Check out this video about a fun event taking place on October 10, 2008 at 8:00 pm at the Gwinnett Arena.
The 410 Bridge is the organization we partner with when we send teams to our international partner in the community of Kwambekenya in Kenya.
Night For Africa will be a great opportunity to have fun, learn about the needs in Africa, and a chance for you to be a part of the solution. Tickets are only $24 and the proceeds from the night will go towards helping the various communities that 410 Bridge sponsors. Click here to buy tickets.
Hope you can make it!
Steve Mazac
Lead Pastor
Monday, September 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Africa Mission Trip Update #5
Everyone arrived safely home Sunday, thank you for your prayers Watermarke church! Below is a note from our trip coordinator, Sue Shook:"The trip was fantastic.....it will be hard to put into words.
One of the Kenyan staff from 410 Bridge said he felt we had the most impact on the community then any other team they have had so far! That is truly the Lord. We also received a gift of 2 dozen eggs from the women before we left (quite a gift for them), which was never done before! The preschool classes and small groups were beyond what we expected. It was so great seeing the expressions of children who never heard a violin before or who never saw bubbles......you should have seen them chasing the bubbles!"
More on the trip to come, stay tuned!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Africa Mission Trip Update #4
Another letter from the 410 folks, hot off the presses!
Brett
the OATBUP
Dear Friends and Family of the Watermarke Service Team,
We got a team update today from our Kenyan staff and the team is doing great! Here is an update and some details about what they have been doing the last couple of days from their Kenya team leader Mercy.
After breakfast at the Panorama hotel on Monday, the team headed to Kwambekenya and went to Kiambariki primary school in Kwambekenya where they shared Bible stories and played with the nursery school kids. After lunch they visited the medical clinic and planted trees with the community.
Wednesday morning it started raining, despite less than ideal weather, the team went ahead and planted more trees with the community and helped in the medical clinic to put up the rafters for setting up the roof of the clinic.
Today (Thursday) the team went and visited the homes of several of the people in the community. This is an honor for community members to host the team in their homes, and the team was able to experience what everyday life is like for our brothers and sisters that live in Kwambekenya. After the home visits the team facilitated another small group meeting with a group of ladies. It was such a wonderful moment for everybody as the ladies really bonded well and encouraged one another. In the evening they held a team debrief after their last day in the community.
Tomorrow, (Friday) they will head to Lake Nakuru for a Safari and to have some time to debrief about their trip. The team has been great and bonded very well with the community. It has been a blessing and encouragement to the people of Kwambekenya to have them come and serve and share life together.
In His grace,
Jennifer Ward
Service Trip Coordinator
jennifer@410bridge.org
Brett
the OATBUP
Dear Friends and Family of the Watermarke Service Team,
We got a team update today from our Kenyan staff and the team is doing great! Here is an update and some details about what they have been doing the last couple of days from their Kenya team leader Mercy.
After breakfast at the Panorama hotel on Monday, the team headed to Kwambekenya and went to Kiambariki primary school in Kwambekenya where they shared Bible stories and played with the nursery school kids. After lunch they visited the medical clinic and planted trees with the community.
Wednesday morning it started raining, despite less than ideal weather, the team went ahead and planted more trees with the community and helped in the medical clinic to put up the rafters for setting up the roof of the clinic.
Today (Thursday) the team went and visited the homes of several of the people in the community. This is an honor for community members to host the team in their homes, and the team was able to experience what everyday life is like for our brothers and sisters that live in Kwambekenya. After the home visits the team facilitated another small group meeting with a group of ladies. It was such a wonderful moment for everybody as the ladies really bonded well and encouraged one another. In the evening they held a team debrief after their last day in the community.
Tomorrow, (Friday) they will head to Lake Nakuru for a Safari and to have some time to debrief about their trip. The team has been great and bonded very well with the community. It has been a blessing and encouragement to the people of Kwambekenya to have them come and serve and share life together.
In His grace,
Jennifer Ward
Service Trip Coordinator
jennifer@410bridge.org
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Student Impact
When I was 15 years old, I began helping lead a Wednesday night program for 3rd and 4th graders. That experience was the first in a series of opportunities that taught me the importance of serving others. Those first experiences showed me the value of giving to others and were highly influential in helping me to become the person I am. Every time our family ministry staff talks about what we want a student who graduates our ministry to look like, we talk about wanting to graduate students who understand the importance of personal ministry, and I think back to the opportunities I had to serve as a student. When a student graduates from our ministry, we want serving others to be a way of life for them.
At Watermarke, we encourage students to get involved in one of our ministry areas so that they can grow in their relationships with Jesus Christ by serving others. We use the term “Student Impact” to describe their service. On Sunday mornings, I see so many students carrying out their responsibility that it makes me truly appreciate the impact that our students have each week. Our students rock babies, check children into their classrooms, sing and dance for preschool and elementary children, lead small groups, help with production in the main service, greet people arriving for the main service, and help set up the environments (at 6 am).
Not only have our students served Watermarke, but they have had a global impact. Locally, they have helped sort and distribute clothing for M.U.S.T ministries, led summer camps to teach children about safety, volunteered at hospitals, distributed lunches to needy children, and helped clean up after storms. Internationally, students have participated in missions trips to Africa and Mexico where they taught/modeled Jesus’ love for children living in poverty. In fact, some of our students are in Africa right now, making a difference in our world.
In a culture where it is so easy to be consumed by our own cares, our students are following James’ instructions to the church: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” As a family ministry, we want to celebrate these students, as they take steps in their relationships with Jesus Christ by serving others. ~ Wyndi Beck, Family Ministry Director
At Watermarke, we encourage students to get involved in one of our ministry areas so that they can grow in their relationships with Jesus Christ by serving others. We use the term “Student Impact” to describe their service. On Sunday mornings, I see so many students carrying out their responsibility that it makes me truly appreciate the impact that our students have each week. Our students rock babies, check children into their classrooms, sing and dance for preschool and elementary children, lead small groups, help with production in the main service, greet people arriving for the main service, and help set up the environments (at 6 am).
Not only have our students served Watermarke, but they have had a global impact. Locally, they have helped sort and distribute clothing for M.U.S.T ministries, led summer camps to teach children about safety, volunteered at hospitals, distributed lunches to needy children, and helped clean up after storms. Internationally, students have participated in missions trips to Africa and Mexico where they taught/modeled Jesus’ love for children living in poverty. In fact, some of our students are in Africa right now, making a difference in our world.
In a culture where it is so easy to be consumed by our own cares, our students are following James’ instructions to the church: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” As a family ministry, we want to celebrate these students, as they take steps in their relationships with Jesus Christ by serving others. ~ Wyndi Beck, Family Ministry Director
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Africa Mission Trip Update #3
From the folks at 410 Bridge this morning:
Brett
the OATBUP
Dear Family and Friends of the Watermarke Service Team,
I just got off of the phone with our Community Development Manager of Kwambekenya, Andrew. He was with the team this weekend and today. He said that everyone had a great day at church yesterday and the team is doing very well. The team split up in groups to visit different churches yesterday in Kwambekenya, and then met in small groups with some community members after church. Andrew said that the small groups went very well and the community enjoyed the time with the team so much that they met much longer than they had planned for because no one wanted to leave. This is so exciting because small groups are not something that is often done with many congregations in Kenya and it is a great blessing to the people of Kwambekenya for the team to facilitate this time for them to share their lives together and encourage one another in their walk with Christ.
Today the team worked in the nursery schools in the morning, and then on the medical clinic this afternoon. Their time working on the clinic was cut short because it started raining. Nick was not feeling well today, but Andrew called to check on him this evening and said he is doing much better now.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support for this team! Please continue to pray for them... that God would use them in a powerful way as they work alongside and serve the people of Kwambekenya.
In His grace,
Jennifer Ward
Service Trip Coordinator
Brett
the OATBUP
Dear Family and Friends of the Watermarke Service Team,
I just got off of the phone with our Community Development Manager of Kwambekenya, Andrew. He was with the team this weekend and today. He said that everyone had a great day at church yesterday and the team is doing very well. The team split up in groups to visit different churches yesterday in Kwambekenya, and then met in small groups with some community members after church. Andrew said that the small groups went very well and the community enjoyed the time with the team so much that they met much longer than they had planned for because no one wanted to leave. This is so exciting because small groups are not something that is often done with many congregations in Kenya and it is a great blessing to the people of Kwambekenya for the team to facilitate this time for them to share their lives together and encourage one another in their walk with Christ.
Today the team worked in the nursery schools in the morning, and then on the medical clinic this afternoon. Their time working on the clinic was cut short because it started raining. Nick was not feeling well today, but Andrew called to check on him this evening and said he is doing much better now.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support for this team! Please continue to pray for them... that God would use them in a powerful way as they work alongside and serve the people of Kwambekenya.
In His grace,
Jennifer Ward
Service Trip Coordinator
Monday, September 15, 2008
Africa Mission Trip Update #2
We heard from the folks at 410 Bridge, and our Watermarke team arrived safe, but tired! They experienced some churches in Kwabekenya yesterday, and today will be working in a nursery school and heading out to the construction site this afternoon. They said our next update should be on Thursday, so check back for more!
Brett
Official Africa Trip Blog Updater Person, or OATBUP
Brett
Official Africa Trip Blog Updater Person, or OATBUP
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A fun way to serve in the Watermarke Cafe!
One of the ways we serve our many Sunday morning volunteers is through our Cafe, a room at church where we serve drinks and snacks and give the vols a place to rest their feet and refuel. We have some great, dedicated folks that come in each week to set up this room and keep the coffee warm, but we need some depth on the team! Below is a message from our Cafe Coordinator, Jodi Drinkard.
The Host Team is looking for energetic people to serve as “Baristas” in the Watermarke Café. This is a fun way to get involved with the church, as you’ll meet many of the hard-working volunteers that make Watermarke come alive every Sunday. If you know how to make coffee, arrange fruit in a bowl and keep sodas cool under a pile of ice, this is your opportunity to get involved!! Time commitment is minimal – Sunday mornings beginning at 8:15 a.m. and you’ll still get to attend the service of your choice. (Oh…and all the free donuts you can eat!)
If you think you can help, or would like more details, you can contact me at jdrinkard@watermarkechurch.com.
The Host Team is looking for energetic people to serve as “Baristas” in the Watermarke Café. This is a fun way to get involved with the church, as you’ll meet many of the hard-working volunteers that make Watermarke come alive every Sunday. If you know how to make coffee, arrange fruit in a bowl and keep sodas cool under a pile of ice, this is your opportunity to get involved!! Time commitment is minimal – Sunday mornings beginning at 8:15 a.m. and you’ll still get to attend the service of your choice. (Oh…and all the free donuts you can eat!)
If you think you can help, or would like more details, you can contact me at jdrinkard@watermarkechurch.com.
Africa Mission Trip Update #1
A group from Watermarke Church is headed to Kwambekenya, Kenya in Africa in about an hour! Look back to this blog for updates over the next 10 days. We will post updates as they come in. Sue wanted you to know their itinerary, as well as a summary of their prayer requests.
9/11 - Leave Atlanta at 4:40
9/12 - Arrive in Nairobi airport at 7:40 pm...staying over night in Nairobi
9/13 - Drive 2 1/2 hours to Kwambekenya. We will be working on the Health Clinic Project....also planting trees and building a fence around the clinic
9/14 - Church in Kwambekenya. We will be going in groups of two to visit several churches. After church, we will be doing games with the kids and small groups with the adults
9/15 - Work on Medical clinic.......part of team in morning will be working in schools presenting a bible story, crafts, songs and games
9//16 - As above but in the afternoon we will be having small groups again as well as visiting homes and helping with chores/housework.
9/17 - The same as 9/15
9/18 - Work on medical clinic and visit homes again in the afternoon.
9/19 - We will be visiting a National Park
9/20 - We will be working at Havilla (home for orphans) . We will be departing for the airport around 5 pm, leaving Nairobi at 9:50 pm.
9/21- Arrive in Amsterdam at 5:30 am with a 5 hour lay over. Leave Amsterdam at 10:20am. Arive in Atlanta at 1:40 pm
9/22 - Sleep :-)
Here are the prayer requests for the trip from trip Director Sue Shook:
9/11 - Leave Atlanta at 4:40
9/12 - Arrive in Nairobi airport at 7:40 pm...staying over night in Nairobi
9/13 - Drive 2 1/2 hours to Kwambekenya. We will be working on the Health Clinic Project....also planting trees and building a fence around the clinic
9/14 - Church in Kwambekenya. We will be going in groups of two to visit several churches. After church, we will be doing games with the kids and small groups with the adults
9/15 - Work on Medical clinic.......part of team in morning will be working in schools presenting a bible story, crafts, songs and games
9//16 - As above but in the afternoon we will be having small groups again as well as visiting homes and helping with chores/housework.
9/17 - The same as 9/15
9/18 - Work on medical clinic and visit homes again in the afternoon.
9/19 - We will be visiting a National Park
9/20 - We will be working at Havilla (home for orphans) . We will be departing for the airport around 5 pm, leaving Nairobi at 9:50 pm.
9/21- Arrive in Amsterdam at 5:30 am with a 5 hour lay over. Leave Amsterdam at 10:20am. Arive in Atlanta at 1:40 pm
9/22 - Sleep :-)
Here are the prayer requests for the trip from trip Director Sue Shook:
- That our hearts will be ready to serve the people of Kwambekenya....that we will be Christ like example in all we do.
- Safety, health and unity for our group
- For the people in Kwambekenya and that we will meet their needs.
- That our hearts will be changed....that we will grow in the Lord
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