Heard ‘Round The Grove
July 21, 2010

“Jesus wasn’t purple.”
Heard as a Grove kid was correcting another who was trying to use a purple crayon to color in Jesus on a color sheet. I am sure Jesus doesn’t mind being colored purple .

“Think about if you’re making S.T.U.P.I.D. decisions”
Associate Pastor, Rick Moser’s, acronym during a sermon to help us determine if we are making correct decisions. S.T.U.P.I.D. stands for Submitting to Ungodly Problematic Independent Decisions.

“I want to play in the mud,”
said Jon Crane, a parent of 4 Grove kids, as he was looking over the areas to serve in during Vacation Bible School August 3-6.

“Can I bring my own dress?”
said Rick Moser, as he was trying on his Egyptian VBS costume (a toga-ish outfit) at VBS Servant Training on Saturday.

“You are the hope when we are hopeless.”
Sung by the K-6th graders as they were learning “One True God,” a VBS song, during Sunday School.

“And, I could tell he felt so happy to be serving!”
said Jamie Brandt, as we were chatting about how her 2nd grade son, Jackson, did a great job serving in the nursery as a servant-in-training! We are growing servants at The Grove!

“(We see) Mama moose and baby moose.”
Quote in a text I received from Lead Pastor, Sam Sarkissian, as he and his family are on a 2 1/2 month sabbatical in Idaho.

“Cause my God is Holy/The epitome of beauty/Bought me with a price/and I am praying He would rule over me”
Lyrics from Christian Hiphop artist Trip Lee’s song “Covenant Eyes,” just one of the fun songs I bounce to here in the office. Just saw Rick dancing at his desk a minute a go too!

“Leslie wants to be on your daily prayer team as your family is at missionary training.”
When a Grove family of 5, Lowell, Melissa, Mikeala, Tobey and Timothy Ens, recently announced they will be going to missionary training this Fall. Leslie, a precious soon-to-be 2nd grader answered their call to join the daily prayer team. I see a missionary in the making in Leslie!

“I want a boy.”
said little 3 year old Melanie. I was very confused until I realized she was talking about wanting a nametag with the boys (and girls) on them.

“You painted your hair.”
said a darling Grove kid to me when he first saw my fun highlights. Painted, dyed, temporary extensions- it’s all the same to the kids, eh?

“For I am convinced that when I sing, you are near me”
from Jake Hamiliton’s song “Convinced” that Grove bookkeeper/elder, Jamie Brandt and I had a dance party to here in the Grove office when she reported to me that in the past month, God has truly provided! In June, my fundraising was at 16% for the year and in July, I am up to 54.5% for the year!!!! Thank you for your sacrificial giving! I’m encouraged! Thank you in advance for your continued support!

Here’s some fun pictures over the past few months.

Click link below:
http://picasaweb.google.com/bergen561/SummerTheGrove?authkey=Gv1sRgCJmLxLXNgZXb5QE&feat=directlink
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Growing. . .It’s Not Just For The Grove Kids .
June 23, 2010

A few months a go, I was at a training in Canada and our training group was introduced to a faithful Christian gentleman named Bud Webb. One thing he said stuck with me as he shared his story with us. He said that he prayed that God would provide one more opportunity to bring someone to Christ.

It felt odd to me that I would feel so convicted by this man’s words. I work at a church that has a focus on reaching the lost, we’ve had 9 adults commit their lives to Christ since January! I prepare lessons that teach adults and kids about Christ, I share my faith. Why would his words sit so heavy on in my heart and prayers?

I began praying Bud’s prayer and I realized I was weighed down by his words because I wasn’t fully honoring God’s call. I remember, two years ago, while still living in Washington DC, feeling called to pursue a position in evangelism, reaching others for Christ for a living. I was hungry to learn and grow in this area. And, though I’ve had positions in the evangelism field since then, I was getting lost in the “day-to-day” work of church, the fire I had for reaching those who don’t know Jesus was getting lost in the business of church.

I needed to renew the focus God called me to for reaching others for Christ. I began praying for courage and opportunity. I prayed Bud’s prayer to reach one person for Christ.

Flash forward two months. . . June 20. I was teaching the 3rd-6th grade Grove Community Church Sunday School class and we were studying Luke 14 and the cost of being a disciple of Christ. Before starting the lesson I said, “Now, are all of us around this table Christian? Can somebody explain to me what it means to follow Christ?” All but one of the kids nodded or raised their hands, saying “Yes, I am Christian.” The one little boy who didn’t raise his hand actually turned to me and said “I don’t know if I am a Christian.”

I started getting nervous. Here I was, with the opportunity I prayed for- did I know what to do? Was I prepared? Would I follow through correctly?

“Well, if you want, we can ask Jesus into your heart right now. Can the rest of the class help me explain what it means to have Jesus as a part of your life before we all pray together?”

I sat there and listened to my Grove kids explain what faith in God was. . . my heart filled! I was surrounded by a class of missionaries! I turned to the little boy and said “After hearing that explanation, do you want to invite Jesus into your heart?”

“Yes.”

Isn’t that most beautiful word I’ve ever heard!

“Okay, class, we are all going to say the prayer together to stand with our classmate.”

“Melissa, can we put our hands out towards him while we pray?” the little boy’s cousin asked.

“Sure, but do you know what that means when you do that?”

“No.”

“When you put your hands out to somebody, or your hands on somebody when you pray for them, that means that you’re standing with them, that you support what they are doing. Do you support your cousin?”

“Yes, I do.”

Another beautiful couple of words. Made me misty eyed to see such a supportive group of kids as their peer was making a life changing decision!

“Well, then you, and whoever else supports this young man, can put your hands out to him while we all pray together.”

The kids began rearranging themselves. Putting hands out towards him, one goofy kid put his hand over the future believers face until we rearranged it. There were hands on his shoulders, another kid stood up to be nearer to him. . . and then we all prayed together, the kids repeating the salvation prayer after me.

Thank you, Bud, for encouraging me through your prayer to ask the simple, life changing question. I will be continuing to pray “your” prayer and look forward to the opportunities God gives me to be a part of building the family of Christ! I am thankful God continues to challenge me through your story, as I grow in my faith.

And, thank you to my supporters for praying for me as I am learning and growing and serving at The Grove. Your involvement in this work, through your relationship with me and your financial giving, make opportunities like this possible.
Sincerely,
Melissa

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Fun Times in Sunnyside!
May 26, 2010

I was looking forward to May 21 for months! I participated in planning meetings, prayed about it and even talked to complete strangers about joining the fun on May 21!

I remember writing “Fancher Creek Elementary School Carnival” on the Church Calendar in my nicest handwriting before Christmas!

What’s so exciting about the Fancher Creek School Carnival? (special note: The Grove Community Church meets on Fancher Creek’s campus every Sunday morning).

Well, yes, there’s a FREE firework show, delicious egg rolls, cultural dances performed by precious elementary school students- all of which, yes, I enjoyed. . . but I was excited to be there Serving!

The Grove hosted a couple booths at the Carnival. We had an info booth, where we gave away goodies and church information. We also had two “money making” booths- snow cones and iced coffee, with all proceeds directly turned back over to the school.

I enjoy this event so much because it’s a great way to interact with the neighborhood. The Grove Community Church has a heart for the Sunnyside neighborhood. We are here to actively be a part of life here in Southeast Fresno. I felt so at home spending time chatting and serving folks as they enjoy a fun community event. And, I get to serve alongside my Grove family members! What a treat! You’ll notice in the pictures that many of us are wearing Grove t-shirts. . . the back of the shirt says it all “I Serve.” That says it all, eh?

As I bounced between our Grove booths, I enjoyed lots of fun conversations!

I chatted with kids dressed up in their beautiful cultural dance outfits asking for strawberry snow cones.

I shared church information with a mom and dad who said “Oh, there’s a church right here? We drive to West Fresno for church, but if there’s a church right here. . .that would be so nice for us!”

And, my top two favorite interactions. . .

A little girl was looking at the pictures we had up on display and she asked me why there was a bride in her cafeteria .
“Well, sweetie, we meet for church at your school, so that means we have weddings here.”
“Cool!”

And, when we cut the prices of our iced coffee to make sure we didn’t take home leftovers, a group of middle schoolers swarmed the table after I said, “Kids, enjoy the coffee, it’s a gift from The Grove Community Church.”
I heard girl turn to her friend and say “See, she’s nice because she goes to church.”
I turned to them and said “Yes, I go to church right here at your school, you’re welcome to join us! We have lots of fun stuff for kids!”

Here are some photos from the night .
Enjoy!

Click link below to see more photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/bergen561/Carnival2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCMHx85P6trq9Hw&feat=directlink

Thank you for your support of The Grove Community Church! Your support makes events like this possible. If you would like to be part of financially supporting what is going on at The Grove, please click the “Give Now” button on the top left corner of this page.