Category Archives: Ministry

Roofing Project

May 31, 2015

Some of you know that last weekend (Memorial weekend) Joel assembled a team together to put a new roof on their house. The Peck’s house is not very big and most of us who worked on their project thought the job would be quicker than it eventually turned out to be. But Tuesday night at about 9:30 Leap, Hiep and Joel drove the last nail and the job was done.

Here is the way Katie said it on a facebook post yesterday”I cannot begin to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the great guys who came out to help us re-shingle our roof last weekend. It turned out to be the longest long weekend project ever but it was made all the better by the support, kindness, dedication and love you all showed. I can’t wait to bring this baby into this family, knowing that she will have so many wonderful men in her life. And thank you to all the families who shared your dads and husbands over the holiday weekend. You guys NAILED it!”

The honor role of workers included: Leap, Dan (and Dane), Matt (and Jonah), Michael, Ron (Joel’s dad), Mitch (Joel’s coworker), David (Joel’s uncle), Hiep, Scott, and of course Joel.

One of the challenges during the project was the threat of rain. In fact, twice during the 4 days it did rain. But, Joel and Leap were wise enough to plan for the rain and there was no damage to the house even when the roof was only partly finished. Good job!

As I reflected on the roofing experience at the Peck’s house, here are some lessons I noticed.

Be careful about assumptions and expectations. I expected the job to be easier than it was. My expectations were unrealistic and made the work more difficult for me.

Do not give up. In the middle of a job, it is tempting to quit. Don’t quit.

Working together is the way to go. We need the help, encouragement, partnership and expertise of others. Don’t do it alone.

Helping is important, even if I do not do as much as someone else does. It is not just quantity of work, presence also matters.

Ice cream cake at the end is great. Don’t be afraid to build in a reward for a job well done.

I am seldom sorry when I help someone with a challenge. It really does feel good to help.

Good friends help each other and they really do do it because they love, not because they are obligated.

I agree with Katie…THANKS everyone who could help for a job well done.

Congrats To Our Grads

May 17, 2015

Just yesterday Ewumbua Monono and Romi Gomez were awarded their PhDs at NDSU. Ewumbua’s degree is in agriculture and Romi’s is in statistics. What a great milestone for these brothers. They have worked hard and made lots of sacrifices. Their efforts are made even more outstanding since they accomplished this as international students. Ewumbua’s homeland is Cameroon (in Central Africa) and Romi’s home is in Benin (in West Africa). I hope you will congratulate these brothers on their graduation and learn a little about what is next for them and their families.

Just two weeks ago, Kayla Brottlund graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck with her Masters degree in occupational therapy. Right after her graduation, Cory, Kayla and Ava moved back to Fargo – back home. Next for Kayla will be 6 months of fieldwork in her profession, followed by a certifying exam. Then she becomes a fully qualified occupational therapist. Congrats to Kayla for this accomplishment and recognition of her hard work. Next time you see Kayla, give her your congratulations.

We have one other graduate in our church family, Nick Nguyen. In just a couple of weeks (May 31), Nick will graduate from Moorhead High. To celebrate his graduation, the Nguyen’s will have an open house for Nick on Saturday, May 23. I hope you can take the time to congratulate Nick and ask him about his plans for next year. (I’ll give you a hint…he will continue to play soccer at the college level.)

Next Sunday, May 24 between Bible study and worship, we will have a special time to recognize our graduates and enjoy a cake in their honor. It is not an elaborate event, but it is one way to honor their achievement. Please plan to join us and be sure to extend your congratulations to each one.

Through the years I have often thought that Jeremiah 29:11-14 has some great words for graduates.  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the LORD. “

When we come to crossroads in our lives, we want assurance that the Lord is with us and involved in our lives. These verses remind us that all we need to do is call out to Him, and He promises that we will find Him. It is a great promise to graduates, but not just to graduates. It is a great promise to all of us. Have you sought the Lord with all your heart? Today would be a good day to renew your commitment to that quest, or to begin.

Baseball Chapel Begins

May 10, 2015

Once again, Baseball season is approaching. This will be my 12th season as the Baseball Chapel Leader for the FM RedHawks. In my 11 years with Baseball Chapel I have met some wonderful people and have been blessed that you, my church family support me so wholeheartedly. THANKS for allowing and encouraging me to invest in this unique ministry. You have made adjustments to accommodate my Baseball Chapel responsibilities and have prayed for me and the folks I share with during the summer.

One of the primary ministry responsibilities for Baseball Chapel is to provide a chapel service on Sunday at the baseball stadium. Here in Fargo, most Sunday games begin at 1:00 so I get to Newman Outdoor Field a few minutes before noon. I have a 10-15 minute devotion time with each baseball team sharing with the players who chose to attend and give out the weekly Baseball Chapel Handout. Then I stop and talk with the umpires for a few minutes and as time allows I visit with others who work at the stadium. It is a very busy hour for me at Newman Field before each Sunday game.

Much less hectic and therefore more enjoyable is the Wednesday Bible study time. Just after the team finishes batting practice, I set up in one of the upstairs suites for 30 minutes of conversation and Bible study with any of the players who want to come. This is a relaxed time where we can talk about any subject of interest to the players and where we can focus on God’s Word and its application to life. In many ways, it is like our adult Sunday School class each week, an opportunity to share life, pray together and give the Bible priority attention.

There is one other aspect to Baseball Chapel ministry for me. Namely, I support and encourage 7 other Chapel leaders of teams in our American Association. I keep in touch with these guys, read their reports, pray for them and answer their questions through the season. I share this ministry with the Chapel leader in Grand Prairie Texas, Arnie Knecht. Arnie is not a pastor, but he is a GREAT Baseball Chapel leader. His walk with the Lord is a wonderful encouragement to me and to the other Chapel leaders in our American Association.   I have met some great leaders in Baseball Chapel and Arnie is one of those great leaders. I hope I am half the blessing to Arnie that he is to me.

The theme verse for Baseball Chapel ministry is Colossians 1:28. “We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching with all wisdom so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Pray with me that by God’s grace we in Baseball Chapel will fulfill this high calling.

National Day of Prayer

May 3, 2015

Since 1952, every American President has been commissioned to set a National Day of Prayer “on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.” In 1988 the law was amended so that the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday of May with the stated intentions that it would be a day when adherents of all great religions could unite in prayer and that it may one day bring renewed respect for God to all the peoples of the world.

On a more personal level, for a few years, I was a member of the group that organized and promoted our local National Day of Prayer event. Several of those events were held at Island Park Gazebo and involved leaders from many church groups in our metro area. This year, the local National Day of Prayer event will be held at the Holiday Inn (6:30 PM) and a special guest will be Lisa Crump, Senior Director Prayer Mobilization on the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

I can remember when I was helping to put together National Day of Prayer events, I promised myself that I would attend them, even when I was not a leader. But I must admit that I have often been absent from those local observances. Sometimes the day would come and go and I would not even remember it was the National Day of Prayer.

This year I intend to be different. I am planning to attend, would you like to attend with me? I am not going to listen to a good speaker (although I expect Lisa Crump will be a good speaker). I am not going to support local leaders (I do not even know who they are). I am not going to network with local Christians (although I expect I will see some people there who I know). I am not going because I feel guilty (although I must admit to a bit of guilt because of my past absences from this annual event). I am going because I want to join with others and pray for our country.

I have found that praying with other believers who come together for the purpose of praying is a great blessing and uplift in my life. To let them put into words what my heart feels, is enriching to me. To put my faith to work renews my trust in God. To stand with other believers generates hope for our nation and its future. To know that even if there are many in our country who have no time for prayer, there are also many who will make prayer a special priority.

The theme verse for 2015 is “Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” (I Kings 8:28) God has promised that He would hear our prayer, the question is, will we pray?

Asking

April 26, 2015

Friday afternoon there was a wedding in our church building. A young couple from China asked me to marry them and I told them they could use our church building if they wanted to get married here. They did have the wedding here and the reception was here too.

Since I officiated at the wedding (much more of an honor in the Chinese community than in American weddings) I stayed for the meal. (In the spirit of full disclosure, the food was exceptionally great!) After the meal, the group did a lot of things focused on the new bride and groom. (This was a very “Chinese wedding” thing to do.) One part of the activities after the meal was a slide show of the couple followed by the groom singing a song to his new bride.  Although it was all in Chinese (and I did not understand much of what was said) I could tell that part of the slide show was Qing (the groom) asking Mingyi to marry him. He was pictured down on one knee, looking up at Mingyi and the next picture showed Qing jumping in the air with his arms raised in triumph and joy. Obviously Mingyi said “YES.”

Reading Ruth chapter 3 and thinking about what I should say about this chapter, “asking” is at the center of what happened.   Naomi leads Ruth to make a very elaborate “ask.” But asking is not just in the book of Ruth, it is all over the scripture. Yes, at times God acts on His own initiative and according to His intention. But, there are also MANY times when His people ask – just read the Psalms (Israel’s prayer and hymn book).

Jesus left us no doubt about the validity of asking. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). Paul said “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). James said “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:3). Hebrews says “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb 4:16).

Some of us might be shy to ask, but the Bible’s invitation to approach God and ask for what we need is clear. Is our request too small for God’s interest? NO, not because our requests are all that important compared to the running of the universe, but because of God’s GRACE. His grace invites us to ASK.

How comfortable are you in asking God? He has opened the door for us, will we respond to His invitation?

New Horizons Ministry

April 19, 2015

Since it was first occupied in 1973, New Horizons Manor has been almost next door to our church building. Designed to accommodate residents with disabilities, New Horizons Manor is managed and maintained by the Fargo Housing & Redevelopment Authority.

Through the years our church has had various levels of connection with New Horizons and its residents. We have often had attenders who lived there, our long time Ladies prayer group met there for a period of time, we have had personal ministry with some residents and in more recent years, we have lead Sunday worship services there. For a period of several years, Pastor Pablo preached there every Sunday afternoon. Currently we have a monthly worship service lead by Pastor Dude and supported by Wanda, Margaret, Harriett, and Milton (who plays the guitar for group singing).

We are not the only church who has had ministry at New Horizons. Through the years other churches have come to New Horizons with service, Bible study, ministry and worship. However, at present, as far as we know, our church is the only one offering regular worship opportunities. Even weekday Bible studies have dissolved.

Last Sunday as we arrived for afternoon worship, for the very first time, no residents came. So, those from our church who were there discussed options to consider for further ministry at New Horizons. One thing seemed apparent; few people living at New Horizons feel the need to gather monthly for a Sunday afternoon worship time. So, we should probably consider a different kind of ministry. Another observation is that Phyllis, the lady at New Horizons who is in charge of serving food at social events, very much needs and appreciates our help with serving. We could do better at helping Phyllis.

One other opportunity that came up in our conversation was the party held each month to celebrate resident’s birthdays. This might be one area where we could help Phyllis and also get to know and serve the other residents of New Horizons.

In the end, our touch with New Horizons depends on folks in our church who have Jesus’ kind of love for the people who live there. We really do not need to develop a program for New Horizons, we simply need people who love the residents there and who want to find a way to share that love. We do not need everyone in our church to do this, but we do need some in our church who feel called by God to put love into action for the residents of New Horizons. Might you be one of those people? If so, let me know and we will discover together how the Lord can use us there.

Your Pastor,

Dude Garrett

Ministry to Ron

April 12, 2015

It was an honor to serve JoAnn and Ron’s family at his memorial service yesterday. It was a bit unusual to have a memorial service 3 months after someone’s death, but that was the way Ron wanted it to be. He knew that winter weather in our region can make travel difficult and even dangerous, so when his death was imminent he asked JoAnn to have the service later in the spring when weather was less threatening. The weather was wonderful yesterday, just as Ron wanted.

As we finished the service yesterday and waited for the lunch, Katie and Linda told me privately that they did not remember meeting Ron. That made me realize that many in our church probably did not know Ron. When Ron and JoAnn first started coming, Ron was taking strong chemo treatments and did not feel well. Later, it was dangerous for him to be in large groups because his immune system was very weak. As I think back on it, most of the time Ron was here, it was our adult Bible study class (Sunday School) that got to know Ron. Those who were not in my Bible study class probably did not know Ron if at all. Worship services are not designed for sharing and personal interaction in the same way the Bible study and other small groups are. It was not a fault of Katie or Linda, rather it was the nature of church activities that isolated Ron and limited his acquaintance with others in our church family.

This observation from yesterday’s memorial service leads me to two challenges. First of all, remember that the ministry of our church, yes, even our small church, is much bigger than most of us realize. More people are touched by our church than we know. There are people who participate in limited ways who are touched by what we do. The Lord knows EVERY individual, He loves them, and He has brought them into contact with us so we could influence their lives and show them God’s love. None of us, including me, know the full extent of how the Lord uses our church. If we will live our lives, obediently, faithfully, and lovingly, God will use us in the work of His Kingdom. What a calling!

Second, be involved when and where you can. You never know when the Lord might bless you through the life of someone you meet. That is why we do small groups. Not just to learn, but to have opportunities to know each other. Those who could be in my Sunday School class when Ron was there were blessed by his humor, his faith and his testimony. Also, when you attend, you can bless others who are there. You can share your life, and in sharing, you can find the fellowship that we all need. The Lord will use others to bless us, if we will give Him that opportunity. Often, all we need to do is simply show up. So, don’t miss out, be a part of what happens here.

Your Pastor,

Dude Garrett

Disappointments

March 22, 2015

I have learned after 60 years of living that there are times when life is especially good, and times when life is especially difficult. Those cycles come and go, sometimes because of my actions, sometimes because of the actions of others and sometimes because of situations that only God controls.

Lately, I have felt the sting of disappointment more acutely than normal. My disappointments would fall into all of the categories mentioned above. Although in closer examination, most of them fall into the category of being my fault. In short, I have lately been disappointed in myself.

I could go into more detail about some of those disappointments, but space and propriety wisely say, “don’t go there.” Instead I could quote Paul’s words in Romans 7. “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.”

In me is that same battle. I want to do good. I want to talk with someone and know that it helps them know the Lord better and see His hand in their life. I want them to grow, change, mature and form new and godly patterns. But in the end, they walk away from me and don’t come back. They smile and say thanks, but I see no change or maturity in their life. They come to me for help, but they do not find what they are looking for. I know what would help them, I try to point them to it, but it seems to be of little value.

Again, Paul’s words express my feelings. “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible…to the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (I Cor 9:19-23) Yet, I see few who are rescued from their sin and distress.

Again, Paul’s words in Romans 7 ring true to me. “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Am I just stuck in disappointment? Paul goes on, “Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord…There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”

In the end, it is Jesus who is the Rescuer – the Savior – not me. My life is in His hands. It is not my own efforts that secure my place in God’s Kingdom, it is His. I may not be what others need. I may not be able to help them. But, I rest in the Hands of my Heavenly Father. I may fail at everything I do, but in the end, HE will welcome me into His presence and I will find the peace and satisfaction I long to find. Yes, Jesus is enough and He is my LORD. If I take my eyes off of myself, put them back on Jesus, my disappointments fade away and I am at peace. All, thanks to HIM!

Friendship or Fellowship

March 15, 2015

Lately, I have been thinking about the difference between friendship and fellowship. In many ways, I suspect we often think of them as the same. I am not so sure that is a good connection to make.

When I think of my friendships I think of the people I met and enjoyed their company at pivotal times in my life. As a young boy I had friends. Some of them are still my friends today. When I started graduate school in Denver, Karon and I developed friendships with a few other couples in similar stages of life and with similar responsibilities. In our first pastorate in Devils Lake, with new babies added to our family, once again Karon and I found friends in similar stages of life. It seems like friendship is a combination of personal connections, common life situations, and shared experiences. I am not sure that friendship can be created. It can be discovered, it can be cultivated and it certainly can be lost, but I do not think we can be commanded to make a friend of a certain person. In fact, the more I think about it, the more good friendships are like gifts from God. They are more rare than we might like and very precious when we have them.   Since we are on the subject, is there a friendship that you need to cultivate, appreciate, and encourage in your life right now?

How about fellowship?

When I think of fellowship my first thought is the meaning of the Greek word we usually translate as fellowship. That word might more accurately be translated as partnership. In fact, in Philippians 1:5 the NIV does use partnership as its English translation.

When we read the New Testament we see that fellowship is a reality of life in the church. Fellowship with the Spirit brings us into fellowship with each other (see Acts 2:42; Philippians 2; I John 1:3, 7). It is not optional nor situational. We who believe are partners because of our common bond in Jesus. Being connected to Jesus means I am connected to others who are connected to Jesus.

If I contrast partnership and friendship I notice right away that fellowship is much broader and less personal. We can have fellowship, without friendship. The demands of friendship are more personal, the demands of fellowship are more godly. Fellowship will not happen without godly love, forgiveness, grace and compassion. Yes, those are part of friendship too, but they tend to happen more naturally and with less discipline. Fellowship requires choice, commitment, selflessness, and respect. All of these we give because of JESUS, not because our partner deserves it. Fellowship is a choice we make, friendship is a gift we receive.

These are my thoughts…what do you think about friendship and fellowship?

Be Careful With Problems

February 22, 2015

During lunch with someone from our church this week, I was reminded of the dangers (and the benefits) of talking about problems. Our conversation was on the subject of church problems, but I think what I have to say would address personal problems, work problems and many other settings.

First it is important to note that running away from problems or ignoring them is not going to help. Doing that usually makes problems worse and more difficult to address. We do ourselves no favors when we hide from our problems, pretending that things are fine when in fact, they are not.

But on balance, we should remember that life ALWAYS has problems. The presence of problems is not a sign of my failure. Rather, it is evidence of man’s greatest problem, the problem of sin. Sometimes my problems come from my own sin, sometimes from the sins of others, and sometimes from the cloud of sin that hangs over this world. Usually, problems come from all of those places at once. We will never be free of problems.  

When properly understood, our problems will drive us to our Father. We simply cannot make our lives work without God. It is our pride that pushes us away from God and tempts us to try to fix things on our own. Anger, embarrassment, hurt, avoidance, defensiveness and revenge are sure tip offs that our pride is strongly at work. If we will combat that pride with humility, then our Heavenly Father can step in and bring changes with Him.

And one final observation, if all I can see are the problems, then I have my focus in the wrong place. God is at work in the life of EVERY believer. Yes, He certainly can use our problems for His glory, but even more than that, He is at work, blessing our lives and creating in us what we need so that we can do good things for Him and His kingdom (see Ephesians 2:10).   We must never miss seeing His work because we are too focused on our problems.

Paul told the Philippian Christians, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). If my focus is on problems, all too often I miss seeing the good work of God in and around me. I miss the joy that comes by simply knowing I am His child. I miss His presence in the small, private moments. I do not feel His love or His peace in the storm of my problems. And worst of all, I do not see how He wants to use me to bless and love people He brings into my life.

We need not be afraid of our problems. Our Heavenly Father loves us and will turn them into blessings if we let Him. In fact, He is doing that already. Please do not miss His fingerprints and focus too much on the problems. Instead, look for His work, His blessings, His peace, His presence, His power, and His love. It has been there all along!

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett