Posted on August 30, 2010 at 1:42pm.
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Please find below a guest post from Star Crawford. Thanks Star!
Hello! My name is Star Crawford and for the next 7 months I will be working with Church at Charlotte Outreach as part of my seminary studies. I know many of you currently know me in my role as the Youth Ministry Assistant, but don’t worry; I will still keep those job responsibilities while serving with Outreach. Plan on seeing and hearing from me a lot of the next few months!
Currently, I am starting my third year at Union Presbyterian Seminary (http://www.upsem.edu) pursuing a master’s degree in Christian Education. The focus of my degree is Young Adult ministry, and it is my prayer to work with college students and young adults within a congregation upon completing my degree. My time in seminary has challenged me both academically and spiritually, and I’m sure my internship with Outreach will do the same.
While serving with Outreach, I have two learning goals that I’m focusing on. The first is to learn how to improve communication between Outreach and the congregation. The second is to learn how to plan and execute an international mission trip, beginning with the vision phase and ending with follow-up. Both of these goals play to my personal strengths while pushing me well beyond my comfort zone. Most importantly, this internship will give me an opportunity to serve the congregation in a ministerial capacity. I am excited and anxious to see what the Lord has in store!
As my church family, I ask that you lift me up in prayer as I embark on this new journey. In addition to my job responsibilities and my internship role, I am also taking two classes and leading a young adult small group for women. In addition to my church responsibilities, I am newlywed, and will be celebrating one year of marriage in October. As you can see, my plate is full, so prayers are coveted. I am looking forward to coming alongside you and working with you in my new role.
To send Star a note of encouragement please email her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
God Bless,
RJ
Posted on August 23, 2010 at 9:40am.
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Jami Staples, one of our supported missionaries, just posted this challenging, convicting, and powerful blog entry. Brian and Jami and their two boys have just finished passed the one month mark in Kenya!
Please continue to pray for them during this time of transition.
Here’s the beginning from their blog Africa Sojourn:
Shoes. That’s rich…my inaugural trip into one of the largest slums in the world and all I could do was stress about my shoes.
I didn’t want to take my boys in there. It’s tight and dirty and people are constantly pinching or pulling some part of their bodies. I had wanted to go in for the first time without the stress of reigning in their juvenile tendencies and curious questions. However, after our transportation lesson this afternoon our guide, James, told us that he actually goes to church in Kibera and is a part of a thriving ministry there. Considering one is rarely offered such a qualified escort into this aspect of the slums (and considering a babysitter was a bit out of the question at this stage of the game), we jumped at the opportunity. Besides, the main entrance is only but 100 yards from the gate to our development; it would be good to know our “neighbors”.
Read the entire post here.
Posted on August 18, 2010 at 2:20pm.
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I received this touching email from CAC member Lee McCall regarding our involvement with the Center of Hope last week. I think you will be encouraged and inspired!
God Bless,
RJ
Dear RJ ~ I had the privilege to volunteer on behalf of our church with The Center of Hope this evening. Although we were there to bless those we served, I felt that I was the one who was blessed. It brought me so much joy to be with these women and to have the opportunity to know them by name so that I can now lift them up in my daily prayers. Seeing them enjoy a warm meal and to know they are sleeping in a bed and safe place tonight warms my heart. I am so thankful to Lynn and Julie for organizing and coordinating this wonderful program at Church at Charlotte. I want to thank you for also making this happen. I am such a strong advocate of our church reaching out to the homeless and to the needy in any way that we can. By pulling together and being the hands and feet of Christ, I know that we can make a difference. Not only did I walk away this evening meeting 11 new women from The Center of Hope, I also walked away with new and stronger friendships with members of our congregation with whom I volunteered. This has been such a success. I am so hoping that our church will continue to take on future opportunities such as these to help those in the most need.
Posted on August 15, 2010 at 7:33am.
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I recently received the latest Lois’ Lodge (one of our servelocal partners) email newsletter and I was struck by one of the stories. Please take a moment and read this impactful testimony (I posted an excerpt below)!
And while you are at it, please click here to learn more about current needs for the ministry and see if God is leading you to help!
God Bless,
RJ
My journey here at Lois’ Lodge has been
life changing and I can’t wait to see the out-
comes at the end. When I came here I never
imagined myself in the position that I am in.
I knew from the day of my interview though
that this was the place I needed to be. I am
working with Lois’ Lodge to help me to
transition from a dependence on my family
to being a mature mother living out in the
community with my child. Since arriving I
have already grown as a person and have
become more in tune with my relationship
with God.
Click here to read the entire story.
