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Full of Joy
It was a good week full of emotion, fun and opportunities. At the Russian Jack Park, we played a LOT of Four Square and had many crafts going at the same time. Four Square was a mix of ages, from kids to adults, and that made the game even more fun and all the more unpredictable!
Grace in the Park
We wrapped up our final day with hearts full of gratitude and awe. What began as a desire to be on mission blossomed into a powerful view and reminder of the grace of God.
God Saves!
God’s mercies are new every morning, and what a joy it was to wake to clear skies and sunshine. After our service projects this morning, we were excited to get back to the parks this afternoon. We’ve been handing out donated Bibles and children’s books about God as the Spirit prompts. Pray that these recipients read and receive truth into their hearts.
God Our Shield
Our lesson today was about God being our shield and protector. Even though it was very rainy during our time at the park, some kids still showed up and had a lot of fun. We made shields and had a water balloon fight as a visual example of God’s protection, with the shields representing how He protects us from harm just like they protected the kids from the balloons. Other than our lesson many people made bracelets, played soccer, and connected with each other during our time there.
You Are My Hiding Place
The “Polar Bear” park is going well. Many regular kids who have been great to play with and engage in our daily lessons. They really appreciate the edible crafts.
The Good Shepherd
Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd—the one who lays down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). In a world of hired hands and broken promises, He is the one who stays, searches, and saves.
Going Out with Purpose — Team Commissioning
Sunday morning (July 27th) marks a beautiful moment in our church’s journey as we gather to commission the Alaska Missions Team, sending them off to carry the knowledge, hope, and love of Jesus to communities far beyond our own.
Pray for the 2025 Alaska Team
This Sunday, our missions team will be heading to Alaska. As we go, we’re trusting God to guide our steps and use our time to proclaim the gospel.
The heavens declare Your glory…
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork (Ps. 19:1). The beauty of Mt. Denali which was our glorious view this morning was only overshadowed by the praises of the team to Him as we reflected on His work in us and in the park this week. This morning we enjoyed a worship service together in the small town of Talkeetna which is near Mt. Denali. We were so grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to stop and reflect on God’s goodness in this team of people that He brought together to proclaim His name in the parks and encourage believers over the past week.
Celebrating God’s saving grace
What a great week at Russian Jack park! Today our lesson was on prayer. On our last day and last week of Graceworks ministry, we wanted to leave the kids with the truth that Jesus is always with them, always listening and caring, wanting to hear from them. He wants to hear whatever is important to us. He wants to be our best friend. Please pray that these kids grow closer to Jesus. They were hungry to hear truth. Living Hope kids and families donated to purchase Bibles. We brought about $300 of Bibles and children's books like Stormie Omartians book What happens when I talk to God. We gave all of them out to kids! It was the greatest joy for each of us to have gospel conversations while making bracelets, coloring, in line for foursquare, kickball etc.
Talking about Jesus
Hey everyone! Today was a busy day for us, but it was full of opportunities to talk about Jesus and build deeper relationships with those we have gotten to know. Today's lesson focused on sharing the gospel with others while making it clear and concise for those not following Jesus. We incorporated beach balls with images depicting God creating the world, the fall, and Jesus' redemption for those who repent and accept him. These were used for both the lesson and the craft for the kids afterward. As usual, we played games and hung out with the kids until we returned for dinner.
Jesus is God & He Loves You
Today’s lesson featured an interview with a “special guest” - the Apostle Paul - speaking from house arrest in Rome. After reminiscing about witnessing -Stephen’s fearless proclamation of the Gospel, Paul recounted how Jesus changed his life, and shared scrolls with this message to the kids:
The Word will not return void
Today was a full day. The sun came out, and with the sun came the kids. At one point, we had over 40 kids at the park. Surely, God is moving among us and through us. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone on the team has been amazing, and I’m thrilled to share how things are going.
Sowing Seeds
Today was a great day at the park! We're trusting that the Lord is working even through the rain. Because of the rain and cold today, we only had about ten kids at the park today, but the Lord was still working.
Alaska Bound
This morning 14 people were commissioned to go to Alaska with the good news of the gospel.
Pray for the 2024 Alaska Team
PRAY FOR THE TEAM
Pray that the team will see the glory of God while serving others
Pray that people will come to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
Pray that the team will build up the body of Christ in Anchorage
Pray that we would connect as a team as well as with other GraceWorks volunteers & staff
Good and Gracious King
I'm most in awe of how good and gracious God has been to work in and through us to share the love and joy of Jesus with the kids and parents at the parks. The Lord used all of our diverse giftings for his glory. Each of us shared the Gospel differently, using different verses and approaches, many times to the same kids. Kids were listening, engaged in our Gospel conversations, object lessons, Bible verse songs, and Biblical crafts. They accepted highlighted Bibles and they hunger for more of him…
Hope for the Hopeless
“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…” 1 Cor 1:4. Like Paul, we thank God for you, those who have partnered in prayer with us, for the grace given you in Christ which you have chosen to share with the children in Alaska through your prayers and support. Today we are driving to Talkeetna, which is a small town outside of Denali National Park. As we are driving, I have been reflecting on this past week of ministry in the Anchorage parks and have been filled up by God’s work there.
Sufficient Grace
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This verse from 2 Corinthians 12:9 is the perfect reminder we need heading into our final day of our time at GraceWorks. The long days spent playing hard and loving on these sweet kids and their parents takes energy, and were it only our strength to rely on we’d be insufficient. Praise God and please be praying for us that we would lean into our weakness on this special last day of the week knowing that God’s power will be on full display as we say goodbye and send these children off for the remainder of the summer. We want our words to be laden with the reminder that there is hope. Hope, not just that the hard things in life might dissipate or that the unfathomably difficult situations many of these kids go home to would vanish, but hope that Jesus is making all things new - and that includes the hearts and minds of these individuals we’ve come to love and care about so much this past week. We give thanks to him for the opportunities to share the gospel this week, to show these kids what treasures can be found in God’s word and the joy that comes in seeing and knowing the beauty of Jesus having died and risen again to save us from our sins. We ALL have much to rejoice in. – Matt Johnson