Being a Grandpa is a great experience. It is amazing the
joy that these little ones bring. They also remind me
that life goes on, and a new generation is rising up to
take its place and leave its mark on the world. Even in
our camps and activities, I am now working with children
of the original campers. It’s very rewarding to
watch each generation impact its world for Christ. I have
been blessed and honored to have had a small part in nurturing
and impacting the children and youth in our area. We remain
committed to providing Christian influence and training
to those who God leads our way. I am excited about some
of the new ideas and programs that our Board and Staff
have been led to undertake. Please pray that our summer
camps and activities will be blessed by God, and used
to impact lives for Christ.
From My Heart (Chas.)
Let me update you on a new ministry
of CRC, which has occupied the majority of my time since
last September. It is called the Arbor Acres Cooperative
Training Program (AACTP). The mission of the AACTP is
to cooperate with evangelical institutions of higher learning,
denominations, and individual churches 1) to equip interested
pastors and pastors-in-training to serve more effectively
in rural and rurban (RaR) America, 2) to give personal
encouragement to those who are ministering in RaR churches,
and 3) to strengthen local economy, and evangelical pastors
and churches.
Just so you know it’s not a misprint, “Rurban”
is a term coined back in the early 1980’s. It is
primarily a sociological term, which refers to those people,
areas, or churches where the agrarian mindset and the
urban mindset both exist in sufficient amount so as to
cause socio-cultural tension. “Rural” is also
best thought of as socio-cultural, rather than geographical,
term . It refers to those people, areas, or churches where
the predominant mindset is agrarian in nature.
I spent September and October of 2001 on a research sabbatical
to put together a 35 page proposal to send to a handful
of colleges, seminaries and denominations to propose a
cooperative training effort to train pastors specifically
for rural and rurban ministry. The response from all of
the organizations was unanimously positive.
Therefore, I embarked to assemble an Executive Team to
help me plan a two-week, distinctly evangelical, highly
practical, on-location, training course to be held here
at CRC. Arbor Acres Rural and Rurban Pastors’ Training
will take place June 3-14, 2002. The students will be
housed with host farm families. Mornings will be spent
in class at CRC, learning “Five Pillars of Effective
Rural and Rurban Ministry,” and other various principles
and concepts dealing with understanding the agrarian and
urban mindsets, becoming a student of culture, and even
a rural and rurban missiology. The afternoons will be
spent on “immersions” or field trips; meeting
with various farmers, community leaders, politicians,
pastors, and counselors, to learn about topics such as
agrarian operations (how beef, pork, grain, etc. make
it from the field to the table), agrarian culture, rural
economics, education and technology in rural America,
and others to give the students a first-hand look at rural
and rurban America. Evenings will be spent in study, rejuvenation,
or recreation. We have a skeet shoot and hog roast on
one evening and we will close our course by attending
the stock car races in Albion, NE.
Students can take this course for 2 hours of independent
study credit or take it for no credit at all. Either way,
the requirements, assignments, and exams are all the same.
Students will be composed of pastors who have currently
pastored a rural or rurban church for less than two years
and pastors-in-training at universities, Bible colleges,
and seminaries. The cost of the course is only $345, and
included all meals, lodging, and materials. Wives are
strongly encouraged to audit the course for only $90.
Please pray for the following: 1) that we would get the
necessary number of students (5 minimum, 20 maximum) signed
up by the deadline date (May 17, 2002), 2) details to
be finalized, 3) financial provision (as the fee for the
course is less than what we need to break even, so that
it remains affordable for rural pastors), 4) that the
course is a success, in that it accomplishes its goals
and objectives.
Please also consider if you are able to help out with
the following needs: 1) financial assistance to help defray
the cost of the course or pay for a pastor to come, 2)
a bus or multi-passenger van to transport students, 3)
being a host farm family for a student and possibly his
wife, 4) being on the Executive Team which helps plan
the course, 5) give expertise on starting a database to
track and maintain contact with former students, and 5)
promoting the course to rural pastors and students training
for pastoral ministry.
Footprints
Size 8 - Paul
I am very grateful for this past winter
and the opportunities the Lord gave me to minister. I
continue to pastor at Stockham (this September marks 25
years). There I preach, teach adult SS, and work with
children on Wed. nights. I also taught three adult Bible
studies – one in Aurora, one in Giltner, and one
in Grand island. For several weeks, I also taught a Bible
study at Prairie Winds Retirement Home in Doniphan. On
Tuesday mornings before school Kathy and I hosted a youth
Bible study for the Giltner area. Other activities this
past winter also included doing a funeral and a wedding.
Kathy and I stay busy trying to see our children and grandchildren.
Size 12 - Chas.
The majority of my time, since our last
Update, has been spent working on our Cooperative Training
Program. This has included my two-month sabbatical; recruiting
the Executive Team, teachers, presenters, etc. for the
course; training host couples; preparing a PowerPoint
presentation, brochures, and display for promotion; and
traveling to various schools and events to promote the
course to students and pastors.
The rest of my time has been spent leading Counter Culture
on Thursday mornings, jail ministry, counseling, pulpit
supply, special speaking, co-directing the drama club
and driving bus on Wednesday nights for Monroe, and finishing
my duties as Elder and Christian Education Team Director.
Summer Camps
Elementary Day Camp
July 1-12
Elementary Day Camp is for students
going into 3rd-6th Grades next fall. The cost is $15.00.
Activities include: court games, obstacle course, go-karts,
canoes, archer (5th & 6th grades only), nature studies,
singing, devotions, and crafts. Our theme this year is
“As He Passed By - - - Meeting Those Who Met the
Master.” The specific dates for 3rd-4th Grades are:
July 1,3,5,9,11; for 5th-6th Grades: July 2,4,8,10,12.
Junior High Day Camp
June 25-28
Jr Hi Camp is for students who will
be going into 7th, 8th, or 9th Grades next fall. The cost
is $35.00. Activities for this year’s camp include
visiting the SAC Museum, a riverboat ride on the Missouri
River, Island Oasis, Skate Island, swimming at Henderson,
and the usual Day Camp activities here at CRC. We limit
registration to 70 campers, so register early!!
The theme for this year’s camp is “LIFE –
Contents Under Pressure”: Getting a Grip on the
Pressures of Life. We’ll learn how to turn life’s
potentially destructive pressures into useful tools. We’ll
study peer, performance, and personal pressures.
Travel Camp
July 23– August 2
Our trip this summer takes us to the
site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City. We hope
to see a few of the Olympic venues as well as other sites.
From there we travel to Bryce and Zion National Parks,
the Grand Canyon, the Mesa Verde Cliff dwellings, and
the beautiful southern Rockies. The theme this year is
“Lift Him Up.” We will study the person and
work of Jesus Christ. We are currently full, but will
always take names for the waiting list if you are still
interested. Call us and we will put you on it.
NEW SUMMER INTERN PROGRAM
This summer CRC will begin a summer
intern program designed for college students with possible
interests in future youth or children’s ministries.
We will have one man and one woman as interns. They will
begin ministry in late May and end in early August. Our
interns will assist in the planning and preparation for
the CRC camps, assist with building and grounds maintenance,
plan activities at CRC for local children and youth, assist
local churches where they can, and will be used in the
CRC camps as staff. We will pay them a minimal stipend
and allow them to raise additional support on their own
(channeled through CRC). We have two excellent interns
lined up for this summer, Jeremie LaBrie from Giltner,
and Sara Anderson from Milford. We look forward to their
impact on our summer activities and the people involved.
They are making a financial sacrifice to serve with us.
If any of you would like to help them financially you
may do so by sending a check to CRC marked for the summer
intern program. See our website for more information.
Did you know…
¨ 52% of churches in
America are situated in small towns and open countryside.
¨ 50 % of churches have fewer than 100 regularly participating
adults and 25% have fewer than 50.
¨ 8 out of 10 pastors will never pastor a church of
more than 150.
This all means that the small and rural church is still
the norm in American Christianity.
RESOURCE REVIEW
RESURRECTION
Impact Productions
50 Minutes
RESURRECTION is the film based on a short
story by renowned author Max Lucado. The setting is Jerusalem
at the time of Christ. Claudius, a Roman guard, finds
himself in the midst of a cover up regarding the tumultuous
events after Christ’s execution. As his inquiries
progress, he discovers that the religious leaders, Roman
government and his closest allies are collectively attempting
to hide something, perhaps the truth. His relentless pursuit
for the answers threatens his reputation – even
his life. RESURRECTION is the story of one man’s
quest for truth and the discovery that leads to his own
personal resurrection.
ROAD TO REDEMPTION
World Wide Pictures
90 Minutes
Buckle up for a cross-country chase
from Las Vegas to Redemption, Montana! Amanda Tucker’s
(Julie Condra, Screw Loose) in a jam when a get-rich-quick
scheme blows up in her face. She needs money fast. The
only person who can help is a relative stranger –
Amanda’s almost-forgotten, rich grandfather, Nathan
(Pat Hingle, Batman), but he just wants to go fishing!
Bad guys like Sully Santoro (Leo Rossi, Analyze This)
hate when their pigeons skip town. Soon, Amanda’s
wide-eyed boyfriend, Alan (Jay Underwood, The Boy Who
Could Fly) teams up with Vincent the Enforcer (Tony Longo,
Angels in the Outfield) and a professional tracker (Wes
Studi, Mystery Men) in order to chase her down. Cadillac
splashes, motorcycle gangs and a heart of gold make ROAD
TO REDEMPTION the comedy trip of a lifetime!
NEW CRC WEBSITE AND EMAIL ADDRESS
Thanks to a generous gift of time, expertise,
and web server space, CRC now has a website. Check it
out at www.christianresourcecenter.info. It is still in
process and has some glitches we’re working out,
but it’s coming along. We have information regarding
our summer intern program on it as well. We would like
to thank Keith and Audrey Berns of Cross-Wise Web Design
in Bladen, NE for their generosity and ministry to us
at CRC.
Also, please note and change in your email address list
that we have a new email address. The new address is arboracres@hamilton.net.
Arbor Acres is the 40 acres of land that CRC is on.
This past summer was one of the most
enjoyable times of ministry I have ever had. There are
several reasons for this including having great interns,
great staff, and good weather. The most important reason,
however, was in my own heart. The Lord gave me a renewed
love for those to whom I minister. This love extended
both to my church, and to all those who participated in
CRC’s ministries. I thoroughly enjoyed each camp,
service, or activity because I loved being with the people
who came. I sensed that all our staff felt the same way.
The result was some of the best camps we have ever had.
I feel the Truth was spoken in love and, hopefully, lives
were impacted for Christ. I have a renewed vision for
the ministry of CRC and look forward to God’s guidance
and blessing on the future.
One other experience this summer was also a great blessing
to me: that was participating in our Rural Pastors’
Training Course held this past June. It was very helpful
to me to listen to the speakers, and to apply what I learned
to my ministry in a rural community. I was both helped
and encouraged, and I highly recommend the training to
any who are involved in rural ministry.
From My Heart (Chas.)
CHANGE. It’s one of the few constants
in life. Kristen and I are experiencing a great deal of
it these days. We’re both excited and reserved about
it. Ready and unprepared. Welcoming and wincing. Let me
scoop you.
First, we have our fourth child ready
to come out of the oven at any moment (due date –
October 9). If the Doc is right, it’s a girl. Chloe
will finally get her sister! Kristen and I will get…Well,
borrowing from The Emperor’s New Groove: “Let
me guess. A new baby coming? Sleepless nights…stinky
diapers…hospital bills? …Bring it on.”
Can you tell that we’re wondering if we’re
too old for this? Actually, we are excited. We’re
hoping to be perfect parents this time around. We figure
the fourth time is a charm. We’ll let you decide
whether we are hoping for the best or in denial.
Second, we moved. This is the second
time we’ve moved with Kristen being pregnant. Are
we great planners, or what? Kristen tells me I like to
go against conventional wisdom most of the time, anyway.
So, why not move with a pregnant wife? We moved to York,
Nebraska. It’s all of 25 miles East of Aurora. You
know, just far enough where you have to box everything
up carefully, but not far enough to make you feel like
all the careful packing was worth it.
The reason for the move? More change!
Kristen and I have felt for some time that God was calling
me into pastoral ministry. We were hoping to find a situation
similar to Paul’s; where I could still work at CRC
and pastor a church as well. In July, I accepted a call
to be the pastor of York Evangelical Free Church. You
may remember that this is the church where I was interim
pastor a couple of years ago. We believed God wanted us
to move to York so that we could be a part of the community.
We’re glad we made the move, and I have thoroughly
enjoyed the pastoral experience.
This, of course, called for some change
in my responsibilities at CRC. My responsibilities are
primarily two-fold: 1) the continued development of the
Arbor Acres Cooperative Training Program and 2) my usual
responsibilities in our summer camps. When time allows,
I still do counseling and speaking.
Well, the one thing that change has not
affected, is my mind regarding all these decisions. I
haven’t changed my mind about the direction we have
taken. Kristen and I both believe that we’ve made
the right changes and that we are in the center of God’s
will. Even with all the change, the center of His will
is the best place to be!
Please pray that I am wise in making
the adjustments of work and am able to balance work and
family priorities.
Footprints
Size 8 - Paul
My summer activities kept me very busy.
My regular activities included: preaching and teaching
at Stockham, counseling, hospital visitation, building
and grounds maintenance at CRC and CRC camps (Elementary,
Jr Hi, and Travel Camp). My other activities included:
three funerals, three weddings, teaching at CRC’s
Rural Pastors’ Training Program, speaking at Hampton's
National Day of Prayer breakfast, chapel services in Aurora,
and speaking at several local churches. As the fall and
winter months come, I look forward to teaching Bible studies
along with pastoral duties at Stockham.
Size 12 - Chas.
Much of my time has been spent making
adjustments to my new work routine. My schedule has become:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday spent working on York Evangelical
Free Church (YEFC) work and Tuesday, Friday working on
CRC work. In June through August, it will switch to about
4 days per week working on CRC duties and 1 day per week
on YEFC duties.
I have done substantial amount of work on the Arbor Acres
Cooperative Training Program (AACTP), trying to expand
the number of cooperating institutions and planning for
next June’s Arbor Acres Rural and Rurban Pastors’
Training (AARRPT) course. It has been a
huge help to have an Executive Team working with me on
this program.
Also, I had my usual responsibilities
with camps; staff training, organizing and leading
(Continued on page 4)
worship, teaching Jr. High Day Camp, co-teaching Travel
Camp, and all the planning responsibilities entailed.
Having two interns this past summer was a tremendous help!
Last, I have been busy with my new responsibilities
at YEFC; preaching, discipleship, counseling, etc. I have
truly enjoyed my times of study, in preparation for the
sermons. And the people at YEFC have been a true blessing,
amidst our move and pregnancy.
Summer Camps
Elementary Day Camp
This year we registered a record 133
campers in our Elementary Day Camp. Our theme was “As
He Passed By”. We studied how Jesus reached out
to those around Him, and how they responded to Him. Our
songs each day were selected to go along with the lesson.
Our staff volunteers were excellent with the campers and
I feel that they were great examples for the campers.
Our activities include: games, obstacle course, canoes,
archery, crafts, go-karts, and our Bible time.
Junior High Day Camp
We had about 80 campers for our JHDC
in late June. The camp went very well. The campers were
a joy to minister to and the volunteer staff and summer
interns were great to work with. The theme of the camp
was Packed Full of Pressure: Getting a Grip on the Pressures
of Life. We looked at how to make the pressures of life
work for us rather than against us. Specifically, we looked
at peer pressure, the pressure to perform, and the pressure
we place on ourselves to be accepted, significant, and
secure. Our big day outing was to take a river boat ride
on the Missouri river.
Travel Camp
This year on TC we had 50 campers and
8 adult staff. Our theme was “Lift Him Up”
based on John 12:32, “If I be lifted up from the
earth, I will draw all men to Myself.” Our studies
were from the Gospels and focused on the person and work
of Jesus Christ. The songs each night reflected on the
message being taught. Each day began with devotions from
the book of Romans, and ended with prayer groups. The
kids this year were well behaved and a joy to work with.
On TC 2002 we saw Salt Lake City, Bryce and Zion National
Parks, the Grand Canyon, and the southern Rockies, including
a shopping stop at Silverton. Next year our Travel Camp
will be going to Canada. Registrations begin after Jan.
1, 2003.
Arbor Acres Rural and Rurban Pastors’
Training
Our first AARRPT course took place in
June. This course had two students, one a current associate
pastor and the other a seminary student (we hope to have
10 this next time). Simply put, the purpose of this 10-day
course is to train, encourage, and network current pastors
and pastors-in-training for effective ministry in rural
and rurban settings. Rurban is a recently coined term
for areas that are rural geographically, but increasingly
urban culturally.
The course went very well, considering
it was our first attempt. The teaching staff was excellent
and all have committed to teaching again next June. All
parties (students, teachers, schools, etc.) felt that
we were wise in going ahead with only two students, just
to get the program off the ground. The students and teachers
had many positive assessments of the course and a number
of good suggestions to improve it in the future.
SUMMER INTERN PROGRAM
We were very pleased with the results
of the summer intern program, which was instituted this
year. God sent us two very exceptional people to work
with, and we saw Him use them in a significant way in
the lives of the youth and children in this area.
Jeremy LaBrie and Sara Anderson were a great help to us
in preparing the grounds for Day Camp, putting together
a “Game Book”, developing and leading some
new programs, as well as assisting as staff during all
of our camps.
Since both of them feel God leading them toward youth
ministry, we trust that the time spent here this summer
helped give them some insight into youth ministry and
a confirmation of God’s call upon their hearts.
Here are some of their own reflections about the summer:
“Probably the most satisfying thing we did during
the summer was organize and lead a junior high activities
night. We had about 13 kids come to CRC every Thursday
night for games, devotions, and snacks.”
“The Day Camps came and went very fast. We had spent
weeks preparing the grounds and organizing games, staff,
and transportation. But once it started, it flew by in
no time. We met so many cool kids, and could tell that
God used CRC to change a lot of young lives in those three
weeks.”
“Travel Camp was the big finale. . . Travel Camp
is indescribable.”
“Overall, the most important thing we learned from
this summer is that no matter how tired we were or how
time consuming the work was, it’s all worth while
when one kid comes to Christ. And we know that all of
heaven is rejoicing because another lost person has believed
in Jesus Christ. We hope any new interns reading this
letter will realize that all of the information we talked
about does not even begin to scratch the surface of what
you will really experience. If you feel a pulling from
God to do this, don’t hold back because it will
change your life.”
