the book of Acts and what the apostles experienced, preached and lived. You are welcome to come, attend and form your own opinion. Thanks for this comment, it really made me think about the 'WHY" to better explain to my followers how I feel. Blessings from Ringle. WI.
ReplyDelete