RAISE UP AND RELEASE

The Ridge Dedication was an amazing night of worship and celebration.  Nearly 200 people from 6 different congregations celebrated all that God has done and is doing to redeem this broken community.  Our part in the story came in 2014 with the launch of A.B.I.D.E. God used this to engage 5 new congregations with the Kingdom work there.  Through the last few years King Jesus continues to ransom lives and deepen disciplemaking friendships.   Please take a moment and read this article from the Peoria Journal Star about the history of ministry in the Ridge.  Pray with us for this community to continue to be a testimony to God's transforming grace.  

What a joy to love on the next generation and help them find and follow King Jesus! It was a blast teaching the 5th and 6th grade class again this year.   Check out this fun video of the week below: 

Last night we continued to celebrate the transforming power of the gospel.  Three young men proclaimed their new faith in Christ through baptism.  Below, I've highlighted Kailup.  Kailup is such a blessing.  His simple love for the Lord and others is evident. Check out a video of his baptism below and continue to pray for God to move in and through the lives of His people at the Ridge.

God continues to build His Kingdom at the Ridge.  I wanted to share one special story.  Clint Meyer, one of this year's A.B.I.D.E. guys was recently privileged to introduce a 15 year old girl name Shelby to King Jesus!  Shelby has had a very hard life, but now she knows Christ as her healer, Savior and Lord.  Her newfound joy and freedom is so evident. We all watch in wonder as she grows in her love for the Lord and others.  A couple of weeks ago Shelby proclaimed her faith in Christ through baptism.  In the photos below you can see the love, encouragement, and prayer of her faith family.  Her mom, dad, sisters, and aunt were amazed at the love they witnessed. I trust it won't be long to we welcome them to faith as well.  The Ridge is been transformed by the Gospel one life at a time.  

I wanted to share an new overview video of Hope Partners Africa (HPA), our ministry to refugees in Uganda. For their safety and anonymity, the faces of the two refugee woman interviewed have been blurred.  Please pray for us as we prepare to send a team this summer to serve woman recovering from horrific trauma like what you will hear described here.  Also pray for the ladies (see pic below) in our church who lead the Free Indeed Initiative, a business partner with HPA.  Free Indeed sells jewelry that is handmade by refugees as part of their occupational and group therapy. To see the video follow this link:  Hope Partners Africa

I have been privileged to serve on the board of Juna Amagara Ministries (JAM) since 2014.  This past year, on our fourth annual trip to serve with JAM, we were able to film many aspects of this powerful ministry which serves nearly 1000 AIDS orphans in Uganda. Chris Brett, a fellow staff member with Small World Connections, then began the difficult work of editing the footage. He has just finished a video that I wanted to share with you. This video will help me in my role of developing new individual and church partnerships with JAM and other ministries like it in Africa. Our church has a specific partnership with the HOLD ministry mentioned in this video. If you would like to know how you could get involved, I'd love to talk with you. Thanks for taking time to watch! Let me know what you think. Your support allows me to mobilize God's people to show the Father's heart to the orphan. Thank you!  Please pray for a team from our church that is preparing to go to Uga