Summer Stories
This is one of five host families, who all together drew in 200+ people for food, games, and meaningful connection between their neighbors and our church family.
This summer reminded us why God planted us here on the Eastside. Week after week, we’ve seen God drawing people to himself, deepening relationships, and sending us out to reach our neighbors. One neighbor stopped by our weekly church gathering and later described their experience this way: “I was very impressed with the sermon message, and I thoroughly enjoyed the prayer time and fellowship with your small group after the service. Everyone was so welcoming... It means a lot to know that I have your support in your prayers. Looking forward to visiting the church worship again.”
This neighbor’s testimony is just a glimpse of how God has been at work in significant ways this summer. From hospital visits and meals to prayer support and simple acts of kindness, people have rallied to care for one another. One of the greatest joys this summer was welcoming back a beloved member, who after a life-threatening hospitalization and long recovery, was able to return on a Sunday to worship with us. Join us in prayer as we continue to seek the Lord to strengthen her, to encourage her and her family, and then to ultimately fully heal and restore her.
Forming Community: Along with caring for one another in meaningful ways and meeting on Sundays for worship, we grew closer together as a family of faith by sharing life during the week through:
Women’s Event: Twenty-five gathered for a meal, jewelry making, and meaningful conversation.
Biblical Financial Group: Several learned how to handle finances with wisdom from God’s Word.
Bible Reading Group: A dozen people finished reading through the Old Testament together.
Midweek Groups: Several families gathered regularly for prayer, fellowship, worship, and Bible study.
Summer Campout: More than 30 people came together for a weekend of lasting memories made under the stars, on the lake, and around the picnic table.
Neighborhood Barbecues: Five host families drew a total of 200+ people together for food, games, and meaningful connection between their neighbors and our church family.
Reaching Our Neighbors: We are stepping into new opportunities for gospel outreach this fall. Husen is preparing to lead ESL classes centered on the Scriptures, and Ganzo is launching a sports outreach where children can play while parents connect. This is vital in our community, where many foreign-born neighbors feel isolated, are lacking parental support and struggle with English. We believe God has brought the nations into our neighborhood on purpose. And through ESL classes, sports outreach, and Christian hospitality, we seek to meet needs, love our neighbors, and share the hope of Jesus with them. Join us in praying for God to open connections and conversations that point people to Him.
Stepping Forward in Faith: As a church, we know that what it took to start Anthem Church with my family, and a few others nearly five years ago will not be the same process as what it will take in order to establish our vibrant community of 108 adults and kids. And so, we are entering into an intentional and prayerful year of strategic planning with our church family to hear how God is moving in their lives and towards his vision for the future of our church. After starting our “listening phase” of the strategic planning process this June, we were grateful for a 92% response rate from our church members, which is higher than what anyone expected. And this is a great sign of the ownership people feel to support and lead the work into the future. Please pray for us as we compile the information, evaluate the results, and work out our plans with our church for next year and beyond. Pray that we ultimately listen to God, and follow his will for our church family.
We are grateful for all God has done this summer and look forward in faith to what He will do in the season ahead.
