Local Church Ministry is a challenging and yet rewarding opportunity to apply those things that we have learned in class to everyday life. The areas of service in this ministry vary from working in the nursery up to actually doing pastoral ministries. WOLBI students ministered in chur ches from Perth to Plattsburgh. The ministry is unique in that it allows you to get into different practical situations and see first hand how pastors, deacons, and other members of these churches handle difficulties and the successes that God brings their way. Each church where students ministered, whether large or small, provided an excellent opportunity for God to work through them to proclaim Christ in that community. I was given the responsibility to lead a team of students at Westport Bible Church. I was somewhat apprehensive at first because as a January student I was not expecting to be thrown right into the battle. But as soon as I met the pastor, Dick Hoff, and the rest of the team, Jaimee Bolio and Tina Tidwell, I felt sure that God was going to do a special work through our team. Our church was a small one, averaging 50-60 people per week. It wasn't long, however, before some of the young people who had not come for a while started coming. The sporadic and often low attendance was sometimes frus trating, but we could see God working in the teens and the children. We were especially blessed by the hospitality of the church members. They sacrificed their privacy and opened their homes to us every weekend. A highlight of our time at Westport was the all-nighter at
Glens Falls. We took about 18 teens to the YMCA and had a great time playing basketball, racquetball, vol leyball and many other games. The team from Ches- tertown brought a group also. After one of the pastors spoke we were able to go one-on-one with the teens and talk to them about Christ. I have learned a lot at Westport. Pastor Hoff is a great example of being joyful no matter what the circumstances. I think that all the students who were involved in Local % I Church Ministry would agree that, even though we might have longed for a free weekend, the opportunity to grow close to a particular church family, and to see God work each week in our lives and in the lives of that church, was well worth the sacrifice. The friends we’ve made and the growth we’ve experienced, in good times and in trying ones, are God’s reward for our diligence. Jonathan Johnson
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MMIH lill
Grafton
Perth
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Ministries
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