Yes, we are bringing the unchurched to our facilities on a weekly basis. We serve them and we provide a witness to the gospel by our actions and through the spoken Word. We have faithful missionaries that serve many hours a week to reach literally hundreds of children and adults each week.
What is this mission field? It is the Upwards program. Upwards is a ministry that leverages basketball and cheerleading to reach children and their parents with the gospel message. Over 300 kids come to our gymnasium at least twice a week. Once for practice and once for games on Saturday. Every Saturday the Word is presented clearly to all in attendance. Plus the wonderful volunteers headed up by Wendi and Joel Oster demonstrate servant's hearts to all that see them.
A side note: in my years at Maranatha, I am positive that I have never seen a group of people, and in particular Joel and Wendi, be more conscientious in their care and upkeep of the facilities. They leave the gym and all the areas they touch in better shape than how they found them.
So if you don't feel called to go to a mission field in another state or another country, yet would like to obey your Master in reaching the lost, volunteer to serve in Upwards and you will be blessed. I will see you there as my wife, Cindy, and I are coordinating the concessions.
New Landscaping
Beautiful new landscaping
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Provide Feedback for Feb 17 Board Meeting
One of the topics we are going to discuss in the next Board meeting is the topic shown in the poll I have posted on the right side of the page (you will have to scroll down to find it). Please take a minute and give us your thoughts on this topic - Facilities Direction. If you choose other as your response, please feel free to clarify by adding a comment.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Answers In Genesis
Answers in Genesis - what a wonderful name for an organization. I have been a fan and supporter of this ministry for several years. They are prolific in their work to combat the devil's effort to deceive our world. AIG's primary purpose is to defend the absolute trustworthiness of God's Holy Word. They do this by starting with Genesis and defending the accuracy and literal meaning of God's account of history.
Lenexa Baptist Church recently hosted an event with Answers In Genesis's founder Ken Hamm. Dr Gary Parker was there as well and they put on a powerful educational and encouraging conference. Believe it or not, God's Word can be stood on as the foundation of our faith without shame and without fear. God said he created the world and the universe in 6 days, and that is what He did. If you don't believe that and the rest of Genesis - sin, Tower of Babel, the Flood, etc, then the rest of the Bible becomes meaningless. Therefore you better investigate the roots of your beliefs or all is in vain. Believing in a young earth is not what provides salvation, but it is impossible to tell the story why it is important without the right understanding of Genesis.
With all that said, I am so appreciative to be part of Maranatha and the fact that we teach the same beliefs - the same Word of God - that AIG is so forcefully sharing. We are training up our children to have a strong foundation that is unapologetically the Word of God that does not need to be explained away. Make sure you are doing your part to teach and reinforce the trustworthiness of God's account of history in Genesis 1-11.
Lenexa Baptist Church recently hosted an event with Answers In Genesis's founder Ken Hamm. Dr Gary Parker was there as well and they put on a powerful educational and encouraging conference. Believe it or not, God's Word can be stood on as the foundation of our faith without shame and without fear. God said he created the world and the universe in 6 days, and that is what He did. If you don't believe that and the rest of Genesis - sin, Tower of Babel, the Flood, etc, then the rest of the Bible becomes meaningless. Therefore you better investigate the roots of your beliefs or all is in vain. Believing in a young earth is not what provides salvation, but it is impossible to tell the story why it is important without the right understanding of Genesis.
With all that said, I am so appreciative to be part of Maranatha and the fact that we teach the same beliefs - the same Word of God - that AIG is so forcefully sharing. We are training up our children to have a strong foundation that is unapologetically the Word of God that does not need to be explained away. Make sure you are doing your part to teach and reinforce the trustworthiness of God's account of history in Genesis 1-11.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Basketball - Dealing with Adversity
Basketball is just a game, however, it is also something that our kids - and we as parents - can invest a lot of time, emotions, effort and thought. When we don't measure up to the world's standards of success - winning on the scoreboard and posting impressive individual stats - it can get discouraging. I hurt with our girls as they struggle to deal with this fact.
At the same time, I rejoice as I see them dig deep into themselves and respond with godly character. They initiated and have faithfully continued having devotions before each game. They spend the time, noting on the white board before the game how they want to contribute to the team. I challenge them about making the sacrifice to improve and be the best they can be for the team, and they respond by showing up early to practice, by working on the specific areas that I challenge them on. That is winning in Christian way.
God does not guarantee worldly success if we obey Him and do the right things. However He does say that He will reward His children for that obedience in His way. Your daughters are learning that lesson through the method of a basketball season. Pray for their perseverance.
At the same time, I rejoice as I see them dig deep into themselves and respond with godly character. They initiated and have faithfully continued having devotions before each game. They spend the time, noting on the white board before the game how they want to contribute to the team. I challenge them about making the sacrifice to improve and be the best they can be for the team, and they respond by showing up early to practice, by working on the specific areas that I challenge them on. That is winning in Christian way.
God does not guarantee worldly success if we obey Him and do the right things. However He does say that He will reward His children for that obedience in His way. Your daughters are learning that lesson through the method of a basketball season. Pray for their perseverance.
Board Update
January has proven to be a challenge pulling the Board and the Committees together. Schedules are very busy with work, sports, and other activities. So we postponed our Board meeting and several of the Committees have still to meet. The Finance Committee is meeting today, and we have a lot to cover: next year's budget, tuition schedules, salary schedules, plus the normal monthly items of reviewing this year's budget, accounts receivables, etc. In the preliminary proposals from Dr Daugherty, there are some significant positive steps that it appears we can take with the budget if enrollment holds year over year: salary increases, more reserves, better financial situation over the summer months and perhaps hiring for some key responsibilities. Praise God for His blessings. Please pray for us as we review all of these important items and prepare recommendations for the Board.
The Planning Committee continues to concentrate on developing a succession plan for key leadership positions. Being thoughtful and purposeful in having this plan in place before it is needed is critical to the sustainability and smooth operations of the school
The Facilities Committee still has several projects underway: the monument sign at the North Campus and building an airlock entrance into the gym to provide better access and manage our utilities better since a lot of cold air pours into the gym when people go in and out the northern most doors.
The Planning Committee continues to concentrate on developing a succession plan for key leadership positions. Being thoughtful and purposeful in having this plan in place before it is needed is critical to the sustainability and smooth operations of the school
The Facilities Committee still has several projects underway: the monument sign at the North Campus and building an airlock entrance into the gym to provide better access and manage our utilities better since a lot of cold air pours into the gym when people go in and out the northern most doors.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
New Year
Welcome to a new year! I hope your holidays were centered around the real reason for celebration...God's rich gift of salvation provided through His Son. In addition, family time is important and for some families I know it was a time of loss as loved ones went home to be with their Lord. However, in everything we can be joyful because we know God is working all things out to His good purpose which in turn is the best thing for us as Christians.
Our family at Maranatha is going strong as enrollment held between semesters, and God bountifully provided a special donation to help out with operation costs. Basketball is in full swing, and I can tell you that your kids are working hard to utilize the skills and interest in this game to be the best they can be. I have watched both JH and HS girls and boys practices, and the coaches are doing a great job of helping our athletes grow in character and basketball prowess. I can specifically say that the HS girls have worked diligently, and I am looking forward to their reward for that hard work in the upcoming games.
As we start this new year, I thought I would remind you that one of the best ways you can help Maranatha, and yourself, is to be a marketing/recruitment agent for the school. January starts the true marketing season for the school as we set the tuition rate, start advertising on billboards, flyers, radio, etc, and we refresh our website (planning on a redesigned site this spring). Please be on the lookout for families (encourage your kids to be agents as well) who would be well served to partner with Maranatha in anchoring their kids in a Christian worldview and developing godly character while striving for academic excellence. The more families who join us in this endeavor, the more we can spread out the financial burden of operating the school...that helps you. More importantly, we further the kingdom of God by encouraging the spiritual growth of our children.
Board meeting coming up next week, so look for reports soon thereafter.
Our family at Maranatha is going strong as enrollment held between semesters, and God bountifully provided a special donation to help out with operation costs. Basketball is in full swing, and I can tell you that your kids are working hard to utilize the skills and interest in this game to be the best they can be. I have watched both JH and HS girls and boys practices, and the coaches are doing a great job of helping our athletes grow in character and basketball prowess. I can specifically say that the HS girls have worked diligently, and I am looking forward to their reward for that hard work in the upcoming games.
As we start this new year, I thought I would remind you that one of the best ways you can help Maranatha, and yourself, is to be a marketing/recruitment agent for the school. January starts the true marketing season for the school as we set the tuition rate, start advertising on billboards, flyers, radio, etc, and we refresh our website (planning on a redesigned site this spring). Please be on the lookout for families (encourage your kids to be agents as well) who would be well served to partner with Maranatha in anchoring their kids in a Christian worldview and developing godly character while striving for academic excellence. The more families who join us in this endeavor, the more we can spread out the financial burden of operating the school...that helps you. More importantly, we further the kingdom of God by encouraging the spiritual growth of our children.
Board meeting coming up next week, so look for reports soon thereafter.
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