November 2024

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CONNECTIONS N OVEM BE R 2 024

SUFFERING & THANKFULN ES S God’s lovingkindness endures forever.

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INSIDE

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THE ETERNAL GOD: RECOVERING FAITH IN THE LORD THE CREATOR

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS IN SUFFERING: A JOURNEY OF HEALING AND REDEMPTION

Jacob Samuel Raju

Keith Burton

God spoke. Period. Full Stop.

God is present in our darkest moments.

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THANKFUL IN SUFFERING

RELIGION THAT IS PURE

Pat Cirrincione

Anita Deyneka

Thankfulness and suffering are not incompatible.

They were stepping around children on the way to church.

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STRENGTHENING AND RESOURCING THE GLOBALLY PERSECUTED CHURCH

A BETTER COUNTRY

Dr. Yousaf Sadiq

O, church arise to face persecution.

Judy Sattler

Keeping sight of a better place.

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FEATURES

A HARVEST IN COOK COUNTY JAIL

Our Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Sarah Gonzalez

CHURCH LIFE: November Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Care comes to Cook County Jail.

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Gallery SPOTLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ArtSpace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Looking Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Under the Radar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Facilities Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 POETRY: Paul Klauke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Opportunities for Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

SHOPPING FOR HOPE & JOY: THE CHRISTMAS STORE AT OUTREACH CAROL STREAM

SOHL Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Vanessa Roth

Thanksgiving Eve Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

At the Bookstall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 GOSPEL NOW: Crossings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Time to start your Christmas shopping.

24 GOD AND GRANDCHILDREN Alex Lee

The apple of his eye.

26 MARY’S BABIES Dr. Joel Goodnough

The hardest thing a doctor ever does.

GIVING JOY: The Giving Surprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

On the Cover: Children of Nepal by The Voice of the Martyrs 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 December issue: November 9 | For the January issue: December 9 | For the February issue: January 9

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

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CONTRIBUTORS KEITH BURTON

author of Shadows of Sobriety: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing a Family Legacy, has a career that spans leadership roles in public relations and communication, including teaching at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Keith and his wife, Sue, have three children and live in Geneva, where they continue sharing their story of faith and healing with others on their recovery journey.

PAT CIRRINCIONE

When not writing or praying for her grandchildren, Pat enjoys reading and baking and attending musicals.

Her greatest joys are God and her family, and time with both makes for much joy and laughter.

ANITA DEYNEKA

serves with Mission Eurasia, an organization she and her husband, Peter, founded. She works with A Home For Every Orphan to help promote in-country Christian adoptions around the world. She has authored several books including A Song in Siberia and Christians in the Shadow of the Kremlin.

SARAH GONZALEZ

is the director of Cook County Jail Ministries & Women’s Chaplain with Koinonia House Ministries. She writes about ways College Church can become involved with her ministry at Cook County Jail.

DR. JOEL GOODNOUGH

is retired, and enjoys reading, writing and playing golf. He and his wife, Brenda, became members in April, are involved in men’s and women’s Bible studies.

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.

JACOB SAMUEL RAJU

was a missionary pastor in India and Dubai.

He is currently pursuing his higher education in theology at Wheaton College. He is one of the Living Word Adult Community coordinators and a Men’s Bible Study table leader. He likes being with his College Church friends and has lots of them!

VANESSA ROTH

has served on the College Church board of deaconesses and has participated in short-term missions trips. She is the chief operating officer at Outreach and enjoys traveling and perfecting her putt. She is also grateful for time well-spent with family and friends.

DR. YOUSAF SADIQ

teaches Global Christian Persecution and serves the globally persecuted church in hostile contexts. If you’d like to learn more about ways to come alongside the persecuted church, email him at yousaf_sadiq@ hotmail.com.

JUDY SATTLER

has been collecting words and stories since before she could tie her shoes. She and her husband, Tim, serve as College Church missionaries. Along with reading and writing, Judy enjoys experiencing the wonders of God’s creation. She is also involved in the ArtSpace community.

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G I V I NG T H A N K S I N NOV E M BE R WIL TRIGGS | EDITOR

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erseverance, thankfulness, sacrifice, caring for others above self.

These words all describe the wonder of November in the calendar. And this month’s theme of “thankful in suffering” is infused in the articles of the issue from many angles.

Where does perseverance come from and how does it work exactly. Jacob Samuel Raju helps us out the this (p.2) Pat Cirrincione’s article (p.4) helps us to consider suffering and the strength God’s presence brings to us.

November is also the month we observe the Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, and Yousaf Sadiq (p.6) brings his unique perspective on how we might better help persecuted Christians around the world.

Keith Burton’s article (p.10) helps us consider the work God can do when suffering invades a family through alcoholism.

Anita Deyneka (p.12) brings her decades of missionary work to the current plight of suffering children and how Christians hold a unique position to bring hope and change to them.

Judy Sattler’s “A Better Country” (p.14) and Alex Lee’s “God and Grandchildren” (p.24) help us keep a level and righteous perspective at this special time of year.

We also have our traditional November ministries featured in this issue, with Vanessa Roth (p.20) giving us some perspective on Outreach’s perennial outreach The Christmas Store, and an overview of the Thanksgiving Eve Project (p. 28), Joel Goodnough’s perspective on the least of these (p.26) and Sarah Gonzalez giving us an update on a new prison ministry for us (p.19).

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.

All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.

For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

— Psalm 86:8-13

All of that, plus a poem by Paul Klauke, an update on Gospel Now project and a moving testimony to giving in our Giving Joy column.

It’s a packed issue. Consider the goodness and presence of God as you read.

And let’s thank God together on Thanksgiving and all year round.

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JACO B S AM U E L R A J U

Recovering Faith in the Lord the Creator

THE ETERNAL GOD: 2

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n the ancient world, pagans had many different conceptions of the world, especially regarding its origins. Almost all of them believed that God (or gods) existed eternally. But alongside God, matter in one form or the other existed eternally as well. According to the epic creation poem Enuma Elish, Marduk made the world from the chopped-up body of another god, Tiamat.

He created humans to work as slaves to the gods! For some Platonists, the eternal matter that existed alongside God eternally was a chaotic matter. God subdues that “chaos” and orders it into a “cosmos.” Thus, God’s act of creation is merely subduing, ordering and beautifying the pre-existent matter. For some Aristotelians, a well-ordered cosmos existed eternally, alongside God. God merely sustains it. In all these worldviews, however powerful and sovereign God is, he only molds and makes pre-existing matter according to his desires. To some extent, the pre-existing matter resists his molding and making.

Contrary to all these conceptions, the Bible affirms that God created the universe “out of nothing.” He was not merely re-shaping preexistent matter but bringing the matter itself into existence before he molded and shaped it. Genesis 1:1 reads, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The heavens and the earth encompass everything that is not God, the entire universe. He did this out of nothing! There was no pre-existing “stuff ” that aided or resisted God in this act of creation. He did it by his word. Hebrews 11:3 similarly reads, “By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Romans 4:17 states that God “calls into existence the things that do not exist.” Psalm 33:6, 9 affirms, “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made and by the breath of his mouth all their host … For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” Every moment of the world’s existence is because God sustains it. God still upholds all

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things by the “word of his power.” (Heb. 1:3). Without this sustaining power of God, the universe has no power to sustain itself. It would collapse back into “nothingness” if God were to withdraw his sustaining power.

Though the people of God always knew God as their Redeemer and leaned heavily on his character as the Redeemer, there were occasions when they called upon God as their Creator.

Though it is the same God who is both the Creator and the Redeemer, these two acts of God display different aspects of his unchanging character. If we are too focused on God as our Redeemer, we may miss the importance of God as our Creator. Time and again, God introduces himself to his people as the Creator of the universe rather than as their Redeemer, especially when his people are going through tough times.

Israel, when conquered and taken captive by the Assyrians and Babylonians, thought that the Lord did not care anymore, or that the Lord was not as powerful as the pagan gods or so the pagans claimed, or that there were certain things beyond the Lords control and wisdom. It is easy for any of us to fall into this kind of unbelief when going through trials of various types— whether it be a longstanding illness, a loss in business or of a job, an irresponsible, inconsiderate, unconverted spouse to live with, difficult children to raise, or difficult parents to live with.

As we begin to lose heart, the Lord’s question comes to us: “Why do you say… The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me; My God is not concerned with my vindication”?

(Isa 40:27) The remedy to such disheartenment is to consider what kind of a God the Lord is. He is the creator of all things.

The Lord asks, “Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is an eternal God, the Creator of the whole earth.

He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom.”

—Isaiah 40:28, NET Isaiah here presupposes all this about the Creator God. The adjective “eternal” applies only to God and not the world.

The eternal God, who created the whole earth by calling it into existence out of nothing and sustains it moment by moment, never grows weary or tired of doing it. Nothing diminishes his power.

And there is no limit to his wisdom.

And to suppose that whatever happens to us is somehow beyond God’s power or wisdom to control is foolishness.

Because we believe in the Lord, the Creator, we believe that the Lord has the power to call into existence things that do not exist and has the power and wisdom to sustain them.

That is what He did and does with the universe. When the Lord told Abraham, “Take your son—your only son, whom you love, Isaac—and go to the land of Moriah! Offer him up there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I will indicate to you” (Gen 22:2), how did Abraham find the strength to be willing to do it? Abraham’s faith thinking went like this: “If the Lord can call an entire universe into existence, he can also call my son back into life from death.

Death is not powerful enough to resist the power of the word of the Lord.”

In Romans 4:17-22, Paul describes Abraham’s faith, “. . . In the presence of the God in whom he [Abraham] believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope, he believed against hope that he should become the father of many nations… He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had

promised. That is why his faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness.’”

Recovering a proper conception of God as Creator will make us stand in awe of his power and wisdom, as the psalmist did.

“By the LORD’s decree the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all the starry hosts. He piles up the water of the sea; he puts the oceans in storehouses. Let the whole earth fear the LORD. Let all who live in the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and it came into existence. He issued the decree, and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:6-9, NET) The Lord, with his speech, created the heavens, their starry hosts, earth, seas, and the whole world. The thought of it is supposed to instill fear and awe in us.

But there’s still a nagging doubt for us that yes, the Lord is powerful and wise beyond measure, but would he exercise his power and wisdom for me? It was God’s tender personal care that the children of Israel doubted. To them, and to us, the word of the Lord comes: “He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy” (Isa 40:29).

We have another day to live, another battle to fight. The enemies are all around us—the world with the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life (1 John 2:16); the flesh with all its lusts waging war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11; Gal 5:17); the devil who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:7). Some of us are too tired to fight and too ready to give in, but—“they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) We have the Creator’s word on that.

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Thankful in Suffering PAT CIR R IN C ION E

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ow can I be thankful while suffering? My brain could not wrap itself around this thought. Lord, what is it that you wish to expose to my pitiful self now?

Years ago, as I was helping the host of a prayer group set her table with pies, coffee and tea for her guests I was singing to myself, bustling back and forth between the kitchen and dining room. Meanwhile, the host was sitting in the living room quietly talking

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with her friend. Suddenly, her friend turned towards me and said: “Why are you so happy?

You obviously haven’t suffered enough!”

After my initial shock washed over me, I slowly turned to her and said: “I’ve suffered, a lot, and it continues: the hurt, the pain, the lies, the snubs. Would you like to see my pain?” And I allowed my pain to wash over me, in my eyes, my face, in the slump of my shoulders. I guess it was too much for them to witness, as they turned away from me.

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I then added: “I’ve chosen to give my pain over to the Lord to handle for me, or I would crumble.” That said, I slowly made my way back to the kitchen for the plates, cups, silverware, napkins, tea and coffee pots, and tears escaped from my eyes and slowly fell down my cheeks.

What made me remember this incident yet again? Every so often, a good friend comes into town for a class reunion and invites a group of us to join her for lunch. It’s with women I have been involved with as they experienced pain, confusion, break-ups, loss. I have sat with each woman and comforted them in their pain, and yet they barely tolerate me. In fact, when I said I would be at the lunch, only one other person, besides the host, could make it. So, I graciously bowed out, and I didn’t know who came or who saw who. The hurt made me keep asking Jesus: “Why, Lord?”

I was still disturbed by their reaction, that at Bible study the next morning, I couldn’t answer any of the questions without choking up and tears welling in my eyes. It’s a good thing it’s a Zoom group, and no one could really see my face, or so I thought. That evening, an email came from someone in the group, asking if everything was okay. She had noticed how quiet I was, especially since I am usually involved in the discussion. I was so touched that all I could do was thank her for her concern and ask for her prayers.

I’ve experienced a lot of hurtful situations from non-Christians and Christian friends, I’m sorry to say. Truly, I cannot escape the fact that God has placed sunshine in my heart, along with the tears, and quite frankly, I prefer the sunshine to the clouds of misery that threaten to overwhelm me if I allowed them to ruin my life. I’d rather choose thankfulness. Thankfulness for so many things, from small to large! You see, if I don’t choose thankfulness then I would actually be ungrateful to God, who by his amazing grace saved a wretch like me.

I am thankful that I’ve been taught to forgive and not allow my suffering and hurt to eat away at my joy in Christ, and for the unmerited gift of grace.

Another reason for my thankfulness is that God helps me understand Scripture and put it into practice, although this is a work in progress!

I have been justified by God’s grace, and brought into a new covenant relationship with him—how awesome is that? And in the face of difficulty, God is there for me. I don’t have to give in to the temptations of self-reliance and pride. Even when I am suffering from my own sin and foolishness, he is there, with his compassion and kindness and mercy. God grants me the peace I need to move onward, and not allow the suffering to keep me in a quagmire of hopelessness.

Finally, I am thankful for the continuing process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, which will continue throughout my Christian life. As James wrote to a scattered, suffering church: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be complete, lacking for nothing.” (James 1: 2-4) Happy Thanksgiving, and may our God be a transformative force in your lives.

Now to linger on the thankfulness.

I am thankful for adoption. Both of my parents have died, and I could have felt like an orphan, but God had another plan. He made a believer of this orphan and through the atoning death and resurrection of his one and only Son, I became his child.

I have someone to rely on, speak and confide in, and pray to. I have been blessed with God’s goodness to me through the work of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God. Because of this, I share the fellowship and unity all believers share in worshiping God together, sharing possessions and resources and partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

I am thankful for new life that began as I trusted Jesus alone for salvation—a new life that will continue to eternity in God’s presence in heaven!

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Strengthening and Resourcing the Globally Persecuted Church DR. YOUSAF SADIQ

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oday, one of the most prominent challenges facing the global church is the opposition and persecution that believers endure for their faith in Christ Jesus. The Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, recently held in South Korea, spotlighted the persecution of Christians. The event brought together more than five thousand Christians from around the world, and it was like heaven on earth. I had the honor of presenting on the state of the globally persecuted church during a collaborative session. We highlighted the urgent needs and explored ways in which Christians can support their brothers and sisters suffering for their faith in hostile contexts.

An estimated 360 million Christians endure high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith, and statistics reveal a troubling rise in such persecution worldwide. For instance, in 2019, more than 4,000 Christians were killed, over 2,000 were detained without trial, and more than 1,000 6

churches and Christian buildings were attacked. By 2023, these numbers had escalated, with 5,000 Christians killed, over 4,000 detained without trial, and more than 2,000 church buildings targeted.

While millions of Christians suffer for Christ, the responses to persecution are not identical. Believers in different contexts understand the outcomes of persecution differently. It is helpful to mention briefly three common reactions: survival, association and confrontation. The majority of persecuted believers all over the world demonstrate the survival response.

They recognize that persecution is to be expected, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:12, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

The association response acknowledges the reality of suffering but actively engages against the injustice Christians face due to oppressive draconian laws targeting their religious beliefs.

Those who respond this way believe that Christians are called

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to advocate for the weak and stand up for those who are unfairly treated, as written in Psalm 82:3 and Micah 6:8.

The confrontation response is the least common and is motivated by cultural rather than theological beliefs. In shame-honor contexts, failing to respond to a physical attack with equal force can be perceived as weakness, inviting further attacks. The confrontation response takes a tit-for-tat approach, often legitimizing the use of force to restore honor by taking the law into one’s own hands.

We cannot overlook the importance of providing immediate material support when Christians’ homes and church buildings are destroyed. However, one critical area that often receives insufficient attention is the need for contextual resources to help believers navigate persecution. In both the survival and association responses, there exists a notable gap between experiencing suffering and possessing a clear, deeper biblical understanding of the theology of suffering and perseverance.

In coming alongside the church in persecuted contexts, it is indispensable to develop contextual resources that ask fundamental questions, such as: What is persecution? What does persecution do to us individually and collectively?

How is God glorified in our sufferings? What is the relation between persecution and God’s mission? What does it mean to participate in the sufferings of Christ? How do we maintain witnessing for Christ amidst opposition? Likewise, there is a pressing need for contextual resources at theological institutions to equip future Christian leaders in regions, where living out their faith is particularly challenging.

The most effective way to develop contextual resources is through local Christian leaders in persecuted settings who possess an intimate understanding of the needs, language and cultural contexts, along with firsthand experience of the persecution and challenges the local church faces. Efforts to import materials from non-persecuted contexts or merely translate them into local languages often fall short of meeting the real needs. Therefore, creating and providing contextual resources on the theology of suffering—written by local theologians for local believers—is crucial for the growth of the local church.

During the last year, I have been developing an initiative to serve persecuted brothers and sisters in hostile contexts. In recent months, the Lord has led me to focus on two strategic areas in assisting the suffering church—resourcing and training. Both will play a vital role in preparing, training, strengthening and equipping persecuted pastors, church leaders, and believers to proclaim the gospel.

Pakistan serves as a pertinent example of resource development, as it ranks among the top ten watch list countries for Christian

persecution. This past April, I led a consultation in Pakistan with Christian leaders from various denominations. The participants unanimously agreed that the church in Pakistan lacks the resources to support believers in facing persecution, and surprisingly, the issue is rarely addressed from the pulpit.

In response to this first strategic need of resourcing, I am honored to lead and serve as an editor for a book project in the Urdu language at the request of the largest Christian publisher in Pakistan. Several Pakistani theologians and church leaders have been invited to contribute chapters on key topics such as the biblical theology of suffering, the implications of persecution for the church, the causes of persecution— including the stringent blasphemy laws in the country—as well as the contributions Christians have made to Pakistan’s development (given that non-Muslims will also read the book).

Likewise, it is important that the book emphasizes practical steps for minimizing damage during attacks on churches, and our Christian calling to live in harmony and peace with our neighbors, including the Muslim community. This point is particularly crucial, as Christians make up less than two percent of Pakistan’s 98 percent Muslim population. The next step involves bringing together pastors from different cities to inspire them to utilize this resource in teaching their local congregations. Ultimately, the resource will also be published in English for broader distribution across the region and in related Islamic contexts.

For the strategic need of training, we can turn our attention to Sub-Saharan Africa. At the request of a Christian ministry serving there, I have been invited to assist some Christian universities in Sub-Saharan Africa in preparing modules that will not only address the state of global Christian persecution but also support local leaders in developing contextual resources for predominantly Islamic contexts. There will be a consultation of African leaders to discuss the specific needs of the local church facing persecution, followed by an action plan to implement recommendations for producing a contextual resource on the theology of suffering and perseverance It is important to note that since the year 2000, the Islamic world has emerged as the primary context for Christian persecution.

At the Lausanne Congress, I connected with church leaders from persecuted contexts, including Eritrea, Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India. They all deeply sensed the need to collaborate in serving the persecuted church. Prayers are appreciated for a regional gathering of leaders soon to discuss the resources needed amidst persecution.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 that we are one body of Christ, and if one part suffers, every part suffers. As fellow believers, we have a fantastic opportunity to pray, be a blessing, and be blessed by our persecuted brothers and sisters.

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NOVEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

Gallery SPOTLIGHT THE GROWING CHURCH

We are pleased to include selected work on our cover and this page of Connections from:

THE GROWING CHURCH: Every Tribe, Tongue and Nation Inspired by both our missions festival and the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, this gallery shines a spotlight on Christians from around the world in a variety of cultures.

Even where opposition is great, the church of Christ lives!

A special word of thanks to our missionaries and congregants who contributed along with Voice of the Martyrs.

GALLERY HOURS: Sun., Mon., Wed. and Fri. from 12 to 2 p.m.

For other opening times, contact the church office at (630) 668-0878 or email artspace@college-church.org

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NOVEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

GALLERY

WORKSHOPS

THE GROWING CHURCH: EVERY TRIBE, TONGUE AND NATION

GARDEN DESIGN FOR YOU

OPEN THROUGH DECEMBER 6 in Crossings

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16 10 a.m. in the Crossings Conference Room COST: FREE

This gallery will celebrate the faces, cultures and practices of the church in every corner of the world.

GALLERY HOURS: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 to 2 p.m.

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.

INSTRUCTOR: Henry Parker

Experienced gardener Henry Parker gives you insights in planning and designing.

Registration is not required, but is encouraged. Sign up at www. college-church.org/ artspace or by using this QR Code.

For more information or to sign up for a workshop, visit our webpage: college-church.org/artspace.

Helen Read will be sharing her painting process with us.

Wear your painting clothes! We will be creating 8 x 10 individual canvases for a larger piece as a special project for the Winter Gallery. We will provide acrylic paint and the canvas and you’ll provide the creativity. If you would like to do a mixed-media piece, please bring your own supplies.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 at 7 p.m. in Crossings Nov. word of the month: PAIN Dec. word of the month: REFUGE Future Meetings: Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11 Look forward to seeing you there!

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God’s Faithfulness in Suffering:

A Journey of Healing and Redemption

KEITH BURTON

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)

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n the stillness before dawn, when the world is quiet, I often reflect on the winding path that has brought me to this moment. Over the years, I’ve come to understand one essential truth: even in the darkest moments, God’s presence was with me. Just as Psalm 139 promises: “Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there” (Psalm 139:7-8, NIV).

Roughly one in five adult Americans lived with an alcoholic while growing up, according to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics. For the tens of millions who are adult children of alcoholics, my story is all too familiar. I wrote mine this spring—Shadows of Sobriety: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing a Family Legacy, after decades of carrying it in my heart.

For years, I wrestled with pain, grief, guilt, disappointment, and a deep well of anger. But as I began to put words to those emotions, I realized that writing this memoir wasn’t just about revisiting the past. It was about healing. It was a journey of letting go, of recognizing that God had been guiding me all along, even when I couldn’t yet see it. I often asked myself whether my siblings and I could ever truly escape the legacy of our 10

past—the violence that echoed through our home, the chaos that left us clinging to silence, and the pain that felt impossible to heal. But through reflection and God’s grace, I’ve realized that we don’t have to escape it—we can be transformed by it.

Though my early life in Texas in the 1950s and 60s was marked by challenges—growing up in a home shaped by my father’s alcoholism and my mother’s struggles—what defines me today is the grace that is mine through Christ. His presence is woven through every part of my life, and his inspiration comes in many forms. I’ve found God’s peace not only in moments of deep prayer but also in nature—the whisper of wind through the trees, the majesty of mountains, the quiet of ethereal gardens, the stillness of a starry night, and the steady rhythm of hiking rugged trails in the high desert. In those moments, as my boots hit the uneven ground and the world falls away, I feel connected to something greater, a reminder that God’s creation reflects his love and order, even when life feels chaotic.

God also worked through people— neighbors who cared for me, coaches who pushed me to grow, teachers who believed in my potential, and close friends who spoke comforting words when I needed them most. Cherished

relatives provided love and support, filling the gaps when I felt lost. My grandmother played a pivotal role in my faith journey. She gave me my first Bible in 1977 and brought me to Christ, planting seeds of faith that would sustain me through life’s hardest moments. In the workplace, Christian mentors guided me with wisdom and spiritual insight, helping me navigate professional and personal challenges through the lens of faith.

Our church communities in Texas and Illinois were vital. Through the body of Christ, I learned to see God’s love in action—in the warmth of fellowship, shared prayers, and the unwavering support of believers. Whether in worship, Bible studies, or quiet conversations, I found inspiration in the way God’s love was reflected in the lives around me. The church has been a constant reminder that we are never alone in our struggles.

The Bible has long been my source of wisdom and comfort. Verses like Psalm 23, reminding me that “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” and Isaiah 40:31, which speaks of renewing strength by hoping in the Lord, anchored me during times of uncertainty.

The more I reflected on Scripture, the more I saw God’s hand in my life— guiding, comforting and inspiring me through every trial.

Above all, God’s greatest act of faithfulness is the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for my sins. Through his shed blood, my sins have been cleansed. It is through this ultimate act of love and redemption that I have found true peace, healing and purpose.

Perhaps the most powerful realization I’ve come to is that God’s presence is woven into every part of our lives, often in ways we don’t immediately recognize.

Through nature, people, Scripture and community, he is always offering inspiration, comfort and guidance. While the journey hasn’t always been easy, I now see that God is not only present in the struggles but also in the moments of beauty and connection that bring us closer to him.

As I look back on my life, I no longer focus on the hardships that once defined me. Instead, I celebrate the many ways God has revealed himself to me— through His creation, through the people who have touched my life, and through his Word. Philippians 4:7 reminds us that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I’ve entered a season of peace, and from this place of peace, I reflect on God’s enduring faithfulness, celebrating the many ways he has inspired and guided me.

Proverbs 27:19 tells us: “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” (NIV) My journey has shown me that as our hearts are transformed

by God’s grace, so too is the way we live and interact with the world around us.

His love is the reflection that has shaped me into the person I am today.

Wherever you are on your journey, I encourage you to look for God’s presence—in the beauty of nature, in the kindness of others, in the pages of Scripture, and in the fellowship of believers.

He is always with us, offering his grace and inspiration, guiding us through the shadows and into the light.

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Religion That is Pure ANITA D E YN E K A

A

s missionaries to the communist Soviet Union, my husband, Peter, and I knew that, sometimes, Christian parents’ own children were removed from their homes and placed in state orphanages. We also knew that Christians were forbidden to share the gospel in orphanages. As communism collapsed, Christians regained freedom to fully care legally for their children. Meanwhile, a group of 12 young Christian men in Ukraine began to

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meet to pray for children in orphanages and those on the street, as many children were at this time without parental care.

One of the men asked, “How can we be just stepping around children on the way to church and not doing something to help?” Another prayed, “God help Ukraine to be a Ukraine without Orphans.” And during those early years of freedom the organization, Ukraine Without Orphans, was born with its slogan: “One Church; One Family; One Child.” And

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at that time, the majority of adoptable children in Ukraine were fostered or adopted by Christians. Similar movements began to spread especially from Ukraine to other countries in the former Soviet Union (FSU) and beyond. Ukrainian Christians led the way for parentless children to be fostered, adopted and cared for in their country of birth, when they could not remain with their families. And organizations such as A Family for Every Orphan and A World Without Orphans began.

As Christians, we worship God, the creator of life for whom all life is precious. “For you made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13, NLT). “From my birth I have relied on you. You brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.” (Psalm 71:6, NIV). As followers of Jesus, we are called to care for the unborn. And we are called to care for the born. Sanctity of life encompasses all life. This includes adoptable children in foster or orphan care and the estimated seven to nine million children in orphanages globally. It includes children who are dying of starvation, an estimated 3.1 million a year, worldwide, and includes protecting children and teens in the U.S. from becoming victims of gun and other violence. College Church has a long history of concern and care for all children, including ministries and care for mothers during pregnancy, who for any number of reasons, choose not to parent their children.

Scripture is filled with countless verses reminding God’s followers to care for the orphans and all parentless children, such as James 1:27, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted by the world.” (ASV) “True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans.” (Deuteronomy 24:17, NLT)

Of course, not all families are called to foster or adopt. In the Christian organizations which I serve, our goal is always for a child to be able to remain in the safety and care of his or her birth parents. Sometimes children must be removed from their birth family for a period of time, with a goal to reunify them with their families if possible.

College Church families have become involved in SAFE Families, that provides temporary family care, again with the goal of child and parental family reunification. Orphanages and other institutional care might be needed, but ideally with the goal of family care, which is vital for children to thrive, and sometimes even just to survive. Research at Harvard University backs this up. Extensive studies on outcomes of children without family care and raised in the spectrum of institutional care are discovering high incidences of lack of attachment and trauma, deeply affecting such children, with effects often lasting a lifetime.

Globally, UNICEF estimates 150 million children worldwide have lost both parents. An estimated seven to eight million children live in institutional care. Not all these children are eligible for adoption, but many are. In the United States, there are currently 400,000 children in foster care of whom approximately 100,000 children are currently adoptable— often older and experienced in placement in several homes. Some children may eventually be reunited with their biological families or other relatives. Meanwhile, many others need loving adoptive or foster parents.

Sadly, the rate of adoptions within the United States has continued to decline since the 1990’s, and the possibilities of U.S. citizens adopting from other nations continues to decline as well. China has recently stopped almost all adoptions from outside its country, including children who had already been approved and had

loving families awaiting them, many of whom were Christians.

Encouragingly, in many other countries, Christians have been at the forefront of helping orphans to find families within their own country of birth. These adoptions are not only a smoother transition for both child and parents, but also typically less costly to fund. With rising numbers of orphans and other vulnerable children globally, foster care and adoption inside a child’s birth country are vital.

Children, the vulnerable little people, are at most risk during times of war and other great dangers. Currently, in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and other wartorn countries countless children are left parentless. In times of war, there are sometimes no relatives remaining who can care for a parentless child. In a city in Eastern Ukraine, 63 orphans were rushed into a basement as Russian troops rained fire on their city.

Ukrainian Christians helped rescue the children to safety, even as the war in that country rages on and continues now.

Prayer is needed for orphans and other vulnerable children globally. If you wish to receive prayer requests and other information about the global needs of orphans, email A Family for Every Orphan (info@ afamilyforeveryorphan.org) and request updates from Pray for Every Orphan.

November 10 is Orphan Sunday (Pure Religion Sunday) commemorated globally. For more information, email at cafo.com/pure-religionsunday.

Family Advocacy Task Force will host a foster parent session on November 10 at 2 p.m. in COO3.

Send an email to familyadvocacy@ college-church.org for more information.

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A Better Country JUDY SATTLER

November 5—Election Day—has arrived with all its swirl of emotions and opinions, even among believers, including my own. As I have thought about all this, the result is this extended metaphor of our citizenship in heaven. . .

I

was born in a country plagued by oppression. The ruler is a dictator who is notoriously guilty of unspeakable acts of violence and corruption and who embodies the very essence of the word diabolical. I am deeply grateful to have escaped that country while still very young, and I have become a profoundly patriotic citizen of another, better country—a country with freedom as its centerpiece and where justice and mercy are scrupulously observed.

Even so, I am a resident alien in the place I currently live. I ache sometimes for the country I consider my homeland, which is odd, because I’ve never even been there. I have no doubt I will end up there sooner or later, but for now my work is here. My work isn’t easy. I am an ambassador in a war-torn country, and I continually face the destruction and devastation of that ongoing conflict. It is heartbreaking to see the fallout, and I often find myself crying aloud, “When will it all end?”

I work for the Ministry of Reconciliation. My primary function is to recruit. That may seem counterintuitive, but I am confident it is the only way forward, it is the only path to a lasting peace.

I have letters from my superior, lots of letters that remind me how to speak and act in order to make the mission a success.

I read and re-read those missives to make sure I stay on task, and I am encouraged to give my boss a call anytime I have a question or need help. I don’t suppose the war will end before I am recalled, but I aim to do my best until then.

Many of the people I meet are friendly, even though our countries are at war with one another, while others are outright belligerent.

Most of my friends, though, are expats too; there is a whole network of us, and we keep in touch regularly. We are all connected to the same embassy and recognize that the country we repre14

sent is a world power unlike any other in history and that, despite what appear to be ongoing setbacks, our leader will ultimately prevail. That is important to remember when things don’t seem to be going according to plan. And there is definitely a plan even though we ambassadors are not privy to all of its details.

Having the boldness to speak up when the opportunity presents itself is an asset for an ambassador, but I am anything but bold.

My boss must see something in me that I don’t; hopefully, he sees something of himself in me because he has been my mentor for many years. It is my ambition to please him, so lacking boldness, my approach to diplomacy is more of what I would call benevolent subversion. I use a strategy of kindness, compassion, service, and self-sacrifice to lay the groundwork for potential peace-talks with others. But there are times when, despite my lack of boldness, I find myself in the thick of it, so I jump in, say what I can, do what I can, hoping that all I have learned and experienced will be enough to strengthen the appeal.

I think the hardest part about living in this place for so long is the tendency to lose my identity. The culture and attitudes of this home away from home begin to rub off and the telltale distinctions that label me as an ambassador from a foreign country begin to fade. Quite frankly, it’s easier not to stand out too much, it’s more comfortable to fit in, and there are some pretty strong inducements to go native. That is why it is imperative for me to keep my eye on the goal. After all, this is just a temporary posting.

“All these died in faith…having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth…they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.” —Hebrews 11:13-16 “But our citizenship is in heaven…” —Philippians 3:20a “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us…” —2 Corinthians 5:20a

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OUR VISION 2024 INITIATIVES Vision: “Proclaiming the Gospel”

PATHWAY. We will develop a simple invitational pathway for our gospel ministries: Discover Jesus, Grow in Your Faith and Impact the World. In 2024, we will continue developing that pathway by emphasizing and enhancing the “on ramps” to College Church in the following ways: 1) promoting Kids’ Harbor as one of the first impressions of College Church, 2) augmenting and strengthening our Front Door ministries, and 3) establishing a culture where our congregants willingly and effectively share our faith.

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 2024 by: 1) calling a pastor focused in these areas (title to be determined), 2) establishing a permanent CARE team to support congregational care, 3) expanding elder prayer for each member of the church by name, and 4) identifying and training Small Group Coordinators to support all of our Small Group Leaders.

DISCIPLESHIP. We will elevate biblically rigorous and practical discipleship by, in 2024: 1) emphasizing and encouraging a renewed focus on discipleship in the context of church family life, 2) providing additional resources for personal disciple making as well as improving awareness and accessibility to them, and 3) offering two churchwide seminars on matters of current importance for being faithful disciples in today’s world.

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, funded through Gospel Now, prioritizing safety and accessibility upgrades to our parking and other key areas, and studying the highest and best missional use for our portfolio of rental properties.

PARTNERSHIPS. We will leverage the church’s history of church planting, training programs, and connections across the country and world by: 1) expanding the scope of our church planting efforts to include planting, strengthening and revitalizing, 2) hosting a prayer gathering for College Church members interested in this work, 3) exploring partnership with one new organizational partner, and 4) seeking to develop one new church partner in each category (planting, strengthening, revitalizing) by December 2024.

Rationale: By partnering with likeminded churches and organizations, and by broadening our scope to include planting, strengthening, and revitalization, we can increase our gospel impact through gospel-centered, Bible-preaching churches.

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.

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.

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CHURCH LIFE NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES

NOVEMBER 24: 2 Timothy 2:14-18, Pastor Curt Miller preaching

LIVING WORD Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104A & C104C

Everyone welcome.

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE

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.

A time to give thanks together.

• Teachers: Felipe Chamy, Jacob Samuel Raju

MORNING SERMON SERIES:

The Gospel of Matthew Senior Pastor Josh Moody preaching

Bring friends and family.

• Study: Gospel of John

Wednesday, November 27, at 7 p.m.

LOGOS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104E

Why Give Thanks and Praise to God, Psalm 65, Pastor Moody preaching

• 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.

NOVEMBER 3: You Are the Answer Matthew 5:13-16

SWEET TIME GATHERING Enjoy a sweet and some fellowship after the service.

NOVEMBER 10: The Legalism Rut Matthew 5:17-20

ADULT COMMUNITIES

NOVEMBER 17: Beyond Anger Matthew 5:21-26

ALL NATIONS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104F

NOVEMBER 24: Better Sex and Marriage Matthew 5:27-32

• Teacher: Curt Miller, Matt Heaton

• Study: Gospel of John

• Study: Word Based Equipping for Gospel Impact

VERITAS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in C104B & D

FORUM 15 Sundays 8 a.m. in C104F

• Teacher: Dr. Gregg Quiggle

November 3, 10, 17:

• Study: Christian History since the Reformation

SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICES Everyone welcome at 5 p.m.

• Teacher: Bruce Main • Study: Jonah/Nahum November 24:

EVENING SERMON SERIES:

Let’s Gather

• Study: Psalm for Thanksgiving

NOVEMBER 11: 9:30-11 a.m., Large Group Gathering: decision making in marriage in Commons Hall

GREEK EXEGESIS CLASS Sundays 9:30 a.m. in the Board Room • Teacher: Jon Laansma

NOVEMBER 3: 2 Timothy 1:8-18, Pastoral Resident Tate Fritz preaching. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

• Description: Knowledge of Greek is not required for this class.

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WOMEN’S MINISTRIES MOM2MOM

• Study: 1 John

NOVEMBER 17: 2 Timothy 2:8-13, Pastoral Resident Matt Heaton preaching.

• Teachers: Teaching Team

• Teacher: Dave Fetzer

What Is a Healthy Church Like?

NOVEMBER 10: 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Pastor Baxter Helm preaching.

THRIVE Sundays 9:30 a.m. in Crossings-Clapham Main Area

LIFE TOGETHER 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

NOVEMBER 18: 9:30-11:30 a.m., Park Playdate at Hoffman Park, Wheaton WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays MORNING: 9:30-11 a.m.

EVENING: 6:45-8:15 p.m.

WOMEN’S MONTHLY GATHERING One Saturday a month, November 2, 9-10:30 a.m. in Commons Hall We’ll spend the morning diving into Jesus’ first I AM Statement in John 6: “I am the bread of life; whoever

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comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Whether you’ve joined us before, or this would be your first time, we hope to see you there!

Next up: December 2

MEN’S MINISTRIES MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays 6:45-8:15 p.m. in Commons Hall

Children’s church (older preschool) during second half of 11 a.m. service Children’s church (younger preschool) at 11 a.m.

NOVEMBER 2: 5:00-6:30 p.m., Come volunteer at Feed My Starving Children. Register on their website fmsc.org, use code 4864LD. KIDS’ HARBOR FALL WEDNESDAY MINISTRIES

WEDNESDAY MORNING: 6:307:30 a.m. Men and Women of Courage groups meet every other week (Nov.13). Women meet in Welsh Hall and men meet in the Crossings conference room. A time of Bible reading, prayer, worship and Scripture memorization.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: 7-8:30 p.m.

Large group gathering (in Crossings) and small group gatherings (location varies per group) alternates weekly.

We continue in the Philippians study: One Mind in Christ. The session combines teaching, table discussion and fellowship. Light refreshments are provided.

Kids Korner: 9:30-11 a.m.

Evening Programs: 6:45-8:15 p.m.

MIDDLE SCHOOL (KINGS MESSENGERS)

AFTER HOURS: Sunday evenings, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Crossings

MEN’S BREAKFAST SERIES Saturday, November 2 7:30-8:30 a.m. in Commons Hall

SUNDAY MORNINGS: 9:30-10:30 a.m., in the KMs room

NOVEMBER 3: The Art of Truth: News, Journalism and the Christian Imagination with Dr. Drew Bratcher

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. We meet at 7:30 a.m. in Commons Hall. No registration is required. Invite a friend!

NOVEMBER 3: 2 Samuel 1

THE COMING KING: NOVEMBER 10: 2 Samuel 6 NOVEMBER 17: 2 Samuel 7 NOVEMBER 24: 2 Samuel 11-12 WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: 7-8:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER 6: KMs in Crossings NOVEMBER 13: KMs in Crossings

COLLEGE GROUP

NOVEMBER 10: Solomon Goes to University: Wisdom and the Postmodern Mind with Prof. Dan and Dr. Kat Haase NOVEMBER 17: What is an Evangelical? The Surprising History of Biblical Evangelicalism with Dr. Gregg Quiggle

NOVEMBER 20: KMs Connect Week in Crossings

NOVEMBER 24: How Church Can Change Your Life with Dr. Josh Moody

SUNDAY MORNING Nursery (0-2) at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

NOVEMBER 27: No KMs, Thanksgiving Eve Service

STARS DISABILITY

Bible school (preschool-third grade) at 9:30 a.m.

HIGH SCHOOL (HYACKS)

CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES (KIDS’ HARBOR)

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

SUNDAY MORNINGS at 9:30 a.m. in the Crossings. Enter through the door across the street from the Chase ATM. Baxter will be teaching on the Book of Exodus.

Afterwards, you are welcome to walk over to the Sanctuary with us for the 11 a.m. church service and sit together.

SUNDAY Children/Adult/Multi-Generational Sunday classes meet at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS Has the loss of a loved one left you wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving continued on next page

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and Christmas? Come be encouraged about dealing with loss during the holiday season.

This special GriefShare seminar will be held Monday, November 18, from 7-8:30 p.m. in Commons Hall. For more info, contact Christy at ext. 175 or griefshare@ college-church.org, or register using the QR code.

GRACE GROUPS Whether you or your loved one’s mental and emotional health has been impacted by recent circumstances or if you live with a diagnosis, we have practical tools to help. Living Grace and Family Grace are support groups that meet on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. Living Grace is meant for the person who is living with the pain of difficult mental and emotional issues; Family Grace is for the person who has a loved one who struggles with these issues. For more information email gracegroups@collegechurch.org, or register using the QR code.

KEENAGERS Join us for Keenagers on November 15 when our own Everett Peterson shares pictures and stories from his visit to the Oshkosh Wisconsin Air Show–AirVenture 2024. This event attracts about 600,000 people and a variety of more than 10,000 aircraft. The evening begins with a reception at 5:30, dinner at 6, and the program at 7 p.m. Reservations are required by November 12. Sign up by emailing keenagers@ college-church.org, or use the QR code.

ARTSPACE Details on page 9.

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MEMBERSHIP CLASS Come find out about College Church’s history, core beliefs, ministries and what it means for you to be a member. This membership opportunity will be on Saturday, November 9, from 8 a.m.noon in the Commons; registration is requested. For more info, contact Christy at membership@ college-church.org, or call (630) 668-0878, ext. 175.

Under the Radar HANDEL’S MESSIAH Camerata Chicago presents Handel’s Messiah, November 17, 4 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Wheaton. Use the discount code CCCC for a 25% discount. Go to www. cameratachicago for tickets.

ABOUT US LUNCH

TRAVEL

Are you new to College Church or would you like to learn more about us? If so, you’re invited to a special lunch on Sunday, November 17, at noon in the lobby outside the Sanctuary. Come and meet pastors and staff, learn about College Church, and find out how you can get involved. Lunch is on us! RSVP to help us plan.

College Church member and retired Moody professor, Gregg Quiggle, will lead two tours in 2025: A “Birth of the Church” tour of Greece and Turkey from March 7–21, and a “Making of English Protestantism” tour of England, led jointly with Jerry Root and Erwin Lutzer, from May 29–June 8.

Go to https://quotelostravelservice. com for more details and to reserve your spot.

Looking Ahead

CHRISTMAS SHOP Christmas shop at the Greenhouse Christian Co-School’s pop-up shop and First Love Market on November 15, 5-9 p.m., at the school, 422 N. Prospect St. in Wheaton.

Facilities FACTS CHRISTMAS CONCERT On This Day: Celebrating the Coming of Jesus Past & Future December 8 4 p.m. & 6:15 p.m.

Children’s choirs, student choir and adult choir in the College Church Sanctuary.

Did you know. . .

A football field’s square footage is 57,600 square feet, or the equivalent of 1.32 acres. (The playing field is 100 yards long, with a 10-yard-deep end zone on each side). If you were to line up six football fields, which is equivalent to 7.92 acres, that is the amount of snow removal that College Church removes every time it snows.

A Harvest in Cook County Jail SARAH GONZALEZ

“Crumpled up in the wall of the jail cell was a small sheet of paper—a page from Our Daily Bread—with verses on the front.

I knew God was getting my attention.” —IIC (individual in custody), Cook County Jail

T

he Word of God is powerful and active in Chicago’s Cook County Jail: tucked in cell walls, imprinted on the hearts of incarcerated men and women, and proclaimed by faithful witnesses to its power to save.

“But can hardened killers really change? Isn’t it just jailhouse religion?”

I often hear questions like that about jail and prison ministry.

I’m thankful for these questions because they enable me to testify that the Ancient of Days is still in the business of transforming men and women into his likeness. The same God who grabbed hold of the Apostle Paul and Moses—two murderers— is the same One who sees and searches the hearts of men today, noting their motives, and superimposing his sovereign motive to remove from them a heart of stone and replace it with an undivided heart regenerated by His Spirit.

Through its participation, College Church embraced the 3 Ps of this initiative: • Prayer. College Church embraced this ministry initiative in a spirit of prayer and intercession.

• Provision: College Church members and family generously provided the financial provision to fund the purchase of the Carebag items.

• Packing Party: College Church and the KHM team assembled 2,500 Christmas Carebags.

And this year, we’re so excited to partner on these 3 Ps once again.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED? Members of the KHM-College Church planning team will be at a table with more information between worship services College Church services on Sunday, November 17 and December 8.

Stop by and see us.

I know this well, because I personally witnessed this transformation in my father—a former gunman involved in organized crime in Los Angeles—who was radically changed when he encountered Christ in prison. This man, now transformed by the living Word of God, would go on to minister in Cook County Jail. He would bring me there as a toddler, telling me, “Sarita, I used to be like these men, but Jesus set me free!”

You may also get involved in the 3 Ps by praying for our team as we plan this initiative, including all of the logistics and the 2,500 IICs who will receive these Carebags. Contribute financially to this initiative as we raise funds to cover the costs of bulk toiletries and Carebag supplies. (See giving information below.)

Finally, join the Packing Party, where we’ll assemble 2,500 Carebags at College Church on Wednesday, December 18. Two shifts are available. Sign up at dec18packingparty.eventbrite.com.

FROM WHEATON TO THE CITY: SOWING SEEDS AND THE 3 P’S

To give, scan QR code #1 or go to https://koinoniahouse.app. neoncrm.com/forms/9. To obtain more information about our Packing Party, scan QR code #2. To watch a short video recap from our 2023 Christmas Initiative, please scan QR code #3.

Cook County Jail, just 25 miles from Wheaton, boasts a massive population size of nearly 5,000 IICs. Last year, in partnership with Koinonia House Ministries (KHM), College Church helped sow gospel seeds to half of the entire jail compound through our annual Christmas Carebag initiative. These annual care packages for IICs contain toiletries such as toothpaste and socks, as well as devotional material like Our Daily Bread.

QR CODE #1

QR CODE #2

QR CODE #3

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CHRISTMAS STORE

Shopping for Hope and Joy The Christmas Store at Outreach Carol Stream

VANESSA ROTH

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hen do you buy your Christmas gifts? Have you already started, or do you enjoy shopping on Christmas Eve? For families in southeast Carol Stream, the Christmas Store at Outreach is a much-anticipated event. Held on the second Saturday in December, close to 300 families do their Christmas shopping that day. However, the Outreach Carol Stream Christmas Store is far more than just a place to buy gifts—it’s a source of hope, dignity and Christ’s love during the holiday season.

Dina Hilliard, the executive director at Outreach Carol Stream shared this story.

“The night before our annual Christmas Store event in 2023, I received a call from a parole officer. He had a parolee, Jason* (name changed), who had just been released from prison after serving five years. Jason’s daughter had been born while he was incarcerated, and this would be the very first Christmas he could spend with her. He shared with his parole officer how much he wanted to give her some Christmas gifts, making their first Christmas together special.

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The parole officer reached out to see if Jason might be able to get an appointment at the Christmas Store. After saying yes and hanging up with the parole officer, Jason called almost immediately. We arranged an appointment for the next day during the Store.

“Before the call ended, Jason hesitated and then asked, “I need to let you know that I’m a felon. Are felons allowed at the Christmas Store?” His question broke my heart. I reassured Jason that he was absolutely welcome—both at the Christmas Store and at Outreach.

I told him that we see him as a beloved child of God, not defined by his past mistakes, but by the love of his Creator.

“When we met in person at the Store, Jason gave me a big hug, grateful for the beautifully wrapped gifts he would be able to give his daughter. But more than that, he walked away with a deeper sense of belonging, a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas—one of God’s grace, love, and new beginnings.”

Outreach Carol Stream (formerly the Outreach Community Center) is a community-based, Christian neighborhood resource center in southeast

NOVEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

Carol Stream. Outreach offers youth development and family stabilization services to approximately 1500 people with modest incomes and in vulnerable situations.

For the past 30 years, the annual Christmas Store event has provided neighborhood parents the opportunity to choose affordable Christmas gifts for their children, honoring the deep care that defines this time of year.

Many of the Outreach families work hard and sometimes hold multiple jobs, yet still struggle financially. Last year, 82% of households served by Outreach earned less than $62,400 a year, despite working long hours. Amid these challenges, the Christmas Store allows parents the dignity to purchase meaningful gifts for their children at 25% of the retail price—prices they can afford.

Parents take great pride in selecting gifts for their children at the Christmas Store, knowing they are giving something chosen with love. One shopper shared, “At the Christmas Store, I can buy gifts I’m proud to give to my children, without having to go into debt.”

While shoppers wait for their gifts to be wrapped, they visit a hospitality room for festive refreshments, live Christmas caroling and an offer of prayer. Many shoppers enthusiastically accept the opportunity for prayer, finding comfort and spiritual support during a time that can be challenging.

This shared moment reminds families that they are not alone in their struggles and points them to a God who loves them.

What began as a small initiative to serve 65 families has grown into a cherished community tradition.

This year, the 30th annual Christmas Store expects to serve more than 300 families, representing nearly 1,000 children. This growth has been possible through partnerships with local churches, like College Church, who generously donate gifts for children

and youth from birth to age 18. If you are out Christmas shopping anytime soon, shop for the Christmas Store and donate the extra gifts to Outreach.

Volunteers play an essential role in bringing the Christmas Store to life and in demonstrating Christ to the shoppers. Over 300 volunteers are needed to organize the event, prepare gifts and assist families as they shop.

The atmosphere is filled with joy and gratitude as volunteers and Outreach parents come together in the true spirit of the season. One volunteer noted, “Seeing the joy this event brings to families is such a blessing. I love being involved in creating a more joyful Christmas for others!”

Proceeds from the Christmas Store go directly to support Outreach Carol Stream’s year-round programs, helping families with basic needs and making a lasting impact long after the holiday season.

HOW COLLEGE CHURCH IN WHEATON CAN GET INVOLVED College Church in Wheaton has been a faithful partner of the Christmas Store for over 20 years, and there are several ways to continue supporting this mission: Donate Gifts: Include the Christmas Store in your Christmas shopping.

Host a Gift Drive: Sign up to donate gifts.

Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer registration opens on November 1st.

Donations: Help cover event costs by contributing financially to The Christmas Store 2024.

With your generosity, we can continue to spread the love of Christ, offering hope to families and joy to children during this blessed season.

Find out more by scanning this QR code.

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NOVEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

NEW MEMBERS KATHRYN SEZONOV

Kat grew up in Wheaton and attended College Church for most of her life. She is a 2023 graduate of Taylor University and has been working at Crossway Publishing on its sales team. Kat was involved in Women’s Bible Study last year and hopes to serve in student ministry this coming year.

CRAIG & STEPHANI SPRINGER

The Springers have been married for over 10 years and are raising two daughters together. Both are company members of Lyric Opera of Chicago and sing with the Lyric Opera Chorus. Craig is also a visiting faculty member at Roosevelt University Chicago College of Performing Arts. Stephani has attended Women’s Bible Study since 2005, and served in Kids Harbor, God’s Children Sing and children’s choirs. Stephanie teaches private voice lessons in her own studio and at two local high schools.

A Poem

for Image Bearers

by Paul Klauke Then…Now Image bearers of a certain color not considered human…

Image bearers of a certain age not considered human.

Human beings of a certain color seized in metal chains, ripped from their home…

Human beings of a certain age seized in metal forceps, ripped from their home.

Governments permitting evil, and calling it “good”… evil standing tall, good on its knees… people keeping quiet. we’ve seen it before…

ALEXANDRA TAPIA RAMOS Alex was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and she is the oldest of four children. She is involved in a 20s small group and Women’s Bible Study. She is a bilingual family and youth therapist at Outreach Community Ministries.

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we see it now. ​​​​​​“Dear heavenly Father… ​​​​​​​once again, please open eyes!”

Paul Klauke and his lovely wife, Elin, moved back to the Chicago suburbs after working in many locations around the globe and as missionaries in Africa with the Rafiki Foundation. A retired actuary, Paul currently enjoys tutoring math to high school students.

NOVEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

MILESTONES BIRTHS Hudson William was born to Ryan and Jacki Berg on October 14 in Indianapolis, IN. Hudson’s first-time grandparents are Mark and Cheryce Berg. His paternal great-grandparents are William Stann and Gloria Leff .

DEATHS Pray for Carl (Marilyn) Cepuran and family as they grieve the loss of Carl’s mother, Alice, who passed away on October 7 in Des Plaines, IL.

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 SIGNS OF LOVE DEAF MINISTRY POTLUCK & PRAYER: 12:30-2 p.m., in Crossings. Meets every other Sunday. Nov. dates are Nov. 3 and 17.

MIDWEEK PRAYER MEETING: Wednesdays now at noon via Zoom NOVEMBER 6: Brian and Warrie Blackburn, serving in administration and MK education with Mercy Ships.

NOVEMBER 13: Caleb and Marisa Duttweiler, serving in discipleship in South Africa with East Mountain.

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 live and work in Japan. My wife is Japanese and not a believer. We have two daughters. There has been a lot of pressures, suffering and difficulties. But I am hopeful, holding on to God’s wonderful promises. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. God bless God Centered 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.

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ENGAGE TODAY AT:

NOVEMBER 20: John and Esther Waldrop, serving in seminary teaching in the Philippines with World Venture.

NOVEMBER 27: No meeting on Thanksgiving Eve PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: Fridays, 12-1 p.m. in the Board Room.

AARON-HUR PRAYER FELLOWSHIP will meet on Thursday, November 14, at 7 p.m. at the home of Marr and Mary Miller, 1607 Stoddard Avenue in Wheaton (630-6688828). Our guest will be Jeff Hershberger, serving in Japan.

BARNABAS PRAYER FELLOWSHIP hears from Jeff Hershberger about the ministries which engage him and Tamara in Japan. We will meet at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, in the Patio Dining Room at Windsor Park. Men and women are welcome to hear Jeff and pray with us for some of our missionaries.

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GOD and ALEX LEE

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his article isn’t meant to be read by the rare few among us who have had a genuinely mystical experience with God—the handful of believers such as Moses, who felt the heat of the burning bush; Saints Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, swooning in God’s presence; and Enoch and Elijah, snatched by a divine whirlwind straight, thrillingly, into heaven. For the rest of us, the way we regard God falls along a less ecstatic continuum.

The apostle Paul of course had it both ways. He was “caught up” in the third heaven, the sanctum of God’s very throne; but apart from that moment, he also labored tirelessly for God’s kingdom.

For Paul, a realized faith was a matter of finishing the race, of winning the battle. To run his race, Paul jettisoned all things extraneous—“rubbish,” to use his word: his comfort, a family, his very life—all to attain the prize of God’s approval. To win the fight, he donned his spiritual armor, picked up his sword and shield, and swung away at the Enemy.

Paul is an example to follow, but he seems distant from our reality.

For many believers, faith serves as lifestyle wallpaper, and as soft background music meant to lull them into some perception of peace. Here and there, against this wallpaper, they place a few altruistically decorative objects—volunteerism, discipling a friend, daily devotions—and they figure they’ve got it made, that God must be pleased with their well-wrought avocation.

Still other believers, more energetic in the world, view the Christian life as a game of Ego-opoly. Unlike Paul, they persevere toward an accumulation of resources and virtues and good works, even when these lead them away from their “first love,” or prevent them from crossing the finish line. Wellintentioned believers can get caught up in this deadly pastime, seeking same-colored properties on the board (Bible Boulevard, Motherhood Avenue, Religion Way), and then placing tiny plastic houses on sand, aspiring always to put their hotel piece on the sacred square. Jesus spoke of such a man who played such a game (Luke 12:16-21). This doomed, rich man placed his barns, bursting with crop and produce, on the board, and just when he was about to replace his ordinary barns with a super barn, God showed up and said, “Fool, tonight you die, and then who gets your barnful of goods?”

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GRANDCHILDREN Some in this category of Christians, too busy to reflect or pray, think of their faith as a “Get out of Hell” card, not realizing the game of Ego-opoly itself is a subtler version of hell.

Christians ought to devote their lives to God’s work. Apologetics, evangelism, missions, charity—these are the fronts in our daily assault on the gates of hell.

But man’s chief end, as the Westminster Catechism instructs us, “is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever.”

A Carmelite prayer puts it bluntly: If I serve Thee in hopes of Paradise, Deny me Paradise.

If I serve Thee in fear of hell, Condemn me to hell.

But if I love Thee for love of Thyself, Then grant me Thyself.

Christ is the source to which, like an impossibly meandering river, faith returns full-circle at last.

The ways Christians can regard God shows that faith is a tough, complicated endeavor. Yet our efforts may be made easier and cheerier by our consideration, in turn, of how God regards us.

In the first place, remember that wherever a person finds himself or herself at the moment, whether or not he or she professes Christ as savior, God is continually in pursuit of his beloved. God loved us (Romans 5:8-9) while we were still sinners. We are his quarry; his grace is the “hound of heaven,” unrelenting in its tactics and patience and stamina, following us across the blighted fields of our disillusionment, among the briars of our suffering, until at last it corners us,

and either we befriend the hound, or else hurl ourselves over the cliff.

God is infinite, and being infinite, as the writer Mark Salzman observes, God cannot “become present” since he is “never absent.” God is breathing down humanity’s neck, and there is no outrunning his love.

In the second place, once God has gotten hold of somebody, he begins to shape and alter that person’s life. God is the Potter, and we are the clay in his hands. It’s no fun being clay because clay is incapable of artistic vision; clay cannot distinguish within itself impurities and coarse gravel from pliable, aesthetic earth—only the Potter has an idea of what he wants. In C.S. Lewis’ version of this transformative experience, the believer is a living house who is grateful enough to God for fixing its clogged drains and leaky roof. But then God begins to gut the walls and raise the foundation and add a wing, and the ensuing changes “hurt abominably.” The believer wonders if he is being demolished, and only at the end of the project does he realize the Builder had planned to convert a decent cottage into a palace, within which the Builder himself intends to dwell.

So, take heart. God is after us; he desires our good; and finally—we are the apple of his eye.

My wife and I are proud of our son and daughter. They were a couple of arrows in our quiver, and years ago we let them fly.

One of them resides in Chicago, and the other landed—twaang—in the middle of Iowa. Between them, they have given my wife and me five grandchildren, whose

names are Noah, Naomi, Oliver, Jonah, and Levi. Noah, the oldest, is six; Levi was born just this summer. I could fill this magazine with accounts of their births, personalities, talents, food preferences, and congenital ticklishness. But I won’t, because I know every grandparent reading this page knows perfectly well the nature and degree of infatuation of which I write. They aren’t perfect of course—these five small children—but my wife and I are convinced they are. Our daughter and son may have been our arrows, but our grandchildren are “the crown” of our old age. We look at them differently, less as utilitarian implements than as works of art, to be admired and cherished, to take sheer delight in, to brag about, to record endlessly in photos and videos.

This, essentially, is how God regards us—as though we were perfect, which in fact, by Christ’s atoning sacrifice, we are.

He loved us when we did not even exist, loved us while we were rebels, loved us enough to forsake his kingship and accept the cross for our sake—loves us as we fumble about, whining, and bumping into life’s furniture.

When his prodigal son returned, the father in Jesus’ parable, having espied his son at a distance, did not see a ne’erdo-well coming at last to his senses— did not think of him simply as one lost sheep returning to the fold. The father—God himself— saw his repentant son in the same way I look at my own grandchildren, whatever they’re doing, at whatever hour.

I just want to hug ‘em.

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Mary’s Babies DR. JOEL GOODNOUGH

“It comforted me to know that you felt my sorrow, too.” Mary

O

ne Sunday morning, I received the phone call that every obstetrician dreads.

“I haven’t felt the baby move.” My patient, I’ll call her Mary, sounded calm on the phone but I could sense her anxiety. She was in her second pregnancy, only days away from her due date. She had the nursery ready, the crib set up, and all the seemingly endless paraphernalia and equipment needed for a newborn.

How could this happen? The incidence of stillbirth in the United States is approximately 6 per 1000 births with the majority of those occurring earlier in pregnancy. It is rare to see it happen just days before the due date. Mary showed no signs of having medical problems.

Earlier ultrasounds showed no problems with her baby. And she presented with no pain or bleeding which might have indicated a problem with the placenta. What did I miss?

“Babies go through sleep cycles” I said, trying to hide my anxiety. “But I want you to go to the hospital and I will meet you there.” Women who are experienced mothers know things. They can sense when something is wrong. There was no way that I was going to delay seeing her.

I wouldn’t put her through that. I wouldn’t put myself through that. Besides, it wasn’t in my personality to put things off. I was a professional procrastinator at home, but not when it came to my patients.

Aside from the necessary communication between doctors and nurses, a silence hung over the delivery room like a thick fog. Mary’s baby had only been gone for a few hours, so he looked like he was sleeping. In the recovery room Mary held her baby, kissed his cheeks, and talked to him as if he might soon wake up. It was the most heartbreaking, yet most graceful, thing I have ever witnessed.

The nurses and I were waiting with the ultrasound machine at the ready by the time Mary arrived. We were tense. We had all seen this before. The first thing I looked for was the beating of a heart.

But my fears were confirmed. There was none. How do you tell a mother and father that their baby has died? There is no way that makes any sense. It was the hardest thing in the practice of medicine that I have ever had to do.

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Thankfully, Mary’s story is the exception, not the rule. I have delivered thousands of healthy babies. After taking care of the mother, I always enjoyed paying a visit to the warmer where the baby had been placed. I would shield the baby’s eyes from the harsh glare of the lights and slowly, hesitantly, she would open her eyes and look at me. It made all the years of training and the long hours in the middle of the night worthwhile. And then, after getting a

good look at me, she would start crying again. She saw an ugly obstetrician.

I saw the promise of a future.

I believe that every life matters. Every human being, from conception to the end of life, has value. And every human being has the potential to make a difference with the years left in their life. That is the tragedy of Mary’s loss.

All the hopes and dreams for her baby were dashed in a moment. What would he have done with his life? What would he have created, invented or cured?

What about all the love that he was never to receive or to give?

Mary’s baby had a knot in the umbilical cord that had tightened, closing off the blood flow and the oxygen supply.

I had seen many cord knots over the years, but this was the only one that resulted in a fatal outcome. It was an accident of nature.

The good news is that Mary went on to have another baby after an uneventful but anxious pregnancy. After taking care of Mary, I paid my visit to the warmer. But this time, when I shielded her eyes, Mary’s baby looked at me with the promise of a future. And, of course, she cried. We all did.

NOVEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE ANNOUNCEMENTS LEARN AND BE INSPIRED Thursday, November 14 7-8 p.m., Glen Ellyn Join SOHL team members at an informal, small group Vision Tour. Meet President Kirt Wiggins, hear Caring Network’s ministry vision and a story of a life saved. You’ll also tour a pregnancy center and enjoy refreshments.

CARING NETWORK WHEATON BABY BANK COLLECTION November 3 outside the Sanctuary, the rest of the month by Commons reception desk Donate at the Baby Bank Donation Crib outside the sanctuary Sunday, November 3. Bring diapers (newborn-size 6-even opened packages accepted), wipes, baby lotion, shampoo, baby wash, diaper cream and formula. Crib will be in Commons the rest of the month. After putting your items in the crib, please place the blanket on top. You may also ship to Baby Bank via Amazon.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE PRAYER Saturday, November 9, 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’s driveway.

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Thanksgiving Eve Offering 2024 The psalmist declares, “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and will execute justice for the needy.” (Psalm 140:12) Our God loves to see people come to saving faith through his Son, Jesus Christ, while easing the pain of the afflicted and vulnerable. How can we, as a church, share in God’s heart for this precious group of people?

The annual Thanksgiving Offering provides a unique opportunity for us as a church to support ministries that meet spiritual and physical needs. Although our priority for most of the year is proclamation-oriented ministry, the Thanksgiving Offering gives us the opportunity to support Christians working with some of the most vulnerable people on the globe.

This year, the following three proposals were approved by the Board of Missions and the Council of Elders.

EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN OF THE OPPRESSED IN PAKISTAN Across Pakistan, there are 20,000 brick kilns, with an estimated 4.5 million people enslaved by debt bondage to grueling work in the kilns. These workers live in make-shift homes at the brick kiln and are not permitted to leave until they repay their debt, an almost impossible task as the owners of the kiln charge exorbitant interest rates and manipulate the accounts. Denied education, the children of these workers are forced to work in the kilns to help their parents meet their production goals and reduce their debt.

By supporting this project, we will be partnering with First Love International to fund a school for the children of one of these brick kilns. In a majority Muslim country, offering an education to the children of this vulnerable people group will not only create an opportunity to break cycles of debt and poverty, but also an opportunity to share the gospel to a people in need of hope.

CARING FOR ORPHANS WITH HIV/AIDS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27) In a Southeast Asian, war-torn country, a group home cares for orphans suffering with HIV/ AIDS. Beyond a safe refuge and warm meals, a mature local worker and her three young assistants teach their scriptural curriculum to nurture these children in Christlike character, plus language and vocational skills. We will support her project to raise more young servant leaders from among these marginalized children to shine like stars proclaiming the good news in the dark corners of their country.

CHAPLAINCY FOR SOLDIERS IN UKRAINE As the war in Ukraine approaches its third year, there is a growing need in Ukraine among the soldiers whose lives are in danger on the front lines, as well as the soldiers crippled by war and recovering in hospitals.

By supporting this project, we will partner with Jews for Jesus to support the chaplaincy work of two of their missionaries, Anatoli Emma and Leonid Vasserman.

As Jews for Jesus seeks to meet the spiritual needs of Ukrainians in the midst of war, chaplaincy work focusing on those Ukrainians in harm’s way is key toward making a difference in the spiritual climate of Ukraine.

We must be humble in our pursuit to ease the affliction of the needy and vulnerable; we cannot help everyone in the world. But we can help those God has placed before us.

With gratitude for your partnership in gospel ministry, Matt Heaton, Pastoral Resident for Missions and HYACKS, on behalf of the Missions Team

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NOVEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

at the

BOOKSTALL MIDNIGHT MERCIES

THE AWESOME SUPER FANTASTIC FOREVER PARTY

by Christine Chappell Written by a mother who has experienced seasons of depression to mothers who live with depression, Christine Chappell desires to help them fine hope in the scriptures. This book was written to help remind us of God’s presence in our lives even when it is hard to be found.

Bookstall Price: $14

A SMALL BOOK ABOUT A BIG PROBLEM

by Catalina Echeverri What will heaven be like?

Well, one day, there will be an entirely new creation and Jesus will bring heaven to earth! And then there will be no more sadness, sickness or suffering. But the best part is that we will be with Jesus!

It will be a forever party and time of joy with our Savior.

This book shares the gospel with kids and encourages them to share it with others.

Bookstall Price: $12

by Ed Welch Ed Welch takes his readers on a 50 day journey to get to the bottom of the issue of anger and helps them to learn the skill of responding with patience in every day life. If you struggle with anger or if you find yourself getting irritated at the smallest of things, this may be just the book for you.

Bookstall Price: $16

Pastor Josh Moody’s book makes a great gift for the season: THE JOY OF JESUS by Josh Moody “With theological richness and devotional warmth, Josh Moody guides us through Advent as he walks us through the Gospel accounts of the greatest story ever told. Your heart will be stirred and your mind enriched as your eyes are pointed to the child of the manger and the Lord of salvation. Here believers will be drawn afresh into the wonder and joy of the Saviour’s arrival— and those just exploring the faith will find a gentle and winsome invitation to experience that same wonder and to discover that unmatched joy.”

Jonathan Griffiths, Lead Pastor, The Metropolitan Bible Church, Ottawa, Canada Bookstall Price: $9 Purchase early and give away for Advent readings throughout the season.

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THE CROSSINGS Our October Gospel Now event in Crossings was inspiring and eye opening for those who attended. As we walked through the youth areas upstairs, we heard from pastors and volunteer staff in both our junior high and high school ministries.

They spoke movingly of students coming to faith and growing in Christ. We learned about the strengths of these vital ministries and how the proposed new spaces in the upstairs of the Crossings will be a blessing to our student ministries as they pursue discipleship and outreach work among young people in the months and years ahead. Downstairs, we heard from Josh Moody about the need for a dedicated space for college ministry. We also learned how Mom2Mom and our children’s ministries will bring parents and children into the spaces set aside for those outreach efforts. The illustrations on this page show the latest plans for the space and reflect a few changes since the last drawings. We welcome your continued prayers as we refine and retool the Crossings for the best possible ministry effectiveness.

If this column or the illustrations here raise questions, email gospelnow@college-church.org.

We are planning more open house events in the coming weeks, so if you haven’t yet had a chance to experience the Crossings for yourself, stay tuned. And if you have not yet made a commitment to Gospel Now, prayerfully consider doing so before the end of the calendar year.

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NOVEMBER 2024 CONNECTIONS

T H E G I V I NG S U R P R I S E

M

ANONYMOUS

y wife and I moved to Wheaton from a fastpaced, bustling city in the Northeast, where life moved quickly and people hurried from one task to the next without stopping to think much about what they were doing. Frankly, we acted the same way. We built a small company from the ground up, and once we re-established it here, we were living comfortably.

One night, as we knelt together in prayer, we sensed God’s voice clearly: “Give what you’ve been saving for yourself, and I will take care of you.” We had been saving a significant amount of money for a new business venture—something that could expand our company and secure an even brighter future for our family.

Giving this money away felt risky, even reckless. But both of us realized the Lord was asking for our obedience, not our comfort.

Even though we have always been devoted to Christ, something was stirring in my heart. For weeks, I had felt a quiet but persistent nudge in my spirit—a call from God to give, to pour more of his blessings into the work of the church. It wasn’t that my wife and I hadn’t been giving. We tithed faithfully and contributed regularly to the church’s building fund and various ministries. Yet, this felt different. God was calling us to give in a way that would require real sacrifice, to step out of our comfort zone and trust in His provision.

After much prayer and talking it over with each other, we made the decision to give a check to the church that represented the savings we had planned to invest in the business. It wasn’t just a donation—it was a sacrifice, one that could change the course of our lives and those of our children. We explained to our children that we were doing this because God had asked us to.

“He’s in control, not us.”

One Sunday morning, we sat in the back row of our church, perhaps hiding a bit. We listened to the sermon from Luke 21, the story of the widow’s offering. Jesus had been watching as people placed their gifts in the temple treasury. Many rich people gave large amounts, but it was the poor widow, who gave only two small coins, that Jesus praised. “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Though we’ve heard that Scripture preached many times before, this time those words struck us deeply. We realized that while we had been giving, we had not been giving in a way that truly required faith or sacrifice. Our giving was safe, manageable, calculated. But now, God was calling us to something greater—something that would require us to trust fully in Christ. That week, we prayed together earnestly, asking God for clarity. The answer came in the form of a vision for the church’s future to raise funds for a new building and several new ministries. The church had raised some money, but they were far short of what was needed.

Months passed, and as the church reached their goal through the sacrificial giving of the congregation, a renewed enthusiasm for the gospel of Jesus Christ buoyed the congregation and spurred them to serve God in new ways.

As for our family, life took an unexpected turn. Shortly after we gave away our savings, a business opportunity we had never anticipated came to us. It was a partnership that brought in more revenue than we ever imagined. Our company grew because God had honored our obedience.

But the greatest blessing wasn’t financial. We felt a profound sense of peace and joy because our hearts had been changed. We had learned what it truly meant to obey Christ, to give not just out of abundance but out of sacrifice. We saw the impact our gift had on the church, on the community, and most of all, on our own relationship with God. Out of our humble, sacrificial and generous giving, we experienced blessings beyond our wildest imaginations.

We are now living with hearts of gratitude, knowing that we have gained far more than we gave away. We learned to obey Christ, to trust him with everything, and to experience the joy and blessings of sacrificial giving.

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