NLC Connect - July 16, 2025
connect with God's Word
Summer intern Bella is stepping up to help fellow campers at Sugar Pine Camp.
Sunday service worship with special guest Jamie Mack!
Next steps announcements with summer intern Victor and youth volunteer Soji!
Sunday service worship with special guest Jamie Mack!
Next steps announcements with summer intern Victor and youth volunteer Soji!
connect your calendar
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
6:00-8:00 p.m. - Youth Paint Night - Room 207
(No Prayer Gathering this week)
THURSDAY, JULY 17
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups
FRIDAY, JULY 18
7:00 p.m. - Family Movie Night in the Family Center gym - free snacks; please bring your own seating (lawn chairs or blankets)
SUNDAY, JULY 20
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
SOAR begins at Fresno Pacific University (through Thursday afternoon) -- pray for our group of 15 youth and adults
(No youth group tonight)
MONDAY-FRIDAY, JULY 21-25:
MONDAY, JULY 21
7:00 p.m. - Properties meeting - Room 115
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Gathering - Room 113
THURSDAY, JULY 24
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center
SUNDAY, JULY 27
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
11:15 a.m. - Family Meal - Dining Room (bring your favorite side dish or salad to serve 10 people, to add to the chicken, pilaf and dessert that will be provided)
11:15 a.m. - "Painting with Littles" for parents and children ages 0-3 - Nursery
5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Room 207
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
6-8 p.m. - Youth Gym Night - FC Gym
6:00-8:00 p.m. - Youth Paint Night - Room 207
(No Prayer Gathering this week)
THURSDAY, JULY 17
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups
FRIDAY, JULY 18
7:00 p.m. - Family Movie Night in the Family Center gym - free snacks; please bring your own seating (lawn chairs or blankets)
SUNDAY, JULY 20
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
- Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks - Patio
- Guest speaker Jordan Ringhofer
- Missionary guests Everette & Christy (Friesen) Robertson will share about their Bible translation work
SOAR begins at Fresno Pacific University (through Thursday afternoon) -- pray for our group of 15 youth and adults
(No youth group tonight)
MONDAY-FRIDAY, JULY 21-25:
- The church office, sanctuary, phone system and outside restrooms will be closed all week due to electrical work on campus. Email will be the best way to reach staff: office@newlifedinuba.org or pastorbrad@newlifedinuba.org. Meetings planned for the Education building will not be affected.
- Community Family VBS at Dinuba Christian Church (see registration information below)
MONDAY, JULY 21
7:00 p.m. - Properties meeting - Room 115
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
6:30 p.m. - Prayer Gathering - Room 113
THURSDAY, JULY 24
6:00 p.m. - CELEBRATE RECOVERY small groups - Education Center
SUNDAY, JULY 27
9:30 a.m. - CONNECTING POINT
- Come meet and encourage others over coffee and snacks - Patio
11:15 a.m. - Family Meal - Dining Room (bring your favorite side dish or salad to serve 10 people, to add to the chicken, pilaf and dessert that will be provided)
11:15 a.m. - "Painting with Littles" for parents and children ages 0-3 - Nursery
5:00 p.m. - Youth Group - Room 207
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
6-8 p.m. - Youth Gym Night - FC Gym
Members' Meeting Report:
Thanks to everyone who attended last Sunday's update! Ken Sawatzky presented the financial report as our fiscal year ends on August 31, and Dennis Enns reported on the remodel project and other recent work by the Properties team. Nori Naylor gave an update on Immanuel Schools' accomplishments this year and projection for next school year. Pastor Brad highlighted several church ministries as well as off-campus youth activities, and discussed the recent attendance increases and plans for the fall. All nominees were approved, so our administrative teams now include:
Thanks to everyone who attended last Sunday's update! Ken Sawatzky presented the financial report as our fiscal year ends on August 31, and Dennis Enns reported on the remodel project and other recent work by the Properties team. Nori Naylor gave an update on Immanuel Schools' accomplishments this year and projection for next school year. Pastor Brad highlighted several church ministries as well as off-campus youth activities, and discussed the recent attendance increases and plans for the fall. All nominees were approved, so our administrative teams now include:
- Trustees: Ron Brown (chairman), Tristan Ringhofer (vice-chair), Ken Sawatzky (treasurer), Veronica Stalis (secretary)
- Personnel: Norma Froese (chairman), Carolyn Ehoff, Bonnie Sorber
- Properties: Dennis Enns (chairman), Abe Isaak, Duane Penner
- Stewardship: Ken Sawatzky (chairman), Leroy Bumbaca, Kelly Friesen, Ron Froese
Please help by sewing bags to put the supplies in! Bundles of pre-cut fabric are available on the table in the north foyer, along with the instructions. Please sign your name when you take fabric and when you return the completed bags. Assistance is also available from Elaine in the church office during the week.
Collection containers will be available on Communion Sundays (first Sunday of each month) for your donations. Thank you!
This summer multiple churches in our city are working together to provide a summer evening program for the whole family to grow together and get introduced to Jesus. Sign up using the QR code on the picture below or on the posters at NLC!
Do you have pictures from past church events to help tell our story? Please share them with the planning committee! Pictures or other memorabilia may be loaned to Judy Brown or the church office as soon as possible. Thank you!
connect through giving
Received Last Week (7/13): $4,438
Received this year: ......... $272,527
Budget to Date: ................ $339,415
Budget Goal by Aug. 31: $383,686
Needed Weekly: ................. $18,526
Received this year: ......... $272,527
Budget to Date: ................ $339,415
Budget Goal by Aug. 31: $383,686
Needed Weekly: ................. $18,526
connect to God through prayer
- Pray for health and strength for Carolina Coralles (on hospice care) and Glen Zimmerman.
- Pray for Anissa Almaguer to have good health as she prepares to bring new life into this world! Anissa has been doing iron transfusions to raise her hemoglobin. Pray for strength and wisdom for the doctors supervising her care. Pray for Neida Roa, who is also expecting and was put on bed rest.
- Pray for Noemi Gonzalez as she recovers from surgery at home.
- Also remember: Marilyn Chappell and other residents in Palm Village Healthcare, Harold Kruger and others in Sierra View, and Mary Salazar.
- Pray for those who have lost loved ones. A new GriefShare support group will begin in August.
- Pray for those who are seeking employment.
- Pray for our interns as they serve our Church family and community this summer.
- Pray for the campers and SOAR participants to be open to the work God will be doing in their lives next week. Thank you NLC fam for your continued prayer and financial support for our young people!
- Pray for the undocumented in our community as they navigate life under this administration.
- Pray for our missionaries: Pablo & Maricela Chavez in Peru, Cecil & Tracy Ramos in Thailand, Jonathan & Joanna Gutierrez in Portugal, and Johnny & Denise Esposito in Cambodia.
- Pray for peace as violence and war affect so many families and children in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, in the Middle East, and in parts of Africa.
Connect with Missionaries
This past June, I had the privilege of serving as the head men’s coach with Global Sports Basketball. We took both a men’s and women’s team to Mexico and Brazil, and this was actually the sixth trip I’ve been a part of with them. And I have to say—every single time God does something new, not just in the lives of the people we meet, but in me as well.
The mission of Global Sports is simple but powerful: to disciple athletes through transformative experiences, to strengthen and encourage local churches, and to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. And on this trip, we saw all of that happening in real time.
Yes, there was basketball. We played games, we practiced, we competed. But it was never just about basketball. The court was simply a tool—a way to connect with people, to build relationships, and to open doors for conversations about faith.
I loved watching the athletes I worked with grow—not just in their skills on the court, but in their understanding of what it means to live out their faith in everyday life. You could see God stretching them, teaching them, and even using them in ways they probably didn’t expect. I am always amazed at how quickly we bond into a family, and lifelong friendships are built.
One of the most impactful parts for me was partnering with local churches. In both Mexico and Brazil, we came alongside pastors and church leaders who are faithfully serving their communities. It was humbling to see their passion for the gospel and to be able to encourage them, even in small ways.
And personally, trips like these always remind me how big God is. He can use something as simple as a basketball to bring people together, to break down barriers, and to change lives—including my own.
I’m so grateful for the chance to be a part of this ministry and to see firsthand how the gospel truly is the power of God to save, not just here at home, but in other parts of the world. It’s such a privilege to be used by Him in this way. Lord willing, Martha and I plan on serving with Global Sports Basketball next summer in Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand.
- Ken Sawatzky
The mission of Global Sports is simple but powerful: to disciple athletes through transformative experiences, to strengthen and encourage local churches, and to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. And on this trip, we saw all of that happening in real time.
Yes, there was basketball. We played games, we practiced, we competed. But it was never just about basketball. The court was simply a tool—a way to connect with people, to build relationships, and to open doors for conversations about faith.
I loved watching the athletes I worked with grow—not just in their skills on the court, but in their understanding of what it means to live out their faith in everyday life. You could see God stretching them, teaching them, and even using them in ways they probably didn’t expect. I am always amazed at how quickly we bond into a family, and lifelong friendships are built.
One of the most impactful parts for me was partnering with local churches. In both Mexico and Brazil, we came alongside pastors and church leaders who are faithfully serving their communities. It was humbling to see their passion for the gospel and to be able to encourage them, even in small ways.
And personally, trips like these always remind me how big God is. He can use something as simple as a basketball to bring people together, to break down barriers, and to change lives—including my own.
I’m so grateful for the chance to be a part of this ministry and to see firsthand how the gospel truly is the power of God to save, not just here at home, but in other parts of the world. It’s such a privilege to be used by Him in this way. Lord willing, Martha and I plan on serving with Global Sports Basketball next summer in Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand.
- Ken Sawatzky
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
April
May
June
2024
January
February
March
April
June
July
August
September
October
November
2023
January
February
1 Comment
Thank you Ken. Are there any of your team members around Dinuba? I think a Sunday morning testimony time with a few of them would be very encouraging...?? And of course yourself.
n