The Lord Directs the Steps Consider the Vine

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The Lord Directs the Steps Van and Rose Helmick By Emily Potter T here are few people that I have met in whom the fruit of the Holy Spirit is more clearly shown than Van and Rose Helmick. Their love for the Lord and for others is quiet, demonstrated in small acts of thoughtful kindness that don’t gather attention, but that combine to make their lives a glowing example of the love of Christ. Van and Rose were both born in West Virginia and lived about 15 miles from each other as they were growing up. Both their fathers worked in the coal mines, a dangerous job that, in the midst of the Great Depression, they were glad to have. Both families had large gardens and grew all their own vegetables. “We had a very good life,” Mrs. Helmick told me. “Didn’t have a lot of money, but we had a good life. Van, too; there was always plenty to eat, had plenty of clothes and everything. We just had a normal childhood, really. We didn’t know there wasn’t any money!” They met through Rose’s sister and brother-in-law, who worked with Van at the A&P Grocery Store. When their son was born, Van came over with some friends to see the baby. The young mother was staying at her parents’ house after the baby’s birth, and there Van met her younger sister Rose. Later, while Rose was attending business classes at Beckley Junior College, she worked at a pastry shop after school, and Van would often “drift by,” as he put it. In 1948, Van entered the Air Force, serving as an aerial photographer. He was stationed in Japan, and his tour of duty was to be up in September, 1950. When the Korean War began in June, however, the Air Force kept him in an extra year, most of which he spent in Korea before coming home. He and Rose had corresponded as friends while he was in the service, but shortly after he returned, “that changed,” Rose said, and they became engaged. They were married on May 4, 1952, over 58 years ago. Rose had occasionally attended Sunday school as a child, but after their marriage she began to inexplicably feel the need to start going to church. Van had been to church all his life, and, being a newlywed besides, willingly went with his bride. They began attending the local Baptist church, and when they moved to Florida after the birth of their oldest daughter LouAnn in 1953, they quickly found a Baptist church there. Here they both gave their hearts to the Lord, were baptized together, and began a new life, serving their Savior. continued on page 2 FBC Connection Volume 3 . Issue 1 January . February 2011 Banner Photo taken by Jennifer Perez Consider the Vine By Patti Armitage I n October of 2010, Foothill Bible Church had a rare opportunity to learn about the ministry of a well-known Australian author and teacher, Mr. Colin Marshall. The leaders of FBC first learned of Mr. Marshall through his book, The Trellis and the Vine, which he co-authored with Tony Payne in 2009. After hearing of Mr. Marshall’s plan to speak at four different U.S. conferences this past year, our leadership contacted him to find out what the possibility of a private meeting with him was—and the rest is now history! We had the great privilege of hosting the Marshalls here at Foothill Bible Church for over a week of meetings and instruction in nearly every aspect of our church life. The impact of our personal interaction and multiple training sessions is still being felt in the gospel ministry of our church as we continue to absorb and apply these redefining ministry paradigms. Colin—as he encouraged us to address him—has spent 30 years training men and women in the ministry of the gospel with his gracious wife, Jacquie. As a graduate of Moore Theological College in Australia, he directed the Ministry Training Strategy until 2006. He now leads the Vinegrowers, a ministry he has developed through the years based on the concepts that he and Tony Payne outline in The Trellis and the Vine. His ministry is deeply committed to the recovery of biblical truth and the cause of the gospel. His book is described as a “God-glorifying, scripturally soaked re- evaluation of Christian ministry” by the Australian director continued on page 3

Transcript of The Lord Directs the Steps Consider the Vine

Page 1: The Lord Directs the Steps Consider the Vine

The Lord Directs the StepsVan and Rose HelmickBy Emily Potter

There are few people that I have met in whom the fruit of the Holy Spirit is more clearly shown than Van and

Rose Helmick. Their love for the Lord and for others is quiet, demonstrated in small acts of thoughtful kindness that don’t gather attention, but that combine to make their lives a glowing example of the love of Christ.

Van and Rose were both born in West Virginia and lived about 15 miles from each other as they were growing up. Both their fathers worked in the coal mines, a dangerous job that, in the midst of the Great Depression, they were glad to have. Both families had large gardens and grew all their own vegetables. “We had a very good life,” Mrs. Helmick told me. “Didn’t have a lot of money, but we had a good life. Van, too; there was always plenty to eat, had plenty of clothes and everything. We just had a normal childhood, really. We didn’t know there wasn’t any money!”

They met through Rose’s sister and brother-in-law, who worked with Van at the A&P Grocery Store. When their son was born, Van came over with some friends to see the baby. The young mother was staying at her parents’ house after the baby’s birth, and there Van met her younger sister Rose. Later, while Rose was attending business classes at Beckley Junior College, she worked at a pastry shop after school, and Van would often “drift by,” as he put it. In 1948, Van entered the Air Force, serving as an aerial photographer. He was stationed in Japan, and his tour of duty was to be up in September, 1950. When the Korean War began in June, however, the Air Force kept him in an extra year, most of which he spent in Korea before coming home. He and Rose had corresponded as friends while he was in the service, but shortly after he returned, “that changed,” Rose said, and they became engaged. They were married on May 4, 1952, over 58 years ago.

Rose had occasionally attended Sunday school as a child, but after their marriage she began to inexplicably feel the need to start going to church. Van had been to church all his life, and, being a newlywed besides, willingly went with his bride. They began attending the local Baptist church, and when they moved to Florida after the birth of their oldest daughter LouAnn in 1953, they quickly found a Baptist church there. Here they both gave their hearts to the Lord, were baptized together, and began a new life, serving their Savior.

continued on page 2

FBCConnect ionVolume 3 .Issue 1January . February 2011

Banner Photo taken by Jennifer Perez

Consider the Vine By Patti Armitage

In October of 2010, Foothill Bible Church had a rare opportunity to learn about the ministry of a well-known

Australian author and teacher, Mr. Colin Marshall. The leaders of FBC first learned of Mr. Marshall through his book, The Trellis and the Vine, which he co-authored with Tony Payne in 2009. After hearing of Mr. Marshall’s plan to speak at four different U.S. conferences this past year, our leadership contacted him to find out what the possibility of a private meeting with him was—and the rest is now history! We had the great privilege of hosting the Marshalls here at Foothill Bible Church for over a week of meetings and instruction in nearly every aspect of our church life. The impact of our personal interaction and multiple training sessions is still being felt in the gospel ministry of our church as we continue to absorb and apply these redefining ministry paradigms.

Colin—as he encouraged us to address him—has spent 30 years training men and women in the ministry of the gospel with his gracious wife, Jacquie. As a graduate of Moore Theological College in Australia, he directed the Ministry Training Strategy until 2006. He now leads the Vinegrowers, a ministry he has developed through the years based on the concepts that he and Tony Payne outline in The Trellis and the Vine. His ministry is deeply committed to the recovery of biblical truth and the cause of the gospel. His book is described as a “God-glorifying, scripturally soaked re-evaluation of Christian ministry” by the Australian director

continued on page 3

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In 1958, Van’s job with Metal Industries brought the family, now complete with youngest daughter Patti, to El Monte, California. Here, as in Florida, their lives centered around the Lord, the church, and their girls. Rose loved to sew and made all the girls’ dresses, spending hours on little puffed sleeves and lace trim; for years LouAnn and Patti had matching dresses to wear to church.

The Helmicks first came to what was then Foothill Baptist Church in 1968. Metal Industries had opened a new plant in Ontario, prompting the family’s move to Upland, where Foothill became their new church home. Both Van and Rose served the Lord by ser-ving His church; Rose became Sunday school super intendent , and Van chaired the building committee for the present worship center.

After 30 years of working for Metal Industries, including serving as the company’s president, Van re-tired. He then founded his own company, Bandlock Corporation, which he headed for 22 years. It was a family business; Rose helped with the bookkeeping and LouAnn worked as a secretary. The company did contract work making plastic extrusions and producing an amazing variety of products ranging from insulators in the doors on the frozen food aisle at the grocery store to drip caps for convertible Jeeps. Van also invented a safety valve for the plastic vacuum hoses the company made for the city; the design was brilliantly simple, and the valve was so effective that the government mandated its use.

In their time off from the business, Van and Rose loved to travel. They visited places from Norway to New Zealand, from Russia to Tahiti. With the precaution of learning to

count in the native language, they would rent a car and simply drive through the countryside, stopping at what looked like restaurants (they couldn’t read the signs), and getting along with remarkable success.

Whether adventuring on the other side of the world or working quietly at home, the Helmicks know that it is the Lord that is planning and guiding their lives. “We thought we were making the plans, but God was directing the path all along the

way,” Mrs. Helmick said. “The Lord has been very good to us; He’s blessed us in so many ways, and it’s been a joy – just a real joy.”

There have been hard times, too; four years ago their beloved LouAnn went to be with the Lord. “LouAnn was a very, very special part of our life,” Mrs. Helmick said. “But the Lord has helped us through that…it hasn’t been easy, but we know she’s with the Lord, too.”

“The Lord’s been good to Van and me all through the years,” Mrs. Helmick told me. “We’ve tried to live for the Lord, tried to be faithful…” “And been blessed,” Mr. Helmick fin-ished. The Lord has indeed richly blessed their faith-fulness, and they

in turn have blessed many others. Their thoughtfulness, kindness, and generosity have made them well-loved and greatly respected. They have followed as the Lord led, and their story is a beautiful picture of the truth that our God is a “rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

Emily Potter has been greatly encouraged in her walk with the Lord by reading about God’s work in the lives of His children, and

she enjoys sharing those stories with others.

Van and Rose Helmick, quiet and faithful servants of the Lord for half a century.Photo courtesy of Van and Rose Helmick.

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of the Fellowship of Evangelical Students, Mr. Richard Chin. With concern for those who are lost and without knowledge of God in the world, Colin has poured his years of experience into equipping the Church to do the work of evangelism in the most effective and scripturally sound ways.

The Trellis and the Vine makes a very clear distinction between the work of a church and its programs (the trellis) and the work of growing its people (the vine). Colin labored both in his book and in person with us to help us understand that church programs, which form the “trellis” of the church, do not always enhance the spiritual growth of people within the church. People growth, or “vine growth” as Colin refers to it, is “very personal and requires much care. It requires us to depend on God and to open our mouths and speak God’s Word in some way to another person. “Over and over in the various training sessions, we were encouraged and challenged to be more intentional about our outreach to others, whether Christians or unsaved. The path to true discipleship, as Matthew 28:18 tells us, involves first our own obedience to the gospel, and then it involves us intentionally teaching others to obey all that we have been commanded.

In three special sessions designed for the entire congregation (There were two additional workshops for church leadership), we received training in major areas that all relate to our own personal discipleship. The first involves the reading of the Bible, one-on-one, with another person. Colin carefully explained that this means “taking the initiative with another person to help them know Christ better and obey Him more fully through studying the Scriptures, praying and sharing our lives with them leaving the results to God. This is a ministry that every Christian can take part in and fit into their own schedule and lifestyle. The important factor in being involved is simply our own initiative.

The second session for the congregation was held on a Wednesday p.m. and was well attended. “Disciples Making Disciples” was the topic for the evening; Colin gave us a broad overview first of what God is doing in our area of the world. The thought that we are part of the worldwide effects of the gospel being preached and producing fruit of faith, hope, and love, was very encouraging and motivating. Since our God is still in the business of rescuing people (ourselves included!), our own purpose as disciples of Christ is heightened when we are in full obedience to Him. Before we can truly “make disciples” as Matthew 28 commands us, we have to BE His

disciples on a daily basis in our study of His Word, our prayer life, and our fellowship with other believers. We then can teach others to obey the gospel message and actually do a “deep work in the lives of a few and let God multiply that work.”

The third session ended the full week of sharing and training with Colin and Jacquie Marshall, as the congregation met during the nine o’clock hour to hear “The Ministry of the Pew.” This was by far the most engaging and humorous of all the talks and the most reflective of the personal relationship with Christ that the Marshalls have developed over the years. We were first challenged to grow from being “church shoppers, consumers, and disciples” to being “servants, producers, and disciple-makers.” Numerous questions were posed by Colin relating to our preparation for Sunday morning worship and fellowship: “Why are we doing what we are doing?. . .Are we focusing on the right things?. . .Is the gospel central? and most importantly,. . . Are we making disciples?” Colin Marshall left no stone unturned as he covered even the expressions on our faces as we participate in worship and as we listen to the preaching. His message went right to the core of our very being and the deepest intentions of our hearts and minds in worship and fellowship. Though we laughed and thoroughly enjoyed this last presentation, the message challenged our

Above: Colin Marshall teaching the congregation on a Wednesday night. Below: Ministry leaders had two days training in the West Chapel.

All Photos taken by Ron Inscho.

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thought lives and the convictions we hold about who we really are in Christ. It freed us to be the loving and gracious family of God in every aspect of our worship and fellowship.

This article has only touched on a few of the highlights of the training opportunity given to our congregation this past October. To fully understand the teaching and “ministry mind-shift that changes everything,” it is necessary to read and study The Trellis and the Vine individually and to look at all the Scriptures that are used to support its concepts. Our congregation was given a rare and amazing opportunity to have the author himself come and explain and defend the ministry strategies he presents in his book. FBC was the only U.S. church to receive this kind of attention and time from the Marshalls, as they conducted four separate conferences here in our country before travelling to South America for further training sessions. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to

have someone from a different Christian “culture” come into our fellowship and share ideas that could enhance and multiply our own sharing of the gospel of our Lord. Time will tell the impact that Mr. Colin Marshall and Mr. Tony Payne have had on our congregation and our leadership.

Book: Marshall, Colin and Tony Payne, The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift That Changes Everything, Mathias Media, 2009. The book may be purchased through The BookNook and the CD’s of the sessions mentioned in the article are available for check out from the FBC Library.

Sam ShwetzSam has enlisted in the Navy and left for boot camp on Sunday, December 5. Boot camp is in Great Lakes, Illinois and he will be there for 8 weeks. After he graduates, he will be going to Charleston, South Carolina for Nuclear Power School for the next two years.

Brian DonaldsonOn November eighth Brian’s vehicle struck an IED (improvised explosive device) and Brian and the driver sustained injuries while the truck was destroyed. The usual tactics of the enemy is to watch from the hills, so the men prepared for an ambush while they waited for more than 11 hours for their medic and relief to arrive. Thanks to the Lord, no attack followed. When the medics arrived, they treated Brian and the driver and were surprised Brian was not more seriously injured (a knee injury cuts and

bruises). Brian said he couldn’t stop smiling, thinking--“I’m alive,” and thanking the Lord for His protection. Brian returned to his unit on Dec 5 and has been promoted to Specialist.

The Donaldsons talked to Brian on Thanksgiving Day. He had just finished his Thanksgiving turkey meal, which he described as, “Good, but not like home,” and it made him homesick as all holidays do.

He says it is starting to get really cold there and everyone is wearing their winter gear. It has snowed, but it quickly melts once on the ground; he says it’s better than the rain, which only makes the roads muddy.

The packages from CnC and friends are very much appreciated and help to break up the day. Brian wishes he could write and thank everyone. The Donaldsons are all very thankful for all the prayers of our church family. Please continue to pray for his knee to completely heal and for his safe return home.

Mystery Member Do you recognize me? The answer is on page 9.

1) I am a “first-born” “middle” daughter.2) I have lived and worked in the Inland Empire all of my

life.3) I used to raise goats and make and sell goats’ milk soap.4) I have three grandchildren, one which is a girl born on

November 17 to my son and daughter-in-law, who also attend Foothill Bible Church. The other two are a boy (10) and girl (4) born to my daughter.

Military Update

Patti Armitage enjoys writing articles about current issues of spiritual interest that challenge her own understanding and recollection. Her goal is to be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks the reasons for her faith and to be able

to base her answers on the Scriptures.

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Queretaro, Mexico: A People, A MinistryBy Jennifer Perez

This November a group of seven servants went out from FBC to serve alongside Israel and Marisa Contreras

in Queretaro, Mexico for ten days. The team included: Jim Wine, Bernie Cestone, Richard and Wanda Johnson, Vanessa Johnson, Shirley Loza and me, Jennifer Perez. Not to mention everyone who supported us! The trip was a blessing to each of us in unique ways. It was also a blessing to the body of believers in Queretaro. On behalf of all of us, I say thank you for sending us! Thank you for your prayers, without them it would not have been possible. It was a great blessing to be an extension of this body to the believers in Mexico.

For those who may not know, Israel and Marisa are FBC supported missionaries. The church-planting ministry that they are a part of was founded by Israel and his good friend Paco Damian. Israel and Paco grew up in Mexico. They both studied at the Word of Life Bible Institute in Argentina. There they ministered with Eduardo Buldain who taught church planting and evangelism at the institute and also has been planting churches in the Buenos Aires area for 30 years. Israel and Paco spent many years studying and serving in Argentina, but always with the desire to return to Mexico and begin a ministry just as intense and intentional as Eduardo. God granted them that desire a few years ago, and they returned to Mexico to start. Two years ago this November they planted their first church named Iglesia Biblica Misionera, Queretaro--the name says it all, translated: Missionary Bible Church [of] Queretaro. Five young couples make up the leadership of the church: Israel and Marisa (Israel is one of 3 pastors, Paco and Carlos are the other two), Paco and Shauna, Carlos and Claudia, Rich and Harumi (youth ministries) and Oscar and Keila (children’s ministry and OANSA, Spanish for AWANA). It is evident, however, that each member of this small body

sees himself as a servant and is actively involved wherever there is a need.

A significant evangelism outreach that we witnessed was a Bible study for unbelievers held weekly at the home of Paco and his wife, Shauna. They come to people with the approach of “Do you have a Bible? Have you ever read it? Were you able to make sense of it? Would you like to learn the Bible?” This receives a good response in this strongly Catholic country where people don’t read their Bibles often, if ever. The Bible study is called From Creation to the Cross and takes a simple look at the Bible from Genesis to the Cross of Christ whereby hearing the Word of God, Lord willing, faith will be born in their hearts. It must be noted that the unbelievers in this particular study group didn’t come as a result of door-to-door evangelism, but from relationships the Damians had already developed. For example, the parents of one of the Damian children’s classmates attend the study.

Another way Israel and Paco evangelize is in the park during AWANA. Each Saturday afternoon while AWANA is in progress on one side of the park, Israel and Paco play Volleyball with unbelievers on the other side, seeking to build relationships and find a door for the gospel message. Their AWANA program is also a mixture of churched and un-churched children, so there is great opportunity for evangelism there as well.

On Saturday evening we visited one of the ministry areas in a part of town called San Ildefonso. Bernie Cestone shared a message on marriage to compliment the current study going on using the book Amor y Respeto (Love and Respect) by Emerson

The Team (clockwise from top left): Pastor Jim Wine, Richard & Wanda Johnson, Shirley Loza, Jennifer Perez,

Vanessa Johnson, Bernie Cestone and Pastor Ruben.

Above: Bernie sharing (in Spanish!) on marriage to the home group in San Ildefonso. Below: Sunday morning worship service at the Real de

Minas hotel. Photos: Richard Johnson.

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Eggerichs. It was a great time of fellowship. Sunday we joined our brothers and sisters in Christ at Iglesia Biblica Misionera for their morning worship service. Jim Wine preached an excellently encouraging and challenging message from Psalm 62 verses 5-6 on false hope and true hope. We then had lunch with about thirty people at the Damians’ home. Again, it was a great time of fellowship and encouragement.

Our main focus began on Monday morning, our first day of full evangelism. We spent one day canvassing a small neighborhood called San Pablo where a couple from the church lives. The desire was to find interested people to form a group to begin the From Creation to the Cross Bible study. When we went out that first morning the first house my team came to was Elisabeth’s, a 27-year-old single woman. In God’s providence, she had stayed home from work that day or we would not have met her and her three young children. She said she’d been visiting several churches since she moved there two months ago and hadn’t found anything she liked.

Little nine-year-old Alexa, who was one of my two partners, jumped in and excitedly told her how her family started going to the church after someone had come knocking on their door and told them about Jesus and now they love being a part of that church family and how great AWANA is. It was such a blessing to see this little girl so excited about sharing God’s goodness. I recently received an email from Marisa Contreras that Elisabeth has been attending church!

The next four days of evangelism were spent in an area of Queretaro called Fundadores. Luis and Bety are a couple who came to Queretaro with the desire to see people come to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus. They did not know Israel or the church at first, but soon God brought them together.

It was just what they were looking for, an evangelistic church with the desire to plant churches. This couple bought a house in the town called Fundadores where the Word of God could be shared and ministry could be had. For four days we did evangelism through the streets of this graffiti filled town. Every evening we had a Bible study, led by Jim Wine, Richard Johnson and Bernie Cestone. Through our door-to-door evangelism many were invited, many heard the gospel, and some made decisions for Christ! By the end of the week we had four faithful Bible study attendees. Each of these expressed a

deep thanks to us for bringing God’s Word and love to them. Praise God! Great are His mercies. Israel will be starting the weekly Bible study in January, while discipling Luis to lead it in the future, and Lord willing, the hope is to one day have a home church in Fundadores.

Through all this, we ministered to one another as we shared stories and testimonies; we learned about ministry and people; we were challenged and encouraged and we prayed together. I could keep writing about the immensity of hospitality that was receieved from so many, the hunger we saw filled by God’s Word and the faithfulness of God’s goodness to His people. There are, what seems like, an infinite number of stories left out in between these lines. And I know God has done far more than we know during our ten days in Mexico. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

January 2 Leif & Kathy JensenJanuary 8 Aaron & Krista Wine

January 14 Louis & Christine OttrandoJanuary 29 Chris & Roxanna Harris

January 30 Scott & Lenora MarkerFebruary 2 Tom & Miriam Hsieh February 14 John & Linda Bonin

Wedding Anniversaries

Jennifer Perez has attended FBC for six years and is greatful for the body of Christ here which continually challenges and encourages her to press on toward the upward call of Christ.

Above: Vanessa shared the story of the gospel through the gospel bracelets during AWANA. Left: Our faithful group of Bible study attendees in Fundadores.

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Melody NavarroMelody has attended FBC since August 9, 2009. Her favorite book of the Bible is Proverbs because it helps her put things into perspective and she finds “it’s amazing that a proverb that seems so simple on the surface can actually be so profound.” Being the youngest in her family, Melody always wanted younger siblings, so she likes serving in the nursery—it’s like having lots of little brothers and sisters! She is currently looking for a job, but does spend time witnessing to unbelievers and fellowshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ. Melody likes watching ballroom dance competitions, singing and listening to music, and listening to FBC and John MacArthur sermons. She also enjoys visiting museums and the mountains, reading, making crafts and spending time with friends and family. God has impressed on her the importance of using her time wisely and for His Glory.

Michael WineMichael has been attending FBC for about seven years. He loves the Gospels and especially appreciates the Gospel of John because “it is about getting people to believe in Christ as ‘The Light’” and for its “sublime passages that communicate Christ’s love for His own.” Michael serves in CnC, Neighborhood Ambassadors, and other outreach ministries of FBC. Currently he is taking classes at The Master’s College and working as a math tutor for Mathnasium. He enjoys watching football, basketball and soccer, playing the piano and chess, reading and teasing his little sister. God has been teaching Michael to abide in Him by 1) believing God is all he needs, 2) putting that belief into action, 3) maintaining his relationship with Jesus through prayer and the Bible, and 4) knowing God will produce fruit as He desires (John 15).

Arsenio MontoyaAresenio came to church after meeting Jim Wine during Neighborhood Ambassadors. He was happy to find a church and has been at FBC for four years. He likes the book of John because it is the book of love. His favorite passages are John 3:16-17 and 14:6. However, he is starting to like the Old Testament as well. Arsenio desires to serve others who have disabilities like him; he enjoys greeting people. He works at Maglight and enjoys sharing with his co-workers. According to his roommates, he is a good cook and often surprises them with meals he has prepared after working a long, hard day. Arsenio likes riding his bike around the block and watching football and baseball. He likes to draw, do crafts and garden. He took a tour of the Union Rescue Mission and hopes to someday be involved in missions. “I prayed a lot that God would put me in the right environment and now I thank God that He has put me right here. I enjoy reading the Bible and look forward to it each morning. I am learning that although I want to do what is right, there is sin in me (Romans 7). God is producing in me more of a concern for my co-workers and helping me to be joyful in hard times.”

Jason PinceJason has been attending FBC for about five months and enjoys the Book of Matthew because “the Gospel and childhood Bible stories never get old.” He serves in CnC. Jason was recently graduated from UCLA with a degree in Chemical Engineering; however, he is presently a manager at Frito-Lay. He likes rock climbing and ultimate Frisbee, as well as, playing card games and solving puzzles. God has been teaching Jason the attributes of love and compassion for others.

Getting to Know One Another: New Members to FBCSome are new to FBC; others have been around most of their lives, but either way, you may learn something new. The questions were asked and the answers were abundant. Unfortunately, we have only room to present the highlights of a few individuals so be encouraged to use this as a beginning for getting to know our newest members.

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Jason and Heather WeldayThe Weldays started attending FBC in August of 2009. Both say Philippians and James are their favorite books of the Bible; for Heather, she appreciates the exhortation, conviction and encouragement of the practical theology taught in each book. For Jason, Paul’s exhortation to have the same mind as Christ and to be humble servants of each other in the body of Christ has had an impact on his life and view of the Church. Currently they are the fifth and sixth grade Sunday School teachers.

They enjoy fellowshipping in their Oikos group and attribute joining Oikos soon after coming to FBC as instrumental in their decision to make this church their home. They both work full time and are also full-time parents of almost two-year-old Emma. They are all eagerly anticipating the arrival of Emma’s brother or sister in May. Jason is a “techy guy” and Heather enjoys books and crafts. Both enjoy playing cards and board games. Jason and Heather are learning to lean on the Lord and trust Him daily as He directs their lives.

The purpose of the FBC Connection newsletter is to inform and inspire the FBC body of what God is doing in the life of its members. Please note that the testimonies and articles are written by volunteers and do not necessarily reflect the sentiments or endorsements of

the elder board. The apostle Paul explains in I Corinthians 12 that the local church is one body made up of many members and gifts. FBC Connection recognizes this diversity in the FBC body and seeks to promote community through this form of communication. On behalf of the elder board of FBC, we invite you to proclaim the excellencies of Christ who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Mystery Member: Marie DennisMarie Dennis and her husband K.R. (Kerley Russell) have been attending Foothill Bible Church for over nine years. They are both currently serving in FBC’s Hospitality ministry (you have likely seen their gracious, smiling faces at the “purple table” on many a Sunday morning). Marie and K.R. also serve on Missions Commission. Individually, Marie serves as the secretary for our AWANA Sparkies program and K.R. is the head of our Usher ministry. Marie was born in Riverside, raised in Montclair, and currently resides in Ontario with K.R. – and her three remaining pigmy goats! She works for the Pomona Unified School District’s Regional Occupational Program (ROP) currently as a teacher in Career & Technical Education. She has served the ROP program as a teacher and/or administrator for the past 24 years. And about the riddle in question 1? Marie’s father married her mother with a daughter, so Marie was their “first-born” child. Her parents then adopted a third daughter.

FEBRUARYJANUARY2 - Scott Marker,

Jennifer Nance3 - Gina Farrar5 - Joe Lane,Zachary Mikat

8 - Stephanie Rosenfeld,Julie Grady

11 - Chris Harris,Michael Difatta

16 - John Bonin

17 - Krista Wine,Stephanie Yepez18 - Jim Wine

19 - Patti Nonemaker,Stacey Mikat

24 - Marie Dennis26 - Julia Buehl,Donald Carlson

28 - Jake Andrews

2 - Ora Dennis (101)3 - Jaymin Allen4 - Verda Tarbell

5 - Bulmaro Muniz6 - Linda Bonin,Meghan Bryan9 - Joan Smith

10 - Kim McConnell,Melody Navarro

14 - Agnes Cliffe15- Rose Helmick (81)

16 - Hugh Crawford (85)22 - Ernie Arroyo

24 - Promise Vaughan26 - Yvonne Andrews28 - Steve Hydanus,

Patrick Armitage31 - Michelle Lane

Marie and K.R. Dennis