On the Road Again - Cary Christian Center

Our Thanks
Cary Christian Center thanks the following
Churches and Organizations for donations this Quarter
Colorado
Minnesota
Third CRC, Denver, CO
Honorarium
Jake and Nancy Koster
celebrating 50 years
of marriage
First Prinsburg CRC, Prinsburg, MN
Luverne CRC, Luverne, MN
Illinois
Christ Church of Oak Brook, Oak Brook, IL
Classis of Illiana of CRC, Crete, IL
Orland Park CRC, Orland Park, IL
Peace CRC, South Holland, IL
Iowa
Faith CRC, Pella, IA
First CRC, Rock Valley, IA
First Christian Reformed Church, Pella, IA
Hope CRC, Hull, IA
Sibley CRC, Sibley, IA
Trinity Reformed Church, Orange City, IA
Wright CRC, Kanawha, IA
Michigan
Mississippi
Clark Chapel UMC, Cary, MS
First Baptist Church, Rolling Fork, MS
Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Brandon, MS
Locust Grove M.B. Church, Anguilla, MS
R.E.A.L. Christian Foundation, Richland, MS
Westminister Presbyterian Church, Vicksburg, MS
New Jersey
Cedar Hill CRC, Wyckoff, NJ
Pompton Plains Reformed Bible Church,
Pompton Plain, NJ
Texas
Eastern Hill Baptist Church, Garland, TX
Beaverdam, Zeeland, MI
Brookside CRC, Grand Rapids, MI
Calvin CRC, Grand Rapids, MI
Christian Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, MI
Faith Community CRC, Wyoming, MI
First CRC-Byron Center, Byron Center, MI
Friendship CRC, Byron Center, MI
Ridgewood CRC, Jenison, MI
Westend CRC, Grand Rapids, MI
Washington
Second CRC, Lynden, WA
Welcome new
members of the
Cary Christian Center
Board of Directors
Don and Jan Postma
Our Needs
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
Brookfield CRC, Brookfield, WI
Crossroads Church, Madison, WI
Jesus Fellowship of Believers, Menomonie, WI
TRANSFORMATION THROUGH RELATIONSHIP
SPECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST
Dental Ministry
Parent Child Ministry
After School
Culinary Academy
Robotics
Summer Program
The Vision of Cary Christian Center is to break the cycle
of poverty through relationships one person at a time.
—Romans 12:2 & Jeremiah 29:11-13
Cary Christian Center
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gerald Washington
Dr. Robin Howard
Linda Vandenberg
Travis Gully
P.O. Box 57 • 154 Cottonwood Street • Cary, MS 39054
www.carychristiancenter.org
AUGUST 2015
Cary Christian Center
The Village Ministry
The Mission of Cary Christian Center
is to actively proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel
of Jesus Christ in order to enable individuals to reach
their full potential in Christ.
—Ephesians 4:12, 13
Doug Steyling
Don and Jean DeWaard
3RD QUARTER
Thrift Store Ministry
Volunteer Ministry
WHAT’S
INSIDE
Harvest Church
members
volunteer.
- page 2
Building
relationships
with VBS.
- page 3
A QUARTERLY
NEWSLETTER OF
CARY CHRISTIAN CENTER
On the Road Again
Dear Friends of Cary Christian Center,
When I look back at the history of Cary Christian Center and how far it has come, I know without a doubt that God was
in the plan before it began. Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God had a plan using people who really love him like the New
Jersey Truckers and others associated with this project.
The New Jersey truckers’ ministry started in 1987 by Stan VandenBerg who continued driving until 2002. He was a
deacon at Irving Park CRC at the time
and heard about the work of the center.
He originally just wanted to bring down
a load of clothing to fill one trailer. He
asked Dean Steyling to help him. After
they saw the center and the need, they
expanded their collection to include
all the other items. He collected the
goods and stored them in his garage—
the whole family would help load the
trailers. When the center separated
from the Luke Society, Dr. Peter
Boelens asked him to be on the first
board of directors. That group helped
form all the groundwork of what the
center is today. He served on the board
for 8 years, all the while continuing to
drive trucks down about twice a year. Stan passed down his passion for the
work of the center to his family—his
son, Bernie, husband to our board
member, Linda, started driving with his
dad in 1989 until 2002 to further carry
out the center’s mission of “enabling
individuals to reach their full potential in Christ” and our Vision “to break the cycle of poverty through relationships one
person at a time.”
When I think of the New Jersey truckers’ diligence, I think of the words to a once very popular song that says, “On the
road again, I just can’t wait to get on the road, again. . .” It seems Doug Steyling, Dean Steyling, Jerry Vogel and Dave
Etterbeek are so passionate about Cary Christian Center until it’s not just a job, it has become an adventure. I always
notice how cheerful they are when they arrive with the trucks. Even after so many long hours on the road driving one,
sometimes two trucks, they still have the energy level to walk around the center to see how things are going with us.
For many years they have come to Cary. While in New Jersey, I recall seeing pictures of them from years ago. As I turned
around to look at them, I smiled as I gazed at the pictures of heads with dark hair from then and now all the heads of
wisdom. Wink! Wink!
Their compassion is immeasurable. It’s the kind of compassion that God talks about in 1 Peter 3:8, “Finally, all of you,
live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” When we see Doug,
Dean, Jerry and Dave hard at work at the task set before them, we know God is constantly working in them to carry out
His work. I’m so glad these men have the hearts and the minds to hear God say, “Go” when the need arises. I’m so glad
they are compassionate enough to see our needs and work hard to supply those needs.
I thank God we all can call them “friends.”
Fellowship and fish with faithful friends.
- page 2
Fulfilling Goal #5
FUNDRAISING
Michigan Fish Fry
$ 3,302
Michigan Fish
Fellowship
Once again Cary Christian
Center staff hit the road to
Michigan to visit and fellowship
with our faithful friends.
The Michigan fish fry was
eventful to say the least. We
arrived at Jim and Deb Pyle’s
house, just in time to freshen
up and head back to our 8 p.m.
meeting at Byron Center Church
Council. During this meeting,
we were able to share about
Cary Christian Center. Two of
the members that had been to
Cary shared about the times they
spent with us as well. The meeting
ended, and we were able to go to
host homes for the night.
The next morning the staff was
able to spend time in fellowship
and breakfast with our hosts and
volunteers at a local restaurant.
Volunteers then
took the women
to visit local
thrift shops, and
the men visited
an
appliance
store.
During our visit
to the thrift stores,
we found out that one of the
stores we visited gives to Cary.
The appliance store owner has
also been a donor to CCC for
years.
At the end of our store visits, we
headed to the church to prepare
for the fish fry. Robert, Jim and
Deb were already there cooking
up a storm. The staff started on
set up and table prep. We spent
time catching up with old friends
of CCC. There were many people
CCC continues to build
relationships through VBS
But Jesus said suffer little children and forbid them not, to come
unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14
that loved the food. The
menu was fried catfish,
hushpuppies, cole slaw,
spaghetti, sweet potato pie and
other desserts. Following the
meal we all went to the sanctuary
and sang a few songs and shared
about CCC.
This trip was a lot of work, but
as always we enjoyed the friends,
fellowship and great food.
VOLUNTEERING
“Just passing by”
is what Daniel May said as he and seven others
rolled onto the Cary Christian Center grounds. This
group was from Harvest Church in Tulsa, OK. When
asked how they came upon the Center, Daniel
commented that every year for about seven years,
they have driven across the United States looking for a place where
they can do mission work. He said they always ask God to show them
the best place to do His work. We know Genesis 22:13 talks about God
always having a “ram in the bush” for any situation. When others may
have “counted us out,” Harvest showed up and took their rightful place.
So, as they traveled Highway 61 they saw a sign that said “Cary Christian
Center” and knew this was the place they had been led to. Praise God!
After arriving to their next mission, our Director, Carl Watley, gave
the Harvest group a tour of the Center. As it was late in the day, it was
supper time, Carl and Sylvia McNeil took them to eat at Farmers’ Market
for a taste of our famous Southern cuisine.
The group had morning devotion with us then set out to do an honest
day’s work. Robert Jackson, volunteer manager, quickly found work
for them to do in the distribution center and at Treasure Chest. Even
with the temperature soaring in the distribution center, they worked
diligently to carry out the mission God had placed before them.
Matthew 9:37 says, “The harvest is plentiful, but workers are few.” Not
so with Harvest Church. It’s evident they are working toward a great
harvest.
We thank them for allowing Cary Christian Center to be a blessing
to them as they were a blessing to us. We bid them farewell, until next
time.
2
ENCOURAGING
We had another great summer working and building relationships with
community churches and volunteers through Vacation Bible School. The
four VBS camps started in June and ran through July. They were held at
Straight Gate Ministry (Glen Allan), Mt. Herald (Rolling Fork), Pleasant Hill
(Delta City) and Rose Hill (Mayersville) churches.
Every year VBS is free for the children in the community. We had exciting Bible stories, crafts and recreation each day. At each location, at the
end of VBS, we had an ending program for the children’s families. This
was enjoyed by all. The 2015 summer VBS hosted 300+ children. It is a
great joy to see children’s hunger for the knowledge of Christ—and their
excitement is heartwarming!
Please keep in mind our every summer tradition of VBS in the Delta and
come be a host in 2016. Let’s make 2016 bigger and even better. Remember our children are our future and what a way to enhance that future.
I would like to give a huge thank you to the following churches.
• Straight Gate Ministry/Glen Allan, MS with our volunteer hosts from
Sanborn Christian Reform Church, all the way from Iowa.
• Mt. Herald M.B. Church/Rolling Fork, MS with hosts from Laverne
Christian Reform Church, Minnesota.
• Pleasant Hill Church/Delta City, MS with our volunteer hosts from Life
Creek Evergreen Community, hailing from the windy city, Chicago.
• Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church/Mayersville, MS and hosts from
Trinity Reformed Church, Iowa.
These communities and churches opened their doors and welcomed
our hosts, whom we appreciate ever so much, to have an amazing 2015
VBS.
Again CCC is so grateful to these volunteer hosts that travel these distances to help with our VBS programs. Please bring your church to visit
the Delta and make a child’s eyes shine with knowledge of our Lord.
Sincerely,
Carl Watley
GOAL
$35,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$5,000
Carl Watley,
Interim Executive Director
Cary Christian Center’s Five Year Goals
1 To encourage self-reliance among the people we serve.
2 Partner with the community to create relationships and transformative results
for the Delta region.
Fulfilling
Goal #3
3 Break the cycle of one-way dependency by promoting mutual investment
of goods and services by volunteers and recipients of CCC programs.
4 Strive to empower individuals and the community by facilitating employment
readiness and investment opportunities in the Delta region.
5 Insist on measurable outcomes for our programs.
3