Pray IWU 2017 – Dr. Jim ‘Umfundisi’ Lo

Prayer – As the campus of IWU is once again a buzz with student life and activity, Dr. Jim ‘ Umfundisi’ Lo is urging alumni and friends of IWU to set aside time for fasting and prayer.

The call for prayer is not just for Residential students but also for the National and Global students.

From Dr. Jim ‘Umfundisi’ Lo: Please join me in fasting and praying for IWU!

In my journal I had written down the words that Bill Bright shared at a convention years ago. He stated, “Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform lives.

Fasting and prayer can also work on a much grander scale.
According to Scripture…when God’s people fast with a proper biblical motive- seeking God’s face not His hand- with broken, repentant, and a contrite spirit, God will hear from heaven and heal our lives, our churches, our communities, our nation and world….”

In other words, the breaking out of Divine power can be released in a mighty way as we connect prayer with fasting!

For the past few weeks I have sensed a need to call alumni to fast and pray for Indiana Wesleyan University. God wants to continue to use IWU in mighty ways to equip believers to be effective servants for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Will you join me in fasting one meal a week, asking God to continue to:

• Bless IWU
• Protect IWU
• Use IWU

I plan to set aside Wednesday as my time to seek the face of God as I abstain from food during the lunch hour. Even though you may be miles away from the IWU campus, you may also decide to fast during the Wednesday lunch hour. The idea of “united” fasting excites my heart. But I know this may not be the best time to do this for others of you. Just having you fast one meal for IWU, any time during the week would be a great blessing.

Thank you for considering entering into the discipline with me. If you are willing to take up this ministry of fasting and praying would you please email the alumni office to indicate your intent.

Rev. Dr. Jim “Umfundisi” Lo, IWU Campus Pastor-Intercessor/ Professor

To sign up to receive the Prayer E-Letter, send your email to: rick.carder@indwes.edu for complete
details and to sign up. (Indicate: “Pray Letter” in your message.)

Written by Rev. Rick Carder, Director of Alumni and Student Engagement, Indiana Wesleyan University

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Tom Cully

Tom Cully and his family
Tom Cully and his family

By: Dezaray Barr

 

Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, and this year the recipient is Tom Cully. Cully currently works at Holsum Dairies as a Herd Veterinarian. He is a member of Faith Alliance Church where he serves as a nursery volunteer, greeter leader, assimilation committee member, Discovery Land volunteer and Sunday School teacher.

During Vet School, Cully served as president of the Cornell Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA), secretary of the Christian Veterinary Fellowship and captain of the Bovine Palpation Team.

He has received the following awards: American Association of Bovine Practitioners Amstutz Award, American Veterinary Medical Foundation and Zoetis Scholarship Award, the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Member Award, Zoetis Clinical Proficiency Award in Dairy Production Medicine, Leadership Recognition Award and the New York State Veterinary Medical Society Senior Seminar Award.

Cully’s favorite professor was Dr. Matthew Kreitzer, and his favorite thing about IWU was the Christ-centeredness, as well as the competitive programs that allowed him to succeed. “The most valuable aspect of my IWU education was a Christ-centered perspective in professional and personal matters. The second most valuable aspect was highly competitive pre-professional program preparation that helped me to excel from the onset of my veterinary education,” Cully said.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of Indiana Wesleyan University who has graduated in the past ten years and exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Lydia Pfenniger

By: Dezaray Barr

Lydia and her family Photo obtained from http://www.fredandlydia.com/pictures/
Lydia and her family
Photo obtained from http://www.fredandlydia.com/pictures/

 

Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Award. This year, the recipient of this award is Lydia Pfenniger. Pfenniger currently works as an OB Fellowship Trained Family Physician at the Association of Baptist for World Evangelism. She is married to Fred Pfenniger and has two children, Noah and Nathanael.

Pfenniger is currently a member of Temple Baptist Church in Tacoma, Washington. She enjoys traveling and has taken multiple medical mission trips to Honduras, Bolivia, Zambia and most recently traveled to Togo. From January 2013 to July 2015, Pfenniger and her husband traveled to Togo, West Africa with the Samaritan’s Purse Post Residency Program to practice full scope medicine. The hospital the couple served in is a full service mission hospital that serves primary adult care, pediatrics, obstetrics and surgical needs. They are just now starting a second 30-month term at the same hospital.

Pfenniger’s education at IWU taught her many important things, but most importantly, it taught her how to see the bigger picture. “IWU challenged me to keep my focus on God and not just what is before me, to see a bigger picture through God’s eyes and not just the picture in front of me, to keep my focus on the end goal and not just the challenge directly ahead,” she said. Coach John Foss, Dr. Jim Lo, Dr. Hess, Dr. Webb and Dr. Lakanen were some of her favorite professors and mentors who influenced her greatly while at the university.

Learn more about Lydia and Fred’s journey on their website: http://www.fredandlydia.com/.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the College of Arts & Sciences who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: Reba Lynn Harris

Reba Harris, photo obtained from http://www.gileadhousekokomo.org/about-us/
Reba Harris, photo obtained from http://www.gileadhousekokomo.org/about-us/

By: Dezaray Barr

 

Annually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished College of Adult and Professional Studies Alumni Award. This year, the recipient of the award is Reba Lynn Harris, a 1997 graduate.

Harris founded the Gilead House in September of 2000 and is now the executive director. The Gilead House offers education, training, programs and services for broken and hopeless men, women and children.

Harris belongs to Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana where she serves as the president of the F.D. Reece Christian Academy, as well as an adult Sunday school teacher. She is a member of the Howard County Drug Court, Howard County Mayor’s Task Force and is a board member on the Kokomo Veteran’s Home. Finally, Harris has been honored with the Indiana Black Expo Award for community enrichment.

Harris’s education at Indiana Wesleyan University is what inspired her to open the Gilead House, as well as give her resources to help the Howard community. “It has given me the confidence to strive for the vision that God has given me,” Harris said about her education at IWU.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the College of Adults and Professional Studies who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Alumni Awards Homecoming 2016: John and Patty Bray

By: Dezaray Barr

john-and-patty-brayAnnually, Indiana Wesleyan University presents the Distinguished Wesley Seminary Alumni Award to a deserving candidate. Two of the finalists this year include John and Patty Bray. John and Patty currently work at the university, where John serves as Dean of the Chapel and Patty teaches Old Testament Survey and mentors young women in the community.

Even as the couple continues to serve in the IWU community, their educations from IWU still have a large impact on their lives. John said, “In formative periods of my life, IWU equipped me for life’s practical ministry opportunities. It shaped my thinking.” His favorite professor while studying at IWU was Wilbur
Williams, and at Wesley Seminary was Chris Bounds.

Patty says earning her master’s degree at IWU taught her how to be a, “life-long learner.” Her favorite professors while receiving her master’s degree included Wayne Schmidt, JoAnn Lyon and Steve Lennox.

Before returning to IWU to serve as Dean of the Chapel, John and Patty pastored for 41 years at Heritage Wesleyan Church in Rock Island, Illinois. After serving at Heritage, they lead as interim pastors at First Wesleyan Church in Battle Creek, Michigan, and then Patty served as the interim senior pastor at Fall Creek Wesleyan Church (now, Trinity East Fishers) in Fishers, Indiana.

This award is granted to an alumnus or alumna of the Seminary who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ, and will be awarded during the Homecoming Weekend of October 7th.

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a Sophomore Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Where the Church Can Shine the Brightest! – Chaplain Marc Watkins, Kokomo (Pastor of the Week)

MarcBy: Rick Carder

 

Rising above in one’s ministry Calling stands an extraordinary individual. Rev. Marc Watkins is one of those extraordinary individuals. A graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) from 1991, Marc has displayed the exceptional servant-leadership principle of people first. “IWU gave us ample opportunities in the Ministry program to serve…professors taught us that ministry and people were a priority,” he said in a recent interview.

Serving as a pastor of local church community at Trinity Wesleyan Church in Kokomo, Indiana has enabled Pastor Marc to have intentional ministry with his broader Howard County community. His passion to serve is what motivates Marc. I have witnessed his service first-hand. He is a person of faith and practical hands-on ministry.  I am impress by how Chaplain Marc decided to make his faith sacred duty. He goes beyond the Calling to duty that serves and ministers through his Chaplaincy role.

kokomo 2Devastation lined the neighborhoods where Chaplain Marc found himself ministering to families in the aftermath of tornadoes that threatened lives in a rare weather system on Wednesday. It was reminiscent of a storm system that left damaged businesses and homes just a few years ago. I called Chaplain Marc just last night to offer words of encouragement and my prayers just as the storms were passing overhead. Shocked by the news and pictures of damaged homes and the complete destruction of a local Starbucks building left the nation stunned by the impact of a reported F-3 tornado touching down in Kokomo.

I simply offered my support in a facebook post as well  as encouraging others to join me in prayer for Chaplains that service during events such as this. “Thank you for your prayers,” commented Chaplain Marc. “I really appreciate this,” he added. In a later conversation offering assistance he added, “We are still assessing the damage and developing a list of ways people can help!” Delivering Chick-fil-A breakfast sandwiches was where I caught up with Chaplain Marc this morning. “I am trying to help by feeding our officers who are serving the community,” he shared. He shared with me pictures of the deviation from his vantage point and all I could say was, “Wow! I am praying for you.” He offered ideas of how people can participate in the clean up and assisting of families that have been displaced. “There are 500 residents in an apartment complex alone that have been forced to leave all their possessions behind because the building has been condemned due to the damage,” added Chaplain Marc. He shared that we all can do something either through the United Way, Salvation Army, or Red Cross. Donations are encouraged. Speaking about his own Church affiliation, The Wesleyan Church he mentioned, “We have partnered with the Crossroads District of the Wesleyan Church to help in the clean up.” He mentioned that simply donating basic hygiene products to Kokomo Urban Outreach can be very helpful.

Chaplain Marc has been serving as a Kokomo Police Chaplains since December, 2013. His service has impacted not only his local community but also those who serve as First Responders during crisis incidences. Our local police sacrifice daily. We need someone to care for those that serve on the front line of the community. Chaplain Marc has stood in that gap and has been involved in helping Kokomo Police Officers deal with the harsh realities of community emergencies as well as the tragedies of fellow fallen officers. Chaplain Marc was involved in the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service in May of 2018. The memorial remembered two local officers killed in the line of duty. “Their lives have inspired us, and in their deaths, it calls us and compels us to a more compassionate resolve,” KPD chaplain Mark Watkins said during a prayer in the council chambers at city hall. In most recent days Kokomo residents were awakened with the news that Howard County Deputy Carl Koontz who was killed in the line of duty. Chaplain Marc was once again available to serve during this incredible loss.

Chaplain Marc stated that his goal is to provide compassionate ministries to people in our community. Whether they are First Responders or community residents, he hopes to provide emotional and spiritual support to people. He stated that First Responders are “emotionally and physically drained” as they serve after the devastating tornadoes. Chaplain Marc stated, “This is were the church can shine the brightest.”

Today, I call upon IWU Alumni and Friends to get involved in any way possible whether that means giving financial resources or time. I also offer to you an example of an IWU World Changer who didn’t turn away from the need but ran to assist his community. Thank you Pastor-Chaplain Marc Watkins for your service and compassion.

Pastor Marc is this week’s Pastor of the Week for his extraordinary heart of compassion during a time of crisis during the August 24, 2016 tornado.

 

Written by Rev. Rick Carder, Director of Alumni & Church Engagement at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Crystal Bailey Blake: Memorial and Reflections

HOPE was the theme of today’s memorial service of IWU alumnae Crystal Bailey Blake. Rev. Dennis Jackson provided perspective as he shared today at the service in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He offered words of hope and vision representing Global Partners when he shared about how Crystal often inspired and ministered to him even in her difficult time with cancer. Ultimately it is “hope” that make the difference in Crystal’s life shared Jackson. He talked about a time when most recently at a Global Missions Summit at Houghton College though she was weak, “she held up the sign that seemed most fitting to who she was. The sign read, ‘HOPE'” said Jackson.

Read Obituary at Dahl Funeral.

Hundreds have been impacted by her story and life. Even in the “small youth group at Trinity Bible Church during her teens, she would invite anyone and everyone to attend” shared former youth pastor, Rev. Kirk Statler, Pastor of Hillside Wesleyan Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He shared about her passion for Christ and love for people that drew her peers to a personal relations with Christ.

The following video talks about her struggle with cancer.

 

The following article was published by Global Partners.

“Forever ALIVE in him” | The Wesleyan Church

Light shines from Crystal Blake’s eyes and joy permeates her smile. If you looked at her, you’d think all was well. But Crystal knows about pain and struggle, probably better than most people.

Source: Forever ALIVE in him | The Wesleyan Church

Kirk & Emily Proctor: Ministry from Michigan to Sierra Leone

By: Dezaray Barr

 

10448185_10154371089705503_3035781835652019863_n
The Proctors striking a pose: (from left) Coby (6), Kirk, Aubrey (8), Bryce (10), and Emily.

Kirk and Emily (Robinson) Proctor are doing great things to expand God’s Kingdom, and it all began at Indiana Wesleyan University.

 

Kirk grew up in the Wesleyan church. His family was well known in the church, usually attending multiple services a week. Kirk says that the only family who stayed longer in his childhood church besides his own family was the pastor’s family.

 

From a very young age Kirk put his faith in Christ, “From the ages of three to five, I gave my life to Christ every time I got in trouble, which was a lot.”

 

When Kirk was in seventh grade, he rededicated his life to Christ, which is when Kirk believes it was the first time it was real for him. The next summer Kirk received his call to ministry while at summer camp, knowing the Lord wanted him to be a pastor.

Kirk Proctor - IWU Blog photo
Kirk preaching at Faith Church in Lansing, MI

 

Being the youngest child in his family, Kirk’s older brother and sister had attended Indiana Wesleyan, and Kirk knew Indiana Wesleyan was where he wanted to be. During his first few years in college he spent time dodging and rediscovering his call into ministry, including a six month period where he thought he did not want to be a pastor at all.

 

Emily also grew up in a family active in the Wesleyan church. Although Emily gave her life to Christ at a young age, she became serious about her faith in middle school and high school by learning from her summer counselors at church camp. Through camps, conferences and rallies Emily was introduced to Indiana Wesleyan. When she discovered that IWU had a competitive cheer team that offered scholarships, Emily knew IWU was where she wanted to go.

 

During their time at IWU, Kirk and Emily were both admissions tour guides, which is where they met. They became friends and eventually began dating. The couple graduated in April of 2002, Kirk with a degree in Christian Ministries and a minor in Intercultural Studies, and Emily with a Communication degree in Public Relations and a minor in Spanish. They married a month after graduating on May 25, 2002. IWU has had a huge impact on both of their lives, “We absolutely loved our time at Indiana Wesleyan,” Emily said.

numbers
This number represents how many people have found Salvation through Faith Church

Since leaving IWU, the Proctors have been working in the Wesleyan church for 14 years. After marrying, Kirk and Emily moved to Wisconsin where they had taken jobs as youth ministers at Sand Lake Wesleyan Church. The pair then served for a few years at Sturgis Wesleyan Church in Michigan, and then moved to Illinois where they served at Heritage Church for six years. Now, the couple lives in Lansing, Michigan where Kirk is the senior pastor at Faith Church.

 

Kirk is passionate about keeping his congregation accountable for bringing new believers to Christ. About two years ago, Kirk told his church congregation that every time a non-believer comes to Christ they will put a number on the wall of the church. The number is located above the door, so that when congregants leave after the Sunday services they are reminded church is not just the pastor, but that they are a part of the Church.

 

Kirk believes his congregation has changed immensely because of this number above the door, “When they leave they think, ‘How many more people can come to Christ this week?’ And then they celebrate that number. We’ll announce a new number from time to time, and there is always a standing ovation with whooping and hollering.”

 

numbers2
Each new Christian holds up their “number” that represents when they found Salvation

After the first year the number above the door was “113”. Kirk planned on taking the number down and starting over. However, people in the church asked him not to. Many people knew what number they were or what number their friends were, and they did not want to lose that symbol.

 

Today, the number is “227”. Of these 227 people, one-third of them were led to Christ by members of the church outside of services. Kirk has seen dozens of people come into the church and put up their own number, either by themselves or with their friend who brought them to Christ.

 

Last month, Kirk and Emily had the opportunity to travel to the Republic of Sierra Leone in West Africa. Faith church is currently partnered with World Hope International in a three year village partnership commitment. During these three years, Faith church raises monetary funds to allow the village they are partnered with to create commerce within their owsierra leonen community in West Africa.

 

Kirk is passionate about what World Hope International is doing around the world, “They know how the old saying goes, ‘Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime.’ That is what World Hope International does. They know what crops can grow or certain livestock that each village can have, so we pay for them to have these things.”

 

The village Kirk and Emily visited on behalf of their church had no well and only muddy water. Through the partnership, the village has been able to plant pineapple fields, and they now have two wells. The people of the village now have clean water, and can sell the pineapple to create commerce to provide for education and basic needs.

 

While in Sierra Leone, Kirk and Emily also had the opportunity to help missionaries who were in need of prayer, “We got to pour into some of the Wesleyan Missionaries there,” said Emily. Kirk knows that his work is not done with Faith church or with World  Hope International, “I hope that when this three year partnership is done we’ll pick another village.”

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, Writer for the Alumni Office. Dezaray Barr is a Freshman Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU Dezaray is involved in PRSSA leadership and runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. In 2015, Dezaray received the award of Horatio Alger National Scholar.

 

“Embracing Changing Seasons” – Summer Devotional Series

By: Emily Lehner

summer deals!

One thing that I find amazing is that — here in the Midwest especially — our bodies let us know when we are ready for a new season. The snow is beautiful, but after Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, we are more than ready for the never-ending snow to end. The same happens with the heat of summer. It is wonderful to soak up the sun, but after a few days over 100 degrees, we desire a break from the heat, and the cool fall weather, when it arrives, becomes exactly what we need.  For me, these changes in weather have become times I look forward to. These times have become refreshing, relieving and joyful.

 

Spring, in particular, has been so eye-opening for me this year. I found myself trudging along slowly through the winter, desiring fresh, warmer air, and wishing for clear skies. Before I realized it, I was wishing away time and not living in the present. I was begging God for renewal and restoration. I was begging God for these things, but never surrendering myself to Him fully. I would ask Him to make me feel better or to bring me happiness, and when I didn’t receive it, I became convinced there was something wrong with me.

 

An example of this is found in Daniel 3:  The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I can only image what the three friends were thinking when being thrown in the fiery furnace. They took a leap of faith by refusing to worship the golden image created by King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:16-18). I think so often we take a leap of faith expecting God to snap his fingers and fix our problems, sadness or persecution. He doesn’t always do that, though. God has the power to stop our hardships from happening. He had the power to put out the fire in an instant, but He didn’t, and He doesn’t always do that for us either.

 

While God doesn’t always prevent or end the difficult times in our lives from happening, he walks through them with us. Although He didn’t put water on the fire or even prevent King Nebuchadnezzar from building the golden image in the first place, He did something equally as powerful. In verses 24 and 25, we read:

 

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.

 

God doesn’t create the bad situations. He walks alongside us in the midst of trial and tribulation. He goes through the fire with us. Rough situations have the potential to bring Him so much glory, and we see that in verses 28 and 29:

 

28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.

 

Do you see how a moment of suffering can be used to glorify Christ? Next time you are struggling with a hardship, I encourage you to not become so concerned with wishing it away. Ask God how He can use the situation and you to bring more glory to His name. While I desired refreshment this past winter, God desired for me to be close to Him, and that in itself was refreshing. However, I couldn’t have seen that without the difficulties.

 

Check out more of Emily’s blogs and devotions on her website at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com!

 

 

Emily Lehner is a writer for the Alumni Center, and is a first year Writing major. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com. Her blog includes personal trials, triumphs, and devotion style writing. 

Serving the Marginalized – Rev. Richard Meeks

By: Emily Lehner

 

Richard-Meeks-2
Rev. Richard Meeks (’84)

Reverend Richard Meeks currently serves as Superintendent for the East Michigan District of the Wesleyan Church. He and his coworkers focus on racial reconciliation and helping those in need.

Meeks, (Marion College, ‘84), says that he felt his call to ministry long before he set foot on campus. In sixth grade, Meeks realized that God’s plan for him involved ministry. In eighth grade, he preached his first sermon. After graduating high school, Meeks enlisted in the military and served there until his decision to leave in pursuit of an education in ministry. “I knew I had a strong sense of call to ministry,” he said.

Meeks has since served in many places — from Arizona to Southern California to Michigan. Before taking his position as East Michigan District Supervisor, he pastored a church in Southern California and spent some time working for The Wesleyan Headquarters.

One of Meeks’ primary focuses is church planting. Currently, he has helped plant a church in Detroit, Michigan called Mosaic Midtown Church. When asked what group of people this church reaches out to, 64838_1750437001853159_5835407228089585611_nMeeks responded, “We are so diverse in East Michigan. The churches we plant are mostly multi-cultural and multi-racial.”

Meeks’ main goal through church planting in the East Michigan area is racial reconciliation. “It requires much humility and we obviously don’t have all the answers. It takes a full surrender to the Lord, Jesus Christ,” he says. He believes they have seen progress and been able to break down barriers in this area. “We have really seen people come together as the body of Christ,” he stated.

JoyChurch
Courtesy of: www.FlintGrassroots.com

The East Michigan District is currently focused on helping resolve the Flint Water Crisis. While there is a significant amount of the Flint population who cannot use their water, they are taking steps toward fixing this by establishing Flint Grassroots Initiative (FGI). FGI provides clean water, hygiene centers, physical and mental care, fresh fruits and vegetables, Spanish language volunteers and job training all with the goal of reconciliation with the marginalized in mind. “FGI is all geared around building a system, around the system, in place to deal with this massive crisis,” Meeks said. Read more about the FGI and how you can help by clicking this link: http://flintgrassroots.org/

Meeks’ work on reconciliation revolves around meeting the population’s physical needs, as well as their spiritual. “You have to be willing to accept and love people where they are and allow God to do the deep work within you. You have to work hard at building relationships with other people and reaching those who don’t know Christ,” says Meeks. He continues to pursue ministry in Detroit, fully relying on Christ to guide him.

 

 

Emily Lehner is a writer for the Alumni Center, and is a first year Writing major. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com. Her blog includes personal trials, triumphs, and devotion style writing.