This next January 3 Natalie and Marley will be moving
from our house to Idaho, where Natalie has a great job
opportunity. I will miss them both, but I want to share
with you a few thoughts on my three years with Marley.
Her little “special needs” life has changed
me forever.
Marley has taught me the value of every individual life
as a unique gift from God. Her life has value not because
of what she can, or cannot do, but because of who she
is. When I look into her eyes I see a whole person. She
gives, and receives love, as a person made in God’s
image. The world defines her as a “special needs”
person, but we just consider her special.
I have also learned from Marley that God’s plan
and purposes are right and good. Marley’s “special
little life” has touched those around her in amazing
ways. She has shown me how to savor each moment, and to
appreciate even the small things in life. I have learned
to enjoy each day and to trust God for the future.
Marley has taught me that the things that I fear the
most can be used by God in powerful ways. I have learned
that indeed all things work together for good to those
who love God, and are called according to His purposes
(Rom. 8:28). God has turned what the world considers a
tragedy into a blessing. I thank Him every day for Marley,
and the things that He has taught me through her. Please
pray for Marley and Natalie as they begin their “ministry”
in Idaho.
From the Heart – Chas.
Christmas season is such a mixed bag. On the one hand
you have the sent Savior. On the other hand you have mammoth
materialism. Paul instructs Timothy, “Command those
who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant
nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,
but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with
everything for our enjoyment (1 Tim. 6:17). In essence,
he’s saying that those who are rich need to put
their hope of abundant life not in the gift, but in the
Giver.
What a message for us Americans. We are the richest
nation in all of the world, in all of history. Even the
poorest of our poor are richer than most people in the
world, especially in third world countries. A few weeks
ago I spent about $60 on food, clothing, necessities,
and lodging on a homeless man who was traveling through.
That’s more in one day than many people make in
a year in poor nations.
The point is that we can easily get sucked into the
idea that we don’t have enough and that life would
be better for us if we just had something more: a decent
and dependable car, a better computer, more television
channels, a little better home, a nice vacation. The list
could go on and on. It’s not that most American
Christians want to be rich beyond measure. We would just
like to have a little more than we already have.
Yet, Paul reminds us that, in the midst of a gift-receiving
season, it is not in the receiving of gifts that we will
ever find joy, contentment, or abundant life. We will
only find those things in the Giver of gifts.
This Christmas, let the Christmas day anticipation be
not for what’s under the tree, but for the One who
hung on a tree. Merry Christmas!
Footprints - Size 8 (Paul)
This past summer proved to be one of my most challenging,
and rewarding. Natalie spent the summer in Idaho doing
an internship for her master’s degree, so Kathy
and I had the responsibility of caring for Marley. God
is great, and Marley is a blessing, so we had a very fruitful
summer of ministry plus were honored to have Marley with
us.
I continue to Pastor at Stockham Community Church (29
years last September.) My teaching responsibilities there
include adult Sunday School, preaching, and teaching on
Wednesday nights. Other activities include counseling,
church boards, weddings, funerals, visitation, and vacation
Bible school.
My summer activities at CRC include keeping up the buildings
and grounds, leading and teaching the elementary and junior
high day camps, and the high school Travel Camp. Other
activities through the summer mainly include counseling,
community activities, and chapel services at Aurora’s
three long term care facilities.
This fall and winter my activities include church responsibilities,
two youth Bible studies (one in Giltner and one in Aurora),
three adult studies, and counseling.
Footprints – Size 12 (Chas.)
Most of my CRC time has been spent working on The PRaRI
Course. See the corresponding article on that for more
details. Much has transpired there. Other than that, I
have been doing some discipleship and pre-marital counseling,
and wedding officiating with some that I know through
my ministry at CRC. My doctoral work at Dallas Theological
Seminary is going well, but very busy. I hope to have
my dissertation done by November, 2007. That is early.
But, I will still have 6 courses to take following that.
Some of you may know by now that I am working toward
a healthy departure from CRC and into a full-time ministry
with York Evangelical Free Church. The whole transition
time will be from now until November 1, 2007. Though there
are many details in the length of the transition, my dissertation
and The PRaRI Course are the two primary reasons.
I will forever remember my time here at CRC with the
utmost of joy and appreciation. Paul and Kathy have played
a huge role in the development of my ministry and character.
And the Board has been very supportive of me and my ministry
as well. The people I have come to know and love through
this ministry are numerous, and I hope that those relationships
continue to grow and bear fruit in our lives and for the
Kingdom. I’m not gone yet, however! And there is
much left to do! So don’t consider me gone!
My ministry at York Evangelical Free Church is continuing
to develop. Though we won’t be in the new facility
for awhile yet, we are working slowly toward that end.
Our Vision is being fine-tuned and will be the blueprint
for the ministry here. We are in the process of developing
discipleship curriculum based on the Vision that will
cover the nursery on up to mature and fruitful adults.
One major development is that when I go on full-time
at YEFC in November, 1007, I will be given the opportunity
to spend up to half of my time developing a new men’s
ministry called VENTURE. Its mission is to challenge men
to stand and speak for Christ while leading them in active
and inspiring accomplishments. We envision teams of men
who challenge each other to: 1) Engage in the lifelong
development of godly character, 2) Discern and pursue
their individual calling in Christ, 3) Increase in leadership
and ministry skills within their marriage, family, church,
vocation, and community, 4) Reclaim and honor the masculine
spirit, and 5) Lead their own Venture teams over time.
Proverbs 27:17 will be the key verse, which says “As
iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
The format will be to multiply teams of 4-5 men for the
purpose of working together to accomplish adventurous
and meaningful tasks that both capitalize on their masculine
nature and inspire them to greatness in Christ. I look
forward to developing that ministry over time.
The Pastors’ Rural and Rurban Immersion
Course
Since The Pastors’ Rural and Rurban Immersion Course
(The PRaRI Course) was cancelled last year, I took the
extra time to revamp it. I pared it down to 5 days, from
10. There is always a trade-off in doing something of
the sort. The course will not be as comprehensive in its
scope. The good side, however, is that I believe the course
will be more feasible to attend. It will also make it
a less expensive course to run.
So, now I am gearing up to promote the course on the seminary
campuses in January and February. That is a bit later
than normal, but for a reason. Rural Home Missionary Association
(RHMA), out of Morton, IL, is going to take the course
over in 2008. They have wanted to get something like it
going for some time, but were not able to establish the
contacts with the seminaries that CRC has been able to
acquire. No doubt, with their expertise, financial base,
and other connections, RHMA will take the course concept
to the next level. They, actually, were strategic in helping
CRC get our course up and going. So, I am glad we can
return the favor.
RHMA will not retain the course name and will tailor
the content to their own liking. But the concept of an
immersion course to train pastors for town and country
ministry will remain intact. They will likely also keep
it a 5-day course.
What CRC is primarily giving them are the contacts with
the schools. That’s why I am waiting until January
and February to promote the course. Barney Wells, one
of the instructors for The PRaRI Course, will be employed
by RHMA to develop their Town and Country Training Program
(TACT Program), starting in January. So he will be able
to join me in promoting the course on seminary campuses
and will be meeting with my contacts there.
Barney will join me for The PRaRI Course here at CRC
in June 2007. Then we will coordinate any other transfer
of the course that is necessary. Once Chas. has graded
all the assignments, exams, and papers from the 2007 course
and officially transferred any other details to RHMA,
CRC will no longer offer The PRaRI Course.
So, please, pray that this 2007 offering of the course
is successful and is a good springboard for RHMA. The
need for encouragement and training for pastors in rural
and rurban settings is immense. A good showing and smooth
and successful running of The PRaRI Course would really
help RHMA to meet that need.
If you know any seminary students or rural/rurban pastors,
encourage them to check out the course at www.ChristianResourceCenter.info.
Thank You
Thanks to all of you who have faithfully supported the
ministry of CRC over the years. Your gifts are appreciated.
If any of you would like to join our support team, we
would welcome you. Let us know if you would like giving
envelopes.
Men’s Bible Fellowship
Paul Nauman teaches a men’s Bible study at the
home of Jim Lindquist in Giltner on Thursday mornings
at 6:30. Any man is welcome to join us as we pursue a
deeper friendship with each other and a closer walk with
God. We serve coffee cake and are finished by 7:30. Call
Paul Nauman if you need more information.
Winter Youth Bible Studies
CRC offers youth Bible studies at both Aurora and Giltner.
These studies, known as “Counter Culture,”
are designed to help high school students to understand,
and live distinctive Christian lifestyles. Our studies
this year, for both Aurora and Giltner are in the book
of 2 Timothy. The Giltner study is on Tuesday mornings
at 7:15 in the home of Paul and Kathy Nauman. The Aurora
study is on Wednesday mornings at 7:15 in the home of
Jay and Lori Hunnicutt. Breakfast is served at both studies
Sign-up for Travel Camp will begin in January 2007.
Facility Development
As part of our goal to improve the grounds and facilities
here at CRC we have a new pavilion that was built in the
area of the lodge and basketball court. It has lights,
electricity, a fire pit, and water. We will use it in
our day camping ministry, and hope that families and groups
will make use of it also. It is available free of charge,
just call CRC and let us know when you want to come.
This coming year we want to put a small pavilion by
the lake, and put a multipurpose building over on the
south hill of CRC. This building will include bathrooms
and showers, and a covered porch area. This will be an
asset to those who wish to camp at CRC.
We are in need of several picnic tables for these pavilions.
If you have any that aren’t being used, please let
us know.
Email us [arboracres@hamilton.net] if you
would like to
receive CRC's
Update Letters
via email.
Volume
31, Issue 1
Spring 2006
FROM THE HEART
From My Heart (Paul) In my recent teaching from the Gospel of Mark
I came across an amazing statement. In Mark 10 Jesus had
just told His disciples that HE was going up to Jerusalem
to be tried, tortured, and crucified, and then rise after
three days. Instead of asking Jesus what they could do
to be of help to Him the disciples came up to Him and
said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever
we ask of You.”
I find this statement to be typical of many of today’s
Christians who, instead of seeking to identify with a
life of submission, sacrifice, and servanthood, seek only
a God who will do “whatever they ask.” Its
almost as if God is our servant and His purpose is to
do what we tell Him to. If He doesn’t, then we ignore
Him, and become angry with Him.
I guess that the reason this statement by the disciples
hits me so hard is that sometimes I have the same attitude.
I am striving in my life to not only understand servanthood
and sacrifice, but also to practice it. I am realizing
that if Jesus is Lord (Master), then I am not!! The more
I understand about Him, the more I am learning to trust
Him, and to willingly say “not my will but Thine
be done.” I am finding that submission to Gods will
is the way to abundant Christian living. I know that if
I ask according to his will, then He hears, directs, and
empowers me to accomplish His purposes in my life. For
those of you who pray for me I would ask you to pray that
I would continue to learn servanthood and submission,
and that the Lord would use me for His glory.
From the Heart (Chas.) I know I gave my life to Christ at 16. There
is no doubt of that in my heart, spirit, or mind; given
the drastic change in my life then. But, it has become
painfully obvious that there were still areas of my life
that I gave to Him palm-up (so I could latch onto them
when I wanted) rather than palm-down (so that they drop
at His feet where He can stomp the fleshly life out of
them).
I was still trusting in those things to fill the emptiness
of my heart when times were difficult or stressful. I
thought that I had been trying to overcome the pain and
flesh by depending on God as I practiced spiritual disciplines
(i.e. Bible reading, prayer, fasting, church, ministry,
loving and serving Kristen and the kids). But, those efforts
I made to overcome the flesh became fleshly in themselves.
The harder I tried, the more thirsty I became. Let me
explain a bit.
I had come to the point where my spiritual disciplines
had become the means to overcome sin. The disciplines
became MY offerings to Christ. They became what I was
GIVING to Him, rather than what I was RECEIVING from Him.
In reality, what do I have to GIVE Jesus; but my sin,
my shame, my filth, my confessions, my desperate dependence
upon Him? I had forgotten that I can only come to Jesus
to receive from Him, not to give to Him anything of value
in and of myself. Anything of value I give to Him, I give
to Him out of the surplus of what I first received from
Him in my desperate need.
I would have said, even a few months ago, that I know
all of that stuff already. It's not that I've learned
any new doctrine. I've learned new emphasis. I had come
to put the emphasis on me and what I did. "I can
do all things through Him who gives me strength."
I just have to try a little harder. Now I'm learning "I
can do all things through Him who gives me strength."
He gives His strength to me. I don't acquire it by my
religious disciplines. I receive it freely from Him, when
I run to Him in my need.
I have learned (and am still learning) that I must run
to the Spring of Living Water (Jesus and His Word) to
be filled as I want to be. I must drop my fleshly desires
and my fleshly religious efforts and run to the Word when
I feel the emptiness and pains of life on this fallen
earth. In some respects I feel like I'm learning how to
walk with Christ all over again. But what a free walk!
I am running to Jesus with my desperate thirst and drinking
straight from His hand out of the cup of Living Water;
His Word. I no longer read His Word as my act of service
or giving, but as my desperate act of dependence or receiving.
To Him be the praise for His glorious riches of grace,
in doing what it took to bring me to brokenness, understanding,
repentance, forgiveness, and FREEDOM! Do I hear an "Amen!"
FOOTPRINTS
Size 8—Paul
This past winter-spring has been very busy, and very rewarding.
I continue to have the privilege of Pastoring at Stockham
Community Church. This involves teaching an adult Sunday
School class, preaching, counseling, visitation, and various
boards and committees. In addition to Pastoring, I taught
three adult community Bible classes, a youth Bible study
in Aurora, and have been involved in several serious counseling
situations.
Spring brings a close to the Bible studies and brings
with it the upkeep of the CRC 40 acres. Getting ready
for the summer camps and for people and groups to use
the grounds and facilities is a big, but rewarding job.
Please pray for the summer ministries of CRC. Kathy and
I also covet your prayer as Natalie has gone to Idaho
for a 14 week internship to complete her Master at UNO,
so we have the responsibility (and honor) of caring for
Marley this summer.
Size 12—Chas
My time for CRC has been mostly spent promoting The PRâRI
Course on seminary campuses and starting work on my Doctor
of Ministry degree. Kristen and I have been doing some
marital and premarital counseling also, resulting from
our CRC contacts.
Promotion for The PRâRI Course was good in some
respects and discouraging in other respects. We had two
students from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School sign
up. They were the first two TEDS students to ever enroll.
Unfortunately I only had 3 other students signed up, all
from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS). But, all 3 had
to back out, due to military and family commitments. Other
good news, however, is that DTS has started a new scholarship
only for students interested in ministering in rural or
rurban settings. This has been partially inspired by our
efforts at CRC with The PRâRI Course. I don't know
of any other evangelical seminary that has such a scholarship.
Another encouraging thing is that I have heard more and
more acknowledgement from the Evangelical Free Church
of America that the town and country church has largely
been forgotten and they want to change that.
I finished my first D.Min. course with DTS recently (on
Rural and Rurban Church Planting) and have started my
second course (called The Ministry Leader). It has been
a great learning experience, but it has also placed a
great deal of added stress to my and my family's lives.
Being convinced, however, that it is the Lord's will at
this point; we will press on together as a family.
My ministry outside of CRC, at York Evangelical Free
Church, has been exciting and challenging. We recently
purchased an empty grocery store building (17,000 square
feet) and have almost finished the demolition work on
it. The floor plan has been decided and blueprints are
being prepared by the architects. That's the great news.
The not-so-great news is that we now have no money in
our capital fund. We have been trying to get a fund drive
up and going, but it has been slow. We hope to make a
decision at a June 4 congregational meeting about how
we are going to pay for the remodeling; debt-free or managed
debt. The building is going to be divided into two phases.
Phase One (fellowship hall, bathrooms, some classrooms,
nursery/toddler rooms, kitchen, storage room, and maybe
offices) will cost around $400K and, at the earliest,
will be done in six months. Phase Two (worship or corporate
area, more classrooms, another bathroom, another office,
and a conference room) will be done who-knows-when. In
terms of ministry, we've seen a few more conversions and
baptisms, and more equipping for ministry. Right now we
(myself and 4 other pastors) are preaching through the
book of James. I preach at least two Sundays per month
and the others rotate in, some more than others. This
frees me up for discipleship, evangelism, counseling,
and Sunday School preparation.
SUMMER CAMPS
Travel Camp
This year Travel Camp will be going to Canada. Parts of
interest include Devil’s Tower, Glacier National
Park, whitewater rafting, Calgary, Banff National Park
(Canada), and Lake Louis. Our theme this year is “The
Road Less Traveled.” We will be studying the life
and teachings of Christ, and what is means to be His disciple.
We will be gone July 25-August 4. Please pray for our
safety and that the Holy Spirit will have control of our
camp.
Junior High Day Camp
This camp is for those entering grades 7-9. The dates
are June 27-30. The cost is $40 per camper. Our theme
this year is “Jonah, you can run, but you can’t
hide.” We will be discussing the topic of God’s
will, and how important it is to others. Our activities
will include time spent at the CRC 40 acres, swimming
(Henderson pool and Island Oasis), roller skating, the
Omaha Zoo, and singing and devotion. We are limited to
70 campers. For more information or to register please
call at 402-694-2501
Elementary Day Camp (for those going into 3rd through 6th grade)
The dates for Junior Camp are: going 3rd & 4th grade-July
3, 5, 7, 11, 13, and for those going into 5th & 6th
grade– July 4, 6, 10, 12, 14. The time is from 10:00
a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day. The cost is $15 per camper.
Bring a sack lunch each day, we provide drinks. Our theme
this year is, “As He passed by, meeting those who
met the master.” We will look at some of the people
who met, and were impacted by Jesus Christ.
Our activities will include canoes, go-karts, crafts,
archery, court games, obstacle course, and singing and
devotions. Please call for more information or to register.
THE PRâRI COURSE
You may have already deduced from my Footprints article
that we did not have enough students, this year, to offer
the course. We were looking at having 5 students, but
3 of them had to back out. So, The PRâRI Course
for 2006 has been officially cancelled. Though this is
somewhat discouraging, there will come some good things
out of it, I believe. I plan on using the dates of the
course to revamp the entire course and whittle it down
to a 5-day course, from its current 10-days. This should
help attract more students, as the length of the course
has always been the major deterrent. As you can imagine,
this will drastically change the tenor of the course,
some for the better and some for the worse. Please pray
that God directs my work in this area. Lord willing, we
will offer the new 5-day version in June 2007.
MINISTRY & FACILITY DEVELOPMENT
CRC has been in existence now for 31 years. We have had
31 years of Day Camps & this will make 30 Travel Camps.
We are in the process of contacting Travel Camp &
Day Camp alumni. The following is an excerpt of the letter
we are sending. We also wanted you to know what some of
our plans are for the future and to give you an opportunity
to further the kingdom through the ministry of CRC.
We are writing this letter to let you know about our
vision for the future, and to see if some of you might
be able and willing to help us continue to develop our
facilities and ministries.
Phase One focuses primarily on the development of the
facilities and grounds. We want the CRC “40 acres”
to be a place where people can come and enjoy outdoor
recreation and also learn about God and His plan and purpose
for our lives.
Some of the projects included in Phase One are:
1. A steel utility building that will include storage,
restrooms, showers, a craft area, and a small serving
and gathering area.
2. Asphalt for the south drive and the go-kart track.
3. Camping areas for tents and RV’s with water and
electricity.
4. A well to service our facilities and to keep the pond
full.
5. Two picnic pavilions and improved fire pits.
Mountain bike and hiking trails plus mountain bikes to
use on the trails.
A canoe storage shed.
A new zip line.
A dock.
Misc. other small projects.
We are looking to raise approximately $35,000.00 to help
us launch Phase One.
Phase Two will include hiring a second full time staff
member and the replacement of the old lodge and office
facilities, and possibly the addition of a guesthouse
and cabins.
As we endeavor to continue to improve our facilities
and develop programs that best fit the needs of the people
of our community we are looking for those who will partner
with us. If you have been touched by the ministry of CRC
and would like to be a part of seeing it continue to reach
others for Christ, we would invite you to join our support
team, both through your prayers and financial gifts. We
are looking for one time gifts to help with the new projects
and also long term commitments of monthly or yearly support
to help us continue our ministry. If God lays it on your
heart to give, please make checks out to CRC & indicate
your intentions in the memo. All donations are tax deductible.
