Join Hope For Nashville this Sunday, Oct 5th!!

For our 3rd annual Information Fair after 1st and before 2nd service in the Lobby. We will have information and food to learn more about Hope For Nashville and ways that we as a church can partner together and demonstrate the Hope of God's love to our community!

If you can't answer these questions, you need to come by and learn more.



POP QUIZ
Q. What is Hope for Nashville?

Q. Can you name 3 of the 9 partner ministries that WECC supports, through Hope for Nashville?

Q. Can you name any of the events WECC has sponsored, to support our Hope for Nashville partners?

Q. Name one way that YOU can get involved with Hope for Nashville.

Peru Follow-up

Every mission team always has the best of intentions to update our blog more often, but tiredness and lack of internet always puts a cramp in our plans! That being said, the Peru mission trip was our 3rd straight year to go and serve in conjunction with Scripture Union. It was our 2nd year in the region of Cusco.

Of our 11 member team, 6 of us were returning. It was a lovely reunion to see all of our friends and the boys from the year before. One of the things that I love about going on a mission trip is the opportunity to worship God with people in a different cultural setting. Singing worship songs in Spanish surrounded by your Peruvian brothers and sisters, is a worship experience never to be forgotten. Worshiping God becomes very practical when it involves mud and construction and loving boys.

What a privilege we have to serve and worship the Lord through service!

peru update

the team of 11 has arrived in peru safe and sound after 36 hours of not in a place to sleep, we were all thankful for bed last night. we are on our way to church with the boys from the home, and tomorrow the hard work will begin.

please continue to pray for our safety and our health and that God would use us to his glory.

Sacrifice and Obedience

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:34-37

Recently, these 2 words have often been on my mind. They are not words that create in me a feeling of comfort or joy. The words make me shrink away. I want comfort and I want things MY OWN WAY! But Jesus words are simple. He asks his followers to take up their cross and follow him. If we look to save our own life, we will lose it, but if we lose it for the sake of his good news, we gain it all.

So, what causes me to turn away from my fear of these words and run with joy towards a life of sacrifice and obedience? We need to rewind approximately 2000 years ago and look at the scaredy cats that made up Jesus' 11 followers. These men went from shivering and hiding, sending women to Jesus' tomb, to imprisoned, abused, rejected, and some, ultimately, murdered for the Gospel. The change came when they realized who Jesus was and what he had done.

When I recognize the weight of my sin spread against the magnificent backdrop of God's amazing grace and mercy, I am overwhelmed by the Father's deep love for me. It pushes me beyond myself, it finds me sacrificing and obeying when I may not want to do something. But first I have to remember all that has been done for me. The great love that has been poured out over me.

Opportunities abound at PTM

Preston Taylor Ministries an afterschool and mentoring program, is in need of more volunteers for this school year. With the addition of a third site beginning this fall and the growing number of children throughout PTM programming, the need for volunteers is greater than ever. No matter what your experience level is, now is a great time to join the amazing staff of PTM volunteers. New Volunteer Orientation will be held on August 20th from 3:30-5:30 at PTM’s Hal and Martha Wilson Center. Veteran Volunteer Check-in will be on August 21st from 11:00-1:00. To register for one of these sessions, or for more information, please call Chan Sheppard at 596-4386.

Nashville Mission Trip

The Nashville Mission Trip is almost here!! August 7th and 8th 8:30-4pm.

You can join us for both days or just do half a day! There are family friendly options, and on August 7th we have a special mom and kid opportunity! Come build community while we support and share the love of Christ in tangible ways around the city.
Hope for Nashville is partnering with 4 of our partner ministries so there is something for EVERYONE! You can sign up by contacting Mikkee at mikkee@westendcc.org or head to the website and sign up there.

Nashville Mission Trip Opportunities:

- Siloam Health Clinic 8:30-Noon: Prayer walk, learn more about their ministry, serving in practical ways
- Daystar Counseling Services 1-4pm: Dress for outdoor landscaping, painting, and cleaning t help their facility look nice

FAMILY FRIENDLY OPTIONS:

8:30-Noon: Mom/Child play time with Moms of one of our partner ministires. More info to come
-Help sort the food we collected from our Charis Food Drive into boxes to be delivered. This is at the church from 8:30-Noon
-Deliver food to families in need with Charis Ministry from 8:30-4

August 8th: Workday at Barefoot Republic camp in Kentucky 8:30-4 (not family friendly)

Volunteering as a Family

by David Thomas


The importance of children as volunteers include the following:
-Promotes healthy lifestyle and choices - Encourages a lifelong service ethic
-Enhances development - Improves the community
-Teaches life skills - Gives them purpose

Volunteering also nourishes caring values as children relate to and empathize with others, and individuals who care about others. Youth who volunteer are less likely to be involved in negative behaviors. (Studies show that teens who volunteer just 2 hours per week have higher self-esteem and more resiliency and are 50 % less likely to smoke, drink, or do drugs.)

Kids who volunteer at a young age with their family members are
more likely to adopt a service lifestyle as adults.

Studies also show that volunteering can play a role in your health – improving your overall sense of well-being, alleviating chronic pain, and even reducing depression.

Summer JAM update

Tonight marks the halfway point of our Summer JAM VBS that we do in partnership with Preston Taylor Ministries (http://www.ptmweb.ik.org/). We have had lots of fun, both volunteers and kids alike! Our emphasis this week has been that we are all treasures of God and God's amazing love through us for Jesus.

Thank you to all who are volunteering to make this week special and keep up the prayers for our safety and that God would move in the kids hearts.

Here are some pictures of our fun!

Looking Back and Moving Forward

It has been a week since the team has returned from Ireland, and I am slow on getting out a final update. I find it difficult to try and briefly sum up a mission trip. How do you quantify the individual and group experience of 12 people? Let alone that of those we were serving and/or partnering with?

With that in mind, to answer the question that many have asked me about how the trip was, my uncreative answer has been "great". And it was great and powerful and meaningful. Ministry was done in an organic and beautiful way, and Christ's love shone brightly in the midst of darkness. To some traveling across the ocean to renovate a flat may seem like a project you can do here in the states. But a trip is so much about perspective building, exiting our world and entering anothers. You see the greatness and vastness of who the Lord is in new and different ways!

Looking forward, Hope For Nashville has hit the ground running in our final preparations for Summer JAM that begins next week! Please be praying that God would really use us and prepare our hearts to serve Him and the precious children we will be doing the VBS for.

More from Ireland

This has been an amazing week. A busy, tiring, fulfilling week where we have seen Jesus evidently in the light that slowly began to fill the apartment we were renovating. On Monday when we first walked in, we were overwhelmed by all the sights and smells, but when we wrapped up the renovations on Wednesday night, the apartment looked like a whole new place.

It was not only the external renovations where we noticed a change, but in our hearts and in the heart of our new friend. We would start each day with prayer, and on our final day, our friend led us in worship. It was a powerful moment, and when we left that apartment, the presence of Jesus there was profound.

We had the opportunity to spend time with WECC missionary and member, Ellisha, and see the work that she has been doing for the past year in Ireland.

Please continue to pray for safety for the team, and we are all tired. Please pray that in our tiredness we would still have love and patience, especially with each other!

Update from Ireland

We are at the end of our 2nd full day in Ireland. We started out quickly yesterday, after our travels we headed to church and a full day, including a visit and training on board the Operation Mobilization ship, the Logos Hope. The 12 of us are spending part of our week working with someone with addictions and illness. We are helping to renovate his flat.

He recently has professed faith as a Christian, but he still is struggling with worth and works. So, here we are cleaning, restoring and renovating, exactly what Jesus makes available to all our hearts, not because we are worthy or deserve it.

Please pray that as we act as servants towards him, the gospel would be lived out. Please also pray against the spiritual darkness that is surrounding his life.

Ireland mission

The Ireland team of 12 is set to head out in a little over a week. The more trips I go on, the more strongly I see and feel the need for prayer to envelope the team. Not only during the trip, but in the time leading up. Please be praying for our team, pray that God would be paving a way to use us to bring him glory. Pray for a spirit of grace and unity. Pray for our safety in travel. Pray that God would be moving and preparing hearts in Ireland and those we will interact with. Pray for strength and health.

Thank you for praying and for being a part of the team in this way.

Barefoot Camp

There have been many times I have had conversations and wondered how is it that church is usually one of the least diverse places? How do churches get beyond that? How does a church cross the racial and socio-economic divide? There are churches who do it, but for many churches that is not the case. I am certainly not an expert and don't know what it is or how to get over it. I do know that it exists, and I do know that Barefoot Republic Camp is trying to cross these boundaries in unique ways.

Barefoot is a Hope For Nashville partner ministry, and each summer they have a camp that crosses the bridges and exposes kids from all backgrounds to each other...seeing how much more in common we all have. Barefoot's mission is "To reflect God's pursuit of His children through interests and passions, interpersonal relationships, and equipping students with tools for exploring and discovering God's presence in their lives." It is neat to think that for 3 weeks this summer a generation is experiencing something radical and life-changing.

If you are interested in being a part of it there are 3 ways you can do so: support a kid going to camp, send your student to Barefoot, or be a volunteer counselor at one of the 3 weeks. Visit barefootrepublic.org for more information or visit their table this Sunday in the lobby!

The impact we can make

Every year, WECC holds a special offering on Christmas Eve. About 3 or 4 years ago, the offering was to go to the Crowder's ministry in Sudan, specifically to purchase bicycles for pastors who were having to walk long distances between churches on Sunday. There are more churches than trained pastors.

I had forgotten about this special offering. Well, I recently got an email from the Crowder's with the above picture. Chris had run into one of the men that received the bike. He was still thankful for this bike as it allowed him to also make a living selling vegetables in the market.

Often, we don't ever know the impact that a small impact on our part can have in the life of someone else. This is a beautiful example of the fact that what may seem simple to us, it can have waves and layers and impact that we may never know about.

Remember to not discount what may seem like a small sacrifice to you. God will use every sacrifice for his glory.

It changes me

As we continue our installment of the why of short-term mission trips, we have come to how it changes me! As I have traveled around the world leading groups, never has one person ever left the same person. I am not sure what it is about a mission trip that does this, especially since each trip is so different but the result is always the same -- seeing God work outside of your norms and cultural boundaries grows your faith in Christ in whole new ways. I will never forget my first trip through a slum and thinking how can I EVER complain. I will never forget little boys abandoned on the street because their mom couldn't afford to feed them anymore. I will never forget being in churches that were dying in a culture progressively moving away from a belief in Jesus. I will never forget seeing missionaries become refreshed, physically and spiritually. Something happens as I work and serve, I commune with Jesus in a way that I don't. Suddenly, all of my distractions are stripped away, and the core of what is true and important in life are standing in front of me.

Going on a mission trip is not easy. You sacrifice. Time, money, comforts, but the change that is wrought in your heart will never change.

We still need people to join us on the Peru Mission Trip on August 28th-September 6th. You won't regret serving the abandoned boys in Peru. Contact Mikkee at mikkee@westendcc.org for more information.

The Encouragment Factor of a Short-term Team

The second piece in the "Why short-term missions" is about the long-term missionary.

Imagine for a moment that God called you to be on a mission field far from home. Most likely you are in a foreign country and culture, a language that is not your mother tongue. Everything is different and nothing feels quite like at home. You may be in the middle of the bush or the middle of busy city, but chances are you will feel more isolated and discouraged at times. The life of a long-term missionary is a special and beautiful calling, but I think that many Christians have the misperception that missionaries are some form of "super-Christians."

But life on the mission field can be so discouraging, so as a church partners with a missionary, they often look to do more than send a monthly check. They will partner in prayer and accountability, finding places, cars when they are home on leave, gift packages. There are many ways to love and support a missionary, but for a church one of the most effective ways to encourage a missionary is to send a team to visit them.

To have a team of friends and home church members make the time and effort and finances to go to another country to support them in ministry, goes great lengths in a missionary maintaining a healthy long-term ministry. This is one of reasons that WECC sends teams to other countries, always with missionaries we directly support. And to leave a trip after having the opportunity to encourage someone in ministry, you know you have joined God in his work around the Kingdom.

The Next Door

Each month, Hope For Nashville highlights one of our 9 ministries. So, as we go through the month of March, you will be seeing a lot about The Next Door. They are the newest Hope For Nashville partner, and their mission is to serve women coming out of crisis situations, most often incarceration. To hear the story of how this ministry was born gives me chills every time I hear it! A group of women began praying about the use of building downtown, and through a course of events, research and a lot of praying, the Next Door was born. I cannot think of anything more amazing than to see God birth a ministry through the prayers of His people. The Next Door has been honored by the White House through the Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

About 5 months ago, I had the opportunity to begin volunteering at The Next Door. I was going to be a prayer partner to one of the women in their program. I was both excited and scared as I went to meet my prayer partner. My prayer partner is going to graduate in a month, and the past 6 months of getting to know her has blessed my life so much.

It was not easy, my life seems to be in a perpetual fast forward, but I have learned. I have learned more about boundaries, and what it really means to love someone. I have given. I have given of myself, and I have learned how to give more of my talents and time and resources to God. I have received. I have received far more than I gave. I have received the joy of a friendship and the blessing of simply being there.

Perhaps that is the most profound lesson that I have learned, I didn't feel like I had much to offer or give this woman, but what really mattered was to simply be there. To be there to listen, to hear the struggles and frustrations. To be there to encourage and to challenge. You can do this too. You can be a prayer partner or teach resume or job skills training, answer phones at their front desk. If you have limited time, you can be a prayer partner to a woman and simply just pray for them or you can send notes of encouragement.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Next Door, they will have a table set-up at WECC on March 15th in the lobby, or visit www.thenextdoor.org to learn more.

Because Jesus Says So

"16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:16-20

As I begin this blog series, I am compelled to give you a few other thoughts...I have a love/hate relationship with short-term missions which might come as a surprise since, as a Missions Director, I plan and lead 3-4 short-term trips a year. Missions unequivocally changes lives - yours, mine, theirs - none are exempt. However, short-term trip, when executed well, are life-changing events, but they can also have damaging effects, a hurricane to a soul's house, and push people farther away from the Gospel. We have an obligation to plan, execute, and train ourselves well before we embark on any short-term trip.

As we look at the why of short-term trips, I want to first focus on the last words Jesus spoke to his disciples before he ascended into heaven. In verse 19 of Matthew 28, Jesus says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations." This is a command, a statement, not a question or a plea.

When your life has been changed by a relationship with Jesus, the command has a different tone to it. I want to go - near and/or far - to share this amazing love that changes me. His love compels me out of my comfort zone. Looking back at verse 19, you see how Jesus' command leaves us room for creativity in the makeing of disciples. Each short-term trip can and should look so differently, based on the make-up of each team. The ways to share about Jesus are unbounded, music, arts, construction, etc. How do you feel called?

The Why of Short-term Missions - Part 1

Through the month of March, we are going to explore a question that is vital to examine in the world of missions. The all-important "why?" should not just be relegated to the 5 year olds in our life, but this simple 3-letter word helps us to understand and maintain the validity of things in our lives.

So, why should the Church - AND YOU - go on short-term trips? Asking this question will help to maintain the vision and focus of what God has called the Church to be. We will consider the Biblical command, the encouragement factor, how it changes the individual, and a WECC missionaries perspective on why short-term missions are vital to a church.

February is Appreciation month...

to all you WECC members who have given so much to support our partner ministries this past year. Here is a word of thanks from one of our HFN partners, Hope Clinic for Women.

Hope Clinic for Women just celebrated our 25th year of ministry in Nashville and I know that this would not have been possible without YOU! On behalf of our board, staff, volunteers and especially clients...thank you West End Community Church!

We celebrate your faithful support that has allowed us to continue listening to the needs of our clients and expanding our services to better meet those needs. Not only have you provided finances, but you have been the hands and feet of Christ, serving the people that walk through our doors. You have sat in counseling rooms with our clients, listening to their fears and doubts while reaching them with patience, love and providing a safe place for them to hear the truth. You’ve held their hand during an ultrasound as they wait to hear that first heartbeat. You have been that warm, calm voice on the other end of a crisis call. You have worked from your homes folding, stuffing and sealing envelopes, you have walked through our building and prayed.

We could not do this without you. You have been a part of changing lives and transforming hearts for the last ten years and appreciate every dollar, every call, every moment and every prayer. Because these gifts of time, prayer and money we are able to celebrate nearly 6,000 babies born to our clients since 1983! Your support inspires us to continue reaching out to people with the message of Christ’s hope and healing.

Blessings to you,
Lauren Overbeek on behalf of Hope Clinic for Women

A thank you from another HFN partner

A quick note from Mikkee:
You may be wondering why we are posting thank you's from our Hope For Nashville partners, but we really want to show you from all perspectives WHAT A DIFFERENCE we can make as the Church. So be encouraged and continue to give and use the gifts God has given you to creatively share the Gospel to a hurting world!



As someone who makes a living by managing volunteers, I have come to truly respect how local churches encourage service in the Nashville community. As a Hope for Nashville partner of West End Community Church, I have been impressed by the staff and other church leaders who routinely reach out to nonprofits like Siloam Family Health Center, asking “how can we help you?, in a variety of different ways. Any time I have answered that question and conveyed a need, the congregation’s response has been immediate and fulfilling! Praise God! It is churches like West End who truly practice what they preach, by getting folks out of the pews and into the community serving those most in need. Siloam is blessed by dozens of WECC volunteers – who serve as nurses, doctors, knitters, interpreters, breast care educators, scrapbookers, and those who pray for our ministry. For all of your support, thank you West End! - Kate Tanis, Director of Volunteer Services – Siloam Family Health Center

A Big THANK YOU to all Hope For Nashville Volunteers from our Partner Ministry - Preston Taylor

Dear West End Community Church,

When Preston Taylor Ministries began it was prayerfully and strategically decided that its success would require great volunteer participation. Since that founding in 1998 PTM has grown to involve over 250 volunteers every year—and West End Community Church has been at PTM every step of the way. As the executive director I see it as my job to create the framework that fosters “joy-filled friendships”, and the role of volunteers to build and sustain those friendships. Not just any friendships, but life-changing, motivating, Christian friendships. I am able to witness these friendships develop through West End members who are crew leaders at Summer JAM, youth workers at a Fusion service, lunchmate mentors, angel tree and family basket deliverers, marketplace mentors, tutors, and teachers within our afterschool program.


Additionally, WECC funding and leadership has helped to solidify and stabilize PTM enabling us the luxury of planning for future growth. West End has provided a beautiful facility for PTM events, has helped to maintain PTM’s property through local mission trips, and has had members to serve on committees and the PTM Board of Directors.

When asked what PTM offers that distinguishes it from other organizations, I am quick to answer that it’s the quality and commitment of our volunteers. It’s what keeps our kids coming to PTM for years and allowing them the opportunity to pursue “God-inspired dreams.” For these gifts from the West End community, I am incredibly grateful.

Chan Sheppard

More Wrap-up from Kenya

My experience in Africa was enlightening...I was amazed at the dedication, diversity, skill sets, and love that the SIM Missionaries bring to the field...I am overwhelmed by how much Africa depends on Christian Missionaries and the variety of professions that make up the Mission Teams (Educators, Doctors, Nurses, Engineers, Pilots, Accountants, and Ministers)...

My most important lesson was how important hope and vision are for all people; and how unimportant that material pocessions are...I walked away with the desire to serve more and live a far simpler life...

Greg


Join us on Sunday, March 8th, for our video presentation!

A Kenyan Perspective

“The Communion of the Saints”, as it talks about in the Apostle’s Creed, was one of the most poignant things about the trip for me. With missionaries from over ten countries, each meal was a cultural experience. Even though most of the missionaries work side by side, we even felt like we’d always known them. The Newsboys song that says “It’s all God’s children singing Glory, Glory, Hallelujah He Reigns” rang so true as we all fellowshipped and worshiped. I also saw this bond in the children. 3 yr old boys speak the same language regardless if they are American or Nigerian... running and playing with water balloons fun. The kids were a joy to spend time with and it was so hard to leave them.
On one of the last days, we went on a Safari outside Nairobi. Watching the sunrise on the Serengeti is one of the most phenomenal displays of God’s glory and creativity. We saw herds of giraffe, gazelle, antelope, zebra, water buffalo, wildebeests, crocodiles, a pride of lions feasting on a zebra. Driving around for six hours just taking it all in was truly a one of a kind experience.

Julieann - trip participant

Smile we are in Kenya

The Kenya team has arrived following a long series of plane flights to a 2 hour visa line and lost baggage, but we are smiling because we are in Kenya. We were greeted with roses from Alice's family and smiles from Chris Crowder.

The thing about mission trips is that you have to expect the unexpected, and we are being reminded of it already from screaming children on planes to lost bags and to our pilot and flight attendant had a parade when we crossed the equator.

We are in Nairobi until tomorrow when we head with the Crowder's and their team to Brackenhurst for the conference.