Hess's Headlines   

Dear Church,

Tyler, Texas. Some of you might be familiar with this city. Tyler is famous for its roses and home NFL running back, the Tyler Rose, Earl Campbell. However, I am praying that Tyler, Texas would become famous for something different. A ministry called "Gospel Village" (www.gospelvillage.com) and one of our former college students is now working there. Gospel Village is a ministry that "exists to connect God's people from local area churches with students from local area schools in mutually transforming mentoring relationships." Simply put, the elementary schools identify at risk students or students from broken homes and the churches send volunteers to fill voids in the young child's life. However, what amazes me most about the ministry is the fact that it is intentional to share the gospel of Jesus AND live the gospel of Jesus.

Imagine for a moment that racial divisions were erased, and the only kingdom that a person witnessed to was the Kingdom of God. Imagine for a moment that area churches would work together to change the community. Imagine for a second that socio-economic lines were invisible, and that only the riches in Heaven mattered. Imagine what it would look like when people from different churches would stand together as mentors to students from the same school. This is what our college group had the chance to see this past week. The Lord allowed us to see the ministry in all different areas. Our students were able to serve the mentors at an appreciation dinner the first night. It is here we watched representatives from fourteen churches stand together sharing stories about their mentoring relationships. It is also here that we heard how this ministry started with a clear vision: let's reach the future and quit holding so tightly to the past. The next day we cleaned some of the area at the Boys and Girls Club of East Texas; Gospel Village is now under the umbrella of Boys and Girls Club. It is here where we learned about their summer camp for the community. It is also here that we heard story after story and saw picture after picture of lives the Lord has changed through that camp. Later we served at an after school care through Boys and Girls Club. Our students played games, created art projects, and even engaged in a soccer match! Through every aspect, the gospel was shared. Finally we had the opportunity to sit in on a training session for new mentors. It is here where I started asking the question: Why just Tyler, Texas?  Why not Florence, Alabama? 

The Lord has blessed us with an incredible opportunity as God's people to reach out and provide tangible help toward eternal hope. Are kids different in Tyler, Texas than they are in Florence, Alabama?  Not that different. After all, they need love and they need Jesus. Good news, I know some people who could provide both!  Would you be willing?

In Christ,

Chad Hess

Children's Ministry   

It was during the time that Tony's dad's health was on the decline that someone remarked to Tony, "how can you smile and laugh?" His answer to them was, "because I know without a doubt that my dad is on his way to Heaven, and I can smile because this is not the end for me." It is so hard for someone that never experienced God's love and mercy to know the joy we have in Him. Sure we are sad because we do not have him here to tell us crazy stories or yell, "blood and guts" when you want to save your seat. It got us to thinking about our legacy. What will they say about us at our funeral? Will it be a celebration of our life and how we showed God's love to everyone? 

Even when you think you are too old to be helping teach children or rock a baby...just think you may be the one that gets to lead them to the Lord. 

Easter is coming up, and it is a special time of thinking about what the Lord has done for each of us. Not only that, but Easter was when my husband to be at the time accepted the Lord and became the best husband and man of God I could ask for. I pray if you do not know the Lord, you will not wait another day. Find someone to talk to because the Lord is waiting with outstretched arms.

Denise