Calvary Life FallCalvaryLife2018-WEB | Page 10

Calvary Church has a long history and a deep love for Missions, for taking opportunities and building partnerships to share the Gospel in word and deed with people right here in West Michigan and around the world. As God has remade us as a people to be more merciful and hospitable, we’ve seen the need for and been able to increase our involvement in demonstrating God’s love to widows and orphans, internationals and refugees, prisoners and others. mercy & missions jump in this fall! This fall, you can be a part. Here are some opportunities coming up: Neighbors International , Calvary church’s international college student ministry, is currently seeking friendship fam- ilies/individuals to befriend our newly arriving international college students. We have heard from so many of our stu- dents, that after dreaming for years to come here to study, they are very excited but also frightened, overwhelmed, and lonely. If you sign up to be a Friendship Family you can help ease those burdens and also be the love of Jesus in words and deeds. What does a Friendship Family / individual need to do: • Fill out an application and be interviewed (Applicants must be over age 30) • Attend mandatory new volunteer training September 23 – 7:00 p.m. • Optional : Help with the citywide international college student dinner at Grand Rapids Public Museum in October • Be assigned a student(s) who live near you and has similar interests • Meet with your student(s) at least once a month for a fun activity, have them to your home for dinner, or take them to church. • Talk with your student(s) at least once a week • Send in monthly updates as requested • Be a blessing! If you have the gift of hospitality and want to be involved in a ministry that has global impact, we are looking for you! Our African students have never seen snow and need someone to show them the proper clothing to buy. Our En- glish language students need help practicing their English and understanding the culture. Many of our students do not have strong family ties in their home countries and are so grateful to be part of a family here. If you have room in your heart to welcome one of these students please contact Sonja Yeates before September 21. 10 CONTACT: Sonja Yeates Email: [email protected] Text: 340-2568 CityFest isn’t just over in September! Through the catalyst of this season we have partnered with other churches and organizations in West Michigan as we work on refurbishing manufactured homes. Calvary has jumped in to help families who are homeless through this initiative. The families are working but the economy is such that they flat-out cannot afford housing. They go through so much shock when they are faced with homelessness that organizations are just now beginning to understand how deeply traumatic it is… and Calvary can help. Coming alongside Partners in Housing, Calvary has been challenged to finish fixing up our first manufactured home by the end of September. We cannot fix the home without you. We need you, your colleagues, your small group, your family (ages 14+) and most importantly... your prayers! To help with demolition, construction, painting, cleaning, completion, and even being our prayer warriors, please contact Natalie Uecker ([email protected]). Let’s continue what CityFest has started and partner togeth- er with Calvary folks to help families to say, “Home Sweet Home.” CONTACT: Affordable Housing Committee Email: [email protected] Phone: 956-9377, ext. 5181