en A Church Where Anyone Can Come http://www.swcchurch.org © Copyright 2000 - 2010Church Community Builder. All Rights Reserved. http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=347 Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:15:53 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=265 Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:12:14 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=183 Southwest has two worship times on Sunday mornings: 9:30 am & 11:00 am. We have an exciting children's worship time called Praiseville for kids age 4 through 5th grade that meets at 11:00 am. The current curriculum is the popular Hillsong Kids BIG series. Also, we have Bible classes at 9:30 am (all ages) & 11:00 am (adult classes only) on Sunday mornings. We have started a new family ministry called LIFT that meets on Wednesday nights at 6:15 pm. Our Students' Ministry also meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:45 in the Filling Station upstairs in the multi-purpose building. In addition, Southwest has home groups that meet at various times during the week throughout the Fort Worth area - click here to find a group in your area. Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:12:14 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=71 Whether you're "on a mission" or just surfing the web, we're glad you found us . . . so take a few minutes to find out what's going on here at Southwest Christian Church - a church where anyone can come. We look forward to you and yours finding your way from this page to our church family at 7101 Trail Lake Drive. Click here to find out more about our beliefs and our mission. Also, you can click on the links at the upper left of this page to find out more about our ministries, upcoming events, and what's happening here at Southwest. Thu, 4 Mar 2010 15:12:14 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=5 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=5&article_id=117 By Rusty Howard, Senior Minister I was 8 years old (almost 9) and I'd been "bapitized" just last Sunday. It was as I was about to walk into Mrs. Kenyon's second grade Bible school class that Bro. Letcher (our preacher - and I don't think I knew his real first name was Stanley until I was twelve) tapped me on the shoulder and stopped me out in the hall. "Rusty, I thought I might not catch you before church starts (back then there was nothing like ‘Praiseville' for kids - kids sat in worship with their parents), so I wanted to make sure you got these this Sunday." With that he gave me a little rectangular cardboard box of offering envelopes. They were just like the ones my Mom and Dad had. 52 envelopes, one for every Sunday in the year. Each envelope just like all those other envelopes I'd seen in the offering plate as I'd passed it to the next person in my pew. My own offering envelopes. Here I was just 8 years old (almost 9) and Bro. Letcher thought I was important enough to have a part in giving to the Lord's work. I can't tell you what a powerful impression that made on me as a brand new "bapitized" believer (then again, I guess I just did - tell you, that is). But in the interest of ministerial honesty, I confess that I don't recall how long the impression lasted. I do know that I as was reading again the scripture from Exodus that Brandon and I will be preaching from in the coming weeks, I was impressed afresh in this matter of giving by a couple of verses in particular: 1Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2"Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. (Exodus 25:1, 2) What this contribution was for was the construction of the tabernacle and all of its furnishings - "gold and silver and bronze", et cetera. But the thing that hit me was how God looked at this nation of former slaves and thought that they could be a part of something He was about to do. Not exactly what Bro. Letcher did with me, but you get the idea. I'm praying that over the next "40 Days of Giving" emphasis that a similar impression happens to you - that God is still saying to the likes of you and me, "I want you to be involved with me in something I'm doing." During March, Brandon and I will be preaching 4 messages from Exodus, and then from March 28 through May 2, our goal is to receive $70,000 in over-and-above giving. For what? For funding another "Habitat for Humanity" project this coming fall. For some much needed furnishings in the foyer and hallways. For teaching technology in our classrooms. For finishing touches in some areas of our facilities (and fix-up and repair in others!) We'll be publishing a more detailed list, but that gives you a general idea. This Sunday (March 7) we begin. And I almost forgot - we will have special offering envelopes for everyone! His & Yours, Rusty Tue, 2 Mar 2010 15:59:55 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=47 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=47&article_id=165 Click on this link Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:07:20 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=339 Click here for more information. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:19:51 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=346 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:47:23 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=50 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=50&article_id=207 Here's a listing of what's going on here at Southwest . . . Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:35:24 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=50 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=50&article_id=344 When: Saturday, April 3rd, 2010, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Where: Southwest Christian Church Contact the church office for more information. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:35:08 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=50 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=50&article_id=345 When: March 26th - 27th, 2010 Where: Mt. Lebanon Baptist Encampment, Cedar Hill, TX Contact Nina Carty for more information. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:35:04 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40&article_id=320 2010 Women's Retreat I am the vine; you are the branches. John 15:5a March 26-27, 2010 Mount Lebanon Baptist Encampment 1701 Texas Plume Rd., Cedar Hill TX. 75104 Cost: $45.00 ($18.50 One Day Only) Registration: March 7th, 14th, and 21st at Information Desk Limited Space Available Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:33:40 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=54 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=54&article_id=341 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. - Ephesians 3:18 Come prepared to say this verse each week in the month of February so you can help your team earn some points! Also, don't forget to bring your Bible with you! Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:42:32 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35&article_id=122 The Word of God declares, "As long as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17, The Bible) Our Purpose is to sharpen one another in living the life that God our Father has planned for us through faith in Jesus Christ and in the power of The Holy Spirit. As iron sharpens iron, we sharpen one another through weekly men's fellowship and annual retreats where we learn His way so that we can fulfill His purpose in our lives: to serve the body of Christ and to see that men come to know and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We look at our lives through the lens of God's Word. We have fun challenging our comfort zones. We honor those who leads us. We share our life stories. We openly discuss the challenges of life. We pray for His goodness and mercy to follow us all the days of our lives. Hear The Word of The Lord, Men of God: Joshua 1:9; Romans 1:16; Matthew 28:19; ITimothy 6:12; Eph. 6:10-13 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:38:38 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40&article_id=321 Weekly Bible Study Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 6:45 p.m.(click here for more information)M&M Program September through May This is a ministry for women of all ages based on Titus 2:3-5. It is a ministry that intentionally develops friendships among women of different generations. Women invest in the lives of each other through encouragement, guidance, listening, laughing and loving. The goal is to form strong and lasting relationships that are a source of support, growth and strength.Threads of Love Threads of Love is an outreach sewing ministry that strives to provide for some of the physical needs of tiny infants, while showing God's love to the babies' parents and families. Fri, 8 Jan 2010 09:02:05 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=53 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=53&article_id=234 Women's Bible Study - Two Times! Starting Wednesday, January 6, 2010 10:00 a.m. in Main Building - Childcare provided 6:45 p.m. in Garage Classroom - Childcare when LIFT is meeting We will be studying Beth Moore's Living Beyond Yourself. Pick up the study workbook at your local Christian bookstore. For more information, contact the church office at (817) 293-4947. Fri, 8 Jan 2010 09:01:06 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=54 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=54&article_id=340 LIFT would like to announce to all of you that we now have choices. Our prayer is that our expanded vision will serve you even better. Here are your choices: 1. Grace-Based Parenting by Dr. Kimmel - Parents can expect to come away with a blueprint for building confident, courageous, and cooperative kids. Grace-Based Parenting will show them a grace-based, character-driven model to nurture well-rounded and loving kids-and have a great time in the process! 2. Love and Respect by Dr. Eggerich - Using Dr. Eggerich's breakthrough techniques, couples nationwide are achieving a brand-new level of intimacy and learning how to stop the Crazy Cycle of conflict, initiate the Energizing Cycle of change, and enjoy the Rewarded Cycle of new passion. And if you'll take this biblically-based counsel to heart, your marriage could be next! 3. The Second Half of Marriage by David and Claudia Arp - The second half of marriage can be a time of incredible fulfillment, no matter what challenges you've previously faced. Couples can rediscover each other and build a more personal, satisfying, and romantic life together. This small group DVD resource is designed to facilitate this rediscovery and rebuilding for the empty nest years. 4. Common Mistakes Singles Make (and How to Avoid Them) by Mary Whelchel - This discussion about the pitfalls that ensnare Christian singles aims to provide uncompromising biblical solutions to the challenges singles face. We will probe issues such as dating, financial planning, career choices, family relationships, and friendships with the opposite sex and approach each of these topics from a Christ-centered perspective. Here's the LIFT schedule:Eat at 6:15 ($3 a person $10 max per family) Worship at 6:45 Study from 7:00 to 8:00 We look forward to serving and growing with all of you this year! Brandon Groome Mon, 4 Jan 2010 14:00:49 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=54 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=54&article_id=236 Wednesday Night is LIFT Night! LIFT spelled out is Learning in Fellowship Together, and that is exactly what we intend to do each Wednesday night starting January 6th.We will have food, fellowship, motivating family-focused lessons, and discussion times geared toward your specific needs in order to build relationships and bring the lessons home!For more information, e-mail Brandon Groome or contact the church office at (817) 293-4947. Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:18:41 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=333 (e-mail received 12/02/09) Dear Praying Ones, It has been a couple weeks since we updated you and we want to share some special praises and add a few new prayer requests. Praise that Rhonda's brother, Rod, found a new radiologist that specializes in a type of radiation that should cause no burning to the esophagus area. He is in his second week of radiation and chemo treatment and has been doing very well. Thank you very much for your prayers for him. Praise that Steve, Gach & Matias, and William Butler finished the consultant check of the Gospel of John in Tay. The Tay men are on their way back to the village and would appreciate prayers for safe travel. Pray for many Tay men as they construct two new school buildings at Yimnalem that will be needed by the end of January. Thank you for praying for Jason in regards to a relationship there at Johnson Bible College. He made a difficult, but we feel a very Spirit-led decision just before Thanksgiving. Please pray for Jason to have God's peace and grace to rest in God's heart of love. Pray for both he and Carissa here at Ukarumpa as they study for and take semester exams the next two weeks. Carissa and other students are battling bad coughs/colds. Praise that Jason was kept safe in a minor car accident (that could have been much worse). God graciously provided Jason (and the other two men with him) with many different people to help them and care for them after the accident. God is good! Rhonda for the Haywards ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=331 (e-mail received 10/31/09) Hi, We hope that you are doing well this month. We are trying to wrap things up before leaving town early Monday morning, so this will be brief. Quarantine There's a lot of tension in Lviv and in western Ukraine in general regarding the swine flu. As a result all educational establishments have been ordered closed by the government for three weeks. Everyone in our family is healthy, thankfully. We do anticipate a lot of students leaving Lviv to go home during the quarantine, so we canceled next week's English club meeting. Hopefully at the end of the next week the government will reconsider the length of the quarantine and allow classes to resume. We will see. It is really difficult to know what is going on because of the unreliability of 'news' sources here. But then, it's also difficult in the US to know how seriously to take this virus. Hysteria is the gift that keeps on giving. English Club Our English club appears to be off to a successful start. We have about 45 students who have come to at least two of the first three meetings. Dustin leads one class and Karilyn the other, from 6:30 to 8:15, with a short break at 7:30. The students seem to be enjoying a more informal, conversational approach to learning. We definitely enjoy teaching them. During the last half hour of each meeting we discuss a Bible passage in Ukrainian. We break up into smaller groups (5-6 students), with each group being led by someone from our church. So far the discussions seem to be going well, with the students displaying an interest in discussing spiritual truth. One of the best things about the club is that already around 15 people from church have participated in conducting the meetings in some form or fashion. God has answered your prayers that we requested last month for students who are open to spiritual matters and for wisdom in how to structure our meetings. Thank you for praying. Team Meeting Monday morning we will travel to Crimea in the southeastern part of the country for a team meeting. We return on Friday. Please pray for a productive time and deepened relationships with our teammates. Also, we would appreciate prayers for protection of our health from the flu, and that we would be able to resume our English club meetings after next week. Now, we will close. We will not lie. Caleb just went to sleep, which means it's time for us to hit the rack in order to get as much sleep as possible before he wakes up acting like he has never eaten before. Please let us know how we can pray for you. In Christ, Dustin and Karilyn ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=325 (e-mail received 10/28/09) All, Good morning to all of you who live in the US. I hope you are enjoying your coffee. I'm writing to request prayer for our English club meeting tonight. If you are into time zones and things like that, we are 6 hours ahead of US east coast time. Our club is off to a good start. I'll write more about it in a few days in our monthly update. Tonight is our third meeting, and for the last half hour we will discuss in Ukrainian the feeding of the 5,000 from John 6:1-15. As I was reading the rest of chapter 6 this morning I was struck by how weighty it is, and how Jesus' miracle sets the stage for what he says after it. We will likely not have time to discuss much of Jesus' words, but we hope to look at perhaps a few of His statements in hopes of creating a thirst in the students to know Him better. So, I am asking you to pray for the following things for tonight: - That the Holy Spirit would prepare the hearts of the students and the hearts of those who will be leading the discussion in small groups. - That our discussion would create a desire in the students to seek to know Christ through his Word, starting with John 6. - That the students would be struck by the weight of the Word of God and the primacy of Christ over and against what they heard all of their lives about the elevated status of Mary, saints, icons, priests, etc. Is it a battle to get them to the point where the Bible , not their priest, is their authority. Thanks for your prayers. In Christ, Dustin ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=326 (e-mail received 10/29/09) Good morning, again. Thank you for your prayers for last night's English club meeting. It seemed like it went pretty well, based on a few conversations I had with the other people from our church who led the discussion groups. We started discussing the passage in Ukrainian a little later than usual, so we were somewhat pressed for time. The guys in my group certainly know many of the right answers, but at the end of our time Rostyslav (one of many Rostyslav's I have met since moving to Ukraine), a sophomore at the Polytechnic University, said that he thinks the determining factor in where we spend eternity is the comparison of our bad deeds with our good deeds. He then added, "Also, someone can pray for you to get you to heaven." I brought up to him Ephesians 2:8-9. I'm not sure to what extent that sunk in, which again underscores the need for these students to get to the point where the Bible is their authority. I encouraged the guys in my group to read all of John 6 in order to get a better context for the feeding of the 5000. Please pray that they do this, and that the truths that I and the other leaders shared with them will sink in. When I think about your prayers for our work here I'm reminded of how often Paul spoke of the advance of the gospel being fueled by prayer. Thanks, Dustin ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=303 Dear Praying Ones, It is a real blessing to be able to once again be in contact with you. Thank you so much for all of your prayers while we were in the village. We ended up leaving a day later, which got us back into Ukarumpa on Saturday. We are excited to share some of the highlights of our visit. Steve finished translating the Gospel of John as well as village checking half of it. Jason had a positive reunion and time of sharing with his Tay friends. Many tried to convince him to return to work amongst them when he finished at college : ) . Carissa did have a good time sharing with friends as well. The Scripture Use course on fear was very well attended. Thursday morning when we first started, there was a small group, but before noon, we had a very large group. I could feel God's presence with us guiding us as we spoke. The people were so quiet and attentive and more and more people kept gathering to here. The DVD presentation of transformation happening in a neighboring province powerfully impacted the Tay as they saw fellow PNG'ers literally on their faces repenting and crying out to God as well as burning magic articles. We have had a lot of very encouraging feedback. Many have told us "this is a new talk, a very weighty talk". The study challenged them to "choose this day whom you serve". They saw Scripturally that God's blessing is withheld if a people continue to serve two gods. One man came and said that those in his house could not sleep because of wrestling with the issues of the course. Those that came are taking the study back to their respective villages and local congregations to share with them. Your continued prayers to water the seeds that were planted are especially critical right now while this is all fresh in their minds. May none of it fall on hard ground, but rather fertile soil. Pray for a revelation of God's love and grace as many struggle with legalism and we do not want them to think this is another "hoop to jump through" to earn God's favor. Rather, may they see God's heart of love and mercy and may His "kindness lead them to repentance". As you rejoice with us in what God has done, could you please pray for these things as well. Rebekah Light, Kyle and Kathy Harris's granddaughter died on July 1st after 54 days of hard fighting. Please pray for comfort for her parents, Melissa and Ryan, as well as all the family. Steve as he consultant checks the Waran translation of Waran with translator William Butler and co-translator Samwell. Pray for grace for Steve to stay focused and see the areas that need revision. Guidance for Jason as he seeks the Lord for future plans. He will be with us until the second week of August. Carissa to be healed of a cold and be healthy to start 11th grade next week. We will celebrate her 17th birthday on the 17th! The pain in my right arm/shoulder/neck is flaring up again since returning to Ukarumpa & I am once again on the computer. The physiotherapy sessions in Madang helped ease the pain, but I need wisdom in knowing how to prevent it from reoccuring again. I have discovered just how much of my work/ministry here is tied to this machine! We are so blessed that you are part of our lives and ministry! Thank you again for your powerful ministry of prayer for we and the Tay. Rhonda ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=299 Dear Friends and Family, We hope that your summer is going well. Our time in the US is going well, but there has been an unexpected turn of events. Last Tuesday Caleb was admitted through the ER to the pediatric ICU with a virus that led to pneumonia, which is slowly resolving. He is doing much better now, however, we are still unsure when he will be discharged. Please pray for his continued recovery. Andriy and Olya In previous updates we told you about Andriy and Olya, who attended the bible study in our home this spring. Last Saturday they were baptized at a lake outside of Lviv. The next day they were engaged to be married and are planning a late August wedding. Thank you for your prayers on their behalf. We are grateful to see God's work in their lives. We (especially Karilyn) have lots of time sitting with Caleb in the hospital, so we would love to pray specifically for you. Please let us know how we can do so. In Christ, Dustin and Karilyn ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=297 (submitted 6/19/09) Hello Everyone, We are in need of some attention to some rather large projects here at CCA. We have listed them below and we really appreciate your help in this area. GROUPS (6 OR MORE)Clean windows (inside and outside)Haul and spread flowerbeds with mulch INDIVIDUALS OR SMALL TEAMS (6 OR LESS)Painting---- Repair food room floor Paint all or part of CCA trailer Touchup interior paint Paint roof ventsReplace trailer bed board We thank you in advance for your help with these projects. In His service, Tommie ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=280 (submitted 4/30/09) Dear Friends and Family, We anticipate an eventful next few months. Now you're hooked. You feel compelled to read on. Don't deny it. Summer Plans We are eagerly anticipating the new addition to our family. Our baby is due in late May. Karilyn, Claire and Kyle are travelling to the U.S. for the birth tomorrow, May 1. Dustin will join them in a couple of weeks. We will be in the U.S. until later this summer. College Our weekly Bible study seems to be going well. Andriy, who has come every week and is set to graduate in June, has mentioned multiple times that the group is a needed source of encouragement and fellowship for him. Dustin is going with him this weekend to his parents' house in a small town about an hour from Lviv. Please pray that God would use this time to deepen their relationship and draw both of them closer to Christ. Destination Lviv We have written a few times in the past that about our pending decision about a city in which to settle and serve in western Ukraine. We have lived in Lviv since we moved to Ukraine in July 2007. After investigating opportunities here and in three other university towns, we think it is best to stay in Lviv. We have requested and received permission to do so from our teammates in Ukraine and our home office. Two of the biggest factors in our decision were: 1) The church with which we have the opportunity to partner here is a better fit than the churches in the other towns. We will write more about this church in a future update. 2) The relationships that God have given us here give us a head start on ministry that we would not have in the other towns. We are currently looking for a new apartment to move to. We would like to move in before we return to the U.S. so that we have a home to return to this summer. If that does not work then we will resume our search when we return. We would appreciate your prayers that God would provide the right apartment for us before Dustin comes to the U.S. Team Meeting Our team meeting at the beginning of April went well. We had a productive and enjoyable time together. The kids on our team especially enjoyed being around each other. Thank you for your prayers for this time. Participation is Optional Dustin has heard some interesting excuses from his baseball players for why they either cannot come to practice at all or simply cannot run at the beginning of practice in order to warmup. Here are the some of the better ones: - We have a class reunion (in September, after graduating in May). - My thighs hurt from fencing in gym class. - I twisted my ankle dancing in gym class. - I hurt my back kickboxing. - I twisted my ankle while walking. - I have a toothache. - The secretary for the women's volleyball coach told us we should go watch their game this afternoon in order to support them. Thank you very much for partnering with us financially and in prayer. Please write back and tell us how we can pray for you specifically. We will pray for you extra if you have a toothache or a kickboxing injury. In Christ, Dustin and Karilyn ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=281 (submitted 5/12/09) Hi! This might be the 1st update I have written. It's a BOY!!!! Our precious son Caleb Michael entered the world at 11am on May 9, 2009 weighing 7 pounds 4 ounces and measuring 20 inches long, 4 weeks early to our surprise. He is presently in the NICU for a few days but improves greatly hour by hour. Daddy was called when I went into labor and started his marathon 36 hour journey from Ukraine to get to us. We were more than excited for his arrival, too! Claire and Kyle were able to see Caleb through the window and talk about "baby Caleb" all day! They have been taken care of incredibly by there aunts and uncle and are snuggly sleeping at Grandma's now. The Lord has protected this sweet child so perfectly and we are grateful. Thank you for your prayers for him! Blessings this day! Karilyn ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=267 (submitted 3/23/09) CCA (our food and clothing pantry) is asking for our help. Every year, Christian Community Assistance (CCA) holds a banquet for the volunteers to show them our appreciation. Our fellow brothers and sisters who volunteer come from any of our 26 churches that sponsor CCA.. One of the ways we try to show our appreciation is to have a drawing for gift certificates. The Board is asking all our Board Members to ask their churches to donate any kind of gifts they can come up with for this event.. The gift certificates should be valued around $25 to $35. So, church family, if you know of anyone who has any kind of business (or you're a frequent visitor), please see if you can come up with anything for us. Personal donations are accepted!!! Please see Janet Tinsley or Jim Marshall for more information. ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=266 (submitted 3/18/09) Dear Ones, We have a special prayer request. Steve's Dad, Marion Hayward, who has suffered some years from congestive heart failures, is in very serious condition in the hospital. The medications that have normally strengthened his heart seem no longer effective. The doctor today indicated that there was little he could do to help Marion at this point. We do appreciate your prayers for the whole family. We did want to tell you that the Jeremy, Jerry, Steve, and William Butler finished the final consultant check of 1 & 2 Timothy, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and Titus. They even finished earlier than we would have thought possible. The two Tay men are to fly to the village tomorrow morning (leaving around 3:30pm CDT Wednesday). Prayers for their flight are appreciated. The Tay leaders in Madang to see the education officers also arrived safely back to the village last week. Thank you for praying for them. Love in Christ, Steve & Rhonda ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=263 (submitted 3/10/09) Winward Islands School of Evengelism (W.I.S.E.) started in St. Lucia, West Indies in the fall of 1979 and moved to St. Vincent in January, 1980. It is a Bible college training young people from Caribbean countries for leadership ministry within the churches. Over the years students from Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Suriname and Trinidad have come to St. Vincent to study at W.I.S.E. Graduates now serve in around 60 different churches in over a dozen countries, in capacities ranging from primary preaching and teaching positions to volunteer service. W.I.S.E. is a full-time residence Bible college, offering a two-year Associate Degree program and a three-year Bachelor's Degree program. The college is pursuing accreditation through CETA (Caribbean Evangelical Theological Association). Missionaries Bob and Jackie Muter, and Jeff and Jane Robertson worked together to found W.I.S.E., and Bob was the Director until his passing in 1998. Jackie was then Director for several years. Currently Dr. Simeon Norton, originally from Guyana and a graduate of W.I.S.E., Ozark Christian College and Nova University, is the Director of the School, which has a fully West Indian faculty and staff. Southwest Christian Church has the distinction of having supported W.I.S.E. throughout its entire history until now, beginning with the church's association with the Robertson's, who served at W.I.S.E. until they returned to the States in 2002. The church has sent several work teams to St. Vincent to assist in the development of the school's fine campus facility, as well as to participate in area church programs. For more information, you may visit the college's web site at windwardislandsschoolofevangelism.org (it has a picture of the facility which houses W.I.S.E.), or email direct at wisebiblecollege@vincysurf.com. Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=260 (submitted 3/5/09) Hello Everyone, Here are the needs for CCA. We thank you so much for all your support and look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions.MACARONI & CHEESEPOPCORN CORN BREAD MIXSPAGHETTITOILET PAPER SUGARJELLY6 OZ. CANNED TUNA Thank you, Tommie ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=257 For all the women who attended the Ladies Nite out meeting on Monday (1/19) and heard an excellent presentation from Melba who runs CCA, we learned how we could help. This weekend if you are going to the grocery CCA sure could use some help. Remember to pick up one or some of the following:PopcornJellyCornbread Muffin MixRamen NoodlesCondensed Canned SoupTuna HelperHamburger HelperMac and CheeseTunaBath Soap (Bar)Toilet Paper One lady in the congregation has picked out a couple of items that each time she shops she picks up the same items and keeps our CCA shelf filled with her items to go to help those in need. What a good habit to get into! Also needed are men's clothing! They have lots of things to give to women, but the men are in need too! Pray for CCA, we also learned that each man and woman who comes to CCA for help the Lord is always shared with them. They go out of the CCA doors with food, clothing if needed and the Word. Thank you God will bless you. ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=254 (submitted 1/12/09) Good Morning Everyone, Happy New Year and I know the Lord is great and He will be blessing all of us with His goodness. We look forward to the New Year and the privilege of working with each and every one of you. I have enclosed the following list of the needs. We thank you in advance for your generosity and God bless you.POPCORN JELLY CORNBREAD MUFFIN MIXRAMEN NOODLES CONDENSED CANNED SOUP TUNA HELPERHAMBURGER HELPER MAC AND CHEESE TUNABATH SOAP (BAR) TOILET PAPER In His service, Tommie Elliott Administrative Assistant ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=248 (submitted 12/21/08) Pioneer Bible Translators is looking for an MEP Engineering that would be willing to donate some time to help out with the design of there new building in Duncanville. Let me know if you know some one who could fill this need. Also, we will be put together work teams to go over and help out with various stages of this project. The first one likely in the March time frame. Let me know if you are interested in participating. Thanks, Tom Bower Missions Committee Southwest Christian Church Fort Worth, TX ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=245 (submitted 12/11/08) The New Year presents an opportunity for each of us to renew our commitment to serving our Lord and growing in our daily walk with Him. An integral part of that commitment is the habit of reading the Scriptures and allowing God to speak to us through His Word. The leadership at Southwest would like to encourage all of our members to commit to reading the Bible on a daily basis in 2009. To assist you in keeping this commitment, we have provided some daily Bible reading plans that were prepared for us by John and Nina Carty. There are three different plans available: a one-year plan by chronology, a one-year plan by genre, and a two-year plan. The Bible reading plans will be available in the foyer after Sunday's worship. We encourage you to pick one up before you leave Sunday. We are praying that God will bless your commitment to spending time in the Word each day in 2009. ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=243 (submitted 12/05/08) Greetings, Well, it is that time of year again isn't it, the time to wrap up the old and bring in the new. Just make sure you are not wrapping up the old and putting it under the tree! Seriously, this is the time that we contemplate our year and look forward to setting new priorities for the next one. And one thing we would like you to consider adding to your schedule is our Wednesday night L.I.F.T. night starting January 7th. L.I.F.T. stands for Learning in Fellowship Together. Honestly though it speaks for itself doesn't it? That is why by Wednesday it's all we can do to drag ourselves through the door and to the couch. We need a lift! That's exactly what we have in mind for you - no, not your couch, but a lift! And we have made it easier than ever for you to get it. For most of you getting here is quicker than getting home and we will have the dinner waiting for you when you get here - it doesn't get any better than that! Our plan is to have dinner here at the church starting each Wednesday at around 6:15pm. We'll hang out and fellowship until just before 7:00 then Gincy Hartin will lead us in a short time of worship. After worship we will get a LIFT from the Word of God. Brandon will be presenting a series of lessons called, "The Rise and Fall of Christian Homes." Each lesson will be packed with the powerful and practical insights from God's word about marriage and family. At the conclusion of each lesson we will break up into discussion groups for application time. We plan on having you out of here by 8:00pm so we're going to be jam-packed! You might be wondering if this is for you. Are you in a family? Are you married, ever been married, or ever want to get married? Do you have kids, want kids, or wonder why you had kids? Well, L.I.F.T. is probably for you! This is going to be a time to make and build friendships that will strengthen your marriage and family. This is going to be a time to hear and talk about the stuff we all struggle with and the stuff we all long for. This is going to be a time to grow and reach higher as families! We hope to see you there! ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=244 (submitted 12/05/08) Hello Everyone, I know that your schedules are just as busy as ours here at CCA however, I wanted to make you aware of the needs at CCA. It seems that at this time of the year things get a little bit low in our pantry but with your help we can continue to help those in need. Here are the most current and urgent needs for this month:CORNBREAD MIX CANNED CREAM SOUPS MACRONI & CHEESEINSTANT POTATOES JELLY (ANY KIND) TOILET PAPER Thanks, Tommie Elliott ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=242 (submitted 12/04/08) Hello Everyone, Well, once again the time is near when the children will be receiving their Christmas toys. We will be collecting toys for these less fortunate children. We'll be receiving toys beginning now through December 19th at 4:30 p.m. Distribution will be on December 22nd. We hope you will help us with this project. Toys should be new and unwrapped and delivered to CCA. Thank you so much for all of your help. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call me at 817-921-9622. Sincerely, Tommie ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=240 (submitted 12/01/08) Dear Friends and Family, We hope that each of you had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with those you love. There is nothing like a Wednesday-afternoon road trip home for a four-day weekend of family, food, football and sleep! We had a good time celebrating with friends. Please enjoy the attached comic strip in honor of our first snowfall of autumn, as well as the photos of Claire and Kyle enjoying the snow and some hot chocolate. Economic Woes We are well-aware of the economic challenges that you are facing in the U.S. The Ukrainian economy is also struggling. Almost no one trusts banks. Today we saw an advertisement for a savings account with an annual interest rate of 25%, if invested in local currency, and still there are no takers. Everyone we ask has a story about getting burned by failed banks in the past. In the last two months Ukrainian currency is down about 60% against the dollar. It has dropped about 22% this week alone. The global crisis notwithstanding, these economic woes are wholly unnecessary. Ukraine is blessed with an incredible amount of natural resources, including natural stone, coal and millions of acres of some of the best farmland in the world. What it lacks is good leadership that will secure good conditions for foreign investment. Please be in prayer, as we have requested many times before, for God to raise up leaders with integrity and competence in Ukraine. ? Christian Nation ? Several weeks ago, when Dustin was out running one morning, he saw a billboard with the Prime Minister pictured and which read, "I greet you with 1020 years of Christian baptism in Ukraine." This harkens back to 988, when the ruler of what was then Ukraine become a Christian and led his people to do the same. People were baptized in droves in a river in Kiev. It is regarded as the date Ukraine officially became a Christian nation. Recently in class Dustin asked his students if Ukraine is a Christian nation. They unanimously replied, "Yes." When he asked them how the lives of Christians differ from those of atheists, their replies all pertained to the celebration of holidays and weddings, or to honoring of the dead in burial. Not one word was mentioned about God, Jesus or the Bible. This is a really good snapshot of how about 99% people in Lviv think about spiritual matters. Field of Dreams The field where Dustin conducts baseball practice has a grounds crew that works for free. A few times he and his players have walked to the field for the beginning of practice only to find an older man standing on the field among his grazing goats. He is always gracious to lead his goats off the field when practice begins. The hammer and discus throwers are not so obliging. They usually take up about half of the field until about halfway through practice. When they leave, if there is not an intramural soccer game being conducted by students from another university, the baseball team gets the entire field for practice. It's a pretty small field, but fields of any kind are hard to come by in the city, so Dustin is thankful for the space. Cultural exchange We recently had some students over from one of Dustin's English classes for s'mores. They knew about them from camping scenes from American movies, but had never eaten them. Marshmallows are not sold in Ukraine. The s'mores were a big hit. Everyone went back for seconds, and we had a good time getting to know them better. Bible Study We have decided to wait until the beginning of next semester to begin an evangelistic Bible study for students. We would like to spend our time between now and then focused on polishing up language and continuing to build relationships with students. Please pray that God would give us students who are interested in learning more about Christ between now and then, and who would not be threatened by studying the Bible in an environment outside of an official, church-related setting. Thank you to all of you for your prayers, encouragement and financial support. We appreciate all of these things. Please let us know of specific things for which we can pray in your lives. In Christ, Dustin and Karilyn ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=237 (submitted 11/25/08) The Women's Ministry would like to ask for your help with a few families in our congregation. We are all feeling the pinch of today's economy, but there are a few within the Southwest Christian family that may be going without a Christmas this year, due to financial struggles. Between now and Dec. 14th when you are shopping at either Target or Wal-Mart, if you feel that you can pick up a gift card from one of those stores, we would like to share with those in need for Christmas within the SWCC family. We chose those two stores as families would be able to buy food and/or gifts for family members. You may place the gift cards in the offering plate on Sunday morning or you can give them to me (Sharon Wolfe). We will see that our families are shown the love of Christ and their church family. Thank you God Bless ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=225 (submitted 11/05/08) Dear Praying Ones, We have been blessed to receive e-mails from several of you telling us that you are praying and fasting with us for God to be glorified in the life of Jonah & his parents. I know those e-mails represent the many, many others who are praying as well. Yuwolim arrived at Ukarumpa today (as well as Alfias, another co-translator). They will be here for three weeks working with Steve on translating Mark. They had left the village Tuesday and hiked to another airstrip to assure that the weather would not be a problem for the plane. I told him that the churches in America were praying for Jonah right now in a special way. Pray for good health for their families in their absence as well as health while here (I came down with a cold & am praying Steve does not get it). We have one more prayer request that we would like you to be praying for on Thursday (late Wednesday afternoon/evening Central Time). As we shared before, a flu epidemic was rampant in the village while we were out there recently. Several in the dialect next to us died and a few in our area as well. We heard since we returned to Ukarumpa that a baby died. The father, Samwel, has helped us last term with translating some literacy books. He married a woman who is a non-believer from another dialect. Samwel and his wife have accused some of the people at Yimnalem of killing his baby by sorcery. In PNG, traditionally, there is no "natural death", but it is caused either by the sin of a person or sorcery. Many Christians have refuted that practice and look to God in times of death. Our hearts are grieved to hear this news and are praying for God to convict Samwel of his sin in doing this and drop the court case. And if he does carry out the court case, we are asking for the Christians in Yimnalem to reflect Christ's character (who also was falsely accused). May God redeem this situation for His glory. We have been praying for the United States during the election. Yesterday, I was working on a 2009 Tay calendar, choosing translated verses for each month. Since 1 & 2 Timothy have been recently translated into Tay, I chose some of the Scriptures for the calendar from those books. The Tay have requested more teaching on the topic of prayer, so I included I Timothy 2:1-4 that says, "I urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." It struck me that this applied to me as well, especially in light of the elections the next day. I was convicted that no matter WHO won the election in America, God instructs us to PRAY for that person as our authority. Praise the King of Kings who reigns over all! Rhonda for the Haywards ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=222 (submitted 10/29/08) My name is Melba DelaCruz and I have been given the honor of being the Director of Christian Community Assistance. For those of you who do not know about Christian Community Assistance, it is an organization that was started in 1989, by people who saw a need for a central place to send people who came to their church's door asking for assistance. So, in other words we are an extension of you. Christian Community Assistance serves needy people in several different zip codes and also any referrals from our 26 sponsoring churches no matter where they live. We provide enough groceries based on the family size to feed them for at least seven days if not more. We also serve about 75 elderly persons on a monthly basis. These are person who can not get or sustain gainful employment. We also have a back to school shoe program ($15.00) which assures that the children of our most needy clients have new shoes when they go back to school. The other program that we have is our Holiday Bags which used to be called our Thanksgiving Basket. This is all the fixing for a holiday meal plus a $10.00 gift certificate for a turkey or ham. We changed its name because, our churches always provide more than we need for Thanksgiving and we have distributed them through Christmas and have watched our clients faces light up with excitement. We also started a Toy store for our Christmas drive. We want to make sure that each child that comes to CCA receives at least one new toy. I want to let you know that I counsel with each and every client that walks through our doors. I have often prayed with them and have given them a list of our sponsoring churches. I try to locate jobs for them or give them some avenues for job sources that they may not have already. I am proud to announce that we have seen quite a few success stories. We are currently working towards the Holiday Bags drive and will be working toward setting up the Toy Store. If you ever wanted to assist a family during the holidays, this is a great way to do just that. We would greatly appreciate even the smallest help that you can give. God Bless you for your faithfulness to this your ministry. In His Service, Melba DelaCruz ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=223 (submitted 10/29/08) The SWCC Connections Ministry is looking for greeters and security volunteers to help with the Sunday morning services. If you are willing to help, please contact Jim Marshall via e-mail at connections@swcchurch.org. ______________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=221 (submitted 10/27/08) The following is a reprint of an e-mail sent by our missionary Rhonda Hayward to SWCC on Oct. 23rd. Subject: "Return from Yimnalem." Dear Praying Ones, We arrived safely from the village yesterday. Thank you for your prayers during the three week time we were in the village. We had very beautiful weather in travelling to and from the village (not always a 'given' in our mountainous area). I want to share a few of the highlights with you. It was a wonderful reunion after a nearly three year absence. We were so blessed to hear, time and again, people share how they had prayed for Steve when they had heard he was 'so sick' (his surgery to remove the tumor from his pancreas). They told us they had been confident that God would heal him because 'his work with the Tay was not done yet'. It was wonderful to hear stories of how God had moved to encourage the Tay in various ways while we were gone and how He had met them in some very personal ways that encouraged their faith. It was also special having many informal opportunites to read or quote Tay Scripture and have discussion with people about them. We arrived just as a virile flu epidemic was spreading through the area (it is here at Ukarumpa too and other parts of the nation). Though it was hard to see so many sick and hear of some who were dangerously ill (some actually died in surrounding villages), we were thankful to be there and be able to give out LOTS of Tylenol (nearly 1000 tabs)and some antibiotics when the flu went into secondary infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. We were also very blessed to be able to pray with people and hear how they were praying for each other. We witnessed some miraculous healings (very sick one day and totally well the next). Please continue to pray for people's healing and protection as this epidemic runs its course. Steve and some Tay men spent several days checking the translation of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Jude that had been translated in September. They had some very intereting and encouraging discussions. Rhonda took a felt need survey one day with many village leaders to determine areas they would like to have Bible studies in to show how God & His Word address these needs. We are excited now to prepare studies on topics they highlighted like 'how do we pray?', 'What kind of God do we have?', 'How can we not fear evil spirits and witchcraft?', etc. We have asked the leaders to pray and appoint people to work with us in preparing and presenting these studies. Pray for God to guide them in doing that and for us as we prepare these studies. We are now working on getting two translators up here in November to translate with Steve (working on Mark and John). Pray for the logistics of getting them up here. In December, we will have three different men coming up to do the final consultant check on the book of Revelation. While in the village, we got a radio message that our house here at Ukarumpa had been broken into. Thankfully, not a whole lot of real value was stolen. We'd like to share more details of God's mercy amidst that incident and what He has been teaching us through it, but to keep this letter from being too long, will send an 'appendage' in a few days. We also want to share a very special prayer request and testimony of faith about our co-translator Yuwolim and his son Jonah in another letter in a few days. But for now, thank you so much for your prayers. God faithfully and graciously answered. We count on those prayers continuing! With Love, Rhonda for the Haywards ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=220 (submitted 10/23/08) A Love Affair With Milligan is a book of memoirs written by Marshall Leggett, who served as the President of Milligan College in Tennessee from 1982 to 1997. He and his wife Jean are active members of Southwest Christian Church. The book was recently published and is now being distributed nationally. Marshall will have copies of his book available in the foyer after this Sunday's worship, and he will be happy to personally sign a copy of his book for you. Let's all take time to congratulate Marshall on this wonderful achievement. ______________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=219 (submitted 10/20/08) From Scott Wert: The SWCC Worship Ministry is in need of people who are interested in multi-media presentation to help input, design, and present the visual presentations for our Sunday morning worship services. If you are interested, please contact either Scott Wert or Pauline Johnson. Thanks, and God bless. ______________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=218 (submitted 10/13/08) Greetings, Well, our bags are unpacked and the pictures are on the walls, most of them at least, and we are settling into the basic routine of life. These past couple of weeks have seemed more like home here at Southwest and we are thrilled to be here! The Family Life Ministry is taking shape as well. You might have noticed some new things, so here they are. We have started a new Sunday morning class meeting in the back area of the multi-purpose room. This class is a little different in that it starts at 10:00 in order to accommodate the late-risers as well as the band, whose practices have prevented them from attending class in the past. If you've run into anyone who has given time as an excuse for missing class, let them know that we've got a class for them! Similarly, Gincy and I just started a new small group mainly made up of young families who have not been roped into the small group ministry. With things being as they are at Southwest, we will be seeing a lot more new groups and classes in the future. Praise God! Speaking of the future, we are calling on all of you to pray for the kick-off of our L.I.F.T. (Learning in Fellowship Together) program, which will be starting in January. I will write more about that later, but for now, we are praying and planning how to best minister to our families during this time! On a final note, my door and my arms are always open. If I can serve you in any way, just let me know! Grace to you, Brandon Groome ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=51&article_id=216 (submitted 10/15/08) Good Morning! My name is Daphne Hunter. I am the Owner/Operator of First Step Learning Academy. My husband, Oscar and I are bringing an exciting educational opportunity to the community. The goal of First Step Learning Academy is to produce happy, intelligent, well-adjusted children. Here you will find a nurturing, educational environment for children of ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Classes include infants, toddler, preschool and before/after school programs. First Step Learning Academy is based on the belief that our children's needs are of the utmost importance. This is why we follow the Montessori principles and philosophy to create a positive learning behavior. Montessori is built on the belief that children who were actively involved in a prepared environment exercising freedom of choice would literally educate themselves, thus, the role that freedom plays in the environment, is crucial. A Montessori classroom operates on three principles: freedom within limits, respect for one's self, for others and for the environment. Respect for the child is the cornerstone on which all other principles rest. Montessori education provides orderliness, independence, self-directed learning, a calm environment, and a place where children are at the center of the learning process. "Building a Brighter Future One Step At a Time" First Step Learning Academy 6419 Woodstrem Trl Fort Worth, TX 76133 Phone: 817.423.9929 Email: firststeplearning.academy@yahoo Web: www.firststeplearningacademy.com Oscar Hunter Owner/Director Daphne Hunter Owner/Operator ____________________________________________________________________________ Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:50:34 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40&article_id=332 Thu, 3 Dec 2009 15:26:26 MST http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40 http://www.swcchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=40&article_id=283 Click here to download and complete the survey. Wed, 2 Dec 2009 14:11:23 MST