Ambassador
February 2026
“Pray also for me whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an AMBASSADOR…” Ephesians 6:19, 20
An Unlikely Hero - By Ken Miller
The 21st century salesmen and women were all gathered in the auditorium eager to hear the new presentation that was sure to be a hit. The air was electric with anticipation, like the annual meeting Apple conducts each fall when they roll out their new product line. A hush fell over the excited crowd as the auditorium lights were dimmed and the stage lights came up.
The murmuring started again when it was revealed that there were no flashy, colorful banners, no big screen for an out-of-sight power point presentation and there wasn’t even someone to introduce the guest speaker.
From stage right came an unimpressive man dressed like a stage-hand or a common worker. He wore blue workman’s pants and a matching shirt. (2Corinthians 1:10) To top it off, he had glasses with thick, thick lenses. (Galatians 6:11) He stopped and center stage and raised his hands for silence. His voice was loud enough to be heard, but lacked that booming, authoritative tone and eloquence of speech the crowd was used to. (1Corinthians 1:17)
Hello and greetings from our Lord Jesus Christ. My name is Paul; I operate the custom tent making business down the street. Unlike many gatherings of this type, I have none of the newest model electric cars to display, nor do I have the next operating system for your computer. Instead, I am going to dust off the greatest story ever told. Sadly, this story does not have a typical hero we can boast about. He never wrote a book, never met with the political leaders of the day, never designed a widget that worked. Instead, He hung around unschooled fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers and the marginalized of all types. The mammoth crowds that followed Him dwindled as His teaching grew hard. He had been ticking off the religious leaders for three years and they were tired of Him. So, they decided to kill Him in the most humiliating way they knew of: crucifixion.
Now I know lots of modern art depicts Jesus hung high on a tall cross. But did you know the vertical beam of a cross, the stipes, was 10–12 feet in total, with 7–8 feet above ground. That would put His bloody, beaten, unrecognizable nakedness, at eye level. The perfect height for spitting, punching in face-to-face mocking. Then He died. Some hero, eh?
What a foolish story! (1 Corinthians 1:18) The first shall be last? (Luke 13:20) Love your enemies? (Matthew 5:43-44). Instead of teaching us to be self-centered, He taught us to be other-centered. (Philippians 2:3) Yet I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God… (Romans 1:17) Well, I better get back to work, but if anyone wants to talk about embarking on an unbelievable adventure, stop by and I’ll tell you about my Jesus and show you a few of my scars. Amen.)
Church Secretary –Vicki Aultman
Office Hours: Thursday and Friday 10:00am – 2:00pm.
These hours and days may vary depending on time of the month, weather etc.
Please leave all messages and updates on the church email graccma@gmail.com or voicemail on church phone, 218-326-4929as I will be monitoring them. I will answer them as soon as possible. Get ahold of Pastor Erik if it is an emergency. Thank you! Vicki
NEW MAILING ADDRESS
Grand Rapids Alliance Church
1705 SE 7th Avenue
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Prayer Chain – Grand Rapids Alliance Church
Melissa Monroe -------- 218-256-6498
Diane Major --------- 612-860-3806
Pastor Erik Kling-------- 218-256-5992
If you have a prayer request, please contact one of the above prayer team members and they will get the word out
Wednesdays:
Women’s Prayer Group – 9:30a – Library
Bible Quiz – 3:15 - 5:15p
Soup Suppers – Join us for a free soup supper each AWANA night 5:30-6pm in the fellowship hall. Families are welcome to provide soup, bread or crackers occasionally.
AWANA 6-7:30pm - Registration is open online (GRACC WEBSITE). For more information contact Brooke Hager.
Youth Group 5:30-7:30pm at New Song Church 15 SE 3rd St Grand Rapids (6th – 12th grades) See Frances, Chris J or Angie. Prayer Group – 9:30a – Library
Bible Studies
Single Ladies Bible Study Mon 10a-12:30p - conference room. Contact Pauline W
Crazy Love: 1st & 3rd Monday 5:30pm talk to Brooke Hager or Pastor Erik.
Hill City Ladies Bible Study Tues 10 to noon. “Living in Jesus” by Marlyn Meberg. Barbara K 218-360-2061
Mom’s Bible Study Mon 6-8p Frances Kling’s house, 1519 NW 9th St, GR. Open to ladies with children.
Men’s Bible Study 6:00pm every 2nd & 4th Tues for all men. TBD Studying James.
Prayer for the Peak Team. Meeting Feb 27 & 28
NO Missions Committee Meetings in January, February or March
DAILY BREAD –See John Ward if you are interested in distributing them to churches, senior housing/centers, apartments, etc. Thank you.
STAYING CONNECTED
Tues Feb 3rd 7:00p –Republican Caucus – attend your Precinct Caucus. This begins the process of choosing candidates for elected positions. Be involved, become a delegate, and support your Christian values. Go to the Sec. of State website for caucus locations. Call Bruce with questions.
Thurs Feb 5th Ministry Meeting
Mon Feb 9th noon to Tues Feb 10th Noon - Big Sandy Camp, Prayer Retreat for Superior Area Alliance Churches. 3 meals included - Cost $25. You can stay the entire 2 days or pop in when you can. Everyone welcome. Sign up at CC
Thurs Feb 12th 5:30 -??? Family fellowship game night. Bring a snack to share and your favorite board game.
Thurs Feb 26th 5:30p –8:30p Women’s Movie and Snack night. Bring a snack or finger food to share & bring a friend. Youth Rm – Signup at CC
SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES 9:00am
Children’s Classes
1-4 Tiffany W & Cindy K
5-6 Frances K
Adult Classes – 9am – 10:15am
Women of the Bible Bernie W Library
Call to Christian Maturity Date: 2/1/26 – 3/8/26 Ben W & Pastor Erik Youth Room
Come grow in our understanding and application of the great commission, leadership, church governance, grace, biblical compassion, church discipline and your place in a healthy team. We are excited for the Biblical instruction and discussions that will follow.
Prime Timers – 1st Sunday of every month after service in youth room. Fellowship and great food
Circles of Support – colder weather is approaching quickly, so please don’t forget our friends that need warmer socks, hats, gloves and hygiene items. Please remember them in your prayers.
Christmas Child Shoe Box 2025
12,205,900 SHOEBOXES COLLECTED
God’s provision and your faithful service made it possible to celebrate another record-breaking collection of shoebox gifts. In 2025,12,205,900 Gospel opportunities were lovingly packed and sent out across the world. Out of those,10,906,661 were collected right here in the U.S. Praise God! This would not have been possible without your commitment, Connect Volunteers.
Because of your service, millions of children will have the opportunity to give their lives to Christ this year, through the knowledge of the Gospel presented with each shoebox gift. Ministry Partners are faithful to serve their communities by teaching the children to love and serve Jesus through The Greatest Journey. These 12 discipleship lessons will prayerfully continue to draw children closer to Christ as they reach those around them with the truth of God’s Word.
Each Area Team meeting, phone call, hour served at a Drop-off Location and every moment in between allow for growth on a national scale. We pray you can look back on 2025 and praise God for each milestone. Rest assured that God is using your faithful obedience to bring His Gospel to over 100 countries. We are so grateful for your partnership in ministry.
Please continue to pray with us, as God prepares each shoebox gift recipient to hear the Gospel. Pray for safe delivery of all shoebox gifts and for the hands that receive them. Pray for the National Leadership Teams who lead the ministry faithfully around the world.
“We always give thanks to God for all of you, making continually mention of you in our prayers; We constantly keeping in mind your work of faith and labor of love, and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brothers and sisters, beloved by God, His choice of you; for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in with the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.” - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5, NASB
In the library, we have added a new series for youth: the Nordic Wars series by Morgan L. Busse. We have books one and two.
We also have book 6 in the Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer: Through Each Tomorrow.
Stop on by and see what else is new!
Jessica Johnson, Librarian
Missions Report - Jim Marshall
How did Pickleball & pizza lead to a Hindu student responding to the good news of Jesus? Both pizza and pickleball are a real hit with college students, even international students. So, while the temperatures were still conducive to playing pickleball, we invited them to play with us or learn to play with us. As we were wrapping things up, and Indian student overheard me sharing about my upcoming weekend plans with a PhD student who has become our friend. He curiously asked, “Where are you going?”
I said, “Fall Getaway. Do you want to come? just so you know, it is a retreat with the Christian student organization I work with.” To my surprise he said, “Yeah, sure. That’s okay with me. How do I sign up?”
After a focused time of prayer on Sat night of the retreat Maha shared with a couple of the girls that I mentor that his group had run out of time for him to be prayed for. They quickly offered to pray for him and told him to meet them and a few others out on the pier overlooking the lake. They shared how he could trust in Jesus’ death for the solution to his sin and brokenness. They said he eagerly prayed with them to do that and begin a relationship with God!