Zone 16
No. 14 Vol. 8
New View Media Group • 1-800-691-7549
July 17, 2018
First Reformed Church Of Pompton Plains Missions In Kentucky
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By Steve Sears ave Sippel, director of Youth and Family Ministries for the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains, has seen and experienced it: the loving and cooperative mission work of his teams. “Our church is committed to supporting mission organization in this area and around the world,” he said. “Grace Covenant Ministries is a mission of the Reformed Church in America, so there is a denominational connection also. We believe in their work and want to empower them in any way that we can.” From June 24- to June 30, Sippel was accompanied by seven participants to Grace Covenant Ministries in Annville, Ky. Organized by the Mission Team at First Reformed Church, who also provided scholarship support to lower the cost for the trip participants, the trip was open to anyone 11 years of age or older. If you're thinking of selling your home...
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The goal of the trip was to support the work of Grace Covenant Ministries, who take care of and support families and their children in Jackson County, Ky., by providing activities for local children and teenagers, and support impoverished families and the elderly. “It was our first trip,” said Sippel. “We hope to return with a bigger team next summer.” The planning, as well as the drive, were well mapped out, pun intended. “Participants only had to cover the cost of their transportation to Annville,” he said. “Most participants also decided to find some overnight lodging along the way. It was a 12.5-hour drive from Pompton Plains (to Kentucky). We stayed onsite in a guest house at Grace Covenant Ministries. Most of the planning was handled by Grace Covenant’s staff. They organized our lodging, meals, and work projects.” Sippel also gives a big thank you to Sue Leonard for her work in promoting and planning the trip. Per Sippel, there was a significant takeaway from the trip upon return: a true sense of accomplishment. “Our work will enable Grace Covenant to move back into a historic schoolhouse that they are restoring,” said Sippel. “We
also made significant improvements to a space that they rent out for wedding and parties. This will create a steady stream of rental income to support their programs. We also did some trim work and replaced a door on property.” For Sippel and the team, it was most about working together and serving the Lord. “We are a playful group that worked and laughed together,” he said. “It just felt good to serve as a team and see the fruits of our work. We also took 10 quilts from the Quilting for a Cause group here in Pequannock. They will be a blessing to new families and the elderly.” Sippel, who also recently had planned with five adults and 11 youngsters to travel to Belize and serve with Praying Pelican missions, says the Youth and Family Ministries for the First Reformed Church can always use help. “We do short and long-term trips throughout the year here in North Jersey and beyond,” he said. “We always need miscellaneous supplies and participants, too. Donations can be made to the Mission Team at our church.” First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains can be contacted at (973) 835-1144.