GatewayLife

Mission Trip to the Coast

Mission Trip to the Coast
(from a chaperone's perspective)

Missy Crews along with several other adults heped chaperone the recent youth m ission trip to the coast. Here are her thoughts:

The group we took on the mission trip this year was very cohesive. Everyone worked together to accomplish our common goal, loving others and representing Christ. In Louisianna, we participated in a Car Wash Fundraiser and a 2 day Kids' Camp. Even though we were not assigned duties and were just "helping", no one hesitated to jump right in and assist Northwood with their activities. In Mississippi, we knew our assignment and even though we hit a few bumps everyone did a fantastic job with VBS. The kids that participated had a great experience and wished that they "couild come to church their every day!" Big thank you to Drew and Erika for all their hard work.

   

Backyard Bible Club

 






















Summer is such a great time to be outdoors and what better reason to be outdoors than 
to have a Backyard Bible Club? That is exactly what one team from Gateway did this week!
on Sunday a group went out into the neighboorhood and passed out flyers meeting 
many neighbors of our church along the way. The children that have come out have been
so happy to be here. The kids have played games,learned about God's love and had a great
time. They are really enjoying Mr. Chris and Mr. Bruno leading games especially the team
skiing event! The watermelon and snacks are also a hit!
If you have a child in 1st or 3rd grade, bring them out for the fun!

Click on the photo to the left or the link below to view more photos. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50854335@N00/sets/72157621134698336/
Check back later for more photos!

Testimony from Jeff Palomino

Are you ready to be interrupted by God in 2009?

A challenge from Jeff Palomino:

“God always works in the desert.”  An Army Chaplain said this to me two weeks into my Iraq deployment. The Chaplain was assigned to another Forward Operating Base (FOB) and only came to our FOB every other week. I and three other military members were meeting with him. He needed volunteers to lead Chapel services each weekend he was gone. I was stoked but apprehensive: “I didn’t come to Iraq for this,” I thought to myself, “Or did I?”

As you know, I just returned from Iraq in November.  Susan and I are so grateful for all you did for us while I was gone. My deployment was to FOB Shield in Baghdad, about a mile from Sadr City. As an Air Force lawyer, I was assigned to a Task Force to establish an independent Iraqi justice system or at least that’s what the Air Force said. I say this because while I did do that, the Lord had a whole other wavelength going for me in the desert, one that had nothing to do with my job. The only issue is whether I’d embrace His agenda or mine.

This was one of many strong God lessons from Iraq. Each day we have our own idea of what we will do.  Some of these may even be our own idea of what we think we’ll do for God. Thing is, though, as a Christian, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).  So, there is no question about who’s living today:  It’s not you; it’s Jesus.  You are in His story; He is not in yours. On this, I share with you this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together:  “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with our more important tasks, as the priest passed by the man who had fallen among thieves, perhaps reading the Bible…it is part of the discipline of humility that we must not spare our hand where it can perform a service and we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God.”

What happened? I volunteered to lead the every other week Saturday night service, and it was an extreme blessing.  Not only was I able to minister to military members, but a large contingent of contractors from Uganda, Sri Lanka, India, and South Africa also attended the chapel. Worshipping with them in a Muslim war-zone had the feel of an underground Chinese house church. I was encouraged by the simple faith of our brethren around the world and now that I’m home realize I could have easily missed it. As the New Year starts, I have one question for you:  This year are you ready to be interrupted by God?
Jeff Palomino

Visiting Trenholm Court

Visiting Trenholm Court

For the past couple of months, a group of young adults have gotten together and visited Trenholm Court, a local low-income residential community in Montgomery, AL. The young adults get together, hang out with the youth on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, play games, share candy, share prayer and a devotional about Jesus Christ. What a wonderful way to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Read what Gateway's young adult ministry leader has to say:

"We go to Trenholm Court with theyoung adults to play sports and have fun with the kids as we also reach out to their families. We pray with them when possible and try to meet some needs. We seek to point them to Jesus and encourage them to stay out of trouble. We motivate them to dream and have a vision for the future, therefore staying in school and developing their talents in sports and arts. We hope to be used by the Holy Spirit and share the love of Christ as we go."
- Bruno Resende

Houston Mission Trip

Houston Youth Mission Trip

Our youth just returned from a mission trip to Houston, TX where they ministered for a week. We have an amazing youth group. The leadership from the group that hosted our youth commented on the depth of our group; 1) how they all served wholeheartedly more than any other group this summer, and 2) were able to comprehend how God was using them and what God was doing through them more than any other group this summer. What an awesome God we serve! The ministry of our youth is going to continue in Montgomery, AL now that they have returned and their lives are forever changed. We wait with anticipation for what our awesome God is going to do through them! Read the testimonies from one of those that chaperoned and one of the youth below.

"The trip to Houston was one that I was very excited about but also dreading.  I could not imagine myself with teenagers for 10 days and no outlet to sanity.  God really showed me!!!  We have the GREATEST YOUTH GROUP EVER!! 

God really showed me how selfish we are and how unappreciative I can be.  I got to see amazing people who ran into unforeseen circumstances and ended up hopeless.  What little bit we accomplished last week seemed to help so many.  It really stirred a fire in my heart, as well as the kids, to see what could be done here.  We do not have to look outside our local area to see people in need.  The kids were amazing and when it was time to work they did.  There is no doubt in my mind that there are great opportunities beginning at Gateway."
- Missy Crews

"The week in Houston I saw God provide for our group. He gave us strength when we were weak, the words to say to people, and also guidance as to where to go. God also taught our group many things about Himself and about serving Him. I saw what it means to rely on Christ on this trip and I hope I will rely on Him at home as much as I did there. I am very thankful for the experiences I had on this trip and I hope to continue God's work here at home."
- Mark Schneider

5-Day Club in Dalraida Area

Several people in the Dalraida area got together last week to have a 5-day club to reach out to neighborhood kids who may not know Christ. On Saturday, we formed teams and passed out flyers in the neighborhood to invite children to 5-day club. Each week, several members of Gateway volunteered their time and talents to help with the 5-day club. Parents carpooled kids, picked up kids and brought them to club, baked goodies, served snacks, and had a great time with the kids helping them learn Bible verses and God's word. The cooperation of everyone was a blessing to see how the Lord used each person to reach the children. The youth missionaries from Child Evangelism Fellowship in Montgomery, AL came out each day of the week to teach the Bible stories, mission stories, songs and games.

A spectacular miracle happened on Friday night. When asking young Jada how she enjoyed the club, she said "I expected to learn about God and what he made. I thought club was good. I came to learn about God so that I can accept Jesus as my Saviour. The leaders were nice and club was fun. I enjoyed the games and stories." After talking with Jada, one of the leaders discovered that she had not asked Jesus as her Saviour but that she wanted to do so. She understood what sin is and who Christ is and accepted Christ as her Saviour on the last night of club. Praise God for our new sister in Christ!!!!

 

Visit to Gateway from Around the World

Visit to Gateway from Around the World

We had a very special treat recently at Gateway. We were blessed to have Helena from India visit us and Brian and Leenah Finnan visiting with us as well. These special brothers and sisters in Christ enjoyed dessert and coffee with those in our body on Saturday, May 17th at the home of Tom and Jan Kotouc. On Sunday, they shared in church and visited with several Gateway families Sunday night at the Cross Falcione Life Group. Monday night they enjoyed a combined dinner at the Montgomery House of Prayer. Tuesday they shared at a ladies luncheon and shared at the Wednesday night Bible Study at Gateway. Many were impacted by their visit and renewed by stories of how God is working around the world. Here's what Carmen Falcione had to say about Helena's visit. If you were touched by their visit, please leave a comment and testimony below.

"We had a dinner at the Montgomery House of Prayer and Worship attended by interdenominational and interracial pastors, lay leaders and businessmen of the Montgomery community. This was a combined dinner of The Gathering, Isaiah's Legacy and Community Development Initiatives at The Montgomery House of Prayer and Worship prepared by our very own Catheryn Collins. We had a wonderful dialog between local people and missionary Helena Sing, Brian and Leenah Finnan. The missionaries spoke and presented a slide and powerpoint by Helena with Brian and Leenah regarding the mission, vision and purposes of the indian Childrens' Home, medical needs, residences and daycares - six different facilities under her care that she is overseeing in India.

There was a Q & A where many people gave comments, feedback regarding the overall inforfrmation and need for these children in India (i.e. clothing, health, food and education). Pastor Alan handed out packets of project needs through this ministry of India. There was a wonderful response of the people that attended. Some of the other pastors, especially the African American pastors, felt compelled to go on a trip to India in the future and minister to those that are oppressed there, in particular to those in slavery there."

"Helena stayed with us most of the time (Carmen and Elaine). We enjoyed fellowshipping with her and being able to bless her and show her around Montgomery. Helena really enjoyed it  and we got to know her so much better than we did before. Helena also shared with the John 17 Pastors Group on Wednesday, prayed with pastors and lay leaders and shared a meal prepared by our very own Elaine Falcione. Helena really made an impact on the Montgomery Community. Her visit here gave face and life to all our previous and future trips."

- Carmen Falcione

Church-wide Yard Sale

Time for Spring Cleaning!

Have you done your spring cleaning yet? There is no better time for spring cleaning than right now when you can bring all your unwanted items in good condition to the church yard sale. Saturday, April 5, 2008 the Cross/Falcione LIFE Group is sponsoring a church-wide yard sale in the church parking lot. Funds raised will go toward ongoing projects in India.

Donations are asked to be clean, functioning and safe. Note: No adult clothes, please. Only children’s clothes up to 2T will be accepted. Due to lack of storage space, PLEASE DO NOT BRING DONATIONS until Wednesday, April 2 following worship. There is a potential that someone can help pick up your larger items if you need a truck. For more information, please contact Todd Barber.

Prayer Guide for our Building Project

Suggested focuses for prayer during the building process:

• Stewardship

• Family

• Fellowship

• Local Outreach

• Global Outreach

Suggested verses to pray over daily:

Day 1 - Pray that God may be glorified and honored by the way that we trust Him to have His way and methods in our building. I Cor. 10:31

Day 2 - Ask God that we may love Him and one another as our motive for building. I Cor. 16:14

Day 3 - Pray that Christ's love would constrain us as we look at the needs of those who do not know Him in our community. II Cor. 5:14

Day 4 - Pray that we may confess Jesus as God's Son in how we use our building. I Jn. 4:16

Day 5 - Ask God to use our building to hold up Jesus as the Savior of the world. I Jn. 4:15

Day 6 - Pray that many would be healed emotionally, physically, and spiritually by the way that we use our building. Jam. 5:14

Day 7 - Pray that we would trust God and not fear as we look to Him for His provision of funds to build Prov. 29:25

Day 8 - Ask God that we would look to Him as our provider, not our own resources or understanding of how He will work. Phil. 4:19

Day 9 - Pray that we will be joined to the Vine, Jesus, in receiving all we need to build. Jn. 15:4

Day 10 - Hudson Taylor, the father of modern missions in China, said: "God's work, done in God's way, will not lack God's support." Pray we will trust Him.

Day 11 - Pray that we will look to God to show us our part in construction of this building. God loves a cheerful giver. II Cor. 9:7

Day 12 - Pray we may claim Luke 6:38 in our giving: "Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over."

Day 13 - Pray we may claim the promise of Luke 6:38 in our giving: "To the measure that you give to others, God will give to you in return."

Day 14 - Ask God to show each member of our family the part they would play with the resources each of us has. II Cor. 8:13-14

Day 15 - Pray that we would seek God in our small groups and Sunday school classes for His will in our giving. Ps. 32:8

Day 16 - Ask God to show us how we can reach out into our community through this building. Mt. 9:38

Day 17 - Pray that God will show us how we can reach to the ends of the earth through this building. Mt 28:18-20

Waveland Mission Trip

   

Learning to be Flexible While Having a Good Attitude

A group of 23 made their way to Waveland MS on June 30 to begin their time of outreach to the community, culminating in a 4^th of July picnic. From Sunday to Tuesday the six groups went out into the neighborhoods inviting folks to the picnic and trying to connect with them and pray with them when able. This trip was mostly a family trip so we had about 12 kids. Each kid went out with their parents and learned first hand what a mission trip is like. As Wednesday drew near we planned for the picnic on Tuesday and got everything ready Wednesday morning. We had enough food for 100 people and all sorts of games and activities for the kids. The picnic was to begin at 11am, well at about 11:05 the sky’s opened and the rain poured down. Our plans soon changed and we took food out to the people we had connected with the days before. This may have ministered to them more than if they had come to the picnic and been one of many. God was glorified and the mission trip was a great learning experience for kids and adults. For more check out Pastor Alan’s Blog

 

Pray, be flexible, and have a good attitude, three things missionaries must do.