by Pastor Dan Christian

Take a moment and reflect on how connected you feel in Evergreen SGV. Could you honestly say that “you’re in” or do you feel more like you’re somewhere on the periphery? What do you think it would take to help you feel more connected in our church family? And what could you do to help others feel welcome and connected?

According to Ephesians 4:11-16, a key part of growing toward maturity in Christ is being “joined and held together” in the Body so that each part can carry out the function for which it was designed. Therefore we as a church family should desire and work toward that kind of connectedness with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Enfolding Ministries” are those ministries at Evergreen SGV which seek to bring about that connectedness in the church family: to enfold believers deeper into the community and ministry of the church so that they will grow toward maturity in Christ. So whether someone is a first-time guest to Evergreen SGV, or whether they’ve been attending for many years, the goal is the same—to move them from where they’re at to a deeper relationship with God and a greater connectedness in the church, NOT merely so that we can have a bigger church that accomplishes more ministry, but so that each individual will grow toward maturity in Christ.

In order for this maturity-enhancing connectedness to happen in our church—and in order for you yourself to feel more connected in our church family—there are several values that we all must embrace and embody. In the weeks to come, I will be sharing about those values, with the hope that God will further shape our hearts to be a hospitable, welcoming church where visitors and regular attenders can easily connect and grow toward maturity in Christ.

by Pastor Dan Christian

Biblical hospitality means loving a stranger, not just loving those who are in our circle of friends or socio-economic strata or comfort zone. Jesus modeled that kind of hospitality by spending so much time with those on the fringes of society that he was accused of being a “friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34ff). Could that said of you or of I, that we are friends of society’s castoffs?

I caught a glimpse of Biblical hospitality this past Sunday morning, as I watched Luna Wong and Garrett Ohara interact with a visitor to our church from the surrounding community. They didn’t just give a polite greeting and move on (though greeting one another is certainly a Biblical command as well), but they stood there for quite awhile and listened to this person share about his life, and they talked to him and encouraged him and made sure he felt welcome at our church. That is a beautiful picture of hospitality—that is what God calls us to do as His Body, the church. Luna and Garrett were simply being the church to a brother in need, and that was a beautiful picture to see.

Then after service I saw another glimpse of Biblical hospitality, this time as Frank and Kay Murakami greeted and talked with and blessed this same guest. They were not concerned with his appearance or what others might think if they were seen interacting with such a person—they simply loved on him just the same as they would love on you or I or whoever God puts in their path.

Thank you Kay and Frank and Garrett and Luna for loving a stranger like Jesus would do, and for giving us a picture of what God calls us to be—to not just invite people into “our church” but to BE the church to all those whom He sends our way. As God continues to deepen our connection with the community of La Puente, may all of us learn to extend ourselves in such a way, that we also would be living demonstrations of Biblical hospitality.

by Mandy Terasawa

When I was first approached to consider praying about being in a WELL Discipleship group, my first thoughts were “what does this group entail?” and “how much of a time commitment would be involved?” I was already a busy mom who had to chauffeur three children to their countless activities.  On top of this, I was a teacher for Alhambra School District and had a father at Keiro Nursing Home whom I visited regularly.  This discipleship group met once a week for 3 hours in the evening for a 10-month season and because I have a daughter with special needs and a seizure disorder, it was difficult for me to attend evening functions. As I brought the WELL Discipleship to the Lord in prayer, He opened the door for me to attend as my son volunteered to stay home with my daughter every Wednesday evening so I could participate in the WELL. 

As I began attending the WELL, God soon revealed to me that this discipleship group was exactly what I needed at this time in my life.  The WELL was a place where I could be transparent and real, knowing that I would not be judged.  Instead my sisters in Christ would lift me up in prayer keeping everything confidential.  We also did book studies that emphasized how our relationship with the Lord impacts every aspect of our lives whether it be family life, relationships, career, ministry, etc.  As a result, a major focus of the WELL involved the discipline of solitude and silence.  This requires throwing aside the “to-do list” and just sitting in silence with the Lord.  That’s right!  Not saying anything nor doing anything – just being with the Lord.  Doing solitude regularly has helped me grow in my walk with the Holy Spirit. The WELL Discipleship ministry is based on the passage John 4:4-42, which is the story of the Samaritan woman who had a miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ at a well.  This amazing meeting transformed her life, and she became an agent of change for an entire town.  My hope and prayer is that many “thirsty and weary” women would have a chance to receive all that Jesus has for them by participating in the WELL Discipleship Ministry.  

by Helen D

4 year-old grandchild: “Grandpa is missing. He is in heaven. Is he walking or driving a car? Why is it taking so long?”

It seems he thinks Grandpa is making his way back to us, when in fact, it will be us, making our way to join him!

It’s moments like these that make me want to laugh and cry at the same time.

There’s an Evergreen SGV group that focuses on ministry to widows, Morning Glory. The group meets monthly for a time of fellowship, prayer and support for those who have walked similar, yet individual paths. It’s the result of the collaboration of Arlene Yee and Lori Snuggs, who were led to gather women together several years ago. The members sometimes refer to MG as the group “no one wants to join, but boy, are we glad it exists!”

As an observer of this fellowship since its inception, I had not considered how soon I would be joining them. But I am so blessed by them! The voice of experience shared at each meeting whether from the members or facilitators is enlightening, encouraging, and most of all, compassionate.

For information about the next meeting, email Arlene Yee  or Lori Snuggs

by Alicia Liu

Growing up under the influence of my father and being a learner, I have always liked to read. Books are my friends even after lots of formal education. I remember last year sharing with my WELL group that I missed having friends who would challenge me intellectually. Not until I started writing this article, did I realize that my prayer request was answered by this book club.

Jason Jung wanted to start a book club November 2013 to read Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. During the same time, I was indulging myself with C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia and wanted to read more C. S. Lewis's books, so I signed myself up for the book club.

Praise the Lord for good technology.  About 4-6 of us meet on Monday nights through Google Hangout. I did not know that Mere Christianity was actually a difficult book to read due to the archaic language and many philosophical arguments and illustrations. The initial weeks, it took me hours to read just three short chapters. Fortunately, we shared each other's struggles and helped each other to grasp the meaning and reasoning that Lewis conveyed in his book. Now I have started to enjoy the witty illustrations that Lewis gave in his book to help readers digest the abstract ideas in Christianity.

This book club has been an encouragement to me in many ways. First, this is an answer to a prayer from God. Second, the fellowship reminded me of Matt. 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Only God knows how much we really needed Him there with us every week because of the difficult material that we discussed. Third, the book club has stretched and strengthened the faith of each one because of the depth of each topic we covered. 

My prayer is that all of us in the church family could experience this “[and] let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:24-25)