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Expressions Newsletter - April & May 2008

Student Profile:

Brian—a regular guy everyone can depend on

There is no nice way to say it:  Brian was born to a drug-addicted child abuser. Child Protective Services was already alerted—and Brian was off to aunts’ and uncles’ houses and other care facilities while still an infant.  Everything that happened in those first years is unknown—we probably don’t need to know.  Then God intervened.  He scooped up Brian, along with his older brother, and put them in a family that would eventually total nine brothers and sisters.  “There,” Brian says, “God picked the perfect mom.”

Obviously, there were difficulties ahead. Brian’s early exposure to drugs made him especially vulnerable.  He was introduced to drugs in the 7^th grade and he fell deeply into that pit.  That led to stealing to buy more drugs.  He was arrested and spent a few nights in Juvenile Hall.  The family moved from Idaho to Iowa to California, but, unfortunately, the drug use got worse with each move.  He was dismissed from one school, failed at home schooling, and eventually just dropped out altogether.  After one intervention he stayed clean for six months until, “I thought, ‘I’ll just get real high once, and then I’ll be done!’  But it didn’t work out that way.”

Once started, meth controlled Brian.  He knew He wanted to know God—but drugs seemed to make it impossible.  His mom, whose extended family has always rallied around Brian with love and faith and support, found out about CEM.  During the admission process, Brian thought, “I will go for three months and then I can get back to the drugs.”  It is now a year later.  “I found that what I really wanted was more of God, not more drugs.”  In that year Brian has become the guy everyone can depend on.  He does all of his regular chores and work projects, his schoolwork, and readily and willingly jumps at any opportunity to volunteer for every kind of extra work.  He would like to turn his love and aptitude for mechanical things into a career once he completes high school.  Before, Brian never wanted to go back to school because he was sure he could never complete it.  However, with more hard work, Brian may receive his diploma in May.

“All along God wanted good things for me, and kept rescuing me.  Now it’s my turn to choose to do good.”  Brian’s mom has raised nine kids and has taught every one of them about Jesus.  “I gave her a lot of garbage, but she never gave up on me.  Instead, she stood up for me.  Mom kept saying I would be happier with God in my life, and she was right!”

Student Profile

Molly beats the odds

By Mike Petrillo

Molly’s tears started with the first words she read from her journal.  As she recounted her earliest childhood memories, the tears flowed freely.  Absence, separation, abandonment, depression—they filled her childhood.  Illness, alcohol, circumstance, and poverty added to the tragic mix.  Molly’s sensitive heart was always weighed down with each and every emotional event.  By junior high she was on anti-depressant medicine.

Still, in the midst of the tears, a few happy moments stand out.  Those are the days she went to the church youth group.  There she felt accepted and free.  Molly was a real person at church, with happy friends and a positive environment.  There was talk of God and His love.  Truth stuck in her soul in those all-too-brief times of joy.

By mid high school, Molly had been in trouble with the law, was doing poorly in school, and seemed to be losing herself—dissolving into something else as drugs and failure and rejection took their toll.  It was then that her mother recovered enough from a lengthy illness to move to Arizona.  Molly gladly accepted the opportunity to start over.  Unfortunately, there was no good starting point for a 16-year-old girl who had dropped out of school.  She went deeper into drugs and sought hope in a relationship with an older man who had already had children.  She worked as hard as she could, but never got ahead. She found solace in nothing.  Her relationships ended badly.  Her heart rended, and never mended. 

Once, for a brief time, she found herself.  A fellow drug user committed suicide.  Molly quit using instantly.  For awhile, her force of will and a glimmer of hope from somewhere in her soul were enough to drive her on.  She was convinced that she could be something other than she was.  A dream revealed to her the ugliness of her heart—and how far she had fallen.  That respite did not last.  The insight faded.  Her will was not strong enough, and the influences around were desperately wicked.

Into this darkness came the light of the Lord.  Molly’s older sister, Alison, a former intern at Christian Encounter Ministries, began encouraging her to consider a time at CEM.  It seemed good to Molly—but distant.  She would need to get away from bad influences.  Stop smoking.  Drop all the other substances.  Pay off all of her bills.  Molly would need to change her whole life.  But that was exactly what she wanted.  “I hated life. I had no peace, no hope, no reason for being.  Just darkness and emptiness and ugliness.”  Molly explained that she wanted help but assumed that she could change without God, under her own power.  “I was clueless about God!”

Nevertheless, she spent three months saving and scrimping to get ready to come. 

Molly drove her car west, parked it at Mom’s house, and came into the CEM program.  The counseling, Bible study, fellowship, simple friendship, deeper conversation, absence of evil, and boundless encouragement from her sister have opened Molly to real life—real life in Christ.   Some days, the insights are overwhelming.   Some evenings, the feelings are unmanageable.  Molly’s childhood was truly devastating.  Those hurts provoked the rampant drug use.  Restoring a broken heart is not for the weak.  It takes guts and determination to go deeper—especially when you have trained yourself not to experience the reality of pain.  Nevertheless, against all odds, Molly smiles. She writes down scripture verses that stir her heart to have hope.  She plans for her future—a future God had always wanted for her.  “One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 61:3, ‘He will give a crown of beauty instead of ashes.’  I am so grateful to have freedom.  My life was tortured and I didn’t know another way existed.”

Against all odds, Molly made it here.  Against the odds, she found that life could be happy.  Those little seeds of truth, planted so long ago at a church youth group, are bearing fruit.  Love, joy, peace…in Molly you can see the truth of the Gospel: God’s love is unstoppable.

Director’s View

Sudden transitions—directed by the Almighty

by Mike Petrillo

The transition was not an easy one for me.  At that time I was the new interim Director of Christian Encounter Ministries.  I had no business office staff and we really needed help—fast!  It arrived in the person of LaNece Schaefer, an experienced bookkeeper and friend of the ministry.  In the course of our early conversations, I found out that Ed Schaefer might also be available.  Ed worked in the business office of a large local operation and was a former computer programmer.  Suddenly, we had both Schaefers on staff, both with a heart for kids, a flourishing music ministry, and lots of new skills to invest in the organization!

Now, thirteen years have passed (they went really fast), and the Schaefers’ transition to the state of Idaho is imminent.  Several members of their family, including Ed’s parents, have moved to the Coeur d’ Alene area.  Though it appears to be perfect timing for them, it certainly is not easy.  They have several trips to make in the next few months, new jobs to begin, and infinite details to wrap up at CEM. 

So, it is transition time again for us and for them.  Meanwhile, God went before us.  Former CEM intern, Mark Andrews, brought his wife, Lisa, to the Ranch for a visit during their 25^th anniversary trip.  A few months later, we were discussing the possibilities of having another husband/wife team come to CEM, and another sudden transition was underway!  Against all odds (odds don’t matter to God), the Andrews sold their house in Atlanta and moved to California in February.  Lisa’s extensive experience with Chick-fil-A in Atlanta makes her a natural fit to assume LaNece’s duties. Mark has been active in ministry—teaching, and counseling in churches, colleges, and various counseling agencies.  He assumes a vacant position with the Intern Discipleship program under Jim Parker’s direction.  Simultaneously, former Board member Randy Hearn is temporarily consulting with the business department to help form a strategy for Business Office personnel in the future

The lesson learned by me is a simple one:  God has control of His Body.  He uses His members to greatest advantage in His Kingdom as He chooses.  The transitions that cause us stress are simple advances in the Lord’s strategy to fully develop all the gifts, talents, and personalities of His people.  Let us applaud the Author of Life for His very good plans!

New staff on the job

Way back in 1980, a young man from Sweet Valley, PA, traveled to California to serve a three-month internship.  In February of this year, that young man came back with his wife (and daughter) to join the CEM staff.  It is with great joy that we welcome Mark and Lisa Andrews from Fayetteville, GA, as co-laborers here.  Mark works with Jim Parker in the discipleship department; Lisa is the Ranch bookkeeper.

The Andrews met when both were students at Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, TN; they married in 1981.  Lisa has an AS degree in Business and was an accountant with Chick-fil-A for fifteen years.   Mark graduated from Lincoln Christian Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.  He was a Family/Adolescent Therapist for Clayton County (GA), and was an adjunct instructor at Atlanta Christian College teaching Counseling and Psychology.  They were active in the Southwest Christian Church in East Point, GA.

They have two children, Sara, twelve, and Michael, who completes USMC basic training this month.

Merchants provide prizes

For You Spin—They Win

Mary Ann Townsend took home the Grand Prize, lift tickets for four to the North Star Ski Resort at Lake Tahoe, at the conclusion of the Fifth Annual You Spin-They Win.  Numerous fortunate spinners went home at the end of the twelve-hour day with a few sore muscles and some really good awards.  Door prizes included gift certificates for meals for two at the following restaurants:  The Royal Dragon, Larry and Lena’s Pizza, South Pine Café, Charlie’s Angels Café, Lamppost Pizza, Tortilla Grill, Trolley Junction Restaurant, and Paulette’s Country Kitchen.  Coffee from Starbucks, ice cream from Coldstone Creamery, smoothies from Jamba Juice, and $25.00 worth of groceries from SPD Market rounded out the consumable offerings.

Merchandise gift certificates awarded were from Nevada City Picture Framing and Yuba Blue.  Gasoline was offered by Robinson’s Enterprises, while automotive services came from Big O Tires and Dave’s Automotive.  Bicycle tune-up certificates were a gift from Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop. Maui Beach Hut Tanning, and Back, Body and Beyond Massage presented their personal services; Rona Butcher, personal trainer, offered an hour of her expertise as well.

Many thanks to these generous local business people and also to the Fike Family at Caroline’s Coffee Roasters for twelve hours’ worth of delicious coffee.

Future interns: Get ready for the surprise of your life!

By Jim Parker

Since 1975, Christians have come to Christian Encounter Ranch to serve as interns.

They come to give.  They come thinking it will be a wonderful opportunity to encourage others who want healing from past hurts.  Interns come to share God’s love with those who are ready to grow and, at the same time, to make life-long friendships and experience deep bonding with other interns—a natural result of sharing responsibilities together.

Interns come to gain insight from staff members who were themselves interns once, or who have had a background of varied and successful ministry experiences.  They come to be part of a focused body of Christians working together for the same good goals and purposes.  Interns experience all these good things, and more!  But the surprises are many.  Here are just a few of them.

They discover that God seems as interested in changing “my life” as He is in changing someone else’s.  They realize that committed and experienced Christian leaders do not always agree with each other, and that even in the midst of relational ministry, they still need to carve out personal time with God.  Interns sometimes feel unappreciated while putting up with resistance from the young people who should value them and what they are trying to do.  They need strength to keep proper structure and boundaries in place.  All the reasons interns have in coming and all the surprises they experience are good!

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those

Who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

Interested in talking about the possibility of an internship? Contact Jim Parker or Mark Andrews by visiting our website at www.ChristianEncounter.org or by calling 530-268-0877.

News of former interns and staff

Rebecca Merriam married Michael Zenn January 26 in Poland, Ohio.  Becky teaches school part time just over the border in Pennsylvania; Michael is a pharmaceutical representative and has recently accepted a pastorate in Niles, Ohio.  Suzanne (Sessions) Barnhill, Gene and Robbin (Merriam) Adams and their girls, and former student Cecelia (Anne Lanford) Zandbergen traveled to the wedding from Oregon, Grass Valley, and Illinois, respectively.

Paul and Kimberly (Lalk) Miller have new jobs.  Paul is teaching 10^th grade Biology in San Jose; Kim is teaching again—homeschooling kindergartener, Benjamin. They live in Scott’s Valley, CA.

Twins have come to liven up the home of Kris and Janna (Kingham) Curran in Redmond, WA!  Janna gave birth to big boys, Judah Levi and Josiah Malachi, January 23.  Judah weighed 7 pounds; Josiah weighed 6 pounds 4 ounces.   May God continue to bless you doubly!

Mailing packages? 

The UPS Store at 111 Bank St. in Grass Valley will donate $1.00 for every package mailed from folks who identify themselves as CEM supporters.

5 ACRES FOR SALE BY CEM

5 level acres on county-maintained paved roads with power nearby; area passes perk and mantle tests consistently and neighboring wells are good.  This Modoc County property is in the northeast corner of California in the Surprise Valley near the Oregon and Nevada borders.  It’s the perfect building site for those who appreciate solitude, beauty, and a pastoral setting—suitable for a work-from-home person or family, a vacation get-away, an artist looking for inspiration, or a small agribusiness.  $89,500.  Contact CEM’s Randy Hearn for more information: (530) 268-0877, 268-1017, or email: jrh@gowest.com.

CEM’s

Annual Family Camp

June 27-29, 2008

(Sat. b’fst-Sun. lunch)

Theme:

“Absolutes?  Absolutely!”

To sign up, send $50.00 non-refundable registration fee per family (+$10.00 for each non-family friend), along with names, ages of children, and cabin, RV, or tent site preference.  Or, sign up online by making a credit card or EFT “donation” of $52.00 ($2.00 to cover processing fees).  Write names and ages of children; and cabin, RV, or tent site preference in comment field.

We courteously summon you to

Christian Encounter High School’s Graduation

in

Angels’ Meadow

17183 Retrac Way, Grass Valley, CA

Saturday, May 31, 2008

at 2 o’clock in the afternoon

In addition to the awarding of diplomas, special honor will be paid to interns, to the Alumnus of the Year, and to students who have been

remarkably successful.

A reception buffet will follow.

2008 Calendar of CEM Events

May 30.......................................................................................................................................... Board Meeting

May 31....................................................................................................................... Graduation/Celebration

June 1-9......................................................................................................................................... Student Break

June 27-29.......................................................................................................................................Family Camp

July 25-26..................................................................................................................26^th Annual Agony Ride!

August 22-Sept. 5................................................................................................................... Wilderness Trip

Sept. 20.......................................................................................................................................... Board Meeting

Oct. 11.................................................................................................................................................... Work Day

November 27...............................................................................................Extended Family Thanksgiving

December 20-29............................................................................................................................Student Break

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March 2008

The Call of the Wilderness

by Mike Petrillo

Christian Encounter Ministries Tends Lives and Trains Leaders.  God sends those who need tending here for help.  He sends those who desire training to come for experience in ministry.  The tools for tending and training include the classroom that God built—His universe. 

Jesus was called into the wilderness for His final preparation for public ministry.  John the Baptist was trained in righteousness while living apart from the culture of the day.  Moses and the Israelites spent years confronting the authority, the majesty, and the depth of God’s holiness in the wilderness.  We, too, find that God calls, speaks, and leads us in the wilderness.

Our students just completed two winter wilderness experiences, the men’s and women’s igloo trips.  At an elevation of 7,400 feet, three staff members and a group of students and interns spent four days building a winter shelter, sleeping in it, and surviving Sierra mountain weather.  It is not an everyday event!  Most of these kids’ peers have never done such a thing—most of their parents have never even contemplated it!  Yet each and every student who completes the CEM program will have spent about 20 days each year in the wilderness.  It doesn’t make them a John the Baptist, but it does bring them closer to the Author, the Teacher, and the Creator of our world.

These unique opportunities are part of the distinctive nature of CEM.  More than anything—more than anything!—we want these students and interns to encounter Christ.  We provide the living environment, the teachers, counselors, and support system.  But meeting Jesus—coming into relationship with Him—supercedes all of our human effort.  And, often, it is in the wilderness that our kids meet the Lord.  Often, it is when the distractions are removed, when His grandeur is so apparent and beauty overflows the mind that the heart yields in trust to the Savior.

So, in the wilderness God calls.  We prepare, we pray, we believe that He speaks through His creation to those who need Him most.  So, we go. We don’t want to miss any chance for a changed heart.  May the Lord reach each one through His Word, through His creation, through the testimony of godly disciples, and through training and correction.  Wherever God is at work, there we want to be.

Thanks for praying and believing and helping us prepare students and interns for the Lord’s calling.

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