"Oh yeah, you're that church right near 95 on Marsh Road, right?"  That's often the reaction from neighbors in our community when I mention Faith Presbyterian Church. 

We have many strategic advantages as a church with a long history, a visible location, and a positive community perception.  But we want people to know our message of eternal life, radical transformation, and unspeakable joy through Jesus.  That's why we emphasize the Gospel in our preaching and teaching, in our Community Groups, on our GO (Gospel Outreach) Team visits, and in our Faith Explored investigative series.  We have been placed here on Marsh Road to make the Gospel known to our neighbors.

This summer we want you to step out in faith with us as we reach our community.  Volunteer in June with VBS, our outreach to preschool and elementary aged children.  Help as a host at Faith's fun and informative booth at the annual Rockwood Ice Cream Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30.  Support and pray for our youth missions team as they head to Canada in July.  Invite a neighbor to worship.

In addition, on the first three Sunday evenings of July we will visit neighbors who have recently moved into our community.  With a kind greeting and a welcome packet we will extend to them a gracious invitation to hear God's message.  While this will push some of us beyond our comfort zones, our elders believe this is such an important opportunity that we want each family in the church to plan to participate in at least one of these outreach evenings by visiting neighbors and joining in corporate prayer.  Watch for more information to come.

While summer in our community is a welcome opportunity to rest and recharge, we want this summer to be a time of spiritual growth in our lives and of new spiritual life in our neighbors.  Join us as we go with the message of the Gospel.

Rev. Kevin Kowslowsky

Youth Missions Update

O, Canada!

This summer, our Youth Group will be traveling to a place called Hobbema located in Alberta, Canada. We will be working among Cree Indians on the Louis Bull Reserve. The Cree people are Canada's largest First Nations group, with 200,000 registered members.

Our team will be partnering with Mission To The World's existing work to communicate the good news of Christ in word and deed. We will be involved in a variety of projects ranging from VBS, construction, home visitation, nursing homes ministry, etc.

The Cree originally lived all across northern Canada. They were comprised of two divisions: the Woodland Cree and the Plains Cree. The Woodland Cree stayed in the forest, while the Plains Cree moved from the forest into the plains following the buffalo. Both groups were made up of related families. There were 12 different bands.

Traditional Cree religion is very strong and many people are afraid to become Christians, not only because their families will reject them, but also out of fear that 'bad medicine' will be put on them.

We ask you for your prayers concerning this trip. Pray:

• That God will prepare our hearts now
• That He will provide the financial needs for this trip
• For safe travels
• For great opportunities to share the Gospel
• That God will use this trip to open the minds of our students and expose them to the great things God is doing across the world.

For His Fame,

Josh Smith, director of youth and children ministries