There was a lot of excitement at Awana this past Wednesday! The kids in our Sparks and Truth in Training programs got to travel 
around the world learning about different countries and thinking about how they might share the good news of Jesus in those places. Representatives from four different countries shared about life and missions.
Josh Whitbeck shared about Germany. He taught the kids in his group to say Jesus loves you in German!
Julie Gatewood shared pictures and memories from her family's time in Holland, and fed the children special Dutch treats!
The Foullon family shared about the 
country of Mexico where they have traveled several times on mission trips. At the end of their session they led the kids in a traditional Mexican Hat Dance!
We had a couple of special guests at our club. Lorraine Reece (who attends Mountain Park Church in Lake Oswego) came to share about the country of Japan. She and her husband were church planting missionaries there for 47 years! For the last 10 years she has served as a teacher in the Cubbies Club at Mountain Park.
To top off the night the children were able to enjoy a Skype 
interview with one of our very own missionaries who is on the mission field in Slovenia. Stephanie Rogers woke up before 4 AM, her time, to be able to join us. The kids themselves asked Stephanie several questions. She shared about how God called her to become a missionary at a very young age and encouraged the children that they too can be a missionary. For the last several 
weeks the kids have been bringing duct tape, frisbees, and kickballs to be used in the summer camp programs Stephanie helps run for youth in Slovenia. In total the New Life Awana clubs donated over 50 items for this project!
Please pray that God would continue to raise up young people from New Life Church to bring the good news about Jesus around the world!
April is a Autism awareness month. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. ASD can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with ASD excel in visual skills, music, math and art. There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.
Did you know that New Life Church is partnering with two organizations to help those with ASD?
This Sunday we are beginning a new sermon series: Life on Loan. We will focus on the grace of God that has given us life and our accountability to live that life in a way that pleases the one who gave it to us.
Our goal in this series is simple we want everyone who is part of New Life Church to hear the words of the master, in the great stewardship parable, "Well Done! Good and Faithful Servant!" (Matthew 25:14-29).
New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.
Area Church: First Baptist Church – Estacada, OR, Pastor Brent Dodrill
Global Partner: Michele and Anna Gandolfo – Italian Ministries, USA
NLC Ministry: Celebrate Recovery
I didn't talk a lot about it yesterday during our Easter service, but over the last several hours these words have been running through my mind, "The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord."
It was Easter Sunday night. The disciples had heard that Jesus was alive (from Mary Magdelene), but they hadn't seen Him for themselves. The resurrection of Jesus hadn't taken any affect on them yet. They were huddled in fear behind a locked door. Jesus appeared, gave them a greeting of peace, and then showed them His hands and side. It was seeing the resurrected Jesus with His nail pierced hands and and His spear pierced side that caused the disciples to rejoice.
How about you? Has the resurrection of Jesus had any affect on you yet? Does your feeling of joy center more on having a sunny weekend than on the truth that Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified for your sins and has risen from the grave, conquering sin and death. Maybe you just haven't seen Him for yourself yet, or lately. Maybe you have only heard of other people's experience of the resurrected Christ. Would you take time this week to read through the book of John again so that you might see Jesus for yourself and rejoice?
