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What's been happening at CLC in 2010?

June again was quite rainy and filled with VBS prep and other activities. Vacation Bible School was a community effort based on the theme of "Heroes" where each kid was challenged to be a hero for God. We learned that Heroes do the unexpected, take action, step out on faith, save the day, and stand for truth. On the heels of VBS was our 70th Anniversary Celebration for CLC (1940-2010). Pastor Dean Antonucci & family came from Heppner to cater Friday night's meal. A wonderful concert followed by the King's Witnesses. Pastors David and Diane Abercrombie traveled all the way from Drain, Oregon, to be with us for the entire weekend. David poured himself into the building while he was here in the early 1990's. Our Assistant Network Superintendent, Lee McCloud, joined the celebration and shared a message of hope and vision on Sunday. We wrapped up the celebration with a delicious potluck. As June wrapped up, the final touches were put on the house at 1291 Alder, which CLC purchased and will be renting out. God is leading us forward! 

May brought lots of rain, a church dinner, and a Men's Breakfast, where Butch Arbogast shared some of his poetry. He truly has a God-given gift in this area. The teachers and leadership team traveled to Hermiston A/G for T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) Training, and enjoyed being encouraged and challenged with new ministry ideas. Our Next Generation Pastor from the Oregon Ministry Network came and ministered to us via Sunday School feedback and an encouraging message. The month ended with a 5th Sunday Sing at Elgin Baptist Church, bidding farewell to Pastor Kurt & Melissa Lenhoff as they transition to Vancouver, WA.

Easter Sunday was in April and was filled with several opportunities for worship and fellowship. A Community Sunrise Service was held at 7AM at the Opera House, and a delicious Community Easter Breakfast was offered here at CLC. Curtis Mattson spoke at our Men's Breakfast, and Pastor Mark kicked off his Tee-Ball coaching career.

March included a Church Dinner filled with friendship and great food, a Men's Breakfast, where George Kraus shared the need for accountability and spiritual disciplines, and Missionary Tamara Henkes shared what God has been doing in Romania during her 4-year stay there. We also began planning in earnest for the 70-Year Anniversary Celebration for Christian Life Center, June 18-20.

February brought us a Superbowl Party on the big screen here at CLC, along with a fun, well-attended Valentine's Banquet. We enjoyed a Men's Breakfast, hearing some history from Bob Wiles, and a testimony of God's healing power from Gerald Hopkins. Six of us men drove up to Camp Elkanah for the first evening of Men's Retreat and enjoyed a great meal together - and we even ate food! Pastor Bill Wilson shared a great, down-to-earth message of encouragement and challenge.

We started January by shaving Pastor Mark's head for BGMC! What a fun day! We enjoyed a BCS playoff party for the young at heart and/or mind. Several men joined us for a Men's Breakfast, where we built friendships and discussed a joint relief offering for the earthquake victims in Haiti. We had a church dinner and annual meeting, looking back at 2009 and ahead to 2010, trusting God to lead us and increase His impact through our lives. The month ended with 3 events: a Youth Winter Camp at Meadowood Springs, where Daren Lindley shared some powerful truth and the kids enjoyed themselves in the snow; Pastor Larry Savage came and ministered to us from God's Word; and a 5th Sunday Sing at St. Mary's Catholic Church where local believers gathered for worship and fellowship.

Looking Back at 2009

December was a month to celebrate life. Joe McKenna, one of our family members, passed away. He will be missed. Other celebrations included Sounds and Tastes of Christmas at Elgin Christian Church, Open House at the Opperman’s, a Men’s Breakfast, and a Christmas program put together by Janet Coles. As part of the Elgin Ministerial Association, we helped provide Christmas Food Boxes for 60 families, representing over 150 people. A BIG win was going over the top in our BGMC giving with over $1,100, which cost me dearly. Hair grows back.

The highlight of November was the Thanksgiving Dinner, with 80 friends and family members celebrating God’s provision together. The men enjoyed it so much they came back the next morning for a Men’s Breakfast, which has grown to about 20 men from various churches.

October's highlights included taking 9 teens to Youth Convention, hearing from Rob and Corrine Gerig as they prepare to minister in Guyana, enjoying biscuits & gravy at the Men's Breakfast, and joining with our extended church family at the Nazarene Church for worship and fellowship.

In September we began to pursue an opportunity to purchase the property adjacent to the church on the southeast corner. We are excited about the future possibilities this property may offer in the way of a playground, staff housing, or other use. We also began exploring loan possibilities so we can finish the Youth and Children's Center in the upstairs portion of the church.

The big highlight of August was church in the park on the 4th Sunday. Officially named Answer the Call it was a great time of worship, testimonies, friendship, a picnic, and free swimming for all, compliments of the Elgin Ministerial Association. A unique 2-day VBS was also part of this weekend and several churches joined forces to offer this ministry to the kids of our community.

July was summer camp month with a week of Kids Camp and a week of Teen Camp at Camp Elkanah. Garland Owensby shared powerful messages at Teen Camp and several lives were impacted in a positive way for Jesus.  Kids Camp was also a very pivotal experience in the spiritual growth of some of our kids. During the Stampede Parade we gave away 250 hot dogs or so and met several nice people. We also had a family picnic and water baptism at Walker's Pond, enjoying swimming and friendship, along with good eats.

June brought the conclusion of the school year and ushered in a busy summer. The month was filled with 2 weddings and a funeral, along with a Worship Conference and unforgettable vacation time for Pastor Mark and his family.

Pastor Mark and Steve Oliver had an opportunity to perform in the local musical, Annie, at the historic Elgin Opera House. Steve played FDR, and Mark was his Secretary of State, Cordell Hull. It was a stretching month with 12 performances and other practices, but new friendships were formed and we became better acquainted with our community. We also fit in a church workday, a Baccalaureate for graduating seniors, and a 5th Sunday Sing at Elgin Baptist Church.

In April we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus with a "Sonrise" service at the Elgin Opera House, a breakfast at CLC for the entire community, and an exciting time of worship and connecting with God in our Easter service. A couple came and shared about their teaching opportunities in China, and we hosted a benefit concert for Ashton Johnston, as Sons of Day came and jammed for Jesus.

March brought longer days and a break from all the snow. We began purchasing lumber and plywood for the upstairs construction, and received a visit from Charles Parker, a former CLC Pastor who has been very helpful in the planning phase of the upstairs renovation. Pastor Mark offered prayer and Robin provided music at the local Chamber of Commerce banquet. We ended the month with a 5th Sunday Sing at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

February was packed full of exciting events! We had a Superbowl Party, Membership Luncheon, Valentine's Banquet, CLC Youth Retreat with Tom Bachman, and a Men's Retreat at Camp Elkanah. We also had Teen Challenge visit from the Tri-Cities, hearing several testimonies and a message from Jesse Campos. Former CLC Pastor John Barnhart came and ministered to us one Sunday morning. Pastor Larry Savage also came and shared with the church family while Pastor Mark was away at Men's Retreat. We also had the fire escape door installed in the southeast corner of the upstairs.

January brought loads of snow, much to the delight of some, and to the chagrin of others. We held a BCS playoff party, watching Florida overcome Oklahoma to claim the championship. Wes Sheley came and shared his ministry with Campus Missions with us. Pastor Mark and Robin went to Seaside for Network Intermission and took in Generation Unleashed at City Bible Church in Portland on their way back. We also installed an exterior steel staircase as an access to and from the upstairs. Kurt Irwin did an amazing job building it.

Flashback 2008

December found us celebrating the entrance of the Son of God, Jesus (Yeshua), into this world as a human being. God became one of us so we could join our lives with Him and live forever! It was a crazy month for snow, postponing our Christmas program twice. We joined with the Elgin Ministerial Association in providing Christmas turkeys and dinner fixings to almost 60 families in our community and help a few others in need. We held a Sweet 16 Ceremony (like a Qinceanera) for Ana and performed the wedding of Alberto and Cheri Zuniga. Lots of fun and lots of snow! We anticipate greater times of refreshing in God's presence in 2009!

November gave us plenty to give thanks for. We were blessed by the ministry of Chuck & Janet Wilson (Botswana), and Lee & Cindy McCloud (Asst. Superintendent of the Oregon Ministry Network). Election day came and went surrounded by much prayer and encouragement to draw near to God and trust Him with our future. One of our favorite annual events is our Thanksgiving Dinner. About 100 people joined us this year for a time of great food and friendship. 

Country singer, Linda Lanier, came and ministered to our community in October with a concert and a God, Family, Country Rally during which several of our veterans were honored. We took some of our valuable teens to Salem for a dynamic Youth Convention (intense worship with Jeff Deyo). Several church family members and friends joined together for a Harvest Party near the end of the month and had a great time together.

September began with new colors on the church building. The Building Enhancement Team proposed a Promenade green with Grasshopper wing green on the columns. The new look is a welcome change! We kicked off a weekly Youth Nite with a pizza party to encourage teens in their faith. What an awesome bunch of teens! Missionary Candidates Daren and Heidi Walker shared their vision for Mexico with us. We finished up the month with a Community Praise gathering at CLC.

We packed as much as possible into the month of August! Several local churches joined together for a week of Vacation Bible School in God's Big Backyard. Missionary Ryan Thomas blessed and challenged us as he reported on his ministry in Mexico. A group of Royal Rangers from around the state came and blessed us by serving our church and community. Pastor Vance (former Elginite) and Katie Lindstrom led the charge with sweet spirits of service and love for us and the people of Elgin. The Rangers put on a Survival School and a Back-to-School party with giant inflatables for kids to play on. We joined forces with the other local churches on Sunday for a worship service in the park, free BBQ, free family swim, and a free concert from Byword. It was a tremendous weekend filled with sharing the love of God. The Rangers also helped scrape our church building in preparation for a new paint job by Calvin Cathey and Final Touch Painting. Last and probably least, archery season began. May the Lord be merciful and bless Pastor Mark with a big bull elk!

July was action-packed as Missionary Melinda Koehler ministered faith and healing to us. Our part in the Elgin Stampede was holding a free BBQ during the Sunday parade at the Community Bank parking lot. A great week of teen camp followed as we sent 6 teens to Camp Elkanah to encounter the grace and power of God. We came home long enough to have a Water Baptism/Church Picnic out at Walker's pond and recreation area. The kids (young and older alike) had great fun swimming, zip dipping, and boating - besides all the good food we enjoyed together. Next we headed back to Camp Elkanah with 4 kids and 2 teen helpers for a week of Kids Camp. What a great time of getting to know Jesus better! The church family grieved together with Marge and Sundae at the death of son and brother, Jess. What would we do without the grace and loving care of our God?!

We kicked off summer in June with a Polish Potluck. Missionaries Dennis and Diane Holcomb prepared a delicious Kilbasa zupa and gave us an update on their ministry in Poland. We grieved with a dear widow (Julia) whose only son, Ben, passed away. Her faith and love are an inspiration for many. Riverfest weekend in Elgin brought a wedding, car show, quilt show at CLC, and Father's Day - busy weekend, but fulfilling. Pastor Mark and his family disappeared to Missouri for two wonderful weeks of R&R.

May brought our annual Light for the Lost banquet which was in Baker City. We enjoyed hearing what God is doing around the world through printed Christian literature. Missionaries David and Dorothy Yanuba also came and challenged us to join with God's purpose in reaching this world with the good news about Jesus.

In April we hosted a Seder Meal with Missionary Tom Weinraub from Jews for Jesus. Tom also shared at the Elgin Opera House about what God is doing in Israel and among Jewish people. Very inspiring! We ended the month by attending a Worship Seminar in Hermiston and hearing from Missionary Kathy Jingling who inspired us to think outside the box and let God use us in unique and creative ways.

March brought our annual Church Meeting where we shared vision and insight into the direction God is leading us here at Christian Life Center. He has been shaping us and preparing us to reach young families, teens, and kids and it is time for us to step up and get involved. Easter was an enjoyable time of worship and fellowship with other churches as we gathered for a "Sonrise" service, breakfast, and ministry at our respective locations.

February brought an exciting Superbowl Party as we gathered in the Family Center (Abby Hall) for a fun time together. Another highlight of the month was our Valentine's Banquet. It was well attended and filled with great food, fun, and laughter. We also wrapped up our Leadership Development Cohorts this month. It has been a good process, with many challenges. Now we are attempting to put the things we've learned into practice.

January came with plenty of snow. We enjoyed an NCAA Football Championship party, watching LSU pull off the win. Evangelist Daren Lindley came and ministered to us, providing encouragement and a challenge as we prepare to distribute our book of personal stories to our community. We decided to invest for 3 years in purchasing and distributing these books to our community. We believe they will provide hope and answers to people who recognize that they have a need beyond themselves.

A BACKWARDS LOOK AT 2007

December was a typically busy month, but filled with love, laughter, and togetherness. After a very frigid Light Parade, we joined the area churches for The Sounds & Tastes of Christmas at the Elgin Christian Church. There was music, encouragement, and plenty of delicious food to go along with the fellowship. Jamie DeWees came from OSU to share his burden for college students and highlight the Chi Alpha ministry. Pastor Mark, Robin, & Zoe hosted their annual Open House and welcomed about 40 people into their cozy home for more great food and fellowship. The CLC kids helped hold a Christmas Celebration with the Christmas Story, candles, carols, and friendship being shared. Finally, we wrapped up 2007 with a Movie Night, showing The Wager, starring Randy Travis. We are thankful for the Lord's guidance and provision in 2007 and eagerly anticipate what He wants to do in and through us in 2008!

The highlight of November was our annual Thanksgiving Feast. Nearly 70 people came together to express gratitude to God, enjoy a great meal, and develop deeper friendships.

We said goodbye to a dear friend in October. Glenn Uhrig passed away peacefully on October 6, and went to be with Jesus. Over 150 people filled this building to honor Glenn and have a meal together. Glenn's graveside service was one to remember, as an old tractor pulled his homemade casket up the hill to his resting place, followed by 100 or so friends and family. We will miss you for now, Glenn, but will see you after while! Other events in October included attending Leadership Development Cohorts, taking 3 youth to Youth Convention in Salem, and sealing/painting the south side of the church building. We also rejoiced to see the release of our new testimony book. It contains personal stories of healing, deliverance, and restoration, some of them from our own people! We hope to spread hope and encouragement by its release and dispersion.

September started with a "Back-to-school" emphasis, as the kids (and all of us) were reminded to take Jesus with them wherever they go. We enjoyed a church family dinner together, had a workday to prep the south side of our building for sealer and paint, took a night to laugh together as we watched various Christian comedians, and we joined with our brothers and sisters from other local churches for a night of singing and fellowship.

Evangelist Daren Lindley helped us start August off right, as he spent 3 days with us, sharing about the inexhaustible love of Jesus. His ministry was well received and he left a load of encouragement in his wake. Daren is also the founder of Good Catch Publishing and is helping us put together a book of testimonies from Christian Life Center that will help us share hope and freedom with others. August was also our first annual multi-church community VBS. We utilized the facilities of 3 churches in close proximity and people from several churches in town joined together to minister to more than 60 different kids throughout the week. The Covenant Players also blessed us on a Sunday morning as they shared the love of Jesus through drama.

July brought the famous Elgin Stampede to our fair town. Our involvement included attending the Bull Riding and Rodeo, AND offering a free BBQ after the parade on Sunday. Pastor Mark & Robin took 4 lovely girls to Teen Camp where a great time was had by all! After Sunday morning service most of the church family headed out to Ron & Neva Walker's pond for a picnic and water baptism. Great fun, great fellowship, great food! What a beautiful place! At the end of the month we hosted a 5th Sunday Sing, as several other churches joined us for a time of worship, singing, and fellowship.

In June we enjoyed a delicious cultural meal with missionaries Jon and Carolyn Stewart. They minister in Indonesia and blessed us with Indonesian cuisine and a great presentation (minus the gourd).

May was filled with graduations and promotions. We enjoyed having Tom Bachman come and minister to us, reminding us of the need for campus outreach and prayer for our schools.

April was a busy but meaningful month. We enjoyed a Seder Meal with real matzah and some good teaching via a video presentation by Steven Ger called The Unleavened Messiah. We also had participants in the Community Choir, which performed at the Elgin Opera House and during the Community "Sonrise" service on Easter Sunday. We hosted a community breakfast here at CLC following the "Sonrise" service, and fed well over 100 people.

March brought our Annual Meeting, with 3 new members joining the church. We also had back-to-back Cohort meetings in Pendleton and La Grande to sharpen our vision and leadership team.

In February we had our first SuperBowl Party on the Big Screen in the Fellowship Hall. Missionary friends came and presented their ministry. We also offered a membership class for those interested in committing themselves to the vision and ministry of this body.

In January we had a Gift Day to raise money for a new video projector. People were very generous and we have enjoyed the visual enhancement in our gatherings.

Here are some newsflashes working back through 2006.

In December we joined with other churches in the area for Sounds & Tastes of Christmas at the Christian Church. We joined others along with the Elgin Ministerial Association and collected many food items and gave generously to fill around 70 Christmas Food Baskets, which were given to needy families in our community. We enjoyed Christmas in the Living Room, an interactive Christmas celebration involving Aunt Ruth and the children.

In November we welcomed The Slater Six, as missionaries Steve & Nola Slater came and shared their vision for Fiji with us. We had an all church family Thanksgiving Dinner, inviting friends and neighbors to join with us in thanking God for His many blessings. We also graduated 10 students through our first Crown Financial Small Group Study.

In October we poured a 20X20 slab of concrete in our entry way / drive-thru. Now people can be dropped off at the door without having to walk through dirt and mud! We also took one of our teens to Youth Convention in Salem.

In September we got the kids back to school and launched our first Crown Financial Small Group Study. In August Pastor Mark, Robin, & Zoe escaped to Missouri for an enjoyable vacation. Joe Barnett came and preached while Pastor was gone.

July was filled with Kids Camp at Camp Elkanah, our Hot Dog Giveaway during the Elgin Stampede Parade, and a Church Picnic and water baptism out at the Walker's.

June was a difficult month, as Pastor lost his younger brother in an auto accident. Missionary Melinda Koehler came and ministered to our people on a Sunday evening during this time.

May brought the Light for the Lost banquet in Baker City; Women's RefresHer Conference in Salem; a Wednesday night presentation of Jesus Is Alive! by Aunt Ruth and the kids; a Baccalaureate service for EHS graduates at the Christian Church (we had 2 graduates from our church family); and Missionary Tamara Henkes came and shared her vision for raising up national leaders in Romania for children's ministries.

April included a Will Seminar, a special Kids Service, a Sunrise Service and Resurrection Breakfast, along with our Network Conference in Salem.

In March we had our Annual Church Meeting. We launched the process of our involvement in the Leadership Development Cohorts. We were also blessed by a group of teens and adults from Life in Christ Center in The Dalles. They came and held a Kids Quest, bringing over 60 different kids from our community into our church for ministry and fun. They also helped paint some of the classrooms and hallways in the church.

In February we had a great Men's Retreat at Camp Elkanah. In January we welcomed Dan Ham to CLC to sing and preach. Pastor and Robin attended Minister's Institute in Newport for a time of vision renewal and refreshing.

2006 was a good year of blessing and growth. We hope to see God do much more through us in 2007!

 

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