Focus on Our Churches


Faith Evangelical Bible Church Henderson, Nebraska Bob Stretch, Pastor Crale Swanson, Youth Pastor faithebc.net We are accustomed to routine. We


know how to go through each day and what to expect. We follow our appoint- ment calendars precisely. Our Sunday worship is down to a well-planned format. We have goals and carefully laid plans to reach them. Ten one day God hits the reset button. All the rules are changed, and we no longer know what the next day will hold. Our calendars are cleared, our schedules relaxed and uncertain, our finances upended, even our worship takes a new turn. Somewhere in all this change, our hearts reach out to God in a new way. God says, “See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isa. 43:19 niv). Amid all this coronavirus turmoil, perhaps God is sending fresh streams in the wasteland of our barren routines to create renewed and refreshed relationships with God and with people around us.


While technology is generally a poor


substitute for personal relationships, it was admirable during this crisis to see people creatively connecting via Facebook® and livestreaming apps. One of our young mothers invited children to participate with her family in kids’ music and a Bible story at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Our young adult Sunday School teacher taught his class, “Jesus’ Ministry Trough Jewish Eyes,” on Facebook. Pastor Bob and our worship team livestreamed the worship service so we could all join from a distance; some met in homes and shared dinner.


Our missionaries are facing simi-


lar issues, each in their own part of the world. Katrina Hiebner, on a six-month short-term ministry to South America, had to return two months into her work. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps” (Prov. 16:9 niv). Our community is small. It is


18 Fellowship Focus, May/June 2020


beautiful to see people reaching out and caring for one another wherever help is needed.


Seven candidates had planned to be


baptized on Palm Sunday. Currently the date is uncertain.


On March 8, before our lives were


shut down, our church family participat- ed in a Talent Night with 16 different volunteer entries. Various age groups performed musical selections, talent, com- edy, readings, family group performances and more. What a beautiful evening of laughter, connecting and getting to know one another better! A fellowship time of coffee and cookies followed.


New members: Two in March Alice Decker, Correspondent


Crosspoint Bible Church Omaha, Nebraska Isaiah Lewis, Lead Pastor crosspointbible.org With church activities cancelled or


postponed indefinitely, Crosspoint Bible has been scattered rather than gathered, but our church family has found many ways to be the church as we try to provide, encourage, and deliver to those in need.


One of our local missionaries is head-


ing up a group of volunteers to run er- rands, pick up groceries, and drive folks to medical appointments. Some of our ladies are sewing masks, and some are delivering them to medical facilities, the homeless shelter, and to the elderly. Several younger families call senior citizens to check on their well-being and offer assistance in any way, as well as the older generation also checking on their neighbors. Some of the younger moms gather via screen, share coffee, share Scripture, and pray together.


Six Crosspoint senior citizens, who


all live in the same apartment building, meet on Sunday mornings in one of the living rooms to have a real church service (sitting six feet apart). Tey sing hymns, watch our pastor’s message on TV, then share prayer requests and close the service- with another hymn.


Many times meetings and activities


within the church tend to keep everyone busy, but this pandemic has brought the church outside its doors to care for, wit- ness, calm, and encourage others.


Before the services and activities were


forced to close, there were several recep- tions to say farewells and to welcome as well. On March 1, a cookie reception was held following the second service to say farewell to our newest missionaries going to the field. Stefan and Naomi Becker and baby daughter Elsie leſt for Niger on March 2. Stefan is teaching at Sahel Academy.


Interim Pastor Mike Boyle and wife


Mel were honored with a farewell recep- tion on March 7. Tey had been with us for 18 months and have encouraged us and blessed us. Pastor Mike’s messages from God’s Word have been deeply ingrained in our hearts. We wish them well in their time of rest and recuperation and as they seek another interim pastor position.


Another reception was to take


place the following week on March 14 to welcome our new lead pastor, Isaiah Lewis and his wife Liz, but it had to be cancelled. Lewises introduced themselves via Facebook video. Pastor Isaiah shares God’s Word each Sunday online.


Marjorie Kirkpatrick, Correspondent


Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church Marion, South Dakota Searching for a Pastor embcountrychurch.com Pastor Randy and Katheen Maass


were honored with a farewell service and fellowship dinner on Feb. 23. Pastor Ran- dy’s last message was at the Ash Wednes- day service, based on Rom. 14:8: “We Belong to the Lord.” Maasses reside in Sioux Falls, S.D., and are open to wherev- er the Lord leads them in the future.


Te Church Council appointed a


Pastoral Search Committee which has met to begin the replacement process. First of all, they received excellent


FellowshipForward.org


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