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Family Lines
Newsletter, August 18,
2002
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**Where
Were You and Joyce?**
By David Chadwell
The first weekend in August,
Joyce and I attended Jabulani Africa. The
occasion was a celebration of
100 years of mission work on the continent of
Africa. Attending
provided us many blessings. Those blessings included
having time with
people we had not seen in years, meeting people in person
we only knew by
name, listening to spiritually mature African Christians and
American
Christians frankly discuss difficult challenges, and being
encouraged by the
worship and lessons.
In the early 1970s when we lived and taught in West
Africa, such an occasion
was beyond imagination! We could not envision
(during our life time) that
spiritually mature Christians from Africa would
come to America for such an
occasion! Christians from twenty-six
African nations were present. Each
evening the featured speakers were
African Christians. (There are
congregations of the church in
thirty-six of the fifty-six African nations.)
Things have changed! Some
of the congregations are as large as West-Ark.
Some of the congregations have
elders. Some of the congregations are
sending trained missionaries to
other African nations. Many places in
Africa are quite receptive to
Christian teachings. If one considers the
entire range of influences
our world recognizes as evangelical Christian
influence, there is more
evangelical Christian activity on the African
continent than there is in
North America. If Africa is not yet the center
of Christian activity
for our world, it soon will be.
Two interesting pleas were made by
spiritually mature, trained African
brothers. The first: do not send us
your American issues. Please do not
use American perspectives to impose
solutions on African problems. The
second: let's be partners and work
together in our outreach throughout
Africa. We understand the African
mindset, and we have resources not
available to you. Allow us to have
input, and let us work together as
partners.
West-Ark indirectly had an
important presence at Jabulani. A young lady who
grew up in West-Ark,
Kendra Parker Cutsinger [Joe and Terri Parker's
daughter] was an important
"behind the scene" coordinator in Jabulani's
preparations and helped "make
things happen" during the four day gathering.
Jim Wilson shared excellent,
practical information concerning medical
missions. He emphasized that
the focus of medical missions was to assist
evangelism in its
outreach.
May God always help us look and see beyond
ourselves.
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**Making an
Impact on Our Community's Children**
By David Boozer
Making an Impact
on Our Community's Children
By David Boozer
Adopt-A-Student
So far,
West-Ark Christians have supplied 21 local 1st through 7th graders
with all
of their school supplies. Since each student sponsor was given a
lot of
freedom on how to adopt a student, and no one was required to "report
in," we
may never really know the full extent of the impact we made, but our
Father
sees what is done in secret (and He rewards accordingly). To those
who
quietly and namelessly spent time, money, and effort on children who you
did
not know, THANK YOU; I pray that God will bless you! You are now
a
vital link between Jesus Christ and your particular child and family.
Feel
free to see what other ways you can serve
them.
**Tutoring**
hool has not yet started, and we already have
around 25 children interested
in being tutored every Thursday! We could
very easily have many more, but
we need dedicated tutors. Tutors do not
have to commit for the whole school
year, but should commit to at least one
semester (September 5 through the
second week of December). Tutors can
be any age from early teens to retired
persons. No preparation during the
week is required. No training is
involved. No college degree needed.
Come as you are and simply get to know
a young student! You have the
potential to really make a difference in
their lives-and yours.
Many of us have been surprised at how much these
kids enjoy spending time
with us; they truly look forward to our afternoons
together. As one
mother wrote me this summer, "Katie has missed all of
y'all and she is
excited to start back. Thanks." Katie, we miss you too and
WE ARE
EXCITED to start back also! For more details about how you can
serve,
see the bulletin board in the foyer.
**A Note From The Edwards**
It
seems almost impossible that it was four years ago this month that our
family
made the move to Ft. Smith to begin our work with the West-Ark
congregation.
God has blessed us with many friends and relationships since
we have lived
here. I am confident that these friendships will continue even
though we are
moving to Rogers.
You have honored us by allowing us to be a part of the
West-Ark family the
past four years. Thank you for sharing words of
encouragement with our
family last Sunday. The money tree that you gave us is
definitely a timely
present as we make the transition of moving up to
Northwest Arkansas.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks for
your partnership in the
work of ministry during these years. I have seen
tremendous spiritual growth
take place in the West-Ark congregation --
collectively and also
individually. Many of you have decided to become more
involved serving in
the Kingdom in ways that touch many people with the love
of Jesus.
It has been a blessing to work side-by-side with godly men like
David
Chadwell and Brad Pistole. These men and their families have been my
friends
as well as co-workers in the Lord. I feel extremely blessed to have
worked
daily with them.
Thank you for the many kind acts of
encouragement that you have shown our
family. Without a doubt, our family has
experienced some mountaintops and
also valleys during our ministry at
West-Ark. We take with us many memories
that we'll always cherish and many
lessons that we've learned along the way.
It has truly been a joy to have
friends like you. May God continue to bless
the West-Ark family richly as you
seek to please and glorify Him in all you
do.
In Christian Love;
Ted,
Kathy, Rayna and Caleb Edwards
**Child Care Worker Needed**
Tuesday
Morning WINGS class needs someone to work on the Child Care Team. We
are
looking for someone who would work especially well with the pre-school
class.
This is a paid position, Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Call
Shelley at
(479) 996-2109 to schedule an interview.
**Revelation Class
Continues**
The Revelation class for grades 5, 6, and 7 meets at 6:00 p.m. in
room 100
this Sunday.
**Happy Birthday**
August 25
Jack
Ferrell
Nicole Wilson
August 27
Greg Dockery
Melissa
Walker
August 29
Cameron Armstrong
Randy Hankins
Flora
Johnson
August 30
Stan Burkhart
Andrew Pippin
August
31
Helen Branum
Emily Combs
Mark Hite
Gail Mason
**YTD as
July 31,
2002**
Budget
Actual
Difference
Contributions
$586,565
-$38,871
Expenses
$560,865
$554,722
$
6,143
Expenses
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**Remember
in Prayer**
Sandy Berger's lymph node biopsy suggests a possibility of
non-Hodkins
Lyphoma. More test results are expected this
week.
Virgil Kirchner is scheduled for leg circulation surgery at Sparks
Hospital
on Friday, August 16th. He will be in the hospital 3-5 days for
recovery.
Rebecca Holloway request prayers for her father.
Justin Phillips
(grandnephew of Jane Newman) will have a second surgery in
Little Rock this
week.
Shirley Holsinger (sister of Louise Howard) will have neurosurgery
on
Friday, August 23rd.
Willie Mahone's mother is very ill. Willie
is staying with her sister,
Francine, in order to be close to her
mother. Friends who want to contact
Willie may do so by writing her at
1000 South Oak Road, Fayetteville, AR
72701, or calling (479)
527-9296.
**Continued Prayers**
Erma Beshears (Patti Anderson's
mother), Anita Maxwell, Will Ed Warren,
Myra Jean Hester (sister of
Marceil Stevens and Anetia Livesay).
**Add Families to
Directory**
Aaron and Amanda Davis
5100 S. Zero, Apt. 2504
Fort Smith,
AR 72903
Phone: 648-0572
Aaron and Amanda were married August 3rd here at
West-Ark.
Thene & Khamprasong Bounphong
Daughter, Catdy
3621
Young Street
Fort Smith, AR 72904
Phone: 782-4002
Our apologies to the
Bounphong family, who were missed in the printing of
the new
directory.
Zach Spilman
3511 S. 35th Street
Fort Smith, AR
72903
Phone: 648-9289
Zach was recently baptized.
**Baby Shower and
Welcome for New Members**
Sunday, August 18, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. men and
women are invited to a
"come and go" baby shower honoring Rachel Ann Robbins,
infant daughter of
new members Stephen and Gayle Robbins. Rachel is
registered at Wal-Mart and
especially needs books, developmental toys, and
12-month plus clothing.
**Sunday Morning's Worship**
This Sunday our
worship assembly will be dedicated to communion. David will
focus our
attention several times. We will sing numerous songs together. A
number of
men will lead us in prayer. Contribution wil be taken after the
invitation
song. An "Order of Worship" sheet will be available to each
worshipper as we
assemble.
**L.T.C. News**
All participants please check the lists in
the foyer for corrections, and
anyone who would like to sign up for an event
please add your name. Please
check out the four new challenge events for this
year's convention. Adults
are needed for coaches in these events. There have
also been rule changes
concerning scripture challenge: grades 3-6 (50), 7-9
(80), and 10-12 (100).
Everyone planning to attend the convention in Tulsa
please sign up so we can
get a number in order to start the reservation
process. Contact Hank or Pam
Watlington at 452-9381 if you have any
questions.
**Note of Thanks**
I want to thank everyone for their
prayers, visits, cards, flowers, and
calls while I was in the hospital and at
home. What a wonderful church
family you all are.
I love you,
Bobbie
Hughes
**60+ Potluck**
A potluck is planned for Saturday, August 17th
at 6:00 p.m. in the FLC.
**KFC Starts in September**
Parents and kids!
Mark your calendars for Sunday evening, September 8. Our
KFC classes begin on
that night.
**Caring for our Shut-in and Homebound Members**
This
week, take a moment to send a card, make a visit, or call one of
these
members:
Aline Phillips, 6514 South "Q", Fort Smith, AR 72903;
452-5088
Madine Rose, 8000 Thayer, #4, Fort Smith, AR 72908
**Wedding
Announcement**
Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Berryhill
have the honor of
announcing
the marriage of their son
Brian Thomas to
Andrea Dawn
Tisdal
August 6th, Key West, Florida
**Life Groups Now
Forming**
Interested in getting involved in closer fellowhsip and meaningful
Bible
study in the comfortable setting of a Christian home??? Try our Life
Groups.
Sign up now on the bulletin board in the foyer to be involved
starting in
September!! Life Groups are the small group ministry at
WestArk.
**Last week to Sign up for Wednesday WINGS**
We need to order
books, so please sign the list by Sunday.
The book is $6.00.
Our
orientation and fellowship
is Wednesday, September 4th.
**Mat and Jo
Griffin's Annual Ice Cream Supper**
Sunday, August 25th
(following evening
services)
Bring a freezer of your favorite homemade ice cream
(or
desserts if you don't have a freezer) to their yard at
3320 S. 66th in Fort
Smith.
Lawn chairs, old quilts or blankets are
also
recommended.
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**Family
Life MINISTRY**
By now, many of you are aware of the fact that I've been
taking a course
through Oklahoma Christian to further my training in Family
Life Ministry. I
have just recently finished that course and will receive my
certification
soon.
So what does all of this mean for my ministry here at
West-Ark? I am sure
many of you have asked yourself that question. Let me
explain briefly in
this article and in a few of my coming articles what this
will mean to us at
West-Ark.
The basic concepts and changes involving
Family Ministry can be very limited
or very extensive. It is up to the
minister, ministry team and the church
they are working with to determine
just how many changes will take place in
regard to ministry to their
families.
I am convinced that we need to do much more than we are currently
doing to
reach out to, embrace, and better train our families. Also, we need
to
expand our definition of what "family" means. We need to minister
to
extended families, single families, separated families, divorced
families,
as well as the traditional family.
We need to take the time to
determine "who we are" and "what type of
families we consist of" so we can
better determine what our greatest needs
are and begin to minister to them
appropriately.
I know many of you are asking, will Brad still be our Youth
Minister? Yes!
Obviously, we have teenagers that are a part of all of the
different types
of families mentioned above. However, we need to begin
ministering to the
entire family as well as to the teen.
This will take
place through education which will involve special classes
for the entire
family; activities that reach out to fathers and sons,
mothers and daughters,
and entire family units instead of activities just
for teens; worship
services that are led by fathers and sons, etc.
If you are interested in
reading just a small part of some of my training
through Oklahoma Christian,
you can pick up a copy of my report on Family
Life Ministry from the parents
information table in the lobby or you can
find the report on-line at
www.westarkchurchofchrist.org/youth/bookreport.htm.
More information will be
coming soon.
~ Brad Pistole
**Nursery
Schedule**
A.M. Infants
Gail Mason
Bo Mason
Tracy
Risley
Toddlers
Flora Johnson
Missy Blasdel
Christy
Abernathy
P.M. Infants
Linda Wear
Terri Jones
**Schedule of
Services**
Sunday Worship (10:30)................687
Sunday Classes
(9:30) ..................425
Evening Worship (6:00).................
360
Wednesday Worship (7:00)........... 347
Sunday Contribution
................$15,361
Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479)
452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westarkchurchofchrist.org
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