The Lifeline

Grace Evangelical Free Church in Fridley, MN, receives 30,000 pounds of food and grocery products once a month from Feed America and up to another 10,000 pounds from a local food bank called Ruby's Pantry. About 130 volunteers unload, tally, repackage and distribute the food to 650 to 700 family units. Reporting that 'volunteers and faith-based organizations are the lifeline of America's emergency food distribution system' NEED Magazine notes more than 1,000 people in Fridley would go hungry if it were not for this compassionate ministry to the community.

Read the full story at NEED Magazines blog.

Home Church in the Urban Setting

Pondering the growing home church movement, Richard Beattie of the Denver Evangelical Examiner, recently wrote of both the experience and diverse experiences in the life of Bruce Duell, an EFCA missionary. Duell, who has served for two decades as an urban church planter, is now focused on the idea of growing house churches among the urban poor. "Many of the neighborhoods need a church but cannot afford a building. The home church provides a base and a community that is both structured and flexible," Duell notes.

Read the full story from Richard Beattie.

A Slumdog Experience

Reminded of the movie, "Slumdog Millionaire," students from Milaca Evangelical Free Church and their chaperones traveled to the Philippines to lead a three day vacation Bible school, a Bible seminar at a college and host a basketball tournament. They encountered children sleeping in the alley behind their rooms, begging 'just like they did in the movie' and tapping on the taxi windows asking for money.

"They lived in a shack, and in America we live in a big house and have nice things," said Sam Fradette, one of the students, "But they seemed so happy with what they have."

"We went to the Philippines to help them, but they actually helped us," said Kayla Dahlstom, "They taught us things about life that we never would have understood before making the trip."

Read the full story by Christine Vanort of the Mille Lacs County Times.

Showing God's Forgiveness

Relatives of Kimberly Emmert, a 49-year-old grandmother who died after she was hit by a driver backing out of a neighboring driveway, walked in her memory alongside Paul Thanavong, the man who was behind the wheel. To Clint Emmert, Kimberly's husband, it was another shared act of forgiveness, one that he attributed to his wife and the faith she lived every day. A memorial service followed at Brooklyn Park Evangelical Free Church in Minnesota.

For the full story by Vince Tuss from the Star Tribune:
http://www.startribune.com/local/west/52483172.html?elr=KArks:DCiUtEia_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Picture by Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune.

Czech-ing English

August 1 - 8, 2009, a team from Harvest Evangelical Free Church in Story City, IA along with staff from EFCA ReachGlobal will teach 35 Czech students planning to attend an English camp at the Rajska Zahrada church plant in the Czech Republic.

Pray for safe travels and great relationships between the students and facilitators.

Real Life Angels

Members of the Summit Evangelical Free Church in Alta, IA, Gary and Sandy Launderville were nominated for an "Angels in Adoption," award by Congressman Steve King of Iowa's 5th Congressional District. The Laundervilles have adopted 7 children and provided foster care for 96 children in need over the past 16 years.

"Sheriff Gary and Sandy Launderville have made an extraordinary contribution to children in need for over 16 years," said King. "The Laundervilles are shining examples for western Iowa. It gives me great pleasure to honor this remarkable couple that truly deserves the title, 'Angels in Adoption.' The Laundervilles are angels in the eyes of their community and in the eyes of the children they have cared for."

Read the full story on Congressman King's Web site.