Church Life East Hills Alliance Church Life East Hills Alliance

Pastor Wayne Wrzesinski

I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve as the interim youth pastor at East Hills and The Grove. I grew up in Castle Rock in a house that my parents still live in to this day. We were always involved in church and I really felt like ministry as something God had for me when I was around 15 or 16. I was a student leader when I was in youth ministry, played on the worship team, and helped with video for youth throughout high school.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve as the interim youth pastor at East Hills and The Grove. I grew up in Castle Rock in a house that my parents still live in to this day. We were always involved in church and I really felt like ministry as something God had for me when I was around 15 or 16. I was a student leader when I was in youth ministry, played on the worship team, and helped with video for youth throughout high school.

After high school I attended one quarter at Lower Columbia College and then joined the Navy. I met Nicole while I was stationed in San Diego and talked her into marrying me. We’ve been married for 13 years and have two kids. Annabelle is a sixth grader and Josiah is in the 2nd grade this year. We moved back up to Washington in 2007 when I got out of the Navy.

I was able to attend Multnomah University while I was working for the railroad and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership and Ministry. Nicole and I were active in our churches and serving with youth and worship.

Our theme for the Sunday nights at youth this year is Limitless. We are exploring the stories of a great God. Many of our talks will look at characters in the Bible and how God used them. The hope is to have the students see how big of a God we have a relationship with and show that God uses people who aren’t perfect, often using a person’s weakness to display His greatness.

We have middle schoolers and high schoolers and our main meeting is Sunday evenings from 6-8 PM. We play some games, worship, have a talk, and small group time. The leaders and I love the chance to build relationships with the students and partner with parents to impact the lives of students with the love of Christ.

I’m looking forward to seeing what God does in our group this year. We have a couple of weekend camps that we get to take students on. It is always great to see them worship and hear the Word in that atmosphere, where they can be away for a couple of days. Connecting with students in small group on Sundays is great. It give us as leaders a chance to hear their stories and walk with them on the journey as they process life and faith.

We would love it if you’d be praying for the youth ministry at East Hills and The Grove. We would love prayer for God to move, to have opportunities to build relationships with the students, for God’s leading and vision, and for us as leaders to show God’s love to a generation.
 
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Church Life, Youth Ministry East Hills Alliance Church Life, Youth Ministry East Hills Alliance

Tough Guys & Drama Queens

SMaRt begins its fall study on Sundays from 6-8 p.m. in Pastor Jon’s office at the East Hills campus this October. Co-led by Becky Cooper and Jennifer Sharer, the ministry began “as a way for moms of teenagers to fellowship and share ideas, celebrations and struggles,” they said. “Last year we covered topics such as social media, dating, disrespectful attitudes, church attendance, brain development, eating disorders, pornography and so much more.”

SMaRt begins its fall study on Sundays from 6-8 p.m. in Pastor Jon’s office at the East Hills campus this October. Co-led by Becky Cooper and Jennifer Sharer, the ministry began “as a way for moms of teenagers to fellowship and share ideas, celebrations and struggles,” they said. “Last year we covered topics such as social media, dating, disrespectful attitudes, church attendance, brain development, eating disorders, pornography and so much more.”

 Beginning in October, they will start a book study, Tough Guys & Drama Queens, by Mark Gregston. It costs $12.25 on Amazon or $5.99 for the Kindle version.

 SMaRT (Supporting Moms (who) are Raising Teenagers) started in 2015 and welcomes all moms. “We are passionate about this ministry because we are passionate about our kids and about being the best moms we can be to raise these kiddos in a way that is pleasing to God,” the leaders said.

More stories:
Young Life Changes Lives

The House interviewed Steve Bilger, a member of East Hills Alliance, who is also involved in the student ministry called Young Life.  Following is the interview.

Steve: Young Life is a missionary organization—its primary aim is for young people who do not yet know Jesus...

Blessing Bags
Blessing Bags

When we introduced the blessing bags, we asked that (once you handed yours out), you consider sharing that story with others.

Whether it was amazing or awful, scary or easy, it’s great to hear about the experiences of others.

So, with that in mind, here’s my story:
Pastor Wayne Wrzesinski

I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve as the interim youth pastor at East Hills and The Grove. I grew up in Castle Rock in a house that my parents still live in to this day. We were always involved in church and I really felt like ministry as something God had for me when I was around 15 or 16. I was a student leader when I was in youth ministry, played on the worship team, and helped with video for youth throughout high school.
Tough Guys & Drama Queens

SMaRt begins its fall study on Sundays from 6-8 p.m. in Pastor Jon’s office at the East Hills campus this October. Co-led by Becky Cooper and Jennifer Sharer, the ministry began “as a way for moms of teenagers to fellowship and share ideas, celebrations and struggles,” they said. “Last year we covered topics such as social media, dating, disrespectful attitudes, church attendance, brain development, eating disorders, pornography and so much more.”

Kidville: The place where children learn that adults care and that Jesus loves them
Kidville: The place where children learn that adults care and that Jesus loves them

The House did a short interview with a couple of Kidville’s special teachers. Shea Craver & Shann Gilman. 

Shea has been teaching about 6-7 months in the preK/kindergartenclass at The Grove.

Shann has been teaching Kidville for about 7 years, starting out as a helper on Saturday nights at East Hills. She is now the campus leader for Kidville at The Grove, and still teaching. 

Are We Going To Be Okay?
Are We Going To Be Okay?

A time of transition always leads to a lot of questions, and a church is no different. People ask all kinds of questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how. Most of the questions seem to fall into one of two categories: “Are we going to be led well?” and “Are we going to be okay?”

Fall At The Grove
Fall At The Grove

The Fall season is kicking off at The Grove campus with a bustle of activity. 

The building continues to experience minor renovations as the months roll by. Included in these are the filling of the oil tank out back behind the building, the repairing of termite damage underneath The Grove’s community room, and various other
Reflections

By now, you probably know that East Hills and The Grove are headed into a time of transition. After 14 and ½ wonderful years here, Michelle and I have accepted a role with Pure Desire Ministries in Gresham, Oregon. As their new executive director, I will be tasked with helping this ministry grow and reach more churches and people with a message of freedom and hope. 

While this new opportunity is exciting

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Placed For A Purpose

Where do you run when bombs are going off all around you day and night? What do you do when you flee with your children to a country where forks and canned foods are mysteries? 

Or when you dream a big dream for God and He changes the whole scenario? 

Life After Fifty

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