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WP Training Program Testimonial

April 13, 2023 by West Park Contributor Leave a Comment

The best one-word description of my experience with theology before taking the class would be “academic”. Having grown up in church, which included participation in Awana from kindergarten through high school, and attending a Christian school through 8th grade, I had a lot of knowledge ingrained into me. I was an older teen before I first heard that Jesus wanted a relationship with me. (I was saved as a young child). I was in my 20s when I realized how Pharisaical I was; stuffing my head with knowledge will do that. I spent the next 15+ years struggling between legalism and grace and how to make that transition.

This class has contributed to bridge the gap between knowledge and practical application in my life. It has helped me translate what is in my head into something I can verbalize better. I have been challenged to memorize Scripture more, leading to deeper meditation of Scripture. The Case Studies are practical. In our small group, we have talked about having similar conversations with friends and family. These exercises allow me to work through scenarios ahead of time so hopefully I can verbalize to others how God has worked in my life. There have been many times I have been silent due to my lack of confidence in how to speak truth into situations, which are missed opportunities.

Another area I have been challenged is the Christian disciplines of the Sabbath, Silence and Solitude, and Fasting. I knew Jesus participated in these disciplines, but understanding why he did them helps me understand why I need to incorporate them in my life.

This would benefit anyone, no matter where they are spiritually. It is a “no judgement zone” and a positive environment for learning.

Filed Under: Training Program Tagged With: blog, course, testimonial, training program, West Park

WP Training Program Testimonial

April 5, 2023 by West Park Contributor Leave a Comment

When studying the Bible, I know this class has helped me spiritually by enabling me to interpret passages more thoughtfully. I think it is common for Christians to be a little fuzzy on different points of theology if we are not intentional in working through what the Bible specifically teaches. This class has caused me to process a wide variety of subjects that really matter in every day life. I have much greater clarity on difficult areas such as the Trinity, the role of the Holy Spirit, the nature of Christ and many more. The best part is being able to discuss within our group and having the encouragement of other believers.

The biggest challenge has been our case study application questions from the notebook.  These are real-to-life scenarios where we rehearse how to share the knowledge about what we are learning with others. We don’t just regurgitate an answer, but we have to critically think through how to approach individuals in our circles with what God’s Word actually says. These are hands-on practice conversations you either have already had or probably will have.

Although anyone would benefit from the program, I especially believe all who are leaders or teachers in any way would be wise to go through this excellent training course.  Exploring more deeply the subjects covered in this class will enable those who lead to be more effective in discipleship. Those who are giving of themselves need nourishment as well…and this is perfect for that.

Filed Under: Training Program Tagged With: blog, training program, West Park

Local Perspectives on Coronavirus – Pt 1

April 15, 2020 by Audra Chaney

Project Jerusalem by Audra Chaney

Picture with me West Park’s gym, the one in our Children’s Ministry Center we all know & love.

As you picture our gym, you may see your AWANA clubbers sitting at their color line hoping to be picked for the game, or maybe you see your first-grade class singing and dancing to the worship music during Kidz Klub on Sunday mornings. Maybe you picture your family sitting around a table during one of our Family Gathering socials on Sunday evenings, eating Tee & Kendra’s delicious tacos while keeping an eye on your excited three-year-old. Maybe you see the gym full of people in red, green, and blue t-shirts, eating popcorn and mingling with community members during last summer’s VBS, or maybe you see the gym filled with missionaries sipping Tee & Kendra’s delicious lemonade and sharing about lives that have been changed by the Gospel.

However you see the gym right now, I want you to clear the bouncing basketballs, AWANA pins, Styrofoam cups, and your running three-year old from your mind. Project Jerusalem - April 15, 2020Now, picture this same gym filled instead with long tables, boxes upon boxes stacked on the floor, rolls upon rolls of empty tape from assembling those boxes, cans upon cans of veggies, fruits, and many other essential food items, many masked volunteers trying to keep a 6-foot distance, but thoroughly enjoying the social interaction, and hours of behind-the-scene prep spent to ensure a smooth system of unloading and organizing food from a large truck. What we are picturing together is yet another form that our beloved gym has become for this new season.

This unforeseen crisis has left many families in our communities without their daily bread and the means to obtain it. But since our God is the giver of daily bread and cares so deeply for these hungry people, He has a plan. So, in West Park’s Heaven-ward plead, asking God how we can help, He pointed us to our gym, our already successful Bread of Life Food Pantry, our already established friendships with community members through CedarBrook Outreach, and our partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank to reveal His plan. And this plan for West Park’s response in this time has a name. This name is Project Jerusalem. Because our Jerusalem is in need.

Those involved with Project Jerusalem have already seen God largely at work by how fast loads of food, volunteers, resources, and space were available in such a short notice to make this feeding of Jerusalem a reality. God is at work through the smiling faces behind those face masks that have come from all over to drive the food truck, unload it, organize the food, build the boxes, pack the food, place information about our church and a Bible tract inside each box, and drive it to the houses of the hurting. So in the depths of this crisis and hurt, our Sovereign God gave us a God-sized vision and the resources to make it happen. Oh how we praise Him and rejoice that families are being fed, not just physically, but spiritually from the heart of a Father that has not forgotten them.

Audra Chaney is the Director of Student Ministry at West Park Baptist Church.

Filed Under: Stories Tagged With: Bread of Life Food Pantry, CedarBrook Outreach, Gym, Project Jerusalem, West Park, West Park Baptist Church

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