LIFE at WBC Spring 2011 Issue 7

Lov e Go d, G r ow To g e t h er , R e ach t h e Wo r ld
AT W H E AT O N B I B L E C H U R C H
Spring 2011 | Issue 07

Welcome What does a healthy church sound like? It is filled
with comments like these: “I love helping in the
parking lot—even when the weather’s bad!” “I love
my class of sixth-grade girls.” “I love my Alpha table,
seeing who God brings each week and what questions
they’ll come with.” “I have the privilege of standing
at the door every Sunday morning and greeting
Rob Bugh, Senior Pastor the people who come here to worship!”
In the pages of this issue of LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church,

we invite you to get a glimpse of just a few of the women and
men and students who’ve really grasped an Ephesians 4 vision
of what a healthy church looks like. They are people who are
learning to live in light of the reality that God loves us and
saves us in order to mobilize us and send us! He has given
every, every, every one of us the serving grace to fulfill His
purposes in our church, in our families, in our neighborhoods,
in our communities, and around the world.
Among the stories and pictures, I want you to see the people
who “get it”—people who have recognized that going hard
and fast after the “good life” will make them miss the “best life”
God has for His people! They are followers of Christ who have
discovered the pure joy of finding the place God has gifted them
to serve.
This is the beauty of the Church as God intends it—people

saying, “God, here I am. I’m ready to lay down my time, for
whatever you call me to, because you have given me saving
grace and serving grace.”
May God deliver us from a self-indulgent faith so that we

can experience the kind of self-denying faith that freely
and radically and joyfully serves!
In His matchless grace,
We want to hear from you.

Did a story in LIFE at Wheaton Bible
Church speak to your heart? Was there Rob Bugh,
something we missed? Do you have Senior Pastor
another perspective? Got ideas for
future articles?
Please send us an email at:
LIFEcomments@wheatonbible.org
or drop a note for the editor at
the Welcome Desk.
table of contents
IN EVERY ISSUE FEATURES
3 Our Mission 5 Huddle Up! Calling Men
into Fellowship with Each “andFriendships develop
men want to share
4 Connect at WBC Other and with God
their lives with one
”
27 Church Finances: 7 Project Serve: The Port Stories another.
The Stewardship of Our Time
9 Administer Justice:
28 Elder Profile: Searching for Justice
Lee Lewis
11 How to take the lead in
29 Elder Meeting Notes Family Worship at your
house, with your kids
13 Four People Who Changed

My Life Forever
5
15 A Wednesday in the Life
of Wheaton Bible Church
17 Matters of the Heart, Part 2.

Insights into Hispanic Ministry “ofNow that I’ve seen a number
cases from start to finish—
22 Letters, Emails, and MORE
from Our Missionaries
seen people walk in with fear
and trembling, and no hope—
25 God’s Letters: At Dinner
then being able to lead them
with Retired WBC Missionary
Alice Davis to a plan going forward, and
seeing some tough cases
26 Should You Enroll in Financial
13 Peace University? resolved in their favor, that’s
an awfully rewarding
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears

9 experience.
”
my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with
him, and he with me. —Revelation 3:20
17
7
Spring 2011 | LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church 2
We exist to …
love God, grow together, LIFE
and reach the world AT WHEATON BIBLE CHURCH
Editorial Team
wbc MISSION Nancy Langham, Editor

nlangham@wheatonbible.org
Dave Thomson,
Director of Communication
The mission of Wheaton Bible Church is to love God,
dthomson@wheatonbible.org
grow together, and reach the world. We believe that
Leslie Zander,
God has called the whole church—young or old,
Communication Manager/
single or married, new or long-time believers— Graphic Design
to a lifelong journey of becoming and making lzander@wheatonbible.org
disciples of Jesus Christ. Our mission captures, in
Donna Stone,
simple phrases, what Jesus expressed in the Great Administrative Assistant
Commandment and the Great Commission. Jesus dstone@wheatonbible.org
loved God, loved others, and shared this Good
News with all who would listen. We want to do Contributors
what He commanded and live the way He lived.
Marie Allison, Writer
Our mission is represented visually using three Dean Annen, Writer
interlocking circular shapes. Each element is unique, yet it cannot be separated Kris Annen, Proofreader
from the other two. The arrows suggest continual movement. Loving God keeps
Eileen Carapia, Writer
our eyes focused on the Author and Sustainer of our faith and flourishes best
Lauren Castady, Graphic Design
among a loving community of believers. Growing together is an ongoing process
that is born from our love for God and must flow out into reaching the world. Judi Gillison, Proofreader
Reaching the world is a journey fueled by the desire to see all people come Jim Judge, Writer
to know and love God. Scott Landon, Proofreader, Writer
Our mission provides focus and direction. Everything we do as a church begins Rich Lanenga, Photographer
with it. Our annual plans, ministries, worship services, and communication Jon Langham, Photographer
are all evaluated against it. Kimberly Koenig, Writer
Afton Rorvik, Editorial Assistance
Scott Young, Writer
LOV E GO D, G R OW TO G E T H ER , R E ACH T H E WO R LD
About the cover
Visualizing the concept of serving as it takes place
AT W H E AT O N B I B L E C H U R C H within the Body of Christ was a challenge. How do
you picture all the ways, large and small, that God’s
people are actively serving in our ministries and in our
neighborhoods and in the communities where we live?
The result was a series of interconnected words on a
familiar game board. By revealing just a portion of the
board—and leaving a few letters in the box—we invite
you to find your own place to “play your letter tiles” to The production of LIFE at
make this picture complete. Is there an avenue of service Wheaton Bible Church is made
where you’ve found your niche? Still looking for a place possible by paper generously
to plug in? Check out the articles in this issue of LIFE to donated by Camelot Paper
see how some people are already serving. Then use the
SPRING 2011 | ISSUE 07
contact info inside the back cover to reach out to someone

and discounted printing
who’ll be happy to help you discover one of the dozens of ministry opportunities in and through by ABS Graphics.
Wheaton Bible Church. You’ll be glad you did!
27W500 North Avenue Traditional Worship Contemporary Worship Iglesia del Pueblo
West Chicago, IL 60185 Sunday, 8:15 am, Sunday, 9:45 am and 11:15 Sunday, 11:15 am, East
West Worship Center am, West Worship Center Worship Center
630.260.1600
Wednesday, 7:00 pm,
www.wheatonbible.org
East Worship Center
3 LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church | Spring 2011

Where are you
right now ?
Ready to ask questions
about the meaning of life?
Check out the Alpha course. It offers a weeknight meal,
a thought-provoking talk on an issue relevant to life and faith,
and open discussion where your questions are welcome.
Ready to EXPLORE community

and start living the mission?
Register for Begin@WBC, a four-week, Sunday-morning
session where you’ll meet new friends, hear from the pastoral
staff, and learn how to get connected.
Ready for membership and

taking the next steps
of participation at WBC?
Sign up for Belong@WBC, a two-part membership seminar,

where you’ll learn more about who we are, how the Body of
Christ functions, and how God can use you as a conduit of His
love in the ministry of encouraging, teaching, building up one
another, and reaching out to a broken and hurting world.
For more information or to register, contact Lynne Morris,

connect@wheatonbible.org, 630.876.6659, or go online to
wheatonbible.org/connect.

Huddle Up!
By Scott Young
Calling men into fellowship

with each other and with God.
“ As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. ”
Each Wednesday evening, between 150 and 200 men set
—Proverbs 27:17
a matter of weeks since he came to faith in Christ—bowing

his head in tears after a Huddle message by Pastor Jeff
their alarms for a little earlier than usual in order to make Walser in November. On that day he accepted Christ.
the Thursday-morning drive to the weekly Men’s Huddle
Watching the Holy Spirit work at their table has drawn these
at Wheaton Bible Church. At 6:15 am, Bibles are opened, men—including Randy, who describes himself as a “recovering
Scripture is read, and all across the room men drop to Catholic”—closer together. Randy came to Christ only recently,
after he was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in a
their knees in prayer.
motorcycle accident. Randy’s parents were informed, and a
Sitting at tables in groups of six to ten, they listen to a priest gave last rites—but miraculously, Randy came back
thirty-minute lesson on a Bible passage or topic and then to life. After the accident, Randy says, he did some needed
talk with each other about the message, their week, and soul-searching and decided to dedicate his life to Christ.
their prayer needs. Most in the room regularly attend
Randy and his wife, Brenda, started coming to Wheaton
Wheaton Bible Church; some are from other churches.
Bible Church in September and quickly became involved
Some of the men don’t attend a church at all. Each comes
in an Adult Class, a Community Group, and the Huddle.
with different needs, burdens, or expectations. All will
Praying together with other men at Huddle was something
leave the Huddle with greater strength to face their day.
Randy had never experienced before. Today, Randy
Karl, the leader of one of the Huddle tables, is in business and Brenda both serve in the Front Door Ministry.
with a law firm and comes from a megachurch background,
Warren, an attorney, moved back to the area from California
having successfully transitioned from a church of 20,000
and became a Wheaton Bible Church member a year and a
in Atlanta to the “smaller” Wheaton Bible Church. He also
half ago. He was one of the original attorneys that formed
co-leads the Front Door Ministry’s Event Hospitality team.
our church’s legal-services ministry, Administer Justice.
He talked with me about the guys at his table, most of whom
Also part of that same Huddle table is Paul, who works
are new this year. On a typical Thursday morning, his table
as a civil engineer for the Village of Lombard. Paul and
group includes a missionary, a city civil engineer, an attorney,
his wife have been members of Wheaton Bible Church
a guy working in real estate, a salesman, and a man who
for eight years, and he attends Huddle on a regular basis.
works at a retirement home. Each has a different life story.
Bob is a missionary who spent 23 years in Japan and
Some of them have been Christians since childhood, others
now works with International Ministries. He and his
for only a few years, and in the case of one, it has been only
family have been members at WBC for about one year.

Laurence, the second bachelor in the group besides “develop
Friendships
Photos by Jon Langham
Karl, started coming to the Huddle a few months ago. He and

came a few times last year and decided he should try it
again. When Karl noticed him standing in the hall with a
men want
visitor name tag on, he asked him to join his table. The to share their
men at the table all welcomed him with open arms, and
that very day Laurence asked Christ into his heart. lives with
There is a second “Carl” at the table. He currently does not
attend Wheaton Bible Church but is attending his second
year at Men’s Huddle. His career is in home-mortgage sales,
one another.
”
Karl Kay, in his second year
and at times, he is unable to attend Huddle. But he knows leading a Huddle group, has
seen God at work in the lives
that men at his Huddle table are praying for him in his absence. of the men at his table.
“men
Men need to have other
”
Huddle: When a team gathers together, usually in a tight
to talk with. circle, to strategize, motivate, or celebrate (Wikipedia).
The stated goal of the men’s ministry program at Wheaton

Scott Young and his wife, Nancy, have been members of WBC for
Bible Church is “to come alongside every man in the church
more than 20 years. Scott, a brand and marketing consultant, is
and help each one fulfill the mission to love God, grow involved in WBC’s drama and local outreach ministries and attends
together, and reach the world. The church sees Men’s the Men’s Huddle.
Huddle as an important part of fulfilling that goal.
“Men need to have other men to talk with,” Karl said. He

sees the purpose of his Huddle table as drawing men closer
to God and to each other. “Out of these groups you see
friendships develop and men wanting to share their
lives with each other.”
God is working through that process to change lives every

My S.H.A.P.E.
Will
Thursday morning. n
Determine My Ministry
In
The Huddle meets Thursday mornings at 6:15 am in the Fellowship our new-member class, Belong@WBC, we help people
Center. The Huddle is part of the Wheaton Bible Church Men’s Ministry.
You may also be interested in the Saturday Men’s Bible Study and
figure out their S.H.A.P.E. SHAPE is an acronym that
Senior Men’s Bible Study. Learn more at wheatonbible.org/Men. can help you discover the place where you can serve and
be all God wants you to be so that you can experience the
“serving grace” God has given to each of us.
Spiritual gifts: What am I gifted to do?

Heart: What do I love to do?
Abilities: What natural talents and skills do I have?
Personality: Where does my personality best suit
me to serve?
Experiences: What ministry experinces, spiritual
experiences, painful experiences, and educational
experiences have I had?
“Your ministry will be most effective and fulfilling

when you are using your gifts and abilities in
the areas of heart’s desire in a way that best
expresses your personality and experience.”
—Rick Warren, Pastor, Saddleback Church

PROJECT SERVE
One of the sites where WBC students and adult volunteers served last summer as part of Project
Serve 2010 was Genoa, Italy, where they distributed Bibles to those waiting to board massive car
ferries that would take them across the Mediterranean Sea to destinations in Morocco, Algeria,
or Tunisia. Eileen was an adult leader who traveled and served alongside WBC students.
PortStories
By Eileen Carapia
The
Here I am! I stand at the door and This could be their one opportunity to find Him. I experienced
the death of my need for control, stepped far out of my comfort
knock. If anyone hears my voice and zone, and agreed to be the vessel God had put me there to be.
I closed my eyes, envisioned the words in the verse above, and

opens the door, I will come in and eat knocked. At first, it was a faint knock, and I was lucky to have a
with him, and he with me. —Revelation 3:20 brave and encouraging student with me. He quickly followed
my knock, which roused the man inside. The man startled
and rolled down his window. My student partner offered
These are the stories of some who took his hand, to which the man responded. We said our good
a Bible. Pray that they will open the door. mornings and extended the packet—and it was accepted.
This scenario was quickly repeated, some accepted, some
GENOA, Italy — It was 5:30 am, and the sun had

just risen over the port. Cars, their
roofs laden with personal belongings that rose high into the
declined—but all were extremely respectful and kind after
being awakened. As my friend and I continued on, we passed
car after car of people opening up the packets and reading the
air, were lined silently in rows without a visible end. Led by a New Testament. Our teammates were effective and fast, and we
local Italian evangelist, our sleepy team of five had risen before hurried to try to find cars that hadn’t already received a packet.
dawn and made the twenty-minute walk down to the port. We A young man, alone in his car, smiled, and after I greeted him in
loaded up our carts of Bible packets and headed up the on ramp Arabic and offered this gift of the New Testament, he accepted.
into the mass of parked cars—which had started arriving hours Another man, parked next to him, rolled down his window,
earlier to get a good spot in line for the opening of the gates at curious as to what I was giving away. He took a packet. An older
6:00 am. Most of the inhabitants were sleeping, enjoying the man farther up the line accepted one after I assured him it was
last few moments of rest before the alarm would ring and free. The alarm sounded, and we quickly headed toward the side
signal the beginning of the long and wearying travel they of the road to safety. I made one more attempt and knocked on
were about to endure. the door of a van. A woman and her teenage daughter sat up.
I extended the packet, and she accepted. My eyes welled with
There we were, meandering between the parked cars, four
tears as I had been praying to get it into the hands of a woman.
rows across. Without sight of the end, we picked a place to begin.
I said a prayer, and my heart began to pound. I began looking Our team praised God that afternoon, knowing the effects of
for someone to approach—someone who was awake—and the morning could have dramatic impact on the lives of those
realized there were none: I was going to have to start waking who took the Bibles. We praised God—the God “who saved us
up the resting passengers. Are you kidding me? I thought to and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but
myself, knowing well what kind of response I would expect because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in
to this back in the USA (something that under different Christ Jesus before the ages began” (2 Timothy 1:9–10a, ESV). n
circumstances I would never have the nerve to attempt).
I said another prayer and remembered God’s words in Revela- Eileen Carapia and her husband Aron have attended both WBC
tion 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone and Iglesia del Pueblo since 2006. When she heard the details
hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat of the planned trip to Genoa, she recognized how God had
perfectly prepared her to help lead the team of students—
with him, and he with me.” I wasn’t just peddling books. including language skills in both Arabic and Italian, as well
as family ties to Italy that gave her a heart for that land.
Eileen serves as administrative assistant to WBC’s Local Impact Ministry.

MANHATTAN — Salvation Stories!
Hey, parents and friends!
Manhattan has been one of the most humbling

and amazing experiences I have ever
had in my life. The past couple days we have done things that
have put many of us out of our comfort zones and challenged
us to grow in our faith. . . . We’ve been getting involved with
FROM THE PROJECT SERVE 2010 STUDENT BLOG the youth in the community here by running a VBS in a local
park. I, however, was given the awesome experience of playing
Genoa, Italy—3:20 am Wake-up Call! some pick-up basketball with some of the teens at the local
basketball courts. I met three boys, named Kevin, Jose,
and Danny. . . .
Ciao from Italy! Assalam alaikum! We

have successfully made
it to Genoa after a five-hour bus ride through the beautiful
Day two of basketball: We got to the park and saw them
waiting—we had developed a bond with them the previous
day, so it was cool to be able to reunite again. . . . The game
countrysides of France and Italy! Today was our first day
was a lot closer, ending with us losing 14 to 21—but 14 was
of distribution. Departed the hotel at 3:50 am. (The clerk
a lot better than the zero from day one! . . . Long story short,
couldn’t believe it when we asked for a wake-up call for 3:20;
they came back to where we were staying and had dinner
he tried to correct us, but we stood our ground! haha). . . .
with us. Later that night, before they left, two of them ac-
Cars started lining up at 4:00 am to head onto the boats! cepted Christ as their Lord and Savior!! It was so incredible
We had our first few encounters with fear, rejection, and the accepting two new brothers into our family in Christ. Since
Muslim people. Although some rejected, we got over our that night, the two of them have been hanging out with
nerves and delivered God’ s Word into their hands. Overall, us as much as possible, so it has been pretty sweet. . . .
it was a very encouraging day! We met some very loving
Love,
people, and we are very excited about the days to come!
Jeremy Bernas [student]
Abby and Melissa
Want to read more student blog entries? Find the Project Serve 2010
A FEW POSTS FROM OTHER PROJECT-SERVE SITES: blog at projectserve2010.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html
CHICAGO—Serving the Community
Monday. For morning work projects, we have

partnered with New Beginnings Church
Is God Calling You to GO?
Student Ministry GO Teams are not just for students! These
(where we are staying). . . . Monday’ s rain allowed us to remain trips would not be possible without willing adult leaders
inside and help do behind-the-scenes work and cleaning like Eileen, Janae, and Becca. Please prayerfully consider
with members of the church. Walking past students, you whether God is calling you to serve Him this summer.
would experience stories being shared across ages and across
cultures while serving together. What a neat opportunity. Student Full Service (jr. high only):
Chicago—June 19–26
Tuesday . Rise and shine to breakfast duty! Lunches were
packed (an extra one included), cereal and French-toast
Ministry Senior High:
DuPage—June 18–25
sticks consumed, and we were ready for day two of serving.
Since it was a beautiful day, we had the opportunity to serve
GO Team Chicago—June 26–July 2
outside. [Later] students grabbed their lunches, including

the extras, and all headed to what we commonly refer to as
sites for Dearborn, MI—June 26–July 2
Atlanta—June 18–25
the “Loop.” Walking on what was familiar territory to many
of us, our eyes were opened to new things. Students shared
2011 Minneapolis—June 19–26
Haiti—June 18–29
their extra lunches with the homeless on the streets. Many include: Genoa, Italy—June 20–July 1
literally got to sit and eat as a group with the homeless. I think
it may have been much more powerful and ministering to the For more information, contact Calla Young,
students than it was to the people they were sharing with. . . . cyoung@wheatonbible.org, 630.876.6604.
Janae Morris and Becca Martin [adult leaders]

Searching for Justice
photo by Jon Langham

ADMINISTER JUSTICE
“Catching the 4:40 pm train from Wheaton to Chicago became

This is what the LORD a routine part of my life when I started attending law school
Almighty says: at Chicago-Kent in 1999. I was one of the older students in the
evening program and had become deft at juggling law-school
“Administer true justice; demands with the responsibilities of owning and operating a
manufacturing business in Warrenville with my two partners.
show mercy and compassion
“I managed to graduate in the top 10 percent of my class,
to one another. Do not which was gratifying for an old man of fifty-four who was
oppress the widow or the competing with much younger students. I couldn’t really do
much with my degree until the business was sold. But after
fatherless, the alien or the that finally happened, our daughter, Sandra, needed help in
poor. In your hearts do not Pennsylvania throughout two difficult pregnancies. She lost
a son, Jacob, in 2004 and a son, Luke, in 2005—two emotional
think evil of each other.
” body blows that triggered a rough spiritual journey for me.”
—Zechariah 7:9–10
W
ith those thoughts, Mark Turek began a recent article for the Kane
County Bar Briefs magazine—an article that introduced the bar associa-
tion’s 1000-plus members to his personal experience with Administer
Justice, a free law clinic that serves low-income individuals and families.
“Now years have slipped by since law school,” he continues, “creating even more
barriers and self-doubt about starting a practice.” Although Mark had handled
some minor casework over those years, he quickly realized that to practice
law, even on a part-time basis, required a rather significant amount of overhead,
including malpractice insurance, office rent, phones, fax, copier, and more.
“In addition to the real-world financial concerns of starting a practice,” he
writes, “there was the apprehension of going solo without any prior practical legal
experience. I interviewed with a number of law firms in an effort to acquire some
experience, but understandably there wasn’t much interest in hiring a first-year
associate who was already in his late fifties.”
Which brings up the question of why this successful businessman, with a degree
in electrical engineering and an MBA in finance, decided to attend law school
in the first place.
“Frankly,” Mark says, “I was a little bit bored. I’d always been interested in the
law. I mean, the business was doing great. We had hired a general manager, and
I had trained him on the operational aspects of the business, which was the part
of it I was responsible for. So I could leave and do stuff. I worked from eight in
the morning until four o’clock or so. I caught a 4:20 train out of Wheaton to go
to law school most evenings for several years. But I never got out and practiced.”
Mark Turek
The article continues, “A further deterrent to starting a practice was that I was
enjoying retirement and the freedom to be able to do what you want when you
want to do it. I no longer had to worry about employee issues and increasing
competition in the marketplace. It was that freedom that had allowed me the
Interested in serving with flexibility to spend precious time with my daughter and son-in-law during her
Administer Justice at pregnancies. Did I really want to lose this freedom and put my nest egg at risk
Wheaton Bible Church? by starting a practice?”
Contact Local Impact It was about that time that Mark first heard about Administer Justice, which
Pastor Chris McElwee for was about to launch a DuPage branch at Wheaton Bible Church. One Saturday
more information, 630.876.6624, a month, the Elgin-based ministry would be holding a free legal clinic at the
cmcelwee@wheatonbible.org. church. Christine Field, a former prosecutor and a member of WBC, was
looking for attorneys willing to volunteer their time and expertise.

“I decided to step out of my comfort zone,” Mark said, With the client’s permission, Mark begins the visit in prayer.
“and take a risk.” (Bruce Strom says that only once in ten years has a client
declined. In fact, the most common positive feedback
At a three-hour introductory training session, Mark
received is that “the attorney prayed with me.”)
was impressed by Administer Justice Executive Director
Bruce Strom. “Bruce,” Mark says, “is a fellow who really “That really impacts people,” Mark adds. “Just this week
walks with the Lord.” Administer Justice, he learned, I had a client who burst into tears after I prayed.”
was born out of a deep commitment to Jesus Christ and
Those who make an appointment with an Administer
the teachings of the Bible—including the organization’s
Justice attorney find someone who will listen and do
founding verses, Zechariah 7:9–10.
what he or she can to help.
The vision for the organization was to make a difference
for people who were searching for justice but lacked the Finding a Place to Serve
funds to hire an attorney in order to have their voices While Mark might say that his favorite activities are home-
heard and their rights protected. improvement projects such as plumbing, electrical work,
and carpentry—where he can see what he’s accomplished—
Mark credits Administer Justice with providing a setting
his opportunities to serve others through Administer Justice
where he could apply his law degree and gain legal experi-
run a close second—and may be inching up in the running.
ence, along with a real-life opportunity to extend help to
those who needed it.
“At our first low-income legal clinic I came face-to-face
with people who needed real help but lacked the resources
“start
Now that I’ve seen a number of cases from
to finish—seen people walk in with fear
to hire an attorney,” he said. “On the personal level, once
I became involved with it and started meeting with clients, and trembling, and no hope—then being able
I was struck by the incredible need. I met with people who to lead them to a plan going forward, and seeing
were literally at the end of their rope.”
Mark’s very first client at the WBC legal clinic—a case in
some tough cases resolved in their favor, that’s
which he eventually filed a successful petition in the US
tax court—was a young father who speaks English as a
an awfully rewarding experience.
”
second language. He had received a final warning letter Stepping out of Your Comfort Zone
from the IRS saying that unless he came in within 90 days,
For Mark and many of the volunteer attorneys, serving
his wages would be garnished and liens would be placed
in Administer Justice is outside their comfort zone. They
against his property.
typically have little background in family law, which is one
Felipe (not his real name), who had dutifully paid his taxes, of the most common types of cases that come in. Mark, who
was having his refund withheld because of unreported concentrated in tort law and trial advocacy in law school,
income from a company he never worked for. Someone has now developed a growing focus on federal tax law, an
was using his identification number, and those earnings area of specialization that has expanded his involvement
were being reported to the IRS as having been earned by in Administer Justice to include weekly appointments at
Felipe. From the perspective of the IRS, he had failed to the organization’s main office in Elgin—a place where he’s
report income, and therefore, owed more in taxes. known as a volunteer who “writes a lot of follow-up letters.”
An appeals officer in the case eventually accepted Mark’s Mark explains, “A lot of the time I have to go home and
arguments that this Chicago-area landscape worker could read up on things. But after I do some reading and research,
not have simultaneously earned incomes from two different I can put together a letter that provides further guidance
landscape companies—there weren’t enough hours in the to the client.”
day. His $5,000 tax obligation was wiped clean—and for this
“There’s no question that most of us are outside our comfort
laborer with a wife and four children, that was an enormous
zones on a lot of these subjects,” he adds, “and that’s a scary
burden lifted.
thing for lawyers.” But that personal stretch, he says, is a
Mark describes other kinds of cases people bring to small price to pay for the opportunity to serve as a witness
Administer Justice, including child custody, immigration- of Christ’s love to people in deep need.
related problems, housing issues, abuse situations, and more.
“I think that all followers of Jesus, if they have their eyes
“Looking out in our atrium here on the Saturday mornings open and their ears tuned, could find opportunities to serve
when Administer Justice is in session, you’d never guess and to help other people,” Mark said. “There may be things
all the kinds of problems that people are presented with,” you know how to do that you take for granted, but other
he said. “Some of them are of their own making, just as all people don’t. And you can be an unbelievable help to them,
of us have problems of our own making from time to time. and it can be an unbelievable witness to them.”
And some of them—they have done nothing wrong at all.
In the case of Administer Justice, he adds, “These folks have
All of them are people who live among us here in Kane and
to be asking themselves, Why would this attorney pray
DuPage Counties.”
with me? Why would he or she provide all this legal service
As important as the legal victories is the way Administer and not ask for a dime? I think there’s an incredible ability
Justice also meets needs on a more basic level—including to mirror Christ’s love in the world in interacting with other
the way each appointment is handled. people on His behalf because of what He’s done for us.” n

photos by Jon Langham
Mom (Irene), Emma, and Sophie Cho listen as Dad (Scott) creatively presents the story of Naomi and Ruth.
By Dean Annen
How to take the lead in Family Worship at your house, with your kids
It’s Tuesday night at the Cho house, WBC Children’s Pastor, Vance Frusher, concurs. “We typically
see children here at church around 80 hours a year,” he said,
and two Barbie dolls—a.k.a. Naomi and “but we know that parents have almost 3,000 hours in a
Ruth—are the props of the week as Scott year of unstructured time at home. So we want to equip
parents to take the lead in discipling their children and
and Irene Cho meet once again with their we see the Family Worship Guide as a big part of that.”
daughters, Emma (nine) and Sophie (six), Our church is serious about equipping parents to have
for family worship. family worship in the home, providing both training
and a wonderful tool—the Family Worship Guide—as
The Chos are following the Wheaton Bible Church Family a fun and flexible resource that’s easy to use.
Worship Guide Bible lesson from the book of Ruth—plus a
My wife, Kris, and I use it with our teenagers, Nate (15)
little parental creativity using the girls’ Barbie dolls.
and Grace (13). We love the fact that the guide is designed
“Our daughters really look forward to Tuesday nights, and we’ve to coordinate with WBC’s Unified Curriculum.
found consistency and a fun learning environment to be the
Parents can use the guide during the week not only for
key for our family,” said Scott. Like many other WBC families, the
family worship but also to prepare their children to get
Chos have discovered the blessing of regular family worship.
the most out of their Sunday school experience.
“It’s a team effort, and we want our kids to hear the lesson
Fred and Karen Petelle are thankful for the guides, which
first from us and then from the church,” Scott said.
are published roughly every six weeks. Their lives are
very busy with Liam (six), who has special needs, and Lars
(eleven) who is active in karate. They report that the Family
The WBC Unified Curriculum is designed so that Worship Guide “keeps us on track and makes it much easier
all children—kindergarten through high school—will for us to prepare for family worship in a very short time.”
be studying the same Bible lesson each Sunday through
the year. This systematic plan walks through the Bible on Rob Rienow, who writes the guides, believes that “family
a four-year cycle, so a child who attends Sunday school worship is the engine that powers the family.” I totally agree.
at WBC from early childhood through twelfth grade In our own experience and in that of friends, we have seen
will have gone through the Bible three times. God’s Holy Spirit change us and work in new ways through
family worship. Other important family matters—such as
building character, managing your home, reaching your
neighbors for Christ, and more—make sense only when
In addition to the Family Worship Guides, Student Ministries
we do these things in the power of the Holy Spirit.
also provides daily devotional guides for students grades
seven through twelve, following the same Unified Curriculum.

“We all feel closer after spending time together in family When I asked Scott Cho if family worship was having an impact
worship,” Ann Bridgman shared. “It gives us space to discuss on his family, he said “One of my daughters came home from
spiritual truths and how they apply to our life situations.” school after having a very bad day dealing with a difficult kid
Her husband, Jim, agrees. “I don’t think this would’ve and she, not I, went right away to a previous Bible lesson
happened without family worship.” we had in our family worship time. That’s when I knew
it’s making a difference.”
You may have grown up in a home where regular Bible reading,
prayer, and even singing to the Lord with your family were
practiced—and none of this is new to you. But there are others,
including my wife and me, who didn’t grow up in homes where
“The change came when I clearly heard
God’s Word was read and discussed regularly. For us, the habit of
God’s command for me to teach the love
regular family worship is a whole new form of family interaction.
When our kids were young we often had “family night” with
of God and His commands to my children.
”
a Bible lesson, games, and fun, but it never really became a My family’s worship times are far from perfect—and I’ve been
regular habit. As our kids grew older, we still dabbled with confronted with my own need for confession and forgiveness
family nights, but I felt like a failure when we didn’t continue. as I sometimes turn into “Drill Sergeant Dad” during our time
together—but we’re okay with that. We know that God is
The change came when I clearly heard God’s command for
using our family worship to conform us, together, to be
me to teach the love of God and His commands to my children,
more like His Son. n
in Deuteronomy 6:5–7. This challenge is right after what Jesus
calls the greatest commandment—to love the Lord with all
your heart, soul, and strength. But then God gives the first
Dean, a telecommunications engineer with Alcatel-Lucent, loves
specific action step in loving Him in verse 7. And what is spending time with his kids, Nate and Grace, and his wife of 21
that? It’s to teach the love of God and His commands to years, Kris. He attends both Huddle and Saturday Morning Men’s
Bible Study, and is a member of the Foundation Builders Adult
your children at home!
Class. He enjoys encouraging men to go deep into God’s Word
and applying God’s Great Commission Plan for the family.
To me, that means that as great as our pastors, Sunday
school teachers, and youth leaders are, I can’t abdicate
my responsibilities to them. Instead, I need to take the
lead in the spiritual training of my children at home—and
my church is there to support, equip, and cheer me on! building a
SucceSSful
stepfamily
conference
At least 60 percent of
stepfamily marriages
end in divorce.
But you don’t have to be a statistic.
The Annens—Dean, Kris, Nate, and Grace— gather for weeknight prayer
and Bible study.
I asked several other families to share some unexpected

blessings God has given them through family worship.
Our friends Lance and Maureen Robinson shared how
saturday,
their children’s friends have been over during family march 19
worship and what positive experiences those times 8:30 am–4:00 pm
have been. Jill and Brian Braselton periodically give their get more information or register at
children the opportunity to plan and lead family worship. www.wheatonbible.org/Family.

Four People Who Changed My Life Forever
By Marie Allison
I was in the fourth grade when I met four people who changed my life forever:
›A 26-year-old Purple-Heart veteran. ›A 16-year-old girl with an inoperable brain tumor.
›A 22-year-old former drug addict with an illegitimate child.
›A 33-year-old man who gave his life to save all three, and then saved me as well.
G eorge, the veteran, was not a

particularly religious fellow, but he
uttered a prayer the morning his army
Just before Mary’s doctor delivered
the bad news, he shared the Good
News that God loved her and had
If anyone is in Christ, unit headed out on patrol. That day, come, in the person of Jesus Christ,
they were ambushed—the comrades to demonstrate His love and to provide
he is a new creation; on either side of him were mortally a way for her to live forever in heaven.
wounded, and George was shot near
the old has gone, the spine. He crawled out of the swamp
A police officer and his family reached
out to Marcia and her baby. They told her
waters and waited in an abandoned
the new has come! village, where a US helicopter
that nothing she had ever done could
separate her from Christ’s love and that
eventually picked him up.
with Christ she could start all over.
—2 Corinthians 5:17
Mary was a young girl who seemed to
All of these people were family friends.
have her whole life in front of her. She
I heard their stories firsthand, and I saw
thought she would be okay if only she
their lives transformed from hopeless
could get rid of the terrible headaches,
to hopeful. At an early age I realized
but a visit to the doctor confirmed the
that God loves people—no matter
worst. She had only 12 months to live.
what—and He can change lives.
Marcia never said what caused her
Eventually I, too, would lose my way.
to run away from home or how she
My parents’ divorce, the absence
ended up high on acid on the corner
of a father’s presence, the lack of
of Haight and Ashbury in San Francisco,
financial security, and a fearful
not knowing the father of her baby.
future caused me to ponder, There
George, Mary, and Marcia had something has to be more to life than this!
in common. Their lives spun out of
Then I remembered—and took to
control—difficult circumstances, bad
heart—the lesson I had learned as
health, and inner turmoil led the way to
a young girl from George, Mary,
a loss of hope that caused them to think,
and Marcia: God loves me no matter
There has to be more to life than this!
what, and God can change my life.
Then someone told them about a
I turned to Christ. I have journeyed
33-year-old man who could help
with Jesus for many years now. Life
them. His name was Jesus.
has not always been easy. I have not
If you would like to consider or reconsider George’s brother told him about always been faithful, but He has.
a life-changing relationship with Jesus Jesus. At first, George was skeptical,
Christ, please contact Marie Allison or I hope today you will consider, or
any member of our pastoral staff. They
but he saw the change in his brother’s
reconsider, Jesus. He loves you no
would be happy to meet with you as life and started reading the Bible
matter what, and He can change
you journey toward Christ. Marie Allison, for himself. Once his questions were
6308766601, mallison@wheatonbible.org
your life. n
answered, he gave his life to Jesus.

He is
not here;
he has
risen,
just as
he said.
Matthew 28:6
Good Good Friday Good Friday Easter Sunday

April 22 April 22 April 24
9:00–11:30 am or 6:00 pm, Contemporary 8:00 am, Traditional
10:30 am–1:00 pm 7:00 pm, Spanish 9:45 & 11:30 am, Contemporary
Family experience including 8:00 pm, Traditional 9:45 & 11:30 am, Spanish
worship, drama, and a craft.
 For more information, visit www.wheatonbible.org/Easter–2011
A
SUNDAYMONDAYTUESDAYWEDNE
he people wh
on Sunday m
Church every da
men, women, stu
10:04 am Preschool Prayer Time
“They devoted
themselves to
the apostles’
teaching and
to the fellowship,
to the breaking
of bread and
to prayer.”
Acts 2:42
9: 45 am Place for You Bible Study
On Campus
• Three diﬀerent Place4You Bible Studies
• Eight P4Y children’s rooms
• Alpha for Women
• Morning and afternoon Weekday Preschool 10:28 am
• Friends meeting at Gathering Grounds
• Awana Clubs and GEMS Pioneer Club 1 1: 48 am
• Studio 78 junior high worship and games
•
•
Shopping at Chapters bookstore
Contemporary Worship rehearsal
7:1 7 pm Studio
• Iglesia del Pueblo prayer meeting
• EquipU classes and more!
10: 53 am P4Y Small Group

ESDAYTHURSDAYFRIDAYSATURDAY
in the life of Wheaton Bible C hurch
ho worship at WBC are most familiar with what happens around our church campus
morning, but in reality, God is working in and through the people of Wheaton Bible
ay of the week! One of our busiest days comes right in the middle of the week as
udents, and children are loving God, growing together, and reaching the world.
9: 5 9 am Gathering Grounds
7: 23 pm Iglesia
7:37 pm Awana 7: 53 pm T&T
7: 16 pm Worship Rehearsal 6: 5 7 pm GEMS
78 O ff Campus
• 20 high school Core Groups meeting in homes
• Teams serving the homeless with PADS
• Puente del Pueblo Case Management
• Puente del Nino afterschool program
photos by Jon Langham
• VIPS visits to the homebound or in nursing homes

Matters Heart of
the
Insights into Hispanic Ministry / An interview with Iglesia del Pueblo Senior Pastor Al Guerra
Part 2
If the key to understanding a Hispanic person is to understand
Photo by Rich Lanenga

that person’s heart, where do we go to begin to understand
and support our Hispanic ministry, Iglesia del Pueblo?
I believe that what applies to the individual also applies to the
culture. There are four keys to the heart of the Hispanic culture.
Understand those keys, and you understand the basis for
meaningful Hispanic ministry. Those four keys are family,
passion, faith, and celebration.
Family
The first key is a high priority of family. Family comes first.
Advertisers know this. If you look at a TV commercial in Spanish
and the same one in English, the basic content is the same: same
background, same words, same Pepsi, and same Coca-Cola. But
in the English commercial you have a guy and a girl with a car.
In the Hispanic version, you see a guy and a girl, but there also
might be a grandfather, a mother, and a sister. Everybody
is in it. It’s a wider understanding of the family.
In the Hispanic culture the kids are in the home until they
get married, and then they go their own way—but even
then, the married son or daughter thinks on his or her
own terms within the context of the extended family.
We see this not only in the youth but also in old age.
When our grandparents become elderly, you tend
to see the grandmother—and even the great-
On Sunday mornings our English- and Spanish-speaking grandmother—in the home. That is not uncommon.
congregations park next to one another, walk into the
building together, and even share the same spaces. But So one of the sad things for me to see in the United States
sometimes we feel a bit like neighbors who haven’t yet met, with the Hispanic culture is how the rapid waters of this
or like cousins who haven’t seen each other in years—these culture sweep families away from these traditional and
are people we want to know better, but we still feel a little valued patterns. Usually, everybody has to go to work, and
awkward around them. everybody has a different car. That creates havoc with the
concept of the family eating together and being together.
The truth is that Wheaton Bible Church and Iglesia del We don’t manage this well, because in our own countries
Pueblo, our Spanish-speaking congregation, together make the mother always stays home. She’s always inside, and so is
up our church family—a relationship that has existed for her mother. And everybody else’s mother is around too, so
more than 20 years. In this two-part interview with Iglesia’s there is a lot of interaction and support among the women.
Senior Pastor, Al Guerra, we try to take the relationship
to another level by sharing matters of the heart. In the For our church, this understanding of family helps us to
last issue we learned that the key to understanding our structure our worship and makes a difference in how we
Spanish-speaking church family is to examine experiences worship together. If we built our Sunday worship purely
and forces that have shaped their hearts. In this issue upon these Hispanic values, we would have the whole family
we continue the “heart exam” to discover the things together throughout the service. However, because we share
that move their culture and shape their ministry. facilities and recognize other important values, we have created
an experience that tries to honor the dynamic of family, the
—Dave Thomson, Communication Director
family being together before God, because we believe that
God in His promises said you and your house shall be saved.

Passion
The second key to the heart of the Hispanic culture is its
passion. We see that in our friendships, when we hug and
kiss one another. We see it in the way people speak. They
talk louder. They move their hands. The whole person is
involved in a conversation. This is true of Hispanic world
leaders. They all are passionate communicators and speech
makers. We’ve all seen videos of people like Evita Perón of
Argentina and Cuba’s Fidel Castro shouting, speaking, gestur-
ing, and pleading from balconies to huge crowds below.
For Iglesia, our passion is reflected in worship that is

loud, and our preaching is passionate (you might call
it dramatic) storytelling. Just a few of the flags from nations represented within Iglesia's Spanish-speaking congregation.
Faith
Third, the Hispanic culture places an emphasis on matters of
faith and religion—going back to the prominence of the Catho-
lic Church in many Spanish-speaking countries—and Hispanics
hold a very high view of Scripture. God’s Word is respected. In
Cuba, when I was growing up, people would stand up when
the Bible was going to be read. That was and is the case in
most Hispanic countries. And we do that now in our church.
For Iglesia, a high view of Scripture involves more than just

standing when the Bible is read aloud. God’s Word is the
center, the focus, of our church. Preaching, biblical teaching,
and biblical counseling are the heart of our ministry.
Celebration
The fourth key to the heart of the Hispanic culture is celebration.
Everything is a cause of celebration, a time for eating and hav-
Iglesia Worship Leader Sergio Villanueva.
ing fun, and everything is celebrated—childbirth, baptism, and
even death. In our native countries, we would have the body of
a family member who died prepared by the funeral people, and
then the body would stay in the house for three days. And it was
a time of feasting and eating. People would be crying, but they
would be having a good time as well, by just being together.
This idea of celebration shapes our worship. Our worship

is a happy worship—our music is upbeat, reflecting our
passion for God.
And this spills out in people becoming more vocal and more
expressive. It also speaks of our pattern of meeting together
at many different times for celebration in our church. For
example, we celebrate Christmas Eve just like the English-
A group of men at a gathering of Iglesia’s pastors and lay leaders.
speaking congregations, but we also meet to celebrate
on New Year’s Eve.
Another example occurs in January, when we celebrate Three What word should we use to describe Spanish speakers
Kings Day. This holiday is based on what the Bible says about in our congregation or in our communities?
the visit of the wise men, or wealthy rulers, to the home of Jesus
when He was a boy. We celebrate the kings coming on January
6. For many of us, there is no Santa Claus, no milk and cookies
for him, and no gifts under the tree. Instead, gifts are placed
under the children’s beds, and we leave a little pot of water
and some hay outside our front doors, for the kings’ camels.

Our congregation leverages this celebration by giving gifts to Oneness is not likeness. Oneness is found in sharing and in
Photos by Rich Lanenga

children of families in need in the area. We do this not just to a diversity that respects and values the other. Just as Paul
touch the culture but to touch it at its heart. So, for three years says in 1 Corinthians 12, each part is needed and each part
we have gone in teams to homes, knocked on the doors, and has its unique role. Both congregations fulfill the same roles,
delivered gifts. The response is overwhelming. We hear many but those functions are shaped by the experiences—the
sad stories about families that couldn’t celebrate Christmas. heartbeats—of two different groups of people. Those experi-
We also see tears of joy when people receive unexpected ences are different and the language they hear is different.
“Christmas” gifts and are reminded of their cultural tradition.
You not only work through differences with the
The more you share, the more I realize how different our English-speaking congregation, but you also have
congregations are, and yet I realize how much we are the more than 16 nationalities participating in Iglesia del
same when it comes to the basics of faith and discipleship. Pueblo. How do you deal with so much diversity?
You talk about the ministry strategy of “One Body, Two Arms” You’re right—all Spanish speakers are not alike. In fact, as you
to explain this relationship. What should we know about it?
know, not even the Spanish we speak is the same from country
“One Body, Two Arms” explains the relationship of having to country or even village to village. Anybody who just arrives
two cultures together under the same Gospel. in America comes with a set of cultural differences that are
unique to his or her country and region of origin. We eat
Oneness is easily misunderstood. The oneness does not different food. We fight for different things. We speak
come as a result of the Hispanic becoming English. That different ways. We use different words. In light of these
is one arm. The English-speaking side is an arm, and the differences, the way that we minister is to lift up Christ
Spanish-speaking side is another arm. The one body alone. He claims the first loyalty of all nations.
is the ministry/leadership dynamic that takes care of
both arms while recognizing the different cultures. In addition to the multi-ethnicity of our congregation, it is also
critically important to realize that many of us are at different
The two-arms concept works just like it does with our stages in our journeys as immigrants to this country. Take my
physical bodies. We have an arm that is working on one side family, for example. I have a mom and dad who are 1.0s. They
while the other arm could be doing something different, don’t speak English, but they are retired, and they’re living
but it’s still in conjunction with the other arm. Apply that well. They were able to work hard and create a business and
to our church. Both congregations preach the Bible. We’re be successful in it. I, a 1.5, grew up learning Spanish and English
both made in the image of God; we’re all sinners, and we and going to school in English in this country. My first church
all need Christ. Yet the cultural/social beat of our hearts is was an English church. As a 1.5 I’m able to sort of think both
different. Theologically we’re the same, but the heart of the ways and see both points of view. I don’t have as many roots
Hispanic is different from the heart of the English-speaker. as my dad has in the culture, but I have enough of an accent
so that this culture does not embrace me 100 percent, because
Oneness is not likeness. Oneness is found in there’s an awareness about me that says I am from another
country. But I grew up in this country. My son Jonathan, a
sharing and in a diversity that respects and
2.0, went to the English services, participated in Student
values the other. Ministry, went to college, and married an American
girl—and we are thrilled about her and his journey.
This numbering system is very helpful because when I’m

speaking to a 1.0 crowd, if they are older 1.0s, the real 1.0s,
1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 then my experiences with my dad and parents hit home. I’m
speaking to their hearts. When I’m speaking to a 1.5 crowd or
a 2.0 crowd, my young people, then my illustrations and tone
relate more to feelings, and that hits home with that generation.
Gonzalo Pinedo, Aneth Rivera,
and Rebeca Pinedo are “1.0”
members of Iglesia.

You’ve helped us begin to understand the heart of your You’ve got to have
culture and your ministry. However, when speaking about open hands toward
matters of the heart, we cannot ignore the 800-pound gorilla your neighbor; you
that is ever-present in the world, our country, our state, our must love your neighbor
county, and our communities—immigration. Share some as yourself. And He said
ways Hispanic believers see and live with immigration issues.
you must love the alien
Often what’s left out in the immigration debate is the heart as yourself. This is the
of immigration. I think if we will look at the heart of the law of God, an
individual caught up in the realities of immigration, we expression of His
will come to a better understanding of the issue. heart and will.
Jesus also stressed

Immigrant North Star
the importance of Adela and David Ludeña represent both the 1.5
First, we need to look at the immigrant’s heart. The immigrant’s and 2.0 generations.
justice and love
heart is moved by a North Star—a dream, a vision, of providing
for the stranger. In Matthew 25 He says, “I was a stranger
and securing a life that is better for him or her and the family.
and you took me in.” The people who didn’t get it said
This dream is best reflected in The Declaration of Independence. “When did we see you as a stranger?” And the Lord said,
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created “When you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.”
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the Present–Day Application
pursuit of happiness.” It is majestic. When you are outside the Does that apply to us? The United States is not Israel, but from
United States, it is a beacon of hope. With that North Star in the preponderance of Scripture, it is clear that God loves the
their hearts, immigrants—like anyone else—are continually immigrant. He loves the stranger. This is God’s heart. Romans 13
asking “How can I better myself? How can I pursue life? reminds us that God has established all authority, but we also
How can I pursue liberty? How can I pursue happiness?” know that God has a Leviticus 19 heart—the kind of heart that
Every movie, every pop song, every new invention in directed Hebrew midwives to disobey the pharoah’s edict and
America makes the immigrant think, There’s the way save boy babies from death, fearing God more than man. As the
I should follow—north. Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
(Psalm 111:10). We are wise in following God, continuing to try
“ I was a stranger and you took to speak into our government, getting involved in debates, and
speaking God’s heart on this issue of justice for the immigrant.
me in. ” — Matthew 25
Immigration is a daily life issue for Spanish-speakers in our
church, but it’s too easily just another news item for English
Pushes and Pulls speakers. How should we think about it and respond?
In addition to that North Star, there are forces that push a per-
There are two things to consider, and both can be best
son from his country and forces that pull a person into another
understood by thinking of a hospital. In a hospital there
country. For Hispanics, the pull has always been that the United
usually are wards for people who are sick or who have
States is so close—either geographically or through the media.
injuries. The patients are cared for by first seeing a doctor
We visit. We see people. Our media embraces American actors,
who orders a set of tests. Eventually the doctor looks
movies, careers, and stories of people who have come here.
at X-rays, blood analysis, or MRIs and then says that an
operation is necessary. His assistant schedules a surgery
God’s Heart Revealed in Scripture
team, gets a room, orders the supplies, and gives you a
We also must look at God’s heart toward the immigrant.
date for the operation, which could be two months or
Scripture makes it plain: God is for the poor and the stranger.
three months from now. This scenario is happening on
For the Israelites, the laws and regulations considered the
the fourth floor of this hospital.
immigrant. Farmers could not clean a field twice because
they had to leave whatever naturally was left behind for the But if you go to the ground level of the hospital, you have
poor, for the stranger. It’s the story of Ruth and Boaz. She’s the emergency room. The hospital staff in the emergency
in the back of a line of harvesters picking up whatever is room is dealing with people who have broken legs, gunshot
left. That’s tremendous—it brings tears to my eyes. wounds, cuts, heart attacks, and strokes. The doctors are
making quick decisions and urgent demands: “Bring me
The other thing that God commands His people in Leviticus
blood. Get me a transfusion. Give him three ccs. Clear!”
19:32–33 is that they had to treat aliens as the natural born
They are working from moment to moment, moving
and not oppress them. That’s clear. That’s a command. That’s
quickly, dealing with life and death, and are totally
God’s care for the immigrant. When you read Scripture that
engaged for hours.
says, “Do not oppress,” then you see God’s heart to the nation.
God said to the Israelites, you cannot live with hands closed.

I think from God’s perspective there’s an emergency of

immigration issue that calls for heart issues to be considered.
ent
2006 Immigration Statem The heart could stop beating, and we cannot allow that to
Rob
by Pastor Al and Pastor happen. By God’s grace, Wheaton Bible Church has had the
courage and the sensitivity to place an emergency door in
its entrance with this area for ministry. And that emergency
door to Iglesia ministers dynamically to 1.0s and 1.5s. And
with time, those people get to the fourth floor and get to
know the good doctors and set dates for their operations. n
We’re out of space, but certainly not out of topics to discuss

or questions to ask. It is our hope that these two LIFE
articles will begin to open some doors and create paths
for the conversations to continue as we get acquainted
with those who worship right down the hall—brothers
and sisters in Christ who share a love for God’s Word,
a confidence in the same redeeming Savior, and with
whom we’ll share eternity.
After reading this interview, your experience may be a lot
like mine: on many important issues, I feel as if our hearts
beat as one. On other matters, it seems like it may take
nothing less than a transplant to relate effectively. And,
on some things, it is clear that we have different heartbeats
and those paces will never and should never be the same.
We are the body of Christ, wonderfully and uniquely
crafted to be ourselves and to be a unified force for God.
—Dave Thomson
Baptism
Spanish-English
In the immigration debate, there is time for us to calmly

study and work at the political level—that’s our church on
Celebration
the fourth floor. But the church also needs to be in the
emergency room. Families are being deported, breaking
apart. Dreams are being killed. People are being denied
justice. What about God’s law, “Thou shall not oppress the
alien?” In our philosophical statements we are pro-family,
and yet we are looking at families who are being torn apart “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn
or have been injured and left bleeding to death. to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ.” Acts 2:38, NLT
Our church, Iglesia del Pueblo, is in the emergency room. We
have no choice. That is our assignment from God. Our sense
Saturday, April 9, 7:00 pm
of urgency and, if you will, intensity of emotions are not the
same as what you might be experiencing on the fourth floor. West Worship Center
Our patients on the ground floor don’t have the option of
three months from now. We either cut off this patient’s arm For more information, visit
or we put on a tourniquet. What do we do? We resuscitate www.wheatonbible.org/Baptism.
him right now or he’s not going to make it two more hours.
To be part of this joint baptism celebration,
contact Lynne Morris, 630.876.6659,
lmorris@wheatonbible.org.

Letters, Emails, and More from
Our Missionaries!
You will receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes upon you, and you will
be my witnesses, in Jerusalem, in Judea
and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
—Acts 1:8
A Curious Cab Driver

Julia, in her 20’s in the Middle East
I live in a place desperate for light. A snippet of kindness

and joy travels far here. I’ve been surprised by individuals
who approach me to ask in curiosity where my joy and
light could come from. One day I was in a cab, and the
driver looked back to talk to me. Usually, this isn’t cultur-
ally appropriate—we’re taught to stare out the window
and not engage with drivers as a matter of safety and
respect—but you learn to gauge what is appropriate
on a situational basis. When this cab driver began
talking with me, I was pretty intent on ignoring him.
Yet, his words caught me, as he began, “I can tell
that there is something special about
you. You have a light about you. I
can tell that you are religious, that
you have something in you that
is so different from people.
Would you tell me what it is?”
I was able to tell him

what I believe and why.
Later, it made me laugh
because we often try to
orchestrate encounters
and experiences—and
yes, we should always
look for open doors
and plant seeds—but
there is something to
be said about a light
that is upon a hill: it
beckons sojourners in.

Baby Miguel Angel Our Daisy
By Shaw and Sharon Yount, Serving as physicians with By Phil and Jill Aspegren,
Latin America Mission Serving in Costa Rica as the
directors of Casa Viva
Last fall a nine-day-old
baby, Miguel Angel, Little eight-month-old
arrived at the hospital, Daisy came into our Casa
struggling for breath. Viva offices in October for
At a minimum he had what was probably going
pneumonia, a life- to be her last visit with us.
threatening illness for a This was the day we were going to turn
newborn. We gave him all this little life over to her new adoptive family.
the standard and even some not-so-standard treatments, trying In a country where family-based care is a completely
to save his life. Despite these, and after more than two weeks, new concept, this was a great achievement. In the past,
Miguel Angel deteriorated to the point of needing a ventila- the child-welfare department would have removed Daisy
tor, something we do not have. We had to choose between from the Casa Viva home to a “pre-adoptive children’s home”
letting him die and taking on the responsibility of becoming for months before the adoption was finalized. But this time
human ventilators. Our nursing staff was already stretched. our Daisy went straight from a loving Casa Viva family to an
At this point we looked around and, to our surprise, identified adoptive home where her life will continue to be shaped
five visiting nurses—here not to do nursing but to serve on by the connections of family. Praise God!
construction teams. Two of these were labor-and-delivery The Casa Viva family who cared for Daisy wrote a letter
nurses accustomed to small newborns. I’m not sure we’ve to her new parents describing what she likes to eat and
ever had five extra nurses; it must have been the Lord’s tim- drink, how she falls asleep, how to warm the milk. . . .
ing. They all wanted to help. Because of this we were able to What a rich inheritance Daisy has already received in
intubate this baby (put a tube into his windpipe) this life—the inheritance of being known.
and set up shifts for squeezing a bag of oxygen
into his little lungs, hour by hour, day after day. Casa Viva exists for children like Daisy.
Even our 14-year-old Jenna had some time after
school studies to help little Miguel, and she came Learn more about Casa Viva on their website: www.casaviva.org.
away from the experience saying she might
want to be a pediatric intensive-care nurse. I believe miracles happen daily, many
One by one our nurses returned to the States. Still little Miguel of which we are completely unaware.
needed us to breathe for him. Then one morning he pulled
out his own tube. Without the needed nurses and without Simply Being Who We Are
other options to offer, we decided to let him go. Once again Kent and Yuko Muhling, serving with Asian Access in Japan
we notified all the missionaries by radio that we were in urgent
need of prayer for this baby. Then we put him into his parents’ Our family’s lifestyle intrigued Mitch, a young Japanese man
arms, and directly into the hands of our heavenly Father. We whom Kent met recently. His first evening in our home, he was
had exhausted what we could do, and it was not enough. surprised to learn that we invest the time to home school our
son (a very rare thing in Japan). He questioned us about the
As little Miguel lay in his father’s arms, we watched the monitor pictures hanging above the dining table, and we explained that
measuring the oxygen in his blood. We expected it to drop and the pictures were of three orphaned children in the Philippines
the heart rate to follow soon after. For the next hour this little and Ukraine that we support. As the evening went on, Mitch
guy continued to breathe on his own, and the oxygen level caught other glimpses that we as a family don’t simply live for
in his blood actually rose! Instead of having a funeral, ourselves, but that we love others. Mitch commented, “I realized
we celebrated. tonight that I’ve been living a completely self-centered life.”
I believe miracles happen daily, many of which we are The next time he came over, Mitch noticed Yuko’s Japanese
completely unaware. There are times, however, when a Bible sitting open on the coffee table, and he asked to see
miracle is so obvious that even the greatest skeptic must it. That opened the door for a long conversation about all
pause and take note, so big that we are overwhelmed sorts of topics. We were able to talk with him about God,
and know our prayers have been answered. Miguel Angel creation, sin, and new life in Christ. Towards the end of
is one such miracle. We sent him home last week! that second visit Mitch said, “If I understood a little more I
think I would believe, too.” Please pray that God will reveal
Love in Christ from us all,
Himself to Mitch through our growing friendship as we
Shaw and Sharon Yount
simply be who we are—a family who knows Jesus.

Distributing Bibles in Greece Leaving Brazil for Now
By Dan Bostrom, Serving in North America as By Dave Kornfield, One Challenge International
Executive Director of Hellenic Ministries Note: Dave and Debbie Kornfield have lived in São Paulo for over
With our faith rooted 20 years, raising their 4 children and developing and ministering to
networks of pastors. In spite of daunting struggles with their daughter
firmly in the Lord, our Karis’ health in recent years, this has also been a fruitful season of
plan is to distribute ministry growth—even as the family has commuted back and forth
God’s Word to all of from Brazil to the US to support Karis through an intestinal transplant
rural Greece, with the and ongoing medical complications that have taken her in and out of
ongoing plan to reach the hospital over these past seven years. Recently Dave and Debbie
made the decision to pull up stakes in São Paulo and move to be with
urban Greece in the their daughter near the transplant hospital in Pittsburgh where she
future. Every year this continues to be treated. Dave plans to continue to travel to pastors
project, named Opera- conferences in Brazil. They share the following report of their transition.
tion Joshua, has grown, taking us out of our comfort zones and
2010 has been a year of leaving
into something larger than ourselves. In 2008, Operation Joshua
Brazil, transitioning back to the US.
worked with 80 volunteers to distribute 40,000 New Testaments.
Debbie was with me for two and a
In 2009, we worked with 150 people to distribute 50,000 New
half weeks at the end of October to
Testaments. And in 2010, Operation Joshua worked with 200
help sort things out, pack, and sell.
people to distribute 60,000 New Testaments. Next year we
would like to work with 300 people to distribute 130,000 Our neighbors came together in our
New Testaments. home on a Sunday afternoon during
those weeks, and we had a marvelous
Not long ago a woman called our Athens office. She had received
time of remembering our 19 years together, including
a New Testament at her summer house and wanted more
neighborhood children participating in a Bible club with Deb
information. As a result of that conversation, one of our staff
in our garage—up to 50 kids at times! We also talked about
members invited her to our House of Worship, a biweekly wor-
the time when a neighbor was killed half a block away in an
ship event we facilitate. She attended with her 12-year-old son.
argument and how God used that to begin an evangelistic
Our distribution thus far has mainly been in the Peloponnese, home Bible study based on the subject of friendship. Ten people
about three or four hours away from Athens, so we’ve never came to know the Lord! As we moved from home to home
seen the fruit of our labor, merely heard about it. and the neighbors gained real ownership of it as “their group,”
they started inviting others to it. Studies done in that context
What an encouragement from the Lord to see this woman ended up being published as booklets and used around Brazil.
join in our worship with her son!
Some 25 of us ended in a prayer circle, thanking God for the
good years He gave us and handing our future over to Him. n
For more about this ministry, visit their website: www.hellenicministries.com.
Learn more about this ministry by visiting the Supporting Ministries

Global Outreach Center for Pastors and Churches' website: Pastoring of Pastors.org
Stop by and see current photos of our missionary families.
Every few weeks a different continent will be featured.

God’s Letters
By Jim Judge
In the glow of candlelight

across a dinner table,
Alice Davis is telling stories
about her 45 years of service
with Wycliffe Bible Translators.
What strikes you first about In 1966 Alice set sail for South Asia. Her first assignment: India.
her is that she is ageless and
After two and a half years in India, Alice was forced to move
so very much alive. If you were
to another area of South Asia and there began work in transla-
to close your eyes, you would
tion in the Maithili language—a language spoken by more
Retired WBC missionary Alice Davis think she was twenty years old.
than 30 million people in the world today. This language
She speaks with the perfect diction one would expect is written in a different alphabet altogether that is called
from someone who after a lifetime of handling words as Devanagari, the literal translation of which is “God’s letters.”
her everyday business has learned to respect them. She is
Five years after beginning this work, visa issues again forced
tall and looks as if she just might be related to Katherine
Alice to leave, with the work unfinished. Upon leaving
Hepburn. Everything about her seems to speak grace.
the Maithili work in 1980, Alice suffered a time of great
Although Alice was reared in Wheaton, she is just now coming discouragement, as it appeared that each time she tried
to set up house here for the first time in her adult life. Alice lost to join the work on the “front lines,” the door would close.
her father in World War II, and subsequently her mother bought
It was then that she began to work in Wycliffe’s home office in
a house in Wheaton big enough to allow them to rent rooms
the United States, and there she took up computer-typesetting
to students, which helped support them. Her family made
in Dallas for a non-Roman alphabet. In this she assisted eleven
Wheaton Bible Church their home, her mother being among
other translation teams in publishing New Testaments. In 1988,
its earliest members. Alice says that the frequent missionaries
when technology advanced to desktop publishing, Alice moved
her family had as guests—and the strong missions value that
her desk to England to assist the South Asia office in between
was part of the church—had an impact on her early in life.
working on New Testaments. Throughout this time she served
She eventually graduated from Wheaton College and after grad- on committees: executive, constitutional, technical studies
uating, taught school for two years, but it wasn’t very long before and publications, including archiving.
she sensed discontent beginning to bubble up in her spirit.
In 2004, almost 40 years after her first trip to South Asia,
She had a feeling that God had some other work for her to do.
Alice returned to help in finalizing the Maithili New Testament,
Often when God leads people to make a major change in their which was published in April 2010. God’s timing was perfect.
lives, there is a sense of both push and pull. A pushing away,
Back in 1980, when Alice’s work there was forced to stop, there
a discomfort with what is now, comes with a pull, a drawing
were very few believers among the Maithili-speaking people.
toward what is next. But in Alice’s case, as a young woman in her
By 2004, things had changed. Now there is a young and growing
mid twenties, there was no clear pull toward something specific.
church who received their first copy of God’s Word in their
It was at this point that friends spoke to her about Wycliffe own language with great joy. At last, God’s Word written in
Bible Translators, and before long the pull began to become God’s letters!
clear. She spent a winter at “jungle camp” in Mexico, Wycliffe’s
Alice felt this was a good point to move into the next phase
equivalent to army boot camp for new recruits. Her first
of her life in ministry, and as she returns to us here at WBC,
assignment—go butcher that cow over there! By the end
she is looking forward to what lies ahead. n
of that summer she knew Wycliffe was her next step.
Wycliffe takes very seriously the words of Romans 10:14: “How As Alice settles into life in the western suburbs, she is exploring ways of
can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? connecting with those from the Maithili people group and other South
And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about Asians who live in our area. (She has learned that more than 200 Maithili
him?” (NLT, emphasis added). Seeing the Bible translated into men and women live in Illinois.) If you share her desire to reach out to
South Asians, please contact the Global Outreach team and let us know.
every language is their goal, so that all might both hear and
then call on the God of the universe.
Wycliffe typically will enter an area, identify language groups Jim Judge is a member of WBC’s Heart for AIDS Leadership Team,
with no written translation of the Bible, and then send teacher for the Covenant Adult Class. Jim works as the Medical
Director of Loyola’s Family Medicine Clinic in Maywood, Illinois
missionaries with strong linguistic training to start the and is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the Stritch
laborious process of translation. School of Medicine.

Should You Enroll in
Financial Peace University?
By Kimberly J. Koenig
The financial picture for many families is one filled with stress. What has God done in your life through
this course?
Living beyond our paychecks, we find ourselves with ever-higher
• Caused me to praise Him for
consumer debt and lower savings levels. We have no emergency my blessings
funds for rainy days, yet we all know the rain eventually will come. • Given hope for the future
• Changed my whole attitude about
Could you imagine life free of the bondage of debt? This is financial peace. credit and giving my resources
What I’ve come to realize through Financial Peace University is that money is a heart over to Him
issue. Many of us use money as comfort, aloe for our wounds. We feel good when we
• Showed me that I can pay off
treat ourselves—instant gratification. However, maturity is learning to delay pleasure,
a mortgage that I had thought
to give up the lesser thing for the greater good. We must desire that God transform
I would have all my life
our heart’s attitude regarding money so that we use our money for the greatest
good of the everlasting Kingdom of God. • Given me hope that I can
get out of debt
For more than 100 individuals and couples, Financial Peace University (FPU) at Wheaton
• Opened my heart to give more
Bible Church has been a safe place to learn foundational concepts that have helped
us let go of our fear of money and discover the tools needed to adjust our core beliefs • Made me dependent on Him for
regarding money. every financial decision and provided
in amazing ways.
Through a thirteen-week program, people have learned how to dump their debt, get
• Helped me to realize the impact peace
control of their money, and learn new behaviors around money—behaviors based
in this area can have on all other areas.
on commitment and accountability. The program lessons include saving, budgeting,
dumping debt, insurance, investing, retirement planning, mortgages, and giving. • Reminded me that it is not
my money but His.
Classes begin with videotaped teaching on the week’s lesson as members follow
• Shown me that He is trustworthy when
along in the workbook. Then there’s a half hour in small break-out groups—many
it comes to my finances and that to be
people’s favorite part of the night—to discuss the lesson.
successful and have peace, I will have
In WBC’s first Financial Peace class, I was blessed to hear from members who, by to let go and trust Him.
the last day of class, were able to save the recommended $1,000 in their emergency • Better communication in financial
funds, were following their plans matters, which has helped in all
to be debt free, and were using other areas of our marriage.
cash—not credit cards—to
pay for necessities. • Shown me His grace—He has given
us a second chance to do things right!
I saw them standing taller,
• Prepared me for retirement
empowered and filled with
hope for their futures as they
What are your three biggest take-aways?
moved along the road to
financial peace. n • Need for an emergency fund
• Kids can pay for their own college.
Julie and JR Smith, Kim Koenig, Bob • You can change your family’s future!
and Pat Polock, Kathi Hoisington, Kris
and Bob Malandruccolo celebrate their • Financial freedom is worth working for.
“graduation” from Financial Peace
University. • Save, save, save.
• Debt is not an option.
Kim Koenig has attended WBC for 2 years. She values her involvement in the Bridges Adult Class and
• Pay off small debts first
Place 4 You Women’s Bible study, and encourages other to find places to get connected within the church, in debt snowball.
where they can use their gifts and talents.

CHURCH FINANCES, by Scott Landon
Director of Finance and Administration I recently cam
e across this va
from “10 Basic luable insight
Steps to Christia
by Campus Cr n Maturity”
usade for Chris
it say to you ab t. What does
The Stewardship
out how God w
serve the chur ants us to
ch and serve on
e another?
of Our Time Stewardship of Our Time

Although the value of your service to Wheaton › Does the principle of tithing apply equally to
Bible Church is not spelled out in our financial our time as it does to our money?
statements, those hours of volunteer effort › How much of our time should we set aside for
represent an asset of incalculable worth! In fact, the work of the Lord each week?
in the notes that accompany the annual financial › How are you using the time God has given you?
statements we submit to our independent auditing Time is the heritage of every person. Whether a king or
a street sweeper, an astronomer or a truck driver, a business
firm, we include the following information: tycoon or a grocery clerk, each of us has the same number
of hours.
A substantial number of individuals regularly provide
Many necessities and opportunities demand much of our
voluntary services to WBC ministries. These services
day. Our work takes up a large percentage of our life.
have a significant impact on making the ministry Being a good husband or wife, father or mother, employer
effective. However, the value of these services is not or employee requires time.
reflected in the financial statements because they As Christians, we have spiritual priorities as well. How many
do not meet the necessary accounting criteria. hours or days in a month should we set aside for evangelism
and discipleship and the ministries of our church? What
The contribution of time, by many different individuals, is what about caring for the poor, the orphans, and widows, as
makes our ministries possible. And even more important, it is God’s Word commands (James 1:27; Galatians 2:10)?
the means by which God is building up the body of Christ. As
each of us uses the gifts He has given to us, we are fulfilling With all these tasks competing for our time, how can
God’s plan for His Church—living out the truth of what we we balance our responsibilities to fulfill our temporal
recently studied together in Ephesians 4:11–13, where we read and spiritual duties?
about the role God gave to evangelists, pastors, and teachers As a good steward, you must manage your time wisely.
of preparing God’s people for works of service, “so that the body Let me suggest a way to accomplish this task that
of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith Christians seldom consider today—tithing your time.
and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, Tithing reflects a thankful, obedient attitude and acknowl-
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” edges God as the source and owner of all that we possess.
A voluntary act of worship, tithing teaches us to put God
As Pastor Rob reminds us periodically, “We do not go to church; first. A faithful steward serves because he has such a heart
we are the church.” What does that look like? We are the church for God. As we have seen, everything we have is a gift
as we greet guests, teach classes, sit with the sick and the from God. Every second of every minute, every minute
sorrowing, serve Communion, check in library books, hold of every hour, twenty-four hours a day belong to Him.
Although God’s Word does not specifically require
babies, share the Good News—giving ourselves in words and
us to tithe our time, our Lord did command us to put
acts of serving in Jesus’ name. Thank you for your willingness Him first in all things (Matthew 6:31–33). Giving back a
to be the church and give back to God—in service of Kingdom percentage of our time enables us to give God priority
significance—a portion of the time He has allotted to you! n and assurance that we will fulfill our service to Him. n
WBCDirect can save you time, and also benefits
Simplify Your the church—requiring less time of our volunteers

and staff to process the gifts, even as we benefit
Giving
from the continuity of consistent giving.
› Check out this free service.

Have questions? Call the church, 630.260.1600,
email financedept@wheatonbible.org, or learn
more at www.wheatonbible.org/Ways_to_Give.

ELDER PROFILE: Lee Lewis
How long have you been a member of Wheaton Bible

Church? Tell us why and how?

My parents attended Wheaton Bible Church when I was born,
and I have attended my whole life—starting with the Cradle
Roll (nursery). I think the church was still using parchment
scrolls to record membership when I became a member.
Describe a favorite WBC memory.

When my wife, Nancy, and I were young marrieds back
in the 1970s, we were very involved in the high school
ministry of the church. At one point—when the group
was a lot smaller than it is today—the church was
between youth pastors, and the responsibility for
the ministry was in our hands. It was a great time
of growth in our lives as we were developing
relationships with kids.
How long have you been an Elder?

I am two and a half years into my first term as an Elder.
Tell us about any memorable experiences.

The church is doing a good job of providing stories from
the pulpit and in other publications, such as LIFE, of what Lee Lewis in WBC's Global Outreach Center.
is happening in the church, yet there is so much good Tell us about your growing–up years.
happening that it cannot all be told. Being able to read
I grew up here in Wheaton, the second son of four children.
the ministry reports for our monthly Elder meetings has
My parents—who are now in heaven—both attended
given me a much greater insight into the quality of the
Wheaton College, and they settled here when they
pastoral and staff leadership of the church. These reports
were married.
also highlight the impact the people of WBC are having in
the lives of their friends and families. I see the mission of Describe your family.
the church—Loving God, Growing Together, Reaching the Nancy and I have lived in Wheaton since we were married in
World—becoming organic in so many people here at WBC. 1973. We met while we were students at Taylor University. We
How and when did you accept Christ as your Savior? have two married daughters and five grandchildren, all living
here in Wheaton. We consider it a real blessing to be close to
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior as a very young boy,
our family and realize this is not the norm in today’s world.
sitting on the family-room sofa with my mother after watching
a Billy Graham crusade on television. I had many questions that Tell us something about you not many people know.
she was able to answer, and that began my spiritual journey with Nancy and I spent three years—from mid-2004 to mid-2007—
Jesus. Allowing Jesus to be the Lord of my life has been a longer as full-time missionaries in the Dominican Republic, working
process. There are so many situations where I still want to be in with Kids Alive International to rescue children at risk. We
control of my life and yet realize that I am not in control and I were involved in the construction of a new orphanage in
need to rely totally on the goodness and sovereignty of God. the city of Constanza. Our job was to host work teams and
Favorite Scripture verses? oversee the construction process. We had more than 45 teams
come down (at least 10 of those had some connection to
Sorry, I cannot boil the whole of Scripture down to “a” favorite
WBC), comprised of more than 600 people. I was on a leave of
verse. There are too many topics. Since I came to know Christ
absence from IBM during those three years. It was the hardest
very young, I think the simplicity of the Gospel presented
and at the same time, the most rewarding experience I have
in John 3:16 has always been a favorite: “God so loved the
had. Being able to see firsthand the difference the body of
world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
Christ can make in the physical as well as spiritual lives of
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” First
children is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Corinthians 10:13 captures where I have put my hope as I
struggle to live a life pleasing to my Lord and Savior: “No If you could speak with each member of the
temptation has seized you except what is common to man. congregation, what would you ask or say?
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond I love the mission of our church. Try to focus on each
what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also aspect of it every day: Love God, Grow Together,
provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” Reach the World. Enough said. n

BOARD OF ELDERS MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Each month’s Board of Elders meeting includes updates on matters of concern and interest and staff
reports. For this issue of LIFE, I am sharing highlights of a few of those that best represent both God’s hand on our
ministries and the range of topics and issues that the Board addresses. My hope is that these will encourage you
in your walk of faith and energize your prayers for our church.
Jim Goetz, Chairman, Board of Elders
FEBRUARY 8 MEETING 2010 Financial Report and 2011 Budget

One Body Update Giving to our General and Hispanic Ministry Funds totaled
$9.1 million. In addition, we received $700,000 for other
Iglesia del Pueblo Senior Pastor Al Guerra explained our “one body,
mission projects and trips, and $130,000 in Caring Funds.
two arms” ministry model or structure that our Spanish-speaking
Total 2010 giving was $10.1 million. This was the sixth
and English-speaking congregations follow. Each congregation
consecutive year our contributions have exceeded
is an arm and, like the arms on our bodies, they can be working
$10 million.
together while performing different functions, or they can be
moving in the same direction to complete a task. Each arm is Although giving to Ministry Funds fell $212,000 (2.3 percent)
joined to the same body, one body. The body symbolizes short of our approved budget, we spent significantly less than
those core beliefs and values that we share. planned on capital projects and contingency expenses, and most
ministries spent less than budget. These factors enabled us to
In the past few years there has been a growing desire in both
end the year in the black, with revenue exceeding expenses.
congregations to find more moments to capture and celebrate
our oneness. After exploring the possibilities further, we wanted We begin 2011 in a stronger financial position than one year ago.
to elevate expressions of oneness that were authentically related We made $328,000 of principal payments on our loan, increased
to the Gospel and the foundational elements of our faith. our operating reserves, and have increased resources available
for our three churchwide mission initiatives: Puente del Pueblo,
Therefore, this year we’ll be making our oneness visible with two
Heart for AIDS, and MOVE.
events in the life of our church. On Saturday night, April 9, both
congregations will join together for a baptism celebration. For 2011, we are striving to keep our ministry costs at about
Then, on Sunday morning, September 11, a Communion Sunday, the same level as 2010 budget. Based on the results of 2010,
we’ll worship together with a focus on seeking God’s blessing the proposed budget reflects the expectation of a 3 percent
on the upcoming ministry year. increase in giving over last year’s actual donations. We also are
faced with rising operating costs, so we reviewed our expenses
and identified additional cost-reduction opportunities for 2011.
JANUARY 11 MEETING Ministry Funds expenses are increasing over 2010 actual due
Cape Town 2010: The Third Lausanne Congress on Evangelism primarily to (1) personnel costs (health insurance and pay adjust-
Since they began in 1974, the purpose of the Lausanne Congresses ments); (2) three additional montshs of loan-principal payments;
has been to clarify our calling as Christians in the world. Last October, and (3) capital projects that were placed on hold in 2010.
an astounding assembly of Christ’s global church, 5,000 delegates As we begin 2011, we are buoyed by God’s presence in our
from 200 countries around the world, came together for the third ministries and challenged to more fully grasp the radical
major Congress. Those delegates included five WBCers, the second faith and generosity set before us in the book of Ephesians.
largest contingent from a church:James Misner, Pastor of Global
Mobilization; Lon Allison, who was a member of the Lausanne
Planning Group; Marie Allison, Director of Evangelism and NOVEMBER 9 MEETING
Connect Ministries; Dr. Samuel Naaman, member of the WBC Local Impact Ministry Report
Global Executive Team; and Cindy Judge, Global Outreach
Chris McElwee and Hanibal Rodriguez, who lead our local-impact
Associate.
efforts for the English- and Spanish-speaking congregations, shared
Delegates were impacted by the reality that God is on the move ministry highlights. At the beginning of January, when Hispanics
among the nations. It was apparent through the testimonies from celebrate Three Kings Day, Iglesia families will deliver gifts to 50–60
every continent that He is working in amazing ways in the new families. We once again allowed the Mexican Consulate to use our
millennium. Our team members also praised the opportunity to facilities to offer services to DuPage County Mexicans for one day,
to meet with other delegates in small groups of six individuals and, as usual, it was well received. In addition, about 150 Iglesia
intentionally chosen from every continent. For example, Cindy members were among the 1,400 volunteers who participated in the
Judge’s group included persons from Burundi, India, Thailand, Feed My Starving Children meal packing event. More than 270,000
Ireland, Australia, and the US. meals were packed. The Puente del Pueblo afterschool program
serves 78 children, has two new teachers, involves 40 tutors, and
The team encouraged us to view and listen to all the Capetown
has a waiting list. In addition to working with immigrants, refugees,
sessions on the website www.lausanne.org. The www.wheatonbible.org
and volunteers, Chris also serves on two West Chicago community
“Global Outreach” homepage provides links to selected favorite
panels, one of them the West Chicago Public Services Leadership. n
presentations.

When is the indoor playground, When is Gathering Grounds open? Where is the Lost and Found?
the Play Zone, open? • Wednesday, 9:00 am–1:00 pm, • The Lost and Found is located
• Monday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm and 6:00–9:00 pm in a large cabinet on the main
• Tuesday–Friday, 8:00–9:30 am, • Sunday, 7:00 am–2:00 pm level to the right of the Children’s
11:30 am–1:00 pm, 3:00–5:00 pm Ministry Welcome Desk.
I wasn’t here on Sunday. How • Also at the main Welcome Desk
• Saturday, 8:00 am–12:00 pm
can I make an offering? in the atrium.
• Sunday, closed
• There is a drop-box slot in
• Parental supervision and the atrium wall. It is next to the I wasn’t here on Sunday. How
socks required. West Worship Center doors and can I listen to the sermon?
to the right of the Visitor Center. • You can listen to Sunday sermons,
What are the Library and
DVD Corner hours? • You can also give online at subscribe to podcasts, download
www.wheatonbible.org/Online_Giving. MP3 files of sermons, and access
• The Library is open when
sermon PowerPoint notes and
the building is open. When is the Prayer Tower open? Daily Devotionals at
• The DVD Corner is open Sunday • The Prayer Tower is available www.wheatonbible.org/Sermons_Online.
and Wednesday mornings. when the building is open.
For answers to other questions, call
When is Chapters, the bookstore, open? the Welcome Desk, 630.260.1600.
• Monday–Friday,
9:00 am–2:00 pm
• Wednesday, 6:30–9:00 pm
• Sunday, 7:30 am–2:00 pm Looking for your March–to–May calendar pages? Find them online
at wheatonbible.org/calendar—ready to view or download and print!
FAQ/Contact
Adult Ministry Funerals Men’s Ministry
• Sunday Adult Classes Caroljoy Spensley, 630.876.6635 Pam Moore, 630.876.6627
• College Ministry cjspensley@wheatonbible.org pmoore@wheatonbible.org
• Young Adult Getting Connected Preschool—Weekdays
• Singles 35+ Lynne Morris, 630.876.6659 Esther Erickson, 630.876.6674
Rhonda Ford, 630.876.6610 connect@wheatonbible.org eerickson@wheatonbible.org
rford@wheatonbible.org Global Outreach Puente del Pueblo
Baptism • GO Teams Eileen Carapia, 630.876.6633
Lynne Morris, 630.876.6659 • Heart for AIDS ecarapia@wheatonbible.org
connect@wheatonbible.org • MOVE Initiative Scheduling a Room
Chapters Bookstore Susan Wegner, 630.876.6685 Judi Gillison, 630.876.6612
Sally Wirth, 630.876.6673 globaloutreach@wheatonbible.org jgillison@wheatonbible.org
chapters@wheatonbible.org Iglesia del Pueblo Student Ministry
Children’s Ministry Rosa Matos, 630.876.6623 Kristin DeMerchant, 630.876.6650
Pam Moore, 630.876.6627 rmatos@wheatonbible.org studentministries@wheatonbible.org
pmoore@wheatonbible.org Low Income Legal Aid Support Groups
Church Finance/Giving Administer Justice, 1.877.778.6006 Andrew Flores , 630.260.1600
Augustine Gilmore, 630.876.6613 help@administerjustice.org aflores@wheatonbible.org
financedept@wheatonbible.org Library Volunteering
Communication Judi Turek, 630.876.6671 Rhonda Ford, 630.876.6610
Dave Thomson, 630.876.6642 library@wheatonbible.org rford@wheatonbible.org
dthomson@wheatonbible.org Local Impact Weddings
Community Groups Eileen Carapia, 630.876.6633 Judi Gillison, 630.876.6612
Rhonda Ford, 630.876.6610 ecarapia@wheatonbible.org jgillison@wheatonbible.org
rford@wheatonbible.org Maturing Adults Women’s Ministry
EquipU Andrew Flores, 630.260.1600 Becky Anderson, 630.876.6602
Topical discipleship and instruction aflores@wheatonbible.org women@wheatonbible.org
Katie Labosier, 630.876.6628 Membership Worship and Creative Arts
klabosier@wheatonbible.org Caroljoy Spensley, 630.876.6635
Lynne Morris, 630.876.6659
Family Ministry connect@wheatonbible.org cjspensley@wheatonbible.org
Pam Moore, 630.876.6627
pmoore@wheatonbible.org

2011
One day to build bridges and love into our community
Saturday, May 14
For more information or to register,
visit www.CarefestDupage.com

LIFE at WBC Spring 2011 Issue 7

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Lov e Go d, G r ow To g e t h er , R e ach t h e Wo r ld

Spring 2011 | Issue 07

In the pages of this issue of LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church,

This is the beauty of the Church as God intends it—people

May God deliver us from a self-indulgent faith so that we

In His matchless grace,

We want to hear from you.

13 Four People Who Changed

17 Matters of the Heart, Part 2.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears

wbc MISSION Nancy Langham, Editor

contact info inside the back cover to reach out to someone

3 LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church | Spring 2011

Ready to EXPLORE community

Ready for membership and

Sign up for Belong@WBC, a two-part membership seminar,

For more information or to register, contact Lynne Morris,

Spring 2011 | LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church 4

Calling men into fellowship

a matter of weeks since he came to faith in Christ—bowing

5 LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church | Spring 2011

Karl, started coming to the Huddle a few months ago. He and

The stated goal of the men’s ministry program at Wheaton

“Men need to have other men to talk with,” Karl said. He

God is working through that process to change lives every

Spiritual gifts: What am I gifted to do?

“Your ministry will be most effective and fulfilling

Spring 2011 | LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church 6

I closed my eyes, envisioned the words in the verse above, and

This scenario was quickly repeated, some accepted, some

GENOA, Italy — It was 5:30 am, and the sun had

7 LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church | Spring 2011

Manhattan has been one of the most humbling

Ciao from Italy! Assalam alaikum! We

CHICAGO—Serving the Community

Monday. For morning work projects, we have

outside. [Later] students grabbed their lunches, including

Janae Morris and Becca Martin [adult leaders]

Spring 2011 | LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church 8

photo by Jon Langham

“Catching the 4:40 pm train from Wheaton to Chicago became

9 LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church | Spring 2011

Spring 2011 | LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church 10

11 LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church | Spring 2011

I asked several other families to share some unexpected

Spring 2011 | LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church 12

G eorge, the veteran, was not a

13 LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church | Spring 2011

Good Good Friday Good Friday Easter Sunday

10:04 am Preschool Prayer Time

10: 53 am P4Y Small Group

7:37 pm Awana 7: 53 pm T&T

7: 16 pm Worship Rehearsal 6: 5 7 pm GEMS

• VIPS visits to the homebound or in nursing homes

If the key to understanding a Hispanic person is to understand

Photo by Rich Lanenga

17 LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church | Spring 2011

For Iglesia, our passion is reflected in worship that is

For Iglesia, a high view of Scripture involves more than just

This idea of celebration shapes our worship. Our worship

Spring 2011 | LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church 18

Photos by Rich Lanenga

This numbering system is very helpful because when I’m

19 LIFE at Wheaton Bible Church | Spring 2011