Reconciliation Resource Ministries

Fall 2007 Update

Thank you everyone for your prayer, concern, and support. Since there has
interest in what RRM
been such an outpouring of concern for me and
is now doing, I thought I’d drop you a slightly longer
newsletter. Much has happened since I last wrote.

Taste of Reconciliation
The Lord blessed RRM to bring together the Body of Christ in a powerful way!
Taste of Reconciliation 2007 was like a mini Taste of Heaven (Rev.7:9) in that
believers from many cultures and denominations came together for the
common purpose of worshiping our Lord and to promote reconciliation and
cooperation in the Body of Christ.

We appreciate Living Springs and their Building Bridges Committee for hosting
and co-sponsoring the event. The Building Bridges Committee (Marlene Garrot
& Mary Marsh Dir’s) lined up the food & took care of most of the details. I also
want to say thanks to our Program Director, Dorothy Huiesman, and the many
others who pitched in to make this special evening possible. The food and
fellowship was fabulous! Singers from Living Springs, Inglesia Comunidad
Nueeva Vida, United Protestant Korean Church, Dexter Manley & the Zion
Movement Corale, Kings Community Church, SS Chinese Church and others in
a combined choir provided the special music. Pastor Roy Patterson and I
shared. I believe we had over 500 come to The Taste of Reconciliation and
more importantly many said they were blessed by this endeavor. The “Taste”
was featured in October’s RCA Today October Bulletin insert.

The racial make up of many south suburban villages are changing which
presents both challenging issues and unusual opportunities for churches.
Prayerfully, my 30 years of cross cultural experience can be of a help to
churches facing these issues.

VBS
RRM was involved with three Vacation Bible School Programs. We also want to
thank the children of First Reformed of Lansing and Crete Church for collecting
donations for RRM during their VBS programs.

BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY

Once again we partnered with Galilee Baptist Church for their annual Back to
School Rally in Roseland. We had about 150 come out for a time of fun, food,
and sharing of the GOOD NEWS along with the distribution of school supplies.
We were also able to resource other ministries in their efforts to demonstrate
God’s love in a practical way – WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE
SCHOOL SUPPLY DONATIONS!!!

OTHER SPECIAL FALL ACTIVITIES

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PUMPKIN PATCH HAYRIDE

Once again the Van Til’s opened up their farm to host a pumpkin patch
hayride. We also partnered with Grace Reformed Youth Group and CPO
(Chicagoland Prison Outreach) to get Urban Youth to this event. The kid’s (&
moms from Roseland Christian Ministries Homeless Shelter) went on a
“hayride” in the fields and then were allowed to Pick a pumpkin to decorate
and take home. We then came back to the farm for games & food. My assistant
Jeff Bryson shared “the Word” around the campfire. The kids had a great time. I
was especially touched by the words of some of the homeless moms – they
shared how quiet and refreshing it was to come out to Crete – and they
expressed great gratitude for this activity.

HALLALUAH PARTIES
As I write this we are geared up to help two Halloween Alternative
Activities. A special thank you to those who are providing candy so we can
get the Light of the GOOD NEWS out on this night that is most often thought of
in terms of Darkness.

THANKSGIVING OUTREACH
On Nov. 17 we will be distributing “Boxes of Love” (Thanksgiving Turkey,
food, Bible, & material – donated by Campus Crusade’s Agape Center) as an
evangelistic outreach. We are in need of additional food for Christian families
that are going through a tough time financially. We prefer Canned hams so we
don’t have to deal with Freezer issues. Due Nov. 15.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

11/10/07 RRM’s Volunteer Training (see separate article).
12/17/07 TOYS DUE FOR “Christ the Greatest Gift” campaign. Let me know if
you feel that you need the extra Sunday (Dec. 23) to collect toys - special
arrangements can be made.

PRAISE AND PRAYER

SHARED RESOURCES PROJECT

Rich Van Til donated an “inflatable bouncer”. Already it has helped with
ministry outreaches to kids from Roseland (Chicago), Glenwood, Chicago
Heights, and Ford Heights. As you know I have been working on a “shared
resources” project to bless the Body of Christ especially in the area of
empowering churches to have evangelistic outreaches to their communities.
Much more is needed and please contact me if you would like a list of supplies
we are trying to get. Also, someone who attended the “Taste of Reconciliation”
told me that they could probably get us a u-haul type of truck. Well I lost his
business card (not only do I drive others crazy, I drive myself nuts also). IF YOU
KNOW WHO THIS MAY BE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

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I would also appreciate your prayers as I work to foster reconciliation,
encourage ministers, and empower ministries.

REESE’S REFUGE
Please pray for the kids of “Reese’s Refuge” these are neighborhood kids
that enjoy hanging out at our house. Currently I pack our van on Wednesday
nights to bring them to an “Olympians” Bible Club at East Hazel Crest Bible
Church. We pray that they will grow strong in the Lord and be a witness in their
community.

LITTLE ANGELS CLUB

We also have amonthly activity that we have been calling “The
Little Angels Club”. This is an area wide youth activity we sponsor for
Urban Youth, especially those who have suffered through a calamity. Let us
know if you would like to sponsor one of these activities.

BASKETBALL & BIBLE PROGRAMS

We would appreciate your prayers as Scott is helping establish several
Basketball and Bible Programs. He is assisting CPO to start an outreach
league at Living Springs CC. RRM also plans on starting both a Grade School
and also a high school / adult “Basketball & Bible Programs” at a church in
Chicago Heights.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS

A couple of the ministries that we are endeavoring to help have

asked me if I could help spread the word about special needs.

NEW LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH is having problems with its gymnasium

heaters. They are located on the ceiling so they are difficult to get to.
The first step is diagnosing the problem and would appreciate help with
this.

LIVING WORD OUTREACH (of Chicago Heights) is looking for a couple of

volunteers to help unload a truck of food that comes twice a month for
their food program. (Preferably guys, and it is on a weekday late
afternoon to early evening- 3 to 4 hours including waiting time for the
 truck). They also have a fine small Bible College
http://livingwordcollege.org .

THE FORD HEIGHTS HOPE CENTER is a wonderful organization run by

Robin Quinn. They recently have been able to secure a building on
Lincoln Highway in the center of town. I am really impressed in what
they are doing and am doing what I can to help them. They are in need
of volunteers and also materials to rehab their building. A list of needed
materials can be found at : http://fordheightshopecenter.org .

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Two other ministries that I work with are in need of special
prayer:

THE SS CHINESE CHURCH: I have had the awesome privilege of

preaching on a regular basis to this congregation for nearly 20 years.
They are some of the most wonderful people that I have ever met and
have a deep love for our Lord. They are now searching for a pastor.
Please pray that the Lord will provide for this need soon and that the
church will be used in a powerful way to bring the GOOD NEWS to the
south suburban Chinese population.

GALLILEE BAPTIST CHURCH: They are strategically located on Michigan

Ave. in Roseland. They have a heart to reach out in love to their needy
neighborhood. Thanks to the Liccar family, RRM is able to provide a meal
there once a month for the homeless. I have been helping them in
various ways for about a decade now. Their pastor, Rev. Joseph Kitchen
started the church 34 years ago. For the last couple years he has had
major health issues (Alzheimer’s and an amputated leg from diabetes
complications) and has not been able to fulfill pastoral duties. His wife
Kristine has MS and still works tirelessly to provide services to the
community. At this point the congregation is small and they need
wisdom on how to proceed. There is a strong difference of opinion within
the congregation. Please pray that the will of God will be made plain.

MORE PRAYER REQUESTS:

FRED EDMOND:
In my last newsletter we asked for prayer for Fred’s salvation. Thank you for
your prayers – the very day most of you received your newsletter (& prayed)
Fred told Lisa that he was ready to put his trust in the Lord. His life has
changed in many ways, in fact now that he is a Christian he thought he should
marry his “girlfriend” of 13 years – I will be performing the ceremony on Nov. 3.
Fred is a good father & they have six kids. He has completed a carpentry
training class offered by CPO and has to wait several months to start a
carpenters apprentice class. Please pray that he will continue to grow in the
Lord and that he will find a good paying job.

INTERNET MINISTRY
At this point I am only investing one afternoon a week to this. This week I
created a website for a non profit organization ministering in Ford Heights. I
strongly believe that the Internet is presenting a historic & low budget
opportunity to get the GOOD NEWS to the lost. There are now over one billion
people that have access to the Internet. More and more people are spending
great amounts of time on the Internet. This advancement has far more
potential than what the advancements of radio and TV brought to the kingdom.
However for our Internet outreach to be truly effective, I would need
volunteers and designated funds. I am praying for God’s direction on this.

MY THREE KEY ASSISTANTS

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TOMMIE BEASLEY – God has completely transformed his life. He use to be a

drug dealer and criminal and now he is serving the Lord. He has been getting
weary and losing focus of late, I’m concerned, please pray that he will be
refreshed and continue his powerful witness. JEFF BRYSON – Jeff’s wife totaled
their car while trying to avoid running over a young lady that was thrown out of
a car here in the Heights. I am working with Jeff to develop his public speaking
/ preaching skills – he is now available to give his testimony or to speak to a
youth group. JEANNIE WILLIAMS – Jeannie is having a difficult time finding a
quality job. Being a single mom makes this even more challenging. She also is
in need of a car and if anyone would like to bless her financially to help her get
on her feet, it would be a wonderful thing. If she gets a car she is willing to
represent RRM at both urban and suburban churches. Actually if RRM was a
larger ministry we’d love to hire all three on at least a part time basis, if not full
time. TOMMIE is gifted at ministering in areas that no one else wants to go to.
He has a heart for the homeless, gang bangers, and drug/alcohol abusers as
well as a desire to help those released from prison. JEFF is a very gifted youth
speaker – especially sharing a message of HOPE to urban youth. JEANNIE has
been blessed with a beautiful voice and has a heart for ministry and single
moms. Last Sunday she sang at Hillside Community Church. Please contact me
if you’d like her to sing at your church.

RRM
Please continue to pray for us that we will make a spiritual impact for the cause
of Christ. I’d also appreciate your prayers for our financial needs. We are
praying that during this holiday season that the needed funds will come in and
firmly reestablish our ministry. This will also serve as a barometer if the Lord
wants me to continue this ministry in a full time manner or not as my first
responsibility is to provide for my family. Thanks to an awesome rescue by the
Body of Christ, I am in much better condition to minister effectively and also to
 share the vision and needs of RRM. We’re prayerful that God will touch the
hearts of those HE desires to give to RRM.

I noticed in our summer newsletter that I did not thank Crete Reformed Church for
hosting RRM’s special Fund Raiser. We say thanks!!! Also I don’t know how to
properly express my gratitude to Rich, Debbie, & Marcia for planning it and the 240
of you that came out that night to bless us. Due to this event, besides the funds
raised that evening, we had two new people decide to become monthly donors, two
raised their support level, and many more are now quite interested in our ministry
and give as the Lord leads. We also had someone provide the funds to hire a part
time secretary for us – we are very grateful! In my last newsletter I chronicled the
miracles and answers of prayer and how First Reformed Church along with
donations from Crete Church, Living Springs, & Grace Reformed completely
remodeled the outside of our house. M&M Roofing did an excellent job and probably
gave us special pricing. Four Seasons Heating & Air donated a new furnace and air
conditioning unit, – so I’d like to put a plug in for these two businesses as well as
Lansing Auto for fixing our car. The outpouring of concern & help has encouraged
me greatly. My personal thank you note writing is still not what it should be, but we
daily are just amazed when we think of God’s goodness…THANK YOU for stepping in
and helping us in a special time of need.
KATIE
Has a wonderful spirit about her. Please pray for her spiritual protection. Due to
the nature of my ministry she is often with kids that are way more advanced in
worldly things and come from homes with different values. We are finding
home schooling challenging with Lisa’s and my busy schedules. We are praying
for God’s direction.
LEXI
We praise God for the wonderful work he has done in Lexi’s heart this past half
a year. Lexi has a passion for youth ministry & is now a very active leader in an
area youth group and is helping me with some intern work for RRM.
SCOTT & LISA
Please continue to pray for my wonderful wife. She has many pressures and
challenges. I appreciate your concern for my health – I wish I could say I was
100% better, but I have seen improvement. My thyroid doctor just ordered
additional tests so maybe I’ll have more to report next time. I have also made
dietary changes and am now exercising in the early mornings. I am excited
about what God is doing. The help that we received has been helping us get
out of crisis mode and has made in easier to focus on our ministry endeavors.

Reconciliation Resource
Ministries

Our You can make a

volunteer
training
difference!
will be RRM Volunteer Training
held at 11/10/07
Two Sessions:
First
Reformed 9:30—10:30 a.m.
 
11:00—12:00
RRM’S Volunteer
“How to use your
Church of Opportunities
computer
& Ministry
Projects to
Lansing. share God’s Love to
explained
* There are many ways you can make a difference by volunteering for RRM. We
will share ideas for you to consider. The information for these two sessions will
also be available in print form. If you can not attend, I can send you the
information, just let me know.

Reconciliation Resource Ministries (708) 709-0469

Scott Reese, Director Scott@ChristCares.org
223 W. Memorial Drive
Chicago Heights, I L. 60411 www.ChristCares.org