Now that we are entering the fall season, MissionWay is resuming its set-up schedule on Friday nights and Sunday mornings. We are in great need of volunteers who can be available on either day. We are in greatest need of volunteers to help with breakdown on Sundays, immediately following the service.  This involves packing up the patio, rearranging two classrooms and loading up the trailer. The more volunteers we have, the fewer times each person sets up or breaks down!  Email Tye Welsh if you are interested or would like more information.

During the summer of 2007, Eddie Sim was asked to join BBBS both as a Big Brother and a board member. His initial reaction: I don't have time for one more thing in my life! Between work, family, 

volunteering and other community commitments, the request seemed overwhelming. 

 

But Eddie said, "I'll think about it." He considered the time commitment required to be a good Big Brother. He thought more, though, about the constant stream of news about crime, violence and drop-out rates for young people in Jacksonville. He thought about why God was presenting him with this opportunity and if this was God's way of calling him to His work in our community.

 

A few months later, Eddie finished training and became a BBBS In-School Mentor to De'Shon Ashley, a first grade student at Central Riverside Elementary School. De'Shon is a bright boy with lots of energy and spunk. His single mother and grandmother try hard to steer him in the right direction, but also realize that he needs positive male role models in his life.

 

Eddie goes to De'Shon's school one hour each week to talk to him, read with him and shoot hoops. He says, "If I can help him see that there are people in the Jacksonville community who care about him and his future, then it's worth every minute of my time." He adds, "De'Shon may not understand why God has called me to be in his life. I may not really understand at this point why I've been called specifically to De'Shon, but in time I think we'll both understand that God is at work here."

 

Please pray for De'Shon as he returns to school this year. Pray that he will be open to the positive influences in his life. Pray also for his mother and grandmother who are trying hard to raise him well, despite the negative influences he encounters each day.

If you are a Community Group Leader, please make a note that the Sept. 4 meeting has been postponed. We still plan to meet in September and will announce the new date next week. The goals for the meeting will be making sure all the groups are on the same page, developing a clear structure of Community Life at MissionWay and developing a communication system between Group Leaders, Staff, and other Teams.  Email Matt Wilbanks for more information.

 

Sunday, September 21

8:45-10 a.m.

Are you interested in learning more about the vision, values and covenants that guide the work at MissionWay?  We can help you better understand the steps to take toward committing to participating membership. Childcare will be available. Sign up on the patio this Sunday, email Pastor Ron at ronhenson@missionwaychurch.org or call him @ 612.8087.

Toddlers: Janet Wilbanks, Dot Henshaw

Lil'K: Lisa Fountain, Jean Turner

G-Force: Walter Newsom

Offering: Bill Woody, Dave Palmer