ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – APRIL 9, 2020
Alumni Pastors and Missionaries Sharing the Love of Christ in Creative and Innovative Ways
Holy Week: Please join us in praying for our alumni pastors and missionaries as they share the gospel and the love of Christ in creative and innovative ways during this world-wide pandemic. This week, we are highlighting several of our alumni who are in ministry across the nation and world. Also, please like/follow our social media channels for alumni news throughout the week.
Acts 4:33: “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.”
He is Risen! He is Risen, indeed!
New York City, NY: Nick Hanson (’11) and wife Stephanie are Chi Alpha Campus Leaders in New York City and ask for your prayers as they live and minister in the epicenter of the virus in our nation. As Chi Alpha leaders, they are using video chat for small groups and launching an online prayer resource for students so they can connect with them and pray over them through a FaceTime call or a short Instagram video chat. They say that students are very hungry for connection and answers, and this is a perfect time to minister and be available. “We believe that Jesus is using the crisis to awaken people to the truth of Jesus.”
Los Angeles, CA: Keeley Lambert Jones (’07) and her husband Clayton are CRU leaders and are connecting with their church, small groups and friends through Zoom, Marco Polo and FaceTime. Clayton has continued to meet with his guys group, and is thankful to report that God is working mightily in the midst of this crisis. Keeley says, “We have found joy in this season and have loved the extra time we get to spend as a family of three with our daughter, Liv. James 1:2-4 says, ‘Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.’ We are so incredibly grateful for God’s provision as we quarantine together and share the love of Christ with others. For more info: CRU.org
Houston, TX: Sarah Mathewes (’06) is the Children’s Pastor at Houston’s First Church of God and has created a landing page on the church website (hfcog.org/hfc-kids-online) and a Facebook group (HFC Kids Online) for families. There are crafts, games, science experiments, scavenger hunts and more to keep kids entertained. Also, there is a special article that walks parents through how to discuss fear with their children. The church is using Zoom for Wednesday evening Bible Kids Club “Live@5!,” and Facebook Live on Sunday mornings for their PS-5th-graders. For more info about their kids’ ministry and for family discipleship resources, visit hfcog.org/kids.
Orlando, FL: Lauren Moore Dodge (’09) and husband Elliott are CRU leaders. Elliott is working with CRU on their online platform, as digital ministry is especially important right now. Lauren asks for prayer that the people who need to see what they are writing would find it. Their daughter India is 18 months old and keeping them busy! For more info: CRU.org
London, England: Sarah Wilkinson Ganger (’99) and husband Tim are serving at Southland Baptist Church in London, England. Pastor Tim is hosting regular devotionals for parishioners, family and friends via the church Facebook page (@southsidefamily.org.uk). A recent ten-minute devotional focused on Psalm 27 – encouragement of God’s provision and peace during this pandemic. He will be posting daily messages and prayers.
University of Alabama: Sabrina Tovar Metcalf (’15) and her husband Paxton are Chi Alpha Campus Leaders at the University of Alabama and staying connected to college students in creative ways. Sabrina says, “Thankfully, discipleship cannot be quarantined, and we have technology (praise the Lord). We’ve been able to continue relationships via Zoom, Marco Polo and FaceTime calls. Our staff team is also taking advantage of this time to build training resources for our student leaders and their small groups. This may seem like a time where everything is unknown, however we can trust in the Lord. We do not have to fear. We do not have to worry. As we remain in Him, He will bear fruit through us during this time that may feel like a drought.” Jeremiah 17:5-8
Cypress, TX area: Evan Weppler (’07) is the Children’s Pastor at Cypress Bible Church and is enjoying posting resources for their families on their ministry page Kids Life at CBC and connecting with families and volunteers through Zoom, email and texts. He says, “Thank you for praying for all pastors and leaders as they serve in faith, in compassion and in wisdom. And, thank you for praying for families to be blessed by the church’s online efforts.”
Cy-Fair area: Cody Chaffin (’13) is the Student Discipleship Pastor at Cy-Fair Christian Church. He spoke to secondary students before the quarantine about Acts 16 and the question asked by the Philippian jailer, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul’s answer was, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”
Cody is ministering to students during this pandemic using technology apps, video messaging and more. Cody says, “It’s going well. I feel our youth group is getting more connected each week as we discover more ways to make it as normal as possible.”
Cody and wife Lauren Echols Chaffin (’13) recently announced that their first child is due in September 2020. Congratulations, Cody and Lauren!
If you have news to share, Submit Alumni News or email [email protected].
To read alumni news throughout the month, follow the Cypress Christian School Alumni Facebook page Facebook.com/CypressChristianSchoolAlumni and the CyChristianAlumni Instagram account. To read previous alumni newsletters: CypressChristian.org/Alumni/Alumni-News.
