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Why do we dedicate time and energy to a vacation bible school program every June? I would say that the primary purpose of inviting kids in our community to our church every summer is to share the gospel with them and in most cases disciple them in our faith. We are simply being obedient to Christ’s call to go and tell the world about Him. By doing this we demonstrate that we love our neighbors. And plus, it is such a fun week for everyone involved. It is like a week-long party for kids and volunteers. 

Which brings me to one of the great benefits of being a volunteer at VBS- Christian fellowship. Our Heavenly Father weaves so many good things together when He calls us to a common purpose for the sake of His kingdom. There is certainly a lot of volunteer man hours that are required to run VBS- many of you are well aware of it. The thing is though, that most hours are spent working alongside others and it is a beautiful thing to experience. It is in the praying, the planning, the painting, directing and various other “ings”, that are accomplished alongside your brother and sister in Christ, young and old, that the unifying work of God’s Spirit finds a joyful expression.  It is not an exaggeration to say acquaintances grow to respect one another, coworkers become partners and strangers become friends. It is a beautiful thing that the Lord does in the hearts of all of us who volunteer. But don’t take it from me only, here is a sampling of testimonials from some who participated this year…

“Being a first-time volunteer for VBS, I was not certain what to expect or what I was getting myself into. It was even scary thinking that God would want me to be part of such a special event in the lives of the kids attending. What a responsibility!

The work and building part I was comfortable with, having prior construction experience. But leading them and teaching? And God’s word! Wow. Stepping into unknown territory for me.

But He planned for my participation in this a long time ago. Trusting Him through guidance from the Holy Spirit was the only way I could accomplish this.

I intended for all of the blessings during this week to be for the kiddos. But boy was I surprised. I saw so many workers and parents feeling God's love.

Throughout the week, especially day 1, I came out of my shell and let these beautiful children and young men and women transform my heart.

Their joy to lead them and commitment to bring them the word of God was incredible. And the dedication of the entire team made it all so very special.

I am beyond words in how thankful I am for the Lord to bring me into this wonderful work. I am blessed to have been a part, and look forward to the years ahead.”

Roger Comstock

“My name is Mary Robertson and this year for VBS I was helping Mr. Pete Feldner and Isabela Talamantes with the fifth and sixth graders. I learned a lot and built a stronger relationship with Bela. We had a lot of fun together working with the fifth and sixth graders and being on the drama team. I was really happy because I actually made another friend!

I think I benefited from this year’s VBS in many ways. The main way was there were some points that were made about Christ when he was a child that I really hadn’t thought about before. I was grateful when Mr. Talamantes put Bela and I on the same team this year.”

Mary Robertson

“I volunteered for VBS with the dream of bringing kids to Christ. The whole week of VBS really impacted how I look at kids and the body of Christ. Throughout the week I got teary-eyed quite a few times, seeing kids (especially the kids in my class who were 4-6 years old) praising God with all their little hearts.

I saw a change in their attitudes about Christ. The first day they were very quiet and shy, many of them didn’t sing or dance. The excitement progressed through the week and one of my little girls had one of the songs stuck in her head and was singing it with all her heart. Seeing the pictures of VBS at the end of the week, I saw such joy and excitement in their faces.

The Lord has been bringing me to ministry and after VBS I felt him calling me toward sharing his light with kids in particular. The Lord commands us to be a light in the darkness of the world and through VBS I could see all the volunteers being that light. Seeing the joy and excitement in my kids’ faces praising the Lord, brought me so much joy and happiness. Serving the Lord and sharing Christ to these kids and families is a huge honor and privilege that I would love to continue to do.”

Luke 18:16: But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Olivia Parks

Is America a Christian nation?

The only simple answer to that question is: it depends.

Were all the founding fathers evangelical Christians? Far from it. Did the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution establish this land as a Christian country? Definitely not. And yet, Christianity has certainly been the defining religious influence in our history. Virtually every key Revolutionary era leader took for granted the need for Bible-infused virtue if the Republic would survive. And many of these leaders were sincere, orthodox, evangelical Christians.

Like John Witherspoon.

On May 17, 1776, John Witherspoon (1723-94) preached one of the most significant sermons in the history of this country. Preaching at Princeton, the Scottish pastor turned college president, delivered his most famous address. It was a General Fast Day, appointed by the congress of the American colonies for prayer and humble supplication before God in the face of an unknown, and possibly war-filled, future.

Witherspoon’s sermon, based on Psalm 76:10, was entitled The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men. It is widely regarded as one of the principal sermons that prepared the way for the Declaration of Independence, a document that Witherspoon himself—the lone clergymen—would sign on July 4, 1776.

Scholars who care about these things almost always draw attention to the second half of Witherspoon’s sermon where the Scotsman, for “the first time” he said, introduced a “political subject into the pulpit.” But before he got to talking about independence, the Presbyterian minister had a more important point to make.

“In the first place,” he began, “I would take the opportunity on this occasion, and from this subject, to press every hearer to a sincere concern for his own soul’s salvation.” His argument was as simple as it was forceful: if you are right to care about your earthly affairs, how much more your eternal state?

I do not blame your ardor in preparing for the resolute defense of your temporal rights. But consider I beseech you, the truly infinite importance of the salvation of your souls.

Is it of much moment whether you and your children shall be rich or poor, at liberty or in bonds?

Is it of much moment whether this beautiful country shall increase in fruitfulness from year to year, being cultivated by active industry, and possessed by independent freemen, or the scanty produce of the neglected fields shall be eaten up by hungry publicans, while the timid owner trembles at the tax gatherers approach?

And is it of less moment my brethren, whether you shall be the heirs of glory or the heirs of hell?

Is your state on earth for a few fleeting years of so much moment?

And is it of less moment, what shall be your state through endless ages?

Have you assembled together willingly to hear what shall be said on public affairs, and to join in imploring the blessing of God on the counsels and arms of the united colonies, and can you be unconcerned, what shall become of you for ever, when all the monuments of human greatness shall be laid in ashes, for “the earth itself and all the works that are therein shall be burnt up.”

Witherspoon was doing nothing different from what he had done with previous Fast Day sermons in Scotland. Conversion always came before current events. Although Witherspoon grew increasingly interested and involved in politics from the time he arrived in Philadelphia in 1768, he never ceased to be concerned for “the ministry of reconciliation . . . committed to me.”

In urging his hearers to attend to the day of salvation at hand, Witherspoon did not call men to general deistical interest in benevolence and divine things; he called them to Christ.

Suffer me to beseech you, or rather to give you warning, not to rest satisfied with a form of godliness, denying the power thereof. There can be no true religion, till there be a discovery of your lost state by nature and practice, and an unfeigned acceptance of Christ Jesus, as he is offered in the gospel. Unhappy they who either despise his mercy, or are ashamed of his cross! Believe it, “there is no salvation in any other. There is no other name under heaven given amongst men by which we must be saved.”

Unless you are united to him by a lively faith, not the resentment of a haughty monarch, but the sword of divine justice hangs over you, and the fullness of divine vengeance shall speedily overtake you. I do not speak this only to the heaven, daring profligate, or groveling sensualist, but to every insensible secure sinner; to all those, however decent and orderly in their civil deportment, who live to themselves and have their part and portion in this life; in fine to all who are yet in a state of nature, for “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The fear of man may make you hide your profanity: prudence and experience may make you abhor intemperance and riot; as you advance in life, one vice may supplant another and hold its place; but nothing less than the sovereign grace of God can produce a saving change of heart and temper, or fit you for his immediate presence.

The sermon is worth reading in its entirety (go here, scroll down, and click on the Dominion of Providence), both for its political-historical significance and also to learn from Witherspoon’s great concern for conversion and personal holiness even in the midst of such national tumult.

We give thanks for liberty on this day—temporal freedoms, yes; eternal deliverance most of all.

ClearlyReformed.org. The Sermon that Helped Push the Colonies Toward Independence. July 4, 2016. Kevin DeYoung.

https://clearlyreformed.org/the-sermon-that-helped-push-the-colonies-toward-independence/?

We are continuing our series on getting to know your church leaders a little bit better. Read along to learn more about Aaron Myers, who just joined our Deacon Council. 

Where were you born, and do you still consider that home, or somewhere else?

I was born in Terre Haute, IN, and after 19 years in the Air Force and many moves we now consider New Mexico home.

What did you want to be when you grew up – and is that still a dream?

A pilot, the Lord has blessed me so much and has given me many opportunities to fly. Still love it.

What or who was your earliest spiritual influence?

My Mom, Brenda.

How and when did Christ call you to Himself?

Age 13, burning brush on the farm in Indiana. The fear of the Lord and great conviction fell on me to the point I could not sleep for several nights.

What is a scripture you often read or share with others?

Ps. 37:4: Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

What is a special answered prayer you’ve received from the Lord?

Throughout my Air Force career I have had crossroad decisions to make. Take the easy path and coast, or go after the “giants”. Every time I go after the “giants” knowing full well that I cannot do it on my own, the Lord does what is impossible for me. The blessings are always great.

What will be a blessing and what a challenge you see as serving as deacon?

It will be a blessing to serve others in a higher capacity. It will be a challenge to stay proactive, at least until I get my feet under me as a deacon.

What are your hobbies and how did you get into them?

Anything outdoors: hiking, fishing, boating, biking, flying, and hunting. Growing up on a farm while being homeschooled presented me with many outdoor opportunities. I think the full nature emersion at a young age got me into the outdoor hobby.

What is your favorite family tradition?

Summer trips to see extended family.

How do you enjoy spending a day off?

Completing a task that I cannot during work hours; i.e., home chores, family or friend needs, etc.

What is the perfect meal?

Steak and baked potato.

Who or what never fails to make you laugh?

The Three Stooges.

We asked Snezhana:

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, because of the Christian reminders that come with it.

1. The 4th of July reminds us that our nation was founded by men who recognized God was their Creator

The 4th of July celebrates the adopting of the Declaration of Independence by Congress on July 4, 1776. The document begins with Thomas Jefferson’s famous words:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

There’s quite a bit to notice from this one sentence:

1. The words, “all men are CREATED equal” reveal Thomas Jefferson did not believe in evolution.
2. Thomas Jefferson believed men have a “Creator.”
3. With the words, “endowed by their Creator” Thomas Jefferson gave credit to God for the “Rights” we have. He called them “unalienable” because he knew they were given by God and couldn’t be taken away.

Thomas Jefferson saw the authority for our freedom and liberty coming from God Himself.

2. The 4^thof July reminds us of our true freedom

I’m thankful for independence from Great Britain. But I’m more thankful for the greater independence Jesus has given us from the Law:

• Romans 10:4—Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
• Galatians 3:24-25—Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Our independence from the Law motivated Martin Luther to take a stand for the Gospel. The freedom we have as Americans is great, but the infinitely greater freedom we have is from having to be saved by works.

3. The 4^thof July reminds us of our dual-citizenship

I’m thankful for my American citizenship, but I’m even more thankful for my citizenship in heaven:

• Ephesians 2:19—So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
• Philippians 3:19—But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ
• Hebrews 11:16—But as it is, [the heroes of the faith] desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.  

4. The 4th of July reminds us of the freedoms we can yield

Paul said Christians should see themselves as slaves:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20—Do you not know that you are not your own? You were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

In becoming Christians we’ve chosen to give up our freedom to live for Christ (see also Romans 6:6, 1 Corinthians 7:22, Ephesians 6:6). This entails giving up some of our freedoms for our brothers and sisters in Christ:

• Romans 14:21—It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
• 1 Corinthians 8:13—Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

As Christians we need not demand our freedoms. Instead, we can yield them at times for the benefit of others.

5. The 4^thof July reminds us of the sacrifices that were made for our freedom

We think about the sacrifices countless soldiers who have lost their lives, and I don’t want to minimize their sacrifices remotely. Without their bravery we wouldn’t have many of the blessings we enjoy today.

But we should think about the greatest sacrifice that was made for our freedom. There is a common saying: “Freedom isn’t free.” To enjoy the freedom we have in our country, people had to pay for it. Likewise, someone had to pay for the freedoms we enjoy from the Law and the punishment our sins deserve:

Philippians 2:6-8 [Jesus] being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

In John 10:18 [Jesus said], “No one takes [My life] from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.” Jesus was saying, “I have the freedom to keep my life, but I’m willing to give it up for you.”

As Christians we enjoy many wonderful freedoms. Let’s be reminded of them each 4th of July, recognizing it’s only because of Jesus’ willingness to give up His freedom for us.

ScottLaPierreMinistries. Five Christian Reminders for the 4th of July. July 3, 2017. Scott LaPierre.

https://www.scottlapierre.org/christian-reminders-4th-of-july/

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. - 1 John 3:18

It’s an odd feeling, that first time in your life when you experience true loneliness. For me, and I suspect many others, that first experience of true loneliness came during college. A couple of weeks after my parents dropped me off, the newness and excitement wore off. I settled into a routine of classes and homework, only to be struck with the realization that I knew no one and my community was a long 8-hour drive from me. 

College is a time of learning, growing, and changing. The further one goes from home, the more pronounced that change can be. In 2024, international students made up 6% of college students here in America; this equates to roughly 1.1 million students. International Students Inc. (ISI) is a religious non-profit that seeks to reach these students with the love of Christ by meeting their needs while they are in college. Their mission is “to share Christ’s love with international students and to equip them for effective service in cooperation with the local church and others.” MCC partners with their branch at UNM campuses, where ISI offers a range of services that provide these students with community and other practical resources. Their welcome center is located just off the UNM campus, and is where students can have free lunches, get help locating housing, and sign-up for other services. Ultimately, these services are used to show the love of Christ.

One of the services ISI offers is to help students find community through joining a Home Group. These Home Groups consist of 20-30 international college students meeting weekly at a volunteer’s home for food, games, and discussion. Students can choose from a discussion about culture or the Bible. ISI will also pair students with volunteers who sign up to be Friendship Partners. These friendship partners are individuals or families who offer to share their lives and form a genuine friendship with a student. 

Beyond Home Groups and Friendship Partners, ISI volunteers pick up students from the airport, open their homes for temporary housing till a student can move into an apartment, donate furnishings for apartments, help with English language classes, and set up group activities like Bible studies. Through meeting the physical and emotional needs of students, ISI can build relationships with students from all over the world and open doors to share Christ. Their impact is felt not only in our local UNM community, but in communities around the world as these students return home bringing the Gospel with them. 

If you would like to volunteer with ISI, you can talk to a member of our Mission team or contact ISI ABQ directly through their website. Be praying for:

• Volunteers to set up a third home study group
• Students from the Middle East, as the current conflict intensifies 
• Current volunteers have opportunities for gospel conversations with students.