March 2020 Connections

Connections Proclaiming the GOSPEL

LOCAL & GLOBAL STORIES, NEWS AND EVENTS of COLLEGE CHURCH

"My soul won't thrive when the dust of doubt and fear accumulate and cloud my vision of God." See Cleaning a Tidy Home

by Virginia Hughes on page 13

MARCH 2020

Face to Face

Life Lessons

I Believe

A Place to Pray

Thoughts About Stuff

Before & After

CHERYL WARNER | 10

JIM CRISPIN | 15

VIJAI KURUPPACHERRY | 16

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

March Highlights

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Taking Our Discipleship Temperature | DISCIPLESHIP COMMITTEE

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God Centered Life Radio Touching Lives

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A Cohort of Preachers | PASTORAL RESIDENT ERICK SOLOMON

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A Place to Pray | CHERYL WARNER

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Midweek What? | PASTORAL RESIDENT JACOB WARREN

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Cleaning a Tidy Home | VIRGINIA HUGHES

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Spring Cleaning: What to do with the giveaway pile

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Thoughts About Stuff | JIM CRISPIN

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Before & After | VIJAI KURUPPACHERRY

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In It for the Long Haul: God’s Work Around the World

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Something Needs to Change Book Review | MICHELLE KELLEY

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Bibles to Give Away!

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Discover Jesus this Easter

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Meet Your Leaders

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Milestones

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Looking Ahead

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Around Town

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

The preaching series from Pastor Josh Moody, How Jesus Acts Through Us Today continues.

March 1: “The Community of Jesus,” Acts 2:42-47 We will celebrate communion in the three services.

March 8: Pastor Dan Hiben will be preaching “The Christ-Centered Life,” Philippians 1:18b-26 March 15: “Healing in Jesus’ Name,” Acts 3:1-26 We will observe infant baptism and infant dedication.

March 22: “Persecution for Jesus,” Acts 4:1-22 March 29: Pastor Zach Fallon will be preaching from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.

Sunday Evenings SUNDAY EVENING SERVICES—6 p.m.

March 1: One New People, Ephesians 5:22-33. College Pastor Ben Panner preaching.

March 8: Ordination service for Pastoral Resident Erick Solomon Pastor Josh Stringer preaching on 1 Peter 5:1-11. Reception to follow in the Narthex.

March 15: All Church Prayer Meeting in Commons Hall. Pastor Zach Fallon, Pastoral Resident Michael Walker and our high school students will be leading.

March 22: One New People, Ephesians 6:1-9. Pastoral Resident Mike Solis preaching. We will observe believers baptism during the service.

March 29: One New People, Ephesians 6:10-24. Pastor Eric Channing preaching.

Women's Ministries Monthly Gathering We invite you to our next Monthly Gathering Saturday, March 21, at 9 a.m. in Welsh Hall.

During this gathering, we will discuss how Christ changes our relationships within the church.

This will include a discussion on what the Bible says about our relationships with other believers and how the local church can provide a vibrant, safe home in which to grow as well as walk alongside one another. We hope you'll join us!

Women's Bible Study No Bible Study on March 11 or April 1 In March, we’ll begin our study of 2 Peter and, if you’d like to join, it’s not too late. Register online for this six-week study (March 4—April 29). 9:30-11 a.m. or 6:45-8:15 p.m.

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Mom2Mom

Men’s Bible Study

Join us on the first and third Mondays this month for Mom2Mom. At our Large Group Gathering on Monday, March 2 (9:30-11 a.m. in the Commons), we’ll explore the topic of school readiness with local Kindergarten teacher Cindy Kremers. On Monday, March 16, join us for our Gym Play Date from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Commons Gym.

No Bible Study on March 11 or April 1

Men's Ministries

Together, we’re digging a little deeper and developing our spiritual muscles so we can press on in our faith and faithfully bring others with us. Using video and table discussion, we are working through Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology.

Daunting? Perhaps. Worth it? Absolutely. Join us on Wednesday nights in the Commons from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. in C002.

Student Ministries Junior High • 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.

FRIDAY MARCH 13

ReSet Men’s Conference SATURDAY MARCH 14 March 13-14 C atOCollege L L E G EChurch CHURCH crossway.org/reset2020

Men, invest into your faith journey, yourself and your family by attending the ReSet Men's Conference. Just a few hours Friday night and Saturday morning with gifted speaker and teacher David Murray on the topic of Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture. We will keep it tight. Plus, tons of other cool ways to unwind and be enriched. The evidence of burnout among men is high, rarely discussed and, at times, difficult to see. Come engage with your friends, sons, fathers and colleagues and learn some tactics and tools to refresh!

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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MARCH HIGHLIGHTS CONT. 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 one Friday a month between September and April at 5:30 p.m. for fellowship, punch and a buffet dinner. Each dinner opens with a ministry staff member interview and an opportunity to share about life, family and 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.

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

Adult Community Highlight The Forum 15 Adult Community meets on Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. in CL01. Dedicated to a forum-type discussion, class members freely ask questions and learn from each other as they study God’s Word. This month, Bruce Main teaches from the book of James. All are welcome to join the class. To see the full lineup of Adult Communities, visit college-church.org/adults/communities.php or pick up the latest community guide in the kiosks around church.

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, first served basis. For more information visit www. starsfamilyservices.org.

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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 every Wednesday in March:

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

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

March 4: Kristi Zboncak, sharing about Re:New Project March 11: Karen Bradley, serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators March 18: Ian and Hannah Smith, sharing an update on their short-term experience in Greece March 25: To be determined

Missions Prayer Fellowship Gatherings Lydia Prayer Fellowship looks forward to hearing from

Kristiana Miller, recently with GEM serving youth, on Tuesday, March 10, at 9:15 a.m. Hear how the Lord is now leading her and her family at the home of Joyce Patterson, 925 Wheaton Oaks Dr., Wheaton. Never attended an MPF? Then this one is for you!

Hannah Prayer Fellowship will meet on Wednesday,

March 11, at 1:30 p.m., in C103 in the Commons. You are invited to join us to hear from Kristiana Miller, daughter of Jim and Lynette Hatcher. Kristiana, with her husband, Cory, is one of our new missionaries, preparing to serve overseas.

Abigail Prayer Fellowship will meet Thursday, March

12, at 1 p.m. We will be meeting at the home of Jan Okesson, Windsor Park Apt. E120. Jan’s phone number is (630) 234-1647, if you need additional information. We welcome any new folks who would like to pray for our overseas workers.

Aaron-Hur Prayer Fellowship will meet on Thursday,

March 26, at 7 p.m. at the home of Marr and Mary Miller, 1607 Stoddard Ave., Wheaton, (630) 668-8828. Our guest will be Karen Bradley, serving with Wycliffe.

Dorcas Prayer Fellowship meets Wednesday, March 18,

at 1:30 p.m. in The Upper Deck at Windsor Park (off North Avenue, west of Gary Ave., in Carol Stream). Debby Nichols speaks. She and Greg have had varied assignments in Europe with Greater Europe Mission. We'll hear about what they expect to do next.

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SIDE BY SIDE

Taking Our Discipleship Temperature Important news from the Discipleship Committee College Church is committed to equipping individuals to be disciples—growing in their intimacy with Jesus and obedience to his commands, and to make disciples—encouraging and supporting others as they seek to grow in Christlikeness.

Whether the venue is corporate worship, classes, small groups or one-on-one mentoring, we want the ministries of our church to facilitate both personal discipleship and shared disciplemaking. In either case, the goal is the same: to see people grow in conformity to the image of Christ for his glory.

Here’s where you come in.

In order to foster our growth in both areas, the Discipleship Committee determined that we first needed to take and understand the current “discipleship temperature” of College Church. We wanted to see what people are already doing in their personal discipleship practices and in their life-on-life discipleship with others.

Third, rekindle your own passion for discipleship and disciplemaking. We hope that this will become the ruling desire of all our lives, both individually and corporately.

By now, most of you should have received a “Discipleship Survey” in your inbox. The survey is intended to help our committee as we seek to make plans regarding the future of discipleship ministries in our congregation. This survey will enable us to discern areas of strength and areas of need. It will also allow us to propose classes, programs and ministries that will fuel our passion for discipleship for years to come.

First, complete the survey. It is anonymous and should take no longer than 10 minutes. We truly appreciate you taking the time to help us take the current discipleship “pulse” of our congregation.

Second, pray. Pray for the committee as we interpret the results and then make plans for the future of discipleship ministries at College Church.

We are so thankful for your participation in this important survey. Keep an eye out in the coming months as the Discipleship Committee decides how to best communicate the results to the congregation. May we continue to encourage one another in our common commitment to making disciples of Jesus Christ!

Gratefully, your 2019-20 Discipleship Committee: Jeff Oslund (chair), Faith Bair, Dave Setran, Josh Stringer (pastor of discipleship), Mike Solis and Erick Solomon (pastoral residents)

God Centered Life Radio Touching Lives Pastor Josh Moody’s radio program, “God Centered Life” (GCL), is bearing ministry fruit. Heard nightly here in Chicago on WMBI FM 90.1 at 10:30 p.m., “God Centered Life” reaches between 5,000 and 10,000 people every day. Recently a couple visiting College Church from Michigan shared with Pastor Josh the way the broadcast had touched their lives. The wife mentioned how his teaching had reached her heart and challenged her to grow more deeply in her faith. A young man involved in a cult happened to hear the broadcast on the radio one night, dedicated his life to Christ and came to church on another weekend.

We are grateful for the growing impact of GCL. Join us in prayer as we seek to grow the radio network and increase our online broadcast presence. “God Centered Life” can be heard Monday through Friday nights on WMBI at 10:30 p.m., as well as on Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. The broadcast can also be shared online at www.godcenteredlife. org, at www.oneplace.com/ministries/god-centered-life/ and soon at www.twr360.com, a global ministry impact platform. During 2020, GCL anticipates expansion to radio markets beyond the current markets of Chicago, Des Moines and Canton (Atlanta area).

Please pray for the ministry’s growing impact.

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LOCALLY SOURCED

A Cohort of Preachers Pastoral Resident Erick Solomon looks at the Workshop on Biblical Exposition Every year in May a cohort of preachers gathers at College Church to grow together as expositional preachers. First, let’s define what we mean by expositional.

In his book Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God’s Word Today, David Helm defines it as “…empowered preaching that rightfully submits the shape and emphasis of the sermon to the shape and emphasis of a biblical text.”

For three days, in large and small group settings, these preachers participate in the Workshop on Biblical Exposition. If that sounds familiar, it's because the first workshops began right here at College Church more than twenty years ago.

The Charles Simeon Trust (CST) was established in January 2001 by former College Church pastors David Helm, Jon Dennis and Kent Hughes. (David and Jon are pastors of our first church plant, Holy Trinity, in Chicago.) Currently, the trust operates workshops in 19 different countries.

The CST mission is simple: "We exist to promote the growth of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world by training up the next generation of Biblical expositors." But the way in which they do this is truly remarkable: through workshops that provide large group instruction and small group feedback and push preachers to grow in their preaching. Courses that provide intensive and extensive training in preaching give preachers invaluable practice and feedback as they grow as better preachers of the Word. To put it in perspective, many of these preachers have rarely, if ever, received constructive feedback in the middle of their preparation. Few have been challenged in their preparation within a community of preachers. These

experiences are unique and help sharpen preachers in a way few other programs have been able to do.

In just a couple of months, another Workshop on Biblical Exposition is coming to College Church. From May 6 to 8, College Church will host a group of preachers growing in their skills to faithfully preach God's Word to God's people. Our focus this year is on the Book of Acts, and Senior Pastor Josh Moody will be joined by William Phillip, senior minister of the Tron Church in Glasgow, and David Helm in leading the workshop.

Each participant will present his work in his small group on two different texts from Acts. Within this group of six to eight preachers, participants present a worksheet that breaks down each of their passages and gives the main point, the structure and the gospel connection within each text, among other things.

They then receive feedback from the other participants. Large group sessions include instruction and examples of exposition from the leaders.

And we, College Church, are a part of that. As a community centered on the Word of God, we get to participate in the training and sending of preachers who do the same. This is one of the ways we participate in the big-C-Church: by partnering with an organization like CST and with like-minded instructors to train like-minded preachers for the purpose of

building up the body of Christ through the preaching of the Bible.

Here’s what you can do: PRAY. These workshops are intensive.

There is a lot of work that goes into preparing for them, both as a host church and on behalf of those participating. Pray for the instructors, the small group leaders and the participants, that they would all come humble and expectant for God to grow them within that community of preachers over those three days.

INVITE. If you know of any men who are preachers, aspiring preachers or Bible teachers, let them know about this workshop at simeontrust.org/workshop/wheaton-2020/ (The Charles Simeon Trust offers separate workshops for women.)

SERVE. If you are interested in serving with the hospitality team, contact Carolyn at clitfin@college-church.org.

We are a church community that believes that God's people are only as healthy as they are centered on the Word of God. The Workshop on Biblical Exposition is one of the many ways we participate in strengthening the big-C-Church for that kind of ministry: healthy churches centered on the Word of God.

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FACE TO FACE

A Place to Pray Cheryl Warner “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:2, NIV)

And the related question: Where can I go and meet with God? Where can I go where we won’t be interrupted? Where can I talk out loud or cry or sing or sit silently and listen to him?

Meeting with God happens regularly at home, and Jesus contrasted the fruitless, attention-seeking public prayers of the hypocrites with secret prayer at home that God values. “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6, NIV) Spending time alone with our loving Father is reward in itself.

Yet even home is filled with distractions, making prayer difficult. And what about when I’m traveling and won’t see my front door for weeks? Or when I have something pressing to talk to him about and long for deep, intimate connection? Where can I go and meet with God? Sacred prayer space can be found tucked away in public places.

In the Munich Airport, I discovered a simple, quiet prayer room supplied with Bibles and hymnbooks—the perfect place to pray, to sing, to worship. It was a refuge from the stresses of travel as well as a prompt to pray for the people from many nations passing through the airport that day. I left refreshed, having met with God. Praying in an empty church with no one else there but the Holy Spirit provides a respite from the frantic pace of life. When we lived in Vienna, my friend and I used to meet in the city for apple strudel and then go “church sitting.” We’d slip in the back of an ancient place of worship and be still for a while, then whisper our prayers to God about our children, our husbands, our church, our joys, our sorrows. Those prayers are still being answered.

Memorable moments of meeting with God have happened in these places: the pine forest near our home in Ukraine; on planes, looking at the clouds below and gaining more of a heavenly perspective; on a grassy knoll overlooking the lake at Blackwell Forest Preserve; under a birch tree on the front campus of Wheaton College; in a quiet corner of College Church.

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Some prayers are shouted at full volume, fueled by raw emotion that holds nothing back. This may happen when I’m alone in the car, bellowing at God because only he can hear me, and I know he’s not shocked by my tirade. Or, Bible open, I borrow the words of psalms that express how I feel. “Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint.” (Psalm 64:1, NIV) “Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.” (Psalm 31:9, NIV) I’m learning that my angry prayers actually drive me closer to him because he already knows my heart and wants me to come as I am, no pretending, no hiding. I long to be heard and seen and loved, even in my mess. Then he quiets my heart and comforts me, “like a weaned child with its mother.” (Psalm 131: 2, NIV) At those moments, he brings me back to a place of trust, with deepening intimacy and security.

In the last year, most of my tirades had to do with my dad’s recurring skin cancer on his scalp and one violent surgery after another. I yelled at God about the holes in Dad’s body and the wounds on his flesh. In a breathtaking moment, Jesus reminded me of the holes in his own hands and feet and thorns on his brow. He knows. He cares. He suffered for us, and he suffers with us. He came close in a new way that day.

During a trying season of sitting by Dad’s hospital bed, the hospital chapel was a place I could slip into for a few minutes each day to pray for him, to pour out my heart to God and tell him why my soul was downcast and disturbed. (Psalm 42:8) Kneeling before the cross, again I saw that Jesus knows firsthand about physical suffering and he weeps with me.

Taking communion with a handful of believers there on a Sunday morning reminded me that Christ’s body was broken for me, and by his wounds I am healed. He gently lifted my eyes upward with an invitation to put my hope in God, for I will yet praise him. (Psalm 42:11) Prayer and trust multiplied as others came with me to the chapel, and we shared our burdens and lifted up the one we love. We prayed in other times and places, to be sure, yet there was something powerful about interceding with intentionality and purpose in that place with wooden pews and stained glass and echoes of a century of prayers.

The extravagant privilege we have of coming before the Almighty himself, who is seated in the throne room, is staggering. The book of Revelation shows us an astonishing picture of the Lamb standing in the center of the throne, with the twenty-four elders falling before him in worship, holding

“golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” (Revelation 5:8) Those prayers have reached the throne room, fragrant and precious to God. One Sunday by my dad’s bedside in the hospital in Texas, we read together from Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (NIV) That afternoon I watched a video of the service from our church in Ukraine and heard that same verse read in Ukrainian. What a gift, connecting Scripture with a very immediate physical need in an American hospital and with our dear brothers and sisters in the worldwide church. Mercy and grace. Help in our time of need—available to all believers in all times and places.

A graveside is another powerful place to meet with God and rest in the hope of the resurrection.

How grateful I am to be able to approach the throne of grace and meet with God behind closed doors at home, or anywhere, adding my prayers to the golden bowl of incense and finding mercy and grace.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11, NIV)

My sweet dad is now present with the Lord, no longer suffering, and singing praises like never before. And the Lord is also present with us, comforting and loving us in our grief.

Whatever happened to church prayer meetings? According to Charles Spurgeon, the prayer meeting was alive and well in his days, “I always give all the glory to God, but I do not forget that He gave me the privilege of ministering from the first to a praying people. We had prayer meetings that moved our very souls, each one appeared determined to storm the Celestial City by the might of intercession.”

Where is this vitality, earnestness and efficacy that Charles Spurgeon witnessed?

Some people have suggested that since many of us aren’t committed to pray on our own, why would we feel compelled to pray together, out loud, in public? Others point to our overfull calendars and schedules that preclude any possibility for consistent attendance at church prayer meetings. We’re simply over-committed.

SIDE BY SIDE

Midweek What?

Pastoral Resident Jacob Warren

For some it might be “fear of man,” a preoccupation with other people’s opinions that causes our blood pressure to spike at the thought of being asked to pray out loud in the company of others. Maybe it’s simply that prayer is hard, and while we are willing to acknowledge the importance of prayer, we just might not believe that it’s worth the effort, particularly in a group setting.

No one would dispute that private prayer is important. After all, Jesus warned us not to be like those who pray in public for recognition’s sake, but to “go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.” (Matthew 6:5-6) Jesus himself modeled this by going out “very early in the morning, while it was still dark [he] got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

(Mark 1:35, NIV) Or in Matthew 14:23 where “after [ Jesus] dismissed the crowds, he went up on a mountain by himself to pray, when evening came, he was there alone.” In perhaps Jesus’s most trying hour, he “withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them [his disciples], knelt down and prayed…” (Luke 22:41, NIV)

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I remember attending Christian camps as a teenager (incidentally, all before my coming to faith in Christ) where the theme was often the importance of personal quiet times and how to have them. The camp would give us slick looking youth-oriented journals to help guide our times of study and prayer. I’m grateful for these efforts; like so many other spiritual investments by others in my life, they produced real fruit after the fact, once I’d come to saving faith in Christ while in college.

I only bring this up to note that while our personal relationship with Jesus is indeed crucial, in our personal times of prayer, it is easy to overemphasize the private Christian life to the exclusion of our corporate one. By that, I mean our identification with Christ’s body represented in the local church and lifting our voices in prayer together. This de-emphasis is particularly easy to understand given our own Western context where personal autonomy is king.

So why should we commit to praying together? What did it look like for the early church to do so? What Scriptures come to your mind when you answer these questions? Let’s start with the example of the first disciples and churches.

After Jesus had been crucified, had risen from the dead, had issued his commission to his disciples and finally ascended into heaven, what do you think was the first thing the disciples did?

“They returned to Jerusalem…And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying… all these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” (Acts 1:12-14) After the miraculous events of Pentecost, and the adding of so many souls to the kingdom, what did regular church life consist of for these new believers moving forward? Acts 2:42 tells us that, “they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (NIV) After Peter and John were threatened by the religious rulers and released after preaching at Solomon’s Portico, how did they and their friends respond? “…they lifted their voices together to God,” giving glory and praise to God for his sovereign rule and plan, asking him to, “look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (see Acts 4:24, 29-30).

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"What could it mean for us as a church to prioritize real and vital prayer? What would a pervasive culture of impromptu and intentionally planned prayer look like?"

The effect of this impromptu prayer meeting was astounding as “the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31) I could write about how the church gathered to pray in response to adversity, prayed prayers for healing, prayers for spiritual gifting, prayers for rescue and protection, prayers for wisdom and empowerment of those sent out for the sake of the gospel, and so on. The spiritual reflex of the early church was to gather and pray.

What could it mean for us as a church to prioritize real and vital prayer? What would a pervasive culture of impromptu and intentionally planned prayer look like? I’m grateful when I think of the various pockets of faithful prayers that can be found throughout the week all over our campus. I’m encouraged when I hear of people gathering for prayer and Bible study at the workplace week to week, right here in Wheaton.

As you consider what your own involvement might look like, I’d start by finding one of these pockets of prayer and adding your own voice to theirs. I’ve prayed together alongside a number of these folks, and I know they’d be delighted to see you and would be much less likely to judge the quality of your prayers than you might imagine. I also want to bring to your attention the upcoming All Church Prayer Meeting that will be taking place in the Commons on Sunday, March 15. Meetings like these are wonderful times to engage as a local body, to be challenged and aided by various prayer helps and to be encouraged and spurred on by the prayers of those alongside you.

Just before moving to Wheaton to begin College Church’s pastoral residency program, I met with a mentor of mine for coffee as we often did. That morning, I asked him what he would prioritize if he were the one starting the residency. He took a sip of his coffee, thought for a moment and replied, “I’d find the praying people.”

FACE TO FACE

Cleaning a Tidy Home Virginia Hughes It was a most promising day for a twelve-year-old. My elder sister Mary, a college student, had mentioned a “once upon a time,” very special, perfect opportunity just for me. My generous, astute sister was also the best recruiter to enlist her siblings. She drew us in, built us up and added phrases from our favorite adventure stories with endings no less than “happily ever after.”

pocket couldn’t hold it. A hand would mash it in seconds. A purse would mangle it. I sometimes placed it in a book, which held it nicely, but hid it instantly within its pages and required the book be vigorously shaken until the pink diaphanous ticket floated down the bus steps partially disintegrating in the air or landing atop a puddle by the curb. City bus drivers let it be known they didn’t appreciate my varied failures to turn in an unscathed transfer; but with sigh and shake of head, they accepted it every time.

Mary was passing down a cleaning job she no longer wanted.

In our family, shoes, clothes and books weren’t the only hand-me-downs. This time it was a job for only “someone very responsible and attentive,” according to her. She had my rapt attention. No matter that this same sister had recently passed down a lousy job—babysitting four little beasts posing as children along with their giant, ever watchful German shepherd, suspicious of a babysitter entering his territory. I loved dogs, but Rebel’s serious woof, “Hark, who goes there?” made me tremble. He sensed my fear, and I trembled more.

The parents of the wild children paid a hapless babysitter in varying amounts according to whatever chump change was left in the mom’s jacket pocket. It never covered the hours of misery spent with undisciplined children. I jumped at the opportunity to hand over that babysitting gig to my younger sibling and ran to the bus stop early on Saturday morning. It may seem a fairy tale that one so young would be entrusted to clean a home, but, in my experience no one blinked that a twelve-year-old would clean a home, watch a group of children, cook dinner, mow the lawn and complete other chores often reserved for older teens or grownups. Most of the kids I knew had a generous amount of responsibility put upon us, and we reveled in it.

Today, the first day on the new cleaning job, Mary would teach me how to clean as I never had before. As we entered the large sturdy stone house with its ultra shag, aqua carpet under bright orange couches, it was apparent there was no visible wear and tear in the home. Comfy teal chaise lounge chairs held gold satin pillows filled with soft down. A grand piano stretched elegantly in front of thick open aqua velvet drapes. No rumpled newspapers, brothers wrestling, stacks of homework, dolls, shoes or board games strewn about. Nary a pile of laundry in various stages; no dishes in the sink.

Squeezing the sweaty bus fare in my palm, I heard the city bus chugging up the street. When it came to the stop, I climbed the steep bus steps, plinked my dime into the clear fare box and requested a transfer, please, to get all the way across town for my cleaning job. Free transfers were a legitimate part of the system but typically sent disgruntled bus drivers into reeling consternation. A chunky, grey transfer binder was reached only with the driver’s most extreme stretch, opened, transfer ticket marked, a copy torn from the book and handed to me in a huff.

I received the transfer reverently. It appeared to be made of light pink tissue paper mixed with cotton candy threads invented by tiny elves and magic dragonflies, thinner than the pages of my Bible in its gauzy flimsiness. My next duty would be to keep that delicate ticket from disintegrating in the eight blocks left to the transfer point downtown. It couldn’t be placed on the seat as it may float away or be sat upon. A

What was I supposed to clean here in this pristine palace of sheen? It wasn’t the grime of a home bashed around by active children, including friends and pets. “Does anyone live here?” I wondered aloud. My sister showed me their photos on the side table. The mister, missus and their college-aged son. The bride in another photo was a daughter already married and moved into her own home.

We got right to work. I learned a lot about cleaning in this already-looked-clean home. Dirt lurked within, and my sister had a system for cleaning all the surfaces, edges and floors.

Dust wasn’t going to rest in a corner or on a molding. “There is always dust that only the most discerning eye can see,” my sister stated, still building me up and very good at this kind of training. “And if your discerning eye cannot see it, know it is still there, and must be wiped clean.” Everything, even the items that looked fine, had to be picked up and dusted thoroughly. Mary was not going to accept a lazy swab of the cloth.

In the son’s room, there was a large tan tray filled with manly cologne bottles designed by the Avon Company and trendy in the 1970s. I dusted them all and personal favorites were the golden gavel, the black Model T car, a green horse head and a brown bottle shaped like a buffalo. With names like Spicy, Weekend, Excalibur and Wild Country, the drama those bottles lived out on that tray completely captured my imagination as I spritzed and dusted until they glistened.

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Room by room, Mary took me through the house. We reached up into the corners to knock down cobwebs with a broom covered in a dust cloth. We dusted the high shelves no one could see, we vacuumed and reached way under the beds for dust bunnies. The blissful lemon Pledge with its spray, “psssshhhh,” gently fell like a light snow in scented droplets on the wooden coffee table. Spraying it end to end on the even longer dining room table followed by careful polishes of the softest cloth was almost a reward.

Eventually I passed my sister’s inspections and soon cleaned on my own with no big sister saying see this, notice this, see, see? I saw a difference in the before and after in this house that originally looked fine when I knew nothing. The carpet that was mashed was now standing up from a thorough vacuuming. Glass mirrors and vases sparkled. The piano had no fingerprints. Rooms smelled fresh.

In due season, I helped with spring and fall cleaning which included stripping old wax from wood and linoleum floors and applying the hard gloss finish and protective shield of Glo-Coat.

Wall and window washing were also part of the spring and fall cleaning list. Practical life skills about getting rid of dirt were learned during those early cleaning years. The cycle of dirt is constant, and the cleaning cycle needs to match it.

Cleaning a house room by room is a picture of how I am a house that begs cleaning every day. The Lord cleanses from all unrighteousness as far as the east is from the west, so far has he

removed our transgressions from us. (See Psalm 103:12.) I ask Christ to complete his perfect work in me, to wash me and I shall be whiter than snow as Psalm 51:7 describes.

My soul won’t thrive when the dust of doubt and fear accumulate and cloud my vision of God. Bad attitude, may your stench be sterilized and replaced by an aroma of serving which is pleasing to Jesus. Bored apathy, be swept away and exchanged for earnest caring. Laziness, to the curb with you. I choose to praise God, trust and obey. For all my blind spots, shake me with a cleansing prayer: Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24) After hours of scrubbing and dusting in the house, the last part of my job was to take all the trash outside to the waste bin, throw it in and listen to the lid crash closed singing, “You did it, you are done for today!” That was a happily ever after that lasted a whole week until the next Saturday. I would return and clean the home all over again until I passed the cleaning job onto my younger sibling.

Cleaning takes consistent contact with the cleaning cloth in my home and in my mind. I must be willing to be cleaned. If we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Whether it’s our homes or ourselves, our souls long to dwell in a home that is not only tidy, but truly clean.

LOCALLY SOURCED

Spring Cleaning: What to do with the giveaway pile College Church recommends three different options for giving away items for resale. Each of these places are connected to College Church and help different people in the community.

Twice is Nice Resale Shop, located at 893 Geneva Road in Carol Stream. Proceeds help Outreach Community Ministries.

Donations are accepted during general store hours, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

To schedule a furniture pick-up, call (630) 984-1545.

STARS Resale Shop, located at 1072 College Avenue in Wheaton. Proceeds help STARS Family Services. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Donations are accepted until one hour before closing.

To schedule a furniture pickup, call (630) 682-1499.

Repeat Boutique, located at 191 S. Gary Avenue, #140 in Carol Stream, gives clothing and household items to people in need including refugees, missionaries and people involved in Christian ministries. The drop-off box is located at the back of the building by Door E3. Donation hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Store hours for free shopping: Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Call (630) 462-7341 for more information.

Repeat Boutique entrance, donations in the back of the building

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LIFE LESSONS

Thoughts About Stuff Jim Crispin “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).

One of my favorite keepsakes is a foul ball from my first White Sox game. I didn’t think my dad had a chance, but he hustled into the empty seats and somehow came up with the ball. To my ten-year-old delight, Dad handed the ball to me.

I suppose that most of us have treasures with little or no monetary value. In 2019, I came to see that I had more of it than I’d thought and realized two things: one, some of it can go to the curb, and two, effectively my remaining keepsakes make up a museum for which I am president, curator and, almost always, sole visitor. When the Lord takes me home, if not before, someone will take most of that to the curb as well.

What about money? Last year, my wife, Kim, and I were victims of a large and so-far-successful identity theft – a contemporary way for a thief to break in. For other assets, Jesus’ words about ruin by “moth and rust” are as poignant as ever. Most of what we can buy – automobiles, roof tiles, lawn care services, wall paint, prescription drugs, flooring, washing machines, nearly anything from Jewel or Lowe’s or Nieman Marcus will degrade or deplete over time.

For objects that appear more stable, times change. Who of us hasn’t reluctantly disposed of good-as-new but obsolete (and sometimes expensive when purchased) mechanical or electronic devices? And as others have observed, people are establishing homes without china, crystal, linens, dinnerware or heavy dark wood furniture passed from their parents and grandparents.

This change can leave older folks with costly stuff that is difficult to sell (I pity the person who invested heavily in porcelain figurines in 1990) or even give away. What about stocks? We’ve had a nice run. We could get thumped any day. Or not any more than Joe Artisan in AD30 knew when someone would

break into his house. What about gold or Bitcoin? Hedging is hedging, but risk is risk. Real estate? For most of Illinois it is flat or declining.

Indeed, many of our friends in and out of the church would agree that the joys of expensive possessions are limited. But for me, the arresting words of Matthew 6:19-21 are “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” I write this as a confession. In day-to-day living, my human heart does not focus on treasures in heaven. My day-to-day human heart focuses on things of this life: keep working; keep feeding the 401K till they throw me out the door; stay in this house till someone throws me out that door too.

Please, Lord, guide me to lay up treasures in heaven. The world’s material things have uncertain useful life and do not matter for heaven. Please Lord, guide me to lay up treasures in heaven.

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I BELIEVE!

Before & After Vijai Kuruppacherry LIFE BEFORE CHRIST They still call it “God’s Own Country”- the southwestern state of Kerala, India, known for its then-pristine lakes, lush, green hills and waterfront lowlands. A ponderous weight of history and romance lingers around its freshwater bays that shield the coast from the sea, called “backwaters,” recalling commerce with Ancient Israel, the Roman Empire, the Arabs, royal emissaries of the King of Portugal, led by Count Vasco da Gama, and then the Dutch, French and British traders who thronged its port city, Cochin (now Kochi). This is where I was born and spent the first seventeen years of my life. Legend has it that St. Thomas the Apostle landed in this region about ten years after Jesus’ resurrection and won many converts. Subsequent Jewish migration after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in AD 70 added numbers to both Jewish and Christian groups.

Doctrinal differences, the Orthodox-Catholic split, and later waves of European traders changed the landscape considerably in the two millennia that followed. Every family, Christian or not, bears markers of this eventful past, sometimes remarkably well preserved and remembered to this day.

I was raised in a nominal Catholic family with stories of heroic conversions to Christ from an insular, Hindu-background centuries ago, but for all that, there seemed to be no anchoring conviction. We went to church every Sunday, went through the Sacraments and led lives that were not very different from those of non-Christians, but rooted in conforming to a set of acceptable behaviors in our close-knit community. Relationships were built around this code of conduct.

I was not well-informed about Catholic theology even though I scored well in my Catechism tests. Guilt and emptiness pervaded my life throughout this period. In hindsight, this may have been the result of traditions that privileged merit and earning good graces from authority figures – parents, teachers and church leaders – over forgiveness or grace.

I didn't think in terms of purpose, identity or security. I moved along life blind and directionless. Many others my age talked in very definite terms of what they wanted from life, from the colleges they wanted to attend to years far beyond. For some reason, I simply didn't think that far ahead.

THE LETDOWN Changes in life circumstances always made me uneasy. We all experience change throughout life, and I now see how it affects

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my own kids. Moving to the city of Madras (now Chennai) for college was the first significant change I experienced.

Nothing was predictable. People around me were different in temperament, and I felt truly alone for the first time.

Madras Christian College (MCC) was created in 1837 by Presbyterian missionaries for the purpose of evangelization among Hindu people groups in Southern India. Its high academic standing in liberal arts and reputation as a center for Christian education attract both secular Indians and highly committed Christians—a heady mixture, as though Wheaton College and Berkeley were merged together! It would have been commonplace to find kids smoking pot in a corner of the wooded, 365-acre campus, and not too far, another group strumming on guitars and singing praises to God. Not the kind of place most Christians would want to send kids, although from my experience, the danger of de-conversion was squarely on the secular side. Every year scores of unbelievers would come to faith. To date, I have not heard of a single case that went the other direction.

Every evening, our hall of residence, called Bishop Heber Hall (after Reginald Heber, the hymn writer who was the Anglican bishop of Calcutta) would have Compline services. They were very comforting, but I had no understanding of the forgiveness of God when I attended these. I joined the chapel choir to escape the mild hazing that went on among resident students on campus. I wasn’t familiar with the hymns, but the more I considered verses written by Isaac Watts, Reginald Heber, Augustus Toplady and others, the more I was intrigued by the strange mixture of chastisement and triumph in them, which I hadn’t encountered in the ones I’d heard at home.

I was searching, in my own fumbling way. I didn't know where to look or what I wanted, but I realized that I couldn't come to terms with my own blasé attitude and the rapidly changing circumstances in my life. My parents were anxious about me, and I didn't have an anchoring relationship that could guide me to find purpose.

A DIVINE AND PERSONAL TRANSACTION The first time I heard someone speak about a personal relationship with Christ was my freshman year of college. There were older students who would come up to me and talk about this relationship they had with Jesus and ask me questions which, at the time, did not make much sense to me. The idea

that Jesus died for my sins wasn’t new, but it did not occur to me that in this very relational, personal way Jesus had accomplished this for me. (I later learned that the students who had first told me about Jesus had been constantly praying for me.)

The cognition that the divine transaction was so personal didn't come until my senior year, when Raphael, a freshman, gathered up the courage to talk to me about this salvation. We began talking at 8:30 p.m.

The light dawned on me in the wee hours of October 7, 1995.

After several questions from me, which he tried to answer the best he could, he asked me if I was ready now to invite Jesus into my life. We prayed together, and that was it. But it took another month of Bible reading for me to begin to understand the nature of Jesus' sacrifice borne out of love for my sake that led him to the cross. During this month, inexplicably, many other students began to come to faith every day, as in a revival of sorts, and a campus-wide fellowship was hobbled together spontaneously.

THE BACKSTORY AND MORE A month before my conversion, a close friend came to faith and invited me to go with him to a church service. While there, I talked to several church members who pressed me to make a commitment to Jesus. One was so persistent he let me know that if I didn't, after I died, I would find myself facing an entity with a pitchfork saying, “barbecue time.” After this unsettling conversation, I made up my mind to never commit to this strange faith that relied on fear to drive conviction.

But my friend's conversion still affected me strongly. I kept wondering what could have appealed to him – by all accounts a clear thinker and kindhearted person – to make such a commitment. After my own commitment, we had several conversations which solidified it. The campus fellowship that sprung up during this time became a proving ground for our nascent understanding of the Scriptures to be tested and refined, often in open conflict with unbelieving students around us who routinely ridiculed and sharply questioned our faith, to which we found ourselves frequently unable to respond adequately.

I was an avid journal-keeper, and still have some of my meditations from the period which I wrote down whenever I could. When I read through them, a picture of how my perspective of Jesus began to evolve emerges. The notes are very personal and intimate. One of the first questions a friend asked me about the day I became a Christian was whether I could sense any change in me. My answer was that I did sense a change, but I couldn't tell exactly what it was. I added that I hadn't uttered a single swear word because I didn't feel like it.

This must have impressed him because he repeated it to others, and a day later committed his own life to Christ!

Looking back, I think my real struggle in giving my life to Christ was pride. As a kid in college with friends who routinely mocked the born-again Christians on campus, I felt afraid to lose the reputation I had built for myself as a carefree and confident young man, not given to superstition and parochial fables.

During that all-night conversation with Raphael, however, that fear was mysteriously overcome with a strong longing to cast aside my meaningless bravado and face this insistent call to ask Christ into my life.

LIFE AFTER CHRIST A lot of people talk about their conversion and the gradual changes in their lives, in their perspectives and attitudes. In my case, those first winds of change came fast and decisive. In my environment that marked one out by his choices in daily life, such as movies, books, music, words we used, eating and drinking habits, not to mention how we responded to the vulnerable and the poor, whether we responded with grace to people who sorely tested the limits of our patience, and other signs of allegiance, I was driven by zeal to identify with this new community of faith. But I came to understand that spiritual maturity, the kind that Psalm 1 talks about, comes from building a foundation of trust and loving dependence on Christ.

This took much longer, and the process was much harder. I frequently joke with my kids that if I came to faith to be forgiven so I could just go to heaven, then the pastor who baptized me by immersion should have just held me down and I would have gone straight to heaven and skipped every trial that awaited me.

Over time, I came to understand that God's desire, expressed throughout the Bible, is in building his kingdom, restoring humanity and all creation, and we have the privilege of working with him to accomplish this.

In retelling my conversion, it has helped me understand the purposeful and unrelenting actions of God to fulfill his plan of redemption, and this strengthens me when situations don't look so good. In my workplace at a management consulting firm or in ministry, I have found that every defeat or disappointment has a place in this redemptive initiative. In the book Mountains beyond Mountains about Dr. Paul Farmer, who works with vulnerable populations in Haiti and Rwanda, author Tracy Kidder quotes Dr. Farmer reflecting on the fact that his work is about "fighting the long defeat." He goes on to say that we all want to be on the winning side, but he will not stop simply because he keeps getting defeated.

This captures our paradox well, of looking forward to assured victory and chasing defeat, but in Christ, we are more than conquerors and overcomers to whom the crown of life is given by the King himself.

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GLOBAL VOICES

In It for the Long Haul: God’s Work Around the World Career Missionary Edition “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands, crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10) We each have a role to play in global missions. God calls some to be missionaries and others to send them. College Church is richly blessed to support God’s work in many different areas of the world. We currently support 98 career units (families and singles) serving around the world, as well as 11 mid-term missionary units in addition to short-term teams and individuals. We want to introduce you to a few of our career missionaries this month and in the months to come. Pick up a copy of the Missionary Prayer Guide at the bookstall to learn more about our missionaries. through his people.”

CURT & KAREN COLE Curt and Karen serve with Avant Ministries, based in Kansas City, Missouri. After serving with Reach Beyond (formally HCJB Global) for 27 years, Curt now leads the human resources department at Avant Ministries, and Karen helps support educational options for Avant’s missionary kids around the world.

A good portion of Curt’s time is spent traveling, visiting and supporting the missionaries of Avant around the world.

He wrote an update of one such trip in February. “I met Pedro earlier this week when I was in Belize preaching at an association of evangelical churches event. Pedro is the director of Kings College, a high school started by GMU (Avant) missionaries in 1967. He is also a graduate of the Guatemala Bible Seminary.

“About a year ago a student at King’s College died in a tragic motorcycle accident. Because of the way Pedro and others cared for the family, they invited him to start a church in their community.

“This church without walls has now grown to 40 people!

Another church in Belize gifted them one bench and they used that as a model to make more benches.

“Pedro gets church planting. He is already discipling and training two other men to lead this new church in the small town of La Pasadita, Belize.

“What a joy to be able to see how God is building his church

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Would you take a minute to pray for Curt and Karen in the following ways?

• Pray for Curt and Karen as they support ministry around the world. Pray that the Lord would use them to encourage missionaries and missionary kids.

• Pray for a good community to come around them in Kansas City and for them to be supported well through transition.

• Pray for God to grow his church around the world, drawing more and more people to himself.

JOE & HOLLY GREESON Joe and Holly work in member care with SEND North in Alaska and Northwest Canada. Based in Anchorage, Joe and Holly travel to 21 different villages in the far north. They encourage SEND workers and their families who are called by Jesus to live and make disciples in this region. They also have a special heart for missionary kids isolated in remote villages who face many of the same issues as third culture kids around the world.

In the fall, Joe and Holly watched over a family’s home and ministry so the family could take a furlough. On January 23 they wrote, “Praise God for our time in Ross River, Canada.

We were there from late September to late December and saw God do something wonderful almost every day. We will never forget the wonderful people we met from every age group. Your

and our prayers for safety in long travels were answered and our Subaru held up in the cold nights and on the unpaved roads.

There were only a few new, minor cracks in the windshield. We did get sick with some type of flu with a lingering cough but had plenty of good food (mostly moose) and exercise in walking and splitting wood. We were privileged to serve and witness the church God is building in this little Canadian village.

“What we learned in our short time in a remote village gave us deeper appreciation for our SEND North families who faithfully serve and raise their families in these small communities. We pray for God's grace and love to be evident in the sacrifices they make to serve in these difficult places of inconvenience and darkness. We thank God that there are still families in this world who are willing to face all the obstacles of answering God's call to these out-of-the-way places of great need.

“Pray for our people in inland villages, who have been soldiering through a long January cold snap. One report said it was -73° F, while in another village it had been around -50° F for two weeks. Also pray for wisdom for our pilots and their planes.

Some of our small planes cannot take off or land safely when the temps are this extreme. Even a short trip on a snow machine (aka snowmobile) can be hazardous at these temperatures.

Also, the cold and dark can sap spiritual vitality, especially when combined with power outages (as reported from another village).”

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

• Praise God for his provision of meat and heat this winter.

• Pray for health, safety and energy for Joe and Holly and for others serving in the far north.

• Pray for people to find hope in Jesus. Pray as well for a renewal of faith for those who were growing in faith but are now far from God. MIHAI & TAMMY LUNDELL Mihai and Tammy live in Italy and serve with One Challenge International.

Locally, Mihai helps church leaders reach the community with the gospel using sport and music as discipleship strategies. Mihai also serves on the executive committee of the European member care board, offering care and support to mission workers in Italy, Romania, Hungary and Poland. Tammy serves as a spiritual director for several young leaders locally and across Europe, cultivating prayer ministry for revival and organizing retreats for individuals and small groups. Within One Challenge, she develops cross-cultural mission experiences (both short and long

term) for individuals and small teams in Europe.

Tammy wrote to College Church saying, “Happy February!

I hope this note finds you well and somehow protected from the ‘February Fever’ (this is something I’ve become aware of living in Latin culture – the root word for February in Latin is the word for “fever,” so they associate February with illness).

Thankfully we are doing well in body, mind and spirit these days. Praise God for that!

“In January we became official members of our home church in Genova, and with that, accepted new ministry responsibilities which include participating in and helping to coordinate outreach ministries, preaching, community development, discipleship and music. We are thankful for our church home in Genova and the friends we have made.

“After a big first year in Italy filled with many moves and growth, we were glad to take a few days after the Revive conference to visit Valle d'Aosta, a region of Italy, bordering France and Monte Bianco. It was a great time to relax and enjoy the beautiful Italian Alps. Mihai passed his C-1 level language exams, which is the second highest level after full fluency (C-2) and will finish up a full year of language school in February.

We both have been able to make new friends, dig deeper into relationships and integrate ourselves into various aspects of life here in Genova. We are thankful!”

Would you join us in praying for the Lundells?

• Pray for wisdom as they prepare for the next European member care consultation this month as they are leading seminars and have leadership responsibilities.

• Pray for them to grow in trust and dependence on the Lord as they take on new ministry responsibilities in their home church and meet with pastors about new impact ministry ideas.

• Pray for guidance as they research possibilities for further developing sports ministry in Genova and greater Italy. They are currently networking with Italian and European leaders about potential opportunities.

RICK & JANICE MCKINLEY Rick and Janice serve with Missionary Athletes International (MAI). Rick is the senior director of MAI’s Chicago Eagle’s office. Rick also directs the Eagle’s Summer Academy that enables players to apply their training through coaching kids at soccer camps, playing in a summer league and ministering for two weeks with a church in Brazil. They have been with MAI for over 30 years and served as leaders of the

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Chicago ministry for more than 20.

that comes from knowing the promises of God.”

In the end of January, Rick wrote, “For the three months leading up to Christmas 2019, Janice and I experienced our first sabbatical in 34 years of ministry! We are so grateful for the leadership of MAI for providing this time for us to rest, renew and refocus!

Praise God for his faithfulness. Please join us in lifting up the McKinleys this next year:

“It was strange, in that we had never experienced a complete stopping of our normal activities. Yet, it was also wonderful, as we experienced God doing some tremendous things in our lives.

It’s as if we’ve had a deep cleaning of our spirits. Or, as I told someone, the dirt, grime and fingerprints of life had built up on the windows of our souls–and God took his amazing cleanser and squeegee and wiped them completely clean. Everything seems sharper, colors seem more vibrant! In other words, it was an amazing time! Here are a few of the thoughts/experiences from our sabbatical: 1. We were unplugged. My email was turned off and monitored by a friend. What a gift! Although I fought it at first, it was one of the most freeing, eye-opening parts of the three months.

2. I read more in three months than I had in three years. Books recommended by a couple friends seemed to carry a common theme that was very timely.

3. I don’t rest well. But God has reminded me of its value.

Sabbath - not only the longest of the Ten Commandments, but also the only one that is a spiritual discipline, one I hope to continue learning.

4. Our first marriage retreat in over 30 years. Jeff and Lora, our leaders (and friends) are counselor “rock stars!” Highly recommend. (www.wellspringtn.com) 5. Time away gave me the time to grieve Dad’s passing, something that was difficult during busy days. So thankful for his fingerprints on my life.

“We returned to action in early January, ready for what God has in the coming months and years ahead. I was thrilled to discover that in 2020, MAI will train coaches in 14 different countries! Even as I write this letter, two of our leaders are on their third visit to the Middle East, training refugees who are coaching 1,300 boys and girls in sustainable sports ministry programs. We are also continuing to see an increase of staff in our U.S. offices, with a large number of those staff members under the age of 30. Our next generation of leaders! God is on the move.

“Your investment in the ministry of MAI, through your finances, prayers and words of encouragement, are what has enabled us to continue to train and disciple young men and women for these past 34 years. We are so blessed by your partnership in the gospel and pray that you will be encouraged by the anticipation

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• Praise God for the blessing of this sabbatical and for the rest and renewal Rick and Janice experienced through taking time away.

• Pray for the coaches of the Eagles to be a tangible witness for Christ in both word and deed. Pray that many would come to know Jesus through the work of Missionary Athletes International.

ISAAC & JENNIFER STOUGH Isaac and Jennifer work with Youth for Christ (YFC) in Barcelona, Spain. Isaac teaches English and helps run the English academy at the YFC center. Jennifer also helps run the English academy and a theater program for young people. They both disciple those who attend the weekly YFC outreach events, which include youth groups, retreats and camps.

Working with students, they never know what will trigger spiritual conversations. In mid-January they wrote, “It is truly amazing to see the way God works in our ministry and lives in the least expected moments. Sometimes we expect God to do great things and when he doesn't act in the way we think he should, we feel discouraged.

“Well, God's timing is certainly not ours, and his ways are better than ours. We have a story from Isaac's class that illustrates this.

But, first, a verse that I ( Jenn) discovered this week that makes me grin every time I remember it, and that is embedded in this story, is 1 Corinthians 1:25. ‘God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.”

Isaac writes, “This week at the English Academy in one of my classes, we listened to the song “Baby” by Justin Bieber. Yes, the song that goes, ‘Baby, baby, baby oooohhh!’ Not only is it one of my favorites from when I was in middle school, it also covers a theme that promotes a lot of conversation; it talks about love and the broken heart.

“In this particular class, we happened upon the question of 'what is marriage really all about?' It was very interesting to hear what my middle school students had absorbed from

their home environments and surrounding culture. Basically, they were sharing that marriage isn’t worth the time, because who wants a restrictive, oppressive institution to govern a relationship? But then something happened that rarely happens in a class of 14-year-olds. I was asked the question in return. I volunteered the example of Jenn's and my marriage and opened up about what it means to be married in the Christian sense. I explained that the best marriages are modeled after the love and commitment that we see in the God of the Bible.

“In the class of three, two of the students didn’t seem interested in talking more about it, but one student looked at me and muttered something in Catalan under her breath. Curious, I asked what she had said. And reluctantly she confessed, “I think that if I died today, I would go to hell.” Looking at her, I seized the opportunity to preach the good news that God has saved us from ourselves and that if she desires to accept this as reality, she has no reason to fear. Again, the other two weren’t having any of it but she kept looking at me, and I could tell something was moving in her.

something else in a flash: from hell to heaven and back again to Justin Bieber."

Jenn finished the letter by saying, “Isaac has been teaching these kids for years, and the topic of faith hasn't really come up. But in God's timing, he allowed Isaac to plant a seed in this girl’s heart.

And God uses us in our daily interactions all the time, when we are aware, in his timing.”

Please pray with us for Isaac and Jenn. Here are some specific requests to be bringing to the Lord on their behalf: • Pray for more opportunities to speak into student’s lives and for students to be open to having spiritual conversations.

• Pray for God to bless Isaac and Jenn’s marriage. Pray that their love for one another might be a witness to their community of the love between Christ and the church.

• Pray for eyes to see the ways that God is at work around them and for wisdom as they seek to follow God’s leading.

“As most conversations with 14-year-olds are, we jumped to

If you’re interested in learning more about any of our missionaries or talking about the process of being sent by College Church, please call the church office or email missions@college-church.org.

We would love to hear from you and talk with you about missions.

Multi-Nations Coffee Fellowship Gather with us one Saturday each month for this multi-ethnic, multi-national fellowship time, centered around the Word, led by Emmanuel Tahear.

The next gathering is Saturday, April 11, at 11 a.m.

International Café Join us every Thursday at 11:15 a.m. in the Commons for snacks and conversation with World Relief ESL students as we welcome them, build relationships and help them to feel comfortable at our church. We’re always looking for more volunteers.

If you are interested in learning more about these events and in volunteering, please call the church office or email missions@college-church.org

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BOOK REVIEW

Something Needs to Change David Platt A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need Reviewed by Michelle Kelley, ministry associate for missions events and communications “You asked me what made me head back down the mountain that morning, but the answer is not ‘what.’ The answer is ‘who.’

David, God did a work in my heart that night that caused me to come back down the mountain. God created in me a love for these people and a longing to show his love to them in any way I can with my life.”

That's what Aaron, David Platt’s guide, said as he led David and two other men through the mountains of the Himalayas over the course of a week. The two had met a couple times previously when Aaron visited McLean Bible Church, outside of Washington D.C., where David serves as the head pastor.

Platt’s book functions as equal parts travel narrative and devotional journal and is easy to follow. As he journeys through the Himalayas, he reads Luke 15-17 and the Scripture, along with his prayers, are weaved throughout. We walk with him on steep trails up mountain peaks and see great physical need and even greater spiritual need.

I appreciated Platt’s honesty as he wrestles with what he sees. He wonders how to reconcile the goodness of God with poverty and pain. He grapples with the deaths of those who have never heard the name of Jesus and the eternal suffering described in the pages of Scripture. Platt feels dissonance as he contrasts what he sees with his life in America–having more than enough food, good medical care and, especially, knowing the love of Jesus from an early age. Together we learn to see that the statistics of people dying in this part of the world from preventable diseases and children who are being abused are not just numbers. They are people. People whom Platt meets and whose stories broke my heart.

This is not a safe journey for a climber, nor is it “safe” for the reader. We meet children who were chained up by their parents believing them to be cursed and young girls willingly

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sold by their families to be trafficked. As I read, I wrestled several times with emotions, confronted again and again with the reality of the loss and hardship of others who do not know the everyday conveniences we so often take for granted. And yet, though a hard read, it is good for the soul.

We need experiences like these to open our eyes to the realities of the world outside of our everyday context.

Near the midpoint of the week, Platt and his fellow travelers gather with other Christians for the first time. A few dozen believers trek uphill in the dark to cram into a one-room home.

There, they read God’s Word, encourage one another and lift each other’s burdens in prayer. These faithful Christians care for one another’s physical needs. They face threats to their very lives and the lives of their families for being Christians but continue to share the gospel in word and deed.

A former, tribal militant shares how he used to burn down Christian’s homes, but when the same people came back months later to help rebuild the village after a natural disaster, his heart was softened. The Lord has used loving and bold Christians to change persecutors’ hearts and continues to do so in the mountains of the Himalayas. The Spirit is clearly working around the world and it is a great joy and encouragement to catch a small glimmer of it.

Repeatedly, Platt stresses the difference between talking about the urgent physical and spiritual need and doing something about it. And in the end, we are left with a question and a prayer: How does God want to use us, use me, as his hands and feet to serve those whom he has created and deeply loves?

NEW AT THE BOOK STALL

Bibles to Give Away!

There’s a whole new shelf at the bookstall on Sunday mornings—free Bibles. We are still gathering as many languages as possible, but at the time of publication, we have Bibles or New Testaments available in the following languages: • Arabic

• Korean

• Chinese

• Russian

• English

• Spanish

• Farsi

• Swedish

• French

• Tagalog

• German

• Ukrainian

• Kiswahili

• Vietnamese

If you know of someone who would benefit from getting a Bible in their heart language, stop by and pick up a copy. Thanks to the missions department for helping to make this happen. Pray that God’s Word would work powerfully in the days ahead.

Other free items: Open Doors World Watch book for 2020 and the devotionals Our Daily Bread and Today.

Discover Jesus this Easter Celebrate the wonder of Easter!

As a family, shout as Jesus rides on a donkey into Jerusalem as the returning King; listen as an innocent man is sentenced to the ultimate punishment; mourn as the King of the Universe dies; share the relief that Christ’s pain brings us into his Kingdom; watch as the King rises again.

Consider the passion and power of Easter this year with Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross. Edited by Nancy Guthrie, this book will guide your daily journey to the cross and the resurecction with 25 readings from John Piper, Timothy Keller, Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, Stephen F. Olford, Joseph "Skip" Ryan, Martin Luther, Adrian Rogers, Philip Graham Ryken, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Ligon Duncan, C.J. Mahaney, Charles H. Spurgeon, Augustine, J. I. Packer, John Calvin, Alistair Begg, John MacArthur, Raymond C. Ortlund Jr., Francis A. Schaeffer, J. C. Ryle, James Montgomery Boice, R. C. Sproul, R. Kent Hughes, Joni Eareckson Tada.

Kids’ Harbor will be offering copies at the bookstall for a donation of $5 (cash or check only!).

Available at the bookstall on Sunday mornings for a special price of $8.

Take ten minutes with your family each day to prepare for Easter.

Walk through Luke’s Gospel and the Old Testament to discover why the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is the most amazing story ever told.

This discussion-based resource offers questions for kids, teens and adults.

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SIDE BY SIDE

Meet Your Leaders

Lydia Newby

Keren Newby

WHERE I SERVE: Hospitality Committee, children’s choirs, Sanctity of Human Life task force, Women’s Bible Study small group leader

WHERE I SERVE: Hospitality Committee, Cherub Choir accompanist

WHY I SERVE: I love participating in the church’s work to encourage and strengthen each other.

WHY I SERVE: I love the kids, I love the people I serve with and I love working in the kitchen with others.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: efficient, conscientious, generous

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: innovative, idealistic, enthusiastic

MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: Frankfort, Michigan or anywhere with my nieces

MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: in my bare feet, preferably outside

Vicky Bailey

Lin Fallon

Wendy Robinson

WHERE I SERVE: Board of Deaconesses, as the secretary

WHERE I SERVE: STARS 11 a.m. superintendent, Kids Korner, English classes through World Relief

WHERE I SERVE: Board of Missions, Thursday morning International Café in Commons Lobby, friendship partner with World Relief and in its early childhood program

WHY I SERVE: It brings me joy, and I love serving behind the scenes.

TWO WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: organized, pro-active MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: the beach in Naples, Florida

WHY I SERVE: Christ calls us to be his light in the world and to use the gifts he has given us. Since retiring from teaching, these areas of service are an extension of the kinds of work I was involved in while working, and they are right in my backyard.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: dependable, adventurous and creative MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: Currently it is Clayspace in Lisle

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WHY I SERVE: I love missions and serving other people from different parts of the world. I continually remind myself that I serve out of God’s great love for me and not for it—so it’s a blessing to serve.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: caring, engaged and loyal MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: I have a few—with my family, on a deserted Irish beach, by an open fire with a book

Terry VanSomeren

Judy Ford

Meagan Godoy

WHERE I SERVE: Boys Brigade

WHERE I SERVE: Pioneer Girls, choir, Helping Hands

WHERE I SERVE: Service and Engagement Committee, College Group

WHY I SERVE: I am so grateful to be part of a Bible believing and Bible teaching church.

WHY I SERVE: It is a joy and responsibility to serve in the local body of believers. It has been a wonderful way to connect within the church.

WHY I SERVE: Boys need to see men who love Jesus and who interact with them.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: patient, creative, consistent MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: home

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: people, pets and plants (and long summer walks) MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: anywhere with my family

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: wife, mother, reader MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: somewhere warm. In winter that would be in front of our fireplace and in the summer on our patio outside.

Caitlin Maurer WHERE I SERVE: Music Committee, some involvement with nursery, high school and college group, leading worship for the larger corporate body and in women’s ministries at Women’s Bible Study and retreat music.

WHY I SERVE: I feel it is the best response I can give to express fulfillment in and gratitude to a good God who gives each of us our unique talents, and who has changed my life. Whether I am serving individually or with my husband and family or alongside friends, my chief aim is to glorify God in my heart attitudes and actions. As imperfect and feeble as my attempts may be, this is my motivation for serving. Jesus gave up everything for me, and to love him back in this way is the least I can do.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: tenacious, faithful and compassionate MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: anywhere near a body of water or by a fireplace

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MILESTONES Births and Marriages

Condolences

• Moira Grace was born to Kevin and Alicia Rafferty on February 7. She joins big brother Philip at home in Oswego, IL. Her maternal grandparents are College Church members Todd and Susan Zimmerman.

• Pray for Ruth Comfield and Lorraine (Carl) Amodio as they grieve the loss of Ruth’s daughter and Lorraine’s sister, Marlene Comfield, who passed away on February 25 in Aurora.

• John “Jack” William was born to Scott and Greta Bailey on January 14. Jack’s siblings are Addison, Caroline and Renee.

• Pray for Al (Mary) Duvel and family as they grieve the loss of Al’s sister, Hildegard Weideman, who passed away on February 21 in South Africa.

• Pray for John (Diane) Stephen as they grieve the loss of John’s sister, Jane Stephen, who passed away on February 1 in Naples, FL.

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.

• Pray for Hal (Anna) Walsh, Michael (Lauren) Walsh and Mary (Trey) Martin as they grieve the loss of Hal’s father and Michael and Mary’s grandfather, James, who passed away on January 29 in Arlington Heights.

• Pray for Kent (Courtney) Graham and family as they grieve the loss of Kent’s brother, Russ, who passed away on February 1, as well as grieving the recent loss of Kent’s father, Vic, on January 12.

TGC Women’s Conference

Run for STARS 2020

( 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.

Re:New is looking for volunteers in the following areas:

The 17th Run for the STARS is June 13 at 8am.

Early bird registration is open until April 30—register online at runforthestars.com

• Saturday store sales associates • Assistance with cutting fabric • Assistance with online marketing • Special events help • Sales/Promotion • Sewing teachers • Grant research and writing • Christian women mentors for our Artisans We would love to have you join our volunteer team!

Apply via our website, renewproject.org. Direct questions to Executive Director Kristi Zboncak at kristi@renewproject.org.

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AROUND TOWN Camerata Chicago Chamber Music Concert Mathias Tacke and Lyudmila Lakisova Classic Violin Sonatas Enjoy a fabulous performance of the Beethoven Spring Sonata with internationally renowned violinist and Camerata Chicago Concert Master Mathias Tacke and superb Chicagoland pianist Lyudmila Lakisova in this chamber music concert. Mathias and Lyudmila will also perform the Bach Violin Sonata in B Minor and the Franck Violin Sonata in our inaugural chamber music concert.

3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Gary United Methodist Church Use coupon code CCCC for a 30% DISCOUNT Children go for free!

Tickets: cameratachicago.org

Greenhouse Spring Play Paris on the eve of the French Revolution...

Several College Church families are participating in this play.

Tuesday and Wednesday March 10 - 11 at 2 p.m.

Thursday and Friday March 12 - 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

You may find limited reserved seating on sale at greenhousecoschool.org/boxoffice.

Fine Arts Fair Stop by the Fine Arts Fair at Covenant Living of Windsor Park, 124 Windsor Park Dr., Carol Stream, on Saturday, March 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Orignial artwork will be for sale.

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 April issue: March 7 | For the May issue: April 7 | For the June issue: May 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 | Cheryce Berg, director of children’s 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 | Diane Jordan, director of visitation and care | Howard Kern, Facilities Director | 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 | David Dix, vice chair | Dave Gieser | Steve Ivester | Randy Jahns | Heinrich Johnsen | Dan Lindquist | Josh Moody, senior pastor | Phil Nussbaum | Tom Nussbaum | Mark Taylor, chair | Tad Williams | Rob Wolgemuth, secretary