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By Jacob Lee Our mission, longing, prayer, and hope as a youth ministry is to encounter Jesus. He is the fountainhead of peace, the source of truth, and the promise of life. So what better way to spend the weekend than to be with him? That’s what our retreat was all about. Whether it was...

By Laurel Kehl “You get your behind home NOW!” (…although it was a stronger word she used than ‘behind’!) I’d been living in Moscow, Russia, for seven years, shepherding and caring for CRU staff in seven cities throughout the nine time zones of Russia. It’s a hostile place to live, and we were facing crisis...

We’re thankful that Ron Lutz will continue to serve as lead pastor at New Life until mid-2017. As his retirement approaches, the Session is working through the many facets of what we hope will be a successful transition from one lead pastor to another. A primary link in the chain is the Search Committee. The...

By Rob Radcliff Have you ever been caught off-guard by something unexpected? Surprised by a result opposite of what you anticipated? I certainly found this to be true over the years. When? As I gave myself to (served) others while serving Jesus. Some simple examples: Visiting my grandmother in a nursing home, expecting to find...

By Dawn Carson Marriage offers us a close personal relationship and intimacy like no other experience in life. After all, it was designed by God as an earthly model of the relationship between Christ and the Church. Then why do we hear of so many failed marriages? You may be asking if there is hope...

By Pat Daley Living for the King is New Life’s 12-week foundational disciple course centered on the grace of Jesus Christ and how it applies to every area of our lives. The next course starts on January 19, 2015. Click here for more information or to register. I was raised in a shame-based culture and...

By Joshua Earman Reading the Bible is central to the believer because knowing Christ in Scripture is the means to magnifying Christ in life. Paul says, “Him we proclaim…that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). Christ is the substance and goal of our growth, as well as the substance and goal of...

Written and submitted by Michele Johnson Merry Christmas and God Bless Us Everyone! T’was a cold winter’s night In a far-away land When two weary travelers Arrived, just as God planned. The little town was all full, Not one room could be found So they went to a stable, And with the animals, they lay...

Session Report By Ward Shope There are few elders who scrutinize their own personal finances as closely as they scrutinize the budget of the church. Part of that is simply the nature of group budget-building. But we also realize we are accountable to God and to the whole congregation to steward the resources we have...

The fullness of time— Jesus, only Son of God, leaves the Father’s throne. * Angels light the sky— Jesus, the hope of the world, sleeps in a manger. * “Magnify the Lord!”— Jesus, the incarnate Word, hears his mother sing. * Shepherds run to see— Jesus, shepherd of the flock, wins the hearts of men....

By Anthony Gammage “How could such a good and loving God allow my Mom to die such a horrific death?” a student asked me from across the table in the student union at James Madison University. I sat dumbfounded, totally unable to respond to his question. Given that I too had experienced death and suffering...

By Debbie Leonard Long ago God had a plan To rescue me, and all of man. He would send Jesus, His only Son To die for sins, He’d be the one. An angel came to Mary told A baby soon your arms will hold. This baby God’s own Son will be The answer to man’s...