christmas

Meaning in the Madness

A Study in Ecclesiastes: January 8-April 2

Chaos. That is a word that seems to capture the zeitgeist of our age. Instability, wars, pandemics, and institutional breakdown have led people to wonder: is anyone in control? Do meaning and purpose exist?  Indeed, with endless choices and uncertain times people today are less secure and more jaded than ever before. Doubts about everything are the new normal. We are living through an era that feels a bit … mad.

 

So… how do we live by faith in a world of madness? That is what the book of Ecclesiastes is about. It assumes doubts and offers answers not addressed anywhere else. It explores issues that haunt us at the end of life. In short, this ancient book offers meaning in the madness by directing us to the purpose giver: God himself.

 

Over the 12 weeks, we are going to explore all the important issues in life: Meaning, purpose, happiness, work, wealth, fame, power, suffering, justice, and death. The world’s answers are incoherent and incomplete. The teacher of Ecclesiastes shows us that order is possible in chaos, meaning is birthed despite the madness, and true beauty is revealed at the feet of our Creator King. Join us as we discover meaning in the madness.

Recommended companion reading:

hangman

1/8 – Book and Series Introduction
1/15 –  Meaning in the Madness
1/22 – Purposeful Use of Time
1/29 – CONTEND CONFERENCE
2/5 – Meaningful Work
2/12 – False Meaning: Worship and Money
2/19 – Meaning in the Midst of Pain
2/26 – Wisdom and Meaning
3/5 – Meaningful Joy 
3/12 – The Danger of Folly
3/19 – Meaningful Risk
3/26 – The Creator of Meaning
4/2 – Meaningful Death 

Previous Sermons in this Series

A Biblical Perspective on Risk – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 3-19-23
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March 19, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "A Biblical Perspective on Risk."
madness 2023, Dave Hentschel

Meaning in the midst of Uncertainty – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 3-5-23
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Listen
March 5, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "Meaning in the midst of Uncertainty" based on Ecclesiastes 9:1-18.
madness 2023, Dave Hentschel

Wisdom in the Maze of Life – Pastor Bob Erbig – Meaning in the Madness – 2-26-23
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February 26, 2023
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "Wisdom in the Maze of Life," based on Ecclesiastes 8:1-17.
madness 2023, Bob Erbig

Why do Good People Suffer? – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 2-19-23
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Listen
February 19, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "Why do Good People Suffer?" based on Ecclesiastes 6:1-7:29.
madness 2023, Dave Hentschel

The Struggle for Meaning at Work – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 2-5-23
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February 5, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "The Struggle for Meaning at Work," based on Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16.
madness 2023, Dave Hentschel

Meaning and Time – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 1-22-23
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January 22, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled "Meaning and Time" based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-15.
madness 2023, Current Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel

Life Past the Exit Sign – Pastor Bob Erbig – Meaning in the Madness – 1-8-23
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January 8, 2023
Pastor Bob Erbig kicks off our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "Life Past the Exit Sign."
madness 2023, Current Sermon Series, Bob Erbig

Unbelievable-Christmas

Sermon on deck…

Is Christmas Unbelievable: December 2022

Many people assume that the story of the baby in the manger at Bethlehem is just another made-up fantasy for kids. In this series based on the book by respected apologist Rebecca McLaughlin, we will outline the evidence that Jesus was a real person, explaining the reliability of the Bible’s accounts of his life and why believing in a virgin birth is not as ridiculous as it might sound. This series shows that there is a rational basis for the belief that the world’s most famous story is fact, not fantasy—and how those events in history can infuse our lives today with meaning and joy

12/4 – Was Jesus Even a Real Person?

12/11 – Weren’t the Gospels Made Up Later? 

12/18 – How Can You believe in a Virgin Birth?

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve

12/24 – Christmas Eve

12/25 – Christmas Online Event

Recommended companion reading:

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Inside out Sermon
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Previous Sermons in this Series

What does America need in 2023? – Noah Graves – 1-1-23
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Listen
January 1, 2023
Noah Graves, the Executive Assistant to the Pastoral Leadership, starts 2023 with his New Years sermon entitled "What does America Need in 2023?"
other, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

Why does Christmas matter? – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Is Christmas Unbelievable? – 12-24-22
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Listen
December 24, 2022
Pastor Dave Hentschel finishes our series Is Christmas Unbelievable? with his sermon entitled "Why does Christmas matter?"
Dave Hentschel, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

How Can You believe in a Virgin Birth? – Pastor Bob Erbig – Is Christmas Unbelievable? – 12-18-22
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Listen
December 18, 2022
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our sermon series, Is Christmas Unbelievable? with his sermon entitled "Week 3: How Can You believe in a Virgin Birth?"
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

Can We Take the Gospels Seriously – Pastor Bob Erbig – Is Christmas Unbelievable? – 12-11-22
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Listen
December 11, 2022
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our series, Is Christmas Unbelievable? with his sermon entitled "Week 2: Can We Take the Gospels Seriously?" based on Luke 1:1-4.
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

Was Jesus Even a Real Person? – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Is Christmas Unbelievable? – 12-4-22
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Listen
December 4, 2022
Pastor Dave Hentschel begins our new sermon series, Is Christmas Unbelievable? with his sermon entitled "Was Jesus Even a Real Person?" based on Luke 1:1-4; 3:1-2.
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

Is Christmas Unbelievable? 2022
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Listen
November 28, 2022
Archived Sermon Series, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

old Year-End Giving for 2022

Planting deep roots in the limitless love of God, 2022.

Partner with us as we sow seeds of faith, cultivate spiritual growth & bear life-giving fruit within our community.

Planting deep roots in the limitless love of God, 2022.

Partner with us as we sow seeds of faith, cultivate spiritual growth &

bear life-giving fruit within our community.

Planting deep roots in the limitless love of God, 2022.

Partner with us as we sow seeds of faith, cultivate spiritual growth & bear life-giving fruit within our community.


Spiritual Formation


Missions Initiatives


Next Generation


Digital Outreach


Campus Upgrades

MBC is thrilled to be a part of the emerging growth of God’s redemption and mission for our church.

We pray that you catch this vision with us to bring His light into this dark area. To that end, we invite you to partner with us and prayerfully consider a special year-end gift. Your contribution will enable us to expand our ministry through both Gospel Demonstration and Gospel Proclamation. In the year 2023, we will accomplish our vision of increased cultural engagement by equipping the MBC body of believers, by working with our local and global partners, and by continuing campus upgrades.

Serving Him Together, Pastor Dave and Pastor Bob

Year End Giving
for 2023

Give Here

Please ask God to guide your giving and consider making your best possible donation as an investment so we may Plant Deep Roots in the Limitless Love of God. We envision that your generous contributions for the five initiatives we outline below will deepen our congregation’s love for God, widen our love for each other, and live tall so we may be a beacon of hope to the community here where we are planted. 

Please take a look below to see what MBC has in store for 2023.

Because of

   Your Generosity

We are filled with joy for an incredible 2021 at MBC!

Currently our financial giving (YTD) is up 20% over the last year! You truly embody the words of the apostle Paul; “For I know your eagerness to help… you were ready to give… For God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:2-7). Our church has been able to expand our reach through many new visitors and large outreach events including a 9/11 Memorial Service that welcomed our Mayor and many first responders, a Big Tent Worship Night featuring several talented acoustic guitarist, and we hosted 3 Underground Sessions. We also held 3 informative seminars; “Suffering” with Dr. Jim Owen, “Parenting-Discipling the Next Generation”, and the online adult education course, Tactics. None of this is possible without your generosity.

Intentional Spiritual Formation

At MBC, we have the heart to help people grow deeper in their discipleship of Christ. In 2022, we want to support individuals and groups toward this end in two intentional ways. First, we want to create and distribute a high-quality discipleship manual, customized just for MBC. This workbook is going to be a practical manual for intentional Spiritual Formation and will cover time-tested principles of spiritual growth. This workbook is designed for individual use but is best processed together in a group study setting. We will enjoy a church-wide campaign to this end in 2022. Second, we want to increase our staff at MBC to work in a focused way in the areas of spiritual formation, groups, and counseling, and oversee this important area of our church in an expanded capacity. This year’s end-of-year offering will help fund these exciting new spiritual formation initiatives.

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Discipleship Manual
A customized workbook for MBC that will be a practical manual for intentional Spiritual Formation and cover time-tested principles of spiritual growth.

Celebrating Christ

for His provision in 2021

You went above and beyond!

Because of your generosity, we shared the love of God through large outreach efforts like MBC Unhindered, our local COVID mission work, and community events such as our Hare-Raising Easter Egg Party and Trunk-or-Treat events. We celebrated record breaking attendance at our Easter worship services and Summer Adventure kids program! To the delight of our seniors, we resumed our monthly luncheons. We also launched our new YouTube channel and continue to expand our online presence through our website, social media, and multiple podcasts. Our Stephen Ministry and Care Leadership teams provided round the clock support, prayer and encouragement to those in crisis. 

Feeding Hands
Through your generosity, MBC plans to purchase two commercial-grade refrigerators which would replace the ones Feeding Hands lost during the storm.
Amoon Sharon’s Alpha Ministries
MBC plans fund 7 new church schools in Pakistan.
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Missions Engagement 

Local Compassion: Feeding Hands

Earlier this year, Hurricane Ida ravaged parts of Central NJ with heavy rainfall and flooding. This event caused serious damage to the facilities of our local partner, Feeding Hands. This ministry provides food and clothing to hundreds of families in Somerset County. Through your generosity, MBC plans to purchase two commercial-grade refrigerators which would replace the ones Feeding Hands lost during the storm.  

 

Global Outreach

MBC also has a huge heart for Global Outreach and Jesus’ Great Commission: to see the Gospel go to the ends of the earth. In 2022, MBC will be partnering with Amoon Sharon’s Alpha Ministries International, which has a strategic focus in Pakistan. Amoon and his team have a vision to start a church school for children in 50 villages! This year, MBC plans to help Amoon accomplish this goal by funding 7 new church schools in Pakistan, reaching the next generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Matthew 19:14

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Next Generation

Young Adult Passion Conference.

Our young adults are not the future leaders of the church, they are already the leaders of the church. They need to be empowered to go out with courage and lead with boldness as our church desperately needs to reach our next generation. Our culture actively draws them away from the Gospel so we need to equip our budding leaders to disciple and win people for Christ. With this mission in mind, MBC seeks to play an active role in their spiritual development and provide a way for them to attend the Passion Conference (young adult conference). Let’s support the our young leader’s growth by sending 10 of them to this conference in Atlanta.


Little Footprints Learning Center.

LFLC exists to nurture a love for learning, prepare children for success, and build relationships with families in our community by sharing God’s truth and love. Through your generosity, our scholarships allow families in need to provide their children with the power of a Christ-centered education.

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Little Footprints Learning Center
Passion Conference 2022
Let’s support the our young leader's growth by sending 10 of them to this conference in Atlanta.
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Mark 16:15

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Screens Disciple
We can ignore the digital revolution reality, or we can engage it with wisdom.
The Gospel Unhindered
We need to get in the game and preach the life-transforming message of the Gospel in a 2022 digital world.
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Digital Outreach

As we look ahead to 2022, we must recognize that 2020 altered the way we do ministry. In a post-Covid world, digital ministry will remain a crucial component of spiritual formation AND outreach. Barna President, David Kinnaman authored this nomenclature: “Screens disciple.” In other words, we can ignore the digital revolution reality, or we can engage it with wisdom.

Part of our vision for 2022 is to expand our digital ministry footprint. The strategy will include launching an MBC YouTube channel. This platform is currently the largest search engine for Generation Z (those under 25)—if we want to reach the next generation, we need to create content that reaches into their world. While YouTube is a prime platform, creating engaging videos and online events requires updated equipment, staffing, and studio space. We plan to expand our online content offerings that both trains the insider and draws the outsider.

At the end of the book of Acts, the apostle Paul was in Rome preaching the Gospel and encouraging the believers. As the book ends, we read that he was “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance (28:31).” The Gospel was unhindered. And Paul went to the people. Where are the people today? Online. If screens can be used to disciple people, as Kinnaman asserts, then we need to get in the game and preach the life-transforming message of the Gospel in a 2022 digital world.

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1st Timothy 6:17-19

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Campus Upgrades

Fellowship Hall Face-lift & Other Campus Upgrades

MBC will continue to work on key facilities upgrades and additions through your generous contributions. First is a new vision for the Fellowship Hall, second is to upgrade our WiFi infrastructure, and lastly to upgrade our Nursery.

MBC’s desire is to address the evolving needs of our community, and revolutionize the way we utilize Fellowship Hall, from an area used for breakfast treats and coffee, to a space that can be transformed into endless ministry possibilities. 

We envision additional office spaces and a multi-purpose room that can be quickly reconfigured into a variety of gatherings such as for prayer and Bible studies, classes, workshops, worship nights, team building events, meals, and plays to meet the varying needs of our ministries.

 

Wifi Upgrades 

We also desire to make it easier for folks to engage us digitally as we develop a comprehensive network to support our increased use of technologies both now and in the future.

Nursery Refresh

  • Update and modernize the bathroom
  • Plush carpeting
  • New shelving and furniture
  • Inviting, fresh décor 
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Fellowship Hall & Nursery Upgrade
MBC will continue to work on key facilities upgrades and additions through your generous contributions.
Upgrade Wifi & Digital Infrastructure
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Please ask God to guide your giving and consider making your best possible donation as an investment with us as we Plant Deep Roots in the Limitless Love of God.

Year End Giving 2022

Give Here

Questions?

Sue Turner

Financial & Donor Relations Manager

Contact Sue with any questions

Year-End Giving for 2023

Firmly Planted, Growing Together, Made to Multiply in 2023.

Partner with us as we sow seeds of faith, cultivate spiritual growth & bear life-giving fruit within our community.

Planting deep roots in the limitless love of God, 2022.

Partner with us as we sow seeds of faith, cultivate spiritual growth &

bear life-giving fruit within our community.

Planting deep roots in the limitless love of God, 2022.

Partner with us as we sow seeds of faith, cultivate spiritual growth & bear life-giving fruit within our community.


Leadership Development


Missional Compassion


Next Generation


Local Outreach


Campus Upgrades

MBC is thrilled to be a part of the emerging growth of God’s redemption and mission for our church.

We pray that you catch this vision with us to bring His light into this dark area. To that end, we invite you to partner with us and prayerfully consider a special year-end gift. Your contribution will enable us to expand our ministry through both Gospel Demonstration and Gospel Proclamation. In the year 2023, we will accomplish our vision of increased cultural engagement by equipping the MBC body of believers,  working with our local and global partners, and continuing campus upgrades.

Serving Him Together, Pastor Dave and Pastor Bob

Year End Giving
for 2023

Give Here

Please ask God to guide your giving and consider making your best possible donation as an investment so we may be firmly planted, growing together, and sharing God’s love to everyone. We envision that your generous contributions for the five initiatives we outline below will deepen our congregation’s love for God, widen our love for each other, and live tall so we may be a beacon of hope to the community here where we are planted. 

Please take a look below to see what MBC has in store for 2023.

Because of

   Your Generosity

We are filled with joy for an incredible 2022 at MBC!

You truly embody the words of the apostle Paul; “For I know your eagerness to help… you were ready to give… For God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor 9:2-7). Our church has been able to expand our reach to many new visitors through our large outreach events including the Winter Village (NEW), Hare-Raising Egg Party, Summer Adventure, Trunk or Treat, and we hosted 2 Underground Sessions. Our digital outreach has been expanded through The Underground Sessions Podcast, our YouTube channel MBC Unhindered, and our Twitter presence @MBCNewJersey which often happens in our NEW recording studio with our upgraded Wi-Fi system. Our greatest campus improvements were the Fellowship Hall and the MBC Kids Nursery designed for the enjoyment of our young church family and friends. None of this was possible without your generosity.

Leadership Development

At MBC, we have the heart to help people grow deeper in their relationship with Christ. In 2023, we want to invest in leadership development.

 

Paid Internships – Summer 2023+

MBC seeks to establish an internship program by attracting and incentivizing high-quality ministry-minded students to serve at MBC during the summer and at other times. This program will include a stipend through the duration of the internship and possibly other living expenses such as housing. Interns will be assigned a mentor and given responsibilities of oversight according to their area of interest. We believe this will multiply the ministry of MBC by raising up godly leaders and sending them out to their destination.

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The MBC Internship program is growing!

Celebrating Christ

for Spiritual Growth

Cultivating the Christian Life!

MBC started 2022 as a church body cultivating our Christian life in small groups by working through Pastor Dave & Pastor Bob’s Spiritual Formation Workbook. This launched our year of focusing on discipleship and spiritual growth. Our Sermon Series increased our knowledge and application of God’s Word, exploring the book of 1 Corinthians (DeToxicity) series, understanding the Fruit of the Spirit, and examining the life of David. The Radical Mentoring group, the Tactics class, the Faithfully Different Book discussion, and the Women’s If: Fall Break were additional initiatives that drew our people closer to God and each other.  Thank you for investing in MBC’s eternal impact and the spiritual growth of our church family.

LyfeCare
Delivering Hope and Friendship to teen moms and At-Risk Youth.
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Ukrainian Refugee Relief
Providing Hope to the displaced
Click here
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Missional Compassion 

Global Outreach
MBC also has a huge heart for Global Outreach and Jesus’ Great Commission: to see the Gospel go to the ends of the earth. 

Our passion is making Jesus known among the nations, and we are seeing communities transformed as groups of people put their faith in Christ alone.

 

Cambodia Student University Dorm Ministry: We will come along side our ministry partner, Tom Voster and his family, with World Team’s University Dorm Ministry.  Our goal is to finance two dormitory “leaders”, male and female, for one year. Check out the video for more information on this mission field.

1. They would assist in the management of the dorm building.
2. Maintaining an overall healthy and spiritual environment.
3. Ministering to and counseling each student in their personal lives.
4. Offering academic advise and encouragement.
5. Assisting in bible study and other related activities.

This effort would fit well with the Young Lives and Ukraine initiatives (below) as they would provide a united effort to minister to young people, especially in an academic setting or influence.

 

Ukrainian Refugee Relief: The Missions Team initiative is to help out with refugees from Ukraine. Their efforts are mainly focused on refugees in Poland including delivery of food and supplies to the war zone.  

 

Local Compassion:

LyfePact: Delivering Hope and Friendship to teen moms and at-risk youth. www.lyfepact.org 

LYFEPACT goes beyond delivering basic household essentials and vital technology options. Every LYFEPACT that we hand-deliver, is more than a box. It comes packed with a promise.

Powered by Young Life, we make a pact to connect each teen mom and at-risk youth with a volunteer mentor who will be serving as the backbone of our delivery and community-based follow-up process.

THE NEEDS OF OUR TEENS

  • Teen moms and at-risk youth in the Tri-State area lack the means for basic essentials for their babies and families. They may also find empty shelves and lack transportation or courage to travel for what they need.
  • They also need compassionate support while they are required to shelter in place. Mental health, depression, anxiety, and suicide were already rising before COVID-19 hit, and are not slowing down now.
  • A majority of under-resourced Tri-State youth have had a parent pass away or lose their job. Kids are struggling to see their families hold together while meeting basic needs.

Together, we can impact multiple generations and build a bridge of restoration. Your investment will be a legacy written on the hearts of hundreds of thousands of lives to come!f

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Matthew 19:14

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Next Generation

MBC Kids Awana Conference for our kid’s leaders.

In our MBC Kids ministry, we want to see kids who are:

  • Firmly planted in God’s Word
  • Growing together
  • Learning who they are in Christ
  • Made to multiply
  • Living out their faith

As we disciple the next generation for Christ, it’s crucial to support and equip our current committed leaders who are discipling kids on a regular basis. The Child Discipleship Forum, presented by Awana, is a conference grounded in the Gospel and focused on equipping leaders for everyday ministry to kids. We are planning to invest in our MBC Kids leaders by sending a group to this conference in Nashville, for a time of nourishment and growth.

 

Little Footprints Learning Center.

LFLC exists to nurture a love for learning, prepare children for success, and build relationships with families in our community by sharing God’s truth and love. Through your generosity, our scholarships allow families in need to provide their children with the power of a Christ-centered education.

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Little Footprints Learning Center
School Information
Carnival Day!
We transformed the Youth and Family Building into a carnival setting
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Awana
Conference Information