A visitor's Central Wesleyan Experience

I just talked to a mom whose family started visiting Central in February. Look what happened:

They initially came for a concert, walked around and saw the children’s ministry artwork. They were impressed with Central's attention and priority to serving children. They have been visiting churches and not been impressed in this area. They attended services and observed their 4-year-old in Celebration Station and fell in love with that worship arena for him.

They introduced themselves to a couple who then introduced them to another couple coordinating Small Groups. That couple then took them to meet Pastor Paul and Marilyn who, of course, were very welcoming. They felt that CWC was so warm and friendly.

Since then, they've been invited to several outings and are excited about the opportunity to meet other Central folks.

The mom is volunteering at Crocodile Dock VBS ’09 and bringing her 4- and 2-year-olds. They also have a son who just graduated and a 16-year-old son who I’m sure is getting connected with our youth group.

Did I mention that they live all the way in Grandville?

Thanks Central Wesleyan, for being your welcoming selves!

Thank you to Central

I have wanted to express my appreciation of Central for a while now, so here it is! My family is a "Central family" through and through :). We came to Central when I was only five years old and have been attending ever since. I was baptized at Central (in the old sanctuary hot tub!!) when I was in ninth grade, I participated in student mission trips, Small Groups and almost every Majesty of Christmas (I was a shepherd :). The ministries and worship at Central have been pivotal to the growth of my personal faith.It has not been until recently that I fully realized this and thought, "Now is the time that I need let Central know how much I appreciate the church as a whole, as well as the people, worship, ministries and countless other great things going on there!"

I recently returned from a semester studying off campus in Chicago (I am a senior at Hope). The program I was a part of pulls students from thirteen Mid-West colleges (Calvin, Hope, Dordt, Spring Arbor, Northwestern, Trinity, etc.) and brings them to Chicago for an internship and classes. Many of the students had similar stories to mine: growing up in a Christian family and attending church the majority of their lives. Often our conversations would turn to faith, church experiences, worship styles and related topics. It was during these discussions, as other students spoke of negative experiences of judgment by peers and church members, insincere worship and restricted schools of thought, that I fully realized how my experiences at Central were the opposite of anything negative.

I have never felt judged at Central nor that my life was being so closely scrutinized by others or the pastors. I realize how Central has encouraged me to think critically about issues, consider multiple perspectives and ultimately search after God's heart first and foremost. Attending several churches throughout the semester helped me realize how much I overlook at Central; even at the micro level, I appreciate how Central has several women leaders and pastors, incorporates prayer and the altar into the service, uses multiple avenues to approach worship and considers diversity and community highly important. As I reflect on my experiences at Central I recognize the opportunities that I have been blessed to be a part of, and think back on countless times when I have been brought into God's presence and been challenged to grow.

Even as I write this, I think that anyone who reads this at Central would not just accept the praise in a self-serving way (even though it is well deserved!) but rather direct the praise to God and express thanks for the way that God has used Central. I think this reflects the best thing about Central; it is a church full of passionate people who are seeking God's heart and living real lives giving God the glory.

So thank you. To Central Wesleyan as a whole for the ways that you are seeking God's heart and all you have done to help provide direction to Central.

Stephanie Dykema

Thank you!

Central has indeed been a blessing to us! From the helpful greeters and friendly congregation to the fabulous music and the thought-provoking message, we are indeed blessed and challenged every week. God bless all who bring God's Word alive to us. We are grateful for the blessing you bring and look forward to worshiping at Central each week.

Lynn and Larry DeWitt

Confident Kids (H4SA)

One of the fathers in Hope 4 the Single Again shared this story with me Tuesday. Last week on Thursday morning when a dad was helping his daughter get ready for school she said, "I can't wait 'til Tuesday, Dad, I just can't wait!" He thought she must have a special day at school on Tuesday, so he asked her what was happening next Tuesday. She said, "CONFIDENT KIDS, CONFIDENT KIDS, CONFIDENT KIDS! I can't wait!" 

What a blessing to know that the Confident Kids program is really helping the children by making them feel wanted and loved while their parents are attending Hope 4 the Single Again classes. Thank you to all the Confident Kids helpers who show God's love to the children each week by their loving care.

Bette Johnson

Global Update-March 2009

Since 1997 we have had missionaries from Central living in Central Asia among a Muslim group called the Karis People. At that time there were only 500 known Christians among this group. Within a few years we had 17 people from Central living there sharing their faith. 

The Church among the Karis People is growing in numbers and maturing in faith. Praise God along with our missionaries and Karis believers for what they witnessed in 2008:
• 20 people accepted Christ
• Significant discipleship breakthroughs among Karis believers:
• 1 man started leading a house group
• 3 young ladies were baptized
• 1 woman took the step of sharing her faith with her family
• 1 young girl made the decision to surrender everything to Christ
• 1 young woman shared her faith for the first time, leading 2 girls to Christ and discipling them in their newfound faith
• At least 24 new relationships were started with nonbelievers for the purpose of sharing Christ
• Several new resources for discipleship are available in the local language

George Beals