Summer session done, gearing up for Fall

(posted by Paul Zilmer)

Last night we concluded our summer session, which was a series that introduced one book of the Bible each week. (We concluded with "Introducing Malachi".) We knew that over the summer people would come & go, so this series worked well for many, since classes did not build on one another. We told the students that if they came to half the classes, they would get a completion certificate. The attendance really was spotty. Of the eleven people who signed up, five got completion certificates last night.

Preparations for the Fall Term are well underway. Besides handing out almost 4,000 fliers door-to-door, we have had a series of advertisements in the local newspaper, as well as signs in the windows of the shop. All three avenues have produced good interest. This week we signed up 6 new students, and we've had inquiries from several more, who may yet sign up. Besides the classes people sign up for, we've also had good interest in our Tuesday evening Bible class, which is more of a traditional Bible study.

Another wonderful development last evening was that one of our long-term students approached me and asked to start classes in preparation for baptism. Besides being a very faithful attender at the evening classes, she has been coming to our Sunday services (regularly to the adult SS class, sporadically to the worship service).

The Chicago ecclesia (a 2 hour drive away) is hosting a gathering in September, with the theme "The One Hope". Many of our ecclesia members will be going, and two of our regular students are also planning to go. Two more students are going to look into whether they can attend.

We are feeling very blessed with all of this!  We pray God will bless our efforts to support, encourage, and teach all of these people as they seek Him.