8 DAN LEWIS: STEPPING INTO BIG SHOES
11 MINISTRY OF A MARRIAGE: THE BASCOMS
June 5-8 Kids Camp
Rising 1st–6th Grades
@ Camp Chandler
June 12-16 Generate Camp
Rising 7th-12th Grades
@Covenant College (Georgia)
June 17-24
Youth Worship Arts Choir Tour
Student Choir
June 28 We Love America!
Food, Fun & Fellowship
Inter-Generational Gathering
July 10-12
July Jam
Rising 1st-6th Grades
Bible Learning Extravaganza
July 26-28
Mission Montgomery
Rising 7th-12th Grades
Local Mission Service Projects
August 16
Frazer Family Meeting
With Pastor Chris
VOL. 2 NO. 1
SUMMER 2023
©2023 Frazer Free Methodist Church
6000 Atlanta Hwy. Montgomery, AL 36117
Whatan exciting season this is in the life of Frazer. We have seen God at work among young and old, new members and long time leaders. Our vision is to be a church that fulfills the Great Commission by following the Great Commandment. As we each live into our calling as baptized believers and committed members of this local church, we are a witness to a world in need that God loves, Jesus saves, and the Holy Spirit transforms lives.
FOLLOwinG JesUs magazine is dedicated to the purpose of showcasing the stories of God at work among us. My prayer is that as you read the testimonies of fellow church members contained within these pages, your own faith will be stirred up and you will be “stirred up to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24) God bless you as you continue to follow Jesus!
Ken Roach Writers
Ken Roach
Kym Klass
Photographer
Nathan MacKenzie
ON THE COVER: Frazer Sunday School Teacher Mark Bain baptizes Kevin McClellan, a member of his class whom he helped to lead to Christ and disciple.
Stop by the John Ed Mathison Activity Center this Summer!
Open to members and their guests.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 8 AM to 8 PM Wednesdays 8 AM to 5 PM
• Girls' Volleyball League
• Men's Pickup Basketball
• Pickleball for All Ages
• “Good Mornings” Kids' Summer Day Camp
• Weight Room, Walking Track and Game Room
• Aerobics Classes—Coed, Women, Older Adult
Learn more at frazer.church/fitness or in the Frazer App
Dr. Chris Montgomery SeniOR PasTOR PHOTO BY NATHAN MACKENZIE. Printed in USA by Wells Printing Editor & Layout
One OF Jason Kocher’s most vivid memories is staying at his grandmother’s house many times when he was a child, and her unique bedtime routine. “She would always pray through Psalm 23,” Jason says. Her faith left an indelible impression of the God who shepherds us along the path and through every valley of life, something that would serve him and his wife Autumn well as they faced anxious times later in life.
Jason and Autumn, along with their children, Ivie and Gavin, are faithful members of Frazer. They have served
in a variety of roles; Jason is currently chairman of the Finance Committee of Frazer’s Board of Stewards. Together, they frequently volunteer at the “tugboat,” helping families check in to our Children’s Ministry. Jason began attending while still in high school when his parents, Dale and Jean Kocher, decided to join Frazer. After college he returned to the area and became a member along with Autumn in 2002.
Both Jason and Autumn consider themselves blessed to have been raised in the Church. Autumn recalls a desire
to follow her parents’ godly example, and a Minister of Music who led her to Christ around the age of 10. “We had family devotions at home,” she recalls, “and my parents kept me involved in Children’s Ministry, Youth group, and Youth Choir. My mom was the church nurse, so we didn’t really do family vacations, we just had church trips.” These experiences formed in her an image of the Christian life as one of loving, giving, kindness, and selflessness.
Jason also recalls being kept in church all the time with his parents. He particularly remembers older Sunday School teachers who had tremendous patience with him. The Golden Rule of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you formed both Jason and Autumn. “I also remember that our house was always open,” Jason adds. “Every holiday would feature some extra person who didn’t have family around, so I learned that following Jesus involves a spirit of hospitality.”
During their college years, they maintained their faith,
although admittedly they drifted to some degree. “It was not craziness, just laziness,” Jason explains. “I still believed, but I wasn’t as intentional about walking with Christ. I became more focused on just getting a good job and making money.” Nevertheless, God was always present to nudge them back toward the path. Jason remembers a summer job that God seemed to intervene in. It was a good job and nothing was wrong with it, yet he sensed was not God’s plan for his life, so he walked away from it. Not long after, he found himself back at Frazer, where his faith began to grow again.
That daily walk with Christ instilled in the Kocher’s childhood and nudged along in their youth continues today through habits of daily prayer. Autumn uses her 30-minute daily commute to talk to God. “It’s not a formal prayer—I just share who I am with Him, and give Him all my anxieties,” she explains. Jason parks in the same spot every day and takes 5 minutes before walking into work to center himself, trusting God with anything causing him worry or fear. On his desk is a plaque with
Joshua 1:9— “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Jason and Autumn have reasons for speaking to the issues of fear and anxiety. Several years ago, Jason lost his job, leading to a stressful season for the family. “I had to deal with a lot of anger and resentment, as well as fear,” he recalls. Yet God was faithful to provide, and before long they were back on their feet. Since that time, he has had several changes at work due to corporate mergers. “It’s the nature of the banking business,” Jason explains, “you go through a lot of transitions. But God’s goodness during that first experience with losing a job helped me learn to trust, and now I can take it in stride.”
Likewise, in her work as a veterinarian, Autumn needed courage when she was given the opportunity to become a full partner in her practice. “Making that investment was a big step of faith,” she says, “but God has given me the peace to handle the challenge.”
Like King David in the Bible, who faced lions and bears before he eventually faced the giant Goliath, these challenges of faith in the Kochers’ lives prepared them for an
even bigger struggle last year, when Autumn was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I was scared,” admits Jason, “for myself, for Autumn, and for the kids.” Yet amidst the fear, they experienced a deep sense of peace. “We knew it was in God’s hands,” says Autumn. Each time they walked into the Cancer Center, they felt gratefulness for God’s blessings, and care for others who were facing the same struggle. Today, Autumn’s illness has been treated and is in remission.
As Jason and Autumn continue to walk with the Lord, they have experienced what his grandmother prayed over him as a little boy: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
This is the faith they are striving to pass on to their children, to their co-workers and employees, to the families they serve in the church nursery, and to all whom God brings across their path: Life is full of fears, worries and anxieties. But the Good Shepherd leads us faithfully through them all.
Dan Lewis is a tall man who exudes athleticism. That is not surprising since “Coach Dan” is an Alabama Hall of Fame, multi-sport high school coach who was the “face of Carver Wolverines basketball” for 22 years. However, he became the leader he is because of the investment of others who mentored him, starting when he was a young boy.
Dan remembers staying with his grandmother when he was 4-5 years old while his father was away in the service. She read stories to him from a large picture Bible and took him with her to Usher Board meetings at her church. His parents instilled discipline and values into him, but only attended church occasionally. Nevertheless, when he was 8 or 9 years old, he recalls moving to a neighborhood that had 5 churches within a block, and he decided on his own to check them out. Having attended St. John Catholic school during his early years, he decided he liked the Methodist tradition and became a regular at First CME. At age 12, he confessed Christ, joined the church, and was baptized.
Once he was a part of the church, Dan recalls a Mr. Harris who took him under his wing and guided him. He not only shared stories from the Bible with the young boy, Mr. Harris also prepared him to take on leadership roles. As he grew older, Dan found himself often serving in the same church roles as his mentor.
Dan graduated from Montgomery public schools and earned his Bachelor and Master of Education at Alabama State University. He started a coaching career in Thomasville, where he would later be inducted into the city’s Sports Hall of Fame. Once again, he grew in his leadership and found his way back to Montgomery. He served for over 30 years at George Washington Carver High School and then as Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach at St. Jude Educational Institute.
The busy life of a coach did not prevent Dan from practicing daily spiritual disciplines. Following the example of his mentors, Dan became an avid Bible reader and faithful prayer warrior. “I read daily to listen to how God’s Word will speak to me,” he explains. “I’ve worn
out four Bibles and I’m working on two new ones.” His practice is to pray at least three times a day on his knees. “I’ve worn out a spot on the couch in one room, and there are knee prints on the floor in another,” Dan says.
Dan doesn’t just read the Word for himself, though, he also teaches others. When his children were small, they asked him to take them to Sunday School, and that became a habit for him. As when he was younger, Dan began to step into the leadership roles of his mentors. He became a Sunday School teacher himself, and later, Sunday School Superintendent. In 2008, Dan and his wife Patricia transferred to Asbury Methodist Church, which at that time was a branch of Frazer. “When I first walked in, an elderly white lady exclaimed, ‘Thank you, Lord, here comes my next Sunday School teacher.’” Sure enough, Dan taught classes there for four years, as well as serving on the Board.
When Asbury and Frazer decided to go separate ways, Dan and Patricia moved to Frazer’s main campus. Having watched Frazer worship on TV for years, they knew they would feel comfortable here. Once again, Dan began to pass on his learning to others. He serves as a substitute Sunday School teacher, participates in a Men’s Bible Study, and gives devotional talks to children at the
Looking back on his coaching career, which included two state championships and launched many professional athletes, Dan says he is thankful to have had the opportunity to be a positive influence on so many. He recalls praying with his teams, and experiences where the whole team was able to attend worship services together and take communion. God has certainly multiplied the influence of those who poured into young Dan’s life as he in turn poured into others.
His greatest joy is seeing his children and grandchildren grow in their faith. “I may not have done all that I could have for my children,” he admits, “but I am proud of who they have become, by God’s grace.” He enjoys visits with his three grandchildren. Not surprisingly, one of his favorite activities is bringing them to Vacation Bible School. Recently, one of his granddaughters professed faith in Christ and was baptized. Her example influenced one of her cousins to ask, “What do I have to do to be a Christian?” and soon, she too was baptized. Like their grandfather, Dan’s family members have demonstrated early what it looks like to step up into big shoes and influence others for Christ.
Anyone who meets Don and Henrietta Bascom is certain to notice two things: First, Don’s New England accent, which stands out here in the South. More importantly, however, is the genuine love for Christ and for each other that always seems to beam from their faces.
Both come from large families: Don is one of seven siblings, Henrietta one of nine. Yet in other ways their
experiences were quite different. Henrietta describes her family as poor but rich in love, living in a rural area of Kentucky. She was raised in the church and baptized as a child, but the Holy Spirit continued to work in her life to bring her to a point of personal faith around age 16. At 22, she met Don and after dating for five months they were married. When they moved back to his home state, then to Vermont, she discovered a very different culture.
Don grew up on a hillside farm in New Hampshire. As a family they regularly attended church. His dad started his day by reading the Bible and occasionally they had family devotions. Don had an upbringing of morality and service to others and He believed Jesus existed. “I considered Jesus to be a good person,” he explains, “perhaps even the best person who ever lived, but I was clueless about the real meaning of his death and resurrection.”
When they got married, Henrietta thought Don was a Christian and so did he, “We live in a Christian country and go to a Christian church. What else could I be?” They soon began to see real differences in their faith walk. This was a difficult time for Henrietta. She had no friends in the north and would often cry by herself in her loneliness. In the New England culture, she found little emphasis was placed on faith in Christ, and churches would simply shut down for a month or more in the summer. With no other strong believers around her, she had to learn to rely on the Lord. She especially learned that
she could not “save” Don herself, but she was faithful to pray for him. At that time, Don would occasionally read the Bible because his dad did. Sometimes he would say to Henrietta, “You don’t really believe that do you?”
If she was watching Billy Graham on TV, Don would leave the room because he considered Billy Graham an “arrogant” man.
Early in their marriage, through Henrietta’s prayers, Don began a serious spiritual search –“Why am I here, what is the Bible, who is Jesus really, what happens after this life?” He had no desire to believe like anyone else, just wanted truthful answers to these and other questions.
One day while sitting by the river behind their home, he sensed God’s voice telling him, “You know that Book you keep poking holes in? You need to make a decision -it’s either my Word, every bit of it, or it’s not.” His heart softened and he began reading the Bible as God’s truth. In no time he became aware of his own sinfulness and
need of a Savior – Jesus. After responding to several altar calls in their new church home, he gained an assurance that he truly had a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.
During that ‘searching & growing period’ they were active in two different churches. One was an old liberal protestant church that nearly closed because they couldn’t afford a pastor. The principle of a nearby junior high school, with a Bible college degree, responded to their newspaper ad for a part time pastor. He said if he came as their pastor he would preach the gospel of Jesus. That sounded good to them. With encouragement from his dad, Don and Henrietta joined that church. Soon, Don was helping to teach Junior High boys, and learning more about Jesus himself through the gospel-based curriculum provided. “It took them seven years to decide to fire that pastor,” Don recalls. But during his stay, he helped to disciple Don and Henrietta and a few others.
Then Don and Henrietta moved a few miles, to be closer to work, and got involved with a ‘start up’ mission church. They say, “It was a great time of growth for us as we helped build a new church by hosting home Bible studies, leading the youth group, teaching Sunday school groups, service projects, etc. We even had an old school bus parked in our yard a couple years for Wednesday night prayer gatherings. The neighbors probably thought we were crazy – climbing on that bus and going nowhere.”
During that time period, the couple grew in their spiritual disciplines. Henrietta recalls, “Every morning I would see Don reading and studying his Bible, by himself and
with our young boys. It was such a joy as the boys grew older to see them begin studying the Bible for themselves in their room, following their father’s example.” Of their prayer time, she adds, “I try to get young couples to pray together every day. We’ve found that the day just doesn’t go well when we skip that.”
The pastor of a nearby gospel teaching church, Bill and his wife Margaret, had two sons a few years older than the Bascom’s two boys, so the whole family became friends. Bill and Margaret were probably the best mentors they had during their child-raising years.
Several years later, Don would go on to be a part-time pastor himself at an old church over one hour away from home. What started as a two-Sunday commitment turned into a four-year journey. Although the New England culture continued to be difficult soil to plant in. “It was the only church within two towns,” Don notes, “and it had only seven members. They wanted someone who would teach literature and history, not Jesus, but we continued to teach God’s Word. Although it wasn’t a time of large numerical growth, many seeds were planted and we still keep in touch with some of those folks.”
Today, one of their sons is a pastor in rural Vermont and is seeing God do a great work of turning people back to faith despite the difficult, often anti-Christian, environment. By the grace of God, in the last four years that (almost dead, 200-year-old) church has planted a new church which is growing well and the ‘home church’ has more young, committed, families than ever before. So, Don and Henrietta’s sowing of seeds was not in vain.
Twenty years ago, the company Don worked for closed the Vermont division, and moved a few employees to the main plant in Montgomery, AL. The Bascom’s joined the move and have loved it.
Sometimes, sharing their faith required walking their talk, literally. Henrietta recalls a neighbor woman, unbeliever, who had a reputation for her prickly personality. She asked Henrietta to begin walking with her through the neighborhood, and she decided to agree despite the
woman’s frequent negativity. After some time of walking together, Henrietta told Don, “Today is my last day.” That same day the woman confided: “Religious people always drop me after awhile. I like you, but if you are going to drop me, do it today.” Henrietta stuck with her. When she was diagnosed with a terminal illness, Henrietta was able to be with her the last days of her life, and two weeks before her death she accepted Christ. Henrietta says, “The caregiver who was with her when she passed later told us that she just kept saying, ‘He has forgiven me.’”
Other times, the Bascoms lived out their faith by sharing their home. On one occasion, Don met a new employee at work, an Asian man. He invited him over for dinner, and the man ended up living in one of their guest rooms for almost three years. In his home land, the man considered himself an atheist until he saw the Jesus film and came to faith, the only believer in his large family. Don and Henrietta really enjoyed growing in the faith with him.
After moving to Alabama, they connected with Frazer. They have served with the Prison Ministry, as ushers and greeters, and with Transformation Montgomery. Don serves as chaplain for the Trail Life troop chartered at Frazer. Most recently, they started the Family Foundation Sunday School class. Together, they help to mentor young married couples and encourage them in growing in God’s Word. “Staying connected to young people keeps us young,” says Henrietta. “We don’t have any desire to retire from serving. God is so good, and it is such a blessing to pass on what we have learned of Him to others.”
Throughout the seasons of their marriage, Henrietta says she is genuinely honored to have Don as the head of their house and her spiritual leader. Don says that though he often fails, he keeps focused on Jesus, who forgave him, drew him to Himself, and gave him a new life. The Bascoms are a picture, not of a perfect marriage, but of a marriage that honors and exalts the name of Jesus, and passes the gospel on in word and deed to the next generation.
Frazer sent Elizabeth Drollette, our minister of missions; Michael Gross, chair of Frazer’s mission board; and Kym Klass, our director of communications, to Malawi, Africa, to visit our global mission partner Blair Brendle at Mtendere Christian Academy in January. Their story is shared here – from their travels, to their time with Blair and the school children, to how the Lord worked through all of them for eight days. »
PHOTO: Frazer-home-grown missionary Blair Brendle in the classroom at Mtendere Academy.
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH DROLLETTE.
The trek through the Village, which enveloped into the Academy campus, took us past older classroom buildings to the two new brick buildings – one is used for a science lab and study hall; the other is used for teacher’s offices. Prior to the buildings being constructed on campus, the students would sit up against trees and buildings to study in between classes.
“I just want to show you that we are using the buildings and we’re sitting here and studying,” a secondary student told us as we toured the library and study hall. “And we just want to express our gratitude to what your church has done.”
BY KYM KLASS| The worn blue and gray iron gate to Mtendere Children’s Village opened wide on an overcast day. Two children are drawn on the gate, arms outstretched as to welcome both students and visitors.
Stained with dirt, and illustrated with school buildings in the middle of a gray heart, it is but a subtle indication of what lies on the other side: a place not only filled with schoolbooks, students, and teachers at Mtendere Christian Academy, but of hope, dreams, aspirations. It is filled with smiles and gratitude, of eager minds, and with children who learn about Jesus through worship, devotions, and prayer.
All with a hospitality that would rival the South.
In the middle of all of this is Blair Brendle. Raised at Frazer, the homegrown missionary has served as a teacher at Mtendere Christian Academy for several years. She is at ease here, loved. She stands out with her demeanor. Her red hair. Her presence is demanding – and her gentleness toward the children wins her over time and again.
We visited with Blair a year after Frazer’s 2021 Christmas Eve Offering raised over $60,000 for Mtendere Christian Academy, one of our global mission partners – which funded two new buildings, school desks, schoolbooks, and provided salary for two teachers.
The village was founded by Dr. Napoleon Dzombe, and then in partnership with 100X Development, the schools opened. They started as a modified homeschool model to assist children living at Mtendere Village, specifically. When the secondary school opened, it opened to the community – with the primary school following suit in 2018.
The beauty of what was observed, was how well Blair fit in to the village community as school children gravitated toward her with outstretched arms for hugs, or even when handing over homework for grading – and waiting on a piece of candy after having turned in a required number of homework assignments.
“The first three days we were there, there was no school, and there was a holiday, and she was very attentive to us,” Gross said. “When school started … she was focused, you could tell she loved those students, and she was all in.
“What we realized is that there’s specifics in their culture,” Gross added. “Every time we would walk into a room together, we were addressed individually. It wasn’t like we do, saying, ‘Hey, how are y’all doing?’ It was very specific, to the person direct.
“Everywhere we went it was like that. When we went into the shops, everywhere we went. I mean, we obviously stood out a little bit. It was just warmth.”
Warmth, in a country known as “The Warm Heart of Africa.” Malawi, located in the southeastern part of Africa, is one of the least-developed countries, with the country heavily based on agriculture. Those in the community mainly walk to get to their destination, with women carrying children on their back, bags over their shoulders, balancing baskets on their heads. Goats eat grass alongside main roads, and markets are set up alongside those roads, with people approaching cars to sell bananas, fish, paintings.
“No matter what was presented to us, it is an essential part of their lives,” Gross said. “What I saw was a daily reliance on the market for their continuance of life, much like we must rely on Jesus on a daily basis if we want to sustain our lives. No matter what each booth or stand looked like or sold, it met a specific need in someone’s life, no matter.”
Their warm heart extends beyond what is crafted with their hands. While driving to Lake Malawi on a Monday holiday, we drove past First Free Methodist Church in Salima, and knew we had no choice but to stop on our way back. Who we would meet, we didn’t know. What we would find out, we didn’t know.
A couple dozen children had been playing together behind the church as we stepped out of the van later that day and quickly ran to greet us. Following some conversation, they approached the pastor’s home just yards away, knocked on his front door and announced our unexpected arrival.
And on a holiday that pastor Yohane Kwenda wasn’t anticipating company – certainly not from a Free Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama – he and his wife opened their church to us and provided an incredible opportunity to fellowship and pray over each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Founded in San Diego, California, in 2005, Flood Church has campuses around the world – and in Lilongwe, Malawi, since 2008. It is where we visited for Sunday services with Blair and a few older students from the Village and heard pastor Humphreys Mkandawire provide a message on rest:
That it is a way to enjoy God and His creation; it gives you an opportunity to enjoy God’s goodness; it is a surrender to God who is active when we aren’t; and when you rest, you celebrate the grace that God has given you – of life and health.
We worshipped, took communion, and as visitors, were prayed over with hands touching our backs and shoulders by both missionaries and locals. A perfect start to our first full day; a perfect message as we entered a week where God would work through us in immeasurable ways.
Our luggage never made it to Malawi. Our clothes, printed materials for the school, and everything else we considered essential enough to bring with us: hairdryers, extra shoes, a hairbrush. Even a hair-straightener –because it matters at home, so it would matter in Africa.
We arrived to Malawi on a Saturday having worn the same travel clothes for three days starting in Atlanta. Our trip to Africa took us to Chicago, a 10-hour layover in London, to Ethiopia, and finally Malawi. Our initial itinerary had us fly from Atlanta to Montreal at the start of our travels, but when our flight leaving Atlanta was canceled due to bad weather, we were booked on a different flight and different airline with promises our luggage would catch up to us.
Our bags never left Atlanta.
We laugh now, but that discomfort in the beginning was the first way God broke us down and showed how He provides. How we were forced to rest our minds, release complete control.
We lived through eight days of travel and on land with what we had in our carry-on bags: books, phone chargers, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and other toiletry items. We later wore borrowed clothes. Our laundry was washed almost daily. Our needs, simply filled.
We were forced to face what we thought we needed versus what God showed us we needed.
Our hair never felt a hair dryer, our feet filled the same shoes for days. And what we thought was important never made it to us. We quickly realized we had what was important – and that God had provided how only
He could. Our suitcases were delivered to our homes before we even arrived – with a lot of tags attached to them for only having traveled from Montgomery to Atlanta and back.
With the new space the students have been given to study, especially for their national exams, we met two students – Frances and Doreen – who were the first graduating class able to use the building.
“And part because of that, and certainly due to their teachers and their self-discipline to be able to study for the exams, Frances has scored a record score for Mtendere Christian Academy for their national exam for graduation,” Drollette said. “And in Malawi, that national exam determines their eligibility for their next track in life.
“So technical school, college, or university – whatever they score on these (exams) determines what they’re next able to do. So for them to have these dedicated spaces, to be able to study and learn when they’re not in class in front of a teacher has been huge for them.”
The impact is not just in the students’ lives, but for generations to come. Not just for the primary students who dance, study, and who brighten up rooms with their inquisitiveness. Not just for the older girls who sit through Bible study groups, digging deeper into God’s word. Or for the students who yearn for continued education after they graduate. Not just for those who ask about colleges in America, and how they can make their dreams come true to become doctors and engineers.
But also for those after them. And the generation after them. The buildings, the additional teachers, and the desks can help on their road to opportunity, but the spirit of God working through the Village and Academy is what will lay out their path. We saw that spirit there.
