2010

February - Video presentation at the West Lansing Church of Christ, Lansing, MI

March 13-Columbus, Ga new church

March 14-West Point, Ga presentation at the Vineyard church

April 16,17-Michigan Christian Convention at Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, MI

May 14-23-Team trip to Ukraine

May 30 - Monroe Christian Church

July 7-9 - Rock Lake Christian Assembly

July 11 - McBride Church of Christ

July 18 - West Lansing Church of Christ (2 services)

September 3-6-Rock Lake Christian Assembly, Family Camp weekend-presentation

October 17 - Sturgis Church of Christ Sunday School Class

October 20-25 - Lisa Gootee in Michigan area

October 22 - Lisa Gootee on GNS television, Lansing, MI

October 24 - Lisa Gootee at Cornerstone Christian Church, Jackson, MI

Octover 24 - Lisa Gootee L.I.F.E. group, Lansing, MI

October 22 - GNS (Good News Station) 1 hour live televison with Lisa and Michael

November 18-21-National Missionary Convention in Lexington, KY

Fifty-one 2nd, 3rd graders made bead necklaces and cards for Ukraine orphans.  God always seems to touch the hearts of the kids when they hear the plight of those suffering.  In two days of camp over $400 was collected.  

McBride Church of Christ

Steve and Amy Waugh have hearts for God as do their congregation.  Over $700 was collected for the kids.  Amy was the dean at Rock Lake camp for 2nd and 3rd graders.  She did a great job and is now hoping to join our team in January. I love how God touched Steve's heart as he introduced our ministry.  He could hardly talk as he recounted seeing our presentation on the plight of the kids.  When God opens our hearts to see His...

Monroe Christian Church

This congregation was instrumental in encouraging the start of Shepherd's Purse.  Thanks to you all for your generosity and continued support.

Michigan Christian Convention

The convention was held at the new Doty Center on the campus of Great Lakes Christian College in Lansing, MI.  We met lots of supporters and made many new friends.

Killbuck, OH Jane Hyatt

Jane Hyatt, one of the directors of The Ark - Foster kid center in Kiev, Ukraine, presented her work for the Killbuck congregation.  A team from this church is traveling to Kiev in May.  Joe Milazzo is the pastor.

First Church of Christ Jackson, MI

    Dan and Kathy Alexandar (missions chairman)

We had two great presentations Sunday in Jackson.  People's hearts were very responsive and we signed up over 20 new people to our mailing list.  Donations totaled $600.   They are even considering supporting the children on a monthly basis.  And they are thinking of planning a trip to Ukraine with us next summer.  Thanks to an old college friend, Mike Mason (the minister) for inviting us.  Thanks to Dan and Kathy for their enthusiastic welcome and work.  And thanks to the Women's Ministry for their Dinner Around the World donation of $100.  Thanks everyone for opening up your hearts.

Edgerton Christian Church

It is great to see how this group has connected with "The Ark" in Kiev, Ukraine.  We took them to visit in May of 2006 and they have since returned in October.  They have been in constant contact with staff and kids and plan a couple more trips.  Our presentation went well and hearts were broken.  It is evident that they have caught the vision for those forgotten.  Steve and Becki Wilmot (the pastor and our long time friends), informed us that they are open to being team leaders for Shepherd's Purse.  They are well qualified and know the ministry in Kiev very well.  We pray this will work out. 

 Edgerton Church

Michigan Christian Convention

The Southpointe Christian Church hosted the 51st convention in Trenton, MI just south of the Detroit airport.  It was good to hear the speakers and to reconnect with old friends.  Al Meakes a non-instrumental brother is the president for next year.  The goal is to hold it in the new Doty Center on the campus of Great Lakes Bible College in Lansing, MI.  Brant Doty was -- is -- such a good guy.  Everyone loved this servant and teacher and we can't wait for the reunion.  Mrs. Doty stopped by our booth and talked for a bit.  It is always good to see her also.  She has that same sweet spirit shared with her husband.  Next year GLCC hopes to have the new Doty Center built for the event.  One theme suggested was "Building Bridges".  I was thinking more like "Faith of our Fathers" or "Our Heritage".  There are so many.  At the conference we had lunch with Chuck and Barb Cramer.  He was a minister for years and still has such a great smile and sense of humor.  He was friends with guys like Charles Race who was a older preacher that took me under his wing when I was in my first ministry at Ferris church of Christ. Bill Horton who baptized me and mentored me in my hippie days stood up with Chuck at his wedding.  There were so many others at the convention.  It made me think about all those who have expended their life energy in ministry over so many years.  Chuck has done it for fifty years, but who remembers him and his work?  Who remembers the work of Bob Girdwood and appreciates his current work on the Restoration history here in Michigan. I know many do.  Who will remember the faith of our fathers?  What blessings we have in this country.  What wonderful fathers and mothers in the faith.  Something that is unknown to the kids in the streets.  Maybe they will remember us and the worker there that love them.

It was good to see so many stopping by our display. It helped that it was right next to the auditorium entry.  George Blanche from Charlotte Christian and his family hope to put together a trip for their church in July of of 2008.  His wife, daughter and a friend were moved by the kids pictures.  

Fundraiser at West Lansing Church in Michigan

Some great volunteers organized a taco dinner after church.  The gym was full and they raised $665 towards team members upcoming trip to Kiev, Ukraine.   Thanks to all those who helped in the kitchen, helped set up tables and chairs, cooked and to that special person who donated all the food supplies. 

Killbuck Valley Christian Church - March, 2007

We presented our mission to the Adult Sunday School and the main session.  It was really good to see our friends Joe and Lissa Milazzo, Jody Rohr, and so many others.   Thanks to Roc and Bonnie Baker for housing us on their mountaintop.  What a view!  We could see deer in the valley below as we ate breakfast.  Check out the ministry Roc and his family have started with art in the hospital.  We are hoping to get them into a project for Shepherd's Purse contacts sometime.   The visit with our friends at Killbuck was very good.  Many tears after the presentation.  And now this group is hoping to travel with us a year from this spring.  We have some good supporters of the kids in this family.

Virginia Beach Area - February, 2007

We had a great visit with our daughter Wendy, son-in-law Josh Childress and our sweet grand kiddees!   Josh is on staff at the Kempsville Christian Church where his dad, Randy Childress is the Senior Minister.  Thanks to these guys we were able to present the Father's heart to a Sunday School of twenty adults and then in the evening service.  I have already received a couple of emails from those who were touched and we may put together a trip for them sometime next year.  The church took up a $700 offering on Sunday evening.  We also toured their brand new "children's center".  Wow...ten new classrooms and a huge multi-purpose room.  They certainly have a heart for children.

We were also able to have lunch with Matt Scott and Dan Knust, ministers at area churches.  I knew Matt's parents from college days and Dan and I attended Great Lakes Christian together for awhile.  It was good renewing old times and I was able to introduce them to the ministry of Shepherd's Purse.  We are hoping to return to their area for a presentation.  Special thanks to Dave Carlson, our promotions manager, for setting up this meeting. 

Look for the video of my presentation on our website soon.  It will also be posted on the Kempsville Christian Church: http://www.kccfamily.org/

Benefit Concert - November, 2006

November 4th at Dora Christian Church in Lagro, Indiana.  Doug & Barb Chopson and Liston Creek.  6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.  November 5th short presentation at Dora Christian Church October 26-Had a great visit with the ladies fellowship representing several churchs at the Lansing Vineyard.  Twenty ladies donated $500 towards the kids.  Wow!