River Region Christian May 2023 Issue

Parents

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hpv

Keep Your Kids Cancer Free!

More than 26,000 new cases of HPV cancers could be prevented with HPV vaccination

HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention!

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Prevents 90% of HPV cancers Protects boys and girls against half a dozen cancers including cervical and other HPV cancers.

Don’t Delay.

contact your childs doctor today!

Vaccine costs are covered by most insurance programs, Medicaid, and the Vaccine for Children Program (VFC).

Don’t Wait to Vaccinate AGE AT FIRST DOSE

DOSE #2

DOSE #3

9 years until 15th birthday

6-12 months after dose #1

Not Needed

15 years or older

1-2 months after dose #2

Approximately 4 months after dose #2

Visit alabamapublichealth.gov/imm for more information and other available resources.

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www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Volume 25, Issue 1

Feature Articles

MAY 20 2 3 Columns

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Faith @ Work: Matthew Wallace

Publisher’s Note Jason Watson

Matthew Wallace, broker and co-owner of Wallace and Moody Realty, shares the ways God’s word impacts how he displays his faith in the workplace and in ministering to children at his local church. He also shares thoughts on the Holy Spirit’s role in guiding our lives, and what he believes is essential for someone desiring a connection to God.

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Pastor's Perspective Dr. Teman Knight, Heritage Baptist Church

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Moments with Kym Kym Klass

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Parenting Myths We Are Tempted to Believe

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The Intersection Bob Crittenden

by Tim Challies

As Christian parents raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, we can be tempted to believe some dangerous myths about what we are doing and how we are to go about it. Find help and be challenged anew with insight from Chap Bettis’ book, The Disciple-Making Parent.

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Women Arising Pastor Kemi Searcy

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Counselor’s Corner George Ishman, LPC

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Embrace Alabama Kids

by Kym Klass

Embrace Alabama Kids, headquartered in Montgomery, is a non-profit, faith-based organization dedicated to serving vulnerable children and families in crisis across the state of Alabama. Find out how they are caring for vulnerable children and how you can help.

page 28

Dave $ays Dave Ramsey

In Every Issue page 6

Books to Read

page 20

Vacation Bible School Guide

page 8

Get ready to register for one more of these amazing VBS weeks coming soon to River Region churches!

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Faith @ Work

May 2023

River Region Christians

Our Mission...

We believe the Good News concerning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is worth sharing with our friends and neighbors in the River Region. Each month we deliver this life-changing message to the centers of activity across our community in a user-friendly and relevant way to empower and equip all those seeking to grow closer to God. Join us in this mission by sharing a copy with your neighbor or by becoming an advertising partner starting next month.

Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@readjourneymagazine.com

Publisher

Jason Watson jason@readjourneymagazine.com

Research Editor Wendy McCollum

Contributing Writers Tim Challies Bob Crittenden George Ishman, LPC Kym Klass Dr. Teman Knight Dave Ramsey Kemi Searcy

Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson ads@readjourneymagazine.com (334) 213-7940 ext 702

Digital Manager

From the Publisher I recently have had some health battles that have made me cherish the things that matter the most. So many of you have been through the same or know others who have.

Those moments grab you and make you consider the deposits you’ve made in others that will hopefully have a lasting impact. As a father, my children are the ones I consider most. Our impact on our children is one of our highest callings.

That’s why it brings me immense joy to present to you our latest issue, centered around the theme of “ministering to children.”

Children are the future of our faith, and it is our responsibility as parents, teachers, and church community members to guide them in their journey toward Christ. In this issue, we have compiled a variety of resources to help you minister to the children in your life in meaningful and impactful ways.

As Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” We must ensure that we pass on the love of Christ to the next generation.

How are you doing that?

Look inside this month’s issue to see how others are going about ministering to children and see what you can apply in your own home, neighborhood, or church.

One of the easiest ways is to get involved in your church’s Vacation Bible School as a volunteer or take your children to your church or a nearby church’s VBS. These ministries are designed for kids to have fun, make friends, and, most importantly, lay a Gospel foundation in a child’s life so they can know how much God loves them and the sacrifice Christ made to bring them into God’s family.

What lasting deposits are you making in the children in your life? Unfortunately, we’re all so busy and distracted that the most important things are often ignored or simply forgotten. I pray this issue refocuses your attention so that when you’re gone, others will be in a better place because of the Gospel investment you made in their lives.

Scott Davis

Ad Design

Tim Welch, Welch Designs

River Region Christians is published monthly by Keep Sharing, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, AL 36123.

For information, call 334-213-7940. River Region Christians is copyrighted 2023 by KeepSharing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

The opinions expressed in River Region Christians are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. River Region Christians has the right to refuse any content that is not consistent with its statement of faith.

River Region Christians

May 2023

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Pastor’s Perspective

by Dr. Teman Knight, Heritage Baptist Church

A Symbol of Service “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

John 13:13-15 We all know that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The Christian life is filled with many symbols and illustrations that have great meaning to us. The cross is perhaps our most iconic symbol appearing on our jewelry, adorning our sanctuaries and identifying our faith on most of our church signs. Rightfully so, as it reminds us of Christ’s sacrificial death to pay the cost of our sin.

The Ichthus or fish symbol is one of the oldest symbols of the Christian faith.

River Region Christians

May 2023

Often in the ancient world, when believers met someone new, they would draw half of the fish symbol in the dirt, and the other person would complete the other half of the symbol, thus revealing himself or herself as a Christian. The Greek word ichthus also formed an acrostic which meant Jesus, Christ, God, Son, and Savior.

A few years ago, the president of my seminary Alma Mater reintroduced me to an old symbol of our faith, the towel and basin, through his emphasis on service.

The towel and basin come from the actions of Jesus on the night before he died, as recorded in John 13. The disciples had just been arguing about which of them was the greatest when Jesus, God in the flesh, took a towel and basin and washed their feet. He painted a picture of what being a servant was all about. Then Jesus challenged us to follow His example.

Jesus demonstrated some great truths about what a servant really looks like. First, a servant seizes the opportunity to get involved.

When we see a need, we often stand on the sideline and wait for someone else to take care of it.

But a servant jumps in to do something about it. Jesus saw a need and could have waited for one of the disciples to do it or told one of them to take care of it. Instead, he took up the towel and basin and took care of the need himself. Christianity is not a spectator sport but demands that we get involved in making a difference.

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A servant is humble. In an entitlement society where people constantly demand their rights or what they feel they deserve, we should remember Jesus’s humility in serving. If anyone ever deserved to be served, it is God’s Son, but he taught us that he didn’t come to be served but to serve others. We often talk about serving others, but we get offended if someone treats us like a servant. Remember to be like Jesus and “take on the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7).

A servant serves even when someone has not earned it. Jesus washed all of the disciples’ feet, including Judas. Sometimes we justify our failure to serve by telling ourselves they don’t deserve our service.

Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, but he served him anyway. When we serve others, our attitude toward them changes, and we will grow to care for them and show value to them despite their performance. Remember God’s love for us even though we don’t deserve it.

A servant sacrifices. The next day Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross to pay our sin debt. To truly serve someone costs us. We must be willing to pay that cost of investing ourselves, our time, and our resources to follow Jesus’s example. In the words of the old hymn, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Join me in following Jesus’s example as we show the world God’s great love by serving others.

Dr. Teman Knight is the Pastor of Heritage Baptist Church on Perry Hill Road in Montgomery. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary extension center in Birmingham. Teman and his wife Darlana live in Montgomery. They have a son and a daughter and four extraordinary grandchildren.

He can be reached at teman@hbcm.net.

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River Region Christians

W A I’m a Christian... Now What?

Why Are We Often So Boring?

A Guide to Your New Life with Christ

Reflections on Preaching

by Aaron Armstrong

by Bob Fyall

It is a question I get asked with fair frequency: What book would you recommend for a new Christian? If someone has just made a profession of faith in Christ, what would you suggest they read? The answer changes with the times because the times continue to change, so while there are some issues that will face all new believers, there are others that will be specific to a context or culture.

A new book that I’d recommend for a modern Western context is Aaron Armstrong’s I’m a Christian—Now What?: A Guide To Your New Life with Christ. Here’s how it begins: Armstrong begins where we might expect—with the importance of relating to God through Scripture and prayer and with relating to God’s people through the local church. Through several chapters he provides basic discipleship in the Christian disciplines and basic guidance in finding an appropriate local church.

And then the book takes an interesting turn. He dedicates a chapter to beauty and creativity, perhaps to battle the notion that Christians ought to completely separate themselves from the world around them.

The next chapter looks at the Christian sexual ethic and leads with the not-entirely-unlikely assumption that this new Christian is currently involved in a cohabiting relationship (as, indeed, are so many people today). Here he tries to help readers understand God’s plan for sexuality and to gently untangle the bits of their lives that are opposed to it.

From here he encourages new Christians to spend a good bit of their time learning rather than being drawn too quickly into leading within the church and its ministries. He explains how to get along with other believers and encourages them to begin to evangelize others by telling their own story of how God saved them. A final chapter calls readers away from the two extremes of being culture-warring or capitulating Christians and toward a kind of convictional kindness—a person who lives a quiet life, who isn’t constantly obsessed with the controversy du jour, but who loves Jesus and his church.

All the while Armstrong provides illustrations from his own life, for he and his wife came to faith as adults—cohabiting adults with little Christian background and with little knowledge of how God calls his people to live in this world.

I’m a Christian—Now What? is an excellent book that accomplishes its purpose well. It is a good and trustworthy guide to a new believer’s new life in Christ and one that I trust will prove beneficial to many of God’s people.

Sometimes a book obscures its subject behind a clever or even misleading title. Sometimes, though, it just goes out and says it. And that’s very much the case with Bob Fyall’s Why Are We Often So Boring? Having dedicated his life to both preaching and training others to preach, he has collected his thoughts and reflections in this small but punchy book.

His concern, of course, is that too much preaching is boring. Yet he is not lobbying for preaching that is novel or entertaining. He is not suggesting that pastors adopt some of the practices you might observe in many of today’s seeker-friendly megachurches. Rather, he wants to see pastors become committed, faithful, engaging expositors of the Word. Such preaching, while perhaps not fitting any definition of entertainment, will be interesting and effective. “Underlying this book is the conviction that expository preaching is not only one of many good things for a church but the lifeblood of a healthy fellowship. Without it, other things, which may be good in themselves, can go badly wrong and fail to build anything of lasting worth. It is hard work and, particularly when results appear to be meagre, there is the temptation to try what seems to be more attractive and rewarding. This book is an attempt to encourage all of us to stick to the task and to be the best that we can be.”

He begins the book with a brief look at the task of the preacher and the wonder that God chooses to use weak, fallible men to accomplish great things through the preaching of the Word. He wants pastors to become confident in what God has called them to do even with an awareness of their many inadequacies. He considers why too many sermons are non-events that do not accomplish what they otherwise might—whether that’s because they get bogged down in context without ever getting to the point or because they get too hung up on details that are necessary for the preacher to know but that should have been left in the study. He also offers a series of principles that underlie effective preaching.

Why Are We Often So Boring? is an excellent, helpful little book.

It is not a textbook on preaching as much as a collection of an experienced pastor’s reflections on the sacred task God assigns to the pastor. It is a good reminder of what every pastor ought to know and a good refresher on how every pastor ought to preach.

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May 2023

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TUNE TO 89.1 FM • DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APP LISTEN LIVE ON FAITH RADIO.ORG • TELL YOUR SMART HOME DEVICE “PLAY WLBF”

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4/25/22 7:54 AM

MW: I think it can be both. Sometimes it takes careful planning to take a step or a leap to help someone. Other times it can be as easy as seeing a need and stepping in. I think it can be simple things like cleaning the table after dinner and showing that it’s our responsibility to show others love by doing the right things.

have remembered my whole life. I try to be the best person I can be each day. I treat others with kindness, grace, and respect. I’d like that to be reciprocated to me as well.

RRC: Does godly service usually have a start and stop or a beginning and ending to the service?

MW: The Holy Spirit is our guide in everyday life. I believe situations will arise weekly, and the Holy Spirit can give you that nudge to help or do the right thing.

It can bring truth to many circumstances and teach us boundaries and self-control throughout our daily lives.

MW: If a person is fully committed to helping others and being a Christian, serving is a gift, and I don’t think it has to end.

People are always in need, whether it’s in your workplace or other service areas.

RRC: How intentional are you about preparing yourself spiritually for ministry in the workplace?

MW: One of the best ways is to start your day with prayer and reading the word of God. My “grow group” at church is going through the one-year Bible, so every day I wake up and read a portion. It’s a 365-day journey that helps prepare me for the work week.

RRC: As Pike Road High School’s tennis coach and a volunteer at Century Church with children’s ministry, how do you guide our youth towards Christ?

MW: I try to instill in the kids values they can carry with them their whole life. Even when things in their life might appear gloomy, there’s a way to handle every situation. For example, controlling your anger no matter how upset you get. In the children’s ministry, we help the kids learn and find Bible verses by going through the table of contents and being able to search for verses at a young age. We also pray with them, use games to learn about Jesus and teach them the value of the written word.

RRC: From personal experience, is Christlike service quick and easy, or does it require planning, and often unconventional?

River Region Christians

May 2023

RRC: When challenges arise working with the community as the owner and broker of Wallace and Moody Reality, how does your faith sustain you?

MW: As a business owner, I conduct myself professionally, take a deep breath and try to see both sides to every situation. I try never to lose my temper and always do what is right. I value my business and the customers I serve, so I try to give myself and others grace, too. It’s just as important to listen as it is to act.

RRC: You grew up and were baptized at Eastern Hills Baptist Church. How did that shape you into the Christian you are today?

MW: It was a step I took to show my commitment to Christ and something I 8

RRC: What part might the Holy Spirit have in helping us to be “aware” of others?

RRC: How are you encouraged and/or challenged by God’s word?

MW: The word of God is our guide. It shows us what’s right and wrong in our everyday life. It challenges me to be a better person. It also helps me overcome difficult obstacles in life or with another person, and encourages me to avoid holding grudges against anyone.

RRC: What advice would you give someone looking for a deeper connection with God but finding it challenging to build a relationship?

MW: I think it’s essential to find a church home. It helps you connect with others and continue building that relationship with Christ. I also believe it’s important to get into a small group and meet with others seeking the same thing you are seeking.

When you’re among a group of like-minded individuals who desire the same in their hearts as you, it encourages you more throughout your spiritual journey. Also, reading the Bible and learning about God’s word can be essential to your life if you’re willing to embrace it.

Matthew Wallace has been married to Larra Wallace for 18 years. They have three children: Luke (11), Cade (8), and Gray (4).

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Where Are You Strong?

Chrissy was a fantastic employee.

She had almost singlehandedly built her department up from serving 200 clients to 400 clients within a year. She developed ways that the clients would receive unique positive contacts from her employees. She created a data base to keep track of client activity so that they could restructure the program if necessary to meet changing needs. Chrissy was soon promoted to a different department to supervise 500 employees and their team leaders. Her days were filled with meetings, budgets, and reports. After two years, Chrissy quit her job. She felt depleted and hated going to work. What had happened?

In her first position, Chrissy used her strengths---she was a pioneer, a developmental guru. Her second job was to keep the status quo intact. She had the giftings for the first job but not for the second one. Sometimes promotions to higher positions are not the best use of our gifts.

Where are your strengths? Look at some examples in the Bible to help you sort through the gifts God has placed in you. The following show successful biblical women who used their gifts within a special role.

1. Pioneer – Sarah – went into the unknown and with her husband created a new nation.

2. Deliverer – Esther – had courage to face obstacles, saving people from slavery and death.

3. Conqueror – Deborah – was able to face enemies and obtain victory.

River Region Christians

May 2023

4. Ruler – Queen of Sheba – was a wise ruler who was capable of leading people.

5. Servant – Ruth – was able to adapt to situations and serve where she was able.

6. Helper – Miriam – knew how to make the most of being in the right place at the right time.

7. Evangelist – Lydia – made herself available to meet and help others to hear the Gospel.

8. Financier – Phoebe – was a wise investor and financier and generously gave to the ministry.

Chrissy would have been called a Sarah---she loved to create and pioneer.

When she was asked to be a queen of Sheba, she was unfulfilled and lost.

Sometimes, in the competitive atmosphere of the marketplace, you can lose sight of who you are made to be. Climbing the ladder does not necessarily make use of your gifts, nor does it fulfill God’s plan for your life. How can you use your strengths for God’s glory?

First you need to discover your role.

Look at the simplistic examples above.

Think about who you resemble the most.

Don’t look at who you would like to be… look at who you are and have been.

Where do you feel the most fulfilled?

Knowing your gifts means you do not fit into every scenario. You may have a 10

combination of two roles above. You may have characteristics of all of them when God brings them forth. But you should be able to see God’s grace flowing through you in one or two of them at a greater level. Operating in these roles demonstrates aspects of God’s character. By using those gifts that come with your personal call, you testify about God. Your role can flourish in many ways, within a myriad of occupations. For example, someone who is a helper, could work as a nurse, an administrative assistant, or TV director. You just need to judge if the career requirements will allow you to flourish in your gifts. You also can move up the career ladder based on the job requisites.

For example, an accountant with the rule and reign gift could be called to lead a division of a large company as the finance manager.

We also need to know our roles within the church setting. I have seen people fail at leading ministries within churches but become incredibly successful when they lead overseas missions. They just don’t fit into the western ministry structure with their entrepreneurial, evangelistic gift. We need to measure people’s worth, not by our own gifts or standards, but by God’s treasure within them. This also releases us to not think being an elder or pastor in a church is our personal ultimate goal when it would cause us stress and unfulfillment.

God has reserved a unique and special way for you to fulfill your Earthly assignment and serve God’s kingdom. Enjoy what gifts He has given. Use them every day in some way. Learn to discover opportunities for His grace to shine through your divine role. The Lord will tell you, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

When you feel the anointing of God run through you, it is so much better than any accolade you can receive from people.

You are a strongly gifted woman! Go forth and release your gifts!

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2023 Awareness Walk for Poverty

The COT Awareness Walk: Addressing Poverty Through Community will be held on Saturday, May 20th at 9 am CT / 10 am ET. This event is a fundraiser to help FREE spread awareness around poverty and holistic poverty alleviation. Many families are challenged by the broken systems in our communities such as transportation, Y food security, affordable housing, and A D REGISTER TO access to resources. We hope to bring awareness to the daily struggles of many families in our communities and to our holistic approach to alleviation.

START FROM SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL The Awareness Walk will be a 2 Mile walk SATURDAY, MAY 20TH 9 AM at your own pace. Your $25 registration fee will support Communities of TransforTHIS EVENT IS A FUNDRAISER TO HELP SPREAD AWARENESS AROUND POVERTY AND HOLISTIC POVERTY ALLEVIATION. mation in our efforts to alleviate poverty.

Register

by May 8th to ensure PARK a t-shirt at registration. All registrations after the CULTURAL BLOUNT 8th will receive their t-shirt as soon as possible. There are two COT Walk locations but participants can complete the walk in their own location. Each individual can choose which COT Site they want to support through this fundraiser. Visit https:// www.communitiesoftransformation.org/events.

REGISTRATION

2 MILE WALK

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 724-889-6754

info@communitiesoftransformation.org

Awaken Women’s Conference Registration Deadline

Crossroads Community Church in Elmore will be having its Awaken Women’s Conference on Saturday, June 3, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The guest speaker will be Catherine Parks and the worship leader will be Karen Gosselin.

Registration may be made online. The deadline for registration will be on Monday, May 15. Conference will be held at 150 Mt Hebron Rd Elmore AL 36025. Visit https://crossroads. family/events/

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Schedule your retirement review today.

It’s been said that we spend more time planning vacations than planning for retirement. Let’s set aside some time to create positive change for you and the people you care about and understand: • How much you’ll need to retire • If you are on track for your retirement goals • Which IRA is right for your retirement needs – Roth or traditional • The importance of asset allocation and how it can help as you work toward your long-term goals

It’s more than just money. Investing is about realizing the possibilities of your future.

Sang Y Chung, AAMS®, CRPC® Financial Advisor 1951 Berry Chase Place Montgomery, AL 36117 334-271-9573

edwardjones.com Member SIPC

IRT-2735F-A EXP 31 JUL 2023 © 2021 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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For my wife and I, the little years are now behind us. Before it all grows hazy through the inevitable march of time, we decided to think of a few lessons we learned about parenting through the little years.

Maybe you will find them helpful.

by Kym Klass River Region Christians

May 2023

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#1 - Remember that their rebellion is first against God, not you.

Children are born sinners who are in need of a Savior. Almost before they are able to express anything else, they are able to express their rebellion against their parents.

As they grow older, this rebellion only increases, sometimes in loud and blatant ways and sometimes in sullen and silent ones.

We often had to remind ourselves that their rebellion was not first against us but against God. They acted out against us, against our authority, against our rules, but only because they were ultimately in rebellion to God. This simple realization helped us to pity them, to pray for them, and to tell them once more about Jesus.

#2 - Pray. Pray, pray, pray.

Pray for your children. Pray consistently, persistently, passionately, earnestly, and constantly. Pray for their bodies and souls and lives. Pray for their friendships and relationships. Pray for their education and future spouse. Pray for them, pray with them, pray for them with them. Pray for them with your church. Pray for them with your spouse.

Pray for them with joy and with tears. Pray for them as if prayer really, truly matters. Mostly, just pray. You need it, they need it, God honors it.

#3 - Expect that God will save them.

As a Christian parent you can have great confidence that God will save your children.

This confidence is not in who they are, who they were born to, or on the basis of anything done by or to them. Rather, this confidence is based on the character of God (who loves to save the lost) and the means God uses (the gospel). But let me add this: While your children may be genuinely saved while they are very young, do not be surprised if neither you nor they have great confidence in their salvation until they have grown and matured.

And that’s okay, because whether or not they have come to saving faith, they have the same need—the gospel.

#4 - Prioritize church (and, if possible, one church).

Make worshipping and serving at church a priority and, whenever possible, stick to one church. There is no better family discipline than the discipline of being committed to a local church as the context for worshipping God and serving God’s people. You can only teach this to your children by example, by making it a high priority. And then there is something especially good, especially pure, about children growing up in one church around one group of people. There is such joy in being around Christians who have

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known and loved your children since they were born and who will know and love them still as they transition into adulthood.

#5 - Teach your children to relate to adults.

On a related note, generate opportunities for your children to be around other adults. We are right to focus on building our children’s friendships with other children, but we may neglect helping our children to build relationships with adults—adults who can love them, pray for them, mentor them, and help guide them as they get older. Your friends can (and should!) be your children’s friends as well. Do not be afraid of allowing other adults to influence them. Do not be afraid, even when they are young, to suggest, “Why don’t you talk to ___ about that.”

It takes a church to raise a child.

#6 - Be confident but humble in your parenting.

Some couples read all kinds of books, know before the first baby is born exactly how they will raise their children, and follow the program all the way to completion.

Others leave the books in the bookstores, read their Bible, pray, and simply follow their instincts. Somehow both philosophies can

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work equally well and I would imagine we can all think of delightful, godly children who were raised each way. Aileen and I learned we needed to be confident and humble in the way we raised our children—confident enough that we would not be constantly changing from one parenting model to another but humble enough to learn from others and especially to be continually challenged and corrected by God’s Word.

#7 - Make family devotions a priority.

Apart from attending church, family devotions are the most important discipline your family can institute. This is a discipline to begin and to emphasize during the little years because, believe it or not, life only gets more chaotic once the children get older. Now is the time to form that habit.

Begin family devotions right now so that your children will never remember a time when you did not worship together. Aileen and I were strangely encouraged when my son was telling our church how the Lord saved him and he mentioned our family’s “Spartanlike commitment to family devotions.” He meant it in fun, but it was a blessing to hear of its importance in his life (especially because we are very aware of how often we’ve missed, failed, or forgotten). We have always believed—and still do believe—that this

simple discipline of opening the Bible and praying together for just a few minutes every day is of outsized importance. We firmly believe that God uses it for the strengthening of the family and the salvation of souls.

#8 - Understand that sometimes parenting is about surviving.

In the little years a lot of parenting is actually just surviving—surviving through nursing and teething and fevers and tantrums, surviving when it has been weeks since you last had a decent night’s sleep and you’re pretty sure you can’t possibly make it through even one more. We learned that in these times of difficulty we could break some of our parenting rules or preferences for the sake of survival and sanity. If your baby sleeps in your room or your bed for a few nights or even a few weeks, you won’t forfeit his soul. If you give your child a soother, he won’t grow up to be a criminal. Sometimes you lose these little battles, and that just has to be okay.

#9 - Prioritize your marriage.

Parenting is the best and hardest challenge your marriage will face. There is no way of introducing several new personalities into your family without experiencing some

strain on your marriage. Though marriage and children are meant to exist together in perfect harmony, you will find that they each seek to compete with the other. Yet marriage needs to come first. The stability of a strong, loving, affectionate marriage will anchor the children, giving them confidence that whatever else happens in life, this marriage will stand firm. Find and create opportunities to prioritize and strengthen your marriage in ways the children will see and in ways they will never see. The children will benefit either way.

#10 - Give them grace.

Extend grace to your children, not only justice. Teach your children that there are consequences for disobedience and discipline them with consistency and kindness.

But not every time. Sometimes it is more effective to show them mercy as a reflection of the mercy God has shown you. At other times you may even decide to overlook an offense as you strategically address one kind of sin but not another. Give them grace and show them mercy. Don’t just tell them the gospel, but model it in your interactions with them.

Tim Challies is a pastor, author and book reviewer.

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A Peace in the Waiting I could feel – something. There was something more out there for me. It was within my grasp.

I felt a shift. A change even in my breathing when I thought about it. There was calm. It wasn’t anything I could rush or figure out on my own. But something was working, stirring. And, to anyone who would listen, I’d say, “I’ll just wait.”

This was years ago. Maybe a dozen.

I was working as a reporter and wondered what it meant. What growth it meant. What path it meant. What change it possibly meant. And I’d tell God, “Ok... just let me know.” And I’d wait.

I moved on with my life, trusting that what He wanted to happen would present itself in an opportunity, or possibly by a chance encounter with someone.

The thought would often intertwine with, “This is exactly where I’m meant to be, or what I’m meant to be doing” when I favored a project at work. Or spoke to groups, sharing my story. I could feel more, more, more.

It wasn’t something I was personally striving for – for more money, more prestige.

It was a feeling placed inside me.

And I remained calm.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10) So, I did. I stayed still and faithful. I’ve made mistakes along the way, but kept doing what I felt I was called to do. This feeling has since overcome me three times since that first occurrence. I’ve put all faith in God’s timing, for whatever it is He has placed in my soul. On my heart.

It does make me wonder, once that yearning inside my soul passes – because it

does fade – if there was something I missed.

If the “more” was so small, or if it was something I wouldn’t see for years to come.

“Oh, this was the ‘more,’” I can envision myself saying. “That’s what God put in my heart years ago. It just took this/that/this to get there.” Are we patient enough for that?

Are we able to remain still enough?

Can we close our eyes and remain faithful and trusting, knowing He has our path laid out for us? Can we trust that? And be grateful to feel a hope He has given? Is that enough to keep us yearning more and more for Him? To do all for Him? All that, and still wait?

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you ...”

(1 Peter 5:6)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

(Jeremiah 29:11) There is a certain peace in waiting. A peace in the stillness. A peace in knowing who is in control. A peace in letting go of our own grip.

That feeling – that something – I first felt a dozen years ago? I feel it today. And just like the first time, I’m excited for what it could possibly mean. For whatever path He is going to lead me on today, maybe next week, maybe years from now.

I’ll just wait.

Humble yourselves. ... at the proper time.

Put aside your pride. Recognize what God is doing. Is, and has, and be excited for what He will do. Allow the peace you feel be one of assurance from Him that He has you and your future.

Cast your worries and your anxieties to the side. Don’t try to control what is to come.

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”

(Proverbs 28:26) This is the confidence God wants us to have in Him. The trust.

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God tells each of us that we are responsible to faithfully parent our children, and that ultimately our task is to raise our children to be fellow disciples of Christ. Through his Word he instructs us how to go about so daunting a task. Yet even while God sets the challenge and provides the instruction, he makes no guarantees about the result. He gives no sure formula that will result every time in healthy, obedient, saved children.

As Christian parents raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, we can be tempted to believe some dangerous myths about what we are doing and how we are to go about it. I was helped and challenged anew as I encountered these myths, and the truths that destroy them, in Chap Bettis’ book The Disciple-Making Parent.

Results Guaranteed Myth #1: The perfect environment will guarantee that my children follow the Lord. I’ve never heard anyone outright express this myth, but I’ve spoken to hundreds who functionally believe it. I’ve had to battle against it in all 17 years of my parenting.

It is so easy to reduce parenting to a method and to look for a step-by-step approach that will guarantee the results we want. Many authors and so-called experts are only too happy to oblige us in the myth by providing and promising their methodology. But even while we acknowledge the usefulness of methods, we must reject their supremacy. “Discipling our children in the faith is not a matter of combining the right ingredients and the right environment to guarantee a godly adult.”

Parenting is not baking a cake or assembling IKEA furniture.

God gives us no guarantee.

Truth #1: You cannot control your children. Children are “independent moral beings made in the image of God. They have real choices to make.” We can teach and guide and plead, but we cannot control. By the grace of God, some children far exceed their parents in godliness and grace; in the providence of God, some children utterly reject the legacy their parents attempt to

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leave them. “Our job is to discharge faithfully the duties God has given to us, leaving the results in God’s hands. Our goal is not ‘successful’ parenting per se, but faithful parenting.” This is a sweet, liberating truth.

I love Jesus more than them, they will realize their place in the order of the universe.”

It’s All Up To Me Myth #3: It is all up to me! Too many parents isolate themselves, sometimes literally and sometimes emotionally. They withdraw from relationship and go it alone, thinking that parenting is a solitary pursuit. While I do not know any parents who actually articulate this claim, there are many who live as if it’s true.

My Kids Are My Life Myth #2: The ultimate goal of my Christian life is to have my children follow the Lord. Some parents need a gentle (or serious) reminder that the primary task of parenting falls not to the church and its pastors or programs but to the parents. But on the other side of the spectrum are those parents who would do anything— anything!—for the spiritual well-being of their children. “They would sacrifice their own walk with God, their emotional health, and even their marriage for their children.” This is, of course, an idolatrous shift from worshipping Jesus to worshipping children. This is living a child-centered life rather than a gospel-centered life. What seems like it will help our children will actually harm both them and us.

Truth #3: You cannot do this alone. While we must insist that the dominant focus of parenting is parents discipling their children, it still takes a church to raise a child. Parents and their children equally need the local church. The local church “provides others to proclaim the gospel clearly, good examples to influence our children, feeding from Scripture, encouragement to pray, a place to serve, and good friends to encourage our children in their walk. The best thing you can do for your child’s soul is to become actively involved in a gospel-preaching, gospel-living church community.”

The truth is that even the perfect environment offers no guarantees of successful parenting, that raising godly children is not the ultimate goal of your life, and that you are dependent upon others in raising your children. It is far, far better this way.

It frees us to make use of means and methods without enduring the tyranny of impossible, idolatrous expectations.

Truth #2: You should not make an idol out of having perfect Christian children. Idols are good things (like children!) that become ultimate things, and this is a bad thing. As parents we need to ensure we do not love our children more than Jesus.

We cannot love them more than we love our spouses. We have to guard against finding our identity in them. Parents must not judge themselves by their children. “Like concentric circles, my first priority is to walk closely with the Lord himself. Then my spouse is my next priority. My children come after that, and then my church family and the world.” Properly prioritizing children brings about an important result: “As my children realize that

Tim Challies is a pastor, author and book reviewer.

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River Region Christians

May 2023

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Flames of Revival Certainly, there is concern for the next generation of young people and I think you have to be gratified by what transpired on college campuses several months ago, originating at Asbury University in Kentucky but spreading to other locations.

A new Barna Group survey shows that around two-thirds of American teens identify as Christian, as well as about half of young adults, but there is still room to grow. Because only around one-third of those teens in the U.S. would fall into the category of “Committed Christian.”

Worldwide, it’s less than 1/4. These are the numbers for teens 13-17 years of age.

The numbers drop when you get into the 18-22 group: The committed Christian category shrinks by nearly half (to 17%), while more than half of young adults (52%) do not identify as Christian or don’t know of Jesus.

Teens and young adults do seem to be longing to spend time in the presence of God, if these revival meetings are any indications. Spontaneous, lengthy times of worship, confession, and fellowship with God demonstrate a hunger among teenagers and young adults.

The Barna research does show some positive signs in that age group of 13-17 which contains promise for those who will be inhabiting those campuses in the future. The survey summary states:

Teens in the U.S. are far more intrigued than their global peers, with 77 percent being at least somewhat motivated to keep learning about Jesus throughout their lives. A teen’s personal commitment to follow Jesus goes hand in hand with their motivation to study him—the percentage of teens who want to learn more about Jesus rises significantly among committed Christian teens. Even among teens who are non-Christians or don’t know who Jesus is, however, over half is at least somewhat motivated to keep learning about him.

And, where do teens go for information relative to their spiritual lives? The survey summary relates:

Regardless of their level of commitment to follow Jesus, U.S. teens place a significant amount of trust in religious texts and their households to learn about Jesus.

Teens are more likely to report looking to these sources than to social media, the Internet, their friends or influencers.

The report does state that, “Nominal Christian teens, after turning to scripture or a family member, are quick to look to themselves.”

The Free Press website featured an insightful article by Olivia Reingold on the series of events at Asbury, which stated:

Some Asbury students told me they grew up praying for a revival—meaning a resurgence of faith that spreads, usually at a community level but occasionally throughout the entire nation. Those students believe that dream is now becoming reality among the generation marked by its lack of faith in anything.

Gen Z is the most likely generation yet to say they don’t believe in God. They are also the least religiously affiliated and the least likely to attend church.

Meantime, their rates of depression and anxiety are soaring. The Centers for Disease Control recently published a report stating that “almost 60% of female students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the past year and nearly 25% made a suicide plan.”

In what I believe is a related development, the film, Jesus Revolution, which is 19

set during a time period when a move of God began in Southern California, a time period in which Greg Laurie came to know Christ and began to preach, exceeded box office projections and placed in the solid #3 position at the box office during its opening weekend, with $15.8 million at just under 2500 screens, according to Box Office Mojo. The film has gone on to gross in excess of $50 million and is now available on home video. It garnered an A+ CinemaScope rating.

I would hope that, if Jesus tarries, the current wave that seems to be occurring would be looked back upon 10, 20, 50 years from now and say this is when America, when our world, returned to God. Asbury may have started a wave and only God knows where it’s going - we just have to be faithful to continue to pray and call out to Him. Larry Norman recorded a song many years ago that was entitled, “Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus?” It is apparent the world’s methods aren’t going to totally numb the pain. The truly effective answers don’t lie in superficial relationships on social media, pills and bottles, and immersion in tech. Jesus is calling each of us to a fresh, deep, abiding relationship with Himself.

With the insufficient answers that abound, it is time to take a look at THE answer! Jesus loves us and gave His life for our sins so that we could be saved and have a true, life-changing relationship with Him. May 2023

River Region Christians

Dates: June 26-30 Time: 8:30 to noon Ages K4 - 6th Grade.

Fbcprattville.org/vbs

First Baptist Wetumpka

205 W. Bridge Street Theme: Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light Dates: June 19-23 Time: 6– 8 p.m.

Ages: K-6th grade fbcwetumpka.com

First Christian Church

Blue Ridge Baptist Church

4471 Jasmine Hill Road, Wetumpka Theme: Twists & Turns Dates: June 4-8 Time: TBA (334) 567.4325

Calvary Baptist Church

431 W. Fourth Street, Prattville Theme: Twists & Turns Dates: June 3-4 Time: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Sunday from 9:45 until noon.

Ages: Preschool – K; Grades 1-6 calvarybaptistprattville.org

Camellia Baptist Church

201 Woodvale Road, Prattville Theme: Keeper’s of the Kingdom Dates: June 4-8 Time: 6-9 p.m.

Ages: Pre-K through 6th grade, plus adult classes. www.cbcprattville.org

Century Church at The Well

1001 Marler Road, Pike Road Theme: Twist & Turn Dates: July 10-13 Time: 6-8 p.m.

Ages: Rising Pre K4 – Rising 5th grade century.church

Christchurch Anglican

8800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Theme: Babylon: Dare to Trust in the God of Daniel Dates: June 12-15 and Friday, June 16 from 9 -11 a.m. Time: 9 a.m. to Noon Ages: 4 through rising 5th grade. christchurchanglican.net

Church of the Highlands

4255 Taylor Road, Montgomery Theme: Summer Blast: Chosen Dates: June 26-28 Time: 7:30 a.m. to Noon Ages: Entering K through 6th grade. churchofthehighlands.com River Region Christians

May 2023

Dalraida Baptist Church

3838 Wares Ferry Rd., Montgomery Theme: Twists & Turns Dates: June 5-9 Time: 9 until Noon Ages: Kindergarten through 6th grade dalraidabaptist.com

Eastern Hills Baptist Church

3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery Theme: Twists & Turns Dates: June 4-8 Time: 5:30-8:30 Ages: 4 (by August 1st) through 6th grade ehbconline.com

East Memorial Baptist Church

1320 Old Ridge Road, Prattville Theme: Keepers of the Kingdom Dates: June 12-16 Time: 9 a.m. to Noon Ages: K5 through 8th Grade eastmemorial.org

Eastmont Baptist Church

4505 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery Theme: Twists & Turns Dates: June 5-9 Time: 9-noon Ages: K - grade 6 eastmont.org

1705 Taylor Road, Montgomery Theme: Embracing God’s Love Dates: July 23-25 Time: 5:30 to 7:30 pm Ages 4 years old – 6 grade www.fccmontgomery.org

First Presbyterian, Prattville

211 S. Chestnut Street, Prattville Theme: Keeper’s of the Kingdom Dates: June 5-8 Time:9 am - noon Ages: 4 years through entering 6th grade firstpresbyterianchurchofprattville.com

First UMC, Montgomery

2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery Theme: Hero Hotline Dates: June 4-7 Time: Power up Party on Sunday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and Monday-Wednesday from 9-noon Ages: Age 3 through 5th grade fumcmontgomery.org

First UMC, Prattville

100 E. Fourth Street, Prattville Theme: to be announced Dates: June 26-29 Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Ages: Completed K through 5th grade prattvillemethodist.org

First UMC, Wetumpka

Evangel Church

ad on page 23 306 W. Tuskeena Street, Wetumpka Theme: Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light Dates: 4-6 Time: 5:30 to 8 pm (Dinner included) WetumpkaFirst.com/VBS

First Baptist, Montgomery

492 East Main Street, Prattville Theme: Keepers of the Kingdom Dates: June 25-29 Time: 6 - 8 p.m.

Ages 5-12 years old fountaincitybaptist.com

3975 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Theme: Glow Dates: July 10-12 Time: TBA Ages: Grades K-5th grade evangelchurch.me

ad on Back Cover 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery Theme: Spark Studios Dates: June 19-23 Time: 9 a.m. to Noon Ages: 4-6th grade MontgomeryFBC.org

First Baptist Prattville

138 S. Washington St, Prattville Theme: Twists & Turns 20

Fountain City Baptist

Glynwood Baptist Church

376 N. McQueen Smith Road, Prattville Theme: Twists & Turn Dates: June 4-8 Time: 6-8pm Ages: 4 through grade 6 glynwoodbc.com

Grace Presbyterian Church 5 Bell Road, Montgomery Theme: Creative Arts Camp Dates: June 5-9

Time: 8:45 a.m. until 1 pm.

Ages: 6 years to entering 6th graders.

Drama, Singing, Creative Movement & Art discovergrace.org

GracePointe

1565 Ray Thorington Road, Montgomery Theme: Unleashed Dates: June 2-4 Time: TBA Ages: 5-11 years grace-pointe.com

Hayneville Baptist Church

Your Priceless to God Dates: July 17-21 Time: 9 a.m. to Noon Ages: Entering Preschool – rising 5th grade holyspiritmgm.org

Messiah Lutheran, Prattville ad on page 15 334 Old Farm Ln S, Prattville Theme: God’s Wonder Lab Dates: July 10 – 14 Time: Dinner at 5:15 pm; Sessions 5:45 pm – 8:00 pm Ages: 3 to entering 5th grade mymessiahchurch.org

Millbrook Presbyterian (PCA)

1180 State Hwy 21 N, Hayneville Theme: Twists & Turn Dates: July 16-20 Time: 5:45 until 8:30 p.m.

Ages: K4 - 6th Grade (grade completed) haynevillebaptist.com

3480 Main Street, Millbrook Theme: To be announced Dates: July 10-14 Time: 6-8:30 p.m., Dinner for campers offered from 5-5:50 Ages: Entering K5 thru 5th grade. millbrookpca.org

Heritage Baptist, Montgomery

Morningview Baptist Church

ad on page 4 1849 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery Theme: Connect Camp Dates: July 17-21 Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Ages: K through 8th grade, fee for camp hbcm.net

Heritage Baptist, Prattville

1357 S. Memorial Drive, Prattville Theme: Twists & Turn Dates: June 11-15 Time: 6-8 p.m.

Ages: Preschool - completed 6th grade hbcprattville.org

Holy Spirit Catholic Church 8570 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Theme: Treasured: Discovering

125 Calhoun Road, Montgomery Theme: Sports Camp Dates: June 5-8, Time: Evening, TBA Ages: Completed Kindergarten-5th grade morningview.org

Mountain View Baptist

1025 Rifle Range Rd., Wetumpka Theme: Twists & Turns Dates: June 12-16 Time: 8-noon Ages: Completed K5 through 6th grade mvbaptist.com

Mulder United Methodist Church 3454 Firetower Road, Wetumpka Theme: Twists & Turns Dates: June 19-22 Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

Ages: 4 years – 6 grade mulderchurch.co

Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist

1550 East Washington St, Montgomery Theme: Faith Builders Dates: June 19-23 Time: 6 – 8:30 p.m. vbsmate.com/events/PRMBC2023VBS/27206

Redland Baptist Church

1266 Dozier Rd, Wetumpka Theme: Keepers of the Kingdom Date: July 24-26 Time: 5:30-8 p.m.

Ages: 5 (by Sept. 1) through graduated 5th redlandbaptistchurch.org

Saint James Church

9045 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Theme: Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light Dates: June 12-14 Time: 9 to Noon Ages: K5-5th grade sjlife.com

Taylor Road Baptist Church

1685 Taylor Road, Montgomery Theme: TBA Dates: June 19-22 Time: 8 a.m. to Noon Ages: Completed K5 through 5th grade taylorroad.org

Thelma Baptist VBS

810 Weoka Road, Wetumpka Theme: Keepers of the Kingdom Dates: June 5-9 Time: 9 a.m. to Noon Ages: Completed PreK through 6th. tlifeonline.com

Young Meadows Presbyterian

5780 Vaughn Road Theme: Sports Camp Dates: June 5-9 Time: 9 a.m. until Noon Ages: Kindergarten -5th grade youngmeadows.org

Please share your VBS for next month’s issue at deanne@readjourneymagazine.com.

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Embrace Alabama Kids doesn’t only share the love of Jesus with foster children and families throughout the state, but they make sure they feel safe.

And then build on that.

“The individuals we serve have been put in unfortunate situations, mostly caused by people who should have loved them,” said Rebecca Morris, the non-profit’s senior VP of External Affairs. “We are always looking to take down barriers for our kids, always looking for the next step – for what they’re going to accomplish next. We are a ministry that takes care of people from cradle to college.”

And beyond.

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Embrace Alabama Kids, headquartered in Montgomery, is a non-profit, faithbased organization dedicated to serving vulnerable children and families in crisis across the state of Alabama. They also serve Northwest Florida as the founding ministry of Embrace Florida Kids.

Formerly the United Methodist Children’s Home, the non-profit realized its Alabama ministry had outgrown its name, and the ministry’s name was changed in 2021 to “Embrace Alabama Kids” to better reflect who they are and what they do.

“We have a vast amount of services including group homes,” Morris said. “No matter where they come from, there have been some challenging years. Our boys and girls group homes, they are 24/7. The dedication of our staff that cares for kids at that level is inspiring to me.

“Everything we do in Alabama, we do in the Florida Panhandle.”

Embrace Alabama Kids have residential homes in Mobile and Dothan – homes for children to stay without their parents.

In the Andalusia area, children are placed with foster families.

“The foster kids know our social workers,” Morris said. “They work hard

to build relationships with the foster kids, and be an extra resource for the parents, from taking them to the doctor if the parent has a conflict, even helping install car seats. They are continually working with the family.”

In Montgomery, there is Mary Ellen’s Hearth, a ministry near downtown whose mission it is to help women with children regain independence.

“Through this program, they help families obtain stability through housing, education and one-on-one care,” Morris said. “Our ultimate goal is to help them transition to an independent and safe environment where both mothers and their children are able to live out successful, purpose-filled lives.

“In addition to providing women with resources that empower them to move past the adversity they face, we also help them heal by surrounding them with God’s love. The staff at Mary Ellen’s Hearth is amazingly connected with community

resources and they work extremely hard to connect the ladies according to their needs. Mentoring, spiritual development and life skills are also provided by the staff and others. We want our ladies to grow in all aspects of their life, especially so they can encounter God daily.

“That is a much-needed ministry in the River Region. We’re not a ‘shelter.’ We

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May 2023

River Region Christians

know there’s a need for a shelter, but this is more about teaching the family, the mother, new life skills in order to become independent.”

Those served at Mary Ellen’s Hearth are homeless women and children who have found themselves without proper housing and care as a result of one or more of the following: poverty, domestic violence, addiction, or simply minimal relational or financial resources.

The staff offers instruction on life skills, financial literacy, parenting, cooking, and nutrition, while providing the basic needs of shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and a spiritual foundation.

The families can stay for up to two years, allowing mothers to find employment, save money, and pay off debt.

Further north in Birmingham, and also north Alabama, there are foster care programs, including therapeutic foster care for children who have a medical or behavioral need. Embrace Alabama Kids has families specially trained to care for those children.

In Tuscaloosa and Florence, there are two college homes for students pursuing four-year degrees.

“The college homes are providing a much-needed ministry to college youth who find themselves with the ability to succeed in their academics at college, but need more wrap-around support than their peers who come from a more stable living environment,” Morris said. “This ministry started eight years ago, and we are finding great success in the outcomes. We’ve had numerous college graduates and some have gone on to obtain their master’s degree.

“This ministry is working, and we are investing in a new home on UNA campus so we can reach more college youth who need this support.”

Morris never knows what her day will look like.

Calls come in from pregnant teenage girls looking for shelter, and also a church asking what items they can decorate tables with that she could bring back to foster families.

Then there are the mission trips the teens have taken to New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New Orleans.

River Region Christians

May 2023

“It’s amazing to see our teens from various parts of the state and different ministries grow in their faith and relationships with one another,” Morris said. “Our kids love doing things like this with kids they can relate to. Even though we call it a mission trip, there’s three days of fun and three days of work.

“I went on the New York (trip). We flew, and most of our kids have never been out of their county. One night we were in a soup kitchen, and someone dropped a bunch of dried beans. I thought everybody thought it was funny.

But when we were debriefing, one of the young ladies said, ‘When we dropped those beans, it just made me realize that that’s somebody’s food who’s not getting it. And I know what it’s like to be hungry.’”

Embrace Alabama Kids helps up to 2,000 individuals every year.

“We usually get the kids who are severely abused or neglected,” Morris said.

“They could be in their third foster care situation. We’re getting some more of the difficult cases. In my opinion, our group homes are well suited for the teens who find themselves unable to live with their mom, dad, or a relative. Most teenagers do not want to ‘be placed’ in someone’s home with a mom or dad. Our staff work hard to form bonds and connections with the youth in the home, and it usually works.”

When individuals, foundations, civic groups, and churches support Embrace Alabama Kids, it enables them to help provide a home, but also healing and hope.

“We’re not just doing the basics,” Morris said. “Our kids are not in care because of their decisions, it’s because the adults in their lives have made horrible decisions. They do not know what it means to be nurtured, to know they are a 24

priority, and we want to change that. We will invest in them, love them, and hopefully help them build a sense of trust.

“We are so thankful when people want to donate items for our youth, but just like your kids, they want to go shopping, they want to be like other teens, do the normal things such as getting ice cream, going to dinner, going on a trip.”

Asked how the community can volunteer or donate to the ministry, Morris said finances are priority.

“Additionally, I like for people to know we strive to keep things consistent and stable for our youth,” Morris said. “We also find it important to respect the home environment of our kids by limiting who comes in the home. It’s so important for our youth to see the same people caring for them day in and day out.

“We know they have their social workers, counselors, and doctors who are important in their care, but we strive to make a lasting connection. Volunteers are important but we have to get creative as to the best way to connect with our ministry. Our kids have many people who have been in and out of their lives, and we want to eliminate that inconsistency. Therefore, most of the volunteering is helping with the ministry, which directly contributes to the care of our kids.

“I love working with individuals, or foundations or churches that want to hone their support into something. For example, if we had someone call and say every Friday night they had pizza as a family, and they want to provide a foster family or a group home with a pizza once a month, we can do that.

“We want the kids to know they are a valuable child of God. And that’s why the community should care.”

Embrace Alabama Kids Website: embracealkids.org Phone: 800.239.3575 Email: info@embracealkids.org Kym Klass is a contributing writer and Communications Director of the Media Ministry at Frazer Church in Montgomery.

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In the Western world, sacrifices are made every day. For example, people sacrifice to attain a specific job, others to live in specific areas, and parents sacrifice for their children. The Bible is riddled with examples of the importance of sacrifice, and there is one example that is significant to all Christians.

In the modern world, we strive to follow the examples of our Savior and nobly give up our comforts in hopes of receiving an even bigger reward in the future. But, unfortunately, we tend to ignore that in our reality, the pursuit of security and the relentless aspiration to exist profoundly has a price tag. Those who choose to pay the price use their time, physical and social existence, and mental health to resolve the debt accompanying sacrifice.

The choice to dedicate one’s existence can tremendously affect mental health. Through research, The U.S. Surgeon General has helped individuals recognize that an ever-striving mindset comes at the highest cost to mental health. Because so many individuals have chosen to subscribe to sacrifice for the greater good, mental health has become a public health priority. Research has linked pursuing external goals to anxiety

and depression. Clinical psychologist, Richard Ryan, believes that “striving is only healthy when it does not affect the rest of our lives .”The choice to pursue extrinsic markers of success has proven to leave individuals less psychologically fulfilled, lacking personal growth, and struggling to form deep relationships.

Is it safe to say that unhealthy sacrifice can cause imbalances that trigger symptoms of stress? Many individuals fail to acknowledge their limits and forget to set boundaries for themselves when they choose to make sacrifices. Without recognizing limitations, individuals experience multiple symptoms that could lessen their quality of life. Every person will experience different symptoms. Understanding the symptoms of imbalance is essential in properly coping. People experiencing stress may have difficulty controlling their emotions, while others may have trouble focusing on tasks.

Unhealthy sacrifice causes individuals to isolate themselves, which can trigger a host of long-lasting mental issues, including depression. Some reports suggest the depletion of self-confidence and physical symptoms. Understanding how unhealthy sacrifice affects an individual can be vital if we consider it in our life’s planning.

Practicing balance can help individuals cope with the stress that accompanies sacrifice. Understanding the importance of having balance in life can also be beneficial. There are several steps that individuals can take to practice balance.

Focusing on the task, not the reward, is an effective way to practice balance during a significant sacrifice. Research shows that individuals have a healthy response when they focus on mastering 25

tasks, learning functions of, or creating positive change rather than focusing on the promotion or pay that the sacrifice will bring. Adopting a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset is a positive way to practice balance. The growth mindset promotes learning and can help individuals grow into the most effective version of themselves.

In mental health, practicing balance helps individuals comfortably manage stress in their social, physical, spiritual, and economic life. Because multiple areas are necessary for our happiness, practicing balance can teach us to manage stress where we find it and not allow it to spill over into other areas of our life. Recognizing limitations and setting boundaries is the most important element that can help individuals comfortably manage stress and achieve balance.

Practicing balance is a mental process and will look different based on the specific needs of the individual.

What we strive for can ultimately bring us discomfort without proper balance and a little discipline. In our culture, the effects of sacrifice are publicly worn like badges of honor, while individuals suffer privately. Therefore, it is essential to make a realistic effort not to lose ourselves when we make sacrifices so that others may gain.

George Ishman knew at an early age he wanted to be an advocate for change and an inspiration for individuals who live in communities facing economic challenges. Ishman received his undergraduate degree in English from ASU in 2017, where he graduated Cum Laude. He obtained his Master of Science Degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University in 2021. As a new counselor, George is looking forward to helping clients find solutions and resources that will support their efforts to achieve their optimal level of functioning. George provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Modification Therapy, and Supportive Therapy for adults and adolescents.

May 2023

River Region Christians

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Adoption

Location: Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery APAC, Alabama Pre/ Post Adoption Connection Support Group: This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Meets 3rd Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. For more information call Jill Sexton at 409-9477.

Alcoholic / Addiction

Location: Caring Center of FBC, 52 Adams Avenue CrossRoads Support Group is for addicts/alcoholics and family members. Meets at 6 p.m.

Tuesdays and follows a Christcentered 12-step program.

Call 264-4949.

Location: Christchurch Anglican Church, 8800 Vaughn Road next to Southern Homes and Gardens Celebrate Recovery meets every Friday night. Dinner at 6:00, nursery available for children 4 and under. Large Meeting starts at 6:30. For more information, contact Dolly McLemore 334-301-3490.

Location: Dalraida United Methodist Church 3817 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery An Alanon meeting is held at 9 am on Saturday mornings. Call 272.2190 for details.

Call John Pearse at 303-243-4308 or visit myjourneychurch.com.

Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd.

RSVP- This is a 12 step spiritual recovery program for overcoming addictions. Wednesday @ 6:30pm in Rm. 121 of the Life Center.

Location: Prattville Church of Christ, 344 E Main St. CASA - 12 step (Christians Against Substance Abuse) spiritual recovery program, for overcoming addictions.

Class begins each Wednesday evening @6:30 PM. Please call 334-365-4201 for additional information.

Location: St. James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road Celebrate Recovery meets every Thursday night from 6-8 pm in the Youth Room. This is a Christ-centered 12-step group for anyone struggling with an “addiction or life-challenging issues.” For information, call Chris Henderson at 334-215-0427.

Location: First United Methodist Church, Wetumpka 306 W. Tuskeena Street ‘Fresh Start’ Recovery meets every Thursday, 6-8pm (meal included). In 2011, Fresh Start Motorcycle Ministry (FSMM) began when God laid it on the heart of a lifetime biker to minister to those with his background.

All are welcome, not a requirement to own/ride a motorcycle. For any information contact ministry leader, Paul Henderson, 334-201-5428.

Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1728 S. Hull Street, Montgomery Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets Wednesday from 6:30-8 pm. For more information email riverregion@route1520.com, visit http:// www.route1520.com/ men/groups-for-men or call 877-2000-1520.

Location: Grace Presbyterian Church, Corner of Bell Road and Atlanta Hwy. Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at 6 p.m. An Open AA Speaker meeting is held on Saturday at 6 p.m. An Alanon & AA held on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Alzheimer’s / Dementia

Location: Grace Point Community Church, 78223 Tallassee Hwy (Hwy 14), Wetumpka Celebrate Recovery- every Tuesday night- 6:15pm. All are welcome! These meetings are a safe and loving environment for individuals seeking to conquer their hurts, habits and hang-ups! gracepoint.info.

Location: Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy An Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room 3103. Call 495-6343. for more information.

Location: Heritage Baptist Church, 1849 Perry Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL Route1520 is a Christ-centered recovery movement dedicated to showing the way home for men impacted by sex and pornography addiction. Meets: Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 PM CST. No Childcare Provided. Email montgomery@route1520.com, visit http://www.route1520.com/ men/groups-for-men/ or call 877.200.1520.

Location: Journey Church, 435 Sheila Blvd, Prattville Celebrate Recovery - Christ-centered 12-step for anyone struggling with addiction or life-challenging issues.

Mondays beginning at 6:15 pm. Childcare available.

River Region Christians

May 2023

Location: First UMC, 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, An Adult Parkinson/Alzheimer’s respite ministry meets from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lunch is served. Contact Daphne at 834-8990.

Cancer

Location: Aldersgate UMC, 6610 Vaughn Rd Cancer Survivors Support Group is sponsored by Samaritan Counseling Center. We would love to have anyone (patient or family member ) join us.

Thursdays at 1 pm. Please call before attending just to make sure we are meeting that week.

Please call Debbie D at 4674578 or Ben W at 202-1912.

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Location: ChristChurch, 8800 Vaughn Road Cancer Support Group for general cancer. Tuesday afternoons at 1 pm. For more info, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie at 467-4578.

Location: Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Central Alabama Multiple Myeloma Support Group meets from 10 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of every month in Room 3105. We have guest speakers, video presentations, printed information and a group that welcomes sharing their journey with myeloma in an informal setting. Refreshments are provided. Contact Joe Crowley at 334-207-4385 or jpcrowl46@yahoo.com Location: Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Location: Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support Group, providing education, awareness, and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family and friends, meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114.

Call 220-4599 or e-mail womenofhope@charter.net

Divorce

241-5125 for information.

Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street Divorce Care Wednesday nights @6:30-8:00 pm in Room 405B. Child care is available. Contact Kathy Cooper at

Location: Centerpoint Fellowship 1200 McQueen Smith Road South, Prattville, AL Divorce Care Sundays @ 9:00 am in the Conference Room. Child care is available. Contact Angie Davis at 730-2566 for information.

Gambling

Location: Cedarwood Community Church, 10286 US HWY 231 in the Wallsboro/Wetumpka community.

The church is 1 1/2 miles past Tutweiler prison.

Gamblers Anonymous, Saturdays at 6 pm. and Mondays at 6:30 pm. Call 567-0476.

Location: Mental Health of America, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Sundays @ 5 pm.

For more information about the GA meetings call 334399-6918. For information about counseling services or to request a guest speaker please call the Alabama Council on Compulsive Gambling at 334-277-5100.

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Grief

Location: Cornerstone Christian Church, 301 Dalraida Road River Region Survivors of Suicide meets on the second and fourth Thursday of every month (excluding holidays) from 6:30-8:00 PM. Welcomes anyone regardless of their religious beliefs. Contact Cheryl Vinson at riverregionsos@gmail.com.

Location: Eastmont Baptist, 4505 Atlanta Hwy. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child meeting first Tuesdays at 7 pm. Call (334) 284-2721.

Location: Church of the Highlands, 4255 Taylor Rd. Eryn’s Embrace offers hope and healing to children and teens grieving the loss of a loved one through peer support groups. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 4-5:15. More info: www.erynsembrace.org; erynsebrace@gmail.com; Erin Camp 334-657-1871.

Location: First UMC, 100 E. Fourth St, Prattville Grief Share, led by Dave Dageford. Call 365-5977 if you are interested.

Location: Frazer Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy GriefShare, Wednesday mornings 10am -12pm in the East Sanctuary. Spring group meets through April 26.

Fall group from Sept. 6 through Nov. 29. For information call the church 272-8622. Dian Sims (facilitator) Location: Grace Baptist Church, 304 Old Montgomery Highway, Wetumpka Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth

through adulthood. Meets the last Thursday night of each month. For info, contact Alice Scarborough (334) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis (334) 567-8754.

Location: Millbrook FUMC, 3350 Edgewood Rd Grief Share meets Sundays from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 285-4114 or email churchoffice@mfumc.org.

Location: Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church 1550 E. Washington Street Grief support group meets every Monday at 6:00 P.M- 7:00 P.M. For additional information, please contact Alice Glover at (334)281-2754.

Parenting

Location: First Baptist Prattville, 138 South Washington Moms LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) meets twice monthly from 8:30 - 11:45 am in the chapel at the Church from Aug May. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guest, special guest speakers and a lot of fun!! Cost is $5 per meeting.

For moms of all stages and ages of life. Childcare provided by reservation. Call April Scott at 828446-6666.

Location: First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry Street MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is a place you can share a good meal, make new friends, and find encouragement as you face the everyday challenges of raising your little ones. We have educational speakers, great conversation, and fun activities. Free childcare is provided. Meetings are every 2nd and 4th

Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., September through May. Contact Tiffany Alewine at 241-5165.

Location: Landmark Church, 1800 Halcyon Blvd.

Single Moms Support Group, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in classroom 118. For information call 277-5800.

Location: Perry Hill UMC, 910 Perry Hill Road Single Moms’ Care and Support Group meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15 - 8:00 PM. December meeting will be on the 11th. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants -16 years. Call 272-3174.

Location: Redland Baptist Church, 1266 Dozier Rd, Wetumpka A MOPS group will be held 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s of every month during the school year, and has scheduled play dates and moms nights out through the summer and beyond. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program. Email Denise Braswell at deniseorscott@yahoo.com.

Location: Young Meadows Church, 5780 Vaughn Rd River Region MOPS (Moms of Preschoolers) meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 am (September-May). Interested moms can reach out to riverregionmops334@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. riverregionmops334@gmail.com.

Send support group info to deanne@readjourneymagazine.com.

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May 2023

River Region Christians

Sometimes Helping Means More Than Just Giving Q. How do you handle a situation where

someone needs financial help, but has misspent money you’ve given them in the past? My wife and I have been trying to help a young man we recently met.

He told us he was trying to get his life together after a divorce and job loss, and he just needed a little money for groceries and household items. He has asked us a couple of times since for more money, but we discovered he was buying alcohol with most of the cash we gave him. We learned from friends what he said about losing his job and being divorced was true, but we are unsure what to do next.

A. This young man’s problem sounds as much like a mismanagement of money as it is a lack of money. He seems to have an issue with lying, and possibly an addiction problem, too.

I’ve never been against helping people who have good hearts and just need a break. But if someone is bold enough to ask for your money, you have every right to attach requirements to the help you give—especially when it’s for their own good.

If he really needs food or household things, you can just buy them for him.

At least that way, you’d know you were providing necessities.

But in many cases, truly helping someone is a lot more work than just giving them money. Sometimes, you have to get down in their mess, get real with them and walk with them. If

you haven’t been put off by what has already happened, and you still really want to help, I’d suggest getting to know this young man and his situation a little better. Be straight with him, and let him know you’ve learned he hasn’t been honest with you in the past.

Hopefully, as a result he’ll apologize and start making better choices.

If he does, you might even offer to arrange for him to talk to a good pastor or counselor.

This whole situation is much bigger than helping someone with a little cash. This guy needs someone who cares enough to help him get his life back together.

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River Region Christians

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