This is Us

We are the church, whether we are gathered or scattered--each one of us, a part of the body of Christ, wherever we go, whatever we do.

So, where can you find us, and what are we doing?

Last year, Pastor Jonathan and Stephanie Haage felt a nudge. They had been praying about how they could serve their community and do it as a family. That led them to Safe Families. Safe Families is an organization that provides support for families in crisis. There are many ways to serve with Safe Families: hosting a child, becoming a family friend/mentor to a parent, being a family coach who supports the hosting family, providing resources for the family in crisis or administrative work to help more families be served. All of these roles fit together as part of a larger circle of support that works together to help one family. Jonathan and Stephanie are currently participating in the family coach role, supporting a family hosting a 10-year-old girl as her mother finishes her time in the workhouse and looks to turn her life in a new direction. They also hope to participate in the hosting role in the future. We pray for God to continue working through the Haages and their circle of support as they serve with Safe Families

This is Us

We are the church, whether we are gathered or scattered--each one of us, a part of the body of Christ, wherever we go, whatever we do.

So, where can you find us, and what are we doing?

Five Oaker Liza Halverson met her “little sister,” Allisca, in 2002 through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. From camping trips, to game nights, to evenings at the library working on homework, they had a lot of fun when she was growing up. Allisca is now a mom of two young boys and is soon to be a college grad, and Liza (and her family) have continued to have a close relationship her, although Liza wishes she lived closer and they had more opportunities to hang out like they did when they she was younger. Liza says, “We are great friends, but really she’s family. Allisca’s mom became very sick and passed away 2 years ago. From helping Allisca make funeral arrangements to having her and her boys join us for holiday meals, I care for her as my daughter. I will never replace her mom, but I will continue to love and support her through life.” She adds, “I have so many stories of being able to help Allisca experience many ‘firsts’ in her life. It’s fun now to reminisce about some of those firsts and hear her perspective of those events now as an adult.” Below is a more recent (although not quite up-to-date) picture.