W
Windows
indows are a fascinating
structural component of a
house. Their size, frame and
tinting of glass all have a bearing on
what we see through them. They can
limit or expand our view. If they are
not placed well, they can give a view
we would rather not see, like into
someone else’s house! Well-designed
windows give us a picture of the world
around us that often brings joy and
awe.
by Pat
Wester
Life is a bit like that. We all have
windows that allow us to see the
world around us in a certain way. But
how we put frames around them and
design them will often dictate what we
are seeing. This can have a profound
effect on our lives. An example
would be an entrepreneur who sees
through the window of success.
Their mission in life is to become
successful. They want to develop a
culture of job satisfaction, wealth, and
the enjoyment of possessions. They
will frame their window with certain
principles that will guide them toward
producing their culture of success.
These principles could be moral or
immoral but are those things that
they are willing to do to achieve that
success. It could be a willingness to
lie and cheat to get what they want,
or to stay within cultural boundaries
and to also make people around
them successful as they achieve their
success.
The Autumn Ridge Window
At Autumn Ridge Church, we have
windows all over the church that
gives us a view of the world around
us. I personally like the year-round
views from the Timothy Chapel and
Common Grounds Café of the garden
and wetlands. In the fall, gazing out
the windows that face the massive
ridge we call Autumn Ridge can also
be breathtaking. In the same way,
our church has windows that frame
the way we see the world and do
ministry. The main one is framed by
our mission of “making disciples of
Jesus Christ who love God and serve
people.” The elders, pastors, and
ministry staff have spent a significant
amount of time talking about that
window. We discussed the culture we
have and strive for as a community of
believers and the principles that guide
us in achieving our mission. We call it
the Autumn Ridge Window. Over the
next few months there will be a series
of articles that detail those things we
talked about and clarify who we are as
a church.
THE AUTUMN RIDGE WINDOW
Our Mission
Making disciples of Jesus Christ who love God and serve people.
Permeating
Culture
Our Guiding
Principles
Central Ministry Focus
2 ARC Magazine • November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
Permeating Culture
we describe it.
We will start with the permeating
culture we strive to create in our
church. This is how we behave as we
live out our faith in the world, in our
private lives, and in our relationships
with other believers. The key passage
that helps us understand this process
is John 15:1-11.
John 15:4 - Remain in Me, and I will
remain in you. For a branch cannot
produce fruit if it is severed from the
vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless
you remain in Me.
Our connection to Jesus Christ is
imperative and will produce “fruit” in
our lives that establishes our culture.
In essence, it is to be like Christ in our
heart, mind, and lifestyle. This is how
Filled by the Holy Spirit, we develop a
culture of transformation where:
• Hearts openly experience God’s
grace and freely give it away
• Minds love and embrace the truth of
Jesus
• Lifestyles reflect the character and
priorities of Jesus
•People welcome and love others as
Jesus does
• Generosity is expressed joyfully in
the power of the Holy Spirit
John 15:8 - When you produce much
fruit, you are My true disciples. This
brings great glory to My Father.
Imagine a place where we practice
the truth, grace, and lifestyle of Jesus
Christ as we live out our mission of
making disciples. Imagine a place
where people can come and experience
the love of Christ, just as they are
with all the struggles of life and sin
they bring with them. Imagine a place
where transformation of the soul
happens because of Christ but where
we become His instruments for that to
happen.
We certainly have glimpses of that
now, but we can improve. Consider
what part you play in this permeating
culture at Autumn Ridge Church, and
pray for the Holy Spirit to direct you in
becoming an instrument of his truth,
love, and grace towards others.
John 15:11 - I have told you these
things so that you will be filled with My
joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! ♦
NEW SERMON SERIES
The Armor of God
Why is the Christian life such a battle? If God wants to bless us, why do we struggle
so much and fail so often? The reason is that we have an enemy who works night and
day to pull us down. His name is Satan. He began his work of attacking humanity in
the Garden of Eden, and he is still at it today. He is stronger and more powerful than
we are, and we can never defeat him on our own. So how can we win this war? Paul
provides the answer in Ephesians 6 with a great illustration. He tells us to put on
the whole armor of God. Using the picture of a Roman soldier’s uniform, he makes
application for our daily lives as believers. Of particular interest to us in our Three Years
of Truth is Paul’s emphasis on securing the belt of truth and picking up the sword of the
Spirit, which is the Word of God. I do hope you will join me on these weekends leading up to Christmas, as we seek
together to put on the whole armor of God. – C. John Steer
THE ARMOR OF GOD •
November 7-8
THE BELT OF TRUTH
November 14-15
THE BREASTPLATE OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS
AND THE SHOES OF PEACE
ARC Magazine
Ephesians 6:10-17
November 21-22
THE SHIELD OF FAITH
November 28-29
THE HELMET OF SALVATION
December 5-6
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
• November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
3
Memory Verses
Read the Bibl
Life Group Lending Library is Now Online!
T
he Life Group Team and Christos Bookcenter are pleased to offer our new comprehensive lending library for Life
Group leaders. This collection of quality curriculum has grown to over 150 titles. Recently a dedicated team led by
Alison Brenna transitioned the entire collection onto our website. The library is now available 24/7 for browsing and
reserving curriculum. You can find the library on the Autumn Ridge Website under the Life Groups page. ♦
4 ARC Magazine • November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
Missions Festival Highlights
le
Beyond hearing from and about the ministries of several ARC-supported
missionaries, pastors, elders, and members of the Missions Committee were
privileged to commission Niles and Rachel B. and their family as they prepare
to leave for Mbingo Hospital in Cameroon. Niles will be practicing plastic and
reconstructive surgeries as well as training local surgeons in these specialties.
Another highlight
of this year’s
Mission Festival
was the opportunity to serve three
Samaritan’s Purse
Children’s Heart
Project patients
from Bolivia.
Host families and
CHP volunteers
pray with Pastor
Woody Roland
over these children and their
families. ♦
ARC Magazine
• November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
5
MEL DICKIE
A
s Autumn Ridge Church’s oldest living
military veteran, Mel Dickie will turn 95
in December. Mel and his wife, Marilyn,
celebrated 72 years of marriage on October 23.
Mel graduated from high school in 1942, then
attended Mankato Teacher’s College, graduating
early, and began teaching in Royalton, MN. World
War II drew his colleagues into the war. Soon Mel
was the only man left on staff at the school.
After teaching for only four months, Mel decided
to enlist. Interested in flying, Mel joined the Air
Force – then called the Army Air Corps – where he
was among a class of 40 who learned to fly fighter
planes (P-51’s and P-47’s). He did his basic training
in Kansas and advanced training at Moore Field
near McAllen, Texas.
Mel had a close call during his flight training.
“There was a big checklist to go through before
every flight,” Mel recalls. Upon boarding a plane,
Mel was designated as pilot with his instructor
at his side. “We broke up a plane one day...” As
it turns out, prior to this particular flight the
mechanics had inadvertently crossed the wires so
that turning left made the plane go right instead.
Thinking Mel was steering incorrectly upon take off,
his instructor grabbed the wheel and overcorrected,
causing the wing tip to hit the ground, tearing up
the plane. Fortunately, both Mel and the instructor
Mel Dickie
Marilyn and Mel Dickie
6 ARC Magazine • November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
Honoring Our Veterans
We are looking forward to our annual recognition of those currently serving and
our ARC vets. Please send updates to addresses and active/inactive duty status to
[email protected] or call the church office at 507-288-8880.
If you are not currently serving and have not submitted a photo in the past,
please bring one to the church office, or send a digital copy to the email address
above.
If you or a family member are currently serving, please email or bring us an
updated photo for our Veterans Day display.
escaped with only bruises. Clearly, the hand of
God protected Mel while he was in the military. Mel
states matter-of-factly, “I was the only one left from
my flight team at the end of the war.”
At the height of World War II, the Army Air Force
needed more pilots. After graduating from flight
school, and because of his teaching credentials, Mel
was one of three chosen to stay and become a flight
instructor. Mel trained five pilots every two weeks
for four years. He taught in Texas, Ohio, and New
York. In New York, the training was 30 miles from
West Point, and students were bussed down.
When asked about his military service Mel states,
“You learn how to be with people; you watch
the good and the bad. I liked to play bridge with
buddies while waiting to be called for flights. For
me, it was just like another job.” During his time of
service, he married and began a family. Mel Dickie in the Air Force
After the military, he planned to teach but found
that it did not pay enough to support his family at
that time. Mel chose to work instead as a personnel
manager for Green Giant. He did this for ten years,
visiting different plants by plane. Then he began his
own insurance agency, which he ran for thirty years
here in Rochester.
Mel working on a fishing rod
Upon retiring from selling insurance in 1987, Mel
wanted to remain active. Besides his love for teaching, Mel had a long-time passion for
creating custom fishing rods. Partnering with a local high school science instructor,
they came up with a program that combined teaching science with creating fishing
rods. Mel still teaches hundreds of students how to make their own fishing rods at
area high schools as part of the Environmental Biology curriculum. He also substitute
teaches in various subjects, teaches classes for Community Ed, and creates custom
rods at Wild Goose Sports.
Mel is remarkably active at 95 and particularly enjoys having a positive influence on
young people. “I like to give the kids something to think about.”
We asked Mel what advice he would give to younger people. He responded, “I’m
concerned with everything going on now...Russia taking over other countries reminds
me of the 30’s. It’s so foolish the way thing are going now...we have freedoms, but
they’re getting more limited.”
Mel and his wife, Marilyn, enjoy interacting with their two sons and two daughters,
along with many grandchildren and, at last count, 17 great-grandchildren. ♦
Mel’s wife Marilyn enjoys holding
their newest great-grandchild
SEE MORE FEATURED MILITARY HEROES ON NEXT 2 PAGES
ARC Magazine
• November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
7
SHIRLEY HARPER
S
hirley Harper grew
up as an “Army
brat,” with her
father being a career
soldier. She began her
own military service
by enlisting in 1971
with the goal to pay for
college. She wanted to
be a nurse.
Upon completion of
her BSN and nursing
boards passed, she was
commissioned as a 1st
Lieutenant by her father. She was off to
basic training
at Fort Sam
Houston in
San Antonio
Texas to begin
her 3-year
pay back to
the Army for
paying for her
Shirley Harper
education. The Viet Nam
war ended before Shirley and her class could
be sent there, but with her specialized training,
Shirley was reassigned to Fort Simmons in
Denver CO for three years, working in what was
called “The Death Ward.” This 60-bed floor was
where soldiers severely injured in Viet Nam were
sent – including amputees. While some were
eventually released, many were not. Shirley
says, “If you couldn’t get well, you stayed on in
intermediate care.” annual performance reviews and
physical fitness tests, so besides
having an excellent work record, she
had to stay in strong physical shape. Being in the military took fortitude
and commitment, along with a
readiness to uproot at any time. “You
had to be ready to go at a moment’s
notice. I kept a duffel bag packed all
the time.” I learned I’m not first. In
the service, Army is first.” Shirley enlisted 1971
Being a woman offered its own unique
challenges. She saw rules about marriage and pregnancy
change through her years in service. “Back then, if you got
married, you had to get out. Then if you got pregnant, you
had to get out. Then you could
choose whether to stay or not.
Then even when pregnant, you
couldn’t get out!”
She later served at Letterman
Hospital on The Presidio of San
Francisco and says, “There was
nothing there but a hospital;
no other military mission was
there.” Shirley commissioned by her father
In her free time, she learned to snow ski and chuckles, “It
was Viet Nam amputees who taught me to ski.”
As a Captain, Shirley was then assigned to hot and humid
Fort Polk in Louisiana. She says, “Nobody wanted to go
there.” It was there she met her husband Bruce, who
had enlisted, and they were married, even though such
marriages between officers and enlisted personnel were
frowned upon.
Then for a year Shirley was assigned to Korea without her
husband. She worked in a tiny intensive care room tending
wounded American and Korean soldiers. With language as
a barrier, she says, “All I learned to say was, ‘cough’ and
‘deep breathe’ in Korean.”
“Being separated from my spouse and long overtime hours
were the most difficult parts of serving in the military,” she
says. Communication was not easy. “We’d write letters, but
it took a month to get an answer by mail.” (Two weeks out,
two weeks back.) Phone calls were too expensive and ended
in tears.
For a period of five to six years, Shirley worked 60 hours a
week, and did not get time off on holidays. Learning to be
flexible, Shirley says, “Holidays and special occasions can
be celebrated any time.”
Shirley eventually decided to make the military a career.
Each year the promotion board in Washington would issue
Shirley’s next assignment was
to Brooke Army Medical Center
in San Antonio - Fort Sam
Houston, Texas. “I worked at
the burn unit. We saw mostly
civilians. I also treated burn
patients like the soldiers air
dropped into Panama during the
conflict in the late 80’s” (under
Noriega’s leadership).
Shirley went to grad school
during active duty. “They paid me; I paid for school.” She
went to the University of Texas and only had one year to get
it done. She also did a military course – Officer Advanced –
to get promoted to Major, the rank at which she retired. Near the end of her service, she couldn’t be deployed to
Desert Storm because of bad knees, plus the inability
to adapt to heat and humidity. She was never in a war,
though deployed to fields in the US a couple times for
training. She says, “I may be the only person you’d meet
who never went to Europe or any active conflict.”
Shirley says, “I was honored to take care of people that
were fighting for our country. I learned a hard work
ethic and how to
keep growing and
improving myself.”
Shirley came to
Rochester from San
Antonio and worked
for Mayo for 15 years.
Her mom moved
from Florida and now
lives with her. They
both are members
of Autumn Ridge
Church. ♦
8 ARC Magazine • November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
by Kevin Huff
KEVIN HUFF
T
he Marine Corps, marriage, and parenting all run
together in my experience. Melissa and I married in
2007 right after I graduated from boot camp. Since
then, we have had five children and many adventures, aka
“opportunities” to learn to rely on God.
I have been deployed three times overseas and about 45
times on other trips of varying length, giving us many
chances to learn to rely on prayer and God’s goodness to
keep us both safe and sane (more or less). I was initially
trained as a ‘rigger’; we pack
parachutes for large items
such as vehicles and cargo
drops. I have gotten a lot of
experience halo and static
line jumping and am a certified jumpmaster for both.
I have also been trained in
safety and medical procedures, among others.
Kevin and his wife Melissa at
Marine Corps Ball
When Melissa was pregnant with our oldest, I
assured her I wouldn’t have
to deploy before the baby.
Unfortunately, I did in fact
deploy when she was about
7 months pregnant, and
she ended up having our
daughter while I coached
her from Iraq on Skype. I
was home for baby #2, but
when baby #3 arrived, I was
gone again. While I was off
playing with guns, dirt, and
parachutes, my wife became
a veteran of a different war.
This war mostly involved
spit-up and lots of diapers.
ible wagon loaded with 3 children, carrying a backpack, two
diaper bags, and a laptop bag.
Melissa trailed slightly behind
with #4 in a stroller and carrying a Disney backpack.
We barely made it to the gate,
and the gracious flight attendants held the flight for us. At
this point, I realized our seats
were all the way in the back of
the plane (where else could you
get six seats all together?) With
the children and all of those
bags haphazardly clinging to
my severely perspiring body,
we proceeded to our seats in
the back. I hadn’t anticipated that on a packed flight to
Tokyo, I would hit everyone in
the face with my
bags, and my
children would
step on their
feet. We were
immediately the
most popular
Kevin all geared up
people aboard!
We experienced
blow out diapers, airline spaghetti disasters,
and random vomiting during our 14-hour
flight (parents, use your imaginations).
Long story short, we arrived and got settled
on this beautiful tropical island, which we
love. In about a year, we will be flying back to
America, with (at least) 5 children this time.
So we must either love serving our country,
or quite possibly, we need to seek mental
health assistance.
In any case, we are
grateful for God’s
faithfulness. We
have a wonderful
church family here
and have made
many friends we
will miss. We don’t
know what the future holds, but we
trust God to keep
us in His plan and
go with us where
He leads. ♦
Off to Okinawa
We were extremely fortunate to live in Jacksonville, NC for
six years, and we were very comfortable there. But orders
can come at any time, and when we least expected it, we
got new orders...to Okinawa, Japan. This would turn out
to be our biggest family adventure. After the initial shock,
we were very excited to experience something new. What
we didn’t realize was flying internationally with 4 very
young children, is akin to being flayed alive.
In true military fashion, we packed our worldly possessions: 16 checked bags and 6 carry-ons (clearly we are
insane). After making a spectacle at the check-in counter
in Charlotte, NC, we happily boarded our first leg to Washington, DC. Bad weather delayed us, which left only 45
minutes to make our connection. I can only imagine what
people thought as I ran through the airport with a collaps-
ARC Magazine
Welcome back from
deployment with
baby three.
• November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
9
Forgiveness
in Strong Marriages
in a way that invites help. “My
evenings are very stressful. If you can
help me for a while after work, we
will have time to be together later.”
The many problems between partners
can build up and leave a distaste or
resentment. That is where forgiveness
can help.
T
here was a time when
psychologists believed it was
important to get all your feelings
out. “You must tell off any person who
has offended you. If you let feelings of
resentment build up, they will poison
your soul,” according to that way of
thinking. New research challenges the
idea that you must express all your
feelings. It turns out, as people talk
about their angry feelings, often they
get angrier. In addition, when we chew
people out, we damage relationships.
Usually the best way to deal with
angry feelings is to forgive. All these
lessons are especially important in
marriage. It is easier to sustain a
short, occasional friendship than to
work and live intimately with another
person over years and years. There
are the challenges of money, lifestyle,
children, shared responsibilities, and
a myriad of irritations. Problems and
offenses are inevitable.
How can a person deal with the anger
and resentment that can build up in
marriage? Some problems don’t need
to be discussed. Some problems are
problems only because we are caught
in a HALT moment (Hungry, Angry,
Lonely or Tired). Sometimes we just
see the world in a different way from
our partner. There are some
things (such as physical
features and personality
quirks) that are not going
to change. We may as well
laugh about them and forget
them.
But some problems do need
to be discussed. They are
best handled when both
people feel peaceful. Such
problems can be discussed
Forgiveness is a choice to let
resentment go. We choose to accept
and enjoy another person. We choose
to distill the helpful and positive out of
the total experience of a relationship.
Sometimes it is easier to get past
bad feelings when we talk with a
trusted friend or write in a journal.
Rather than focus on the anger, it
can help to try to see things from
our partner’s perspective. We can
choose not to dwell on bad memories
and resentments. We can have a
positive thought ready to replace petty
complaints about our partner.
It is easier to sustain a short,
occasional friendship than to work
and live intimately with another
person over years and years.
There is a funny quirk in human
nature: we often focus on the tiny
detail that is annoying. When a person
has a broken tooth, the tongue will not
leave it alone. If the car has a dent or
scrape, it can become the only thing
we see. That tendency may be useful
when we are dealing with things that
can and should be fixed, but many
by Dan Farm
small dents should merely be ignored.
They are a part of the traffic of life.
In every relationship there are many
dents and scrapes. John Gottman, a
marriage therapist and researcher,
observes that the healthiest couples
tend to see problems as temporary.
Rather than dwell on the troubles,
happy couples look for the good, dwell
on it, and believe it to be the core
of their relationship. He encourages
us to “find the glory in our marital
story.” Most of the scrapes and dents
in marriage don’t need to keep us
from enjoying a growing and loving
relationship - if we learn to forgive.
When we are trying to justify ourselves
by blaming the other person, we
should forgive. When we are holding
onto pain that won’t help anyone, we
should forgive. When you find yourself
obsessing on a problem - worrying,
blaming, fretting - stop and make a
list of good things in your life. When
you find yourself focusing on the
negative, pull out the list and put the
problem in perspective. Do not let a
dent in a fender cause you to hate the
car.
John Gottman says that there is
never a time when a problem in a
relationship is entirely the fault of
one partner. Sometimes it is helpful
to consider what we can do differently
to prevent a problem. We are not
responsible for making our partner
happy, but we can be sure that we are
not aggravating a difficult situation.
Let’s follow the example of our Master
– Jesus – and as couples, let us forgive
as we have been forgiven, and watch
the foundation of our marriages grow
stronger with each day. ♦
because great marriages don’t just happen
10 ARC Magazine • November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
by Jodie Hook
HOLIDAY NEEDS:
erenity Ministries’ vision is to
connect the patients of Rochester
with the believers of Rochester
to help them know they are loved by
God and not alone. We minister to
the families staying at the 18 Serenity
House Network properties. We serve
patients of any age and any diagnosis,
including 809 families since we
opened in 2008. Approximately 80%
have a loved one undergoing cancer
treatment or transplant. About half
of our guests are believers specifically
looking for support from their brothers
and sisters in Christ in Rochester.
The other half are often seeking the
solace of God as they face diagnosis
and treatment for serious medical
conditions. We, as believers, are in a
unique position to rally around these
special people in a manner similar to
the early church in Acts 2:44-45, “All the believers were together and
had everything in common. They sold
property and possessions to give to
anyone who had need.” We would
love to have the Autumn Ridge Church
family minister with us as we provide
our patients the following during their
time in Rochester:
1) Thanksgiving and
Christmas Meals –
homemade or HyVee
gift card.
S
YEAR-ROUND NEEDS:
1) Bread from a Rochester bakery to
welcome each new family
2) Baker’s Square Pies for Birthdays
3) Daube’s Cakes for Anniversaries
4) Patient Welcome Bag Items: $25
Mayo Parking Pass, Gift Cards
($20 HyVee, $10 Mayo cafeteria,
$20 Waiter Express, $5 Caribou),
hand sanitizer, Kleenex pack, water
bottles, snacks, puzzle book
5) Get Started Packs: paper towels,
toilet paper, garbage bags, laundry
detergent, fabric softener sheets,
dishwasher gel packs, Dawn dish
soap, Kleenex
6) Hallmark Recordable Books: for
an ill parent to record a bedtime
story for children not in Rochester
with them
7) Flash Drives: for free family photo
sessions
ARC Magazine
2) Christmas Caroling
3) Christmas Presents
for children staying in
Rochester
ADOPT-A-HOUSE:
Families, small groups, or
churches commit to one
year of service projects
at one specific Serenity
House Network house.
Suggestions:
1) Flower gardens
2) Bird feeders
3) Spring/Fall outdoor
clean-up
Last December a woman knocke
d on our door.
She had been receiving monthly
chemo and
sleeping in her car because she
could not afford
a hotel room. We helped arrange
housing for
her, her husband and four chil
dren who were
coming to visit. Her hope was
to spend a joyful
Christmas week as a family befo
re she told her
kids that the chemo had not wor
ked. GreatDeeds’
firetruck delivered presents and
a meal for the
family and gave a firetruck ride
to the kids.The
photo (above) shows us caroling
to them. This is
one example of the profound nee
ds that exist in
Rochester daily. Please join us
as we minister to
them with the life-saving and dea
th-conquering
love of Jesus Christ.
4) Outdoor holiday
decorating, Christmas caroling,
etc.
5) Easter, Thanksgiving, and
Christmas meals
HOUSE MOM:
Delivers Welcome Bread, Birthday
Pies, Anniversary Cakes (paid for
by Serenity Ministries), answers
questions, visits and prays for
patients/families staying in one
specific Serenity House Network
property. Approximately 2 hours/
month/unit.
SPONSOR-A-HOUSE:
Businesses, community groups,
churches, small groups, or families
can sponsor all of the guests staying
in one Serenity House Network unit
(apartment or private home) for one
year.
Level 2:
Provides a Patient Welcome Bag for
each new family in that unit. Bags
include: a Mayo parking pass, gift
cards from Mayo Cafeteria, Waiter’s
Express, HyVee, & Caribou; Daily
Bread devotional, pocket calendar,
notebook/pen, snacks, fleece
blanket, etc.
$1,500.00 per year
Level 3:
Provides all of the items in Levels 1
and 2.
$2,000.00 per year ♦
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Level 1:
Provides Welcome Bread, Birthday
Pies, Anniversary Cakes
$500.00 per year
www.greatdeeds.org
SERENITY MINISTRIES is a program of GreatDeeds Inc
3652 Hermann Court NE • Rochester, MN 55906
GreatDeeds is an IRS certified 501(c)(3) organization
and all donations are tax deductible.
• November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
11
Effective Personal Evangelism:
Experience
The eighth mark of the effective
personal evangelist is experience.
If we engage in this kind of gospel
work, over time we should become
more adept at it, humanly speaking.
We ought to become more effective.
Many of those engaged in such work
on the streets, for example, find that,
if for some reason there is an extended
period in which they are not involved,
the first time we go back again we get
tongue-tied pretty quickly. I find that,
if I let some sphere of this work go
cold, I almost feel as if I am starting
all over again when I take it up once
more.
If we become accustomed to these
things, our understanding will
increase. I am not speaking of
some pat routine, as if you can
thoughtlessly roll off certain phrases.
You begin to gauge how certain people
are likely to respond, to recall that
there are certain ways to answer
certain questions (that you have
learned from others or developed
yourself) which will enable you to
make certain points or bring certain
Scriptures to bear. Perhaps you have
had an opportunity to go away and
study some topic or read up on some
issue, and you are better equipped to
expose error and promote truth. You
learn to spot the red herrings that
swim through so many conversations
with unbelieving people, you begin to
by Jeremy Walker
anticipate the evasions that some
will introduce when the gospel
paints them into a corner, you learn
how to prevent that conversation
wandering away from what the sinner
really needs to hear and the questions
the sinner really needs to face. When
people are trying to throw up all kinds
of smokescreens, we will learn to
press the question: “Will you please
tell me how you intend to deal with
your sin in anticipation of coming
before God the righteous Judge?”
There is a delightful and encouraging
phrase in Acts 9, speaking of the early
experience of Saul of Tarsus:
Immediately he preached the Christ
in the synagogues, that He is the
Son of God. Then all who heard
were amazed, and said, “Is this not
he who destroyed those who called
on this name in Jerusalem, and has
come here for that purpose, so that
he might bring them bound to the
chief priests?” But Saul increased
all the more in strength, and
confounded the Jews who dwelt in
Damascus, proving that this Jesus is
the Christ. (Acts 9.20-22)
Paul got better! The apostle began as
a recently converted Jew, a Pharisee
of the Pharisees, his brain stocked to
the brim with all the wealth of the Old
Testament. Very quickly Paul began
to understand how these things fitted
together, as the Holy Spirit gave him
increasing light and understanding.
The Local Missions Committee is very
interested in reaching our community with the
love of our Lord Jesus. Recently, we were very
impressed by the article below from a blog
series on “Effective Personal Evangelism.”
It is written by Pastor Jeremy Walker of
Maidenbower Baptist Church in England and
reprinted with his permission. Other articles
on marks of an effective personal evangelist
will appear throughout 2015.
Paul began to explain what he was
learning, and his erstwhile cobelligerents began to argue back,
and Paul perhaps went away, and
opened his scrolls once more, and
read through them, and learned more
and better of how Christ was revealed
in the Old Testament, and how
Jesus was the fulfilment of all those
promises. Jesus is the Christ, and all
these Scriptures speak of him, and
there are answers to the denials and
diversions of the unbelieving heart,
answers that will – by the Spirit’s
gracious working – bring a repenting
faith to birth. Paul, perhaps, would
leave the synagogue one day with his
head buzzing, and return the next to
pick things up where he left off. Paul
got better at proving that Jesus is the
Christ.
You may think that are not a very
competent personal evangelist. You
may be right. But, honestly, if you
start, you will get better, God helping
you. Engaging in the work will
enhance your capacity for the work,
if you go about it with a diligent and
dependent spirit.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
If you are interested in the work of the
local missions team, please contact
Eric Ostroot ([email protected]) or
Ben Creo ([email protected]). ♦
MISSION PRAYER POINTS ••• GUINEA WEST AFRICA
Maninka - Our Adopted People Group
Compassion Evangelical Hospital
Praise God that after more than eight years, Christians in
Kankan have been able to acquire land for a cemetery and
are again being given the right to bury their dead. This
came after getting desperate enough to lay a dead person
on the Mayor’s office steps with a sign asking, “Where do
we bury our dead?” Many times Christians were chased
away from other cemeteries, once with clubs and stones.
Praise God that the hospital is up to 40 patients daily.
The hospital is grateful for additional U.S. donations to
subsidize Guinean staff salaries so none had to be laid off
during the Ebola crisis when patient numbers dropped.
They are equipped to handle 70 patients a day. Pray for
all who come to be receptive to the gospel which is heard
throughout the complex.
The Welcome Center will be available soon to house new
converts to Christ as they are often ostracized from their
families when they convert. They will be given shelter, food,
vocational training, and be discipled in their new faith. Seven men are coming from Minnesota and Michigan in
November to do more plumbing and electrical projects. Pray
for completion of all the projects. ♦
ARC missionaries are getting settled after their year
of Ebola exile in the U.S. and are happy to get the
accumulated dust cleaned out of their homes and vehicles
running again with new batteries and their mechanic’s
help. Pray for the Lord’s leading as they greet their
neighbors and resume their ministry in a country of few
Christians. If you would like to receive the complete Maninka and CEH prayer letter, contact Jamie Urch at [email protected]
12 ARC Magazine • November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
Getting to Know
a Next Chapter Resident
K
evin moved into the Discipleship Home in June
of this year and has been an active participant
at Autumn Ridge Church ever since. Recently,
Tommy Weigel sat down with him and asked him a
few questions about his time with Next Chapter so far.
Tommy: How did you get involved with Next
Chapter Ministries?
Kevin: Before being accepted to NCM, Andy Kilen came
and visited me in MCF-Stillwater, and we talked about
the possibility of me coming to NCM, the Discipleship
Covenant, and the four things one needs to have
coming into the house (desire, commitment, trust, and
patience). I can’t speak for Andy on why he gave me the
opportunity to come to NCM, but I think when I told him
I was a cook that is when he made his decision to accept
me. Whatever the truth may be, I am truly grateful and
feel so blessed that I am here.
Tommy: What are a few things you’ve learned
since being at Next Chapter?
Kevin: When I came to NCM about five months ago, I
was welcomed with open arms and cared for in such
a real and genuine way. Here at NCM, there is a big
community of fellowship, which is something I didn’t
have before, even when I was younger in faith and I
had lost my way. There are the groups of Bible studies
throughout the week, the volunteers who come and help
out with various tasks, and the Lighthouse with the kids
and teens ministry. The amount of love they have for
God and the love they show me has brought me closer
to God and made me stronger in faith. Learning about
God’s love is the biggest thing I’ve been learning about
here, “For God so loved the World” -John 3:16, “For it is by
Grace” -Ephesians 2:8, and because of this love and grace
I’ve grown stronger in faith, and I’ve continued to grow
closer to God.
Therefore, I am truly thankful to be at NCM and also
thankful for all the support from the community, staff,
and volunteers who help make NCM a place where people
who have been victims of or impacted by crime have the
opportunity to learn about and grow closer to God.
Kevin’s first day as a chef at Olive Garden
Tommy: What are some things you are excited about,
looking into the future?
Kevin: Some of the opportunities I look forward to are
going into the county jails and the JDC for Bible studies,
continuing to cook meals with volunteers for Bible studies,
and becoming a mentor for the youth. I hope to be a part of
NCM for a very long time and continue to love and
serve God. ♦
Next Chapter Ministries’ mission is
to build long-term relationships with
people affected by crime, restoring
them to God, family, and community
with the Gospel of God. To learn
more, check out our website at
www.NextChapterRochester.org.
ARC Magazine
• November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
13
Evensong
Prayer Service
at St. John’s
and Holy Communion
Tuesday, November 10
7:00 pm Sunday, November 22
6:00 pm • Timothy Chapel
John and Gretchen Steer invite you to join them for a service of
hymns, prayers, scripture readings, and liturgy from The Book of
Common Prayer.
Champion
Basketball
Champion Basketball is a faith-based
basketball program. We are now
accepting registrations for our winter
program for boys and girls in the 1st
through 6th grades. Just go to
www.championbasketball.org
for more information.
Safe Families for Children –
Southern Minnesota
Beginnings:
A Christmas Celebration
Friday, December 11, 2015
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Autumn Ridge Church
Budget
Actual
Budget
Actual
R
ecently Pope Francis issued an
Encyclical Letter entitled “Laudato
Si,” which focuses on ‘the care for our
common home.’ I have a special interest
in this as my brother Andrew was invited
to the Vatican to advise Pope Francis on
the subject of climate change, which is
Andrew’s specialty. The Church of St. John
the Evangelist is holding an Ecumenical
Prayer Service on Tuesday, November 10,
at 7:00 pm. Christians from local churches
will celebrate the call to be faithful and
good stewards of Creation. The preachers
for the evening are Bishop John M. Quinn
and myself. The priest of St. John’s is
Father Jerry Mahon who has become a dear
friend. All Autumn Ridgers are invited. St. John’s is located at 11 4th Avenue
SW. Refreshments will be served following
the service.
– C. John Steer
Autumn Ridge Church
GIVING COMPARISON
Through September 2015
Jan-Sept 2014
Jan-Sept 2015
$2,762,261
$2,612,093
$2,872,751
$2,798,087
Please join us as we celebrate
what God is doing in the lives of
families in Southern Minnesota
through the ministry of
Safe Families for Children.
Raffles, Dinner and Program
with Special Giving Opportunity
For reservations or to underwrite
a table for $120 (8 guests),
please email
[email protected]
by December 4.
Seating is limited.
In honor of our
2015 Ministry Partner Award:
Rochester Outreach Center,
please bring a new or gently used
blanket or nonperishable
food item to donate.
14 ARC Magazine • November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
Upward Soccer Season Review
by Jordan Meyer
I
n 2014, Rochester Upward Soccer was launched
and had great success with 150 kids participating on 22 teams at two different sites in town.
This season, the league continued to succeed.
Upward Soccer grew to 175 kids in kindergarten
through 5th grade and over 40 volunteer coaches.
We had 24 teams playing on a total of six fields
(three at Autumn Ridge Church and three at Rochester Assembly of God).
Our vision for Upward Soccer is to see players
develop mentally, athletically, spiritually, and socially into total athletes who excel both on the field
and off the field. Not only did all of the kids learn
valuable soccer skills this season, but they also
learned about self-control, (James 1:19) contentment, (Philippians 4:11) peace, (Romans 14:19)
and love (John 3:16). At every practice the teams
would huddle together and have a short devotion
with their coach. They talked about the four virtues
listed above and worked on memorizing the corresponding
verse. There
were ten practices and nine
games this
season, and
the weather
couldn’t have
been better.
During most
of the games
this season,
the parents,
grandparents, and
siblings were treated to a
devotion led by a volunteer.
Upward Soccer seeks to
reach and impact the entire
family.
This year we celebrated our
season finale on Sunday,
October 11 in the sanctuary
at Autumn Ridge. The kids and adults
enjoyed playing a number of silly and sometimes messy games. They
also were encouraged with a lasting message of the Gospel delivered
by Kevin Lake through his juggling routines.
It was a fun season of soccer, and I am in awe of how God has used
such a simple game to impact the Rochester community. Of the
175 kids we had this season, 30 don’t attend church at all, and 90
attend a church other than Autumn Ridge.
Please pray with me this off-season. Pray that God would continue to grow Upward Soccer and
that it would have a positive impact for this community and His Kingdom. Please pray that more
Christians would continue to want to volunteer in this league and for me, as I search for more
leaders to assist in running and organizing this league.
Thank you for your support of Upward Soccer, both through your financial giving
and your prayers. ♦
ARC Magazine
• November 2015 • Autumn Ridge Church • www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
15
Senior Saints
The Holiday Season
at Autumn Ridge
November 25
Thanksgiving Eve Service
December 12-13
Adult Choir Christmas Musical
NOVEMBER
BIRTHDAYS
Each month we feature
Senior Saints who have birthdays,
so that you can remember them
with a greeting card.
November 3
Don Chadbourn
12 – 6th Avenue SE
Rochester, MN 55904
November 13
Geri Fiek
1856 16 ½ St NW
Rochester, MN 55901
November 28
Sherri Scott
717 3rd Street NW
Rochester, MN 55901
NOVEMBER
December 19-20
Children’s Christmas Musical
Christmas Eve Services
Saturday Night
Dinner
Check for weekly menus
online at
www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
Please reserve your dinner online by
Friday at noon.
$6.00 Adults $4.00 Children
WORSHIP SERVICES
SATURDAY:
Emmaus Service • 5:30 pm
SUNDAY:
Adoration Service • 9:00 am
Celebration Service • 10:30 am
MINISTRY CONTACTS
Senior Pastor.............................. C. John Steer
Executive Pastor, Children............... Pat Wester
Community & Leadership Dev......... Pat Wester
Care & Enrichment.......................... Dan Farm
Ministry Development.................. Karen Foster
Worship...........................................April Rowe
Adoration Worship...................Allen Hightower
Missions.................................... Woody Roland
Life Groups...............................Paul McDonald
Student Ministries........................ Jason Motte
Generosity................................. Steve England
Next Chapter Ministries.................. Andy Kilen
ELDER BOARD
Brad Anderson, Jim Baber, Harold Burden, Mark Foley,
John Folkerts, Kip Forsthoffer, Tom Pankratz, John Scales,
Cheolsu Shin, Roger Stahl, Dave Swanson.
www.AutumnRidgeChurch.org
3611 Salem Road SW • Rochester, MN • 55902 • 507-288-8880
www.facebook.com/AutumnRidgeChurch
CONTACT
INFORMATION
Call the church office at
507-288-8880
if you would like to talk to a pastor.
You may contact members
of our staff via e-mail at:
lastname.firstname@
AutumnRidgeChurch.org
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Contact and submit items for
publication to RidgeLines and
ARC Magazine by email to:
publicity@
AutumnRidgeChurch.org.