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On a recent flight home from Virginia, I prayed that the Lord would seat me next to someone I could share the Gospel with. Once on the plane, a guy in his thirties with tattoos and a mohawk asked if he could sit next to me. We exchanged a few words, and he pulled a book out of his backpack. I asked what the title was, he said, Hyperion by Dan Simmons and told me how excited he was about locating it in a used bookstore. The lady in front of us turned around and said, "I love that book!" I prayed and was reminded of the power of asking questions. Thank you, Pastors Trey, Shohei and Tim for teaching that great class on Evangelism, such a great reminder, and so timely!

It was time to buckle our seatbelts and we settled into reading our books. Mine was on Evangelism, and as I read, I prayed, asking for direction. The Lord put it on my heart to give him one of the New Testaments I carry with me. I felt the engines pull back, so I put my book away and noticed that he was not reading but pondering with disappointment. I asked him how his book was; he said, it was just a lot of people telling their stories. Then I offered him a book I had with a lot of stories in it. He asked who the author was, and I said "God'.



The conversation opened as he told me he had a book of Psalms by his bed and that his father was a Methodist minister. He said, "I don't know why, but I have this turmoil in my heart." Then came a boldness that is unusual for me, and I said, "that is Satan trying to keep you from Jesus". I proceeded to share the Gospel with him and as his eyes became wide like saucers, I knew he had heard the Gospel in the depths of his heart.

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Barbra May Baptism | Arlington Heights

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At my baptism, I shared how God has worked in my life, and how He continues to work to this very day. I was baptized as an infant in the Catholic church and had some early religious upbringing. I always knew of God and cannot remember a time without this faith. However, I took it for granted. I did not live my life in relationship with Christ; rather I lived in utter disobedience. I was a sinner, and while a sin is a sin, I counted many of mine as absolutely unforgiveable. I never humbled myself to even ask for forgiveness. I just kept living my wild life. I would cry out to him for help when I was in dire straits, and despite my sinful ways …. he would rescue me. Time and time again.

The Orchard North Shore | Children's Ministry

January 10, 2025
In 2024, The Orchard North Shore hosted their very first Orchard Kids Week, a VBS-style program geared specifically toward unchurched kids and families. The Orchard North Shore had 61 kids attend (21 of whom were unchurched!). Their hope was twofold: that kids would hear the gospel and that some who don’t know Jesus would sign up for Awana in the Fall. One young girl did sign up for Awana and was given her first Bible. When she was told that the Bible was hers to keep, she couldn’t wait to start reading it! From an invitation to VBS, to signing up for Awana, to consuming God’s Word, it’s evident the Lord is at work in this young girl’s heart. Praise God for all the work He has done at The Orchard North Shore!

Dan and Betty Chung | Crossing Borders

December 27, 2024
Dan and Betty Chung are members of The Orchard and co-founders of the mission of Crossing Borders. Crossing Borders was established in 2003 by several Christians of Korean and Chinese descent who felt a burden for the North Korean people during a time of severe famine and starvation. During (and following) the Great North Korean Famine from 1995 to 1998, there has been a large exodus of refugees from the country. Watch this SHINE Story to learn more about how Dan and Betty are shining with the compassion of Christ to North Koreans and their children in China and South Korea. Do you, or someone you know, have a SHINE story? Let us know!
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