Many families are struggling. More than 30 million students are enrolled in the free and reduced meal programs, which is a standard measure of financial stability. Many parents are unable to provide the basic school supplies their children need to be effective. In addition, schools often lack the funding to purchase necessary supplies. We want to show the love of … Read More
by Osheta Moore My first job was at a buffet-style pizza chain called Ci Ci’s Pizza. My boss was a young twenty-something with perfectly gelled blonde hair and the word “Manager” affixed to his spotless tomato-red polo. My co-workers were a diverse and scrappy group. There was Carlos, who only spoke Spanish, but made sure we all took our meal … Read More
This spring, we invited a new partner organization to move into our building! Voice in the Wilderness, a non-profit founded in 2012 by two Congolese Americans, gives aid to humanitarian efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and helps new refugees who have moved to Minnesota. Many refugees who settle here are fleeing extreme violence and unrest in … Read More
by Julie Thoreen Four-year-old Christy rides her tricycle around her neighborhood, closing her eyes and praying, Jesus, if you are real, when I open my eyes, show yourself to me. She does this over and over again. Jesus, if you are real, when I open my eyes… When the sun sets, Christy gets off her bike and enters into the … Read More
Last Wednesday, June 20, 10 of our Echo students (7th-12th grade) took the important step to be baptized. For many of them, being invited and accepted into the Echo community has greatly shifted their view and experience of Jesus, church and community. The baptism itself was a beautiful representation of that–every one had family there with them, and many of … Read More
This week, June 18-22, 12 Trout Lake Day Camp Counselors and around 100 Woodland Hills K-5th graders took over the church for a jam-packed week of fun skits, Biblical truth, high energy worship and incredible camp activities. Check out some of what they did below!
by Julie Thoreen A kitchen is a focal point for community. A place for gathering and participating and sharing. A reason to unite. The Jesus Kitchen started in 1995. It serves meals and builds relationship with the hundreds and thousands of people, many of them traveling homeless, who attend regional and national Rainbow Gatherings. Growing out of the love movement … Read More
For 2,000 years the Bible has provided the church with a set of sacred scriptures that are inspired by God and that serve as our authoritative source of teaching and guidance. However, certain passages are so hard to figure out that it seems easier just to skip over them. This summer, we’ll try to make sense of some of those … Read More
“I set him back down in his crib knowing that he’ll never know he spent this night with me. It was like a death.” Leah Berg, and her husband, Paul, had already invested so much of their hearts into the baby boy that was supposed to be theirs. Read More
We’re thrilled to announce that Osheta Moore is joining our staff as our new Outreach and Teaching Pastor! The Executive Team, pastors and boards have been in conversations with her over the last few months, ever since she spoke at our women’s event in February. She and her husband T.C. have been podrishioners for over a decade, and they’ve definitely … Read More
