News and Events at Believers Fellowship

Thank you for visiting our News and Events page, where we keep you up-to-date on the happenings at Believers Fellowship.  Also, the latest edition of our newsletter, The Epistle, can be found here (PDF).

Service Times - Back to Normal on September 7

Summer services (through 8/31) are at 8:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.
Regular Sunday services return September 7.  9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

Sound Youth Counseling/Northwest Leadership Foundation (Spring 2008)
By Matt Edwards

In June 2008, Believers Fellowship went “out there” to NLF to learn more about how we can be present for the people around us both in Gig Harbor and in Tacoma. We loaded into a bus and toured East Tacoma, learning about the lives of the people who inhabit the most uninhabitable places in our city. We learned some of their stories and talked about the difference between caring for people and merely serving them. Then, we returned to NLF headquarters where we discussed how we can develop a healthy relationship with the city.

Animal Fair

On August 14th families filled the back lawn of Believers Fellowship to see some of the great animals at our annual animal fair.

This year there were 11 different animals. Some of the favorites were the cow, chinchillas, alpacas, and of course the horse rides.

The children also enjoyed a variety of animal games and crafts, not to mention a great hot dog dinner. Cotton candy topped off this night to remember!

 

 

 

Chicago Mission Trip 08’: Embracing Diversity

Twelve students from Believers Fellowship had the opportunity to embrace diversity in Chicago Illinois. None of them knew what they were getting into when signing up for this years mission trip, but they knew that it would be different than home, and they were told that God would use a heart that is flexible and willing to serve.

The group took part in several different ministries every day! Students found some to be easier to do than others, yet all of what they did had an affect on the city, and on their hearts. Dramas were acted out in the parks; people were served in “Little India”, there was a time of hot dog evangelism; the group prayed with around 100 random strangers in the cities busiest lunch time square; they worked at a homeless shelter; met the homeless on the streets; visited a nursing home; put on a kid’s clubs (vbs); bagged cereal to be distributed to those in need; had a sidewalk chalk evangelism outreach while they outlined kids profiles with chalk; they worshiped in the streets of downtown Chicago. God gave the energy needed to get through the week, and gave the group a new sense of community that will be carried through to next year.

These ministries stirred in the hearts of all those who went, so much so that the students are talking about doing prayer walks in our own Gig Harbor. Just going down to the harbor to see if anyone needs prayer, and then praying for them right then and there. One students comment about the trip, “Something about me will never be the same because of what we did. I have so much more confidence and so much more trust in God.” That is what these mission trips are all about!

Thanks to all of those that helped out with finances, whether through the CrossWalk Gala or any of our other funds raiser activities. Also, a big thank you to Dana McClain, our parent chaperon. This is not her first summer spent with the Youth Group Mission. We are so thankful to Dana for all of her time and advice provided. To God be the Glory forever and ever, amen.

The Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls

You’ve heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls but you’re not sure what they are? On Sunday, August 10th, at both services, Dr. John Hilber, will be teaching and giving a presentation on “The Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls.”
John was a founding member of Believers Fellowship and on the pastoral staff for 15 years before leaving to pursue doctoral studies at Cambridge University. He is now Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and lives in the Dallas area with his wife, Charlotte (daughter of Tony and Dona Mazzuca).

Believers Fellowship Youth Group Presents: Scott Schubert, Middle School Youth Pastor

We warmly welcome our new Middle School Youth Pastor this month! Scott Schubert comes to us as a graduate of Azusa Pacific University, California, with a Youth Ministry degree. Scott is taking over where Reid Kessler and Laura Vincent left off. For those of you unaware, Reid has been accepted into the Denver Seminary, Colorado, and will work towards his Masters in Counseling. Laura is also stepping down from her position as Middle School Youth Staff, upon her graduation from the University of Washington, Tacoma. We are excited for where Reid and Laura have brought the middle school program, and are equally excited about where Scott will take it! God is doing amazing things in our Youth Program, and Scott has jumped on board with the care for your middle school students!

Scott is married to Carina, and they have zero kids. They both graduated with youth ministry degrees and are now in full time ministry. Carina has accepted a position with New Horizons, a Seattle based organization working with at risk teens living on the streets of Seattle. They are both excited to be in the Northwest doing ministry.

Introduce yourself to them at church and hear their story!

Super Summer Ministry Update!

What do you do when you meet your goal with half of the summer left?! You set a new goal! That’s what the students did in Super Summer this past Sunday when they found out that they exceeded their original goal for their summer ministry project, Operation 1 + 1. They thought that reaching 50 kids with the good news of Christ was a big goal but it turned out not to be big enough! Some kids held lemonade stands, others did extra chores, and one family even sold coffee and cinnamon rolls in their neighborhood – all to reach their goal! Congratulations kids! You inspire us!

Backpack Attack!

By Johnny Pearson, Director of Student Ministries

What a blessing it is to live in the Pacific Northwest!  It seems like God really took His time in creating the beauty that surrounds Gig Harbor.  Some of Believers Fellowship’s high school students got to experience that beauty first hand, and some for the very first time!  Twelve students and five leaders hiked up to Lena Lake to camp for two nights in the Olympic Mountain Range.  One of the highlights of the trip were day hiking to  Upper Lena lake, which is a glacier lake and still frozen over!  Another fun memory was some of the leaders and students finding a log in the lake, finding sticks that could pass for oars, and then taking their primitive canoe all around the lake!  How adventurous! 

It was also a good time for us to get away from civilization and spend much time alone with God.  We packed up a guitar and had great campfire worship times, students shared their testimonies of what God is doing in their life lately, and we traveled through Psalm 51.  Those that went on this trip learned what it meant to sweat, work hard, and camp under the stars.   I can’t wait to get up on the mountain again this summer…anyone want to come?

 

High School students had a blast at Capernwray Harbour!

By Johnny Pearson, Director of Student Ministries

Believers Fellowship, Chapel Hill, and Harbor Covenant Church traveled to Capernwray Harbour in the Canadian Gulf Islands for summer camp this year in the end of June.  Here is a typical day in the life of a camper…with a brief description.

6:30 am—Early morning Kayaking (optional, those who did this loved it!)
8:30 am—Breakfast (the best part of waking up, is coffee grown and roasted on the island)
9:45 am—Solo time with God (a chance to reflect on scripture, apply what we are learning about our value to God from the evening teaching times, and pray)
10:30am—Morning Worship (what better way to start a day?)
11:15am—Rotating workshop (we went to three through out the week, we learned about temptations in sexuality, the names of God, and built team work on a low ropes course)
12:30pm—Lunch (camp food was exceptionally good)
1:30pm—Team competition (we had six different teams competing in events throughout the week all hoping to win a Bag-O-Awesome.  Some of the events were Water Olympics, Pirate Dodgeball, and even a poetry contest!)
2:00—Free time (disc golf, wakeboarding, volleyball, crafts, horseshoes, hanging out, kayaking, relaxing, and just having an awesome time in general)
6:00—Dinner (the camp staff served us every meal!)
7:00—Evening worship (worship through music, and hear a message from our speaker, Jeremy Johnson, this year’s theme was “Priceless”)
8:30—Cabin time (reflect and discuss what we just learned about God)
9:15—Night Activity (talent show, bon fire, staff hunt, and capture the flag.  All were fun!)
10:30—ready for bed (typical flush and brush time)
11:00—lights out (yeah right!)

If you are exhausted just looking at this schedule, try doing it five days in a row!  God gave us a great time, and the energy to endure the long days.  They were so worth it! 

Believers Fellowship Softball Teams

Believers Fellowship sponsors three teams in the Gig Harbor Church Softball League.  The league runs late June through early August and our teams need your support!  The post-season tournament starts on July 22.  Please, click the link above for info and schedules.

Mom's Group Summer Schedule

While the Mom’s Group at Believers Fellowship takes a summer break, they still like to meet up regularly and invite all of you Mom’s to join them.  The group meets Tuesday’s, 10:00am at various parks around the area. Kid friendly snacks are provided so just bring your coffee and join the group!!  Any questions, contact Emily Roy at 460-9544 or email her at monetlane@msn.com.  The following is a schedule for the rest of the summer:

July 8 – Fircrest Tot Lot
July 15 – Heather Cedarlands home (Call/email for directions)
July 22 – Fox Island Park
July 29 – Titlow Park
Aug. 5 – Jefferson Water Park (we meet 11:00 for this, bring your kids in their          swim suits!)
Aug 12 – Horseshoe Lake Park (Purdy)
Aug 19 – Owens Beach (Pt. Defiance)
Aug 26 – Bridgeview Beach (under the Narrows Bridge)
Sept 2 – Gig Harbor City Park
If it is raining or the playground would be too wet to play on, our park day is canceled. 

If you have a younger baby and would like to join the Mom’s walking group here is a list of their scheduled walks.  For directions or further information please contact Jill Sturrock @ 514-6217.

July 8 – Canterwood (Gig Harbor)
July 15 – Titlow Beach (Tacoma)
July 22 – Ruston Way (Tacoma)
July 29 – Home gathering/walk/park @ Jill Sturrock’s house (GH)
Aug 5 – Proctor (Tacoma)
Aug 12 – Downtown Gig Harbor
Aug 19 – Point Defiance (Tacoma)
Aug 26 – Home gathering/walk/park @ Andrea Owen’s house (Tacoma)

Back to Top