Sometimes the familiar is far from ordinary. That is the case for Gospel Outreach (GO), a locally based and well-known international ministry, where many University Church volunteer.  GO’s outreach from College Place around the world is extraordinary.

This year, GO celebrates its 25th anniversary and continues to center its mission on sharing the love of Jesus. GO workers are sharing Jesus with the people living in the 10/40 Window (from 10 to 40 degrees north of the equator). The 10/40 Window includes about 70 countries, from northwest Africa, the Middle East to India, and China. Nearly two-thirds of the world’s population live in this area where most people are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, animist and atheists and Jewish. Many of these people do not know about the love of Jesus. Many of the countries in the 10/40 Window are also opposed to Christian work. For GO’s mission-minded Christians, this presents as an enormous opportunity and challenge.

This vision of sharing Jesus in the 10/40 Window has impacted lives near and far. Brent Scully, GO president, and his family are no exception. Sharing Jesus with people who had never heard of Him has given Brent and his family a new purpose. “It changed us,” he says. The Scully family’s first of many trips with GO to an Adventist school and orphanage in India made such an impact that it placed their whole life orientation on a new track. Brent said, “I believe Gospel Outreach is what church is all about. We need to focus outside ourselves, not inside. If we do, we’ll see God’s Holy Spirit uncorked!”

GO’s ministry model is empowering indigenous Bible workers in 51 countries in the 10/40 Window to connect with and share the story of Jesus with those around them. These local GO workers speak the same language and know the culture of their neighbors. This saves time, money and energy. Donations to GO provide training and stipends for more than 1,500 GO Bible workers. GO has no employees and relies heavily on the support of volunteers.

Pat Gustin, a GO vice president and a University Church member, has served as a missionary in Thailand and is also a gifted trainer of missionaries. Pat says that GO has a new focus and method to sharing Jesus. Along with Jon Dybdahl, former GO president, and GO regional directors, Beverly Thompson and Kip Ault, Pat has recently finished a join project that constitutes a curriculum resource that GO’s Bible workers will use as they interact with Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. The materials work off the motto, “Taste and See.” The GO workers tell Bible stories as an introduction to the living God. The guides are being translated into local languages and are also pictorial. In fact, some teachers are not literate, but grasp the faith-stories from the scriptures in detail after only hearing them three or four times. GO’s Bible workers are already using this new method of sharing the Bible stories. The resource Pat and her colleagues have produced has such promise that the office of Global Mission at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is adopting it as a part of its own training and curriculum for missionaries working with people who have no familiarity with Christianity.

GO produces a TV show, “Adventures in Missions”, which shares the stories from the GO Bible workers. Watch on Blue Mountain TV or on www.goaim.org.

If you’d like to get involved at GO with the exciting work of sharing Jesus, please call 509-525-2951, visit www.goaim.org or contact Pat Gustin or Brent Scully. GO will be hosting its 25th anniversary celebration at the GO Mission Rally on Sabbath afternoon, October 20, in the University Church. More information to come. Please offer a word of thanks and pray for those working to share the story of Jesus in the 10/40 Window. 

-Pastor Kris Loewen

TOUCHES OF INTEREST

The Sanctuary roof is being replaced over the remainder of July and much of August. During this time, two construction companies will be working in, on, and around the church facility. Please be aware that coned-off zones on the outside of the building indicate areas of danger. In particular, they may indicate an overhead hazard that is not otherwise obvious. Please keep clear of these areas (especially children) and remain mindful of the ongoing construction during this time. Pictures of the progress are below:

The church is seeking a part-time facility manager. If you are interested in this position, please email your resume to church@wallawalla.edu.

Stay up to date with the University Church’s texting service. To receive important information about events, schedule changes, and emergencies, opt-in by texting “WWUCINFO” to 84576.

The University Church is looking to fill the position of full- time office manager. If you are interested, please send your resume to church@wallawalla.edu. You can view the job description to the right.

Ordell Johnson passed away on May 14. There will be a memorial service on July 29 at 11am in the Village Church Chapel. Thank you for remembering his family in your prayers.

The family of Freda Doris Gilliland, wife of W. Melvin Gilliland, past WWU librarian, sadly announce her passing on July 2, 2018 at the age of 92. She peacefully died after telling each of her children, spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren either in person or on the phone that she loved them and would meet them in heaven where we will live forever and ever! A family burial service will take place at a later date. Please make any gifts on Freda’s behalf to the Walla Walla University Library. Cards to the family can be sent c/o Duane Gilliland, 1808 SW 26th Circle, Battle Ground, WA 98604.

A celebration of life ceremony will be held for former WWU professor, Dr. Richard Litke, on July 28 at 3pm in the Wenatchee SDA Church Family Life Center. He is survived by his wife, Jackie Larson, and his stepdaughters Diana Hernandez and Denise Kerr. If you would like to share memories or condolences, please visit heritagememorialchapel.com In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.

The Global Leadership Summit is coming to the University Church for the third year. This training is open to everyone, Thursday and Friday, August 9‒10. University Church members and regular attenders can register at any time until the day of the conference for $119. Visit wwuchurch.com/gls2018 to register, or use a paper registration form available at the information desk.

Heubach Chapel morning worship continues this summer on a weekly basis. Every Friday morning, 7:30-7:50am, you are invited to join Heather Lee for singing and prayer.

Seventh-day Adventist beliefs survey is live. Every five years, the Adventist Church conducts a survey to discover what members believe, their experiences with the church, and how they live their daily lives. You are invited to participate. (Please note this survey takes about one hour to complete.) The survey is available both in English and Spanish. https://l.uccsda.org/SDASurvey2018 Thank you for your help!

Camp MiVoden white water rafting camp has a few spots open. Space is limited. Visit mivoden.com and register today. You can also email denisek@uccsda.org or call 509-242-0506.

The Village Church is looking for 4 people - two for the Friday night shift (8-11, 08-31) and two for Sabbath morning (11-2, 09-01).  This year the fair falls on the same weekend as the Village Church's 50th anniversary, and special events are planned for Friday night and Sabbath.  If anyone wants to help in this community outreach, please contact Dalaina Grigsby, dgrigsby@charter.net or text 509-301-1554.

Former Walla Walla General Hospital employees, physicians, AHMG and Clinic employees, and volunteers are invited to a one-year post closure reunion potluck Sunday, July 29, at the Fort Walla Walla picnic shelter at 4pm. Bring food for 6-8 people, table service for your family, and lawn chairs. Water and drinks provided. Go to wwghlegacy.com for more information or contact Miki Uren at 509-525-1026.

The WWU Freshman Mentoring Program is looking for people who have a passion to help college freshman succeed. If you are interested or know someone who would be a great asset to our team, please call KarrLayn Beck at 509.527.2715 or apply on the WWU website.

Make a Difference by volunteering at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. Caregivers and volunteers at Providence St. Mary Medical Center are committed to providing services to our community in a caring, respectful way. We honor the individual faith, worth and dignity of each patient and family member. We believe patients and families are active participants in their health care. By choosing to volunteer at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, you are helping to meet the needs of our community in an environment of care and understanding. Hospital volunteers from all faith traditions are welcome. Currently we have need of volunteers in areas such as the Gift Shop, inpatient services comfort rounding, the Emergency Department, pet therapy, the Family Birth Center, and the American Cancer Society Resource Center. We invite you to join our team of volunteers.  If you are interested, please contact Patti Lennartson, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 509.897.2072 or patti.lennartson@providence.org.

Discovery Preschool is now accepting applications for the 2018/2019 school year. We now have the option for an extended afternoon program to go along with our current morning program. The new hours are 7:45-5:15. You have the option to come in the morning only or extend into the afternoon. Please contact us at 509.527.2252 or by email: stacy.maxted@wallawalla.edu

Walla Walla University is hiring!  Please visit jobs.wallawalla.edu for current job openings and to apply.

The Christian Aid Center is an important ministry partner of the University Church. They are currently in need of the following volunteers: Chapel Speakers (6:30‒7pm, various dates available); Childcare Providers (daily 9-11am shifts, and Tues. and Thurs. shifts from 1:30‒3:30pm); Receptionist (various shifts available); Kitchen Host (morning and evening shifts available); Hair Stylist; Registered Nurses. Please contact Jeannette Regalado, Volunteer & Donor Relations at 525-7153 ext. 114 for more information.

Call to Service: Are you a physician or dentist with an earnest longing for souls?   Then the AMEN conference is for you!  Join us Thursday October 25 – Sunday October 28, 2018 in Indian Wells, CA.  The 2018 AMEN conference Call to Service will call each of us to a deeper level of service that goes beyond our comfort zone, challenging us to examine the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, instilling a desire to share Him on a daily basis. Speakers include:  Pastor John Bradshaw of It Is Written, and Pastor Wes Peppers; Dentists Stephen Wright and Ken Pierson; Physicians Brian Schwartz, Tash Ching, and Dapne Moretta and many others.  All physicians, dentists, healthcare professionals, and pastors are encouraged to attend.  This year a special symposium for young professionals (especially residents & fellows) will be held Friday and Sabbath afternoons called: God’s Call, My Work.  We hope you will join us as hundreds of physicians and dentists from across America, and around the world, gather to answer God’s Call to Service.  For more information go to amensda.org/conferences/ or email admin@amensda.org.

SonBridge Thrift & Gift Store is recruiting volunteers to sort donated goods, help haul items, or maintain the facility. If interested, please call 509.529.3100.