Ambassador
August 2025
“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
The Master’s Jigsaw Puzzle
By Ken Miller
As a youngster I loved puzzles. Not the ones with 500 little pieces, but easy ones for kids that had 10 to 15 BIG pieces. The puzzles were wrapped in plastic and when it was removed, my nostrils were filled with the glorious aroma of freshly cut pine. They depicted Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck or Fred Flintstone and other familiar cartoon characters. Mickey’s ear was easy to identify because it was a big circle with a notch cut out where it connected to other puzzle parts. The wheels on Fred’s car were lumpy dumpy round and fit their lumpy bumpy notches under his car. All the pieces fit. This sounds like the perfect way to introduce a few words about the body of Christ, and how it fits together. As Paul tells us, “Though we are many, we are one in Christ” (Romans 12:5).
Hanging on the wall in the chapel of the Grand Village is a piece of artwork by Leonardo DeVinci. From across the room the photo appears to be a seamless piece of art. Up close it’s revealed as a jigsaw puzzle. What would we have if all the pieces in our puzzle were a glorious white and perfectly round? Perfection, glorious, uninteresting, boring perfection. We’d have no texture, nothing for our brothers and sisters to connect to. We’d resemble a dozen eggs with only a carton to hold us together.
Peter had many rough edges, and those edges are what I can identify with. You too? Consider our reaction to Peters’ wet walk on the water. (Matthew 14:30-33). Some of us find his response to Jesus’ invitation to be rather impulsive while others would have stayed in the boat. Consider how many times we have stepped out “in faith” only to find “wet water.” How many times have we denied the Lord in thought, word or deed (Luke 22:54-62) only to find a personal invitation to come have some fish with the Master. “The Angel at the tomb says, go tell the disciples AND PETER, that Jesus is going ahead to Galilee. (Mark 16:7)
Now let’s try an experiment. Exchange Peters’ name in Mark 16:7, with yours. You belong. Yes, with all your foible inconsistencies, and weaknesses even when you’re sure you’ve let Him down. Yet He surprises you with fish and table fellowship because you are part of the Master’s jigsaw puzzle. Amen, let it be so.
Jesus taught in Luke 6:45. “The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Hundreds of years before Jesus spoke of the heart, in Proverbs 4:23 we read “Guard over your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. The heart is powerful and telling. Pray our God who is rich in grace help us transform our tongues into His instruments of His grace.
Amen!
The Advisory Team has started an inquiry with an outside assessment/coaching tool called peak. Here is their website (https://www.peakprofile.org/). No decisions have been made, please be in prayer as we explore if this would help our church. The team is also working with fall children’s and youth ministries to make sure they are equipped and moving forward this fall. We are in need of a Sunday School superintendent, an Awana director, and 2 more children’s Sunday school teachers this fall. Talk to Erik if you are interested in helping in these areas. The team also developed a plan for communion and prayer time.
Together in Christ,
Advisory Board
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.
AUGUST SERMON SCHEDULE
August 3rd Luke 13:10-14
The Narrow Door
August 10th Luke 15:1-32
Joy in Heaven
August 17th Special Speaker –
Lynn – Alliance Missionary with Music in the Mountains
August 24th Luke 16:1-18:14
The Challenge
August 31st Luke 18:15-19:44
Royal Progress
Operation Christmas Child Report – August 2025
When a student of The Greatest Journey in Panama fell ill, his teacher brought the discipleship lessons to him in the hospital. Today, he teaches others the same Bible course.
Laying in a hospital bed in Panama City, Panama, Maykel only had a few days to live—or so the doctors told his parents when they informed them, he had Stage 3 leukemia. Their precious son, only 11 years old, had recently heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ when he received a gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoebox back home in the west-central province of Veraguas. When Maykel got his shoebox gift brimming with toys and other fun items, he also opened his heart to the eternal gift of salvation. As the first in his family to follow Christ, Maykel’s strong faith influenced his mother who observed, “He is not afraid of dying and believes that God will heal him.”
Maykel fell ill soon after starting The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship course in Veraguas—the only jurisdiction in Panama that touches both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He was taken to a local health facility where they discovered he had extremely low hemoglobin. Unable to handle the severity of this blood situation locally, medical personnel rushed Maykel to a specialized facility four hours away in the capital.
Nevertheless, his instructor, Bolivar Santos, didn’t let Maykel miss even one of the 12 Bible lessons in the course. Connecting by video call or by personal visit to the hospital, the trained volunteer teacher of The Greatest Journey continued to help Maykel learn about, grow in, and share his faith in Jesus—even amid chemotherapy.
Battling for Life
Against all odds, Maykel left the hospital just 15 days after being admitted. His health improved, only to have a relapse four days later which sent him back to inpatient care. With renewed passion, Maykel’s parents, his pastor, and his teacher joined together in prayer for his health.
After another 22 days of long and painful treatments, Maykel was released from the hospital again, but with the grim diagnosis that his illness would eventually claim his life.
Multiplying Believers
Maykel, though weak, returned home to Veraguas trusting God for a miracle. His friends, family, and church continued to join him in prayer for his healing and little by little Maykel started improving! God answered by restoring Maykel’s body so much that he was able to participate in his graduation ceremony from The Greatest Journey. Together with his classmates, he stood and told his friends and family how the Lord, most importantly, had given him eternal life—and his parents also each chose to accept Christ as their personal Savior! Maykel soon went through training so he could teach The Greatest Journey alongside Santos and help disciple other boys and girls to follow Jesus Christ. Throughout high school, Maykel continued to grow, healthy and strong, maintaining a 4.8 academic average—almost a perfect score. Now 27, Maykel leads his own classes of The Greatest Journey program. Together with his family and local Operation Christmas Child leadership, he walks many hours through nearby communities, sharing the love of Jesus, distributing shoebox gifts, and inviting children to follow-up discipleship. He also continues to serve his local church by participating in the worship band.
Praise God for faithful teachers of The Greatest Journey like Santos, and that sickness did not steal Maykel’s influence in God’s Kingdom. Please pray that the discipleship classes these men lead would continue to bear much fruit.
Children’s & Youth Sunday School Classes KICKOFF Sept 7th
Children _____________ Location Teacher
Adult Classes
Women of the Bible Library Bernie W
Churches of Welcome Class rm by Kitchen Frank L & Pastor Erik
Global Refugee crisis – what is our responsibility to those who are displaced and have no home. What is a Biblically informed opinion concerning refugees and forced immigration.
Prime Timers Potluck Luncheon - after the church service. 1st Sun every month – everyone welcome. Good food & fellowship.
Come to the Table – Sun 6:30 – Fellowship, prayer & support!
Missions Report - Jim Marshall
Did you know?
For over 130 years, The Alliance has passionately worked towards completing Jesus’ commission.
We do the job together. The Alliance church family partners and stands with international workers in taking the whole gospel to the whole world.
Six things about our workers:
1. They are called and qualified.
2. They highly value the local church.
3. They rely on the Holy Spirit and your prayers.
4. They empower local believers.
5. They love their communities and are dedicated to learning language and culture.
6. They are members of U.S. Alliance churches and sent out by our family of churches.
Alliance Missions international workers carry out the work through four specialized structures.
Each have a unique purpose, but each share a common vision of seeing gospel access for and
from all people.
aXcess (Church Planting)
Proclaims the gospel and multiplies networks of faith communities among the least-reached of
the world.
CAMA (Relief; Development)
Demonstrates Christ’s compassion through immediate relief and long-term development that
transforms lives and restores communities.
Envision (Short-Term Missions and Leadership Development)
Identifies and develops missional leaders through short-term mission opportunities and
innovative ministry strategies.
Marketplace ministries (Business as Mission)
Facilitates marketplace professionals who bring their expertise to a community to disciple those around them.
Church LIBRARY NEWS - Jessica Johnson
Hello, church family. Things have been quiet in the library so far this summer as I've been on vacation the past three Sundays, but that is about to change. With the sad news that Inspirations bookstore is closing, I've already made 3 trips there, not only to help them clear out their inventory, but also to add new books to our shelves. Hopefully next month's update will be more exciting. For now, we have these new books:
Joel Rosenberg, "The Beijing Betrayal"
Gabrielle Meyer, "Every Hour Until Then"
Susan May Warren's 4-book Alaska Air One Rescue Series
Also, several very nice Bible studies (books with study guides) have been donated. If you're looking to do a book study, check out the shelf behind the library desk!
Several weeks ago, Pastor Erik did a series on hospitality. If this topic interests you, we have a recently donated book called “The Gospel Comes with a House Key” that you might want to check out in the inspirational/Christian living section.
Thanks, and happy reading!
Jessica Johnson, GRAC Librarian
Staying Connected
Wed Activities
Women’s Prayer Group 9:30a - Library
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Bible Studies
Single Ladies Bible Study – Mon 10a-12:30p - conf rm. Pauline Wirtz
Wed - Women’s Prayer Group 9:30am - Library
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to make coffee on Sunday morning – signup sheet at CC
STAYING CONNECTED
Tues Aug 5th Bridge Builders Potluck Picnic & Sing-a-Long with Emily LaPlant & Friends & table conversation. Habitat for Humanities will talk about volunteer opportunities. Family Event so bring the children & a dish to share. 5-7p @ Gunn Park. Please signup CC.
Sun Aug 10th Annual Church Picnic and Baptism after the service at Tiago Beach. Potluck so bring a dish to share and a chair. Water provided. If you want to be Baptized, see Pastor Erik.
Tue-Thurs Aug 12th-14th Highway 2 Hope Aug Event – from Mark Little Elk – If you are called to volunteer, please pickup an events schedule at CC & contact Mark.
Tues Aug 19th Hospitality Dinner for 6 - Signup at CC for a dinner as a host or a guest. Childcare provided if needed at church. Great way to meet others & enjoy an evening of good food & fellowship.
Fri-Sat Aug 22nd & 23rd Youth Smash Burgers Fundraiser & Community Outreach. 10am-6pm Signup sheet in foyer for volunteers. See Chad Martin with questions.
Community Outreach Opportunities: Circle of Support & North Homes Children & Family Services - need deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer & wipes, socks. NO ADULT DIAPERS. Drop off container is in GRAC foyer. Thank you!
Tues Sept 2nd 1st day of school
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to make coffee on Sunday morning – signup sheet at CC
Thurs Sept 18th Attention QUILTERS – 16th annual Itasca Community Connect Event - make a difference for the homeless or impoverished. Some of the most appreciated gifts received by families is new homemade quilts. Flyer (CC) Connection Center.
Community Outreach Opportunities: Circle of Support & North Homes Children & Family Services - need deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer & wipes, socks. NO ADULT DIAPERS. Drop off container is in GRAC foyer. Thank you! Coffee Servers needed - Sunday mornings. Don’t know how, no problem, Nancy Farris, Jody or Colleen Schussman will show you. Sign-up sheet at Connection Center.
Diaconate Meeting - 3rd Thurs of every month
Kingdom Builders (MEN) - 1st Sat each month – BREAKFAST, Bible talk & prayer - 7:30am at Triumphant Life Church
Circle of Support – needs warm coats, hats, mittens and socks for homeless. Please ask friends and family to help! Drop off container in GRAC foyer. Thank you!