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Selected Articles from the First Alliance LifeLines Newsletter

Oct/Nov 2009

CELEBRATE COMMUNITY OUTREACH
TEAM Mentoring, Dan Palin

Who is involved? Men & women from several towns in MT. Dan Palin has been active in this ministry for 8–9 years.

What is its purpose? The acronym TEAM stands for Teach, Encourage, Assist, Model. Individuals and church TEAMS come alongside of those who were incarcerated and have made commitments to follow Christ, to TEAM with them in helping them to walk the path outside in their newly chosen life.

To whom does this ministry reach? The teaming starts with a one week program called Montana Reentry that is taught to inmates inside the jail and prison walls. Inmates sign up and are screened by showing an attitude that they want to live a different lifestyle other than the one that got them into prison. Inmates that have gone through the program often recommend it to other inmates. During the week of instruction based on a Christian world view, inmates are given instruction in making choices, developing new friends & support groups, dealing with stress, relationships, forgiveness, goals & self worth, budgeting, and employment.

The most amazing & miraculous change occurs as the inmates are drawn to Jesus by the Spirit. On Thursdays during instructions on relationships & forgiveness, they are broken by the move of God and many of them cry out to God and receive His forgiveness; their lives are changed with a new birth experience. For some, it is coming back to the Lord with rejoicing. We TEAM with them by encouraging them
through letter writing and then after they are released. TEAM member goals are to help them stay on the narrow path. They develop a friendship and do things together like sharing lunch, ball games, phone conversations, etc.

How is it supported? The organization is dependant on donations from members & concerned Christians who give of their resources. Time is donated, except for one office person. The books & materials needed for training are bought with donations from the Christian community. There are limited funds received through government because it is faith based.

What are some of the results seen? TEAM is organized to give men & women hope for the future where there was no hope. People who committed crimes under the law turn from their destructive way of life and decide to become a Jesus follower and walk in newness of life.

Join the TEAM ~
Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

CELEBRATE KEENAGERS

SEPT: Bill & Allene Reiter graciously hosted a rendezvous where we spent a wonderful afternoon on their property. Picnic tables were arranged nicely under the shade of the old apple trees.

JoeDee took us down memory lane with a reading of changing
lifestyle and prices from the 1930s–1950s, then progress and
inventions made from then until more recent times. Only KeenAgers could relate to those big improvements! Bill led the men on a tour of his trucks, tractors & machinery shop while Allene gave the ladies a tour of their lovely home. Along with all that, a scavenger hunt of old farm items tipped the “fun scale!”
Thank you Bill & Allene for your hospitality and sharing your
peaceful setting with us.

One never knows what JoeDee has up her sleeve for future events. Watch for info & dates. You are always welcome to join us—We’ll save a seat for you!
— By Tee Pentland

OCT: The KeenAgers and College & Career Group met together for a fun evening around the campfire and enjoyed a chili supper together. Although we were not able to have a sing-along outside among the hay bales and pumpkins, you could not ask for a warmer atmosphere inside. Thirty-nine people attended and included several folks from the South Forty residence complex.

Before supper, story telling with sound effects was enjoyed by
all. (Who knew that Elijah was so talented!) Various stories were told from the “old” days of school experiences. Also, confessions of pranks were finally revealed.

After supper we once again gathered around the campfire for games and singing. (I never knew there were so many verses to “My Darling Clementine!) The evening closed with the singing of “God Bless America.”

Thanks to all who attended and a BIG thank you to Robin Scheidler for making the chili, to JoeDee for co-coordinating the event, and to all others who contributed in making the evening special. The KeenAgers are certainly looking forward to having other joint adventures with the College & Career Group!
— By Sharon Pearson

CELEBRATE YOUTH

What is popular, BIG and held at the church? The Pumpkin Patch! We were worried that our pumpkins would freeze this year, but thanks to the awesome power of God, the pumpkins survived and we thrived!

The Patch was a hit with the community. All pumpkins sold out, including a truckload we sold for the Cody church to help their own fundraising effort. Thanks to “pumpkin bucks,” we had a record breaking sales day. Though at times we were short-handed, God always sent workers when needed.

The youth will donate $2,200. to CAMA Services, specifically the
Maringa Tree project. Cody Alliance agreed to the same 20% sales donation and added $333.78 for a total donation of $2,533.78 from pumpkin sales. A Thanksgiving Eve offering was also taken for additional funds.

We had 302 kids participate in 15 story times. It was amazing to see God work. Miracles abounded! For more stories, see youth leader, Pastor Elijah. He has many exciting stories to share.
— By Tawni Palin

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.
NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.