February 2020 Connections

Connections Proclaiming the GOSPEL

LOCAL & GLOBAL STORIES, NEWS AND EVENTS of COLLEGE CHURCH

"The strength of her walk lets me know that I can be strong; her courage shows me I can be bold."

See Remembering Nonna

by Terri Kraus on page 11.

FEBRUARY 2020

Historic Outreach

Serving

Insight

George Whitefield

Don’t Quit Your Day Job

Worth the Work

PASTOR JOSH MOODY | 9

DR. DAN BURDEN | 12

PASTOR DAN HIBEN | 18

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

February Highlights

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ReSet Men's Conference | TONY DILEONARDI

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George Whitefield: The First Blogger | JOSH MOODY, SENIOR PASTOR

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"I have always been best friends with books" | MEDIA ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL

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LittAfrica: A Bright Future for African Readers | JOHN MAUST

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Remembering Nonna | TERRI KRAUS

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Don’t Quit Your Day Job | DR. DAN BURDEN

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A Long-term Commitment for the Mid-Term—God’s Work Around the World

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Choose to Fly | PAT CIRRINCIONE

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Worth the Work | DAN HIBEN, JUNIOR HIGH PASTOR

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Featured books this month

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New Members

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Milestones

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Around Town

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Looking Ahead

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS Sunday Mornings SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES—8, 9:30 & 11 a.m.

February 2: Strong: The Four Forgotten Truths About God’s People from the Book of Joshua “You Must Make a Choice” Joshua 24:14-28 NEW PREACHING SERIES from Pastor Josh Moody "How Jesus Acts Through Us Today" on February 9 and 23.

February 9: “What Jesus Is Continuing to Do” Acts 1:1-11 February 16: Pastor Eric Channing will preach in our morning services on Psalm 15.

February 23: “Filled with the Spirit of Jesus” Acts 2:1-13

Sunday Evenings SUNDAY EVENING SERVICES—6 p.m.

February 2: One New People Ephesians 4:17-24, Pastoral Resident Michael Walker preaching February 9: One New People Ephesians 4:25-32, College Pastor Ben Panner preaching February 16: One New People Ephesians 5:1-14, Pastoral Resident Mike Solis preaching February 23: One New People Ephesians 5:15-21, Junior High Pastor Dan Hiben preaching

Women's Ministries Monthly Gathering Join us for our next Women's Ministry Monthly Gathering on Saturday, February 8, at 9 a.m. in Welsh Hall. This gathering is the first in a series of three where we answer the question, "What does Christ change for our relationships as believers?" The topic we will address this month is the important topic of singleness. During our time together, we will discover what the Bible says about singleness, learn how to think more theologically about it, and rejoice in knowing just how those who are single are vital members of the church body. This topic is important for both married and single women of all ages and we hope to see many of you there.

Women's Bible Study 9:30-11 a.m./6:45-8:15 p.m.

It is not too late to join us as we continue our study in 1 Peter. For more information and to register please visit www.college-church.org/adults/women.php

Mom2Mom Monday, February 3, (9:30-11 a.m.) Commons Hall Are tantrums and timeouts a part of your daily routine? Bundle up your children and join us for our February large group gathering as we

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discuss the topic of disciplining children. We’ll seek to provide perspective on why we need to discipline children and think through tactics to help get you through the week with little ones.

Monday, February 24 (9:30 – 11 a.m.) Commons Gym Winter days can feel long when the weather keeps you inside all day with little ones. Take a break from the winter doldrums and join us for our Arts & Crafts Gym Play Date. Christina Samuell will host this special play date in the gym for the children while moms enjoy a coffee break. You won’t want to miss this!

TGC Women’s Conference

Student Ministries Junior High • Our Winter Retreat is February 7-9 at Phantom Ranch Camp in Wisconsin. Mike Solis will be our speaker for the weekend.

• We are finishing a teaching series in 1 John on Wednesday evenings and spending a few weeks looking at portions of the Book of Hebrews on Sunday mornings.

• We continue to enjoy spending Friday mornings and Friday afternoons hanging out with each other at Morning Fellowship and Commons House.

( June 11-13) Use discount code [COLLEGECHURCH] for $25 off the registration price. Looking for other women from church attending the conference? If you’re going, let us know! We’d love to plan a meetup for College Church women at the conference.

Men's Ministries Men’s Gathering Saturday, February 8, at 7:30 a.m., Commons Hall Join us for a hot breakfast as Pastoral Resident Jacob Warren teaches on Acts (Storyline of the Bible), “How the Church Came to Be.”

Men’s Bible Study It is never too late to join!

Using video and table discussion, we are working through Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology. Daunting? Perhaps.

Worth it? Absolutely. Together, we’re going to dig a little deeper and develop our spiritual muscles so that we can press on in our faith and faithfully bring others with us! Join us on Wednesday nights in the Commons from 6:45 - 8:15 p.m. in room C002.

Grace Group Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety and other problems with mood stability are real and need compassionate support. Living Grace and Family Grace group meets together biweekly on Monday nights at 7 p.m. with occasional breakout sessions into two groups. Living Grace is meant for the person who is living with the pain of difficult mental and emotional issues; Family Grace is for the person who has a loved one who struggles with these issues. For schedule details and more information, email gracegroups@college-church.org or pick up a brochure at one of the kiosks.

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FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS CONT. Becoming One Becoming One is a class for engaged, preengaged and newly married couples. It provides a biblical perspective on topics such as the covenant of marriage, roles of husbands and wives, finances, intimacy, communication and conflict resolution. The class meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m., through April 5. If you have questions or would like to register, please contact Christy at marriage@college-church. org. Registration fee of $35 per couple covers materials and an online inventory.

Keenagers Keenagers is the name that, for 40 years, has defined seniors (55 and above) here at College Church.

Keenagers includes people who serve in children’s ministries, music ministries, Adult Communities and church leadership and fellowship together as senior adults.

The group gathers on Fridays between September and April at 5:30 p.m. for fellowship, punch and a buffet dinner. Each dinner is opened with a ministry staff member interview, and an opportunity to share about himself, his family and his ministry in the church. After dinner we enjoy a lively program, from educational, to inspirational, to musical, to plain entertainment.

Sign up on the connect panel on Sunday morning.

February 14: Leslie Goddard, historian and actress March 20: H.E. Singley & John Innes, piano and organ concert April 17: Jerry Root, author, speaker and expert on C.S. Lewis

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Prayer Gatherings Sunday Morning Prayer

Midweek Prayer Meeting

8-9 a.m. in C002B (tunnel level, the old HYACKs room), led by a pastor/elder.

Join us for Wednesday night prayer meeting at 7 p.m. where we pray for our church and missionaries as well as hear from a different ministry speaker each week. We will meet on these Wednesdays in February:

Monday Morning Prayer Meeting 6:15 to 7:15 a.m. in the Board Room (second floor of the Commons building). This group is open to everyone.

Friday Lunch Prayer 12-1 p.m. Prayer for the Persecuted Church in C103. Join us as we lift our voice for the persecuted.

February 5: A mid-term missionary serving in the Middle East will share.

February 12: Greg and Debby Nichols, serving with GEM in Czeck Republic.

February 19: Watch for speaker updates in the mid-week prayer sheet and the weekly worship folder calendar.

February 26: Cory and Kristiana Miller. mid-term missionaries serving missionary kids across Europe.

Missions Prayer Fellowship Gatherings Lydia Prayer Fellowship will meet Tuesday, February 11, at 9:15 a.m., at the home of Sharon Weiss, 1887 Caxton Dr., Wheaton. All women welcome to come and hear what Karen Bradley, here from Kenya, has to share with us.

Hannah Prayer Fellowship will meet Wednesday,

February 12, at 1:30 p.m. at the home of Ruth Stough, 324 E. Jefferson, Wheaton. Debby Nichols will be sharing about her work and ministry in the Czech Republic. We hope you will be able to join us.

Abigail Prayer Fellowship will meet Thursday, February

13, at 1 p.m. to pray for our overseas workers. Our speaker will be Faith Hurst, and we look forward to hearing about her ministry. We will meet at the home of Carole O’Hare, 111 N. Wheaton Ave., #111. For further details, contact Carole at (630) 765-7725. We welcome visitors!

Aaron-Hur Prayer Fellowship: will meet Thursday,

February 27, at 7 p.m. at the home of Marr and Mary Miller, 1607 Stoddard Ave., Wheaton, (630) 668-8828. Our guests will be Greg and Debby Nichols, serving in the Czech Republic.

Dorcas Prayer Fellowship, meets in the Upper Deck at

Covenant Living at Windsor Park on February 19 [usual third Wednesday of the month]. Men and women are welcome to visit or join the group.

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LOOKING AHEAD

ReSet Men’s Conference Tony DiLeonardi Men, plan NOW to join us on March 13-14 for our 2020 Men’s Conference as we gather to hear from David Murray, and fellowship with one another to hit the reset button.

Please see crossway.org/reset2020 for more information..

Reset? Why? My phone chirped again. I looked down, read the name, cussed and hit ignore. Two minutes later, same ring, different name, same result, ignore.

My colleague and long-time trusted friend took notice. "Hey, you can't ignore those guys. Those are your guys, your team, you hired them, you manage them." I rebuked him. Mind your own business I mumbled. "You don't understand the pressure I'm under and these guys are going to suck more life out of me - and I don't have much more to give them" I reasoned.

He politely walked away and graciously whispered to me to be careful, to be mindful. Of what, I was not sure.

Later that week, after another outburst, he quietly warned me.

"Burned out? C'mon man, don't be so dramatic," I shot back.

"I just need some space to figure this out," I reasoned. "I'm not going to burn out, l'm young, I'm prepared, I'm a strong leader and that won't happen to me."

Yet at the same time, I was pushing harder, getting pushed harder, exhausted, anxious and stressed. I was losing the joy of my job I once had and the flame of engagement and excitement was a mere flicker. I was burned out and had got to the place of asking, "How did I get here."

My colleague and friend did understand the pressure, however.

After all, it was 2008 and we were running a large sales team in the financial services industry during a time of global financial chaos. The greatest economic tsunami of our lifetime was rolling in and creating havoc along the way. The future was not bright for many co-workers, friends and customers and the indicator lights were sounding alarms for me personally. With help from my wife, my colleague and other trusted friends, I heard the warnings loud and clear—perhaps just in time.

Fortunately for me, the "burn-out" clearly started and stopped at work. In other words, it never crept into my personal life.

Because of a loving supportive spouse and caring, concerned colleagues, we made adjustments, tough decisions and sacrifices to not only weather the storm but thrive through it.

Was I lucky? A little.

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FRIDAY MARCH 13

But more than S A Tlucky U R Dand A Y more M A Rthan C H truly 1 4 supported, I learned the joyful reminder of God's grace and C O L L E G E C H U R C H living a grace-filled life by allowing God to graciously provide a chance to reset to a more sustainable pace and more productive priorities. To be intentional. To help re-align my purpose and my calling. It took time, effort and humility.

That reset made all the difference in my career and, I believe, prevented the sinister symptoms of burnout to move from my corporate life to my personal life. To God be the glory.

You on a similar journey? You seeing warning lights? You beginning to ask "How did I get here?" Be alert. Did you know that: • One million U.S. workers miss work on any given day due to stress (225 million workdays per year in lost production) • 70% of U.S. workers claim to be highly unsatisfied or state they hate their job • 20% of pastors quit pastoring due to stress • Documented stress levels are higher for 18-33-year-olds than the national average • One-fifth of that age group is clinically depressed and medicated.

So what? Stress leads to disengagement and isolation which can bring upon the serious outcomes of burnout. Broken relationships. If we ignore the signs, we ignore them at great peril. It may cost you your job, your family, your health and perhaps more.

John Calvin said the Bible is not only what we read, but what we read with. We read all knowledge through the lens of the Bible because it is sufficient to keep us from falling.

It may be time to RESET. And to do so with a firm foundation.

Join other men this March 13-14 for College Church's Men's Conference: Living A Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture.

The guest speaker is author, pastor and teacher David Murray.

Consider the practical and biblical ways men can harness God's desires for his people as you battle with prioritizing and balancing your own journey.

For more info and to register, go here: crossway.org/reset2020

HISTORIC OUTREACH

George Whitefield: The First Blogger Josh Moody, Senior Pastor Whitefield’s journals have long occupied pride of place on the eighteenthcentury section of my Church History bookcase, snuggled up nicely against Jonathan Edwards (co-laborers), and jostling happily against the rather different Benjamin Franklin. Whitefield is the model par excellence for all mass movement evangelists, from D.L. Moody to Billy Sunday, to Billy Graham.

Whitefield has sometimes been described as ‘the divine dramatist,’ and however controversial that appellation was to generations of evangelicals who have lauded Whitefield’s spirituality and not just his rhetoric, there is little doubt that he was golden tongued. Mind you, it helps when your message is basically ‘be born again’ in one form or another over and over again as you itinerate around the British Isles, and across the eastern coast of America.

Whitefield was a social activist, if such an anachronism be allowed, as well as an evangelist. He founded a well-known orphanage which became the vehicle for many of his evangelistic events and pioneered consistent and determined fund raising for the orphanage. Actors at the time longed to be able to pronounce words like Whitefield did. One, the most famous of his day, said in effect that he would give anything to be able to say “Mesopotamia” like Whitefield. You suspect it was a little tongue-in-cheek, if not nicely damning with faint praise, but still it does witness to a certain form of admiration. More startling still, the before-mentioned Benjamin Franklin witnessed to Whitefield’s extraordinary

preaching power by pacing out the sheer number of people through mathematical deduction that could still hear clearly in the open air without any amplification every word of Whitefield’s preaching and found it to be a number in the tens of thousands. This man had a pretty serious pair of lungs. Franklin also came determined not to give Whitefield a penny, but bit by bit found himself emptying his whole purse into the offering. Whitefield and the very different Franklin formed something of an unlikely partnership, with Whitefield trying to convert Franklin and (unless my historical memory fails me) Whitefield staying at Franklin’s home and, more to the point, Whitefield’s journals being published by Franklin.

It is the journals which are the model of blogging. You know what I mean. I understand that the internet had not been invented, and that technology forms its own impact upon content, and that blogs are extremely various in their spiritual (let alone ethical) quality. You know what I mean. I’m just saying that there is something interesting in the way that Whitefield used his own experiences of God at work to publish as near concurrent, edited carefully no doubt, but journals of the events in which Whitefield himself was involved. They became fuel for the revival, and in this I sense something of a model for modern day bloggers.

The task is not simply to talk a lot, nor is it simply to record a lot or accurately.

The task is to record in such a way that points out salutary lessons and, even

more, helps encourage and inspire further positive developments. This is a little different from pure journalism, or historical writing, of course, but lest anyone think that making use of data for God’s purpose is twisting the data, reflect on the sovereignty of God and the truthfulness to which we as Christians are called. Sometimes data feels unsalutary but can nonetheless be an example of how God uses bad things for our good and His glory – and all the rest.

So here it is: Whitefield The First Blogger.

Go buy George Whitefield’s “Journals.”

Be edified. And go and do thou likewise.

Of course, Whitefield’s success was deeply divinely sent and dependent on God’s unique anointing and power, or rather (which is the same) on the power of the gospel itself, not Whitefield’s rhetoric. There’s a nice story of one of Whitefield’s sermons being simply read in his absence in Scotland and revival breaking out. No orator present. Just the gospel. That’s something to blog about, too.

Visit the God Centered Life ministry of Pastor Josh Moody at godcenteredlife.org.

Find sermons from Pastor Josh there plus devotionals. Sign up for the devotionals and receive them daily. Listen to Pastor Josh daily on WMBI at 10:30 pm. plus 7:30 pm.

Sunday. Your prayers for and partnership with this ministry are greatly appreciated.

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GLOBAL OUTREACH

"I have always been best friends with books” This story comes from the blog of Media Associates International “Writer, translator, editor and poet, I have always been best friends with books,” Agnes Singine said. But she never imagined a 25-year career in publishing or starting a Christian publishing house.

During a hard time as a jobless young woman, Agnes heard from a stranger who pitied her that MacMillan Publishers was hiring. Agnes lacked even bus fare to get to the interview. But God provided a free ride, and she landed a job in the MacMillan warehouse, where she read every book in stock.

During 13 years at MacMillan, Agnes ultimately worked her way into editorial management. Today she is chief editor at MK Publishers, where she has authored multiple children’s books. In addition, she serves as president for Zambia Women Writers Association and vice chair of the National Arts Council.

We first met Agnes at our training in Zambia earlier this year, and we invited her to attend our continent-wide LittAfrica conference in Ghana in November.

Amazingly, not one independent Christian publishing house exists in Zambia, where Christianity is the official religion and adhered to by more than 85 percent of its 16 million people. “The Churches are mushrooming and people are accepting Christ,” Agnes said. “My vision is to start a publishing firm that will squarely accept and publish Christian books.”

Agnes’ dream took further shape at LittAfrica, where she learned business skills, gaining contacts and confidence.

Within two weeks of the conference, she registered Bespoke Publishing House as her business name. She plans to begin by publishing children’s books that she translated into her mother tongue, Chinyanja.

“I hope to carry on bringing words to life and fulfilling the Great Commission through writing,” Agnes wrote us.

Your generous support is helping to equip and encourage gifted Christian wordsmiths like Agnes. Thank you!

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LittAfrica: A Bright Future for African Readers John Maust Seeing the packed auditorium at our recent LittAfrica conference in Ghana, I was struck by how far African Christian publishing has come since MAI’s first training on the continent 33 years earlier.

Some 121 writers and publishing staff from 21 African nations registered for this all-Africa training. Every session was led or co-led by an African—27 in all—the quality of their presentations taking a back seat to no one.

Leadership of the conference rested entirely with the MAI-Africa Trustees, chaired by Rose Birenge of Kenya. Award-winning author, publisher and fellow Trustee Lawrence Darmani served as host chair.

And the participants themselves? You would have been impressed by these gifted men and women who received fresh tools and vision to bless readers across Africa.

“I have been inspired by people's stories, and I have learned a lot of valuable lessons both as a leader of a publishing house and a writer,” said Lillian Tindyebwe of Quiet Garden Publishing House in Uganda.

“This is going to change the landscape of Christian publishing in Africa for years to come.”

During the closing candlelight ceremony, Lawrence urged each person to undertake a new project. “A literature project will be tangible and outlive us,” he said. “Be diligent and bring it to completion! Keep the light of LittAfrica shining. A candle in the dark eventually burns out, but not before it has discharged its duty to brighten that little corner.”

Not only has African Christian publishing come a long way, LittAfrica showed it has a bright future and will play an increasingly important role in shaping the African church and society. Thank you for your prayerful support of our continuing training in Africa.

REFLECTION

Remembering Nonna Terri Kraus As a fiction author, people often ask me where the inspiration for my stories comes from. I love to write about women who struggle, who overcome adversity through grace, whose lives are transformed by an encounter with the living God—imperfect people on a journey to being made perfect by Christ, though their circumstances may not change. The characters in my books, so far, have come from my imagination. But one day I will write the compelling story of one such person who was very real in my life—my Nonna.

My maternal grandmother Pierina, celebrating in heaven, has been with Jesus for fifty-seven years. She was a true survivor—a woman who experienced being left behind when, as a young bride, her husband sailed for America seeking a better life for his family. After his leaving, she gave birth for the first time, and then endured a tragic mishap in which her beautiful firstborn infant was severely burned. She travelled across the sea to an unknown place with only her scarred daughter at her side.

In her new home she faced a life of religious persecution, as well as long-term personal illness. Yet she was a woman whose devotion to the Lord never wavered.

One of the joys of my life is visiting the little northern Italian village, nestled among olive groves high up in the Apennine Mountains, where my maternal grandparents were born, grew up and married before emigrating to America. A short lane connects their two families’ farmhouses. In between them stands a small, now-abandoned vine-clad house of ancient, mellowed stone where my grandparents lived as newlyweds. How full my heart felt as I first walked over that threshold! I pictured them as a young couple in the first blush of matrimony, with all their hopes and dreams…before their brave, separate journey across a wide ocean to a strange land where all was unknown. Within those aged walls, did they speak of their fears as they prepared to leave their homeland, certain they’d never see their parents again? What kind of courage did that require? What words did they use to comfort and reassure one another? I wondered. I could see, in my mind’s eye, my grandmother stirring a pot of freshly handmade pasta as my grandfather stoked the fire—their last meal together before parting. I could even hear the crackling of the firewood, smell the slight woodsmoke…

But life for my grandmother would be much different than that idyllic picture. After stepping on American soil at Ellis Island in 1923, she would make her way, pioneer-like, to the

Chicago area, joining her husband and settling in among extended family. A mother of three daughters, life during the Great Depression would be difficult. She would be invited to a prayer meeting in the home of a friend, where she would be introduced to a new spiritual reality, discovering a life she’d never thought possible, through a dynamic, personal relationship with Christ. The joy of the Lord she would know would come at a great price: being ostracized by her family of a different faith. She humbly poured out her love on them and on my unbelieving grandfather, even though her prayer time would have to be done behind the locked bathroom door, her devoted study of God’s Word secretly enjoyed in the coal cellar, threatened when her Bible was burned repeatedly, her church attendance in clandestine fashion. A medical mistake meant she would suffer physically for the rest of her life. Yet—yet—she knew the inexplicable peace of God and was a bold witness and shining example of a godly woman who clung to her faith despite great adversity. She shared what little she had, feeding homeless strangers as she told them how much Jesus loved them.

Years later, after becoming a widow, she lived with my family until her death. My early childhood memories of Nonna are colored with hearing her fervent prayers for the least and the lost during her daily devotion time—always in Italian, always out loud, now—and her singing worship choruses in that lovely language. These images remain with me, along with a few rustic artifacts, which I was delighted to bring back with me from my visits to that little stone house on the family farm in Italy. Now I treasure and display them in my own

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home, because they connect me with that place and time. My grandmother’s Italian Bible sits on my desk. But what I treasure most is my rich spiritual heritage from Nonna, the first Christfollower in my lineage. I envision her now, in heaven singing with the angels…

Come bello camminare/con Gesu, nostro signore...

“How beautiful to walk with Jesus, our Savior…”

There was much that was not beautiful in Nonna’s life, but her profound joy despite her circumstances continues to inspire me.

I have come to realize that, here at my keyboard, she is a part of everything I write.

My desire to tell the redemption story in my books is a fruit of her legacy in me. Perhaps, because of what she endured, I am more deeply touched by the plight of the countless women

across the globe who live in fear and bondage. Perhaps, by God's grace, as I strive to make known their plight, as I work to expand the feminine voice with my words, Nonna's soft voice, in her small circle of influence, can become louder and larger in me. The strength of her walk lets me know that I can be strong; her courage shows me I can be bold. How she lived encourages me to try to live in that same kind of faithfulness to God through the struggles of my life, reflecting the love of Jesus, to give like he gave, to be a woman of the Word even when it’s challenging. To relentlessly pursue a godliness that will spill over into my writing, telling the beauty of walking with Jesus, even when life is hard.

Keep up with Terri on her blog: https://www.terrikraus.com/blog

We think it’s a bit cool that you’re a Ph.D professor by day and elementary Bible school superintendent in the off-hours. We would love to hear your story of faith and academic journey.

Just let me say at the outset of the interview that having a PhD. and serving as elementary Bible school superintendent is no more distinctive than any other combination of interests our Bible School teachers possess. I know of at least three other ministry partners with PhDs who are currently serving in Kids’ Harbor. God gifts everyone uniquely, equipping each member of a ministry team with something special to offer.

SERVING

Don’t Quit Your Day Job A conversation with elementary Bible school superintendent, Ph.D professor and researcher Dan Burden, who brings together academia and service.

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The specialty could be anything really—cooking, national politics, information technology, professional athletics, music, rocket science, business accounting, being a stay-at-home parent or even a church pastor. There’s no such thing as being overor under-qualified. You just need to want to let the Lord use you, even when it’s not clear how disparate corners of life might coalesce in a Bible school classroom.

I’m not suggesting you throw personal savvy and gift assessment out the window.

But I am suggesting that service in Kids’ Harbor is primarily concerned with a posture of the heart and a step of faith. The risks might be stretching. But that’s a primary ingredient for growth.

Now for my journey.

I first came to faith in my late elementary school years at a summer camp in Indiana called Quaker Haven. I am not a Quaker, nor were my parents. My family just happened to be attending a Friends Church at the time. That might be why my first away-from-home youth camp experience brought out some anti-pacifist demons. I remember being extremely nasty to my seemingly spineless, do-nothing cabin counselor, as well as to others around me, even to the point of childish physical violence.

For some unknown reason, I did not want to like my counselor or my cabin mates! Yet, it was in this blatant defiance, the Lord broke through. To this day, I don’t recall my counselor’s name. Nor do I recall any details from the pulpit lessons that week—admittedly strange for someone who wound up in college academics. I do distinctively remember a burning anger in my soul, and then feeling broken and shameful over my sin. The moment of release was amplified when the counselor I terrorized came to pray with me at the altar as I accepted Christ! That moment, along with the counselor’s actions, left a deep impression I will never forget. It was my very own Jean Valjeanian moment.

As I grew, my fascination with God’s amazing world fueled my interest in science. I remember a dim fondness for an old set of films from Moody Bible Institute called, “Sermons from Science.” I recall an episode concerning bees to be particularly satisfying. And, born a child of the NASA Apollo era, all things related to the moon, rockets, space adventure and human ingenuity energized me. So, I guess you might say I’ve felt an orientation to put faith and science together from my earliest days.

An interesting aside, I was unexpectedly called to substitute teach for fourth and fifth grade Bible school this past July on the 50th anniversary weekend of the Apollo 11 landing! I was so pumped! Of course, I had to integrate this love from my past into the Bible lesson for the week!

How did you become involved in this Kids’ Harbor leadership role?

I am simply seeking to connect biblical truths with formative passions and parts of me, as well as the amazing world around us, in ways that the Lord might want to use to move others towards him. Who wouldn’t find that appealing? It’s a nobrainer.

Beyond that, I’m not sure I can definitely say how or why I wound up in my current role in Kid’s Harbor. It’s just where the Lord has me right now.

What are some of the greatest joys of serving in your position?

“It’s primal, like the feeling you get when you are in the right place, at the right time, and looking in just the right direction to catch a glimpse of a brilliant shooting star. Serving in Kids’ Harbor is a privilege! Transformational moments happen there with regularity, for both students and teachers. The question is are we looking for them?” conversation. I watched it take place one recent Sunday when a biologist colleague of mine probed the kids to consider how we worship Jesus with our bodies at College Church.

He did not follow the prescribed curricular outline exactly.

But the provided material led him to develop his own content that was right in the middle of his wheelhouse! It was great to witness the fruit of the Lord’s leading coming filtered through that teacher’s special interest. When this kind of connection happens, the teachers know it. When it happens, I know it. And most importantly, the kids know it too.

And challenges?

If we are honest, intimate connections don’t happen every week, or for every child or for every teacher. Many times, we are blind to them. Realistically, some might perceive a benign uncertainty in teaching, along with a palpable malaise generated by the seeming regularity and simplicity of Bible School.

But, when I start to feel this way, I remember my camp counselor. Superficially, it must have been an agonizing and uncertain week for him—until the one moment came along that was so deeply meaningful. Unexpected contrast screams quietly!

It’s primal, like the feeling you get when you are in the right place, at the right time, and looking in just the right direction to catch a glimpse of a brilliant shooting star.

Serving in Kids’ Harbor is a privilege! Transformational moments happen there with regularity, for both students and teachers. The question is are we looking for them?

That’s easy—witnessing other teachers discover the connection between biblical truths, their passions, and formative parts of themselves as they deliver lessons and engage kids in

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MISSIONS

A Long-term Commitment for the Mid-Term–God’s Work Around the World “Our motive for missions must come from a love for God. Because we love Jesus, we desire to make him known. Because we love Jesus, we desire others to love him. And we desire to obey his Great Commission…” – Eddie Byun, Praying for your Missionary College Church has been blessed with a rich heritage of missions. Along with the 98 career units (families and singles) serving around the world, we also support 11 mid-term missionary units, which totals 16 adults. Mid-term missionaries commit to serving for a specific length of time, typically between three months and three years. We want to introduce you to a few now, and you’ll meet more mid-termers in the months to come. This month, we’ve chosen to feature mid-termers who grew up on the mission field.

JIM & MICHELLE ALBRIGHT

now as strong as ever. We are so grateful that there were no complications. So thankful for your partnership with us.”

Jim and Michelle serve in Papua New Guinea (PNG) with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Jim’s parents are Dick and Roslyn Albright, missionaries with College Church since 1979. Jim and Michelle have been supported by College Church since October 2017 and are currently set to be supported through March of 2022. Their ministry is focused on software development and support for Wycliffe in order to improve the efficiency of everyday tasks of translators. Michelle homeschools their five children and looks for ways to care for those in their community through hospitality.

How can you pray specifically for Jim and Michelle?

On July 13, 2019, Jim and Michelle wrote, “…we gave our friend a New Testament in Agarabi. She only learned to read in a second language, so it has been a struggle. We bought her a solar audio Bible so that she can listen and read along. We also got a set for her uncle, a pastor! She asked us to thank you for sending us here to give these gifts.

“We had a rare opportunity for a date last week when some fellow missionaries organized a couples’ dinner in multiple settings. We continue to be inspired by the challenge to be thankful in all circumstances. We have so many reasons to rejoice!”

In another update in December, they shared how the Lord has been working in PNG. “Friends of ours here in Papua New Guinea organized a Culture Meets Scripture course for 89 participants from four language groups. Groups examined cultural practices and compared them to Scripture. Sorcery, rain making, marriage arrangement and initiation were all evaluated.

Making changes works best with a group to support one another.”

Much like parents everywhere, Jim and Michelle were concerned when their oldest son, Daniel, broke his arm. In their December update, they wrote: “Thank you for praying for Daniel’s broken arm. It is

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• Pray that God would bless the Albrights with restful times as a family and that they would glorify God in the way they live.

• Pray that participants of the Culture Meets Scripture workshop would have the resolve to stand up for the truth, even when it violates cultural norms.

• Pray that God would continue to provide everything they need as they serve him in PNG and that they would walk in his strength.

CALEB & MARISA DUTTWEILER Caleb and Marisa work with Caleb’s parents, College Church missionaries Rodney and Kathy, in South Africa.

They mentor participants in East Mountain’s residency and internship programs as well as help with the ministry’s communication. East Mountain seeks to develop Christian leaders through discipleship, training, theological education and spiritual transformation. Caleb and Marisa were sent in August 2018 and hope to be in South Africa through 2020.

God is doing marvelous things in South Africa. At the end of the year, the younger Duttweilers wrote, “It’s been one of those years we will never forget. In reflecting on 2019 we looked back through old prayer letters from the year and noticed so many prayer requests and items of anticipation that had been answered and blessed.

“We asked you to pray for us to figure out fitting specific roles within East Mountain, and after a year of house parenting, we can’t think of a job better suited to our passions and skills.

Praise God! “We asked you to pray over our visa situation countless times–

renewing it, traveling in and out of country to renew again, living under the stress of possibly being asked to leave, and our final attempt in Chicago this summer when we finally were able to apply for and receive a three-year visa. Praise God! “From January to December we asked you to pray for the growth of the residents, and we have witnessed first-hand how God has opened their eyes and revealed mysteries of his word and will to them. He has broadened their worldview and taught them about living with and loving people who are different from them. He has helped them become self-aware and grow in personal characteristics and disciplines to be more Christ-like.

He has stretched them and met with them in amazing ways all year. To see them teaching workshops to the whole community, preaching sermons, wrapping up responsibly with the schools and ministries they’ve been working with, working diligently on end-of-year projects and loving on each other so well these last weeks is a huge testimony to their hard work and desire to grow and also God’s power to transform people and raise up leaders for his kingdom. Praise God! “We asked you also to pray for us as a couple and as individuals that we would grow closer and closer to God and each other and that God would fill us with the wisdom and courage and overflowing love we needed for this role and, although we have stumbled many times, God has never let go. He has been faithful and has been empowering us in this work in ways we never even imagined. Praise God! “One of our themes at the beginning of the year was to ‘come and see what God will do,’ as Jesus challenged his disciples when he was calling them ( John 1:39, 46). As we conclude the year, our verse is Psalm 66:5: ‘Come and see what God has done.’ He is an awesome God indeed.”

Caleb and Marisa have asked for prayer in the following ways. Would you lift them up in prayer with us?

• Please continue praying over this ministry and for the selection process for 2020 residents. Pray that he would prepare their hearts for the internship program.

• Pray for wisdom and guidance in all facets of their ministry.

JIM & JULIANNA GIESER Jim and Julianna work with the Student YMCA campus ministry in South Africa.

Julianna is the daughter of College Church career missionaries Scott and Jenny Hawkins. We have been supporting Jim and Julianna since September 2019 and are set to continue through July 2022. Jim serves as the chief operations officer, providing operational oversight, developing organizational structures for current and future programming and offering relational support and

mentoring to the ministry staff. Julianna is caring for their children as well as serving in hospitality as they host students in their home and build relationships.

Living in the southern hemisphere, life looks different from Wheaton.

In mid-December they wrote, “Warm Christmas greetings from a Cape Town summer! We are finding it a little hard to sing ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ and ‘Let it snow! Let it snow!

Let it snow!’ when it’s 80 degrees outside. But those songs don’t reflect the real meaning of Christmas anyway, do they? The classic ‘Joy to the World’ is more like it! That’s a Christmas carol we can listen to any time of the year.

“It's been an eventful end to 2019. Julianna gave birth to our fifth child! Ruth Kaye Gieser was born on 19 November. She is healthy and a precious gift to our family. The boys love her. Hawkins particularly likes to smother her with attention.

Hawkins broke his arm the same day that Ruthie was born!

Yikes! He has accepted his three-week splint very well, with his usual patience and cheerfulness.

“The older boys completed the final quarter of the 2019 academic year at The Vine School, the small Christian school they attend. They demonstrated lots of bravery and courage in the face of many things that were new.

“After weeks of searching, we found a rental home within reach of campus and large enough for a family of six. It’s a lovely space for us to take root—and it came with a pool! We will follow Capetonian tradition and put a watermelon in the pool on Christmas Day to celebrate.

“The Student Y’s work at the University of Cape Town wrapped up in mid-November, the close of the 2019 academic year. As a staff we have used these last few weeks to plan for next year, which will gear up in late January.

“I ( Jim) have appreciated getting to know the staff in a more relaxed setting. I’m so thankful that we arrived in time for me to participate in these meetings, especially since I am new to my chief operations officer role and the Student Y has never had one before. I am excited to jump full-time into my role when the Y reopens in early January.

“Next year the Y will extend its impact with the official launch of the Student Y Christian Study Centre. The Y’s mission is to cultivate a place of faith-life integration at the university and beyond. We are excited for what God has in store for us and the Y in 2020. We are grateful for you and look forward to journeying forward together!”

Praise God for his faithfulness. Please join us in praying for the Geisers this next year: • Praise God for his many provisions to the Geisers as they have transitioned to life in South Africa and especially for the blessing of their home.

• Pray for their family as they adjust to life in a new place with a new baby.

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CORY & KRISTIANA MILLER Kristiana, along with husband Cory, serves missionary kids across Europe with Greater Europe Mission (GEM). This is a ministry she understands the need for— she grew up in Austria as the daughter of College Church missionaries Jim and Lynette Hatcher. Children who grow up in ministry-focused homes face unique challenges as they are often lonely and find that they don’t fit in either their host or their passport countries. The Millers seek to care for the mental and emotional health of these kids and their families. The church began supporting them in February 2018 and will continue through January 2021.

In October, Cory and Kristiana received word that the appeal for their visas was denied, and they had to leave Ireland.

They will be in Wheaton for four months starting this month.

On December 9, they wrote, “Well—we are in America! On November 16 we packed our bags, hugged my (Kristiana’s) parents and boarded our long flight to Chicago, officially ending our season of life in Vienna (for now, at least). The two weeks that followed were a long, blurry string of jetlagged days and reverse culture shock moments. We were warmly welcomed in Wheaton by College Church, which was a real gift. We were also extremely grateful for my brother Erik and his wife, Bri, who drove from Baltimore to visit us in Wheaton for Thanksgiving. What a treat!

“On Thanksgiving morning, we submitted the remaining paperwork for our Minister of Religion visa application for Ireland. Phase 1 of our “get-back-to-Dublin” journey is now over, and all we can do now is wait. It’s a relief to have the application out of our hands, but the results are still very much a question mark for us. Will we be approved, allowing us to return to Ireland this summer, as we hope? Or will we be denied again?

We don’t know. For now, we wait, and we pray. I hope you will pray with us.

“We left the Chicago area the day after Thanksgiving, beginning the next phase of our travels. We are now in Texas. Our first week here was spent largely in Houston, we are currently in Lubbock, and we will be finishing our Texas adventure with several weeks near Fort Worth, where we will be spending Christmas with some of Cory’s family that lives there.

“On December 27, we fly to Lyon, France, for GEM-K Winter Camp, leaving our girls with Cory’s sister in Fort Worth for the week. This year, we will be exploring the themes of faith, hope, and love through the book of 1 Corinthians with our GEM-K teens. As usual, Winter Camp will be filled with play and purpose: snowball fights and worship sessions, a whacky New Year’s Eve party with crazy costumes alongside talks, small

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groups and one-on-ones. We aim to pour love and fun and delight all over these missionary kid teenagers, and we aim to point them to Jesus and help them feel a little bit less alone in the world.”

Please pray with us for Kristiana and Cory, especially as their future is uncertain. Here are some specific requests to be bringing to the Lord on their behalf: • Pray for supernatural favor with the Irish government and approval of their visa application.

• Pray for their time in the States and especially for their two daughters with so much change in such a short amount of time. Pray for wisdom as Kristiana and Cory parent them.

• Pray for their ministry to teenagers. Pray that the missionary kids would feel cared for and free to discuss their lives openly.

WE’LL CALL HER MAGGIE Maggie* is the daughter of College Church missionaries, all serving in the same country in Eurasia. Maggie serves at an international school teaching art. She has been supported by College Church since April 2019 and will be supported through March 2021.

Maggie has asked for prayer in the following ways. Would you lift her up with us?

• Pray for wisdom and peace for Maggie and her new husband. Pray that God would be glorified in their marriage.

• Pray for God’s blessing on the school and for his provision of good teachers and leaders.

• Pray that Maggie would be a light in the classroom and in the country. *pseudonym

If you’re interested in learning more about any of these missionaries or in talking about the process of being sent

by College Church, please call the church office or email stm@college-church.org. We would love to hear from you, meet you and help you down the path to mid-term service.

TESTIMONY

Choose to Fly Pat Cirrincione An earlier version of this article first appeared on OneWord Journal.

What comes to mind when you think about the word “flight”?

Where does it take us? To the moon and back? A journey we may or may not wish to make? As I ponder this word, so many images come to mind. The flight of Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt. Their forty-year flight in the desert, which could have been so much shorter if they had obeyed God, who took them out of bondage. Like the Israelites, we, too, make mistakes on our personal flights.

We fail to listen to someone who may know better than we do about making the journey a more comfortable one, perhaps even bringing joy to everyone involved in the walk. We fail to see the pitfalls or the temptations in route. We whine if things don’t go our way, even though the fault might be ours for refusing to listen to those who have gone on ahead of us.

Then there is the flight Mary and Joseph made back to Egypt to keep their infant son safe from a murderous, jealous king who was not about to be dethroned. But this newborn king would want something more—the hearts of all people to turn to him in submission and love. I’m sure that many of us have fled from this all-out submission to Christ.

One thing you need to know about me is that I have a tremendous capacity to flee from bugs of any sort. I hate to admit this, but I have demonstrated the same capacity to flee from our Savior.

I thought that I could live my life any way I pleased, going from one temptation to another, prizing achievement and acclaim more than anything else. I ignored the basic beliefs of my faith and followed the idols of the world. I wanted to accumulate fame, riches and notoriety as a stage actress.

I had many opportunities to follow that desire as different opportunities came my way—from an internship with Second City (thwarted by my fear to travel downtown by train during the sixties) to being offered my acting green card to perform in the Goodman’s Children’s Theater (the idea of touring and living in flea bag hotels held no appeal to me) to different opportunities to perform on stage in different venues. Each time, however, something came along that pulled me away from the starlight and into another world.

of Mercy shows, singing, dancing, acting—even getting a small part in The Nutcracker ballet.

Then one day I received a call from my sister, who told me to read the Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye. However, since she had just become a “believer,” I knew what she was trying to do; she wanted me to join her in her “new” life. Nope. Not happening.

A few months later my favorite cousin contacted me. She knew I loved to read and said I needed to read this new series of books called Left Behind by Tim LaHaye. Seriously? I listened to her carry on about how much I’d enjoy the story, but I secretly felt like she and my sister were in cahoots, so again I ignored their advice. About six months later I was having dinner with a good friend who was a librarian, and our conversation naturally turned to books we had been reading, and you guessed it!

She said she had just been reading this series of books by Tim LaHaye, and I just had to read them!

Okay, God, I hear you I thought and went to the library the next day to get the book that God wanted me to read. Chapter One, the Rapture, and non-believers left behind! It gave me the chills.

Immediately I knew that I had to do something, and now. I had to take that leap of faith that had been lurking in the shadow of my life for too long.

It was then that I realized God had been directing the flight path of my life all along. God says to return to him. Our hearts must take flight back to our Lord and God. We should turn to him in prayer as King Hezekiah did in Scripture. Only Yahweh can turn our lives around as we trust him. As our souls fly back to him, we are blessed with his steadfast love, his voice of hope and peace. Only then can we turn away from our idols and take flight from pride, self-worship, greed and the grotesqueness of sin.

I thought I knew what it meant in choosing to fly, but not I know that we cannot live or “take flight” in this world without first placing our complete faith in our Creator. Only then will our souls soar to the highest point, to a God who watches over us. When we take flight from God we lose, because we need him the most.

Personally, I thought it was my wonderful personality, good looks and charm that got me into other positions in the corporate world and opportunities to perform in many Crusade

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INSIGHT ON SERVICE WITH STUDENT MINISTRIES

Worth the Work Dan Hiben, junior high pastor Dan gives six reasons why working with junior high students is worth our consideration.

When people hear that I work with junior high students, their response is often, “That’s such a hard age.” In many ways, that’s true.

• Friendships are hard.

• School becomes more and more difficult.

• Extracurricular activities begin to take over.

• Classmates who were friendly just a year or two ago are suddenly as mean as they come.

• Riding the bus is a nightmare.

• Family relationships that were once easy are more challenging than before.

All this seems to hit all at once in just a few years. Yes, in many ways, the junior high years are really, really tough. And to any junior-highers reading this, hang in there. I know it’s hard. But it gets better. I promise.

Most of us look back to our junior high experiences only to re-block them from our memories. We don’t even want to think about that period of our lives. I rarely talk to anyone who has overwhelmingly positive memories of their junior high years.

So why in the world would anyone want to relive those years, and spend even more time bringing those memories back to the surface?

Because junior high is the perfect place for ministry.

Here are six reasons I believe working with junior high students is worth considering.

cares deeply about junior high students. He knows 1 God their joys, their fears and their trials, and we ought to have the same kind of love and care for people God has. Even if volunteering in KMs (that’s the name of College Church’s junior high ministry) isn’t for you, you can still pray for the current adult leaders, or get to know a junior high student here at church. These small actions are important ways we can love our students well. is using junior high students in incredible ways.

2 God In KMs, we know students who share the gospel with their

friends, classmates and teachers. Students lead Christian clubs and outreach events at their schools. They go on short-term missions trips with their parents. God is working in and through

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junior high students right here in the church and beyond. What an amazing opportunity to mentor and build up these students for work in God’s kingdom.

Junior high students love to learn. Seriously. No matter 3 what a student might tell you, he or she loves to learn.

Students might struggle to enjoy school, classes and homework, but they are eager to understand themselves and life more deeply. When you work with students, you have an opportunity to influence the lives of young people who are curious about spiritual things and who desire to learn more about God. should run toward the most difficult places, not 4 We away from them. Junior high is a difficult time of life and

serving students in this stage of life demonstrates Christian compassion. Henri Nouwen described compassion like this: “Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.

Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.

Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless.

Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.” Nouwen probably didn’t have junior high students in mind, but his description of compassion is an apt one to show this age-group, and any age-group when you think about it.

don’t have to be “cool,” you just have to care. This 5 You is one of the biggest secrets of youth ministry. You don’t have to know the latest trends. You don’t have to have multiple social media accounts. You don’t even have to be young. You just have to care about students. I learn about trends and social media fads every week from my students. (And I get older every day!)

Students are desperate for someone to care enough about them to listen to them. If you’re willing to care enough to get to know a student for who he or she is, you’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily you will love working with junior highers.

Junior high ministry is just plain fun! If you come to 6 KMs on a Wednesday evening (or especially a retreat),

you would have a blast, guaranteed. KMs is full of energy, excitement and joy. It’s rewarding to belong to a community with students and the adult leaders. Junior high ministry isn’t always easy, but it is almost always just plain fun.

AT THE BOOK STALL

Featured books this month We asked ministry staff and some of our lay leaders for the best books they read in 2019.

Watch for more in next month’s issue and online at OneWord Journal.

7 Myths About Singleness

by Sam Allberry

When Others Shuddered—Eight Women Who Refused to Give Up

by Jamie Jonosz

A Good Old Age—An A to Z of Loving and Following the Lord Jesus in Later Years

by Derek Prime

Far From Home: A Story of Loss, Refuge, and Hope

by Sarah Parker Rubio

Tumbling Sky—Psalm Devotions for Weary Souls by Matt Searles

Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God and Science

by Louie Giglio

OPENING FEBRUARY 1

10 of Those Pop-Up Bookstore at Crossings Regular Store Hours: Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–4p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Closed Sunday and Monday

Fight Your Fear: An Evening with Kristen Wetherell Thursday, February 20, 7-8 p.m.

10 of Those Bookstore 302 E. Wesley Street You’re invited to an evening with author and speaker Kristen Wetherell.

She will be speaking on the topic of her new book, Fighting Your Fears: Trusting God’s Character and Promises When You Are Afraid. Kristen will then be joined by a panel that will answer questions about this issue and how the Bible addresses it.

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NEW MEMBERS

Megan Bielawa

Carol Horan

PLACES I’VE LIVED: Chicago, Massachusetts (Gordon College) and Wheaton

PLACES I’VE LIVED: Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, Illinois and North Carolina

FAMILY: Youngest of three children. Her mother, Sandra, attends College Church as well.

FAMILY: Has two grown sons

9 TO 5: Currently working on her master’s degree to teach high school English PASTTIMES: Enjoys art, writing, outdoor adventures such as camping, hiking, cave biking and water sports

9 TO 5: Retired nurse who worked in pediatrics, home health and hospice, while being a homemaker and mother PASTTIMES: Enjoys quiet times of reading, listening to music and talking with friends.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Small group

Andrew Peters

Karl Stough

Kurt & Kaye Waugh

PLACES I’VE LIVED: Virginia

PLACES I’VE LIVED: Various places in Kane and DuPage counties

PLACES I’VE LIVED: Kurt has lived in Arizona.

Kaye grew up in the Philippines and has lived in Japan.

FAMILY: Andrew is the oldest of four children.

9 TO 5: He is a student at Wheaton College and has accepted an invitation to serve in the Peace Corps next year in Uganda, working in business development.

PASTTIMES: Enjoys reading, baking and traveling, as well as playing games, sharing meals with friends and playing Frisbee.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Joint Heirs Adult Community, College Group, Kids’ Harbor and STARS

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FAMILY: Karl is the grandson of Phil and Carla Stough and related to the many other Stoughs at College Church 9 TO 5: Karl is a systems engineer at Nokia (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) PASTTIMES: He enjoys computer programming and video games. He also enjoys biking, hiking and playing softball.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Small group

FAMILY: Kurt and Kaye were married in Okinawa, Japan, in 2006.

9 TO 5: Kurt is interested in the financial markets, classical guitar and working out. Kaye worked as a military contractor while living in Okinawa. Currently she works as a bank teller.

PASTTIMES: Kaye loves to read.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Joint Heirs Adult Community

Ken & Sara Jo Gogots PLACES I’VE LIVED: Kentucky, Waukegan, Elmhurst FAMILY: They have been married for 45 years and are the parents of three married daughters and grandparents of eight.

9 TO 5: Ken is retired. He has a teaching degree in industrial education, but spent most of his career testing, designing and manufacturing diesel engines for Navistar International. Ken then worked for Wheaton Academy in facilities maintenance. Sara Jo is a homemaker and has worked as a secretary/ receptionist at a church in Elmhurst and did some substitute school teaching.

PASTTIMES: Ken still helps at Wheaton Academy as an instructor and mentor. He enjoys helping his daughters with any handyman work. He also rides motorcycles and helps reach his fellow cyclists for Christ.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Sara Jo sings in the church choir. They both attend Joint Heirs Adult Community. Ken is involved with the Sanctity of Human Life committee.

Mike Hernberg & Kathy Anderson-Hernberg

Scott & Angela Killian

PLACES I’VE LIVED: Mike has lived in Boston, Rochester, New York and San Diego. Kathy has lived in various places around the world.

FAMILY: They have two adult children – son Wes and daughter Bethany Opdyke. Bethany and her husband, Dan, are also members of College Church and parents to the Killians’ first granddaughter, Felicity. Scott’s sister is Kim (Tim) Onufrock, also a member of College Church.

FAMILY: Mike and Kathy were married in 2017.

Mike has four children and two grandchildren.

Kathy has two sons and one granddaughter.

9 TO 5: Mike is a financial planner. For most of her career, Kathy worked for Ford Motor Company in market research.

PASTTIMES: Mike and Kathy enjoy hiking and biking, and Mike trains for triathlons. Kathy enjoys visiting family and friends across the country, and some overseas.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: STARS Buddy Break, small group, Mike has done prison visitation with Radical Time Out. Kathy is part of visitation ministry to our homebound.

PLACES I’VE LIVED: Chicago area

9 TO 5: Scott worked as an information technology consultant for 25 years prior to working as an enterprise architect in healthcare. Angela is an occupational therapist by training, and has worked in healthcare administration.

PASTTIMES: Scott enjoys playing the piano and is interested in automobiles. Angela enjoys time with family, long walks, traveling, attending music concerts and cooking.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: Joint Heirs Adult Community, STARS, Choir, Usher Team

Richard & Shelby Moomjian PLACES I’VE LIVED: Both grew up in California and attended Wheaton College.

FAMILY: Richard and Shelby were married in July 2018.

9 TO 5: Richard is a graduate student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Shelby works in accounting at Cedarstone Partners and is doing further studies at College of DuPage.

PASTTIMES: Richard enjoys reading, biking and golf. Shelby enjoys volleyball, staying active, reading, traveling and having coffee with friends.

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT: HYACKs, College Group, hosting a prayer group for the 20s ministry

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MILESTONES Births and Marriages

Condolences

• Jonathan Callaway and Sarah VanWingerden were married at College Church on December 30. The wedding was officiated

by Jonathan’s brother, Pastor Adam Callaway. Jonathan and Adam are the sons of Paul and Susan Callaway.

• Pray for Kent (Courtney) Graham and family as they grieve the loss of Kent’s father, Vic, who passed away on January 12.

• Kevin McDonald and Caroline Hensley were married at College Church on December 28. Caroline is the daughter of College Church members Breck and Nancy Hensley.

• Pray for Dr. Stewart Odell, Mark (Vivica), Eric (Mary) and family as they grieve the loss of wife and mother, Vivian, who passed away on December 30.

• Alaena Joy was born to Grant and Lisa Gibbons on December 18. She joins her older siblings Jaedalyn, Gavin, Annie and Evie.

Her maternal grandparents are College Church members Terry and Vonnie VanSomeren.

• Pray for Spencer (Elaine) Garrett as he grieves the loss of his father, Dale, who passed away on December 29 in Colorado.

• Ruth Kaye was born to Jim and Julianna Gieser in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 19. Ruth’s big brothers are Timo, Mattias and Hawkins. Jim and Julianna are in full-time ministry to students at the University of Cape Town. Ruth’s maternal grandparents are College Church missionaries Scott and Jenny Hawkins. Her paternal grandparents are College Church members Dave and Mary Gieser.

• Pray for Linda (Alan) Rooney and family as they grieve the loss of Linda’s mother, Jane Shultz, who passed away on January 9.

• Pray for Marge Teiwes as she grieves the loss of her husband, Harry, who passed away on December 27.

• Pray for Robert (Andrea) Hanna as they grieve the loss of Robert’s brother, Richard, who passed away recently in Arizona.

• Pray for Lyn (Tom) Futrell and family as they grieve the loss of Lyn’s father, Phelps Edwards, who passed away on December 6 in Naples, Florida.

FIRST WEEKEND OF MARCH The Musical Moms: Just Singin' This benefit concert for STARS Family Services features artists Marcia Macy, Joleen Billingham and Robin Wiper, who have been singing together for more than 10 years. From various musical backgrounds, the trio brings to their audiences everything from opera to bluegrass to southern gospel and contemporary Christian music.

Mark your calendar and plan to attend. Come to College Church on Friday, March 6, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 7, at 3 p.m.

Admission is free, and seating is on a first-come basis. For more information visit www.starsfamilyservices.org

AROUND TOWN Science, Creation and the Power of Stories On February 3 and 4, Midwest Creation Fellowship presents a talk by Mr. Duane Caldwell, “Science, Creation and the Power of Stories” the DVC Ministry Center, 25W560 Geneva Rd., Carol Stream. The doors open at 6 p.m., with refreshments at 6:45 p.m. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. and is followed by Q&A. For more information, call (847) 356-1433 or email mcforth@ midwestcreationfellowship.org.

Story in Sound, a concert by the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra Daniel Sommerville, conductor. Featuring Jennie Oh-Brown, flute Program: Edman Chapel Auditorium Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade Nielsen, Flute Concerto Rossini, La Gazza Ladra overture

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Saturday, February 29, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Tickets are only available at the door--$10 for general admission, $5 for seniors over 60, free for all students and Wheaton College ID holders.

LOOKING AHEAD Believers Baptism/Confirmation/ Infant Baptism/Infant Dedication There are dates coming up for those interested in believers baptism, confirmation, infant dedication and infant baptism.

If you would like more information about any of these opportunities, email Christy at baptism@college-church.org.

Gifted To Serve To all College Church Members and Regular Attenders: Announcing the Gifted to Serve Class All of us have gifts and talents that the Lord has given us to put to use for his kingdom. Have you struggled to discover what your spiritual gift(s) might be? Do you wish to use your spiritual gift(s) to further his kingdom but are not sure how to go about it? On February 2, 9 and 16, Dave Setran and Dan Haase will be leading a three week class to assist us with these important questions. The Gifted to Serve class will be hosted by the Joint Heirs Adult Community and will be held in Commons Hall in Rooms A&C at 9:30 a.m. While space is limited, it is open to all, so please feel free to come!

FRIDAY MARCH 13 SATURDAY MARCH 14 COLLEGE CHURCH

Men, with 2020 here, are you facing burnout? What warning lights may be going off? How is your pace of life? How did you get here? What are the potential consequences? Are you able to recover your true identity? Did 2019 leave you striving, stressed, anxious, fearful or exhausted? If so, how do you rest, rethink, reduce, refuel, relate, resurrect?

Plan NOW to join us on March 13-14 for our 2020 Men’s Conference, as we gather to hear from David Murray and fellowship with one another to hit the reset button. Please see the Men’s Ministry page for more details college-church.org/ adults/men.php.

Take advantage of events—some one-time, some ongoing—that are taking place around town this month.

Also, keep Connections in mind to promote a community event to the College Church family.

Send event information by the following dates to connections@college-church.org.

For the March issue: February 7 For the April issue: March 7 For the May issue: April 7

Connections is a monthly newsletter published for and about the people of College Church.

Send news items and suggestions to: connections@college-church.org.

332 E. Seminary, Wheaton, IL 60187 • Phone: (630) 668-0878 • www.college-church.org

Our Pastors, Directors and Residents: Eric Channing, pastor of congregational care and family ministries | Julie Clemens, director of disability ministries | Erik Dewar, pastor of worship and music | Zach Fallon, senior high pastor | Dan Hiben, junior high pastor | Tim Hollinger, technology director | Cheryce Berg, director of children’s ministries | Diane Jordan, director of visitation and care | Curt Miller, missions pastor | Josh Moody, senior pastor | Ben Panner, college pastor | Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries | John Seward, executive pastor | Nancy Singer, director of administration and finance | Mike Solis, pastoral resident | Erick Solomon, pastoral resident | Josh Stringer, pastor of discipleship | Wil Triggs, director of communications | Michael Walker, pastoral resident | Jacob Warren, pastoral resident Our Council of Elders: Bruce Aulie | Mark Bradley | David Dix, vice chair | Steve Ivester | Dan Lindquist | Josh Moody, senior pastor | Phil Nussbaum | Tom Nussbaum | Mark Taylor, chair | Mark Trieglaff | Brian Wildman | Tad Williams | Rob Wolgemuth, secretary