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Becky Henry

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Focus

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There are many authors that God uses to edify & bless my heart just when I need it most!  One of those is Ron Walters featured with "The Pastor's Corner" an online service for churches.  Coming off an extremely exhausting week, it's easy to lose focus.  Life's that way for all of us.  But his article reminds me of just how important it is!

Focus
Ron Walters

fo-cus (fo-kus) noun, [Latin, hearth] 1. A focal point. 2. To concentrate. 3. A center of interest or activity. 4. To sharpen or clearly define. 5. The point at which an object is most clearly seen.

To the casual observer it might appear that Jesus was nomadic, wandering the dusty roads from village to village, dispensing his humanitarian miracles and pithy sayings. A first century Johnny Appleseed who scattered goodness seeds and golden rules like confetti. A kind of half-Houdini, half-Gandhi. A utilitarian genie who attracted disciples like stray cats.

But nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus was the most focused leader and strategic planner of all time. He was a genius in organizational development and human resources. He specialized in visionary management. The world has never known a better synergist, the church being exhibit A. His methods, though ministerial, have been the model for industry and commerce for hundreds of years.

His focus was constantly challenged, but he never wavered. He was harassed by the religious: "The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him." His disciples volunteered new ideas: "...Command fire to come down from heaven to consume them." Even His family questioned his actions: "Why have you treated us this way?" His hometown friends, the ones who had watched Him grow up, "took offense at Him." Satan, too, took his best shot. "All the kingdoms of the world, and their glory, will I give you if you fall down and worship me." But Jesus was resolute with focus.

Though simple, Jesus' ministerial focus was profound and permanent. It has served as the template for every true disciple since.

First, Jesus focused His mission in doing God's will. Nothing was more important to Him. "My priority is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work." John Stott, in The Preacher's Portrait wrote, "I can't help wondering if this is why there are so few preachers God is using today. There are plenty of popular preachers but not many who preach in the power of the Holy Spirit." Stott wonders if preaching God's will is too costly for the preacher. It was costly for Jesus, too. But He remained focused.

Second, Jesus focused His topics of conversations. Every dialogue was deliberate. No words were wasted or lost; they were customized for each audience. "The words which you gave to me, I have given to them." His material was fresh and applicable. To the hurting, He spoke of hope. At a funeral, He spoke of life. To the blind, he spoke of light. To the leper, He offered His touch. To the theologians, He spoke theology. To normal people, He sounded normal. For everyone he put the cookies on the bottom shelf. And they loved Him for it.

Third, Jesus focused His message to a target audience. "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." He gravitated to the needy and the growing. He did not seek out the comfortable or stagnant. His ministry was one of depth, not breadth. He would hideaway with His students for in-depth training. He commanded others to "tell no one." He was unshaken when thousands walked out during His message claiming "this is too difficult." On the night before the crucifixion, Jesus had an audience with numerous Jewish and Roman power brokers "yet He opened not His mouth."

Finally, Jesus focused His energies toward His replacements. "As you have sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." He chose an even-dozen from hundreds of candidates. For three years they stopped, looked, and listened. They heard it all, saw it all, and were involved in dozens of miraculous works. Jesus held nothing back from them. He schooled them in every phase of ministry. They saw him laugh, weep, teach, pray, challenge, rest, serve, heal, answer, and lead. When it was their turn they never asked "How?" They were focused.

Our work is demanding but the model of our Teacher is simple: Focus.                            By Ron Walters 


The simple but profound take-away here is....am I focused on making disciples?  Do I have a deliberate, strategic plan like that of my Lord's, using my all my energy to synergize needy people for His kingdom?   Am I pouring my life into someone...my replacement(s)?  May I never become comfortable or stagnant with the status quo but obediently focused!
 

A Glorious Week!

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If there was a list of "ministries that Immanuel does well", VBS would be #1 on that list as far as I'm concerned!
God brought together over 90 people who ministered like a well-oiled machine with their unique gifts to over 180 children from many different walks of life, churches, and even unchurched.  An army of prayer warriors coordinated by Martha Hancock, prayed daily for every child, family and teacher as we went through the week and the results were very obvious: many excited yet attentive children with 12 coming to the place where they chose Christ to be their Savior and Lord! 
 
Scores of others were impacted by the in-depth Bible teaching on Creation along with relevant apologetics which showed how current Science and History have deviated from the Bible's account of a 6-day Creation, alerting children to the hoaxes that are found even in their public school textbooks. May God multiply the Truth of His Word through our children to a culture that is exponentially denying the Truth of Creation, even among Christians! 
 
Complementing the wonderful Bible teaching was our "Design Time" during Opening Rally, dramatized by Steve Battaglia in totally creative ways!   There were oohs, aahs and laughter as Steve illustrated Psalm 139:14 each day, ...[we] "are fearfully and wonderfully made..."!  I doubt that the children will ever hear this verse again without conjuring up images of mucus, earwax and tonsils!  They all have crucial jobs ingeniously designed by God.
Our missionaries, Scott and Melissa Ogburn shared images and messages from the heart of Albania where they minister in church-planting.  Our children were made aware of the great need to be missionaries with the Good News whether here or abroad! The VBS offering goes to further their ministry!
 
New this year, our children's handiwork in crafts sought to minister to our community!   We made over 200 stenciled pillow cases for St. Mary's Pediatric Ward, over 200 "care packages" of wash rags, soap and laundry detergent went to the Good Samaritan Inn and over 200 book marks to the Good News Prison Fellowship.  Our Crafts Director, Kelly Ober, shared how each was given an opportunity to make a pillow case for themselves and many of the children gave up theirs, to the cause.  They learned to put others first, to share, and cultivated a spirit of ministry and compassion for the less fortunate.  Wouldn't you agree that God was pleased with this!
 
The sanctuary was transformed by superb decorations!  Steve Preas, Sheila Wilder and Julie Eastwood, went the extra mile!  This spilled over into the classrooms and hallways of our church with many teacher man-hours to make it a real adventure for our kids!  The 1st/2nd grade department actually had to crawl through a tunnel to get into their pyramid each day!
 
Our snacks were completely provided by the generous donations of Immanuel's people.  The ladies in the kitchen, directed by Raylene Nevi - a team of 8 hard-workers - fed over 250 each day as well as providing an oasis of refreshment and fellowship for our teachers as their kids enjoyed game time. Thanks to Karen Taylor and Bonnie Harvell, our children had a blast at game time every day, culminating in a water day...brave ladies!
 
Our children went home each day with answers from God's Truth in their hearts, a Scripturally enriching song on their tongue (thanks to Caren and Sarah Cummings), and knowing with certainty that they were loved by their teachers and most importantly, their Creator!
 
God was honored and served this past week as each gave their all with a sweet, sweet spirit of cooperation and love for one another.  And as God would have it, this spirit was contagious.  Those "radars of the human spirit" felt it - our children!  Many parents commented on how their children were sad the evening before the last day, wishing that VBS would not end!  
 
From beginning to end we lift up our God with never-ending praises to Him...the One who made all this possible!
 
 
Becky Henry
Director of Children's Ministries
 

Experiencing God in Children's ministry!

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Vacation Bible School begins June 21st....or does it?  Actually, it began last fall with much prayer, planning and preparation, then watching God provide!   Curriculum came in January, workers began to sign up in March by the dozens,  a total of 80 at this point with all our needs covered!  God provided!   April brought planning meetings and then came Canvassing Day in May!   We prayed and planned for 40 helpers to spread the word to our nearest neighbors and cover at least 20 zones.  Then reminiscent of Gideon's army, 14 showed up and 24 zones were covered!  God provided!  We've already heard from several of our neighbors responding to the flyers!  Requests were made for supplies and snacks...God provided through His generous people at IBC, all needs were met with the help of many gifts!  We're praying, planning and preparing for 300 precious children to share the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord.  We know that if you aim at nothing, you're sure to hit it!  Though we've passed our highest number for enrollment of the last 6 years, we're not at 300 yet....   Should we be dismayed?   Never!   Whether it's 300 children or 150, lives will be impacted and influenced for eternity.  The final number remains to be seen, but we know, in His time and His way...God will provide!