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Building on the Jeff Road property is the future for WAM. We thought it would be insightful
to see how God has worked in the lives of individuals within the body of Willowbrook at
Madison- WAM.
The following answers give a good representation of the feedback with one prevalent
thought repeated by so many; WAM is family!
Pastor Kevin Perry and staff
“WAM is simply FAMILY.”
–Tammy Brannen
“Our small group helps me ‘belong’…
I don’t feel like a number anymore.”
–Raul Muytoy
“WAM is unpretentious, open and welcoming…
A body of believers I can go to for Biblical wisdom and advice.” –Tami Rose
WAM is a fun place to worship Christ. The band
is awesome and I always learn something from
the sermon. Everyone welcomes you with open
arms, and the life group has challenged me to
learn and grow spiritually.” –Ryan Creel
“WAM is authentic worship with a body of
believers who are committed to Christ, no matter
the circumstance.” –Jonathan Adams
“From the very beginning, there was just
something different about WAM. Seeing how
things have grown and how God has blessed our
community with this campus has just been a joy
to be part of. We love our WAMily!”
–Mitzi Werline
WAM is non-judgmental and accepting of you
just as you are yet challenges you to obediently
follow God. -Jamie Hankins
“The music! That dude Derek is good!”
–Josh Smith
WAM is a place where we worship, fellowship,
serve, learn, pray, and live life along side each
other within the Body of Christ. Our family
is blessed to call WAM our church home.
-Amanda West
“The camaraderie; the feeling of belonging to a
unit of diverse believers with one mission- to lift
up the name of God and show His love to others.”
–Monique Wright
I think what makes WAM unique is our sense
of family. I feel like our life groups and Bible
studies are the heartbeat of WAM.
-Stephanie Adams
Plans continue in hopes to break ground in preparation for not only a building,
but for more opportunities to ”Splash Jesus” in Madison.
To view a video of WAM, visit: willowbrook.org/Madison.
A Home in Heaven
A Message from Mark
The Bible tells us that God is preparing a home for us in
heaven. Wouldn’t you like to see that construction project?
Have you ever wondered why the Bible doesn’t tell us more
about the hereafter?
Vance Havner put it best when he told a story about a little
boy sitting down to eat a bowl of spinach. Across the table
from him sat a scrumptious chocolate cake. That boy was
going to have a hard time eating the spinach when his eyes
were on the cake. If the Lord had explained everything
about what’s waiting for us in heaven, I think we’d have a
hard time with our spinach down here.
When someone dies, we always say, “They’ve gone to
a better place.” They really have! It’s those who are left
behind who struggle. Mary and Martha were having a
hard time with their bowl of spinach. Their brother, Lazarus,
died, and the sisters were wintered in by a blizzard of grief.
There was a gnawing in their stomach and emptiness in
their heart. Shock had turned to numbness, which turned
to grief. You’ve been there, haven’t you? You can’t believe
they’re gone, but the stabbing pain in your heart reminds
you that it’s true.
When Jesus finally arrived, Martha snapped at Him, “Where
have you been? Had you come sooner you could have
healed him. Why didn’t you?” Have you ever said a prayer
like that? Sometimes we get angry; sometimes we just
weep. When Jesus saw Mary weeping, the Bible says, “Jesus
wept” (John 11:35.) I love that verse. It is the shortest verse
in the Bible, but it speaks volumes to me. It tells me we
serve a God who cares. Jesus was moved by the grief of
His friends. He wept because He knew how they felt. He
knows how you feel, too. I am strangely comforted by this
short little verse. Jesus wept. He didn’t preach; He wept.
He didn’t offer theology on the hereafter; He wept. He
just sat down and cried with her. Learn from Jesus. When
your friend is grieving and you are at a loss for words, good!
Don’t use any. Just be there. Hurting people don’t need
words. They need a hug, a shoulder to cry on, and a smile
that says you can count on me.
BAILEY COVE CAMPUS
Jesus wept, but not for long. He had a tomb to empty.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
The Bible never records any of Lazarus’ words. I wonder
what he said when he found himself back on earth. For
four days he had been in heaven, walking the streets of
gold, talking with Moses, and singing with angels. Then he
suddenly found himself back on earth looking at a bowl of
spinach. When I go to heaven, I don’t want anyone calling
me back. The moment we step through the pearly gates
we will see that heaven is more beautiful than we ever
thought, Jesus is more glorious than we ever dreamed, and
our loved ones are even happier than we imagined.
Heaven is so beautiful that the Bible compares it to the
beauty of a bride on her wedding day (Rev. 21:2). William
M. Dyke was a young man who became blind at the
young age of ten. Despite his handicap, he grew to be a
very intelligent, witty and handsome young man. While
attending graduate school in England, William met the
daughter of an English admiral. The two soon became
engaged. Though never having seen her, William loved her
very much. Shortly before the wedding, at the insistence
of the admiral, William submitted to special treatment for
his loss of sight. Hoping against hope, William wanted the
gauze from his eyes removed during the ceremony. He
wanted the first thing he saw to be his wife’s face.
As the bride came down the aisle, William’s father started
unwinding the gauze from around his head and eyes – still
not knowing if the operation would be a success. With the
unwrapping of the last circumference, William looked into
the face of his new bride for the first time. He gasped, “You
are more beautiful than I ever imagined!”
When you close your eyes in death and open them in
heaven, you will gasp. It will be more beautiful than
you ever imagined. Until then, eat your spinach. There’s
chocolate cake waiting on the other side.
MADISON CAMPUS
7625 Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville, AL 35802
256-883-LIFE
7105 Hwy. 72, Huntsville, AL 35806
256-883-LIFE
Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday Morning Worship
8 a.m. Traditions
9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. - Music Venues and Life Groups
Sunday Night
5 p.m. Contemporary Worship Service
6:10 p.m. Life Groups
9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Sunday Night
4:45 p.m. - 7 p.m. Bible Study for Children/Youth
5 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. Life Groups in Homes
willowbrook.org
Y
ou also, as living stones, are
being built up as a spiritual
house for a Holy priesthood, to
offer up spiritual sacrifice
acceptable to God acceptable to
God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5
3
MESSAGE FROM PASTOR MARK
A Home in Heaven
4
INSPIRATION
Living Stones
8
VOLUNTEERS
9
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Shaping Lives
Beyond Rocket Science
Ownership through Habitat
11
DEVOTIONAL
12
HOME AND HEART
13
Let Him Change You
Conquer Clutter
LOCAL MISSIONS
Pickers for a Purpose
14
PARENTING
Sugarman, The Pony
Shaping Character with GoKids
17
19
ENCOURAGEMENT
The Rock Won’t Move
FAMILY
Grandparent’s Day
20
22
OUTDOORS
Sweet Success with Local Honey
RECIPES
Planting the Seeds of Faith…
25
COUPONS
27
WILLOWBROOK EVENTS
VBS and Summer Activities
faithandfamilymatters.net
5
faithandfamilymatters.net
Let’s Be Social!
FFMmagazine
Special Thanks
To Our Advertisers:
Please be sure to patronize our sponsors
who advertise throughout the magazine.
If you or your business is interested in
advertising in Faith & Family Matters
magazine, please email
FFM@Willowbrook.org.
Alabama Bird Supply........................................21
Dental Professionals on Whitesburg .........18
E & J Farms...........................................................22
Lee Builders ........................................................20
Magnolia Trace ..................................................19
Pickers on Main .................................................13
Producing Smiles! Orthodontics ...................6
YMCA ....................................................................24
Von Braun Center .............................................28
Coupons ........................................................25-26
Chick-Fil-A
Domino’s
E & J Farms
6
FAITH & FAMILY MATTERS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015
Mary Kay
Moe’s Original BBQ
Valley Realty
FROM THE EDITOR
PASTOR
Dr. Mark D. McClelland
EDITOR
Ann Burke
CHURCH GROWTH
Steve Lacy
BUSINESS MANAGER
Coinage Gothard
Some Assembly Required...
Intimidating words for some; however, being a creative person, I take
the challenge to fit the pieces together. Whether using patterns of
wood to construct a bird feeder, scraps of material to sew a quilt or
splashes of color to paint a picture, each task requires planning and
patience.
Design toys such as Legos, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs and wooden
building blocks have pieces that fit together, but a plan is needed to
achieve the desired outcome.
Our Master builder has a plan! Alone, we are inadequate to
measure up to God’s potential.
The articles in this issue of Faith & Family Matters magazine share a
“Building Plan” with God’s design to transform your heart to follow His
instructions.
The devotion, Let Him Change You (page 11) gives a military
and spiritual perspective to change and reshape your life. Habitat
Volunteers are Shaping Lives (page 8-9) building together and
creating new homes. Conquer Clutter (page 12) provides steps to
reduce clutter in your home and your heart. The Rock Won’t Move
(page 17) is solid ground for student ministries and activities. Shaping
Character (page 15) offers key advice for parenting children today.
Brenda Powell, author of Sugarman, The Pony, listened to God’s call to
share a message and “ light up like fireflies and shine for Jesus, shine!”
We are His work in progress; take His wonderful challenge and continue to
TRUST God and allow Him to guide you – daily by reading His Word,
following His plans to build a better you.
CONTRIBUTORS
Justin Bedingfield
Robin Buckelew
Kerry Coker
Jeremy Foulks
Jerry Hammonds
Kari Long
Cairenn Martin
Doug Merchant
Kevin Perry
Brenda Powell
Whitney Reeves
Joe Schneller
Tracy Williams
Janet Wright
COPY EDITORS
Kim Broyles
Carol L. Prince
Alesia Saxon
Andrea Still
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Robert Cambell
Jason Elmer
SUPPORT GRAPHIC DESIGN Barbara Kilgore
Kasi Payne
DISTRIBUTION TEAM
Tracy Williams, Manager
Jonathan Adams
Jim & Fagan Davis
John Prince
Marc & Alice Rader
Sherry Hiley
PHOTOGRAPHY
Chris Olsen
Huntsville Botanical Garden
PRINTER
Precision Graphics, Inc.
This issue marks ten years that I have been blessed to share God’s
message with our community and the privilege as Editor of Faith &
Family Matters magazine.
I know: God is not finished with me yet:
I am still “Under Construction”
Trust God,
Ann
Ann Burke
aburke@willowbrook.org
A
C H U R C H
O F
N E W
L I F E
Faith & Family Matters magazine is a Willowbrook publication dedicated to
impacting our community through OutReach ministries “beyond our walls”
and is distributed free to the residents of Huntsville and Madison County.
For additional copies call: 256.883.0907, ext. 146.
© Copyright 2015
Willowbrook Baptist Church | 7625 Bailey Cove Rd | Huntsville, AL 35802
All rights reserved.
faithandfamilymatters.net
7
Armed with hammers, gloves and
a keen sense of determination,
volunteers from all walks of life begin
to build the foundation for a future
home. The group of men and women
place the lumber and the nails to
anchor each board and soon walls
appear.
The accomplishment is not only
personally rewarding, but also a
blessing to the recipient of the
structure that will become home.
Many projects begin with a formal
blessing and most homes have the
foundation and lumber adorned
with Bible verses and encouraging
scripture. It takes volunteers to build
a better tomorrow, and construction
is just part of the need. There is a
ReStore, warehouse, construction
yard and office that are all part of
Habitat’s mission.
For more information on volunteer
opportunities, contact :
Janet Wright at jwright@hfhmc.org or
256-533-2282 ext. 153.
8
Beyond Rocket Science
by Robin Buckelew
Building a Habitat house is an
adventure. Two years ago, shortly
after I retired from Civil Service,
I drove down to the Habitat
warehouse one morning carrying
my hammer and gloves. I joined
a volunteer group of mostly men
from this community, together with
future Habitat homeowners, to cut
lumber and nail walls together.
Almost no one was expecting a small,
short redhead to join the group, but
that didn’t matter. I went to work
on the spot. If you can use a tape
measure and lift a piece of wood, you
can do important work at Habitat.
And believe me, you will learn how
to do other neat things, involving
saws, hammers, drivers, and screws.
A couple of weeks later, we were
pushing roof trusses up onto the
top of the walls. At the end of five
months, a house was standing in a
development in Northwest Huntsville,
and a large family with children
FAITH & FAMILY MATTERS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015
moved in. And I had a big sense of
fulfillment from the contributions that
I had made. In a word, I was hooked.
I knew before I retired that I would
need volunteer work to enable me
to give back or “give forward.” My life
has been filled with the blessings of
family, health, and an exciting career.
I can never repay all the wonderful
people who gave me a hand along
the way. But I can, in some small way,
help provide opportunity for others.
Working with Habitat enables me to
do that, while enjoying a light hearted
environment with a lot of kidding that
goes with the learning and teaching,
and the hands-on work that I love.
Robin Buckelew retired from the Aviation
and Missile Research, Development and
Engineering Center. She and her husband
Bill are longtime residents of Huntsville
and members of Trinity United Methodist
Church. They are privileged to have
several children and grandchildren in the
area.
Community profile
Ownership through
by Jeremy Foulks, Director of Family Services
Habitat for Humanity of Madison County
In order to
homeowner,
demonstrate
criteria; need,
the
home,
through our
become a Habitat
a
family
must
they meet three
an ability to afford
and
partnership
application process.
First, Habitat verifies families have
a need for housing through information provided by the applicant and
home visits completed by members
of our Family Selection Committee.
This need could be:
1. They are living in substandard or
poverty housing: Housing that
has structural defects, in ill-repair
or deficient.
2. They may be living in temporary
housing with friends or relatives
because they cannot find suitable and affordable housing to
meet their needs. (also public
housing or Section 8 housing)
3. Inadequate housing would
include families living in overcrowded conditions, dangerous
neighborhoods, or the current
residence cannot accommodate
a disabled family member.
Second a family must have the
ability to afford the home and the
mortgage which comes with the
home. Applicants must meet income
requirements, show responsibility to
make payments on time, and have the
ability to afford the mortgage, pay on
existing debts, and maintain a suitable
Mission Statement:
Habitat for Humanity of
Madison County is an
ecumenical, grassroots,
Christian housing ministry
that seeks to eliminate
poverty housing from our
community and make
decent shelter a matter of
conscience and action.
standard of living. They must provide
stable income for the household
either through employment, social
security, disability, food stamps,
or child support. Habitat homes
are sold to families at no profit and
financed by Habitat with a 20-30
year mortgage with a 0% interest
rate. We call this Bible Financing.. If you lend money to one of my people among you who is in need, do not
be like a money lender; charge him
no interest. Exodus 22:25
Finally,
our
partnership
requirement is one of the
foundations of our ministry at Habitat
for Humanity of Madison County. A
family’s partnership in our program
requires 350 sweat equity hours
assisting the affiliate in our ReStore,
construction sites, and successfully
completing our education program. This program includes 55 hours of
homeownership/financial
literacy
and a nine week course through Dave
Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
at no cost to our partner families. Families are also responsible to pay
$2,000.00 towards the closing cost
for the purchase of their new home.
Our program is not a hand-out, but
a hand-up to the family. Habitat
homes are sold, not given away to
the partner family and financed by
Habitat with a mortgage with a 0%
interest rate.
Ieshia Young and her daughter, Jaquaya
moved into their new Habitat home on
April 2015.
Owning her own home means
the world to Ieshia and gives her
great joy to know her daughter
can grow up in a stable and
safe environment. She is ever
grateful for the blessings that the
Lord has shown her and she is
thrilled to be able to partner with
Habitat to realize her dream of
homeownership.
To obtain an application for
this program…
Habitat for Humanity
Madison County
400 Pratt Avenue NW
Huntsville, Al 3580l
(256) 533-2282 ext. 115
www.Habitatmadisonco.org
faithandfamilymatters.net
9
THANK YOU FOR
SUPPORTING...
On Saturday, April 18th, 400 people from six churches,
participated in Serving the City South Hub projects and poured
out God’s love to our community. The side column lists some
of the 4,800 people touched and agencies that were impacted.
Thank you to everyone who went out and showed God’s love
through our actions to the local community, this could not
have been done without you!
People also served and made an impact at the following
locations doing a wide variety of tasks like yard maintenance,
gardening, painting, cleaning, and organizing: Challenger
Elementary, The CARE Center, Kids to Love, Lincoln Village,
YMCA on Weatherly, and Manna House.
Mark Freeman,
Serving the City South Hub Coordinator
markbfreeman@gmail.com
servingthecityonline.com
10
FAITH & FAMILY MATTERS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015
1,300
1,200
600
200
250
160
150
150
78
78
60
60
60
50
45
45
40
40
30
30
22
14
10
8
5
5
6
1
Bags of Blessings at CARE Center to give to hungry children
water bottles handed out at Parkway Mall
Sandwiches where made by Slices of Grace for hungry families at Manna House
Food kits for homeless
Goody bags made for police, firemen, teachers, school custodians, nurses,
doctors
Homeless hygiene and food bags made for Good Samaritans
People were loved on and served at the For Life Ministries Beloved
“Breakthrough” event
People attended the Greater Things Block Party at Butler Terrace
Mother Days gifts were made for Lincoln Village
Goody bags made for children in Lincoln Village
Candles made for ladies in the Girlfriends ministry
Gift bags were made for ladies in the Girlfriends ministry
Canvas bags were painted for children in the hospital
Baskets for Pediatric Patients
Bags of diapers for Manna House
Goody bags made for children in Hospital
Baskets for Choose Life 40 Cars washed
Bracelets made for The 2911 Story to raise money for a new school
Canvas bags made for Choose Life
Goody Bags were made for Kairos prison ministry
Blankets for homeless veterans
Angry Bird boxes made for children for Downtown Rescue Mission
NICU baby hats made
CASA wheelchair ramps built
Meals delivered to Fire Stations
Baskets made for Project Abundant Life
CASA Yards were serviced
Veteran Ministry home installed vinyl
Let Him Change You
by Joseph Schneller
Military Boot Camp
If you ever go through boot camp, realize that it’s a journey and allow it to change
you. You must learn to dress in uniform and stand at attention. You must learn the
military way of talking, walking, and thinking. You must so thoroughly abandon
your civilian ways and embrace the military way, that even when most fatigued,
you will behave precisely as the military intends—like a warrior. This is no joke; the
time will come when your country depends on you.
“Let Him Change You” is a devotional from
Joseph Schneller’s The Lowering Sky: Stories & Devotionals, which will be available
in ebook by the Summer of 2015. He, his
wife Kippi, and their four boys worship at
Willowbrook Baptist Church.”
So for those few months on some beautiless base, in that humid-heat world where
the staff controls every aspect of your why-did-I-do-this life, always keep this
perspective: this is a journey; I will allow it to change me.
Spiritual Boot Camp
The Christian life is much the same. You’re learning to dress in the armor of God
and to stand your ground. You’re learning the Christian way of speaking in grace,
walking in faith, and thinking with a renewed mind. You are called to so thoroughly
abandon your worldly ways and embrace the Lord’s ways, that even when most
fatigued, you will behave precisely as the King intends—like His Son. This is no
joke; the time will come when you co-govern a new and spotless universe.
So for these few years in this fallen world, when the Lord allows many trials to test
you, always keep this perspective: this life is a journey; I will allow Him to change
me.
Today’s Scripture:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me
that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will
be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2).
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His
good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Today’s Takeaway:
Perfectly intentional, unquestionably sovereign, and flawless in love, the Lord uses
every trial, test, and burden to create in you the likeness of Christ.
Today’s Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me to submit to the Father’s will as You did in the garden of
Gethsemane.
“Carter in the Crosshairs is the first novel
in the Carter series, and includes his
intense martial arts training and a heroic
episode at his high school. Written from
a Christian worldview, this wholesome
story covers Carter’s pre-Christian years,
and is most appropriate for readers age
13 and above.”
faithandfamilymatters.net
11 So, what do we do when the clutter begins to creep
in? With the right tools, we can get the clutter under
control, whether it is in our homes or in our hearts.
Identify your problem area.
What area of your home is your
clutter “hot-spot”? You might have
more than one! If so, which one is most bothersome to you?
What part of your heart needs some cleaning out? If you aren’t sure, ask God to reveal it to you.
Find a system that works for you.
Do you need a filing system for the
paper clutter? Do you need a shoe
organizer by your back door? Invest some time into creating a method of organizing those “hot-spots” in your home.
Conquering Clutter
In Your Home and Your Heart
by Kari Long
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the
Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:25
Everyone knows life can get messy. Some messes happen
instantly-spilled milk, a broken glass, or an overflowing toilet.
But often, the messes that are harder to deal with are the ones
that happen over time. The mountain of unfolded laundry, the
stack of mail, the pile of shoes at the back door. Accumulation
of “stuff” that starts to get in the way of everyday life. We know
we need to deal with them, but we just can’t seem to find the
time. And before long, we stop noticing they are even there.
The clutter becomes part of the landscape of our home.
Our hearts can also get messy. They can become cluttered with
things like anger, bitterness, envy, and greed. And just like that
pile of shoes at the back door, we sometimes stop noticing the
mess altogether. Those attitudes become part of the landscape
of our hearts, then spill over into our speech and actions.
12
FAITH & FAMILY MATTERS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015
Do you like to read your Bible on a mobile app or online? Or do you
prefer a devotional book? Pick a plan that suits your lifestyle and set a time to meet with God daily.
Form new habits.
Three weeks of working your new
system will get your clutter
“hot-spots” under control and
manageable.
Three weeks of spending time daily
in God’s Word and prayer will change your whole life! Your thoughts, feelings, desires, words and actions will begin to reflect your cleaner heart.
We all desire peace in our homes and in our hearts. We
can experience that peace when we rely on the power
of God’s Spirit that lives in us.
Kari Long is a Women’s Ministry Assistant at Willowbrook,
responsible for online presence and communications. She loves
Jesus, coffee, and the wondrously messy life she shares with husband
Michael and their seven children.
Pickers for a Purpose
by Kerry Coker
Pickers on Main is the brand new concept of The CARE Center, making a big impact in the New Hope community.
When you enter the shop you will be greeted by a
wide variety of goods, from home décor and antique
furniture to handmade crafts and apparel. You might
pick up a vintage clock for your living room, a scarf
for your daughter, or a unique craft for your friend’s
upcoming birthday. What you may not realize from your
shopping experience is just how much you are changing lives
in the New Hope community.
The goal of Pickers on Main is to create a space for people to
take their passions and turn them into a paycheck. There are
a number of people in the New Hope community who are
unemployed. They may be between jobs or unable to obtain
traditional employment, and need temporary supplemental
income to help them through a transition period. That’s
where Pickers steps in.
“In the last five months, we have already seen how Pickers
changes lives,” says Sharon Hicks, manager at Pickers.
“There was a woman who needed help through the
winter months. She couldn’t afford heat. So we found
some online ideas that she was able to replicate and sell
in the store.”
Proceeds from Pickers on Main help support a variety of
The CARE Center ministries like Bags of Blessings, which
feeds more than 550 students each week at New Hope
Elementary, Owens Cross Roads Elementary and Madison
County Elementary.
Visit the store and walk through the individual booths
built by our own Pastor Jared Allen and particularly the
“Station 4:10” booth, stocked by a group of Willowbrook
members.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have
received to serve others, as faithful stewards of
God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Contact Alice Alexander if you are interested in participating
with this ministry. Alice.alexander0817@gmail.com.
Kerry is a dog lover, adventure seeker, a community advocate, and a travel
junkie. She loves spicy food & cooking, and enjoys trekking all over the
world with her husband. She prefers coffee to… anything, and enjoys
reading, painting, and running.
“There was another woman who was working through some
tough times and needed help paying bills while providing for
two boys. She used her consignment funds from Pickers to
pay her utility bills and fix her vehicle when it unexpectedly
broke down, among other things.”
“That’s the heartbeat of the store- to help people
in a way that keeps their dignity intact during tough
seasons in life,” says Hicks. “Giving handouts doesn’t help
anybody long term. Our passion is to give people who have
skills or talents a pay check. We want them to know they
have options.”
(Tues- Friday 10-5 / Saturday 10-2)
5499 Main Drive (off Hwy 431 S)
New Hope, Alabama 35760
Phone 256-723-2271
thecarecenter.us
faithandfamilymatters.net
13 14
FAITH & FAMILY MATTERS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015
Shaping
Character
by Whitney Reeves, Director of Children’s Ministry
Do you ever think about what you want for your child’s
future? Of course, it seems like an obvious answer. You want
him/her to graduate, go to college, get a good job, marry a
great spouse, have kids, and the list could go on and on. As
parents, we would probably disagree on a lot of topics related
to parenting, but one thing we would probably all agree on
is that we want “good” kids. But what is “good”? And how
good is good enough? What does “good” really look like?
Our job, our goal, our purpose as parents is to teach our kids
to love Jesus, and to have a relationship with God.
We need to teach them what it looks like to love God with all
our hearts and to love others. We need to focus on what we
are putting in their hearts. Their behavior will be an overflow
of what is in their hearts.
Maybe you are like me and you have wanted people to see
how your children behave and say to you, “Wow, you are the
perfect mom.” I do want to be a great mom. I don’t want to
fail at parenting. But, trying so hard to be the perfect mom
is overwhelming and completely exhausting. Parenting is
hard. Teaching our kids to behave is hard.
But believe it or not, good behavior is not what Jesus calls
for in the Bible. Dr. Michelle Anthony in her book, “Spiritual
Parenting” says “nowhere in the Bible does God ask me to
spend my days managing my child’s behavior. Nowhere
in Scripture am I warned that if I don’t “control” my child’s
behavior, horrible things will happen.” We do it though,
don’t we? I mean, what parent doesn’t want children with
perfect manners? What parent doesn’t want kids who
behave perfectly at all times?
But if my job is not merely to control my children’s behavior
in these matters, then what is it? Dr. Anthony asks this
question in her book as well and it was a game changer for
me and how I parent my child. I have only been a parent for
five years, but in those five short years I have decided that I
don’t want my child to be “good”. What? I know, crazy right?
What I want is for my child to love Jesus, more than she loves
anything else. I want her heart to be transformed by Jesus.
“What you believe and where you aim your heart
determines the direction and outcome of your entire
life for eternity. Eternity is at stake.”
Dr. Michelle Anthony, Spiritual Parenting.
Author Courtney DeFeo Offers Parents Practical,
Biblical Help in Teaching Their Children How to
Delight in God through Daily Laughter, Love and
Virtue. For more on DeFeo as blogger and ABC
Scripture cards, visit: www.CourtneyDeFeo.com.
faithandfamilymatters.net
15 2015
YOUTH
Summer Events
HaU – High School
June 15-19: MFUGE
Cost: $355
Don’t miss this exciting mission-camp
experience in Louisville! Sign up is happening
now so visit willowbrook.org today!
Building the Spirit
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Find the words associated with BUILDING. Terms can be found horizontally,
vertically or on the diagonal. Letters may be used more than once.
ARCH
ARCHITECT
BLUEPRINT
BRICKS
BUILDER
BUILDING
CARPENTER
CORNERSTONE
DESIGN
DOORS
FOUNDATION
LADDER
MEASUREMENT
MORTAR
NAILS
ROOF
Answer Key on page 20
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SCALE
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STRAW
STRUCTURE
SUPPORT
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September: Legends of The Pit “Legends”
Sundays in September 6:00 – 7:30 pm FREE
Come prepared to get nasty, filthy and muddy!
This is our biggest outreach of the year! Invite
friends, join a team, get painted up and become
a “LEGEND”!
LIVE – Middle School
May 22: LOCKOUT 7 pm - 7 am
This is no lock-in! The Lockout is “all night long”
jam-packed with awesome events all over the
city of Huntsville. Don’t miss one of the craziest,
coolest nights of the summer with friends.
June 22-26: LIVE Summer Camp 2015
Camp ToKnowHim, Pisgah, AL Fee: $300
You cannot miss camp!! Best week of your
entire year with crazy games, awesome food,
hilarious skits, cool camp counselors, and great
small group time with your closest friends.
July 20-24: Louisville Mission Trip 2015
Serving the city of Louisville by working with
an exciting organization called Kentuckiana
Youth for Christ. Work projects including:
construction projects, yard work, after school
tutoring, and neighborhood Bible studies
where students will be challenged to serve
others and love people like never before.
TNT – Pre-Teen
Bodacious Bible School
June 1-5 • 9am-Noon
FREE (fee-extra activities)
Fun with friends, food, great music, Bible
teaching, mission projects, and recreation.
Register at willowbrook.org
AMAZING RACE Summer Camp Wed-Sun • July 8-12
5th & 6th grade students will enjoy 4 nights
and 5 days at CampToKnowHim in Pisgah (just
outside of Scottsboro) Alabama. Fun time at
the lake, wild, fun, messy games, nightly dance
parties, low ropes course, great food, and so
much more! An event to remember the rest of
the year! Fee: $300
The Rock Won’t Move
by Justin Bedingfield
Our student ministries at Willowbrook are
comprised of many things. From mission trips around
the world to crazy, muddy races in our own backyard, we
constantly provide creative and exciting ways for
students to connect to God and each other.
However, what our ministry consists of is made
possible by the foundation our ministry exists on.
That is to say that the bedrock of our ministry is the
Rock Himself, Jesus Christ. He is who we have built our
ministry upon and who will hold our ministry
together. All of our goings-on are aimed at bringing
students closer to Him.
A hymn I have always loved says beautifully, “…on Christ
the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
Another more contemporary work announces, “…The
Rock won’t move and His word is strong…” Apart from
Christ our building sinks, shifts and separates. Even 1/3
of “The Three Little Pigs” knew that it would take more
than straw or sticks to build a sturdy structure!
As teenagers, students are exploring foundational
issues of identity, acceptance and worth. The
gospel of Jesus must undergird the answers to these
serious life questions! If not, there is no hope in finding
real fulfillment, joy and purpose as students venture
into the troubled hallways of their schools every day.
Who better to send into their circles of influence than
young people who have been transformed by the love
of Christ?
Our aim is to lead them to the Rock of our
salvation where they have a sure footing
for all of life’s ups and downs.
This is why ministering to and working with students
is so rewarding and challenging. We are impacting
our future civic leaders, teachers, pastors and business
executives. Being a part of teaching and molding
this generation of young people is an exciting adventure!
We have a myriad of ways to get involved in our
student ministry. Please take some time to pray and
consider how you or your child can be involved in
the work God is doing here at Willowbrook. We have
plenty of exciting, life-transforming things happening
in the coming months. Don’t miss out on what God has
in store!
Justin is the High School Youth Pastor at Willowbrook–
Bailey Cove. He has a passion to see the lives of young people
transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Get to know him
better on Facebook, Twitter (@justinbed), Instagram (jbed)
and on his blog: justinbedingfield.com.
List of activities and summer events is listed on page 16
For more information: willowbrook.org
faithandfamilymatters.net
17 18
FAITH & FAMILY MATTERS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015
*Family Generational
Day
Grandkids, Grandparents, Adult Children
Saturday, September 12, 2015
9 a.m. - Noon
Willowbrook Baptist Church-Bailey Cove
Connection Day Activities:
Craft kits – Birdhouses, etc.
Paper airplanes – fold and fly
Drone flying contest
Sketch event – Historical
Share your own grandparent(s) story
Adopt a grandchild or grandparent for the day
Caricature artist
Photo-ops
Contact Doug Merchant for more information
256-883-0907, ext. 155 or dmerchant@willowbrook.org
*Celebrating National Grandparent Day (9/ 13)
at Willowbrook on September 12
faithandfamilymatters.net
19 The Botanical Gardens offers educational classes on pollination
and other subjects for all ages. For more about their program,
refer to: www.hsvbg.org.
The Madison Beekeepers Association, which meets at the
Botanical Garden, has a Mentoring Program to encourage more
people to become beekeepers. Their youngest member is a 14
year old girl. One of their more experienced beekeepers, Bill
Mullens, maintains 120 beehives on Moores Mill Road. “He
is glad to answer questions,” says Amanda. She encourages a
trip to Moores Mill to purchase some really good honey from
Mullins.
by Tracy Williams
“Bees are important as pollinators to the Garden,” according
to Amanda Maples, horticulturalist at the Huntsville Botanical
Garden. At present, there are three hives in the garden that
produce 65 pounds of honey with plans to obtain more hives in
the future. This natural honey is available for sale in the Garden
Gift Shoppe.
You can even view worker bees in the process of honey
production behind a plexi-glass Observation Hive at the
Butterfly House.
Honey offers natural benefits.
Besides being a natural sweetener, honey can soothe a sore
throat. Some people take a spoonful of honey each day to
fight allergies. Bees also produce beeswax and are vital in crop
pollination. Beekeeping produces the sweet honey which
provides an important role in our cycle of life.
For information on purchasing local honey:
www.alabees.com/organization.htm#honey
Discover more about local beekeeping:
The Madison County Beekeepers Association
www.alabees.com
Alabama Beekeepers
www.alabamabeekeepers.com
Building the Spirit
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faithandfamilymatters.net
21 Planting the Seeds
of Faith...
You may be there to pick strawberries or a variety of vegetables, but Jerry is ready
to share more than just his products…
Jerry Hammonds is always ready to share his faith with those who are
receptive. His genuine love of the Lord shows as he smiles and delivers
the gospel under the tent or at checkout while bagging the produce.
“My lifelong desire was to farm for a living and this opportunity became a reality in
2013,” says Jerry. After retirement in 1995 from the Huntsville Police Department with
25years of service, he worked for a defense contractor in Madison for 14 years. Ed
Smith (retired policeman of 30 years) and Jerry became partners and started a small
farm in Lacey’s Spring of 2013. So began the “U-pick/We pick operation at E & J Farms.
“We raise strawberries, tomatoes, squash, corn, bell peppers and a variety of other
vegetables each year.” - Jerry Hammonds
Delicious
Stuffed Zucchini
4 medium zucchini
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves
1 medium onion, minced
½ green bell pepper, chopped
2 thyme sprigs
¼ teaspoon oregano
¾ lb. gound beef (or chicken, turkey,
fish, tuna, etc.)
Salt and pepper
1 (7 oz.) can roasted red peppers,
chopped
1 egg, beaten
8 slices cheese (any kind-prefer Gouda
Wash zucchini and put in a pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender
(10-15 minutes). Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté garlic first, then add onions,
green bell pepper, thyme and oregano.
When veggies begin to soften, add ground meat (or other meat choice), season with salt
and pepper and brown/cook thoroughly. Drain off grease; set aside to cool slightly. Remove
cooked zucchini from water and cool enough to handle. Slice cooled zucchini lengthwise and
scoop out center of halves, leaving a little veggie flesh to form a “boat.”
Mix ground meat mixture with red peppers, scooped out zucchini and egg. Fill the zucchini
boats with the mixture and top each with a slice of cheese.
Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
22
FAITH & FAMILY MATTERS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015
Strawberry
Freezer Jam
4 cups mashed strawberries (about a gallon uncrushed)
5 Tablespoons instant pectin
1 2/3 cups sugar
Wash strawberries. Remove tops and slice into a bowl, pausing from time to time to mash with a
potato masher.
In a separate bowl, stir together instant pectin and sugar. Pour on strawberries and stir for three minutes, or until sugar is dissolved.
Ladle into sterilized jars, leaving about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing.
Cover with lids and allow to sit out for thirty minutes. Place in fridge if you will use within next few
weeks, or freeze for longer term storage.
Makes about seven 8-ounce jars of Strawberry Freezer Jam.
Cheesy Squash
Casserole
1 lb. yellow squash, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3 Tablespoons butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
2 cups grated cheese (reserved cup)
1 cup cracker crumbs
Salt and pepper
Combine squash, onion and butter; cook. Drain and mash. Add remaining ingredients, reserving 1
cup cheese to sprinkle on top.
Pour into buttered casserole dish. Bake at 375 degrees until firm. After casserole is done sprinkle
reserved cheese on top. Return to oven to melt cheese. Zucchini Bread
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons ground
cinnamon
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 ¼ cups white sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup chopped walnuts
Grease and flour two 8 by 4 inch pans. Sift flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder, and cinnamon
together in a bowl. Beat eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla together in large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to
the creamed mixture and beat well. Stir in zucchini and nuts until well combined. Pour batter into
pans.
Bake 40 to 60 minutes at 350 degrees or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan and cool completely.
Cool Cucumber
and Tomato Salad
4 medium tomatoes
(stems removed) seeded/ diced
½ 1 medium English cucumber
peeled/ chopped
1 teaspoon freshly chopped dill
1 Tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
¾ cup Original Ranch Organic Dressing
1 butter lettuce
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, dill and parsley and toss with just enough of the
dressing to evenly coat the salad. Chill covered for 30 minutes.
Serve on a bed of the butter lettuce leaves. Top with the crumbled feta cheese and the remaining
dressing on the side. Serves 4.
faithandfamilymatters.net
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FAITH & FAMILY MATTERS | SPRING/SUMMER 2015
Summer Activities
Willowbrook Children’s
Pre-regis
tr
requireadtion
Register
at:
willo
wbrook.o
rg
Yancy
h
t
i
w
y
Part
6pm
Praise y, June 4 at
a
Thursd
JUNE 1-5, 2015
9am-noon
4 yrs – Completed 4th grade
9 am - Noon
(must be 4 by 9-1-14)
Register @ willowbrook.org
Completed 5th & 6th Grade
9am – Noon
FREE (fee-extra activities)
Register @ willowbrook.org
Summer Fun
EVEREST – Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power
9 am – 1 pm
$75.00 for all 6 sessions
Tues/Thurs sessions:
June 16, 18, 23, 25 and July 7 & 9
Ages: FULLY POTTY TRAINED 3 yrs – Rising first graders
Pack a lunch! Bible Stories, games, crafts, play areas,
Day 6 – Indoor Inflatables & Sno Kones on last day!
2015 Summer Camps
TNT - PRETEEN
AMAZING RACE (Wed-Sun)
CamptoKnowHim July 8-12
Pisgah, AL - $300
Register @ willowbrook.org
LIVE Summer Camp:
CamptoKnowHim June 22-26
Pisgah, AL - $300
Register @ willowbrook.org
Winshape Camps for Communities
July 13-17 at Whitesburg Baptist
July 20-24 at Asbury Church in Madison
Information and Registration online at:
www.winshapecamps.org