Blessing Bags

By: Pastor Josh Droke

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:

One day I decided I wanted cheap, questionable-taste-quality food for lunch, so I drove to Taco Bell. As I pulled up to the stop light to turn right into the Taco Bell parking lot, I saw a middle-aged white man in a heavy coat, standing on the grass beyond the sidewalk, his backpack by his feet, holding a cardboard sign saying he was looking for work. He was the first homeless person I had seen since I had grabbed a blessing bag, and I figured there was no time like the present.

I am by nature an introvert, though, and would rather just live and let live, so it took a few seconds to talk myself into it. I grabbed the blessing bag from the passenger side floorboards and strolled up behind him on the little hill of grass. “Sir?” I said, “would it be okay if I gave you some socks and a snack? Would that be helpful?” I held out the bag a little awkwardly, hoping I hadn’t offended him or anything. He shrugged, smiled, and thanked me as he took the bag. I shook his hand, told him my name, and he introduced himself as Jerry. I said, “Nice to meet you… would it be okay if I bought you lunch?” I asked as much out of guilt as charity… I knew I would feel bad buying myself some warm food while he stood on the corner.

We went into Taco Bell (he assured me that was fine). I don’t think he’d ever been in one before. I helped him order. The girl behind the counter asked “Is this for here or to go?” and my introvert-ness overcame me and I said it was to go. But while we waited for our food and sipped our sodas we sat in a booth and chatted. Turns out Jerry is a handyman, and has worked for Cowlitz-area contractors for 20 years so labor for them. He said summer jobs weren’t as numerous as he’d hoped and totally dried up as winter rolled in. He and his wife of 30 years couldn’t pay rent anymore, so they ended up on the street. His wife is living with her mom in Astoria while Jerry tries to find work. When I talked to him, he’d been couch surfing for about a week, trying to make connections through his contacts to find work. He’d noticed the guys out holding cardboard signs and thought he’d give that a shot. I met him on his 3rd day of doing that, and he was grateful for “the first warm meal in a week.” When our food was ready, I shook his hand, asked if I could pray for him, and then did so. I stood up, picked up my food, said good-bye, and left.

As I drove away I kicked myself a little for not telling him about our church, that it’s a great place to find more loving people and (just as important) hope. How did I forget that? And yes, I’m cynical enough to know he may have made up the whole story, but I do pray Jerry is finding work, encouragement, and hope. And maybe next time I get the chance to buy somebody lunch, I’ll be brave enough to sit and eat with them, too. 

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.

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.

 

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.”

 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.

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.

The House: Why do you teach in Kidville?

Shea: I had thought about teaching before but it was just a thought. As I began attending The Grove on Sundays, the stirring again started in my heart. I prayed about it and God opened the door.  I think it is so important to teach them the word of God from an early age. I pray about the stories and crafts for each lesson so that the message comes from God through me. I want to teach them the joy of knowing and loving God.

 Shann: I love teaching! I love hearing the children pray, answer questions, and reciting bible verses. Kidville is so much more than a time away from the adult church. It is a time for our young generation to connect with God. It is a time for them to worship and a time for them grow. I love that moment when we are in a lesson and they get it! And they want to do more! We have made prayer journals, cards for missionaries, and prayed for each other.

The House-can you share an inspiring moment or a time that became a “teachable” moment in the lives of your students or in you?

Shea: There have been so many moments that to name one would be difficult. I know that I learn as much from them as they learn from me. By that I mean the perspective with which they see and express things really makes me stop and think. As they learn Bible stories, I am re-learning also. So in essence, I am learning as I am teaching. I really love these precious little ones. I am truly blessed.

Shann: I remember last year we were still in Monticello middle school, someone spoke about the children of the school and the food boxes for Christmas (winter break). When the children were released and we were all back in our room the children wanted to know how they could help. We, Karen and I used this as an opportunity to teach them about Jesus loves and we are called to love. 

The House: Kidville at both campuses (The Grove and East Hills) could use some more support from women and men interested in helping children know and love the Lord. For more information, contact Jo-El Perez at jo-el@easthillsalliance.org.

Are We Going To Be Okay?

By: Pastor Josh Droke

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?”

And we can all say “yes, of course we will,” because we know that’s the right answer. But sometimes the right answer doesn’t stop the questions from swirling around in our hearts and minds. So I’d like to take a moment to answer both questions, to give you the reasons why we can answer both questions with a resounding and confident “yes!”

As a church family, we will be led well because we have are led by a team of men (our Elders) who are fervently seeking God’s heart.

They are doing everything in their power to make sure we are following where God is leading us, to ensure that we continue to be a multi-site church of healing. This group of men is committed to making sure our church family pursues wholeness, and that each individual member of our church family is loved and valued.

We also have a staff of God-fearing, Christ-following, grace-giving men and women who are committed to serving the church with all the gifts God has given them. In the day-to-day activities of the church, the Elders have asked me to lead the staff and the East Hills campus. I can’t promise I will be great at everything I have been asked to do, but I can promise to do my best to balance family, ministry, and community and give you everything I have to give. I can also promise that whatever ministry you are engaged in, at either campus, you are in great hands with the staff and volunteer leaders we have in place.

In short, yes – I believe you will be lead well through this transition.

My wife Wendy is entering her 15th year as a math teacher at Kelso High, and we are in our 11th year of living in Cowlitz County. We love this community and that our kids are growing up in it. We’re not blind to the problems of our city, and I for one still despise all the gray weather, but we are so aware of how blessed we are to live here. Most of all, we are blessed by the people, by the relationships we have here. We are blessed to be a part of this church family. Since the day one of my wife’s former students brought us to Saturday night church almost eight years ago, we have found East Hills to be a safe place where we can experience, growth, healing, and hope.

Kelso School District has a motto: “We are Kelso.” It’s a phrase that children in our community are raised with and many take to heart: This place is what it is because of me and my contributions to it. Good or bad, we are Kelso.

In the same way, I think any of you could stand up and say “we are East Hills and The Grove.” “We are the church.”  This place may have wonderful leadership, but it is every individual in this church family, following after God’s heart, that makes East Hills and The Grove a serving, loving, welcoming, healing place. More than any sermon or song, it is you – your outpouring of grace and hope on those around you – that makes us who we are.

So, yes, we will be okay. Because you are this church, and that is a beautiful thing. 

Women's Bible Study - Jean Imholte

The Bible study Chris led "Women of the Bible", was a video series followed by discussion and prayer.  Each week we learned about a different woman from the Bible and we saw what challenged them, how God used them, and how those same types of challenges can be used in our own lives for God's glory. 

There were several different ladies on the video series that spoke so it was different each week.  The study was followed on the video with a woman who gave her personal story, "real lives", and that was always a very meaningful application.  Our table groups were wonderful!  We really got to know each other gradually and began to pray earnestly for each other, seeing some fantastic results from the Lord!  Our table leader kept in touch throughout the week and we knew there was always a network to tap into of caring friends if anything came up.  

The best part might just be that there was no homework!  It was always "come as you are".  The books that went with the study did have good questions to answer if you had time before the meeting, or after upon reflection.  So if you were having a particularly busy week it was fine to just show up and (our motto) "Look up, relax and receive".  Another statement that characterized this group was "this is a safe place". 

Everything said and shared was sacred and we repeated that statement each week.  I think that helped us all relax and know we could share our hearts without worry.  I would really recommend anyone who is looking to recharge their spiritual battery and grow closer to the Lord and Sisters in the faith to join any future Bible studies Chris does.  She was a very special, humble leader.

Women's Bible Study - Monica Wrzesinski

I am so grateful that Chris Jenkins stepped up to teach "12 Women of The Bible."  I had the privilege of being one of the table leaders and really enjoyed getting to know the gals at our table.  This was a stretch for me personally, but I know Chris and I know that she doesn't do anything without spending a lot of time in prayer before stepping out and doing it.  

The first night all of us were informed that whatever was shared at this study would stay there.  I loved how we would start by joining hands and praying ~ women from East Hills, The Grove, women from our community, some who attended other churches, some who didn't attend church.  The presence and love of God filled that room.  

At our table, women were open and honest and real starting the first night.  For many of us, our prayer time was something that we each really looked forward to.  I was excited to see the age range of the women and so grateful that there were not any "clicks".  I learned a lot about God's heart and love concerning women ~ in Bible days and today.  I'm so glad that I attended this study.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Your Mental Health Connection Group encourages you to heighten your own awareness of mental illness/health during the month of May. Here are a few suggestions:

What we can do: Education

Check out the following websites to increase your understanding of mental health.

NAMI FaithNet www.nami.org/namifaithnet

Mental Health Ministries  www.MentalHealthMinistries.net

Pathways to Promise  www.Pathways2Promise.org

What we can do: Support

Attend our Mental Health Group- our next meeting will be May 16th at 5:00 in Pastor Jon’s office.  Be an active listener. Be alert to the cues that might indicate a person is struggling with depression.  If you know someone who is struggling with a mental illness continue to encourage them by your presence and your words.  Support them in seeking help for their illness.

What we can do: Advocate

Challenge the stigma and stereotypes of mental illness when it comes up in conversations at work or in your community.  Wear a green ribbon during May to draw attention to the needs and challenges faced by those with a mental illness (ribbons will be available in the foyer).  Participate in the 8th annual Mental Health Awareness Run/Walk at Lake Sacajawea on Saturday, May 30th at 9:00 AM.  There is no fee to participate and there will be informational booths on mental health issues.  

We encourage you to take one small step this month to increase your awareness of mental illness/health.  Remember the old Chinese proverb: “it is better to light one candle than curse the darkness.”  Light a candle, in Jesus’ Name, for those struggling with mental illness!

For more information contact Doug and Betty Rae Radke at dbrradke@bmi.net.