AEC WORSHIP TEAMS IN BIG GROUP
praying boldly, carrying one another’s burdens, and building deep friendship. We watched the worship team, which started with around 12 consistent volun teers, grow not only in numbers but also in depth of relationship and trust. We loved doing monthly Wor ship Team potlucks together, one-on-one dinners and coffee dates, using our Thursday evening practices as actual worship and prayer times, delighting together in the awe and wonder of inviting and then experi encing God’s Presence filling the sanctuary and every heart Sunday morning after Sunday morning after Sunday morning.
It was a year ago July that we got the original call from one of Archbold Evangelical Church’s Elder Board members asking us (Full Sail) to consid er spending 8 months pouring into the worship department at AEC, the church Jill had grown up in. Through a series of difficult circumstances, they were without a worship pastor and in need of some direction and healing. Almost immediately, our hearts were filled with an extraordinary love for this body of believers, similar to the outpouring of love we’ve experienced every time God opens a new door of ministry for us overseas. So, like many outreaches before – “To Thailand with Love”, “To In dia with Love”, “To Mexico with Love” – we sensed God calling us “To Archbold with Love”. And boy, did He Fromever!September 2021 through May 2022, we were literally overwhelmed with the love of God for a group of people that became like family to us! We bonded quickly with the 7 other church staff members – working well together, laughing freely,
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2022FALL
TO WITHARCHBOLDLOVE
“The Holy Spirit just radiates from you both! You have a way with people, with words, and with the decisions you make for worshipping. Your example and leadership have pierced my heart in a way I cannot quite put words to…You both are dearly
JILL WITH HER SWEET DAD AND MOM
One of our favorite memories from our time in Archbold occurred one of our last evenings there. A group of eight 30-40-year-old’s had agreed to help us with a foot-washing station we were planning for the Maundy Thursday service at church. Those plans had fallen through, but we decided instead to invite these eight to come to our home to allow us the privilege of washing their feet. That evening, we experienced some of the most moving 3 hours we’ve ever spent. As we poured water over each precious set of feet (belonging to people we had grown to love and respect so deeply), we asked God for words of affirmation and prayers from His very heart for each one. God so beautifully and so intimately met us that night. Our tear-stained faces visibly reflected the deep inner work He had done and we won’t soon forget it.
you have shown me Jesus is like nothing I have ever experienced before…I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to pour into me during your time here. The words and prayers you have spoken over me mean more than you will ever know…”
guys have been such a treasure to get to know over these past months. You have poured into our church and me so, so much, words can hardly describe the impact you’ve had and will continue to have here. And in my own heart for years to come.”
IN OWNTHEIRWORDS
“The imprint you have left on our hearts, on our lives really, feels impossible to put into words… We have gotten to hear our Father’s Voice and know His closeness in a way we never have before. You see and understand people in such a unique way that when we are around you, we can just be ourselves, let down any walls, and be at ease…The prayers and words spoken over us will stay with us forever – each one of them so edifying and spot-on. Thank you for showing me more of what it looks like to love God through the arts, for supporting the dream He has given me and for giving me an opportunity to grow in that. It means the world to
God faithfully gave us what we needed time and time again for things we’d not done before – giv ing us fresh ideas for pressing meaning into our Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter gatherings, and inspiring an evening of worship through hymns and personal stories called Tell the Story (based on the hymn “I Love to Tell the Story”). As the church journeyed toward healing, wholeness, and freedom as a Body and as individuals, God opened the door for us to host several Sunday evening events called “Tools for Walking in Freedom”. We taught on five practical tools for continuing to walk out areas of newfound freedom in Christ, tools like Silence, Hearing God’s Voice, Exchanging Lies for Truth, Forgiveness from the Heart, and Honest Communi cation. Not only were these evenings well-received, but we ourselves grew so much in the process of vocalizing some methods that God had been using so powerfully in our own lives to receive and then maintain personal freedom.
To Archbold WITH LOVE
Once again, we are blown away by all the ways God met with us and with our dear friends and family during our time in Ohio. He worked so beautifully in all our hearts as we came to Him in our need. We watched Him restore relation ships, heal hearts, and revive vision and hope for the future. Here’s just a sampling of some of our friends’ reflections:
CRAIG, SARA, AND JUSTIN READY FOR A SERIOUS REHEARSAL!
“Theloved.”way
“Sharing your hearts with such raw honesty is pushing me to be more transparent about my failures and using them to encourage others.”
“I hear God’s words for me through you. Every thing you said this morning is like hearing God speaking it to me, to us. You stand there saturated in Him and His love for you and for us…”
“There are no words to describe what you both mean to me now. Or to ever tell of all the stories in these short months, of how you have impacted my life. I am so grateful for you both and your years of obedience that had you prepared for this mo ment. As you said, you have crawled into my heart. You, truly in the deepest way, feel like a father and mother’s voice in my heart. And I know that is God through you both.”
OUR DEAR FRIENDS AND AEC STAFF
In addition to all this, Jill was able to share her testimony at a Women’s Night Out and for the High School Senior girls’ Squad night, we participat ed in lay-led prayer groups, met one on one with many individuals from the church for prayer and ministry, were participants on a dating panel for the church’s youth group, helped on the Sunday evening worship team at a new church plant called Wellspring, and hosted an art night that included water-coloring and journaling about a moment when God personally and tenderly met us.
WE ASKED GOD FOR WORDS AFFIRMATIONOF AND PRAYERS FROM HIS VERY HEART FOR EACH ONE. GOD BEAUTIFULLYSO AND SO INTIMATELY MET US THAT NIGHT. OUR REFLECTEDFACESTEAR-STAINEDVISIBLYTHE DEEP INNER WORK HE HAD DONE AND WE WON’T SOON FORGET IT.
“Youme!”
“ONLY GOD COULD HAVE ORCHESTRATED YOUR TIME HERE SO BEAUTIFULLY.”
“Throughout the weekend, I found myself looking at the white board with all of our brainstormed ideas describing home and I kept thinking to my self, ‘Is there really a place like this? It sounds like a Disney movie. Does God really want to be home for me like that?’”
WANT TO HOST A HOME FOR THE WEEKEND RETREAT IN YOUR HOME?
myatyourselves“Makehomeinlove.” JOHN 15:4
The word for “staying” in their question means “to abide, to dwell, to live” and is also the word Jesus used in John 15:4 when describing the relationship He was inviting us into. He explained that just as He was abiding in the Father, we the branches were to abide in Jesus the vine. “On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in Me and I am in you.” (John 14:20) Abiding means Home. Where we live and belong. Where we are most ourselves, known and loved, received by the One Who knows us best and loves us most. There’s so much for us to explore and discover about the heart of God for us and His Good News. Jesus showed us what it looked like to have a connected, abiding relationship with our Father. When we abide in Him, we can know the same relationship. We are truly Home in Him.
(HFTW Attendee)
In John 1:34-35 we read that a couple of guys were following Jesus at “a short distance” when Jesus noticed them. He asked them, “What do you want?” They asked in return, “Where are you staying?” What Jesus said next reverberates through the centuries right down to us today. “Come and see for yourselves”.
In Home for the Weekend Retreats , we dive into what we believe is an invitation from the heart of God to us into Home as He has defined it a place in His heart where we can live freely - completely known, deeply loved, and truly safe in His care. This two-day retreat, set in the living room with a small group of trusted friends, offers time and space to steep in the reality of finding Home in Him. Through worship, prayer, Reflection on the Word of God, sharing home-cooked meals, Communion, and sev eral written and artistic prompts, attendees are led through a process of discovering home for them selves in the Father’s heart, learning how He wants to personally engage them.
What do you think of when you think of home? We asked this question to the dozen attendees at our first-ever Home for the Weekend Retreat (HFTW) in Kansas City recently. Some words that came to mind were: restful, relaxed, cozy, authentic, where I am known and loved, sweatpants!, safe, laughter, security... and the list went on and on. Geoff added (of course), “Where you can walk out to the refrigerator at 2AM to get a glass of milk in your un derwear and it doesn’t matter!” Home is where you are your truest self, completely known and accepted. At least, that’s what it can be.
“When you started talking about the difference be tween ‘house’ and ‘home’ – like the ‘house of God’ versus actually finding home in His heart – it was like a punch in the gut. How vastly different those two things are. And then it hit me…’Of course! That’s really the WHOLE POINT!!’”
(HFTW Attendee)
Home FOR THE WEEKEND
If you would like to find out more information about hosting a HFTW in your area, email us at info@fullsail .org or call our office line at 559-627-8202 . We will be traveling throughout the US this fall. Maybe we will be near you! So let’s chat!
Our first trip to Paraguay was back in October of 2019. We had received an invitation from Adela Braun, director of the chaplaincy program of Diaconia, a Christian organization based in Asuncion, Paraguay that reaches out to women in poverty –providing micro-loans to 5000+ women, job training, and spiritual support through 180+ volunteer wom en chaplains in Trust Groups ( diaconia.com.py ). Adela asked Jill to speak at their chaplain’s leadership retreat which resulted in her taking a team of 4 women to Paraguay for 10 days, October 6-14, 2019.
Jill and her team were able to pour into these volunteer chaplains, who selflessly and tirelessly give of themselves week in and week out to the women under their care. It was a powerful time of ministry, not only at the retreat but in many other locations around Asuncion.
Each team member will be raising $2200 in support to cover the cost of flights, housing, transportation, and meals while in the country. Thus, the two of us will need to raise $4400. If you would like to help cover this cost, please use the enclosed envelope, making your check payable to FSM and writing “Ludlow Paraguay Support” in the check memo.
Our 2 Dessert and Coffees fundraising events in Ohio (June 5 and June 27) were such a blessing. We honestly felt like we were with family - so much love and grace in those rooms – as we shared our hearts and the call we believe God has placed on our lives with a group of people who were so receptive, encouraging and tender.
TO PARAGUAY WITH LOVE
AND COFFEES
DIACONIA CHAPLAIN’S RETREAT
We are convinced that God has designed us to communicate His heart of love and sonship with everyone who will listen! II Corinthians 4:7 says: “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
A footnote in our Bible says that almost certainly when writing this, Paul had in his mind the story of Gideon (Judges 6-7) - where God used 300 men, armed only with broken clay pots, blazing torches, and one-noted trumpets, to win the battle!! We feel just like those 300 - His blazing light shining out of our “cracked pots” and “blowing our one note”. Our desire is to do this with clarity and passion and to His glory; thank you so much for cheering us on and getting behind us so tangibly! We deeply appreciate you and feel so surrounded by your love, prayers, and support.
If you would like to help cover the trip costs of $4400 please use the enclosed envelope, making your check payable to FSM and writing “Ludlow Paraguay Support” in the check memo or give online at FullSail.org/Give
NEXT TRIP TO PARAGUAY
We had planned to return with a team the following October 2020, but by then everything was locked down due to COVID restrictions. It has only been in the last couple of months that we’ve been able to begin making plans to return!
OCTOBER 28-29
WithParaguaryToLove
CHE ROGA MINISTRIES RETREAT NOVEMBER 4-6
Thus, we are thrilled to announce that Full Sail will be taking another small team to Paraguay this fall from October 22 through November 9, 2022. We’ve been asked once again to speak and minister at the Diaconia chaplain’s retreat (October 28-29) as well as at another retreat the following weekend (November 4-6) for the leaders of a different Christian organization called Che Roga Ministries (which translated means “My Home”; cheroga.org.py/en . This ministry runs camps for children, teens and youth where they’re given the opportunity to follow Christ and deepen their re lationship with Him.) We’ll be speaking for several sessions during this leaders’ retreat as well as being available for one-on-one prayer. Along with these two weekend retreats, a number of other ministry events are currently being planned.
Dessert
WANT TO SUPPORT OUR NEXT TRIP TO PARAGUAY?
Oasis Forest, OH: OCTOBER 8
The heartbeat of Full Sail Ministries is to create un-rushed time and space for people to make real and intimate connection with God. We have poured our hearts and souls into creating that opportunity for people – knowing how life-changing it is and we are convinced that what we give to others is simply an overflow of what we’re experiencing in our own lives. We are committed to allowing Him to give us what we long to give to others. Intimacy precedes fruitfulness.
COMING TO A BARN NEAR YOU:
SPECIFIC FINANCIAL NEEDS:
c/o Tulare County Outreach, Inc. PO Box 1772 Visalia, CA 93279-1772
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Home for the Weekend Retreat Archbold, OH:
–Jesus MARK 6:31
+ Upgrade of Sound Equipment: $3,800 (Write “Sound Equipment” in check memo)
Come for an hour or for the whole day. No cost. No registra tion necessary. Feel free to bring a sack lunch. Water and coffee will be provided. Open to men and women.
FULL SAIL MINISTRIES
Through worship, devotional thoughts, prayer, and interactive reflective stations, Oasis Day Retreat provides un-rushed time and space for pausing from the busyness of life, listening for the Father’s Voice and receiving re freshment and healing from Him.
THE WILSON’S BARN: Andy and Darlene Wilson 3116 CR 175, Forest, OH 45843
+ Team Member support for “To Paraguay with Love”: $4400 (Write “Ludlow Paraguay Support” in check memo)
FRIDAY, OCT. 7 FROM FROMSATURDAY,7:00AM-9:00PMOCT.89:00AM-4:00PM
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
FALL 2022 ITINERARY
Resonance: “To evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief; to correspond closely or harmoniously.”
If you want to be a part of what God is doing through Full Sail Ministries, please use the enclosed envelope or visit www.fullsail.org/give to make a monthly or one time financial gift. If you’d like to give a gift in kind, please email Geoff at geoff@fullsail.org or call us at 559-627-8202. We are grateful for your support.
Home for the Weekend Retreat Visalia, CA:
Home for the Weekend Retreat Archbold, OH:
+ Fuel and Travel Expenses for Stateside Tour, September 11-December 15: $3600-4000 (Write “Stateside Tour” in check memo)
SEPTEMBER 9-10
Visit www.fullsail.org/events or email us at info@fullsail.org
SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 1
“To Paraguay with Love”: OCTOBER 22-NOVEMBER
WHAT IS OASIS?
FOR INFORMATION:MORE
SEPTEMBER 23-24
If this resonates with you, we want to invite you to join us by supporting this work. Your financial support and focused prayer, we believe, causes miraculous things to unfold for God’s Kingdom. It’s like our individual notes, when joined together, build a chord, which, when joined in the Spirit with others, plays a song of Love to the world.
GIVING WITH RESONANCE
GEOFF + JILL LUDLOW
