Meet Lauren Pareigat

Hi! My name is Lauren Pareigat. I grew up in a town in Minnesota called Saint Cloud but now live in the Minneapolis area. I’m currently the Communications Specialist for Academic Affairs at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, my alma mater.

Both of my parents are Christians and taught me at an early age about Jesus. I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was about 5 years old. The important point in my spiritual life occurred when I was 8 years old. From the time I was about two, I had been praying for a little sister and in 1994, she was adopted into our family. She was born in Minnesota and we were blessed to be at the hospital when she was born. I still remember that day clearly. Full of joy, I felt a deep assurance that God had heard my prayers. Though our process of adoption was not painless, God had added to our family. This assurance has carried me through many more times of uncertainty, to see God again and again answer my prayers and provide in incredible ways. Each time, He shows me that His plan is far better than mine ever is.

I have had many wonderful opportunities to travel to Mexico, Canada, Turkey, Greece, Israel, Ukraine and Germany. My grandparents immigrated from Germany and Ukraine, and visiting those countries really connected me to my heritage. For several years now, I have been wanting to see more of Eastern Europe, and specifically Czech Republic. I was intrigued to hear that New Hope had a connection to Czech. Then meeting Vasek and Petr and hearing about a possible trip earlier this year, I began praying about whether that was something I’d be able to participate in. I’m thrilled to be able to go, to see this country, experience the culture, and meet the people of Šumperk and Kostel Jinak firsthand. What’s especially fun is that my roommate, Jess, is also on the team. Jess has been to Czech many times now, and we hardly have a conversation that doesn’t include a story from a Czech trip. I’m looking forward to experiencing this place she doesn’t stop talking about! :)

FUN FACTS: Ice cream is my favorite dessert and my favorite flavor is actually vanilla. I’m a coffee snob. Growing up, I was a figure skater and competed for eight years and almost had my double-axel until I had to stop due to knee problems. I lived in Atlanta, Georgia for about eight months. There I discovered I truly belong in the cold north of Minnesota. (Can you sense the theme, here?)

New Hope's Got Talent: A Fundraising Event

We're crunching to get this exciting fundraiser off the ground! Friday, October 24, our team is hosting a silent auction and variety show at New Hope Church in the Worship Center. The silent auction begins at 6:00 pm, and the variety show begins at 7:00 pm. And, we need your help!

How YOU Can Be Involved: 
- Showcase your talent
- Donate or bid on an item at the silent auction
- Spread the word; the more the merrier
- Attend!
 
We're hoping to get the whole of NHC - young and not so young - involved in this fun event! You can learn more about the fundraiser here. You'll also find talent applications and donation forms on that linked webpage. All applications and donations are due on Friday, October 17 and can be handed to the front desk at the Main Campus.

This event is entirely FREE; no ticket-purchase necessary. A free-will offering will take place during the show, and all proceeds will go toward our Fusion Czech Team's trip in November.

Thank you in advance for your involvement; and, as always, we covet your prayers as we plan this exciting event.

Meet Michael Yee

My name is Michael Yee, and I’m a Process Analyst at Target Corporation. I grew up in Neenah, Wisconsin & now live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I remember attending church as far back as I can remember. My parents always made sure when we moved to a new town that the family found a church home. It was our way to integrate ourselves into the local community. But my faith was compartmentalized and I kept God in a box. That changed when I was a senior at Purdue University. God, through His graciousness, took a very trying season and turned it into a desire to incorporate Him in all parts of my life.

I’ve been praying and meditating on 1 Peter 4 this season. “It’s not about me”. I believe that God speaks to us in different ways. But for each person He generally speaks the same way over and over again. God starts speaking to me with nudges and then He speaks louder and louder. Sometimes I regret not listening to Him sooner and missing opportunities. But I like to think that I have become a better listener.

One of my favorite past times is traveling. Looking back, the trips I've enjoyed the most are ones where I have friends and family at the destination. Meeting Vasek and Petr at the Fusion Winter Retreat was a gift to get to know them better. When the mission trip was announced, my heart told me the pieces were falling into place. When I learned that this was not a typical mission trip, and instead a 'vision' trip, I knew that I could bring to the table my secular work experience related to planning and strategy. I enjoy encouraging others to think big and to organize ideas in order to set a goal bigger that, at first, will seem not possible. I am thrilled with this opportunity to do His work.

I want to show others that God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him and He is not a spectator sitting on the sidelines. I hope to show this facet of my life as living proof, what this can look like in an honest way, including the ups and downs.

I would greatly appreciate prayers to equip each one of us with the rights words to say when we meet others.

Hear more from Michael here. >>

FUN FACTS: My favorite movie is the the Shawshank Redemption. There are so many great themes rolled into one movie; redemption after being thrown into the fire, endurance, and friendship. When Andy and Red reunite at the end, there are no words - only joy.

I can be bribed very easily with a good dark chocolate. I would say I have a unique talent of taking a topic or a problem that I am not familiar with, and in a short period of time, know enough to have a productive conversation. If I don't know the answer, I at least will know the next steps and/or connecting the dots. I acquired this skill while studying engineering. Essentially I learned to learn. Then I built out this skill into a talent, out of necessity, when I was a consultant in my first career after college. 

Meet Mike Leslie

My name is Mike Leslie. I am currently a New Product Development Engineer for a medical manufacturing company. I help developed the manufacturing processes of new components that are given to us by our customers. I’m originally from Iowa and moved to Maple Grove, Minnesota with my family when I was 14 years old.

I grew up a Christian home, but as I went away to college, I drifted away from God and began to question His existence and a validity of the Bible. Then a few years ago, my sister invited me to Fusion at New Hope Church. I was still skeptical, but began to open my heart to the message of the Gospel. Immersing myself in God’s Word really helped me to see His involvement in my life and the importance of having a personal relationship with Christ. I chose to be baptized on Easter Day of 2014 and continue to pursue my relationship with God on a daily basis.

During the Fusion winter retreat, I had the chance to meet Vasek and Petr. I listened to their story and about the Czech Republic. Before hearing about the trip, I had a desire to go over to the Czech Republic and see how I could help. When the trip came up, I prayed on it for quite some time and came to realize that God was indeed urging me to go. I’m most looking forward to hearing the stories of people in the Czech Republic, sharing my story, and building strong relationships through this.

I could really use prayer to help me stay focused on preparations and the strength to be open in sharing my story and God’s impact on my life. I have a tough time talking about my faith and on this trip I want to get better at that. Also pray for our whole team as we prepare for this trip and that God will provide everything we need and get us there safely.

FUN FACTS: Some of my favorite movies are the Toy Story movies and Up. I guess it’s the child in me that gets joy from watching them. And even as a 30 year old, I still love to play with and build with Legos. I look forward to meeting everyone and see you soon!

Introducing the Fusion Czech Team

Vašek & Lida joined our team meeting this past Sunday evening; we had a fun time getting to know more about them, Kostel Jinak, Czech culture, and what to expect on our trip.

The Fusion Czech Team:
Mike Leslie, Heather Indelicato, Michael Yee, Paul Schoolmeesters, Rachel Cherico, Colson Wabshaw, Jennifer Stahl, Lauren Pariegat, Jessica Lindgren

Prayer for Support

Our Fusion Czech Team is excited to get things rolling! As support letters are making their way into mailboxes, please be praying for God to stir people's hearts to support our team both prayerfully and financially. We need those who are willing to stand with us in prayer as we are preparing for this trip, while we are there and when we return. We also need those who are willing to donate money toward our trip costs to make it possible for us to go! Both are so vital and valuable to this process. Thank you in advance for any way you are able to support us!

We're looking forward having Pastor Vasek and his wife, Lida, from the Czech Republic, join us for our upcoming team meeting this Sunday, September 7. Keep watch for our team photo to follow!