May Connect

Dear Friend,

I pray this note finds you basking in the love of our Heavenly Father, celebrating the resurrection of the Son, and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit. This month we dive into the Gospel of Mark with Pastor Tim and Pastor Bart in the hopes of setting our “Faith on Fire” in a way that revitalizes our lives, our homes, and our communities. Please take a moment to check out this exciting series, as well as some important news regarding a special congregational meeting this Sunday, May 1st!

In Christ’s Love,

Ryan

Faith on Fire! For some of us, our faith is already a blazing fire, and this series is meant to help feed and maintain that fire, as well as equip us to spread that fire to others.  On the other hand, some of us may be struggling right now. Maybe our faith has quieted into a lukewarm simmer; maybe it has been snuffed out by the pain of suffering and pressure and stress; or maybe some of us have unknowingly settled for the electric blaze of a fake fire... a synthetic faith that offers us no peace, no joy, and no strength in our times of need. As we read through Mark together this month, we pray the Holy Spirit moves through our church, reigniting our passion for Christ. After all, Jesus isn't just Good News... He is the Best News Ever!

May 1         Is your Faith Authentic or Synthetic?                                   Mark 1, 2 & 4

May 8         Is your heart God-Ruled or Man-Ruled?                             Mark 6:1-15 & 7: 1-23

May 15         What are you sacrificing for the world or your soul?       Mark 8:31-9:1

May 22     Are you Living with Sin or Wrestling with it?                        Mark 9: 42-50, 10:1-12 & 14:66-72

May 29     Do you need your vision checked?                                        Mark 10: 17-31, 35-45 & 13

Special Meeting This coming Sunday afternoon, May 1st, we will hold a special congregational meeting at 1:30 PM at the Watseka campus. All members from all campuses are encouraged to attend, as we have some important items to take care of. We will be asking for a vote on the name change that was mentioned at our last congregational meeting (Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Inc.-legally-still known as Trinity Church!), as well as the transfer of property related to that name change. It's a legal requirement related to serving the Lord in multiple campuses in multiple states. We will also be asking for a vote on approving the mortgage details on the building for our Ashkum campus. We praise the Lord for His provision and your generosity as we Invest in the Vision of Transformed Lives and Communities! One last vote needed Sunday will be to approve use of operating funds to have the parking lot at our Watseka campus repaired and sealed. We appreciate your prayers and look forward to gathering!

I mentioned on Sunday that I’ll be transferring my original ordination (from back in 2004) to our Evangelical Free denomination. That involves writing a 40-page paper on the basics of our faith. I’m excited to do so and ask your prayers as that will be the framework for our summer series. By the way, Trinity leadership is planning a summer of epic proportions, with exciting ways to build our faith and friendships! More on that coming soon. I can’t wait!

Your friend, brother and fellow servant to the King of Kings,

Ryan

Trinity Connect - March Edition

Dear Friends, 

I’m so excited about the month of March! We will study books #65 and 66 in our journey to preach through the Bible. What a milestone for us as a church! Please take a moment for an update on the new series, Spanish ministry, the Ashkum permanent site, Goodland construction and campus pastor, and opportunities to grow your faith this weekend!

Work as Worship Conference

Tomorrow at the Watseka campus, from 9-noon, we’ll join an inspiring simulcast to see that all we do can be an act of worship to God. Please join me and reserve your spot by clicking here!

Countdown to Easter

Is the resurrection of Jesus part of your everyday life? Pick up a copy of our original, daily study of the names of Christ. You’ll be refreshed by the daily love of our savior!

Leadership 101 - 1 & 2 Timothy

Week 1       Leader of Leaders        1 & 2 Timothy

Week 2       Leadership Warnings   1 & 2 Timothy

Week 3       Leadership Character   1 & 2 Timothy     

Week 4       Leadership Actions       1 & 2 Timothy

Who are the leaders in your life? Are they godly or ungodly? Generous or miserly? Easy or difficult to follow? How about you? What type of influence do you have? Who are you leading? Where are you leading them to? Who are you following? This month, we’ll see God as the ultimate leader, and we’ll learn to better follow and lead others to Him. Let's follow Christ together!

Spanish Ministry

Please join us in fervent prayer as we finalize plans and prepare to birth this vital ministry to our communities. 

Invest in the Vision

Detailed drawings for the Ashkum campus permanent site have been provided by our architect and forwarded to several general contractors. Please pray for wisdom as we receive feedback and discern who to partner with. We’re delighted to invest in a tool to support Transformed Lives and Communities. We praise the Lord for pledges at 82% of our project target. Please pray about how the Lord may be leading you to join us to reach more people in western Iroquois county with the message of God's redemption through Christ Jesus.  Gifts can be shared securely online at mytrinity.tv, via check, or through the MyTrinityChurch app, by designating “Invest in the Vision.” Thank you!

Goodland Updates

We praise the Lord for the new construction in Goodland to provide additional space to serve children of the community! Please join us in prayer for wisdom as we evaluate a promising candidate for the campus pastor role! How exciting!

Thanks for taking a moment to read and to pray. You’re up to date!

Trinity Connect – True Love Edition – February 2022

Dear Friend,

We all long to be loved. How is your love tank doing these days? Running on empty? Filled and overflowing? Maybe somewhere in between? God wants to fill your tank with His True Love. One of our children accidentally filled our car with diesel fuel. That didn’t go well! Sometimes we try filling our tank with love substitutes that leave us stranded. This month we’ll look at True Love from the Bible’s poetic genre. My prayer is that we’ll better recognize, experience, and share God’s True Love!

God is doing exciting things among us. Please take a moment to check out the latest news. Meanwhile, I’m praying for you!

In Christ’s Love,

Ryan

True Love

Week 1 – Song of Songs 1-4         

Week 2 – Song of Songs 5-8

Week 3 – Love in the Psalms         

Week 4 – Love in Proverbs

Benevolence Ministries

Many of you give above and beyond to provide not only for the work of the ministry through the General Fund, but also to our Benevolence Fund. This allows us to help local individuals and families who are in great need. You are helping to bring the hope of Christ to the hurting. Thank you!

Missions Ministry

Thank you for donating 205 filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child! Through this you are reaching children of the world with the Gospel message. Thank you also for providing special missionary gifts and cards. Please check out our bulletin this week to see updates from our partners in Africa, Asia, Europe. The Ashkum campus Mitten Tree also collected 178 items to bless kids from our local schools with warm clothing. The Angel Tree project also provided special gifts for those who use the local food pantry. Great Job!

Ashkum Campus

The architect has completed detailed engineering schematics and the package will prayerfully go out for bid by several contractors. By God’s grace, we have approximately 1.4 million in savings for the Ashkum permanent site, and another million pledged over the champaign period. May God be praised as we see Transformed Lives and Communities through the power of the Gospel. Thank you to those who have given so generously. For those who haven't had opportunity yet, now is a great time to Invest in the Vision! May God continue to lead us as we seek Him!

Goodland Campus

Construction of the children’s area will be happening in February. The campus pastor search is also in high gear with our search team and some fresh candidates. Please pray for these great opportunities!

Online Campus

 We continue to celebrate God’s work in this venue, as we minister to individuals in several countries, multiple states, and many local communities. As you Like, Subscribe, and Share our content with your social circles, you help us bring the hope of Christ to the world!

Watseka Campus

Thank you for helping us host 44 students from Moody Bible Institute. Their group represented 17 states and 11 countries! It was a life changing weekend for all who attended, including the body of Christ at Trinity!

Thank you for taking a moment!

You’re up to date!

December Connect 2021

Dear Friend,

What makes a gift truly special? Why do we remember some gifts more than others? Sometimes gifts are special because of our close relationship with the one who gave it. Sometimes we’re wowed when a gift is sacrificial. We know the giver sacrificed greatly, out of their love for us. Maybe it was something we longed for, but could never afford ourselves. Gifts can be special when they meet a real need or become a part of our everyday lives. They fill a void, bring some joy, or just make life better. They’re a reminder of our ongoing relationship with the giver and the giver’s concern for us. 

This December, we’ll see how Jesus is all of that and more. God the Father sent His very best. He gave sacrificially. Jesus gave His very life out of love for us. His advent or coming to earth met our greatest need to experience the love and forgiveness of our Heavenly Father. He fills our void and brings us joy. His presence in our daily lives through the power of the Holy Spirit is a constant reminder of God’s love and concern for us. Jesus meets us at our point of need and brings all God’s best to our daily lives. 

Please check out our new series and take a moment to catch some exciting news!

Best Gift Ever!

Dec 5        Hope to our Despair

Dec 12            Love to our Loneliness

Dec 19            Joy to our Sorrow

Dec 23-24    Light to our Darkness

Dec 26             Peace to our Chaos

Please bring a friend who needs to experience the hope, love, joy and peace that God has given us through Jesus Christ!

Invest in the Vision

Your gifts to Invest in the Vision are being used to Transform Lives and Communities and equip our Ashkum campus with a permanent facility. Between savings and pledges, we’re just over 75% of our project target. That’s incredible! We praise the Lord for your faith, generosity, and sacrificial giving! Thank you! The Ashkum permanent site will be a tool we can use daily to bring the hope of Christ. Our investment is a legacy of our love for God and Others. Your regular giving helps us to reach the lost and help the hurting locally at every campus. It also helps us to reach the broken through our missionaries around the world. Thank you for making good on your vows to the Lord! Gifts given by Sunday the 26th will be included in your 2021 giving statement. Thank you!

Christmas Events

Come encourage our children as they sing in Watseka on December 12th and in Ashkum on December 19th. Join us for live Christmas Eve services in Goodland at 4PM and Watseka at 6:30PM. Ashkum Christmas Eve Eve services will be on December 23rd at 7PM. Our Online Campus Christmas Eve will be on the 24th at 6:30PM. You don’t want to miss our candlelight services! Please invite a friend that needs to experience Jesus’ light in their darkness. 

New Year’s Eve Night of Worship

Join us in Watseka or Online at 7PM as we praise the Lord for getting us through 2020 and 2021! It will be a powerful evening to gear up for 2022 and to celebrate the hope, joy, love and peace we’ve found through Christ. 

Prayer

Let’s ring in the New Year on our knees in prayer. Please join me in praying again through our 50 days of prayer. Sunday, January 2nd will be an interactive prayer service. I can’t wait! Ooh, we don’t have to. We can seek God together in prayer, today! Need a couple of practical things to pray for? Please pray for the lost and the hurting-that they will experience God’s love, forgiveness and healing. Please pray for a Goodland campus pastor. Please pray for the Ashkum permanent site. Please pray for God’s mighty work to fan our Spanish Ministry into flame. Please pray that God will Transform Lives and Communities through His Word in the Best Gift Ever! Series. Thank you!

New Testament Live

Sunday January 9th, we’ll experience the New Testament Live! Live teachers at each campus will lead young and old through the entirety of the New Testament. This enjoyable, live seminar event from 9-12 will give you a life-changing grasp on God’s love letter to us. You don’t want to miss it! Please sign up today so we can order materials for you.

Thanks for taking some time to catch the exciting news.

You’re up to date and we’re praying for you in this Christmas season!

In Christ’s Love,

Ryan

November Connect 2021

Dear Friends,

I’m crazy excited about what the Lord has in store for us during the next ten weeks! I’m also super excited about our upcoming series. Please check it out and prayerfully update your calendars with the exciting events below!

Fri, Nov 12 All-church Gala Celebration! 6:30 PM

Thurs, Nov 18 Day of personal prayer and fasting

Sun, Nov 21 Night of corporate prayer 6:00 PM

Sun, Nov 28 Thanksgiving service. Capital Campaign Landing, all campuses

Thurs, Dec 23 Ashkum Christmas Eve Eve 6:30 PM

Fri, Dec 24 Goodland (4:00) and Watseka (6:30) Christmas Eve

Fri, Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Worship Night! 7:00 PM

Sun, Jan 9 New Testament Live, all campuses!

Please be diligent in prayer for the Ashkum permanent site, a Goodland campus pastor and children’s area, Sunday morning Christmas Programs (Watseka Dec 12, Ashkum Dec 19), and an upcoming Spanish Ministry team prayer gathering. We need the presence, protection, and power of God’s Holy Spirit as we boldly work to see Transformed Lives and Communities through faith in Jesus Christ! 

Inlaws and Outlaws

There are nearly 8 billion people in the world, created by God, formed in His image, and dwelling on the planet that He lovingly made for us. Because we’ve broken His law, many of us live like outlaws running from the God who made us. But God has made a way to reconcile us to Himself and to one another. Because of Jesus, inlaws and outlaws can dwell together in harmony with a Holy God. As we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving, let us draw near to Him. Please invite a family member, a neighbor, a friend or an enemy who may be running like an outlaw from the God who chases us with His love! Meanwhile please like, comment and share our online content to bring the hope of Christ to the world!

Nov 7 Law and Grace in Relationships Leviticus, Gospels

Nov 14 Law and Grace in Health Leviticus, Galatians 

Nov 21 Law and Grace in Finances Leviticus, Hebrews

Nov 28 Thanksgiving Service Capital Campaign Landing

Thanks for taking a moment. You’re up to date!

Your friend, brother, and fellow servant to the King of Kings,

Ryan

Trinity Connect - October Edition

Dear Friends,

Did you know that volcanic soil is some of the most fertile soil on earth? How can something so devastating produce something so good? In our lives, painful circumstances hold tremendous potential for spiritual growth. Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, lived through unspeakable atrocities. This month he’ll show us how to Make a Difference for God when life circumstances are Less Than Ideal. Please take a moment to catch the latest news. I’m praying for you!

In Christ’s Love,

Ryan

October 3        Ecclesiastes 11-12    Make a Difference!

October 10        Lamentations 1-2    Less Than Ideal Relationships

October 17        Lamentations 3    Less Than Ideal Health

October 24        Lamentations 4    Less Than Ideal Finances

October 31        Lamentations 5    Less Than Ideal Authorities 

I pray this series will empower you to transform daily obstacles into kingdom opportunities. Let’s be inspired together! Please pray and bring a friend who needs to experience God’s love amidst circumstances that are Less Than Ideal. 

50 Days of Prayer

Thank you for joining us in 50 Days of prayer! We started Day 1 on September 26, so this Sunday will be Day 8. You can track the daily prayer prompt on our social media pages or pick up a hard copy prayer booklet this Sunday. There is power when we pray together! (Matthew 18:20) Meanwhile, would you please continue praying for God’s provision for a Goodland campus pastor? Thanks!

Invest in the Vision

God is so faithful! As we pray for Transformed Lives and Communities, Trinity leaders are being challenged to set the pace in sacrificial giving toward that vision. Advance commitments from Trinity leadership will be shared by November 8 and the entire congregation will celebrate with a dinner gala on November 12. After that, everyone is encouraged to participate as the Lord has been leading you through prayer by November 24. On November 28, we’ll conclude the capital campaign by Giving Thanks to God in celebration together. Thank you for taking time this October to prayerfully consider how to leverage your life so that others can find the hope and love we’ve found through faith in Jesus Christ!

Small Groups

So many of you stepped outside your comfort zone and experienced the power of doing life together. Thank you! As we move to our next series, some groups will start a new focus and some will continue to be sermon-based. It takes time to build life-long friendships, so I pray you’ll be encouraged to start with or stick with a small group!

Other Fun News!

Please check out news regarding the Women’s Ministry Conference (October 22), Faith and Football (Mondays at 7), AWANA Kickoff (November 3), and other exciting events on our app (MyTrinity Church) or website (mytrinity.tv). Thank you for taking time and for being a vital part of this ministry!

June Connect 2021

Dear Friends,

I’m thrilled at what the Lord is doing among us! Lives and communities are being transformed by the power of the Gospel. Thank you so much for being active and engaged in the body of Christ at Trinity.  I feel incredibly blessed, as do the rest of the staff and elders, to shepherd such a loving and faith-filled congregation! Would you please join me in praying for the following events this summer?

Ashkum Movies in the Park – June 25

Goodland Grand Prix – June 26

Vacation Bible School – Varies by campus

Youth Missions and Retreats – Varies by campus

Newton County Fair – July 10-16

Iroquois County Fair – July 13-18

Goodstock – August 14

Ashkum Homecoming Weekend - August 27-29

Watseka Family Festival – August 28

Please pray that we can intersect with our communities at these events in transformational ways to bring the hope of Christ. Please mark your calendars and drop us an email if you’d be interested in serving!

We’re conducting personal interviews with some promising candidates for a Goodland campus pastor. Would you please pray with us for the Lord’s candidate and availability in a timely manner?

The Ashkum building team has been making good headway and we’d love to share a progress update and project timeline with you. We will present brief, live presentations on June 13 (Ashkum), June 20 (Watseka/Online), and June 27 (Goodland). Q & A sessions will be held after service (between services in Watseka) for those who would like more information. Can’t wait to share! If the Lord is leading you to partner with us, it’s not too early to Invest in the Vision of Transformed Lives and Communities! Thank you!

Finally, thanks so very much for engaging in OTLive! I'm so excited to be on the same page with scripture and primed for our summer series. If you committed to the Lord for 40 days of prayer and being in His Word, let's finish well! If you didn't, why not start?!

May this be a memorable summer of Loving God, Loving Others, and serving our communities in transformational ways!

In Christ's love,
Ryan

May 2021 Connect

Dear Friends,

The month of May could change your life forever. I’m overjoyed that we can come together on May 16^th to unlock the power of God’s Word in our lives. OT LIVE will provide a healthy framework for a lifetime of knowing and living out God’s Word. We’re taking a step of faith to offer OT LIVE for free to everyone in attendance that day! It will be a fun and festive atmosphere starting at 9AM and ending at noon. Our investment of one morning will pay daily dividends and a lifetime of fruitfulness. Can you please help us to prepare by registering today?

Please join me in prayer for each campus and take a peek at this month’s series. Thanks!

In Christ’s Love,

Ryan

Please pray with me:

OT LIVE – Pray the Lord will transform our lives as we go off script to learn His Word May 16^th!

Online Campus – For help to bring the hope of Christ as we Like, Comment, and Share His Word.

Ashkum Campus – Please pray as we work toward a permanent base to reach Ashkum and beyond!

Goodland Campus – Please pray for God’s provision of the right campus pastor in a timely way.

Watseka Campus – Please pray for strength and wisdom as we help equip Trinity to transform lives.

Invest in the Vision – Thank you for partnering with us to Transform Lives and Communities! Gifts above your regular offering that are marked Invest in the Vision will go directly toward building of a permanent site for the Ashkum Campus. If you’d like to pay it forward to help cover costs of OT LIVE so that everyone can attend this life-changing event, please mark your gift OT LIVE. Thank you!

Not for Prophet: Small Books-Big Impact!

Words are powerful. The right word at the right time can transform a life. Words of warning keep us safe. Words of hope give us power to live. When some turned away from Jesus, Peter proclaimed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…” (John 6:68) Words of truth lead us to God. However, lies we believe keep us from experiencing God’s power and presence.

Week 1 – Words of Life – Joel

Week 2 – Words from a Farmer – Amos

Week 3 – Walk Thru – OT LIVE!

Week 4 – Words of Warning and Protection – Obadiah

Week 5 – Words of Justice – Micah

God is speaking words of life. The enemy is speaking words of accusation. Whose words are you listening to? Please invite a friend who needs to experience God’s love through His Word. You can also invite a friend to OT LIVE to hear of God’s redeeming love and see Jesus in the Old Testament!

Thank you for your faith and friendship! I’m so glad we’re on this journey together. 

You’re all caught up!

April 2021 Connect

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I pray today finds you close with our Savior. I'm so excited about our next series in 1&2 Thessalonians. I Can't Wait! Will you please take a moment to get excited with me about Jesus’ return, to pray, and to hear about God’s miracles in our midst? Thank you! 

In Christ's Love, 

Ryan

I Can’t Wait! 1 & 2 Thessalonians

Recently a dear friend was weeping expectantly for Jesus’ Return. It convicted my heart. Is that on your radar? Are you ready? Are you waiting? Do you long for His appearing? If so, God has a crown for you! Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

April 11          1 Thessalonians 1                 Wait Well       

April 18          1 Thessalonians 2-5              Wait Wisely

April 25          2 Thessalonians 1-3              Wait Without Worry

Sometimes I’m longing, but sometimes it’s off my radar. Can we prepare together for Christ’s return? Who do you know that needs to receive Jesus before He comes back? Please invite them to join us!

Prayer – Can we pray together? Let’s pray for one another. Let’s pray for hurting individuals and families. Let’s pray for our communities. Let’s pray for our nation’s direction and leadership. Let’s pray for the peace of Israel. Let’s pray for Transformed Lives and Communities through the power of the Gospel. Let’s pray that God would be glorified in our midst. Let’s pray for God’s guidance and provision and miraculous timing for the Ashkum campus permanent site. Let’s pray for God’s guidance and timing for a Goodland Campus Pastor. Please pray for our upcoming discipleship, outreach, VBS and missions events in May, June and July. Let’s pray for salvation for our friends and families. Let’s pray for God’s mighty work through His word in our next series. I Can’t Wait! Thank you for praying with me!

Miracles in Our Midst! – God is working miracles in our midst. I vividly remember fall of 2019. What happened? Members of our staff and leadership attended a conference in Chicago and I walked the aisle for an altar call. I asked for prayer that God would answer Four Big Requests. What were they? 

1) Hire Pastor Tim full time and transition Pastor Mike to a global role. 2) Eliminate the Watseka Mortgage. 3) Adopt Goodland as a Campus. 4) Build a permanent site for the Ashkum Campus. I was nervous that my prayer partner at the end of the aisle would pray a wishy washy prayer. But he didn’t. He prayed boldly that God would answer all four prayers to His glory and bring many into His kingdom as a result. Wow! Three down-one to go-the Ashkum permanent site. Can we please pray fervently and partner together to see this happen? Thank you for your prayers and generosity with your time and resources. As we do our part, God will keep working miracles. May we be empowered by His Holy Spirit and waiting expectantly for Jesus’ return!

Thank you, Friends!

In Christ’s Love,
 Ryan

March 2021 Connect

Hello Friends!

I love March and the feeling of springtime. I’m delighted to see moves toward normalcy in our communities. It’s so good to see kids back at sports-and I’m pretty psyched to see our local Big 10 teams dominating the NCAA-it’s Madness! It’s a joy to be reconnecting in person with community and church members. Even so, I cherish and am passionate to maintain the friendships and connections that we have built online. We will keep investing in our online and physical ministries to best love and serve each person and each community. You all mean the world to us! 

As in person attendance increases, we remain diligent at each campus with cleaning and distancing protocols. Ashkum and Goodland facilities allow us ample room to accommodate guests in a distanced format. With distanced seating, Watseka 1^st Service is nearing capacity, so we’ve added live video options in the Study and Living Room. There’s also plenty of seating available in 2^nd service. Meanwhile, we’re delighted to keep streaming on FaceBook and YouTube for those who worship from home!

God is doing a mighty work in our midst! Lives and communities are being transformed before our eyes. I delight to fellowship with new followers of Jesus and new members at church. The Lord has been using our many new small groups, both local and virtual, to create precious connections.  I’m thrilled to welcome Goodland, not just as a partnership location, but as a third campus of the Trinity Church family.  I’m overjoyed to see Ashkum’s building plans taking shape as their congregation thrives spiritually and numerically, and desperately needs more space for children and ministry.  Our Refuge multi-campus youth gathering was a huge success-with many youths being challenged in their faith by guest speakers and worship leaders Kyle and Miranda. I’m overwhelmed by God’s provision through your faith and partnership, as well as a pending farmland sale at the Watseka campus. Thank you and please keep praying!

We’re working on some exciting Easter plans for every campus: Online, Goodland, Ashkum, and Watseka. But first, I’m excited to take a Fresh Look at Jesus in the month of March. Please take a moment to check out our new series and some critical updates. 

Thank you for your faithful friendship!

In Christ’s Love,
 Ryan

Fresh Look at Jesus         

In his time on earth, Jesus was constantly surprising people. He took time for children. He healed the lame and welcomed the outcast. He challenged the self-righteous. He satisfied the thirsty and fed the hungry with physical and spiritual food. He lived above the politics of the day. He was a king, himself. He crossed ethnic and gender and social barriers with love and grace. He overthrew a musty religion of insiders vs. outsiders. He re-instituted true religion of caring for orphans and widows. His actions were utterly holy yet seen as scandalous. He was revered by many yet killed as a heretic. He never backed down in fear yet surrendered his life in sacrificial love. As much as I think I know and love Jesus, there is so much more to be known. I’m confident I’d be shocked and undone if I met him in person today. So whether you utter his name in anger, or you desperately cling to his love, we might all do well to take a Fresh Look at Jesus. Maybe someone you care about needs that too. I’m excited to binge watch Jesus in the month of March. Will you join me?

Date                      Title                                                       Snippets from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

March 7                Jesus and the Kiddos                      Let the little children come.

March 14             Jesus and the Hangry                      Jesus feeds many-miraculously!

March 21             Jesus and the Scandal                     Eating with notorious sinners. 

March 28             Jesus and the Palm Parade           Palm Sunday-the triumphal/tearful entry.

Invest in the Vision!

We have a desperate need for space for children and ministry at our Ashkum campus! God has provided property south of Ashkum and building plans are shaping up! We’ll be sharing more details, but it’s not too early to contribute. If the Lord moves you to invest beyond your regular giving toward this great adventure, all gifts marked Invest in the Vision will go directly toward the new Ashkum Facility. Thank you!

RightNow Media

We’ve invested in RightNow Media to help you and our loved ones invest in your faith. Use it on your smart TV, computer, phone, or tablet. Use it personally and gift it to a friend. Just text TrinityWatseka to 49775 to sign up! Let’s binge watch content about Jesus in the month of March. Check out our updated Trinity Channel and keep an eye out for our upcoming Spanish Channel!

February 2021

Dear Friends,

Our hearts long for true love and deep satisfaction. Too often, we look in the wrong places. A love relationship with God takes time and sacrifice. The world’s way is to discard things that don’t bring immediate satisfaction.   It’s no wonder we’re tempted to neglect our faith and then cast it aside for a quick fix. But that leaves us more empty than before. This month we’ll go deep in the book of Hosea to look at the very Heart of God. His Heart is Merciful, Faithful, and Righteous, and He longs to transform our hearts to be like His. My prayer is that we’ll be inspired to invest in the only relationship that truly satisfies-and that God’s love will spill over into every area of our lives! Please invite a friend to join us as we experience The Heart of God.

Please join in prayer and take a moment to catch up on some exciting news below!

In Christ’s Love,
 Ryan

Special Meeting – Feb 14, 2PM   Everyone is welcome! We’ll be sharing updates that impact every location (Ashkum, Goodland, Watseka, Online), as well as updates on budding opportunities (Spanish & Southern K3). Members will be voting on the opportunity to partner fully in Goodland and the opportunity to leverage farm ground in Watseka to advance God’s kingdom. We’re excited to give you the latest scoop on progress toward the Ashkum permanent site! We’ll work to keep the meeting brief and offer breakouts afterwards for those wanting more information.

Small Groups – are a great place to experience the Heart of God! We’re excited about 12 new small groups! I’m confident the investment of two hours a week for one month will pay big dividends in encouraging your heart and growing your faith. Please ask the Lord for courage and help as you step out in faith and participate!

Middle School Refuge – will be at Ice Camp this weekend! Please pray for God’s transforming work in their hearts and His Holy Spirit to guide them as they come home and live out what they’ve learned. Thank you!

Ashkum Campus – is thriving and teams are working diligently on plans for a permanent site. Thank you for your generous sacrifice and we praise the Lord for His provision of approximately 180k before a capital campaign has even begun! God is at work and we’re excited to give you an update at the Special Meeting!

Goodland Community Church – is rescheduling their membership meeting for Feb 21 (snow date Feb 28). We’ll vote at the Trinity Special Meeting about the opportunity to partner fully with Goodland, pending their rescheduled vote. Please pray for God to work mightily as we love the people of Goodland and the surrounding area! 

Online Campus – has been a joyful place to connect with new friends and old! It has been an incredible blessing during Covid and Snowmageddon. We recently upgraded equipment and added worship lyrics. We’ll keep investing in this incredible ministry. When you Like and Share our online content, you bring the hope of God and the word of God to Transform Lives around the world!

Watseka Campus – recently received some critical tech upgrades that will benefit every campus, as well as local ministries. We praise the Lord for a debt-free building and property and we’re overjoyed to leverage these resources to Transform Lives and Communities. We believe it’s no coincidence as we save for the Ashkum permanent site that the Lord has also brought an interested party to purchase about 7.5 acres of farm ground from our Watseka campus. This would free up critical resources to advance God’s kingdom. Please join us in prayer and may God be glorified!

January 2021 Edition

Dear Friends,

Assaults to our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing are rampant. We were made to thrive – but what happens when just surviving seems like a full-time job? We can’t go it alone. Scripture is replete with warnings of those who have gone rogue personally, and even those who have collectively thrown off God’s authority. In this new year, we’re passionate to see Transformed Lives and Communities through faith in Jesus Christ. If we want to see this vision realized, it’s critical that we band together under the authority of God’s Word. Please check out our new series and some exciting updates as we prepare to enter 2021!

January Series – Strength in Numbers – Surviving Together

Week 1            Prayer Services           Every Campus, Including Online!

Week 2            Details coming 

Week 3            Details coming

Week 4            Details coming

Week 5            Details coming

There is strength in numbers, but only when we’re heading in the right direction! Let 2021 be a year where we passionately pursue God the Father, follow Jesus closely as Savior and Lord, and walk courageously in the power of the Holy Spirit. The new year is here. Let’s make the most of it-together!

Ashkum Permanent Site 

We praise the Lord that in a challenging year, God has led us to continue moving toward a permanent site to serve Ashkum and the surround communities! By His grace, we closed on a beautiful 5-acre plot of land and have a great start on planning and saving for the new facility. Realizing this vision will take sacrifice from each of us, as well as the Lord’s mighty hand. If God is leading you to help with a year-end gift, please mark it “Invest in the Vision” to see it go directly toward the Ashkum permanent site! 

God is at work in Goodland! 

Please continue in daily prayer regarding our ministry partnership in Goodland, IN. May the Lord bless and deepen our unity to bring transformed lives and communities in and around Goodland!

Online Campus 

We praise the Lord for blessing our online ministries. I’m so excited that we can stay connected, grow together, and make new friends in this way. The Lord has allowed us to upgrade our 10-year old livestream computer. This will help to create an even more engaging video presentation and will allow us to provide worship lyric overlays. We are also creating a livestream ministry space to better serve our online friends and guests. If you’d like to serve in this exciting ministry, please let us know! Our immediate need is for additional audio and video mixers.

Watseka Updates 

We are excited to announce some upgrades coming to our Watseka campus. With your generosity and God’s gracious provision, we are able to provide an automatic door opener to serve guests with mobility challenges. We are blessed to update the 10-year old video computer and presentation software. We are updating to a mesh network to better serve daily ministries. Please also pray as we consider selling seven acres of farm ground to leverage it for God’s glory! More details on that to come.

Prayer Services

Please join us this coming Sunday (both in person and online) for a special prayer service. Let’s start 2021 seeking the Lord’s face!

December Connect 

December Connect 2020: Light in the Darkness

Have you ever been afraid of the dark? Darkness comes in a variety of forms: physical darkness, emotional darkness, and spiritual darkness, to name a few. Many in our world are experiencing dark times. You may be there too. Jesus made a bold claim when He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Please take a moment below for some prayer updates, Christmas Eve service times (please click HERE to reserve a spot), and our next series, Light in the Darkness! 

In Christ’s Love,

Ryan 

The darker the world gets, the brighter our lights will shine. Yet that can be hard, as we wrestle with darkness ourselves. I pray God’s Holy Spirit will use His Word to cast out the darkness in and around us, so that we can shine forth Jesus’ light! Come walk in the light this December, in person or online, and invite a friend. Let’s be a light in the darkness!

Dec 6              The True Light                     (John 1:1-14)

Dec 13           The Great Light                     (Isaiah 9:1-7/Matt. 4:12-17)

Dec 20           The Glorious Light               (Luke 2:1-14)

Dec 23           Light for the Lost                 (Luke 2:22-33)      Ashkum Campus 6PM

Dec 24           Light for the Lost                 (Luke 2:22-33)      Watseka Campus 4PM & 6PM, Goodland 6PM, Online 6PM

Dec 27           You are the Light                (Matthew 5:14-16)

Would you please join me in daily prayer that God would Transform Lives and the Communities around us? Here are a few specific requests:

Request #1: We have an unprecedented number of individuals and families that have experienced loss in recent days. Will you pray regularly for them and reach out in love?

Request #2: Please pray for many who are ill, as well as those who are working on the front lines.

Request #3: The Ashkum building team continues working diligently on plans for the permanent location in Ashkum. Please pray for them and if the Lord would lead you to partner with us to reach the lost in this way, gifts can be designated “Invest in the Vision”. Thank you!

Request #4: Goodland Community Church and Trinity Church are prayerfully considering uniting as one, as a full-fledged Trinity campus in Goodland. We believe we can reach the community better together. Please pray daily as we seek the Lord’s will.

The first Sunday in January will be a prayer service and we will then kick off a new series, “Strength in Numbers: Surviving Together.” As God’s children, we are blessed that he hears and answers our prayers. Thank you for praying in faith!

Trinity Health Update

Hello Trinity Family!

Here’s a timely update regarding our efforts to help promote healthy environments at Trinity Church. Helping to keep others physically safe is a tangible expression of our mission to love God, love others, and serve the world.  

First of all, we have invested greatly in our online campus and online church experience. We want you to know, especially in this season, that online church is real church! We have many members who have pre-existing conditions, are immunocompromised, or are concerned with the potential of spreading Covid to others. You don’t need to apologize for attending online! With any church venue, it makes a difference when we attend faithfully, invite others, communicate prayer needs, contribute toward the ministry, and interact with others. All of these are easy to do through our app, our website, our YouTube channel and Facebook. We’ve also worked hard with multiple camera angles, lighting, background, video mixing and audio mixing to help create an engaging experience that feels like we’re physically together. Our YouTube Channel and Facebook stream are staffed live and interactive, with great sensitivity to prayer needs and welcoming guests. When you like, comment, and share, you bring the hope of the gospel to the online community. Please drop us a note if you’re attending online and let us know if you’d like to serve in our online ministry to others. Please also let us know how we can serve you!  

At every physical meeting location, seating is distanced at 6 feet or more in the worship space and classrooms. Spaces are cleaned and sanitized with great frequency, especially restrooms, classrooms, door handles, and common surfaces like counters and tables. We do not use bulletins or pass offering plates. Communion is pre-distributed in pre-filled containers. We’ve limited our time of corporate singing to fewer songs each week to help reduce spread of germs and viruses through aerosols. While masks are not mandatory at Trinity campuses, we support and respect the choice to wear a mask.

Children are important to Jesus and they are important to us! At every physical meeting location, we are employing campus-specific protocols to help keep children and their families safe. For example, due to space and volunteer considerations, as well as local Covid stats, our Goodland, Indiana children’s spaces are currently self-serve. You can attend in person to worship and then watch the service on a monitor with your child in a clean and age-appropriate setting. In Watseka, a sanitized nursery is available through the entire first service. Socially distanced Pre-K, K, elementary and middle school settings are also available during the first service during the message. In Ashkum, nursery is available upon request and Pre-K, K, elementary and middle school ministries are available during the message. We take great care in providing safe and distanced environments for our children every week and will keep parents and volunteers updated if these ministry conditions change.

We’ve had many folks ask if or when we would cancel meeting in person or cancel children’s ministries. We seek the Lord regularly and discuss those questions frequently among staff and leadership. We are ever-mindful of national, state, and local protocols and we have excellent relations and open communication with the health department. We desire to be responsible and loving members of our communities. We also take seriously our Biblical mandate of meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). It is our desire to continue to offer in-person gatherings for healthy individuals as long as we are legally, ethically, and Biblically allowed to do so. We’ve had comments that people feel safe in our children’s ministry areas because of all of the precautions we take and because the children are accustomed to distancing at school. Of course, availability of healthy leaders and volunteers is a critical factor. Providing safe environments for our volunteers is important. Please bear in mind that hosting children’s ministries in various forms not only provides a great environment for our kids to learn about Jesus, but it also helps to minimize crossover and potential spread of germs with adults, as well as managing appropriate attendance and distancing in the worship space during the services. These issues are complex and we appreciate your prayers as we seek to glorify the Lord in these decisions. 

In addition to taking all of these physical precautions, it’s important that we remain vigilant spiritually and diligent in prayer. Heavenly Father, we desire to be transformed to be more like Your Son, Jesus. We long to see our communities transformed by the life-giving power of the gospel. Please help us to love you and to love others in tangible ways, including caring for the sick at home and helping to keep others healthy. Please bless our online and physical ministries, knowing they are essential and critical ways of bringing salvation, hope and healing to the world. Have mercy on us, oh Lord. We humble our hearts and pray that you would heal our land. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus, Your Son. Amen.

Thank you, dear friends! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of the staff, elders, or leadership.

In Christ’s Matchless Love,

Ryan

November Edition

Trinity Connect - November 2020

Dear Friends and Family,

How is your joy tank doing these days? Think back to the most joyful time in your life. What happened that brought you joy? Maybe a new person entered your world, like a friend, a child, or a loved one. Maybe you reached a long-awaited milestone, like graduation, a new job, or retirement. We’re told in scripture to rejoice in the Lord always. The instruction literally means to have joy always. Is that even possible? My prayer is that God will refresh us with a new season of joy as we find it in Him. If you know friends who have lost their joy, please invite them to join us in person or online! Meanwhile, please take a quick moment to catch up on the latest news!

Joy in the Journey – Philippians – Find Your Joy Again

Week 1      Rejoice in the Gospel                    (Philippians 1)

Week 2      Rejoice in Relationships                 (Philippians 2)

Week 3      Rejoice in the Lord                       (Philippians 3)

Week 4      Rejoice in Every Circumstance       (Philippians 4)

Thank You!       Thank You for blessing our pastors this past month with cards and gifts! We feel appreciated and we love serving the Lord together with you. Thank you also for generously partnering with us toward the vision of Transforming Lives and Communities through faith in Jesus Christ!

Ashkum Permanent Site    Thank you everyone for being so generous with your time and resources! We praise the Lord for all the hard work and sacrifice by individuals and teams to help turn this vision into reality. Please pray with us as we seek the Lord for wisdom regarding when to start building. Do we start building after we’ve saved 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of the total cost? We need the Lord’s provision and guidance. Will you please join us in praying for that?

Baptisms  We praise the Lord for His work among us. We’ll be holding baptisms on Nov. 15^th in Watseka and Nov. 29^th in Goodland. Please pray for these friends who are proclaiming the work that God has done in their lives!

Goodland Membership Meeting  On November 29^th, Goodland Community Church will be holding a membership meeting to discuss the potential of becoming a Trinity Church campus! Both Goodland and Trinity members are welcome to attend the 10AM service, baptism, and informational meeting. We will then take the month of December to seek the Lord in prayer. What an exciting opportunity as we continue to partner together to Transform Lives and Communities!

Online Community     We praise the Lord for our Online Campus! We cherish both new friends and old as we gather online each Sunday morning to worship the Lord together. Even if you attend one of our three geographical locations, please pray for and check out all the updates and enhancements to our Online Campus. When you Like and Share our snippet on Saturday night or the service on Sunday morning, you help bring the hope of Christ to a hurting world. Thank you!

Thanks for taking time to catch the latest news! We love you and we’re praying for you!

In Christ’s Love,

Ryan

October Edition

Trinity Connect – October 2020

Dear Trinity Family,

Thank You! What a precious time we’ve had in recent weeks! Our Sensational September wrapped up with a week of prayer and fasting, and an incredible outdoor concert. Thank you for bringing the church! If you’re looking for another fun fall outing, join us at the Ashkum Campus this Friday (7:30) for “The Chronicles of Narnia!”

The Lord has impressed upon my heart the burden to Love Well in this season: to love one another well – to love Him well – to love the lost well – and to love our communities well. Will you please join me in asking God’s help that we would Love Well, today?

Do you know anyone who needs encouragement? I think we all do right now! Please invite a friend to our upcoming series and check out some exciting news below!

Dealing with Discouragement – Part Time Job 

We all go through seasons of discouragement. Sometimes it comes and goes like the weather. Other times it hits like a hurricane and hangs around like a perpetual rainy season. In the midst of life’s storms, we all need a rock-solid foundation and a tender hand to hold on to. Whether your discouragement shows up like scattered showers, or feels like it’s here to stay, our next series is for all of us. We’ll learn in the book of Job that dealing with discouragement is more than a Part Time Job. You have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24, Job 16:19-21) His name is Jesus and it’s time we learn to lean on Him! 

October 4        Job Description           Job 1-2

October 11      Job Interview              Job 3-37          

October 18      Job Review                  Job 38-41                    

October 25      Job Security                 Job 42

Exciting News!            We have hired a Campus Host for our ministry partnership in Goodland! Please welcome David Artibey and his wife, Maria! David and Maria work full time at Adkev in Goodland and have been involved with our Goodland partnership from the very beginning. David is in the midst of ministerial studies and will serve on staff at Trinity 4-8 hours/week, hosting Sunday services in Goodland and coordinating with staff mid-week. We’re so excited to have David on board!

The Ashkum Building Team has been hard at work planning for the permanent site. The final location has been selected and the land purchase is scheduled to happen this month! We praise the Lord for providing for the land through a generous donation. We also praise Him for gifts and savings now totaling $96,000 toward construction of the building! If the Lord would lead you to give above your regular offering, would you please consider marking an extra gift toward “Invest in the Vision”? It will go directly toward the Ashkum permanent site. Thank you!

Prayer Needs              Please join me in praying for: Healing of our Nation (physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual); Supreme Court Justice Appointee; Presidential Election; Safe and Fruitful Harvest; Transformed Lives and Communities; God’s Mighty Work and provision in our Watseka, Ashkum, and Goodland locations, as well as Online; God’s help and guidance in launching Spanish ministries; healing and encouragement for the many in our congregation facing loss, illness, and discouragement of all kinds.

Thank you so much for taking time to stay current and to pray. I’m praying for you!

In Christ’s Love,
 Ryan

September Edition

Dear Friends,

I can’t wait to kick off our series on Esther! God has placed you right here, right now, for such a time as this. Nothing is by accident. The family you were born into, the community you live in, and your sphere of influence were all crafted by your Heavenly Father. Why? So that your life will be transformed and conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29) So that your community will be transformed as you share your faith. In every blessing and every crisis, God is there working behind the scenes. This month let’s go back in time together, to glean a lesson we can apply today. Please take a moment for some quick updates below. Thanks!

In Christ’s Love,

Ryan

Invest in the Vision

We were blessed by a very generous donation of more than $50,000 to purchase land for the new Ashkum permanent site! May God be praised! Though the donors wish to remain anonymous, their hope is to inspire generosity among the body of Christ toward construction of the new church building. If you desire to give above your regular contribution toward this effort, please designate your gift “Invest in the Vision”. You can give using the app, the website, or by mail. Thank you for investing in the vision of Transformed Lives and Communities, through faith in Jesus Christ!

Annual Meeting Recap

We had a great turnout locally and online to celebrate God’s work, to pray, and to talk about God’s future plans at Trinity. Every motion passed enthusiastically, including the decision to purchase land for an Ashkum permanent site, the proposed budget, the decision to expand the elder team as God grows Trinity, the new elder chair, and affirmation concerning Christ’s “glorious” return. The highlight was walking together prayerfully through Ashkum to pray at the future gathering location. Approval of the budget also means addition of Tim Tammen as full time Ashkum campus pastor, Pastor Mike transitioning to a global role to advance God's kingdom, and intention to hire a part time campus pastor for Goodland. What a joy!

Sensational September!

Please pray for so many exciting plans in September! Sunday morning children’s ministries (Nursery, JAM, and Middle School) will resume at each campus on September 13. Nursery will check in before the service. Older children will join the worship time and be dismissed to class before the message. We’ll be hosting a Marriage Night at Watseka (Fri 9/18) and Ashkum (Sat 9/19). It’s time to learn, laugh, and grow together! You can sign up here. If you need assistance with the cost, just let us know, as we are happy to sponsor. Women’s Ministry is kicking off, as well as a variety of Bible studies resuming. Please let us know if you’re interested. Feel like going to a concert? We’re delighted to host an outdoor concert Night of Worship featuring Hallel on Saturday, September 26 from 6pm-8pm. What a great opportunity to invite a friend! If you’ve been wanting to learn more about Trinity, just let us know! We’ll be hosting membership classes to help us get to know one another better.

Thanks for taking time. You’re up to speed!

August Edition

Dear Friends and Family,

 We have two incredible opportunities coming up! One this weekend for men and one next weekend for ladies. I’m always amazed at the number of people whose lives have been forever transformed by God’s work through special events, conferences and speakers. If we want to keep growing in Christ during this season, we need to invest in our faith. I pray you’ll carve out time to be challenged and changed by God’s Word! You can attend in person or online. Please use the links above to reserve your spot today!

Last month we saw the importance of being led by God. This month we’ll see how God calls us to lead others, as we follow Him. God has called us each to lead others and to follow Him. You don’t want to miss this!

Leading Together-The Book of Titus

Week 1            Church Leadership 1:1-16

Week 2            Personal Leadership 2:1-10

Week 3            God’s Leadership 2:11-15

Week 4            Leadership that Works 3:1-15

I’m super excited about our annual meeting this August 23^rd! God has blessed us with many things to celebrate and some important things to prayerfully decide upon. For example, we’ll vote on the purchase of a 5-acre piece of land south of Ashkum for a new permanent site for that campus! We’ll also vote on increasing the elder team capacity range to 6-9. That’s important as God expands the reach of His kingdom through Trinity. We’ll also share blessings from the past year and prayerful plans for the days to come. We’ll share exciting staffing updates, like Pastor Tim joining us full time as Ashkum campus pastor, transition of Pastor Mike to a global role, and hiring of a part time Goodland campus pastor! The annual meeting will be held in Ashkum at 1:30, including an opportunity to pray at the prospective build site! If you’re unable to join us in person, a Zoom link will be sent, closer to the date. 

Thank you for your generosity in partnering with us! Because of God’s work through you, 4,000 meals were provided to hungry kiddos in multiple communities. Yesterday one local school district granted us the Excellence Award for coordinating these efforts. Wow! God has been so faithful to provide in this season. Thank you for your faithfulness! As we finish this budget year, God has called us in faith to plan for the next. On August 9, we’ll provide advance copies of next year’s proposed budget that will be voted on during the annual meeting. Please plan to pick up a copy. Elders will facilitate informational meetings on the 9^th to answer any questions (10:15 Ashkum and Watseka, 11:15 Goodland). 

We carry the precious Gospel to a thirsty world. What a privilege! Let’s pray fervently for the Lord’s help, and let’s continue to expect God’s church to thrive in these challenging times. Thank you!

In Christ’s Love,

Ryan