Crossing Borders: GET CONNECTED

Crossing Borders is about believers pushing past their comfort zones and immersing themselves in the lives of fellow believes across the nation and globe.  It is our belief that God has called all believers everywhere to be a part of evangelism throughout their communities, states, nations and the world at large.?

One of the ways we do this is through the promotion of the Dollar a Day program, designed to help families and individuals understand who the missionaries are in the Brethren Church, where they minister, and most importantly help develop relationships with brothers and sisters around the globe. 

Each month we emphasize a different mission field both in U.S. and the International field so be sure to check back often to see who is featured.

LOCAL MISSIONS: Getting Connected in the Community!

     A Week of Outreach: The last week of June saw one of the busiest weeks in the church’s history to date, and also one of the best examples of what it really looks like when the church is really being the church. Tuesday and Wednesday saw an incredible opportunity as a group of ten including almost the entire Tuesday evening small group, assembled at the church to be the hands and feet of Jesus by helping to cut up and stack wood from a large Cotton Wood tree that had fallen over in the seven hundred block of West Pershing. The owner (Phyllis) of the tree had experienced a tragic turn of events when strong winds uprooted the tree and sent it tumbling across the her yard to land on and severely damage four of her neighbors cars. Even more upsetting was finding out that her insurance would not pay for the damage or the removal of the tree. Phyllis shared with her co-worker Carol Bouldin her frustration and despair at the situation and wondered how she was ever going to take care of this tree, she had a wood burning stove, but the time it would take to cut up and split this wood by herself would take months. Carol contacted Pastor Scott and the team got busy sharing in word and in deed the love of Christ to Phyllis and her family. What a team too. In just two evenings this amazing crew took a yard full of broken and twisted wood and turned it into next winter’s warmth. Amazingly enough Phyllis had called TV 5 to do a report on the insurance problem and they showed up right as the group started so this unknown group of “church goers,” got to be on TV as well. Superday once again occurred on Saturday June 28th and the Cheyenne Brethren Church descended in force to hand out cold refreshing water bottles to as many of the participants as possible all for free! The event was a total blast having in actuality started on Friday evening at a labeling party at the church complete with pizza and laughter to prepare all of the water bottles for transport and gather all of the necessary items to make the outreach an overwhelming success. What a great day it was too! The group handed out over 2000 water bottles, got wet, and enjoyed fun and fellowship. Thanks to all for making this such a success!

Mission Highlight: Philippines

     One of the coolest things about missions is how God can use almost anything to create a great church plant.  Take our Mission Point in the Philippines for instance.  This place was never even on the radar map for most of the Brethren as a likely place to begin ministering, yet through God and His amazing Grace we now see a thriving, active and growing work that seeks to tell as many as possible about the Good News of Christ. 

     The Philippine mission or (Jesus Our Firm Foundation) gets its start from the determination and prayers of the Carson Oaks Church in California and one woman aptly named Grandma Grace.  Grace is a Filipino who lives in the states and has served as a nurse for many years.  She also has a home in the Philippines and many family members there so she travels back and forth as often as possible.  After becoming a member of the Carson Oaks church in California, God placed a great burden for the lost in the Philippines.  During her travels back and forth she would lead bible studies, children's camps and speak openly and honestly about the love of God.  The fruit of her labor and prayers continues to be felt today as more and more flock to hear how Christ can change lives.

     J.O.F.F. has now grown to become a large congregation that continues to multiply itself through out the area.  In recent years the mission points Senior Pastor, Gary Castro, made a decision to leave his home and travel Ashland Theological Seminary to deepen his knowledge of Christ and pick up valuable ministry and teaching skills to help him to better train and lead new pastors and lay leaders back home.  Gary is an incredible young man with a heart for the lost and a passion for Christ.  While at the seminary he has participated in numerous activities and ministries to help pick up even more practical skills for the field. 

     If you would like to know more about the Philippines or any of the other Brethren Mission Fields, visit  www.brethrenchurch.org.

WHAT'S NEW: Upcoming Events

     So what's next at the Cheyenne Brethren Church?  Glad you asked.  We've got a rather full slate from fall through the Advent season.  We have a men's cook-off planned for October to raise funds for World Relief, a parachurch organization that helps Church's overseas and in disaster ravaged areas within the U.S. bring hope to the hopeless.  If you'd like to learn more about World Relief and its ministries click on the link or type into your browser, www.worldrelief.org This event will pit men and their grills against each other for fun and prizes bringing an afternoon of fun and fellowship with laughter and great eats. 

      September and October finds our primary kids program begining their outreach working to fill shoe boxes with toys, eating utensils and school supplies for children in other countries who have little or nothing to celebrate.  This great outreach is done through the Franklin Graham ministry known as Operation Christmas Child and provides kids across the globe with the joy of not only knowing that they are cared about and loved, but more importantly, that God loves them and sent His Son so that they might know His love in their loves as well.  Our current goal is approximately 200 shoe boxes full of items to delight and thrill boys and girls of all ages.  You can learn more about Operation Chrsitmas Child by logging on to www.samaritanspurse.com and discover for yourself the Power of a Simple Gift!

     There's more than that including the Youth Hot Chocolate Outreach at the Christmas Parade and a community cookie delivery.  Just a few more reasons why the Cheyenne Brethren Church is a great place to get connected.