An adult Sunday school class from Grand Rapids came and painted the entire basement, purchased and hung new curtains, and installed a fence & handicap parking signs. What an unusual thing to have several of the workers tell us, “THANK YOU!” It was a little awkward to say, “You are welcome.”
We thank God for these faithful friends who were blessed by being a blessing.
~ Larry & Kathy Shetenhelm
The Lord is so good in sending those who need to “connect” with Him. One Sunday morning we noticed two men I’d met in jail and another 29-year-old father who was just released from prison. It is so good to see a congregation welcome those who come, no matter the circumstances!
Attendance continues to amaze us. We are seeing new people every Sunday. One week nearly 70 filled our little sanctuary, with ½ of them 30 years old and younger. While we are not “Seeker-Friendly” as some church growth experts might suggest, we are people-friendly. One of the strengths of this fellowship is an ability to welcome any and all. When the Lord chooses to work in the hearts and lives of young people, we are learning, it does not require the newest music or the latest method. We are earnestly praying that those coming are true seekers and will be saved!
~ Larry & Kathy Shetenhelm
A group of campers attended a morning worship service. As they left, one commented on how we seem to have chosen to serve a small rural church. They wanted to compliment us on our willingness to serve here.
Their questions were about why we would choose to serve the Lord in Jennings, so we had the opportunity to tell them about Village Missions and our purpose of serving the rural church. These folks were from a small church in a nearby community; we gave them some information about VM and are praying for them.
~ Larry & Kathy Shetenhelm
Seven teens are coming to the Tuesday Good News Club. I challenged them to consider purity as a choice they can make that will provide a better life. Six of them indicated they wanted to make that choice. Three stood before the congregation and made a public commitment to be pure for their future spouse.
Purity is a teaching they have never heard and we pray for God’s protection.
~ Larry & Kathy Shetenhelm
The jail ministry is both frustrating and rewarding. It is a bittersweet ministry as most of the inmates return within a year. Commitments are often shallow and the pressures of life are constantly taking away the Good Seed of God’s Word.
One sweet part came as I led a Bible study in jail, and a young woman began to cry. My jail partner saw her tears and asked, “Would you like to receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior?” With a quivering voice and tears streaming down, she said, “Yes!” I opened the Word of God and led her through the salvation Scriptures. Then I asked, “Do you understand what the Bible is saying to you?” “Yes!” she responded. What pure joy to hear the voice of one praying to trust in Jesus Christ as Savior! We pray she will grow in her new faith. During a follow-up visit she said she called her husband and told him she’d made a decision to ask Jesus Christ to save her and come in her life.
~ Larry & Kathy Shetenhelm
There have been some good comments from people in the community about our ministry. One was, “He is there every day.” Being in the church office nearly every day is beginning to have some results. More and more adults are “just stopping by” and most have a situation they need to talk about. Children have “stopped by” for a daily dose from the Pastor’s candy jar!
A young couple called and wanted to speak to me about a wedding in June. They are neighbors of a lady who comes to church once a month or so. When I asked them if they understood salvation, they both said, “No!” I gave them a Bible and shared the plan of salvation. Both of them prayed and trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior!
~ Larry and Kathy Shetenhelm
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