It was January 3, 2012 and excitement was in the air; finally, after three years of waiting, God has opened up the full area of The Dock. The volunteers were excited to see the reaction of the students and we believed God had done a great thing to move us to this moment. This event paled in response to what unfolded.
As the students entered the new Dock, one young lady handed me a small notebook. She said to me, “If you would like to read it to the rest of the students, that is okay, just don’t let them know who wrote it.” She wrote (paraphrased): “Everybody wonders why I am so angry and why sometimes I think about taking my life. It is because I have seen some very bad things in front of me and I have never had a father in my life. Sometimes I get so angry that I have to hit something or someone and that makes me very sad.” ”Since I have been coming to The Dock I have hope in my life that it could be better.” ”The volunteers are nice and there is a hope that there that I don’t have in my life.”
These words are what I remember of her writing but they are close. The point is, we can have all the programs we want but if we are not building relationships with people and pointing them the Christ we are missing the mark.
Thank you for all that you have done and will do to keep the doors of The Dock open to share the Gospel in our community. Please keep fighting for the doors to stay open so that families can hear the Good News from people that are obeying God’s command that says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”
Dec 11
20
Blessings from Strangers
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)
I used that verse to talk to the kids at my church for the Children’s Sermon during the Christmas season and had decided how I was going to “practice what I preach”. I had everything mapped out in my mind and just had to run to Meijer after work to get the things I needed along with a few groceries. It was around ten at night, I had been working since 7 o’clock that morning and I was tired. I just wanted to check out, go home so that I could put the groceries away and go to bed! A woman and her grown daughter got in the line behind me and stayed there for about a minute before the mom stepped forward with her hand extended toward me with something in it. She just looked at me, said “Merry Christmas” and handed me a rolled up bill. I had a baffled look on my face and asked what this was for and her response was “just passing along Christmas Spirit”. Still baffled, I said thank you and she walked away. A complete stranger just handed me money for no other reason than to pass along the Christmas Spirit. As I drove home, put the groceries away and fell into bed, I thought of how the volunteers at The Dock do that every time they are with the teens. They do not hand the kids money, but they are giving something more valuable; time, themselves, and the gift of Christ. Many of the kids who come to The Dock are starving for attention, especially from an adult. The volunteers fill the need who, like this woman, expects nothing in return.
My challenge to you during this Christmas Season and for 2012 is to give, unconditionally and spontaneously. I am not talking about just giving money to strangers, unless God leads you in that gift, but in giving of yourself. Open the door for the mother who is struggling with kids, smile to the clerk at the store and say thank you for helping you, or do something for your spouse without them asking. It may not seem like a lot to you, but it will mean the world to the person receiving it.
Merry Christmas
Karen
Posted in General by .
Dec 11
17
Student Spotlight – Morris
Morris is a ‘veteran’ to The Dock, since moving to the Kelloggsville School District in sixth grade. A friend invited him and Morris instantly felt respected by the volunteers and knew that this was a safe place to be. He feels as if he can be himself here and does not need to pretend.
Morris is a Junior at Kelloggsville High and he feels as if everybody is like a big family. He says the teachers are interested in you and want to help you succeed.
Morris is involved in several extracurricular activities through school. He is on the bowling team and participates in tennis and track and field. His passion though, is singing. He participates in Honors Choir and frequently asks to learn new songs. Last year he was involved in the fundraiser featuring the Metropolitan Choir and other local choirs. If you would like to hear him sing, he will be participating in this year’s benefit concert on March 10 at 7pm.
Dec 11
14
Christy’s Corner
A few months ago, I read a devotional by Oswald Chambers that really made me think about how I live my life. It was talking about who a missionary is; “The desire that comes into a disciple is not one of doing anything for Jesus, but of being a perfect delight to Him. The missionary’s secret is truly being able to say, ‘I am His, and He is accomplishing His work and His purposes through me.’” This really struck me as I thought about the work that I do. It is easy to describe the work that I do and tell stories about how God is working; however, do I really understand what I am saying? I get so caught up in the work of telling kids about Jesus, that it becomes a task instead of living my life in a way that shows whom Jesus is.
Throughout the holiday season, we spend a lot of time reflecting over the past year on all the blessings God has given us. We take time to look back at how God was faithful and how he was working in our lives. We realize that all the blessings and all the answered prayers had nothing to do us but everything to do with God’s plan. As we look forward to the New Year, we make resolutions about things we can do to change, but in reality we should be remembering all the ways God has blessed us and how he can change us.
A few weeks ago, I was confronted with how I need to live my life for Christ. I can come to The Dock every day spending time and sharing the Gospel with the kids, but when it comes down to it, I cannot save them, only God has the power to save them. What I can do is reflect God’s goodness to the kids through the way I live. As I was thinking about this, I wrote down this statement “I want to live for Christ so deeply and passionately that I don’t have to think about it, I just do it. I want to live my life so clearly reflecting Christ that people are not drawn to me, but to Christ.” Looking forward to next year, I want this to be, not only my New Year’s resolution, but also my life resolution. Each day I spend at The Dock, I have a front row seat watching God’s plan unfold and I have the privilege of being used for his glory. I pray that it will be more than just a job at The Dock that I do, but it will be Christ living in me. Christy
Dec 11
13
Wayne’s World
At the beginning of the Advent Season, while studying Scripture, God opened my eyes to Numbers 24:17 that says, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” This verse referred to the coming of the Christ child, in the fourth oracle of Balaam, a nonbeliever, but moved by God’s Spirit to bless the nation of Israel instead of cursing it as the king of Moab desired.
Possibly, what we do not think about is the fact that faith has always originated from a belief in Christ, even in the Old Testament. Jesus said in Matthew 13:17, “For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and the hear what you hear but did not hear it.” The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the focal points of our faith and they are center to The Dock.
This Christmas season The Dock is celebrating the truth that Jesus is still giving new birth. The Dock has been “birthed” as the first Community Center in the City of Wyoming and we look forward to seeing how He grows new dreams and visions from this. In addition, the new birth He is giving our friends at The Dock. We have a young lady who shared during Talk Time that she had received God in her heart at church. Another young lady told me during snack time that she is reading God’s Word.
The most exciting thing for me is Chris, a young man who no longer goes to Kelloggsville but we met again through a mutual friend. When he was in high school, Chris would not talk to me because he hated me; however, as we began talking last week, I believed God opened up an opportunity to share the Gospel. He and girlfriend came to our house for Thanksgiving dinner and we had a wonderful time. They are reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and, Lord willing, we will discuss each chapter. I cannot think of a greater Christmas gift to put under the tree this year than knowing that Chris gave his life to Christ.
Thank you for your love and support of The Dock this year and we pray that God will lead us into a future of advancing His Kingdom and growing His Bride, the Church. Please consider giving a Christmas gift to the kids of The Dock this Christmas.
Seeking Him like the Magi,
Wayne
Nov 11
13
Grand Opening Reflections
It was the evening of October 9, the year of our Lord 2011; 300 people united at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church to celebrate. People who represented so many different ages, geographical locations and backgrounds came together for one reason, to celebrate a God moment in history. Oh, I know that God is continually working; in fact, Jesus said that his Father is always working. This all began in 1989 when God revealed a vision to two young men that 22 years later He opened up that dream into a new Community Center.
It is interesting how He brought the dream about. First, God whispered into the ears of two young men; then whispered it to Home Acres Reformed Church in1992 through SAFE Studies and its report (He who has ears, let him hear). Fourteen years later God whispered it to a small congregation at Immanuel CRC and they said yes to a half a million-dollar project that seemed impossible. Through a negative experience, God whispered to a city council that there is a need for a Community Center Zoning Code.
God made The Dock the first community center in the history of the city of Wyoming. God can do anything and He proves it by using all facets to bring about His purpose. Are you in God’s Will today? Are you living in His Purpose? Who can go against God’s will and win? NO ONE CAN! Thank you all for the love, support, work and sacrifice that contributed to bring about God’s good purpose.
Posted in General by .
Oct 11
18
The Grand Opening!
October 9 – After years of praying, working, and waiting, The Dock celebrated its Grand Opening as the first ever Community Center in the city of Wyoming. Almost three years ago, when the thrift store moved out of the front of the building, a vision began of expanding The Dock’s afterschool drop-in center into the larger space. With that vision came a lot of planning, renovations, fundraising, and at times setbacks as it seemed like we would never be able to move into the new space. The good news is that God is not confined to our human plans; his plan is so much bigger and better than anything we can ever imagine. On Sunday, October 9, around three hundred friends and family of The Dock gathered for a time of worship, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and a delicious meal in the new space. It was a great night of reflecting on God’s faithfulness through the years and looking forward to seeing God’s future plans for The Dock unfold before us.
Posted in General by .
Oct 11
11
Kelloggsville Community Celebration
September 23-25 – Beginning Friday Night with a tailgate party for the Kelloggsville football game, The Dock and local churches (Immanuel CRC, Home Acres Reformed, South United Methodist, Grace Lutheran, Faith Community CRC) joined efforts with Kelloggsville Schools to put on a community celebration. The Dock and the churches were invited to set up tables in the school’s gym before the football game to spread the word about how neighbors can get connected. Saturday afternoon, giant inflatable games, a rock wall, an old car to smash, and a food tent were set up on Division Ave in the school’s driveway. Everything was free for the community and it was a great time of fun, food, and fellowship. Unfortunately the rain did come, dampening the events for a little while, but it did give neighbors an opportunity to gather under the big food tent and enjoy pizza, hot dogs, and homemade cookies. Finally, on Sunday, we transformed the food tent as we first enjoyed a pig roast with neighbors and friends and then held a worship service on Division Ave, praising God for the grace of giving us new beginnings in our lives. This was the third year The Dock and the churches have put on the Community Celebration, but it was the first year having the school’s involvement and it was a wonderful weekend of coming together and celebrating the Kelloggsville community.
Posted in General by .
Sep 11
13
The Dock Ministry’s Grand Opening!
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The Dock Ministries is having its Grand Opening Celebration! |
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After waiting for God’s timing for over two years, the reality is finally here! Join us for an afternoon of celebrating God’s love and abundance of blessings on Sunday, October 9, 2011.
Worship and Celebration Service
Immanuel Christian Reformed Church
33 Elwell SW
Wyoming, MI 49548
4pm
Grand Opening Ceremony
The Dock Ministries
4669 South Division Avenue
Wyoming, MI 49548
6pm
Meal following
Please RSVP for the meal by Monday, October 3, 2011
(616)531-4955 or
email The Dock Ministries
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God’s Blessing to you,
Wayne Ondersma
Pastor of Students
The Dock Ministries
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Sep 11
6
Volunteers are the Backbone…
Without the love and dedication of over 50 adults, The Dock Ministries would just be a building. These men and women from local churches dedicate two-and-a-half hours a week to share their love of Jesus Christ with their neighborhood teenagers. This is done through conversations, playing games, discipline and sharing their life with a teen and building a relationship with them.
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