By: Marcy Serby

When I was a child my father was an alcoholic, so things were rather chaotic in my home. We didn’t experience much love or kindness. God was certainly never a part of our young lives. My brothers and I loved Sunday mornings though, because on Sundays our family did something fun like bowling or putter golf. My Lutheran friend Christi didn’t get to do anything fun because she had to go to church – every Sunday!

When I was 8 or 9 years old Christi brought me to Vacation Bible School at her church. I cannot tell you one thing that we talked about, one craft we made, or one song that we sang; but I remember feeling “different” and “safe” when I was with this group of Christians, and I remember loving to hear stories about Jesus. I was so disappointed when the week was over because VBS was like a flashlight in my dark world.

“I was the kid VBS was made for.”

Fall came and Christi invited me to Pioneer Girls at her church on Wednesday nights. Yes, over 50 years ago a Lutheran church had Wednesday night programs. I guess some things never change. I was excited to hear the Bible stories and again felt different when I was at church.

Fast forward another year or two, and I asked my parents if they would drive me to church on Sundays. They enrolled me in a Sunday School at a church I had never been to, and I went to church and Sunday School by myself. They never walked inside that church.

Vacation Bible School and Pioneer Clubs played a major role in introducing me to Jesus – and for that I will forever be grateful. I will also always be grateful to Christi, whose initials are on the Ripple Effect banner in our sanctuary. 

“I am a life that was changed by the grace of God through prayer, VBS and Pioneer Clubs; and I am so thankful there were people to shine their light on Jesus so I could see Him.”

By: DCE Dan Hampton

3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
What are you willing to jump for?

Growing up in Indiana, most people watch basketball. My family was no exception; in fact, March Madness is almost a holiday. One of my favorite memories is seeing my mother watch the games. She gets into them especially when it is a team she is rooting for, like Purdue or IU. When they score she is likely found on her feet shouting at the TV. When they make an error, she is once again on the edge of her seat “coaching” them to make better decisions on the basketball floor next time (as if they can hear her).

What about you? What will get you on the edge of your seat ready to jump for joy or exhilaration? For Peter, it was all about Jesus. Not once but twice he jumped out of the boat that he was in so that he could meet the Lord. He showed great enthusiasm to follow Christ.
Several youth and members from our congregation spent 10 days jumping out of the boat in Peru this past July. While there, they were surrounded by the Peruvian culture and languages. Some things are very different from our lives in the United States, but others are just the same.

At one point when our group had challenged the villagers to a futball game, we witnessed several local teens walking around the village checking their Facebook accounts. On the other hand, though the villagers are not impoverished or in need of our saving, their lives are quite different from ours. Still, they live in contentment, knowing that God will continue to provide for everything they need.

How often do we find ourselves just desiring more and more? Or how often do we compare ourselves to the things another person has and wonder why God is blessing them so much more than he is to us?

We spent our week helping the local missionaries add on to an existing church. We placed walls, painted, and mixed concrete. We were quite literally the hands and feet of Jesus. It was difficult for me to watch some of the construction techniques they used, knowing it could be done better with the right amount of materials, but they used everything they had and rejoiced to God. They jumped to their feet to help. I believe they helped us more than we helped them.

May we learn from them. May we find that jumping out of the boat for Jesus doesn’t have to mean going on a big trip to Peru, but it could be something as simple as letting someone go in line before you. God’s desire is for us to follow Him with our whole being. Peter did it. How is God calling you to JUMP out of the boat?