Jehovah Jireh - The Lord Will Provide

The pieces are coming together.

Our team had a meeting this past Sunday, and Jess Lindgren shared a few cultural tips. Please be praying for us to be sensitive to cultural insights. We'd like our time in the Czech Republic to create bridges.

Looking at our team reports, we still have a ways to go to reach our financial goal. Support letters are making their way to mailboxes and our big fundraiser is quickly approaching. One of the many names of God used in the Bible is Jehovah Jireh, translated, The Lord will Provide. Pray for us to trust Him. Thank you to those who have already given so much!

Today is the application deadline for those that wish to participate in or contribute toward our silent auction/variety show, "New Hope's Got Talent." Many of you have been generous with your donations and eagerness to be involved, and a few more talent applications are expected to arrive today - thank you!

How You Can Pray for "New Hope's Got Talent" - 

• Pray for participant applications to arrive on time.
• Pray for the administrative, behind-the-scenes organization of this event.
• Pray for our tech support, Kenton Pust. He has an incredibly busy weekend and week ahead of him. We're so grateful for his dedication and willingness to help.
• Pray for courage for our participants; it's never easy getting up in front of a crowd of people.
• Pray for our Global Ministries admin, Beth Clark, as she pieces together our team prayer cards (to be distributed at Friday's event).
• Pray for guests to attend.
• Pray for generosity of those participating in our silent auction.
• Pray for our team as we prepare for our individual roles at the event.

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Meet Jennifer Stahl

Hi, My name is Jennifer. I've lived in Minnesota my entire life and was raised in a Christian home. I came to know Christ as my Savior at an early age of 4 and was baptized when I was 7. 

I always have had curiosity and a desire to understand other people and how to love them. I'm fascinated and excited about other cultures and learning what makes a person thrive. Some of the most impacting experiences in my life have been centered around travel. Whether on a missions trip, family vacation, or reading books, I've always valued the observations, conversations and interactions with the locals of the destinations. I don't want to settle for living life in my own comfortable bubble; I believe in going, doing and exploring.

After high school, I went to the frozen tundras of northeast Wisconsin, to a missions focused college where I majored in Bible. During my freshman year, I met my husband, Daniel.  When we married 2 years later, we initially intended to head to Albania as missionaries. Through different circumstances though, we settled in the Twin Cities.

I worked at a hair salon for a few years before becoming an administrative assistant [for Fusion, Men's Ministries, and Monday Night Discovery] at New Hope Church. I'm also involved with NHC Arts and a women's group called, God's View of You. I love the variety that the environment brings, and I welcome any opportunity to use my creativity. It's an honor to work with people like Pastor Paul Schoolmeesters and Pastor Dayton Dodge - it's humbling to see their love and desires for the church and all the work and passion that is put into making ministry happen.

I'm so excited to build relationships with our friends in the Czech Republic! I think there is so much that we can learn from them, and I look forward to getting to know the people of Sumperk and Kostel Jinak and bridging that connection back to New Hope Church.

FUN FACTS: I tested out of college math by doing eenie-meenie-minee-mo on the entrance exams. "Martha" is my favorite Dr. Who companion. I love to paint. I love animals. Sour Patch Kids are my favorite candy. Summer is my favorite season. I can be enthusiastic about almost everything in life.

Meet Jess Lindgren

                                                 Pictured Above: Jeremy Deck, Jess Lindgren, Jake Miller, Lisa Bodkin, Justin Wevers

Ahoj všichni :) jsem Jess. Nemluvím česky, ale učím se.
Hi everyone! I am Jess – I don’t speak Czech, but I am learning!

A Little About Me…
I work at New Hope Church as the Administrative Director of Student Ministries. Working with my staff is always an adventure – but I am so thankful to partner with them in ministry and consider them close friends. It’s also such an honor and joy to serve junior and senior high students (and their families!) and to walk through this season of life with them. They are such a talented and gifted group of young people – and I love seeing the Lord grow them and stir their hearts to be on mission! A few other important facts about me – I love FALL (nearly everything about it), Anne of Green Gables, running, TEA, the Bears, cooking/baking/food in general, sunsets and the time 11:11.

Why Czech…
I first traveled to Czech in 2007 as a high school student to do an English camp in Sumperk. The Lord opened doors for me to return the following two summers and after those three short-term trips, I began praying about an opportunity to do more long-term ministry in Czech. After graduating from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, I did an extended internship in Czech for 6.5 months to get a glimpse of what it would be like to do missions in Central Europe. I helped lead three English camps with different cities across Czech that summer – and then continued to build relationships and and do ministry in the fall through English clubs, meeting students, visiting youth groups, and just living life alongside students I met. After returning to the States, I began working at NHC and now have led teams of high school students to Czech the past three summers to continue doing English camps in Sumperk.

Why November…
The Lord is at work in Czech! This is so evident to us as we continue in our partnership with Kostel Jinak. Many of the core members of Kostel have come to Christ in the last seven years – and many of those through the ministry of and relationships that have come from English camps in the summer. I am excited to head back to Czech this November with the Fusion team – and to explore ways that Fusion can also partner with Kostel during the year. I am so looking forward to continue learning about a people and place that is so near to my heart. It’s been a joy to see others grow and catch vision for what God is doing in Czech — and I LOVE being able to partner in ministry with our dear friends in Sumperk. I’m also really looking forward to reconnecting with students who were at English camp this past summer!

So, Czech friends… see you soon! And thanks to everyone for your prayers as we prepare for this trip!

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!