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January 2 0 0 8
Infectious
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
‘Tis the season for colds, flu, viruses. Yuk. But being infectious is not always a bad thing. We enjoy being around someone with an infectious laugh! A person’s positive attitude can rub off in a good way. So how do we become infectious for Christ?
The latest issue of Ministry Today magazine says, “Fundamentally, Christianity is viral.” Jesus’ disciples were exposed to Him, which caused them to live, act, and talk in a wonderful new way. Many others were exposed to the disciples. And many more others were exposed to those ‘others’, and on and on. That brings us to today, and to you. What are you doing to expose people to the love of Jesus?
It’s the question we’re going to ask in this issue of Direct Connect. In what practical ways can we continue to spread the love virus?
 Higher TogetherI heard a speaker last summer who said ministry is like swinging. We lean back into the past and stretch forward to the future. I vividly remember teaching my children to pump so that I didn’t have to push them all the time. It’s hard at first to get the hang of kicking back and pushing forward. Once the balance and timing gets in sync, however, it seems there’s an invisible force that propels one higher and higher.
Let’s swing together, shall we? For a few minutes allow yourself to lean back so that we can push forward into new evangelistic challenges for the future.
It started with a prayer group, a calling group, and a few thousand flyers inviting children to Story Hour. God worked powerfully through a few people in a new daughter church in South Holland, IL who had a fire for evangelism and the desire to do church differently.
Pastor Alvin Vander Griend was leader of the newly formed Peace CRC. Jeanette Vander Zee was a member of the calling team. Children were invited to Story Hour, and Neva Evenhouse invited their mothers to a Bible study. One group of about 15 women grew to six groups by the end of the year! Neva began writing the lessons. Jeanette typed them up on stencils, ran them off in her basement and delivered them to church. More women and children came, and the ministry spread to other churches. Within two years Neva and Pastor Alvin began doing leadership workshops to train other Coffee Break leaders. Highschoolers were trained to lead Discover Your Bible studies with teen groups. Small groups of men and women loved the inductive method focused on books of the Bible. Groups were led in nursing homes. Today we hear stories of people all over the world who
are being impacted by Coffee Break and Story Hour.
How did this happen? Lots of prayer and perseverance. Neva Evenhouse tells of inviting neighbors to her home for a Bible study the year before Coffee Break started and no one came! She started building relationships one on one, and invited those women to the first Coffee Break group. When the curriculum they started with didn’t really work, Neva wrote her own. She eventually followed God’s call to seminary and has dedicated her life to ministry. Jeanette Vander Zee passed away in June of 2007, and her daughter recalls a legacy of reaching out to others with God’s word. Living in Lynden, WA, and in her 80’s, she was scheduled to lead her group the day she had a stroke. Rev. Al Vander Griend continues to encourage churches in evangelistic prayer ministry through Harvest Prayer
Ministries.
I asked Neva what advice she would give to a new generation of Coffee Breakers. Her answers: Trust God to do the work. Focus on the evangelistic purpose. Ask simple questions, let them discover what the Bible says. Think questions, not answers. Be well prepared so that you can be free from notes or plans, and listen and respond.
Amazing things have happened since 1970. We have no way to count how many adults and children have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because of these efforts. But we know that the wind propelling it all is that of the Holy Spirit. God has blown his truth and love throughout North America, Korea, China, Turkey, and more.
Our challenge in 2008 is to keep swinging! Pray and persevere in reaching out to those who don’t know Christ. Lean back into God’s truth, and feel the breeze as the wind of his Spirit blows us forward to new heights. Stretch for new ways to impact the world with his love. The sky’s the limit when it comes to what God can do!
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20, 21.
 Evangelistic Outreach IdeasLook for new ways to connect with those who need Christ. There may be as many unique opportunities as there are neighborhoods and communities in which we live, but here are a few ideas to get you started. Of course, any time you can offer Story Hour and a nursery it’s a huge benefit to mothers and a ministry to the children.
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Hold a Spa Day. Include free services such as massage, manicure, facial, pedicure, healthy snacks, etc. A group in New Hampshire used the book, Spa for the Soul, by Lucinda Secrest McDowell, as their theme for the day.
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Offer skill classes for single moms such as Budgeting 101, how to change your oil, healthy eating on a budget, self-defense, etc.
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Be homework helpers, or help with after school programs for kids.
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Scrapbooking
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Meal planning/preparing
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Focused prayer – “adopt” a family in your neighborhood and focus your prayers on them for a period of time (6 months, a year, etc). As you gradually get to know them and their needs, watch for God to open doors.
Check out many more ideas at www.servantevangelism.com .
Sharing what you’re doing is a great way to encourage others. E-mail your ideas to us at smallgroups@crcna.org. Let’s spur each other on to be God’s hands and feet in the communities and neighborhoods he’s placed us.
Noteworthy Quote
“I have tried to imagine how Christians talk in the world from sunrise to the close of day, I wonder if the world knows us by the sound of our voices. If spies and secret agents can infiltrate society on behalf of control and fear, I am praying that Christians can infiltrate the world for faith, grace, and hope. If we do, then the world will say, “We could tell who they were. We knew. There was something in their voice that gave them away.” (Testimony, by Thomas Long, Copyright 2004 by Thomas B. Long).
 Plans are well under way for the July 18-20, 2008 Small Group and Evangelism Conference, In Community, at the new Westin Hotel in Lombard, IL.
The registration fee for the conference is $220 which covers meals, plenary sessions and breakouts. There are reduced rates for spouses and students. Hotel rooms are available at the discounted price of $120 plus tax per night.
The planning team is grateful to God for His leading to a fine facility, an outstanding worship leader, keynote, and breakout speakers whose topics will inspire, encourage and equip those who attend.
Have you ever considered yourself a prayer warrior?
If the answer is yes, we need you!
The Prayer Team of the 2008 Small Group & Evangelism Conference is looking for prayer warriors! We earnestly desire God’s blessing and guidance in every aspect of this conference—from the beginning to the end. Anyone willing to receive & pray for these requests are asked to e-mail your name and address to: Jan Vander Laan at 2vans@sbcglobal.net to be put on the list. Email “Prayer-Casts” are sent out approximately once a month. If you would
rather receive it via snail mail—we will send you a printed copy.
 Kids – Are They Worth It?
“They are too young to understand.”“They’re concrete thinkers and can’t grasp the concepts.”
“We just need to keep them safe and deal with their separation anxiety.”
These are statements I’ve heard from educators or children’s workers regarding preschool ministry. I want to say, “Oh really? Are young children not worth the effort?”
“I have to tell you about Kevin,” Ruth said of her nephew. At age twenty-five Kevin searched out and found a church home because he knew something was missing in his life. He knew there was something special about God and his love. You see, Kevin had attended Story Hour for one year when he was five years old with his aunt Ruth. He had no other Christian learning experience, but at age 25 could sing the Hippopotamus Song (Sing-along Creation Songs) at a family gathering as he told Ruth of his new found Christian connections.
I’ve heard many stories like Kevin’s. And rather than argue about what young children can understand or grasp, I would make a strong case that they are learning at a rapid rate. A culture that promotes a product like Brainy Baby contradicts itself when it says that the young preschooler is not worth the effort. Many 3-5 year olds will learn Spanish from Dora the Explorer, create a virtual world online for their Webkinz, and recognize the latest teen pop star. They are learning something – what do we want them to learn?
Is there a better time to teach them of God’s love than at the beginning of their educational journey? In the Sing-along Praise Songs songbook, Jacque Negus says that “Research indicates that physical activity combined with melody helps place the words of a song into a child’s long-term memory. Not only are there physical and developmental benefits in the movement, motions also help us teach Scripture and values that will last a lifetime.” Bible words that are repeated several weeks in a row are hidden in a child’s heart. Kind words, loving touch, and a fun experience with leaders who truly care about them
plant seeds that the mysterious power of God will grow in His perfect time.
Can they learn? Yes. Are they worth it? Of course! Continue to work, pray and trust that God is working in that very special place called the soul of a child. The results may not be evident for 20 years, but the growth is happening today.
- Diane Dykgraaf, Story Hour and Little Lambs Specialist
Idea Corner for Kids Ministry
- Have music playing in the background as children gather – many good Christian CD’s for children available.
- To make crafts interesting use craft foam sheets instead of construction paper, torn or cut tissue paper pieces instead of paints or markers, glitter paper or markers instead of glitter.
- For two’s, a small bucket of sidewalk chalk and construction paper is a great substitute for markers or paint. (and it’s clean!)
- Make up a simple aerobics routine to a favorite Christian song using simple movements such as hopping, clapping, reaching up, flapping arms, walking in place, marching, etc.
 ResourcesEveryday Evangelism – Want to re-energize your leaders for evangelism? Practical training sessions are available and can be tailored to fit your needs. Contact your Small Group Ministry Developer for more information.
The Praying Church Sourcebook , Second Edition, By Alvin J. VanderGriend with Edith Bajema. Innovative ideas for your prayer ministry available from Faith Alive Resources.
Discover Your Bible, A complete list of available book and topical studies available from Faith Alive Resources. Many downloadable sample chapters are available.
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