Since our last issue, we the Board and
Staff of the Christian Resource Center have sensed the
Lord’s desire for us to seek His direction for the
future of this ministry. The first step in this process
has been to solidify, clarify, and approve a mission statement.
This was primarily accomplished by reviewing the history
of the ministry, its former Associates and programs and
to determine the common themes and threads throughout
them all. With prayer, we recognized how God has chosen
to use CRC in the past and believe He desires to continue
to use the ministry in the future according to those common
themes of the past.
We have included in this issue the approved mission statement,
along with further clarification, for you to join us in
the excitement of what God has accomplished through this
ministry and catch the atmosphere of anticipation of what
God desires to do in the future through the Christian
Resource Center. Please, keep us in your prayers, as we
seek God’s direction for the future.
We have published a new, full-color brochure. Let us know
if you would like one mailed to you.
FOOTPRINTS
Size 8 - Paul
The winter months are good for me spiritually
because I am forced to discipline myself to spend time
in study and preparation. This winter I taught (including
the sermon) six times a week on a regular basis, plus
had various one-time speaking opportunities. I enjoy studying
the Bible, and time spent studying it is both enlightening
and rewarding.
Aside from my regular teaching responsibilities, other
speaking included: chapel services in Aurora, Pleasant
View Bible Church’s Junior High Awana, NE Christian
High School chapel, a men’s breakfast at the Hamilton
Manor, and Lila Kremer’s funeral. I also have 11
weddings coming up this year, so I have a number of pre-marital
counseling sessions to do. Put these together with the
various boards and committees that I am on and my time
is pretty well used up.
I honestly love what I do and am very thankful for the
privilege of serving here in NE. I am deeply grateful
to the many of you who support our ministry here at CRC.
I (we) could not continue our ministry without you.
Size 12 - Chas.
I have been busy this winter discipling
teens in the Counter Culture studies in Aurora and Giltner,
counseling, jail ministry, teaching Sunday School, speaking
at various youth groups, developing a CRC mission statement
and brochure, and researching issues regarding the future
of CRC.
SUMMER CAMPS
Elementary Day Camp
Elementary Day Camp is for those entering
grades 3-6. The activities take place here at CRC. Each
day the campers come from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. They bring
a sack lunch and we provide the drinks. The dates for
those entering grades 3-4 are July 2,4,6,10,12; for those
entering grades 5-6 they are July 3,5,9,11,13. The cost
is $10.00 per camper. Pre-registration is helpful.
Activities for our camps include crafts, canoes, go-karts,
games, obstacle course, archery (grades 5-6), nature studies,
singing, and devotions.
Junior High Day Camp
The Junior High Day Camp is for those
entering grades 7-9. The dates are June 26-29. The cost
is $30.00 per camper. We take only 70 campers, so register
early. This year, aside from our time here at CRC, we
will be going to Lovewell Reservoir for boating , swimming,
and tubing, to the I-MAX in Hastings, to the Henderson
Pool, and to skate Island in Grand island. We have registration
brochures with the times and dates. You must turn in your
registration form and money to be registered. For more
information, call CRC.
Travel Camp
This year’s Travel Camp is full.
We will be going to the Black Hills where we go to Evan’s
Plunge and see Mt. Rushmore and Wind Cave. From there
we go to Yellowstone national Park and the Grand Tetons.
We will also be white water rafting on the Snake River.
Please pray that the Lord will use this camp in a mighty
way in the lives of the high-schoolers. We will be gone
July 24-August 2.
SUMMER COLLEGE STUDY
In light of the success of last summer’s
College Bible Study, CRC is offering a Bible study for
all college students again this summer.
It will be every Tuesday evening from 7:30-9:00, at CRC.
This study will run for the months of June and July, starting
June 5.
This is a prime opportunity for college students to get
together for encouragement and growth in their faith,
in order to better serve Christ on the campuses of the
colleges they attend. There will also be time for recreation
(volleyball, basketball, Frisbee, etc).
If you are a college student, come join us...and bring
a friend.
WE ARE WILLING TO ADOPT…
a cattle watering tank
If you have a galvanized cattle watering
tank that is lonely, not being used, and is looking for
a home where it would be loved and cared for, we would
be “tankful” if you would let us adopt it.
The tank we have is rusted out and needs to be retired.
We use it for our water games during our day camps. It
needs to be roughly 8 ft. in diameter and 2 ft. deep.
“Tank” you for your generosity.
Email us [arboracres@hamilton.net] if you
would like to
receive CRC's
Update Letters
via email.
Volume 26, Issue 2
Fall 2001
FROM THE HEART
From My Heart (Paul)
Having performed eleven wedding in the
past few months, the Lord has impressed on me the significance
and sanctity of the wedding vows. I have come to see that
these vows are what brings security and permanence to
the marriage relationship. Standing with these couples
and listening to their vows reminds me that I too, have
made unconditional commitments to my wife, and to Jesus
Christ. These vows to Kathy and Christ, are not to be
taken lightly. They involve my emotions, but are not based
on them. They are expressions of my will and their focus
is not on me, but on the ones I have committed to love.
As a man of integrity, I am committed to being a promise
keeper, a man who will honor his word. My desire to love
my Lord and my wife is strengthened each time I see the
cross, or look at my wedding ring. They are visible reminders
of my commitment to love someone other than myself. I
would challenge each of you to remember your vows to Christ,
and if married, to your mate.
From My Heart (Chas.)
I have been recently reminded of the
blessings I have in three wonderfully unique children
and a godly, beautiful wife. On Travel Camp, we passed
by a fresh accident scene where an SUV had rolled, killing
two people who were covered with sheets and laying in
the median. Various personal belongings were strewn around
as the telltale evidence of a family on vacation. One
moment they were driving along, with no thought of harm.
The next they lay lifeless.
I wonder what their conversation was just prior to their
unforeseen exit from this earthly life. Were they merrily
recounting the joys of spending vacation together in the
beauty of God’s creation. Perhaps they were singing
a tune together, or happily talking about their next destination
with eager anticipation. Could they have been asking fun
and interesting questions of each other, in order to rediscover
those they thought they fully knew?
Unfortunately the converse scenario may be true. They
may have been separately silent, each entranced by their
own personal CD player or gameboy, giving little motivation
for the driver to stay awake. Maybe they were in the heat
of an bitter and hurtful argument about why they knew
this vacation wouldn’t save the marriage and family.
Again, they could well have been deathly silent, seething
over an altercation about being on vacation when their
credit cards were already maxed out before they left.
If I were be killed on my way home tonight from the office,
how will I have left my family relationships? What were
my last words to or with my kids and Kristen? Did I let
them know how much I love them and appreciate them? When
was the last time I told Chloe, Isaiah, and Ian that I’m
grateful that God gave them to Kristen and me? Did I recently
tell Kristen that I admire her godliness and adore her
as my lifelong companion? Have I told her that I’m
more in love with her now than on the day we pledged our
lives to each other? Have I worked hard at forgiving her
offenses toward me? Have I made the time to get to know
her better, lately?
That could have been me under that sheet. That could be
me tonight. Lord, grant me the opportunity, even just
one more time, to be a grateful and loving husband and
father to the family You have given me to serve and blessed
me to know.
FOOTPRINTS
Size 8 - Paul
What an incredible summer! It was probably
one of the most difficult, yet rewarding summers that
I have ever had. Aside from my regular duties at Stockham
Community Church, I had weddings, funerals, speaking opportunities,
and work projects at CRC, plus the regular summer camps.
My duties at Stockham include preaching, teaching adult
SS, Wed. nights with children, counseling, visitation,
and board meetings. Starting in late spring and going
through the summer I had 11 weddings and three funerals.
I also had the opportunity to teach a seminar on “The
Pursuit of Holiness” at the Evangelical Free Church
in Grand Island. In July, I had the chapel services (3)
in Aurora. Add to these events the three major summer
camps and some special work projects at CRC, plus the
regular weekly mowing and watering and you can see that
my summer was pretty full.
In spite of my busy schedule, I found this summer to be
one of personal spiritual growth. I have been preaching
on the life of Christ and it has renewed my love for Him,
and my faith in Him. My ‘spiritual renewal’
carried over into my teaching at the CRC summer camps.
I enjoyed the teaching and felt the blessing of the Lord
on our camps.
Late August, Kathy and I went to Dallas to meet our new
granddaughter, Miss
(Continued on page 3)
Elli Grace Nauman. We enjoyed getting to be with her and
her parents, Nathan and Angie. Joshua and Jen have one
boy, Nicholas, and one due next Feb. Natalie is in her
junior year at Wayne State College. Even with our children
gone, our nest isn’t empty, Kathy and I fill it
very well!
Size 12 - Chas.
The summer has been busy for me. Much
of my job entails doing computer work (formatting Updates,
designing brochures, printing Travel Camp materials, etc.).
This responsibility is a time-consuming one in the spring
and summer. I also had opportunities to preach at a few
churches, speak at retreats and youth gatherings, sing
in a couple of weddings, disciple a young man, lead a
workshop at an area leadership seminar, serve as an Elder
and Christian Education Team Chairman at my home church,
and of course work with our CRC camping programs.
This September and October I will not be readily available
to reach or be involved in other ministry opportunities,
as my duties will be keep me engrossed in books, interviews,
and writing. If you need to contact me for emergency reasons,
please call Kristen at home (402-694-2357). We will be
in regular contact and she can relay messages to me. I
would greatly appreciate your prayers that I would be
able, with God’s help, to accomplish my sabbatical
goals, remain safe in my travels, maintain healthy family
relationships, and cover necessary household duties. I
look forward to updating you as to the outcome of the
research.
SUMMER CAMPS
Elementary Day Camp
We had an excellent camp this summer
with over 100 3rd- 6th Graders registered. Our theme was,
“Those Who Stood for God.” We looked at various
Bible characters and saw how they stood for God against
their culture. We challenged the campers, first to commit
to God (belief), and then to stand for Him (daily walk).
We had songs to go along with our theme. Our activities
included archery, canoes, go-karts, crafts, obstacle course,
and various court games. We are honored that the Lord
would entrust these precious lives to us. Pray that the
Lord will cause life and fruit to increase in the lives
of these campers.
Junior High Day Camp
Junior High Day Camp went very well
this year. The group of campers was outstanding and a
true pleasure to minister to. The volunteer staff was
helpful and greatly appreciated. The theme was “How
to be a Forever Friend”, and we looked at four qualities
of a friend who builds lasting friendships: A forever
friend is a committed friend, a caring friend, a confronting
friend, and a Christian friend. Our big day was a beach
and boat party at Lovewell Reservoir. Thank you to those
who allowed us the use of vans and boats. Your ministry
to us is greatly appreciated.
Travel Camp
This year was our 25th Travel Camp.
We had a very special group of campers (including one
from Japan). Our theme this year was, “A Time to
Stand.” Our studies were from the book of Joshua,
with the emphasis on commitment and obedience as the keys
to our claiming the abundant life. We encouraged these
high schoolers to stand for Christ no matter who the enemy
was or what the cost. On camp we visited the Black Hills
(Evans’ Plunge, Wind Cave, Mt. Rushmore), Yellowstone
National Park, the Grand Tetons (Jenny Lake), and took
a white water raft trip on the Snake River. Each morning
we had quiet time, and each night we had singing, Bible
study, testimonies, and prayer groups. The Lord truly
blessed, and the commitment night was very special. Please
pray for these high schoolers as they seek to live for
Christ in their schools and communities.
COUNTER CULTURE
“Students transforming their lives
in Christ to transform their schools for Christ.”
That is the motto for Counter Culture.
Counter Culture is the next step in a high schooler’s
passion to reach his/her friend for Christ. It is intended
to be a discipleship tool for Christian students who want
to grow in their faith, and be equipped and empowered
to take Christ to their campus.
Giltner area
Counter Culture has already begun on Tuesday mornings
from 7:15-8:00 and meets at Paul and Kathy Nauman’s
house at 605 South K Road. The Aurora area Counter Culture
will meet on Thursday mornings from 7:00-7:45 at the Pleasant
View Bible Church Fellowship House located at the corner
of 3rd Street and Hwy. 34. It will begin September 27th.
If you are a high school student (grades 9-12), please
come and join us at one of the two locations. What a great
opportunity to grow in your faith impact your campus for
Christ.
WORK PROJECTS
We accomplished an encouraging amount
of projects on the CRC grounds.
With the help of a handful of gracious friends, we were
able to pour a concrete sidewalk on the South side of
the lodge and some footings for a bridge across to our
pond island. Since the fire we had back in the Spring
of 1996, we had been without a bridge, as the old one
was irreparably burned. Thanks to Brad Bish and Tom Aspegren,
we now have a fashionable, functional, and forever bridge
that our campers had a wonderful time crossing and standing
on. Brad and Tom were generous enough to donate the time,
labor, materials, and expertise in completing and installing
the bridge. Thank you to all of you who donated yourselves
and your resources to improving the ministry and grounds
of CRC.
Tom and Brad on the bridge, just after setting it in place.
