CHRIST'S MISSION, OUR MISSION
Gateway USA Mission Center Newsletter: 3rd Quarter 2017
Summer Highlights

Summer in the mission center began with Reunion 2017, a wonderful and uplifting experience. On Saturday morning, the children and youth were blessed by Evangelists Rodger Howell, Jerry Henry and Glenna Henry. On Sunday, the group witnessed the baptism of Neena Radford from the Dittmer Congregation. The Sunday evening song service allowed for reflection and sharing. A highlight of the reunion was the Tuesday evening service. Many individuals shared how the church's sacraments have impacted their lives and the lives of others. The weather was absolutely beautiful. Again, the food and fellowship were excellent. The entire reunion experience was a great way to kick off summer in the mission center.

The last week of June was a busy time for our children and youth in the mission center. Twenty-two primary campers, 33 junior campers and 23 junior high campers attended Gateway Mission Center's camps at Camp Woodland Hills. Three senior high youth attended the camp at Brush Creek campgrounds. On the Sunday of Primary & Junior Camp, campers gathered to witness the baptism of Zhane Wheeler from the Bel Nor Congregation. Not only did each child make memories to last a lifetime, they left camp with a sense of belonging and knowing they are loved.

The end of July found our mission center youth at Spectacular! Twenty youth attended with the Midwest Crossroads Delegation and another 11 with the Oklahoma Delegation. The campers and staff came together to share the blessings of God's outpouring love. The theme this year was "Harmony." All  voices were honored while joining in with the voices of countless others, and with those voices, they sang and shouted together. Campers not only worshiped together, they participated in SPEC today classes, Adventure classes, sports, performing arts, and special events.

The Gateway Mission Center is extremely grateful for all the generous disciples that made these events possible. We are beyond blessed to have so many servants of Christ willing to give of their time, talent, and treasure. 


Upcoming Events

August 20
Guest Ministry, President of Seventy, John Wight
Linn Congregation

August 21
Camp Woodland Hills

August 25-26
Independence, MO

September 9
Evangelist Gathering
Independence, MO

September 10
O'Fallon, IL

September 22-23
Central Mission Field
Priesthood Gathering
Independence, MO

September 24
Free Garage Sale
Bel Nor Congregation

October 7
Peace Museum Board Meeting
Bel Nor Congregation

October 27-29
Camp Woodland Hills

November 3-5
Camp Woodland Hillls

November 11
Fall Conference
Kirkwood Congregation

December 2
Missional Conversations
Columbia Congregation

December 3
Ladies Christmas Tea
Cross Street Congregation

Women's Retreat 2017
October 27 - October 29
Camp Woodland Hills

Plans are underway in preparing for another wonderful Women's Retreat this year! With our Guest Minister being Apostle Linda Booth, we know that with God's Blessing, it will be a very stimulating, interesting and spiritually uplifting week-end!! Our theme is "RADICAL INVITATION" which Linda has chosen so be thinking of others that you can invite to enjoy and benefit from this experience for ALL women.

We will begin on Friday evening, October 27th, at 5:30 p.m. with food prepared for you to enjoy as soon as you are registered and settled in your room! Rodger Howell with his great crew of cooks will once again be feeding/pampering us this year so come hungry! :-)

Friday evening after a really fun enjoyable activity at 7 p.m., you will want to be here to hear Linda Booth at 8 p.m. share about her life and her testimony of Christ. Along with Linda's classes and other special events, there will be Free Time for Crafts, Games, Hiking, Visiting and Resting!

Mark your Calendars and look for more details regarding our retreat as the time draws closer. If you have questions please don't hesitate to contact us. 

Primary Contact is Lana Gilbert - lmgilbert@aol.com with Phone number - 618-660-7937.

Patti Kome Howell & Lana Gilbert
MC Women's Ministry Coordinators
 
Health & Spirituality Workshop
August 25-26
Independence, MO

"The Body, Mind, Spirit Connection" is the theme for the Community of Christ Health Ministries Association's annual workshop.

Community of Christ Health Ministries Association (HMA) believes in the concepts of wholeness and well-being.  Wholeness exists when every aspect of life is in balance; body, mind, and spirit. Well-being also goes beyond physical health to include emotional, mental, and relational health. HMA promotes health by helping people create life balance.

"Health & Spirituality" workshops offer keynote speaker and skill building sessions to broaden our understanding of health and wholeness. This knowledge also serves to motivate us to make better personal choices.

HMA hosts the annual workshop, working with Temple Strategy Team at Community of Christ headquarters in Independence, Missouri. A partnership with Truman Medical Center provides continuing education for nurses. The workshop is designed for lay and professional ministers, caregivers, health professionals, social workers, chaplains, and other interested persons.


 

 
Central Mission Field
Priesthood Gathering

September 22-23, 2017
Independence, Missouri

Questions? Email Amy Hoerchler
 
 
Gateway to Peace Museum

The Gateway to Peace Museum is planning a board meeting on October 7th at 10:00 am.  They would like to invite anyone who is interested in the program or volunteering. The meeting will be held at the Bel Nor Congregation.

Questions? Email Lana Gilbert
Fall 2017 Youth Retreat

We are delighted to announce our 2017 Fall youth retreat on Friday November 3 - Sunday November 5 at Camp Woodland Hills. Open to youth, 12-18 years old, the weekend will consist of great worship, relevant sharing, fun activities, hangin' out with old and new friends, and excellent food! 

Please, help your young people to make this event a high priority! There are so many demands of time and energy from our teens, it is essential that their spiritual lives are not neglected. If it's not a priority to you, it won't be to them either. Please help us help the youth of the Gateway Mission Center to grow in their faith.

More details on times, cost and theme coming soon!
Questions? Email LeAnn Kitchen

Gateway Mission Center

During Fall Conference, a resolution was passed to fund a Mission Center Missionary Grant with the proceeds from the sale of the Imani Mission Center. The mission of Jesus Christ is what matters most for the journey ahead. (D&C 164:9f) Grants will be considered based on alignment with the 5 Holistic Mission Initiatives which are:
  • Invite People to Christ
  • Abolish Poverty, End Suffering
  • Pursue Peace on Earth
  • Develop Disciples to Serve
  • Experience Congregations in Mission
The grant application includes details on the application and selection process. 

"Take What You Need, Give What You Can"

The Fulton Congregation received the first Missionary Grant from Gateway's new grant program. The congregation is going to build a small food pantry box that will hold non-perishable food items for members of the community. In addition, community members will be encouraged to give of their surplus. Grant funds will also help Fulton publicize about the new food pantry. 

The food pantry will help expose the community to the congregation's generosity and provide opportunities to engage with individuals in need. Fulton hopes to not only meet physical needs, but spiritual needs as well.  

Their slogan will be, "Take what you need, give what you can."  The grant project will address the Abolish Poverty, End Suffering and Invite People to Christ mission initiatives of the World Church.

The missionary grant committee is excited about this project and wishes the Fulton Congregation God's blessings.



Attention Evangelists
Save the date!

Event: Evangelist Gathering for all Central USA Mission Field evangelists focused on Guidelines for Evangelist Blessings and intentional prayer for the church.

Presented by: 
Jane Gardner and Janné Grover

Date: Saturday, September 9, 2017
Time: 1:00-5:00 PM
Location: Temple in Independence

Further details will be provided closer to the event.





Missional Conversations
December 3, 2017
Columbia, MO

A training day will be held on December 3rd at the Fairview Road Congregation in Columbia, MO. The training will include topics about missional conversation and Precept, a software to help determine area demographics. Other subject matters about evangelism and missionary work are welcome. 

Questions or Suggestions? 
Invitation Support Minister

Congregational News
Guest Ministry -  August 20th
Linn Congregation

Senior President of Seventy, John Wight, will be with the Linn Congregation on August 20th. He currently serves as President of the Quorum of 6 and was set apart as senior president of seventy in 2010. 

The worship service will be at the old church in Vosholl. A potluck will follow along with a congregational business meeting.

Twin Rivers Congregation

The  Twin Rivers Community of Christ congregation is organizing an informal gathering at  Camp Woodland Hills for the total solar eclipse!

There is a minimal $15/person charge. If you want to show up the night before (after 5pm), rooms in the lodge will be available. All food will be "on-your-own". The pool will be open and a lifegaurd will be present. 

If you would like a nice, family-centered place to view this once-in-a-lifetime event, please contact  Janine Williston for info on how to register. 

Praise in the Park - September 10th
Cross Street Congregation

The Cross Street Community of Christ  congregation will be gathering for worship at the O'Fallon Sports Park on September 10th. The group will be meeting at the Becky Henry Pavilion #2 located by the entrance and waterfall. Directions.

Contact Bonnie Wagner for more information. 
Community Yard Sale - September 24th (tentative date)
Bel Nor Congregation

The annual community yard sale hosted by the Bel Nor Congregation is being planned for September 24th. Items donated to the sale are free to the community. A free lunch is also provided. If you have items to donate or are interested in volunteering at the event, please contact Chris Grass
Mission Center Contact Information

Amy Hoerchler, Mission Center Financial Officer and member of the Mission Center Presidency team has new contact information. Please feel free to call or text Amy at ( 314)930-3704.

The following individuals may be reached through the Mission Center's phone system: (314)930-3680
Jamie Varvaro: x103
Matt Britt: x105
Amy Hoercher: x102
Gateway to Peace Museum: x110
Camp Woodland Hills Caretaker, Collin Barbour: x108
 
Gateway Mission Center Mailing Address: 
PO Box 309
Villa Ridge, MO  63089