SANCTIFIED IMAGINATION, PART TWO: IMAGINATION IN THE SERVICE OF TRUTH
Alex Lee
Creating in step with Scripture.
16
WHY JOIN? THE BIBLICAL CASE FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Pastor Josh Moody
Pastor Moody presents the reasons why.
18
ONE COMMUNITY’S HISTORY
Wes and Jean Dusek
Sixty years strong.
Our Pastors, Directors and Residents: Our Pastors, Directors and Residents: Cheryce Berg, director of children’s ministries | Roger Burgess, pastor of visitation | Felipe Chamy, pastoral resident | Julie Clemens, director of disability ministries | Erik Dewar, pastor of worship and music | Tate Fritz, pastoral resident | Matt Heaton, pastoral resident | Baxter Helm, high school pastor | Dan Hiben, middle school pastor | Tim Hollinger, technology director Jim Johanik, pastor of evangelism | Ann Karow, human resources director Howard Kern, facilities director | Bruce Main, pastor of visitation | Josh Maurer, pastor of discipleship | Curt Miller, missions pastor | Josh Moody, senior pastor Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries | John Seward, executive pastor | Nancy Singer, director of administration and finance | Wil Triggs, director of communications
Our Council of Elders: Mark Berg | Mark Bradley, vice-chair | Jay Cunningham Steve Ivester | Randy Jahns | Glenn Kosirog | Josh Moody, senior pastor | Jeff Oslund | Roger Sandberg | David Setran, secretary | Dave Tweeten | Chad Thorson | Brian Wildman, chair
Connections is a monthly newsletter published for and about the people of College Church. Send news items and suggestions to: connections@ college-church.org. Keep Connections in mind to promote a community event to the College Church family. Send event information by the following dates: For the April issue: March 9 | For the May issue: April 9 For the June issue: May 9
CONTRIBUTORS
WALLACE ALCORN
pastor, chaplain, professor—wrestled with some of the more difficult psalms until he recognized how the psalmists wrote, which wasn’t how he was taught to write Then he learned to understand himself in light of the psalms In this issue, he recounts one experience and relates it to his observations while working in clinical pastoral care in an army medical center
PAT CIRRINCIONE
When Pat isn’t reading or attending musicals or dreaming about Ireland, she is praying for her grandchildren and writing Her greatest joys are God and her family, and time with both makes for much joy and laughter .
GARY COOK
is the ministry associate for small groups and an adjunct professor in theological studies His pastoral experience and study of church history give him a passion for faithful stewardship by the church of the essential truths of the Christian faith Recently relocated from Texas, he and his wife, Karen, have two adult children: Taddie, who serves in KMs, and James, who serves on a church staff in Naperville
PAIGE CUNNINGHAM
is a big fan of Christian higher ed She is also drawn to reading, thinking, strategizing, speaking, writing, and teaching in ways that make intimidating and complex ideas relevant to the life of a Jesus follower She and her husband, Jay, have three married children and eight nearly perfect grandchildren
WES AND JEAN DUSEK
have been College Church members since 1958 . Wes has served as a deacon, in Boys Brigade and as an Adult Community leader Gardening has been his passion all his life and he also enjoys keeping up with his grandsons’ adventures
LIITA FORSYTH
is the owner of The Little Bits Workshop in River Forest, which she founded in 2010 It is a creative studio for after school classes and summer camps for kids She is also the art teacher for The Field School in Chicago Whenever she has free time she can be found hiking in forest preserves in the Chicagoland area and painting what she experiences in nature
ALEX LEE
was a letter-carrier for 35 years and is counting down the days when he can hang up his satchel in retirement and take up his pen more frequently He and his wife, Virginia, are blessed with a daughter and a son, and five grandchildren
KAYE WAUGH
and her husband, Kurt, have been members of College Church since 2019 She loves getting together with friends and families from College Church
A retired banker, Kaye’s passion is to start writing stories about seasoned missionaries, past and present .
COMMUNITY OF FAITH
WIL TRIGGS | EDITOR
I’ve always thought of Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 as referring to husband and wife, but it’s only been in recent years that I’ve seen how it works in larger communities of faith
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
In “When You’re Mad at God,” Wallace Alcorn explores disappointment in the context of faith, church and relationship with God. In “The Irish Wannabe” Pat Cirrinicione put an “O’” in front of her last name to make it more Irish and less Italian. Alex Lee’s “Sanctified Imagination” shares reflections and insights within the community of faith. When we fly to the other side of the world we can discover community in new ways, like “Rockstars for Jesus” author Kaye Waugh brings to light in relation to a short-term missions trip. With “Why Join? The Biblical Case for Church Membership” Senior Pastor Josh Moody brings to light why membership truly matters. A milestone in an Adult Community should inspire us all when we read Wes Dusek’s article about Forum 15, “One Community’s Legacy” Gary Cook considers the power of small groups to build something fresh and new in his “Creating Community in Small Groups.” And Paige Cunningham considers the history of the abortion pill and developments in a newer reversal possibility in her thoughtful article, “Stop and Find Hope.”
Whether we are stepping into an Adult Community or a small group, a short-term ministry in another land, a pro-life meeting, or even grappling with life’s disappointments or challenges, the community of faith—our church—stands with us in community in ways that other people do not and cannot experience. When we stand together by knowing, giving, serving and living alongside one another, we are much stronger and enjoy a vibrant witness to the community and the world. May it be so.
We’ve had a lot of funerals at College Church lately. I’ve been to a few of them. Every time I celebrate something about the person who has died, I also feel challenged to engage with and connect with the people around me. Let’s embrace our community of faith in new ways as spring approaches. Happy reading.
WALLACE ALCORN
Iturned a page in a Bible edition and became puzzled because the psalm I was reading didn’t seem to continue on the next page. The next psalm began at the top of that page. Thinking I had turned two pages, I tried to separate what was a single sheet. I looked at the page numbers and found them consecutive. I grabbed another edition and saw this psalm actually did end in that edition on the same page on which the next psalm begins. I even looked toward a Hebrew Bible but gave up.
Now I am shocked. I don’t want to acknowledge that the psalmist quit where he did. I could accept it that he might have so prayed but it was inconceivable to me that he would ever let anyone know he had prayed this way. Even so, I am confused as to why whoever collected the psalms would include this one. What kind of Hebrew acquisitions editor would be so heretical as to accept a prayer, no less, so disrespectful—even blasphemous—as this?
It was, of course, one of those twenty or so psalms termed imprecatory (“calling down a curse upon someone,” most typically upon one’s enemies). Christians are told we don’t do things like this. Well, alright, these were Hebrews, and this is only the Old Testament. Worse, the psalmist was actually cursing God. (Well, I guess not. But his anger was so intense, I supposed he might as well have said so. It seemed to be his equivalent.)
How could he so pray and get away with it, as, apparently, he did? This is why I presumed upon common sense that the psalmist couldn’t be through. There must be more to it, a resolution.
I sat there, alternating between glaring at the page and staring into space—as if God were going to send an angel to explain it all just for me. Then it came: The psalmist never ended his prayer—he was still praying. He was angry at God, but he was still talking to God. I suspect the resolution came to him after he had
written the final word and by the time he released it to be put along with softer, less hyperbolic psalms.
Later, in a less frantic mood, I tried to locate that psalm because I learned from it. I looked at each of the imprecatory psalms in the same Bible to find the one that ends at the bottom of the righthand page in the edition I am still using seventy years later. It wasn’t there. Next, I read through all twenty to find one that explicitly curses God directly. There is none. I reread these several psalms and this time closely. There still is none.
I’m a slow learner, but I do learn. None of these psalms actually curses God, but I felt emotionally many do, at least by implication. They presumptuously call God to account for what he did. Or, at least, he allowed their enemies to do harm to the psalmists. It seems the equivalent of cursing God himself, and they were as guilty as if they had. So am I when I have prayed so presumptuously— or so thought when I hadn’t had enough honesty to say so.
Just one example, which I learned from a brother in Christ. I was undergoing clinical pastoral training at the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center at Denver. Among the patients assigned to me from whom to learn was another chaplain. He had only recently been found with terminal cancer and informed death was imminent. I asked, nervously, if he wanted to talk about it. He was eager to talk because he had learned something he never had as a Christian or a minister and he wanted me to learn without going through what he was.
When the oncologist delivered the bad news, my patient told me:
“I went crazy for about half an hour. My chaplain and my wife were wise enough just to let me get it all out. I told God exactly how I felt about what he was doing to me. I literally swore at God with every dirty word I could think of. I really
laid it on. My wife had never heard these words from me and never dreamed she ever would. But she did and just let me.”
He cried again while retelling—reliving—those terrible minutes of confronting God. Recovering, he continued:
“I heard God say, ‘My child, I love you. I always have and always will.’ Funny, I didn’t hear God say that he would soon welcome me into heaven and everything would be all right then. What he said—at least, what I took him to say—was, Now get back to living, and live as one loved.”
What I have learned from the imprecatory psalms is this: When you’re mad at God, tell him so. (He’s a “Big Boy.” He can take it.) He’s actually been cursed by more experienced people than you and me. Lay it all out there where you also can see it because, after all, you’re not telling him anything he doesn’t already know.
Tell God you’re mad. Then listen because the conversation isn’t over.
Tell God you’re mad. Then listen because the conversation isn’t over.
The Irish Wannabe
PAT O’CIRRINCIONE
It’s March—one of my favorite months, along with November and December. Not only is March the month I was born in, but it’s the month of St. Patrick’s Day and the wearin’ of the green.
As long as I can remember, from age six to this present day, St. Patrick’s Day always has been a day that brings me joy, discussions of ancestry, and memories of growing up in a mostly Irish neighborhood on the west side of Chicago. My neighborhood parish was filled with priests with names like Shaunessy and McErlane and O’Malley. My friends’ last names were Daly, O’Donnell, Simpson, Gilly, Kilb, O’Hara, Fitzgerald, Dwyer, McMahon, O’Neil, O’Riley and . . . O’Lupo (my maiden name), and the street I lived on was Kildare Avenue.
This was the neighborhood where my love affair with Ireland and its people began. Although my great grandparents immigrated from Italy to the United States in search of a better life, I discovered that at some point some of my Italian ancestors belonged to a band of gypsies who came to America via a trip across Ireland. Perhaps an ancestor or two stayed behind in Ireland and married someone there, which would have explained my mother’s fair skin, black hair and emeraldgreen eyes. Or was my imagination in a wishful thinking mode, and I created all this? Are the stories that have been passed down from one generation to the next full of blarney? Was something important left out?
A cousin of mine has delved deeply into our heritage courtesy of Ancestry.Com, and
collected two huge volumes on our family history, but I am still drawn to the history and culture of Ireland. Years and years ago my paternal grandfather asked me to join him on a trip back to Italy to see the village he grew up in and meet distant relatives who still lived there. At the time, however, the place where I worked didn’t allow extended vacations of that sort, but I often wonder if I would have pushed harder to get a leave of absence if it were Ireland we were going to?
I have no idea what made me create the delusion that I have Irish blood in my system, and no, I don’t want to take a test to see about my ethnic background, because quite frankly, I’m enjoying the delusion and plan to ask God about it sometime in the future.
I realize that growing up in a mostly Irish environment made me increasingly fascinated by the rich cultural heritage of Ireland, and I began to collect books that told of ancient Celtic myths and legends, and of the struggles and triumphs of the Irish people throughout the centuries. I have enjoyed celebrating the bold, witty, imaginative, sentimental and fighting Irish, from mystical to historical to modern times.
Unfortunately, I’ve never had the opportunity to explore Ireland; however, I’ve watched enough movies and documentaries that show its rugged beauty and its misty mornings, that I can almost re-create the peat smoke wafting from chimneys as I walk about the land, meeting people and getting to know the culture. I can’t explain why I have this abiding sense of affinity with a land that I’ve never see in person, but only in movies like “The Quiet Man.”
My imagination is not at play, however, when I sing the hymn, “Be Thou My Vision.” The words are based on a Middle Irish poem traditionally attributed to Dallan Forgaill, a sixthcentury Irish poet.
As I was writing, I began to realize what God was really showing me. It wasn’t just about genetics or geography, but about every ethnicity and the beauty each has in its values, traditions and stories. Each of our backgrounds is steeped in what God has given us through his creation: the love of music, the warmth of hospitality, and the resilience of the human spirit. It’s about feeling that sense of community first created by God in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, and it’s that connection with others God created within us, even in adversity.
As I looked back on where my love of the Irish began, I became thankful for a God who not only created places and traditions, but also has given us a sense of belonging, and a deeper and more meaningful way to look at our values, traditions and stories that he created and allowed to shape me into the person I am today.
I would like to end with an Irish prayer I heard many years ago:
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
(From Luireach Phddraig—St. Patrick’s Breastplate—8th c. Translated from the Irish by Kuno Meyer—from The Irish Quotation Book, edited by Mainchin Seoighe)
Dia duit—God be with you.
PART TWO
Sanctified Imagination
Imagination in the service of Truth
ALEX LEE
Asanctified imagination, exercised by a Christian believer, is one in which the truth of the Bible is put forward, enlarged and enhanced by the believer’s transformed mind and unique experience. The foremost requirement for creating a work of sanctified imagination is that it comports with what Scripture teaches. The work must not contradict or supplant the Bible, from whose text, which is carved in stone, there can be no straying. Sanctified imagination merely provides extraneous, artistic curlicues to cover parts of the stone:
ONE-ON-ONE
Matthew 4:8-11; Matthew 16:26
“It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
(Matthew 4:7, NKJV)
The panorama, appearing at a snap of the devil’s crooked fingers, was dizzying: An immersive view of the world’s natural wonders, and of civilization’s signal achievements—spread out simultaneously like a vast, moving collage. Over him, in the dim upper reaches of the illusory sky, Jesus saw the northern lights swirling like neon banners, their magnetism tickling his skin. At Jesus’s feet lay the Grand Canyon, and superimposed on that, but never touching the desert, spilled the mighty cataracts
of Iguazu Falls. Ocean waves crashed on a rugged, gull-flecked shore which sheltered alpine valleys thick with wildflowers and migrating elk, and dotted, here and there, with visitor centers.
Then an eclipse darkened the landscape, revealing the illuminated skyline of Manhattan.
“See there,” said Satan to Jesus. “You can own that prime real estate and have lots of primal sin to subdue and manage.”
Percussive music, from some volcanic loudspeaker, accompanied a horde of sleepwalkers driven by a mercantilist, idolatrous fixation with lucre. The music turned martial in tempo, a seismic march, then became cacophonous, as in a carnival. The sleepwalkers were transposed into a silhouette of a helmeted army, only to dissolve into throngs of shadowy revelers.
Light returned, not from any celestial source, but from harsh, hidden footlights in the netherworld. New York was gone. In its place were the Sphinx, the Acropolis and the Colosseum, ringed by the Great Wall of China.
“Something with more character perhaps, Jesus?” the devil suggested. “Old homes do have their charms. And these are even gated! So—just to sweeten the deal—”
Instantly everything was transformed into gold and silver; the very air sparkled like diamonds, smelling of greenbacks. The high mountain alone consisted of stone and dirt—the mountain upon which the devil had set Jesus. “It’s all yours,” Satan offered, “this splendor—if you will but give me my due. Worship me. This one time. Just once. What do you say?”
What do we say, when confronted with that same offer?
A TALE OF TWO SINNERS
Luke 18:18-23; Luke 23:40-43
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
(James 4:10, NKJV)
When we last left him, the rich, young ruler was looking troubled and sad, piqued that he could not do what Jesus had asked him. To sell everything he owned and give the proceeds to the poor was more discipline and humility than he could muster—it was positively reckless. Why, if he did that, he might end up like that prodigal son, the young brother Jesus had spoken of in one of his stories—the guy who found himself wallowing in a pigpen, salivating over hogwash. The young ruler frowned at the thought of himself being deprived of wealth and…and…options.
A man must have options, he believed. The young ruler desired to follow Jesus; that was something he could do, something he could put on his agenda, even make a priority. After all, he kept the laws of Moses most assiduously. What’s another commandment on top of those?
But Jesus had plainly given him this ultimatum: Give up everything, and trust the Lord exclusively.
Well, that was easy enough for fishermen to do—they had little to lose but fish and nets. But he, rich and young and pious and cultivated, had plenty to lose, thank you very much.
So, Mister Rich Young Ruler continued on his way, and the farther he went, the better he felt. He was truly sorry he couldn’t seal the deal with Jesus. Nonetheless, the soft texture of his robe was a comforting reminder to him of his station in life—this life, the good life, good ethically and lifestyle-wise. Soon, the rich, young ruler had nearly forgotten about inheriting eternal life.
Sometime after this encounter, there occurred another one. A thief hanging on a cross—a scoundrel, a loser, but a man with an honest, desperate heart— also had a conversation with Jesus, a short, painful exchange. From the sinner, a confession and a plea; and from the sinless One, who bore our sins, a promise of paradise. This thief, penitent, had little indeed to lose. His loot was lost, his pride was long gone, his strength was ebbing. Yet he perceived that his one last chance at life, a new and everlasting life, lay across the space between his cross and the next. In the end, this man inherited eternal life, no questions asked.
Somewhere between our own perceived need and our own perceived security, we in our turn must meet Christ. We will size him up against our egos, and then we will either follow him, transcending our miserable crosses, or else stay in the lush pigsty of our own making.
Artist SPOTLIGHT
LIITA FORSYTH
I have always had a deep love of nature, drawing and painting. Last year I took on a personal challenge to paint 100 landscapes by the middle of 2025. My past work and commissions have been very tight, realistic renderings of habitats and species for the sake of education and conservation. This “100 Paintings” project is an attempt to cut loose from the meticulous, scientific renderings in order to express the energy and joy of experiencing the wonder of God’s creation.
GALLERY
LIFESPRING
Celebrating resurrection and new life through the arts
SUBMISSIONS OPEN THROUGH APRIL 3
SHOW RUNS APRIL 13-MAY 16 all are welcome to submit at college-church org/artspace
FIVE ARTISTS OF FAITH
paint canvas beauty life
CLOSES ON MARCH 7 in Crossings
Kathy Burke
Philip Hossu
Ken Kroger
Helen Read
Don Ryan
GALLERY HOURS: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 to 2 p m
NOTE: For other opening times, contact the church office at (630) 668-0878 or email artspace@college-church .org
GATHERING
A monthly coming together, where we discuss our personal projects and the many facets of creativity and God
TUESDAY, MARCH 11 at 7 p m in Crossings
Join us as we view a video about an Italian sculptor who is shaping clay to convey the truths of God Discussion to follow
March word of the month: CREATE
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Future Meetings: April 8, May 13
WORKSHOP
CREATING WITH PURPOSE: Artificial Intelligence & the Church
Hands-on discussion of AI and its impact on the church today
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
1-3:30 p m in Crossings
COST: FREE
Do you keep hearing about AI, but struggle to understand what it actually is or why it could be useful? Do you learn best by doing instead of just listening? Join us as we explore generative AI tools and how they can both positively and negatively impact our relationship with God, others and the creations we bring to life All technology familiarity levels welcome Our time together will be part presentation and part breakout sessions Laptops encouraged but not required
Tony Visconti has served at College Church as the digital ministry manager since 2019 He lives in Winfield with his wife, Kristin, who also serves College Church by teaching music in the STARS Disability Ministry They have two boys, Pearson (7) and Isaiah (4) .
For more information or to sign up for a workshop, visit our webpage: college-church.org/artspace.
Rockstars for Jesus STAMP Thailand 2024-25
KAYE WAUGH
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42-47, NIV)
Driven by a shared desire to serve our global workers and Third-Culture Kids (TCKs), the fourteen members of STAMP Thailand mission (see photo on facing page—back left to right) Margarette Clegg, Will Clegg, Alex Tapia, Rob Nordstrom, Rachael Lee, Eleanor Kearley, Johannes Vandermeij and (front left to right) Rebecca Brush, Ethan Fowler, Mike Tuskey, Kaye Waugh, Lenita Marson, Dave Jordan, and Katie Scott set aside personal preferences, behaviors and cultural norms, to focus solely on how we could encourage our fellow believers and global workers in the faith.
From the moment we arrived in Chiang Mai, it was clear that it would be a transformative journey–not only for the community we served but also for every team member. We set off on an amazing discovery of God’s faithfulness and provision as we embarked on a great adventure of the wonders of God’s creation in Thailand, a country where the majority is Buddhist with a minority (but sizeable) Islamic population. You need not look far in Thailand before you see statues of Buddha, grand shrines and vibrant multi-colored temples.
Christians are few in number, yet Christ has his devoted followers, his sheep, in this land. Our ministry partners were
hosting their annual conference in Chiang Mai, where global workers gathered from across Southeast Asia. The conference center became Camp Sanook, which translates to “fun” in Thai, and a place of refuge for many of these TCKs who claim it is the highlight of their year!
Even before leaving for the 10-day STAMP trip, a lot of work a lot of work was done to prepare the classroom curriculum, weekly team meetings, building the materials and tools needed, preparing our hearts and minds by reading and studying Scriptures and focused on fulfilling the objectives and goals of the mission to which we had been called. Through this journey, our bonds have grown deeper, transcending mere friendships. We truly see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ united in co-laboring, serving as one body, in one spirit and under one Lord Jesus Christ.
However, no trip, no matter how well planned, is without its challenges. The first challenge we faced was overcoming jet lag. Leaving Chicago on December 28 at 4 in the morning, we finally arrived in Chiang Mai on December 30 at 1 a.m. With only a few hours of sleep, by lunchtime, we hit the ground running. It was amazing to see how God sustained us.
Right after a hearty breakfast, we started each day with group prayer, praying for each other, being sensitive to the needs of the community, giving praise reports and going through the teaching plans for the day. Many of these TCKs live in isolated areas and have never experienced a youth group or Sunday school. For them, the conference is a once-a-year opportunity to enjoy what College Church kids experience weekly through Kids’ Harbor, KMs and HYACKS.
For our Kindergarteners to fifth graders, their day began in the “Red Room” starting with worship, singing songs and dancing to music that had become a beloved tradition for these TCKs through their annual conference attendance. It was heartwarming to see them fully engaged in worship, bringing back memories of our own Sunday school experiences at their age.
We taught them the story of Moses, including the ten plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea and the journey to the promised land overflowing with God’s provisions, reminding them of God’s promise to his chosen people Israel. We addressed questions such as how sin separates us from God and how sin affects life at home and relationships with others. I told them the story in the Bible where Jesus was sitting with a group of children and how he loved them and showed his loving kindness toward them.
In the middle and high school groups, their curriculum focused on studying the Book of Colossians. For these groups, the common sentiment among them was a strong desire for more time dedicated to Bible reading rather than activities like outdoor games.
Our team members shared powerful testimonies of overcoming grief and finding hope with the middle and high schoolers. Katie, Eleanor, Rebecca, Ethan, Johannes, Rob and Alex opened up about their journeys. It was Katie’s story of grappling with the sudden loss of her cousin Claire in a tragic accident that had a profound impact on a high school student who had also lost a relative in a recent motorcycle accident in Thailand. Alex’s transformative journey to Christ after growing up in a family that practiced witchcraft resonated deeply with another high school student. These heartfelt stories fostered connection and inspired meaningful conversations.
The youth eagerly absorbed every word of these testimonies, asked thoughtful follow-up questions and showed a particular interest in understanding how God guides his people and how God provides strength and guidance during trials.
Our mid-week excursion to the beautiful mountains of Chiang Mai and the vibrant night market allowed us to experience the local culture and strengthened our team’s bonds. Activities like elephant rides and enjoying the local cuisine created moments of connection and gratitude, deepening our appreciation for the community we were serving. These experiences enriched our perspective and energized us for the work ahead.
On the final day of teaching, which also marked the conclusion of the conference, we were invited to attend the talent show in the main conference hall. The event highlighted the artistic talents of the TCKs through singing, dancing and short skits. Additionally, local community members sang worship songs in their native Thai. Following the performances, the STAMP team was introduced to the local community. Each team member received a standing ovation, making for a truly memorable and delightful surprise.
Saying goodbye to the children was the hardest part of the mission. We had only known them for a week and yet it was bittersweet to leave knowing we wouldn’t be their teachers next year. There were sad faces in all age groups, and every parent came up to us and sincerely thanked us.
We recognize that we gave our greatest effort to accomplish our purpose in Thailand, which was to engage, grow and learn by serving God through serving others. God definitely used us for his purposes in serving these kids, but he also worked in our own lives and strengthened our faith in him alongside our relationships with each other. He repeatedly unveiled his faithfulness in answering our prayers, sometimes even minutes after we prayed them, and it was so evident that he was stirring in the hearts of the kids as well.
Several of us have discovered a newfound calling to serve in the mission field. While preparations lie ahead to fulfill this calling, there is no doubt that God has performed a profound and miraculous work in each of our hearts. We are forever changed, no longer the same people who departed the College Church parking lot in the early hours of December 28.
This journey has been truly life changing, and so on behalf of the whole STAMP Thailand team, we would like to express our love and appreciation to all who contributed, donated time and resources and prayed for us. God answered so many of those prayers for us while we were there. Thanks for believing in us and making this team true Rockstars for Jesus.
CHURCH LIFE
MARCH HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES
Everyone welcome.
Join us at 8, 9:30 and 11 a m Livestream broadcast is at 9:30 a m You can watch it at college-church org/ livestream
MORNING SERMON SERIES:
MARCH 2: Priorities, Haggai 1:1-15, Pastor Dan Hiben preaching . We will celebrate the Lord’s Table this Sunday,
The Gospel of Matthew Senior Pastor Josh Moody preaching
MARCH 9: Ask, Matthew 7:7-12
MARCH 16: Two Gates, Matthew 7:13-14
MARCH 23: False Prophets, Matthew 7:15-23
MARCH 30: On the Rock, Matthew 7:24-29
EVENING SERMON SERIES:
MARCH 2: Streams of Mercy: an evening of worship in the Sanctuary Let’s Gather: Songs of Wisdom: Sermons from the Psalms
MARCH 9: Psalm 14, Baxter Helm preaching
MARCH 16: Psalm 37, Pastoral Resident Matt Heaton preaching
MARCH 23: Psalm 91, Pastor Josh Maurer preaching
MARCH 30: Psalm 112, Pastor Dan Hiben preaching
ADULT COMMUNITIES
FORUM 15 Sundays 8 a m in C104F
• Teacher: Bruce Main, John Maust and others
• Study: Philippians—Knowing Christ and Serving Him Together
• Description: prayer, singing and study with class interaction
GREEK EXEGESIS CLASS Sundays 9:30 a m in the Board Room
• Teacher: Jon Laansma
• Study: 1 John
• Description: Reading and discussion of the Greek New Testament . Knowledge of Greek is not required for this class
LIFE TOGETHER COMMUNITY
Sundays 9:30 a m in Commons Gym
• Teacher: Teaching Team
• Description: Various Topics with small group discussion Authentic, biblical community for adults ages 25–40
LIVING WORD Sundays 9:30 a m . in C104A & C104C
• Teachers: Felipe Chamy, Jacob Raju, and others
• Study: Gospel of John
• Description: A “community within a community,” where we share, pray and learn together
LOGOS Sundays 9:30 a m in C104E
• Teacher: James Seward
• Study: The Book of Hebrews
• Description: A caring community centered around interactive Bible teaching and prayer, spanning a range of ages and family situations
THRIVE Sundays 9:30 a m in Crossings-Clapham Main Area
• Teachers: Joe Becker
• Study: Gospel of John
• Description: a vibrant group, ages approximately 40-60, committed to growing with Jesus and his church through Bible-based teaching, small group discussion, common prayer and fellowship
VERITAS Sundays 9:30 a m in C104B & D
• Teacher: Dr Gregg Quiggle
• Study: Christian History since the Reformation
• Description: a teaching class with active discussion and interaction . Most attendees are middle to upper age
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES
MOM2MOM (MONDAYS)
MARCH 3: Large Group Gathering, 9:30-11 a m in Commons Hall, topic: depression and anxiety
MARCH 10: Gym Playdate, 9:3011:30 a m in Commons Gym
MARCH 17: Mom’s Night Out, 7:309 p .m . location TBD Please check our website for updates
MARCH 24: Gym Playdate, 9:3011:30 a m in Commons Gym
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
We hope you’ll join us as we study 1 & 2 Chronicles this semester To register, visit our website
*Spring Break on March 12
MORNING: 9:30-11 a m
EVENING: 6:45-8:15 p m
WOMEN’S MONTHLY GATHERING
MARCH 8: 9–10:30 a m in Commons Hall . This month we are focusing on Jesus’ statement in John 11, “I am the resurrection and
the life ” Whether you’ve joined us before or this would be your first time, we’d love to have you join us .
MEN’S MINISTRIES
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Wednesdays, 6:45-8:15 p m in Commons West
*No Spring Break
We are studying the Book of Isaiah: Here is your God by Tim Chester . Bible Study meets on Wednesday nights in Commons Hall The session combines teaching, table discussion, and fellowship Light refreshments are provided .
MEN’S BREAKFAST SERIES
Saturday, March 1, 7:308:30 a m in Commons Hall
Join us for our Men’s Breakfast series: Leadership Essentials Along with breakfast and fellowship, we will discover together the biblical principles and tools for godly leadership No registration is required . Invite a friend!
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (KIDS’ HARBOR)
SUNDAY MORNING
Nursery (0-2) at 9:30 and 11 a m
Bible school (preschool-third grade) at 9:30 a m
At the 9:30 hour, fourth and fifth graders begin with their families in the service (or an Adult Community) until dismissed for Bible school
Wonders of Worship “WOW” (K-third grade) dismissed during second half of 11 a m service
Children’s church (older preschool) during second half of 11 a m service
Children’s church (younger preschool) at 11 a m
SUNDAY EVENING
God’s Children Sing, Children’s Choirs, Preschool and Nursery
*No KH programs on March 30.
KIDS’ HARBOR
WEDNESDAY MINISTRIES
KIDS KORNER: 9:30-11 a m , (connected with morning Women’s Bible Study)
Evening Programs: 6:45-8:15 p m
*No KH programs on March 12.
KIDS’ HARBOR EVENTS
FOLLOWING JESUS CLASS open to 4th and 5th grade students, Thursdays, through Mar 13, 3:45-5pm; registration required .
FAMILY OPEN GYM
on Saturday, March 8, from 9 to 11 a .m ., for families with children 5th grade and younger
FCA BASKETBALL practice on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and games on Saturday from 8 a m to 12 p m at College Church Other practices and game times will be at Wheaton Academy
MIDDLE SCHOOL ( KINGS MESSENGERS)
SUNDAY MORNINGS: 9:30-10:30 a m , in the KMs room (Commons Lower Level)
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS: 6:45-8:15 p m in the Crossings
*No KM programs on March 12.
HIGH SCHOOL (HYACKS)
SUNDAY MORNINGS 9:30-10:30 a .m in Crossings—Baxter Helm is teaching a series on the book of Hebrews titled, “Jesus is Better ”
WEDNESDAY MORNING:
Men and Women of Courage groups meet in Crossings conference Room and women meet in Welsh Hall 6:30-7:30 a m
MARCH 5: Hebrews 12:1
MARCH 12: Hebrews 12:2
SPRING RETREAT: March 14-16th at Dickson Valley Camp
WEDNESDAY EVENING: large group in Crossings (Clapham main area) or small groups in homes at 7-8:30 p m .
MARCH 5: Large group gathering . Baxter Helm teaching on spiritual disciplines
MARCH 12: Gospel Now Event No small group
MARCH 19: ACTS Prayer and Praise Night
MARCH 26: Small groups meet Discussing Hebrews
COLLEGE GROUP
AFTER HOURS: Sunday evenings, 6-7:30 p m in Crossings; dinner, fellowship, and examination of Biblical Christianity
*No After Hours on March 9 & 16.
HOME STUDY: of Gospel of John, Monday or Tuesday evening
PRAYER GROUP: Friday evening
Contact tmain@college-church org for details
STARS DISABILITY
SUNDAY
Adult/Multi-Generational Sunday classes meet at 9:30 and 11 a m
Child/Teen Sunday classes at 9:30 and 11 a m
continued on next page
MARCH 2025 CONNECTIONS
STARS Choir Sundays at 5 p m
*Not meeting March 9 and 30.
STARS Moms Bible Study Sundays at 5 p .m .
*Not meeting March 9 and 30.
STARS Praise in Action Wednesdays at 6:45 p m
*Not meeting March 12.
MARCH 7: Square Dancing with the STARS at 6:30 p m in the Commons Gym
SIGNS OF LOVE
Deaf Ministry Building Bridges, March 2 and 16, 3:30-5 p m in the Crossings conference room
ARTSPACE
Details on page 9
KEENAGERS
Art, AI, and the Divine: Navigating Creativity in the Digital Age
Looking Ahead
PRO-LIFE SEMINAR
4 Questions: Answering the Crisis of Abortion with the Gospel of Life
Saturday, March 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Commons
The Sanctity of Human Life as Theological Declaration
Life is a precious gift And God, in and through Jesus Christ, is the great Giver, the “Author of life” (Acts 3:15; Col 1:16) Therefore, every human life, from the womb to the tomb, bears this mark: sacred, set apart, sanctified
“You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb
To help us continue to think rightly and apply wisely when it comes to this issue, all in the context of the glorious gospel of grace, we will be hosting a seminar on Saturday, March 22, from 9 a m to -12 p m in the Commons, entitled: “4
Questions: Answering the Crisis of Abortion with the Gospel of Life ”
Our speaker will be John Ensor, president of PassionLife Ministries and author of numerous books on theology and ethics John, along with his PassionLife team, trains leaders and their churches in biblical bioethics, prolife apologetics and pregnancy crisis intervention
PassionLife works in countries suffering the highest rates of abortion, infanticide and gendercide (gender-targeted abortion) to help the local church stand for life with courage and compassion in the name of Jesus Christ .
On Friday, March 21, join us as College Church’s own digital guru, Tony Visconti, takes us on a journey of discovery and creativity at the intersection of art, generative AI and human imagination We will explore together how AI can both positively and negatively impact our relationship with God, others and the creations we bring to life . The evening begins with a reception at 5:30, dinner at 6, and the program at 7 p m Sign up by March 18 by emailing keenagers@collegechurch org, or use the QR code . The cost is $10 per person, payable that evening
STEPS OF FAITH
Steps of Faith such as believers baptism or confirmation, and infant baptism or dedication are important signposts in our lives . If you are interested in pursuing one of these for yourself or a family member, contact Christy at baptism@collegechurch org
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made . Wonderful are your works, my soul knows it very well My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth . Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps . 139:13–16)
The “sanctity of human life” is not fundamentally a partisan political slogan or cultural rallying cry
Nor is it merely a religious moral conviction It is first and foremost a theological declaration Human life is sanctified, that is, dignified and inviolable, because it comes from God . And though not limited to the unborn (remember, womb to tomb), it must be eagerly applied to the unborn in our day
We would love to see you there Registration is encouraged but not required .
—Pastor Josh Maurer
Under the Radar
ELECTRONIC & MORE RECYCLING EVENT
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Public Works Storage Yard 820 W Liberty Drive Wheaton, IL 60187
Bring unwanted electronics to the monthly Electronic, Scrap Metal, Textile & More Recycling Event This is a drive-through event where volunteers will help unload items from your car Please note that there is a charge for all TVs and monitors at this event
JAZZ ENSEMBLE AND COMBOS CONCERT
Friday, March 21
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall
WHEATON COLLEGE WOMEN’S CHORALE CONCERT
Saturday, March 22
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall
BONHOEFFER
A Film Showing and Q&A with Director Todd Komarnicki (’87),
Tuesday, March 25 at 7 p.m.
Presented by Marion E . Wade Center at Wheaton College
Billy Graham Hall
100 Barrows North Foyer, 105 Barrows Auditorium
Facilities FACTS
ADOPT A PLOT is expanding its program for 2025
NEW STARS Gardening Community
This new program is designed to help inspire and mentor STARS to love the art of gardening Announcing Garden Therapy for the STARS community! If you are interested in joining this adventure and enriching the lives of the STARS while enjoying God’s creation, then this program is for you Henry Parker, an experienced gardener with over 37 years of experience, will help transform the yards of the three STARS homes while inspiring the hearts of the residents
NEW Special Projects Team
Also directed by Henry Parker will help Howard Kern tackle exterior projects to maintain and add beauty to the grounds of College Church .
Adopt a Plot
care for and tend to an orphaned plot for the 2025 season, share a plot or be mentored as a gardener
OPEN ENROLLMENT
ends on March 14 to join one of these above Gardening Communities—see the events page
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRAYER
Call the church office or email info@college-church.org for details on these prayer meetings.
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER: 8:15-8:40 a m , meets in the Commons board room
MONDAY MORNING PRAYER: 6:15 a m , meets in C104A
MIDWEEK PRAYER MEETING: Wednesdays at noon via Zoom
MARCH 5: Susan Perlman, Jews for Jesus, organizational leadership and evangelism, worldwide
MARCH 12: Bob and Becky Faber, Salt Ventures, organizational leadership and seminary teaching in Bulgaria
MARCH 19: Tim and Deanna Smith, GEM, counseling, worldwide
MARCH 26: Joshua and Kara Dunckel, ReachGlobal, mobilization and discipleship in Hungary
PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: Fridays, 12-1 p m in the Board Room
AARON-HUR PRAYER FELLOWSHIP
will meet on Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p m at the home of Ruth Diffin, 1917 Ardmore Lane, Unit B in Wheaton, (610) 291-2437 Our guests will be John and Elsa Maust, recently retired from Media Associates International
BARNABAS PRAYER FELLOWSHIP
members welcome Shannon S to their meeting in Windsor Park’s Patio Dining Room on Tuesday, March 18, at 1:30 p .m . She has been teaching in a Central Asian city Men and women are welcome to visit or join the group, which supports some of College Church’s cross-cultural workers
Why Join?
The Biblical Case for Church Membership
PASTOR JOSH MOODY
Each membership class, I present a brief rationale for membership in a local church in general, and then for membership at College Church in particular. Of course, by nature of the occasion of such a talk most of those who hear it are already persuaded enough of the veracity of the argument to have registered to attend a membership class in the first place. A few of the staff team, then, thought it would be good (again briefly) to replicate the material I teach there in written format, to be disseminated more widely for those who attend church and are not yet members of a church.
The first point to make is that “membership” of a church is not a latter invention of a denomination, or ecclesiastical historical factoid. Membership of a church is a biblical quality, clearly taught in the Bible. We might mention that there is no instance in the New Testament of a Christian who is not a member of a local church. But, in addition to that argument from silence, Paul uses the language of membership in 1 Corinthians 12 about the body of Christ in the church at Corinth. In fact, C.S. Lewis somewhere argued, the concept of “membership” in general
has Christian roots, devolved over time from this core biblical idea of church membership. The apostle Paul puts it like this: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Cor. 12:12) In other words, being a member of a church is like being a member of a physical human body. My physical member is my hand or my foot. Similarly, in the body of Christ we are members of the body. In fact, this is true of all real, genuine, born again, converted, Christians: “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Cor. 12:27)
So, this first point to make is that “membership” of a church, while it inevitably has certain bureaucratic and institutional superficial elements related to it (a list on a database somewhere; classes; and the like), the core idea and experience of membership is not organizational but organic. Christ when he saves us saves us not to remain as individuals but to become part of his body, the church. So it is, again, that we are told in Acts 2 verse 41 that when the people repented and believed, were saved, they were then “added to their number”—that is, added to the number
of those who were already part of the church. By reflection, then, the task of an evangelist is to perform a transplant operation: to bring someone out of the world and transplant them into the body of the church. When someone becomes a Christian, they are made a member of the church.
That said, and given that organic reality, we should be unashamed, bold and public about our membership of a particular local church. To hide, or to avoid associating ourselves publicly, with a local body as its member, would make as little sense as a hand pretending it did not belong to an arm of a human body. When we are members of a local church, we join together for mutual edification, for the progress of the gospel, for ministry to each other, and for the great mission of reaching the world around us. Again in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul therefore argues that an eye cannot say it does not need the hand, or a head the feet—but every part is needed. If you are not a member of a local church, deliberately, consciously, with full understanding and comprehension, you are living in a way that is contrary to biblical norms of what a saved person is like. You are also diminishing the public witness of the church, its strength, and power, to turn back the forces of darkness in our world. We are to join in then as members of church for the reason that this is what Christians do by nature of being a Christian as it is understood biblically. (Of course, there are exceptions to this principle. I have had pastoral conversations down through the years where for various personal and unavoidable reasons formal association is at least temporarily, and sometimes extensively, difficult and perhaps even unwise. But such “hard cases” do not disprove the general principle outlined above. To be a Christian, in biblical norm, is to be a member of the body of Christ, and therefore a Christian is to associate publicly as a member of a local church).
The second point, then, is more in terms of the practical outworkings of it all. And for that I tend to point people to Paul’s teaching in his letter to the Philippians. There he frequently uses the language of “partnership” to express the covenant commitment of one Christian to another in membership of a local church. For instance, he remarks how he gives thanks because of their “partnership in the gospel” (Phil. 1:5). This theme continues throughout the letter in various ways and is returned to again at the end when he remarks on their remarkable “partnership” (Phil. 4:15). Such partnership in the gospel is illustrated in the letter through the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus, and their ministry and evangelism and service (Phil. 2:19-30), is compared to an athletic contest of team work (“striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” Phil. 1:27), and is most of all exemplified in the humble service of Jesus Christ our Lord (Phil. 2:1-11). In short, our membership of a church is not merely theoretical, notional, nominal, but is active, involved, committed, covenantal, servant-like, and dynamic. We are a team, like a team of athletes. We are a partnership, like business partners. We are a group of citizens of the kingdom of Christ, working together for his glory, for the good of his church, all as members and therefore “partners” in the gospel.
Of course, the final point that needs to be made, and is made, when we gather for membership classes, is why join College Church in particular. That would be another article, message, and for that I encourage you: come to the next membership class.
One Community’s History
WES AND JEAN DUSEK
Sixty years, that’s how long I’ve been attending Forum Fifteen, my Adult Community. When my wife, Jean, and I came to College Church in 1957 (becoming members in 1958), the adult Bible class was the well-established and flourishing Thirteen Club. This was a class for adults in their 20s to age 33. We were pulled in right away with the loving friendliness of the people. There are still some things I remember vividly about the group. As new believers, Jean and I had never been with people who prayed with such depth and reverence to such a personal God. The people who come to mind like Chuck Strobeck, Clyde Kautz and Bark and Esther Barker have been with Jesus for a while, but the tone they set of care, love and confidence in the name of Jesus Christ still stays with me.
The Sunday Bible studies were led by people who knew the Bible so well it just amazed us, and we grew in our knowledge and maturity in Christ under teachers such as Lillian Weaver
and Frank Fernandez. And the social life of the class was also amazing, where every month we gathered to have fun, develop friendships, and always with prayer and thanksgiving.
By far, the main social activity of the year was the end-of-the-year “graduation” party for all the thirty-three-year-olds, who graduated from the 13 Club to another class for those older folks, which was led by Ken Hansen and Joe Bayly. This was a grand send-off, and the year Jean and I turned 33, we looked forward to the celebration. But then came a surprise: people didn’t have to graduate from the 13 Club, we could continue to be part of the class.
Disappointed, we and the four other couples who has also turned the magic 33 years of age, decided to leave the class anyway. We didn’t want to join another class, so we began to meet secretly in a room in the basement of the church, where nothing else was going on. We met for three or four
Sundays, until then Pastor McClenny found out. He asked why we didn’t become a legitimate class and told us about a young Moody Bible Institute professor who wanted to teach adults in our church named Marve Mayer.
We began meeting in a room in an old two-story house in the north parking lot. We were the only class in that met in the house, because the Wheaton Fire department’s chief had determined that the house was old and “rickety,” and limited occupancy to no more than 15 people at a time. And when we were asked for the name of our new class, it didn’t take us very long to figure it out. With a class limit of 15, we were small and didn’t want just a lecture but a chance to ask questions and interact with each other, sort of like a forum—and the Forum Fifteen class was born.
We continued in that old house for only a year, and then it was torn down to make additional parking spaces. We moved to Pierce Chapel, and through the years,
met in Blanchard Hall, the Billy Graham Center, McAllister Hall, the Sanctuary building and Evan Welsh Hall. We now meet in the Commons. There are times I think we should have named our class the Hide and Seek class.
Dr. Marvin Mayer taught our class for fifteen years. As a former marine, he had a no-nonsense teaching style, yet his ready laugh, depth of bible knowledge and satisfying times of Q&A kept the class engaged. For the next 25 years, Harold Cook taught. He, too, served his country in the Army and was famous for his laugh. We also have been blessed by many others who have kept the class energized in the Word, right up to the present. Our teaching roster has included, Sam Gray, Howard Fisher, Dan Owens, Wightman Weese, Larry Fullerton, Jean Blumhagen, Bob Baptista, Colin Jackson, Harry Genet, Harold Smith, Marc Maillefer, Neil Neilson, Jim Orme, Edith Blumhofer, Nancy Singer, Sam Faircloth, Wallace Alcorn, Dick Albright, Dave Fetzer, Bruce Main and John Maust.
Around 1970 or so, a new couple joined Forum Fifteen—Bob and Helen Lefley. They were young, energetic and vivacious, and always late to class. About that time, we needed some class officers, and much to their surprise as they came, late as usual, to our next class, they had been elected class president. The Lefleys graciously accepted their new position and brought new life to the group, including monthly socials, family talent shows and New Year’s Day brunches.
That brings us to 2025, sixty years after we began. We are the only Adult Community that meets at 8 a.m. on Sunday, we have 37 people on our roster, and our age range now spans people in their 30s to their 90s. But two things remain constant: great teaching and our loving welcome to new people.
creating community in small groups
GARY COOK
Iregularly get requests from people who want to join a small group. Their underlying desire, particularly if new to College Church, is to get connected to others. That’s an admirable quest, because one signature trait of our small groups is that their members do become deeply connected.
As I’ve listened to stories from our small groups, I can trace them to the accounts of the New Testament church in the Scriptures and recognize this continuing work of the Holy Spirit from the words of Jesus. One passage from John’s gospel stands out as a fresh perspective for our ministries of connection, particularly that of small groups. Creating relationships with other believers serves an even greater purpose: the proclamation of Christ Jesus for the advancement of the kingdom.
How do we demonstrate we are Christians in a way that points to our Savior? At the close of the Passover dinner on eve of his crucifixion, Jesus gave his disciples this simple but powerful and prophetic proposal: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:3435, italics added)
And so it began.
Immediately after the resurrected Jesus departed physically from the earth, his disciples put this instruction into practice. Following Peter’s gospel message through the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, the resulting mass of new believers began gathering to fellowship together, learn from the apostles, pray and care for those in need. (See Acts 2:42-47.) Luke’s account that more new believers were being added day by day evidences the truth of Jesus’s words: the love these believers had for one another, and expressed in these ways,
was a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that drew people to hear the gospel and become connected to this new community of the disciples.
Now pause for a moment and ponder this with great praise: nearly two thousand years later and thousands of miles away from Jerusalem, in a different day and different culture, here at College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, this movement continues. (Oh, the predictive promise of our Lord Jesus! Oh, the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit!)
A shining example of this can be seen in every single one of our adult small groups. And in many ways, the practices recorded in Acts of that newly created community— fellowship, discipleship, prayer, and care, all bathed in “love for one another”—are mirrored in our small groups. Let me give you some brief insights into what this looks like.
Fellowship. Much like the account of those new believers in Acts, it’s amazing to witness how people from different backgrounds can become knitted together in, as Jesus said, their “love for one another.” Some of this is through the intentionality of gifted leaders with watchful eyes. Some of this comes through gathering in a welcoming and warm home that naturally lends to creating a community where fellowship is experienced and deepens, and most of it is through small group members with great hearts that make a new member feel welcome.
Discipleship. Each of the small groups at College Church are devoted to gaining greater understanding of the Scriptures. As fellowship grows deeper and the needs of both the group and individuals are better known, leaders can discern what to study from the Scriptures. And, in their “love for one another,” members also seek—and encourage one another—to put biblical truths into practice.
Care. The presence of Christ’s admonition to “love for one another” is visibly concrete in each small group. I wish I had space to share with you the many stories I’ve heard about the care given by members of small groups to those among them who were in moments of need, transitions, difficulties and grief.
Prayer. A natural outflow of a fellowship where “love for one another” exists and is growing is transparency in sharing prayer needs, awareness of how to pray for those needs, and shared trust in God through prayer.
While I wish that you could peek inside the home of a small group when its members are gathered, I hope this brief overview gives you a glimpse into how the Lord works in the lives of our small group members to make him known through their “love for one another.”
These testimonies from two of our small groups illustrate this reality:
• When we first joined College Church, we wanted to get to know others who attended. It has been a wonderful way to become assimilated. Our discussion time is based on the current sermon which helps us draw closer to God and his Word. We’ve had opportunities to support members facing death, illness, and fractured relationships. Our small group blesses one another as we pray for God’s guidance and wisdom while we serve in a variety of callings. Small groups are a glue that helps bind us together in a fragmenting society for God’s glory.
• Our small group has been a testimony of God’s grace. We are all so different and have witnessed his grace as we fellowship, talk through Scripture and learn from one another, share our struggles and pray for one another. It’s easy to isolate during hard times, but because members of our small group are accepting and transparent, hope has come from knowing we are prayed for, cared for and not alone.
Here at College Church, in addition to small groups, we have many ways for you to get connected, such as Adult Communities, Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies and serving teams. Each provides opportunities to cultivate and display this “love for one another” nature that points to Christ.
Perhaps you’d like to hear more about, visit, or join a small group. Or perhaps you’d like to consider leading a small group. If so, don’t hesitate to reach out.
I encourage you to pray about this, and wherever you are drawn to be connected, may you be drawn to pursue this deeply. May the Lord work in you and through you to grow in your love for others and, through that, make him known to others.
Find out more at college-church.org/smallgroups
MILESTONES
BIRTHS
Wesley Joseph was born to Kolby and Bethany Atchison on February 15. Wesley joins his siblings Justus, Vivienne and Lionel.
James Barton was born to Jens and Attali Jorgenson on January 31. Baby James joins his siblings Elliot, Elsie, Isaac and August.
DEATHS
Pray for Kerry and Carol Pfund as they grieve the loss of Kerry’s brother, John Pfund, who passed away on February 14 in Wheaton, as well as the loss of Carol’s sister, Sandy Metzger, who passed away on February 11 in Elmhurst.
Pray for the family of Trista DeGroot Fortosis who passed away on February 9. Her family includes her husband, Dave Fortosis, Jr., their young children Jane, Winnie and Louise; her parents, Rob and Joanne DeGroot, and in-laws, Dave and Carol Fortosis, Sr.
Pray for John (Linda) Rozema and family as they grieve the loss of John’s sister, Martha Rozema, who passed away on February 7 in Grand Rapids, MI.
Pray for College Church missionary Joan Cole as she grieves the loss of her sister, Shirley, who passed away on February 5.
Pray for the family of Jim Walbert who passed away on February 4. No immediate service has been planned.
Pray for Wanda Zander and family as they grieve the loss of Wanda’s husband, Forrest, who passed away on February 3.
Pray for the family of Lois Widder, including her husband, Wayne, and daughter Trish Protsman. Lois passed away on January 30.
Pray for Carla (Phil) Stough and family as they grieve the loss of Carla’s brother, Dick Dahlstrom, who passed away on January 30.
Pray for Wally Lorentsen and family as they grieve the loss of Wally’s sister, Eleanor Bates, who passed away on January 29.
Pray for Nancy Swider (Jeff) Pelz Sr. and family as they grieve the loss of Nancy’s mother, Delores Swider, who passed away on January 28 in Wheaton.
Pray for College Church missionary Mike (Carol Beth) and family as they grieve the loss of Mike’s father, Lester Dale Henry, who passed away on January 24, in Lakewood, CO.
Pray for Connie (John) Shank and family as they grieve the loss of Connie’s mother, Wilma Stillwell, who passed away on January 14 in Kentucky.
God Centered Life is an independent, listener-supported ministry that brings the preaching and teaching of Pastor Moody to all corners of the globe Listeners from more than 200 countries visit the GCL website for resources
A broadcast listener shared this: “I listen to the podcast every morning during my commute to work. GCL has reminded me that daily prayer is essential in our walk with Jesus. I am so blessed to have this resource in my life”
This global ministry is here for you, College Church Use it to augment your daily devotions and re-listen to pastor Moody’s sermons throughout the week . Or get it in your email daily Download the God Centered Life app and listen to the daily podcast, wherever you get your podcasts .
OUR VISION
2025 INITIATIVES
Vision: “Proclaiming the Gospel”
PATHWAY. We will foster a pathway for our gospel ministries: Discover Jesus, Grow in Your Faith and Impact the World. In 2025, we will continue to expand and strengthen this pathway by 1) equipping and encouraging congregants so that they are motivated to share the gospel and their personal faith stories within the community; 2) expanding outreach initiatives by building upon our existing programs and developing new efforts designed to invite community members to engage with the church more frequently and meaningfully; and 3) promoting the proclamation of the gospel and what College Church offers to the community through a variety of communication channels.
Rationale: After consultation with a Christian communications company, and surveying the neighborhood, we have discovered that we need to present the distinctive gospel ministry opportunity of College Church more clearly and invitationally to the surrounding community.
COMMUNITY. We will cultivate care, encouragement and connection in 2025 by: 1) Calling a pastor focused on care, encouragement and connection; 2) Establishing a permanent Care Team to support congregational care; and 3) Exhorting our congregation to: make consistent attendance on our Sunday morning worship a priority; be active in a smaller gathering; and to be involved in an area of service.
Rationale: After conversations with key ministry leaders, it is apparent we need to increase connectivity between members and attenders of the church through mutually loving and caring hospitality.
DISCIPLESHIP.
We will elevate biblically rigorous and practical discipleship in 2025, by developing a clear track to introduce people to the foundations of Christian discipleship: basics of the Christian faith, spiritual growth (including training in Bible study and prayer) and gospel impact. This will parallel our church-wide ministry pathway of discover, grow and impact.
Rationale: After a churchwide discipleship survey, we have ascertained a growing need for more rigorous and practical discipleship that is coherently coordinated across both small and large groups.
CAMPUS. We will increasingly activate our campus by utilizing the Crossings as a crossover space to reach the community and for student, worship and family space, executing year two of the three-year capital campaign launched in 2024, prioritizing safety and accessibility upgrades to our parking and other key areas, and clarifying the highest and best missional use for our portfolio of rental properties.
Rationale: After the Site and Facilities committee’s extensive work surveying the ministry pinch points, it is apparent that we need to develop our ministry space, and we will target the Crossings space.
PARTNERSHIPS. We will leverage the church’s history of church planting, training programs, and connections across the country and world by seeking to develop one new church partner in each category (planting, strengthening, revitalizing) by December 2025.
Rationale: By partnering with like-minded churches and organizations, and by broadening our scope to including planting, strengthening, and revitalization, we can increase our gospel impact through gospel-centered, Bible preaching churches.
We bathe all these initiatives in prayer.
STOP! AND FIND HOPE
The English language abounds with words that describe a turning back or return to a former state. And it’s all done with that two-letter prefix, “re.” Repent springs quickly to mind, along with rebuild, restore, renew, return, restart, reconnect. Many “re-” words suggest hope, erasing a past harm or mistake, or the opportunity to improve.
What if there could be a “do-over” for abortion? A “return to a former state”? Surprisingly, there is.
The answer begins with a little history and a little science. Why does this matter for us as Christians? First, because abortion is one of the most common medical procedures women undergo, and more than half choose chemical abortion. Second, the abortion pill is perceived as easy and safe, but women’s actual experiences contradict this claim. Third, because embedded in the abortion pill protocol is a seed of hope: reversal of its effects before the tiny embryo dies. Considering the variety of abortion deceptions, it is wise to be prepared with facts. A mother’s future and a child’s life might depend on it.
A RISKY HISTORY
In 1995, our team at Americans United for Life filed a Citizen Petition with the FDA on behalf of Members of Congress,1 to block FDA approval of RU486, a novel abortifacient developed in France (now known by its generic name, mifepristone.)2 The extensively documented petition warned about the lack of adequate clinical safety and effectiveness trials.
The “abortion pill” is actually a multistep process that can have unpleasant and serious consequences. Foreign studies reveal poor patient compliance with the protocol (pregnancy test, ultrasound confirmation of pregnancy, informing the woman of all the risks, taking the pill at the doctor’s office, taking a second drug two-three days later, and returning to the doctor in two weeks to check for sepsis, hemorrhaging, ectopic pregnancy and complete expulsion).
The FDA ignored its own rules and “fast-tracked” approval of the abortion pill.3 Subsequent FDA actions confirmed its preference for abortion ac-
cess over women’s health. RU-486 was approved for use by minors, even without pediatric clinical trials. The FDA extended the approved window for taking the drug from 7 to 10 weeks gestational age. By 2016, the FDA lost interest in complications; only deaths are counted as an “adverse consequence.”
What are those complications? Bleeding severe enough to require transfusion or surgery, serious infection, severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis or throat closure, incomplete abortion requiring surgery, dangerously low blood pressure, and blood clots. Teenagers are at higher risk of incomplete abortion and higher emotional distress. Asian American women are at higher risk for many of these complications. Risks are also higher for women with other conditions such as anemia, hypertension, IBD, diabetes, depression, or endometriosis.
Women’s actual experience with the abortion pill falls short of the promise of “safe and easy.” The risks of chemical abortion are four times higher than for surgical abortion. Abortion pill users have higher rates of emergency room
PAIGE CUNNINGHAM
visits. European data show that 1 in 25 women who take the pill will end up in the ER. Nearly half of all women report pain that was much more intense than expected.4 They also have higher death rates (from all causes) than women who give birth. Now that the FDA lifted the ban on in-person dispensing, women who buy mail-order pills may be miles away from emergency medical services.
THE “REDO BUTTON”
Imagine this: you are pregnant, desperate, with “nobody to turn to.” That is what “Beth” wrote on NetMums, looking for help. After “weeks of going back and forth,” she went in for a chemical abortion, took the first pill and “instantly regretted it. I felt sick and cried and cried. . . [I’m] scared I’ve hurt this baby. Please someone help.”5
Beth didn’t know that the interval between taking the first and second drugs opened a window of hope.
Two to three days after taking the abortion pill, the woman must take a second drug, misoprostol (Cytotec(R)). Cytotec was designed to prevent and treat stomach ulcers. The label warns against use during pregnancy, because it can cause birth defects and trigger premature labor. This makes it a desirable companion to the abortion pill. The first pill blocks progesterone, starving the tiny baby. The second pill—Cytotec— jolts the mother’s body into labor. She will expel the now-dead baby, usually at home, away from medical help.
There is hope and help for women like Beth, who take the first drug and then regret it. It’s called abortion pill reversal (APR). Bioidentical progesterone can replace the progesterone that the abortion pill blocked. Bioidentical progesterone has been safely used to help women continue their pregnancy since the 1950s.6 Beth could be given progesterone immediately and through
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SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS
40 DAYS FOR LIFE PRAYER
Saturday, March 1, 1-2 p.m. Join Sanctity of Human Life Task Force at 40 Days for Life’s year-round peaceful prayer vigil. Meet on Waterleaf pregnancy center’s property across from Planned Parenthood Aurora. Planned Parenthood employees report up to 75% no show rate when prayer happens outside.
PROLIFE TRAINING
College Church will host John Ensor, the founder of PassionLife, a global missions initiative training Christians to stand for life in the neediest places on earth where abortion, infanticide and gendercide are especially concentrated. John will take us through the Theology of Life training materials used to train Christians globally. Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m. -12 p.m. in Commons Hall.
ILLINOIS PRO-LIFE MARCH
On Tuesday, March 25, join hundreds of others in Springfield to stand for the value of every human life. Contact sohl@college-church.org so we can plan to travel together or meet up at the march.
CARING NETWORK CORNER
New Caring Network pregnancy centers in Chicago are ready to open but lack enough staff. Please pass on job listings for nurses and sonographers to your contacts. https://caringnetwork.bamboohr.com/careers/95 https://caringnetwork.bamboohr.com/careers/103 https://caringnetwork.bamboohr.com/careers/105
VISION TOUR
Join SOHL for a small group Vision Tour at Caring Network on Thursday, March 6, 7-8 p.m. at the Glen Ellyn center. https://secure.fundeasy.com/ministrysync/ event/?e=29359
FILL THE BABY BANK FOR CARING NETWORK CLIENTS
Bring diapers, wipes, baby lotion, shampoo and wash, diaper cream and formula to the crib (outside the Sanctuary the first Sunday of every month and in the Commons the rest of the month).
the first weeks of pregnancy, to overwhelm the effects of the abortion drug, and support her pregnancy.7
Any woman can get help through AbortionPregnancyReversal.com. Many pregnancy resource centers publicize the APR option, with life-saving results. At least 5,000 babies have been rescued, restoring the 10,000 lives of mothers and babies, and perhaps the fathers.
A DIVINE DO-OVER
Shortly before finishing nursing school, Rebecca took the abortion pill. “I began to think about how this world is only for a short while, but my choice to abort this baby would be eternal.” She called the APR hotline and was met the next morning at the hospital by a man “who was different from any other doctor I had met.” Rebecca recalls how he took his time, gently explained the procedure, “and most importantly spoke with me about my fears and comforted me with the Word of God. Yes, the Word
of God. There was nothing more powerful he could have prescribed me that night because from that moment I surrendered my fears and let God steer the way for me and my unborn baby.”8
Before her sinful actions had “given birth to death,” (James 1:15) God sent Rebecca a “way of escape.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) That’s what abortion pill reversal is, a way of escape that leads to life. For Rebecca, God’s escape became the rescue of the life of her child, redemption of Rebeca’s heart, and the return of her boyfriend who became “a good husband.”
The joy of abortion reversal echoes the intensity of the psalmist, “Why was I discouraged? Why was my heart so sad? I put my hope in God! And I praise him again—my Savior and my God!”
1“Citizen Petition to the FDA ” https://tinyurl com/ Citizen-Petition-to-FDA
2Reluctant to be licensed in the US, Roussel Uclaf gave rights to Planned Parenthood/Population
A Pastor Prays for His People Wendell Hawley
Lord of power, Lord of grace,
All hearts are in your hands, all events are of your sovereign will You alone do all things well
Sometimes we don’t think all is well We pray for the change of hearts in others, but maybe it is our own hearts that need your transforming power!
Perhaps the failures we condemn in others are really our own failures
Perhaps situations are distorted because of the log in our own eye even as we complain about the speck in another’s eye
If this be the case, help us to focus on what you want to teach us the changes needed in our hearts
Convicted by your Holy Spirit, enlightened by your holy Word,
Council, which created Danco, a company with assets in the Cayman Islands Danco hired a Chines pharmaceutical firm (under FDA discipline for faulty drug control) to make the drug See AAPLOG Practice Guideline, “Medication Abortion ” No 8, Feb 2020 https://tinyurl com/AAPLOG-Medication-Abortion The generic form of Mifeprex ® is now sold by GenBioPro
3AAPLOG Practice Guideline, “Medication Abortion ”
4Dennis Thompson, “Some Abortion Pill Users Surprised by Pain, Study Says,” Dec 20, 2024 Drugs com https://www drugs com/news/some-abortionpill-users-surprised-pain-study-says-122965 html
5“I have taken the first abortion pill and seriously regret it,” April 27, 2019 https://www netmums com/coffeehouse/pregnancy-terminations-1161/unplanned-pregnancy-46/1853951-i-have-taken-firstabortion-pill-seriously-regret html
6Charlotte Lozier Institute “Abortion Pill Reversal: A Record of Safety and Efficacy,” Sep 24, 2021 https://lozierinstitute org/abortion-pill-reversal-a-record-of-safety-and-efficacy/
7Beth’s baby survived, and at her 16-week scan, Beth learned she was having another baby girl Three years later, Sharon joined the conversation, writing, “I’ve taken the first pill and I’m 14 weeks with massive regrets ” By this time, the abortion pill reversal protocol (APR) was more widely known Elsabe weighed in, “There is help [if you] take Micronized progesterone ”
enabled by your powerful presence, assured by your matchless grace, I confess my sins, my failures, my foolish independence, my lovelessness, believing that If we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Thank you, God, for complete forgiveness
Now I pray honestly and earnestly, God of great power: Control my tongue
Keep me from saying things that make trouble; from involving myself in arguments that only make bad situations worse, only cause further alienation,
and make me think everyone else is at fault except me
Control my thoughts
Shut the door of my mind against all envious and jealous thoughts .
Shut the door of my mind against all bitter and resentful thoughts
Shut the door of my mind against all ugly and unclean thoughts
Help me to live in purity and in love
Henceforth, may my focus be on the completion of your work— your good work—in my soul
Then, Good Shepherd, I shall not be ashamed on the day of Jesus Christ. Lord, bless the proclamation of your Word today, around the world
May many have ears to hear the Good News of salvation
AMEN
NEW MEMBERS
TREVOR BENNETT
Trevor is from Freeport, Illinois, and is one of six siblings and attended College Church with his brother Jaxon while attending Wheaton College Trevor now works as a technician for a company that performs emissions testing in industrial settings . He enjoys sports and being outdoors
HUNTER & DESTINI BENSON
The Bensons married last July and began attending College Church in 2023 Hunter is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and Desteni is from California They are both graduate students at Wheaton College— Hunter in the biblical and theological program, and Desteni in higher education and student development .
LUKE BERG
The youngest son of Mark and Cheryce Berg, Luke grew up at College Church As a recent graduate of Iowa State, he is now involved in a 20s ministry small group and is in the Missions Prep Program
NICO & BETHANY BRADLEY
The Bradleys have been married under two years Nico, a son of College Church missionaries (the late) Dave and Karen Bradley, lived much of his life on the mission field in Nairobi, Kenya He has many extended family members at College Church . Bethany also has family at College Church She is in nursing school Nico and Bethany recently moved to Wheaton from Seattle, WA Nico works in software development
KATHRYN DEBEUKELAER
Kat grew up in Melbourne, Florida, and then moved to Naperville She is involved in a 20s ministry small group Kat works in marketing and enjoys traveling and being outdoors .
BRENT & SUSANNA ETZEL
The Etzels have four adult children They moved to DuPage County in the last few years when Brent became dean of library and archives at Wheaton College They participate in the Thrive Adult Community Susanna teaches Latin at Clapham School
FRANK & WENDY FERNANDES
Frank and Wendy have been married almost 36 years and have two adult children Frank is retired and enjoys golfing and outdoor and sporting events Wendy is a homemaker and enjoys travel and time with family .
BRADEN FOERCH
Braden grew up in the Naperville area and went to college in Florida for a degree in chemistry . He is involved in the 20s ministry and works as a business development representative for an IT company in Chicago
Gospel Now Project Update
FROM CHAD THORSON – COUNCIL OF ELDERS
Every time we pass by the bell tower, we see our mission: Proclaim the Gospel, and the Gospel Now Project is our way of emphasizing the urgency of this calling right here in our own community.
I have had the privilege of serving on the Council of Elders for the past three years, and I am excited to share an update on the Gospel Now Project—our church’s three-year initiative focused on local community outreach at College Church.
By now, most of us are probably Gospel Now and its acronym: PGA—pray, give, act. This is more than a catchy phrase as we invite everyone at College Church to participate in these three key ways. Let’s unpack what that means.
PRAYER
As members of and regular attenders, we need to pray that College Church would continue to be a light on a hill, boldly proclaiming the gospel and sharing the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
GIVING
Consider financially supporting the Gospel Now Project. Funds raised through this initiative are directed toward three key areas:
1. Debt Reduction
2. Improving Campus Accessibility—specifically parking on the north side of Seminary
3. The Development of the Crossings Building
To date, we have raised $4.5 million of our $8.5 million goal, and we are excited about the progress.
ACTION
The Gospel Now initiative is structured to better equip each of us to share this hope with those around us. The Action component of this initiative encourages renewed engagement in church life and evangelism.
• There are many ways to get involved, such as:
• Joining Jim Johanik’s evangelism team
• Serving in the Front Door Ministry
• Becoming part of a cohort where you are coached on sharing your faith with neighbors and the community
• Participating in a Men’s or Women’s Bible Study to deepen your knowledge of God’s Word
We want to be a people of action, committed to impacting those around us with the gospel.
AN UPDATED VISION FOR THE CROSSINGS
With considerable feedback from the congregation, the Elder Council has reassessed the design of the Crossings Building. Our goal remains the same: to enhance the space where our church gathers, grows, and reaches our community.
There are two critical times each week when our ministries are most active:
• Sunday Mornings—Worship services, Adult Communities, disability ministry, student ministries and Kids’ Harbor all meet at the same time.
• Wednesday Nights—College Church is one of the few churches in the area offering a full range of midweek ministries, including:
• Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies (currently at capacity)
• High School and Junior High Ministries
• STARS, Boys’ Brigade, and Pioneer Girls
Many of these ministries are growing, and we are out of space.
To address this, the Gospel Now Design Committee has recommended a plan to reconfigure the ground floor of the Crossings Building to better serve these ministries.
WHAT’S CHANGING?
• The ground floor will include two multi-use, flexible meeting spaces adjacent to a common kitchen area.
• This redesign will increase capacity for Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies by over 70 percent on Wednesdays.
• On Sundays, this space will serve our college ministry, a growing deaf ministry, and Adult Communities currently meeting off-campus.
• The upstairs design remains unchanged—it will continue to house Junior and Senior High Ministries in a more functional space.
This entire design is focused on reaching more people for Christ
NEXT STEPS & CHALLENGES
I want to challenge each of you in two ways: Join us for the Crossings Open House on March 12 at 5:30 p.m.
• This is your opportunity to hear full details about the revised design and ask questions.
• Feedback from previous open houses has been invaluable in shaping this project, and we welcome your input.
Pray about making a pledge to the Gospel Now Project.
If you haven’t yet committed, we encourage you to seek God’s guidance on how you might participate.
This is an exciting time for College Church. Let’s move forward together as we proclaim the gospel—now.
FROM NANCY SINGER – DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
New Parking Options Coming to College Church
It’s been a long time coming, but College Church has given a six-month notice to the residents of the houses on the north side of Seminary Avenue that their leases expire on August 15, 2025. Our intention is to demolish those houses from the Sanctuary building to Scott Street, remove the foundations and underground heating oil tanks to build an accessible parking lot for those who have mobility issues and for visitors. We are planning for 104 regular and 12 accessible spaces connected by a ramp to the front of the Sanctuary.
First, a little history of God’s faithfulness to us in providing this land for us to use.
Fifteen years ago, in early 2010, we began conversations with the owner of five of the houses. He and his parents before him, owned the houses for nearly 100 years combined. For decades we had prayed about acquiring these houses so that one day we could convert them into parking. How marvelous it would be, we dreamed, to have convenient, accessible parking for those who had mobility issues and for visitors to find parking close to the church and on the same side of the street. It appeared the Lord in his perfect timing was making those properties available to us.
Those conversations, over several months, led us to making an offer to purchase the house closest to the church (325 E. Seminary), but also negotiate for purchasing five-year options on two more houses just to the west at 323 and 319 E. Seminary.
Owned by family trusts, the last two of the houses they owned at 315 and 311 E. Seminary, became part of the conversations shortly thereafter. We went through the required approval steps of the elders and congregation; the financing was arranged, and the purchases were finalized. We began renting out the apartments that had been carved into the houses.
The prayers of the faithful at College Church had been answered. But the Lord wasn’t finished making property available to us. After a foreclosure of the next house in line at 305 E. Seminary, we purchased it at auction, and because it was in unredeemable condition, we tore it down, grassed over the lot, and have been using it for a playground. Not long after, the owner of the final house on the corner of Seminary and Scott Streets (301 E. Seminary) put that property up for sale, and after an appraisal and inspection, College Church’s offer was accepted. We paid for that house with a very generous bequest from the estate of a long-time church member.
In late 2020 we approached the congregation with a capital campaign to raise sufficient funds to purchase the houses that had been optioned earlier, pay off the mortgages on the other houses, with the remainder to be used to build the parking lot. We raised enough funds for the first two goals, but not enough funds were raised to build the parking lot.
The Gospel Now Project started in May 2024, with the goal of building out the two-story portion of the Crossings, paying down our debt and raising sufficient funds to add to what had been raised before to finally build the parking lot.
The projected cost of the parking lot has risen substantially over the years because of increases in asphalt costs as well as just about everything else associated with construction. Although to date, we haven’t raised sufficient funds to complete the parking lot, the leadership believes that it is time to start that sixmonth notice for the tenants to relocate. In the meantime, we are working on final engineering and acquiring the necessary permits from the City of Wheaton, after which we will demolish the houses and prepare the land.
Assuming that the congregation donates sufficient additional funds to finish the project, we should have accessible parking and visible visitor parking on the north side of Seminary for the first time in our church’s 164-year history!
You can help make this a reality by with a donation to the Gospel Now Project and designating it for the Accessible Parking Project. Donations can be made on-line through our website or by making a check payable to College Church and writing “Gospel Now Parking Project” on the memo line.
May this additional parking bring many to College Church to hear the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. All Glory to God.
at the BOOKSTALL
A PASTOR PRAYS FOR HIS PEOPLE
by Wendell Hawley
Drawing upon years of experience here at College Church, Pastor Wendell C Hawley provides a timeless collection of prayers to lead the church in bringing their praise, joys and struggles before the throne of God A Pastor Prays for His People contains wise, thoughtful, and loving prayers for a year’s worth of Sundays and special occasions, including holidays, weddings, and funerals Steeped in Scripture, these prayers can be used in public as well as private worship, prompting and encouraging all God’s people to pour out their hearts to him
Bookstall Price: $15 (Buy 5 or more for $10 each)
EMPTY!
by Joshua Colley & James Elston
Some things in life are terrible when empty, such as piggy banks, cookie jars, and giftwrapped Christmas boxes But empty can be amazingly good, like Saturday chore lists and that beehive you just bumped into Two thousand years ago, outside Jerusalem, a group of people found a miraculously empty tomb—and the world has never been the same . Join New York Times bestselling author Joshua Cooley in a funny, meaningful journey into Jesus’ empty tomb— the greatest empty in the history of emptiness!—and what it means for us today
Bookstall Price: $12
NINE DAY QUEEN OF ENGLAND LADY JANE GREY
by Faith Cook
Lady Jane Grey has often been called the “Tudor Pawn” but to see her as one whose life was simply moved around by others is totally inadequate This is no simplistic life and death of a sixteen-yearold girl In order to understand the full tragedy and triumph of her life it is vital to grasp the far-reaching political and religious changes that were shaking England at that time The Reformation touched the whole population; from palace to university; from emerging town to peasant cottage Like the pieces of a jigsaw, the pieces come together to give a picture of a girl with outstanding natural abilities, whose strength of character and remarkable faith shine out despite the darkness that often surrounded her Executed at age 16, Jane paid an awful price for a throne she did not seek
Bookstall Price: $12
ESV DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL, FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: BOX SET
The ESV Devotional Journal, Fruit of the Spirit: Box Set is a collection of 9 devotional journals, each focusing on one of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol Twelve applicable Bible passages, thoughtful journaling prompts, and space for notes allow readers to reflect on what God has spoken through his Word and continues to speak through the Spirit . Featuring beautiful cover art from artist Lulie Wallace, this set makes a great gift for women, helping them meditate on and trust in God’s perfect guidance .
Bookstall Price: $39
Between the fireside and the bookstall checkout desk, we are building a “Shepherd Shelf,” a curated collection of books our pastors and directors are referencing in their varied counseling and Christian living situations Be sure to check out this new “Shepherd Shelf ”
WHEN GIVING TO CHURCH IS GIVING TO GOD
When it comes to charitable giving, the church lives in the non-profit world. But this is a strange place for the church to reside.
The Charity Navigator website has this to say for people who want to get started with giving: “If you have some wiggle room in your budget, deciding how to spend that extra money may fuel your daydreams. How would your hard-earned money be best spent? How can it improve your life? One answer: donate it to a worthy cause. Research shows that donating money makes people happier than spending it on themselves. By donating, you can improve your mental wellness while supporting the well-being of others.
“With even a small donation, each of us has the power to contribute to change for the better. This fact should be a beacon of hope for all. We can make a difference, and we can start at any time. Why not begin today?
This website addresses charities and charitable giving in the largest context—both secular and Christian. Something seems off to me as I read it, though the work they are doing seems really good. But giving to make myself happier—well, somehow that’s not quite the way of Christ. I mean, his giving meant going to the cross. Is Christian philanthropy distinct in some way? To answer that, I looked at another website of an organization called Generous Giving.
“We believe in the biblical message of generosity” says its website. “This is not specific to any denomination or church; it is for His body—the Church.
“…Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:21
“…Giving is not only an indication of where your heart is, but it is also a means of moving your heart toward God’s generosity in a never-ending journey, expanding your heart to hold all the blessing of a closer walk with God.”
Do I have “wiggle room” in my budget to give to God? It’s a silly question, but one that I asked myself for several years before I could see its fallacy about charitable giving when it is pointing toward the God of all things; my giving is an integral part of my worship. My worship is shallow without it. Did God have wiggle room in his heavenly kingdom to give his only Son? It wasn’t like that. There wasn’t wiggle room; there was only everything: leaving the throne, incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection. God’s economy gave up everything to redeem us. What God did made no sense to the creatures he did it for. This is not the way we would do it, and left to ourselves, it’s not the way we do our charity.
So, turning this kind of generosity toward myself is changing everything in ways that might not always make sense. If I wait until everything runs perfectly at church, I’m off the hook. I’ll never give a cent. We’re a good church, but we’re not perfect. On the other hand, if I give to God with a cheerful heart of worship and thankfulness, he will see what I do. The perfect Giver will receive my gift and take it to heart.
He gave everything for me. How much less than everything am I willing to give for him and his church? And how does that work anyway?
