Tom Anderson 380-3935 Kerry Couch 840-0445 Wade Denney 619-0544Jerry Duggin 731-613-1876Tommy Hemphill 698-2689

Mike Kesler 388-6125 John Law 698-2236 Sonny Lee 380-2666John Simmons 381-8869John M. Smith 388-5841

Barry England CounselingJoel Oswalt CollegeRandy Owens PreachingBo Pugh YouthAlex Quintero Hispanic

Haley Schmidt ChildrenRamona Ward Office Coord.Glenda Kesler SecretaryRachel Basham SecretaryCarolyn Turnmyre Custodian

EldErs

Bill AlsupDavid BellJon BennettBilly BrooksEric BryantRob CoferSteve CoferJim CriswellRandy DavidsonMarty DeJarnetteDavid EsslingerGeorge FreelandMike ForsthoffPaul GibsonMike Greene

Bill HallBrian Jackson Calvin JacksonBen JonesIvan JonesPorter KingElliotte KinzerDavid KirkZach KittrellDuane LeachJacob LoveDarrel MarlinTommy McEwenJerry OakleyKent Pardon

Jody ReedJim RobinsonWillie RobinsonRickey SavageChuck SimpsonBill StevensDavid ThomasJames ThomasBill ThrasherDarrell TrimbleJoe WestmorelandJeff WhiteZach WhitworthGreg YokleyPhillip Young

dEacons

The Messenger is published monthly byWest Seventh Street Church of Christ405 West Seventh StreetColumbia, TN 38401Return Service Requested

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assEmbliEs:Sunday Worship: 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Bible Classes: 10:15 a.m.Sunday Worship: 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Bible Classes: 7:00 p.m.

Hispanic assEmbliEs:Sunday Worship: 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Bible Classes: 6:15 p.m.Wednesday Bible Classes: 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Broadcasts: 9:30 a.m. & 8:00 p.m.

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Striving to be completely committed followers of Jesus.

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Q & a

Get to know ryan schmidtHometown: Memphis

Tell us about your family. Spouse – Haley, son - Collin

Where did you go to school? University of Memphis

Where do you work and what do you do? Lipscomb University, plumbing supervisor

What are some of your hobbies/interests? Fishing, hunting, sports

When did you become a Christian? 1986

How would you describe your spiritual journey? Like an ocean, constant, but sometimes turbulent

Before coming to West Seventh in what ways did you serve? Lads to Leaders

What’s one of your favorite scriptures? Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

What’s one of your favorite movies? Rocky

What’s one of your favorite songs? East to West by Casting Crowns

What’s one of your favorite childhood memories? Playing soccer

What is your favorite vacation spot? The beach Who has influenced you significantly? My mother

Get to know Haley schmidtHometown: Memphis

Tell us about your family. Spouse – Ryan, son - Collin

Where did you go to school? University of Memphis, education and journalism

Where do you work and what do you do? Children’s Education Director at West Seventh

What are some of your hobbies/interests? Crafting, interior decorating, WWII history

When did you become a Christian? May 12, 1986

How would you describe your spiritual journey? Throughout my life, God has continually reminded me that He is my security, my Listener, my Provider, my Healer, but most importantly my Father. Through times of joy and times of trial and tragedy, He has blanketed me with His constant love and grace. He has taught me through circumstance and people the great need for being the hands and feet of Jesus and the importance of forgiveness.

Before coming to West Seventh, in what ways did you serve? Teaching Sunday School, organizing ladies’ retreats and Vacation Bible Schools, helping with Lads to Leaders

What’s one of your favorite scriptures? Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

What’s one of your favorite books? Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

What’s one of your favorite songs? Love Song by Third Day and Just to Be with You by Third Day…well, anything by Third Day

What’s one of your favorite childhood memories? Family vacations

What is your favorite vacation spot? Disney World

Who has influenced you significantly? My grandparents, Buddy and Carolyn Clay

Name something you’ve done that is unique. When I was 10 years old, I played the role of “Annie” at Theatre Memphis

m i s s i o n U p d a T EBy Barry Baggott

Bonjour!

There has been a major change around here since the middle of May. Our co- worker, Aaron Palmer, is now serving the Lord as the youth minister for the church here at Crieve Hall. He and Betsy still intend to serve, Lord willing, as missionaries somewhere in the French- speaking world a few years down the road, but for now I am sure they will gain useful experience working with our youth. Though Aaron is no longer in the office adjoining mine, helping with the production and shipping of French Bible literature, he continues to help with our Sunday night French worship service, and the elders are willing for him to continue making mission trips, especially to French- speaking places.

I have never had a co- worker that I appreciated and respected more than I do Aaron. He has shown a consistent readiness to serve others, a lot of patience, great natural ability, a pleasant demeanor even when faced with tedious or frustrating jobs, love for the Lord’s church, and a willingness to accept challenges that take him out of his comfort zone. It was a rich blessing to work with him on a daily basis for two and a half years.

As you might imagine, it was quite a blow when Aaron told me that he would be leaving. One of my first thoughts was “Who in the world will I get to fill Aaron’s shoes?” The criteria are not easy to meet. Ideally, I need someone with a knowledge of French and good computer skills, someone who is a hard- worker and gives attention to detail, someone who is doctrinally sound and mission- minded, and someone who is willing to live in the Nashville area. Of course, the first qualification is the one that severely limits the number of potential candidates.

Since I could only think of one person who really seems to possess all the above qualifications, I wanted to give it my best shot. So Rachel and I drove six hours to Searcy, Arkansas, to speak in person with Garrett McGilvray and his wife Jessica about coming to work with us. Garrett speaks French, and like Aaron and me, has a love for the

language. He has a heart for missions, a love for the Truth, a good knowledge of computers and website design, and other qualities that will make him a good fit for the work we do. We feel that God has once again given us another great co- worker. Lord willing, Garrett will join us here in October. Please pray that he and Jessica will be able to quickly sell their home in Searcy.

Aaron’s last day with me was in the middle of May, but during the summer months I was blessed to have Andrew Leka working with me full- time. Andrew is the son of Beni and Sonila Leka who are supported by Crieve Hall to serve in Athens, Greece. He does not speak French (though he does speak fluent Greek and Albanian), but he was able to take care of many of the tasks involved in the production of our materials. He quietly, cheerfully and competently handled any responsibility he was given. I am missing him already,

as he went back to college last week. He is in the pre- pharmacy program at Lipscomb University.

New Publications In spite of changes in staffing, we have been able to move ahead with some new publications. I have continued to expand the series of brochures for sharing the gospel with Muslims, introducing two new titles: “Did Jesus Die on the Cross?” and “Why Did Allah Order the Death of Jesus?” Both of these brochures deal with preconceived ideas that many Muslims have which hinder them from giving a fair hearing to the Gospel. Both of them appeal not only to the Bible, but also to the Qur’an in order to convince Muslim readers of the fundamental truths of Christianity. We also published two more issues of our

periodical, Chemin de Vérité, one on persecution and the other on happiness in the home. I finished a commentary on 1 & 2 Peter and Jude, and printed another tract by one of my former preaching students, Alexis Maonto Féa, in Danané, Côte d’Ivoire.

Crieve Hall French service We continue to hold worship services in French every Sunday night at Crieve Hall and to work with the Congolese people who attend, helping them navigate life in their new country while we try to share the Gospel with them. In June I was privileged to baptize Zephyrin Nzombo into Christ. Zephyrin’s teenage son, Christian, was baptized by Aaron several months earlier. His wife and daughter have also attended services many times. In the Congo Zephyrin was personnel manager for a huge tea plantation with over 600 full- time employees. As a refugee with limited English skills, he struggles to get by on wages from the rather menial jobs he is able to find.

Aaron Palmer, after baptizing Giscard Mangapi

Garrett McGilvray

d o E s p r a Y E r W o r K ?By Marynelle Criswell

The marvel of George Müller’s prayer life has been legendary since 1835 when he determined to begin caring for orphans in Bristol, England, depending only on prayer and God without asking any human for help or money. Interestingly, in his early life he had been notorious for his deceptions concerning money. He stole, mismanaged, swindled, and lied about money, This caused his father and others to suffer, and he served time in prison as a felon.

Müller was German, born in Prussia in 1805, the son of a tax collector. By age 20 he had lived a life of sin and debauchery, even though he was supposedly studying for the clergy in the Lutheran Church. In spite of his dissipation, he had mastered six languages, understood several others, and received a classical education. However, he knew almost nothing about the Bible, the way to salvation, or the reality of God’s grace. Up to that point he had felt almost no remorse and little shame for his rebellious behavior.

God was about to radically change that maverick youth! Just like He “arrested” Paul on the road, He reached into Müller’s heart at a home Bible study which Müller had attended with his friend, Beta. For the first time, Müller the prodigal made contact with a holy God.

Making a 180 degree turn, Müller decided to actually become a clergyman. He became very zealous for lost souls, the plight of missionaries, and the needs of the poor. Quickly learning to preach and to pray, he said the Holy Spirit anointed him to preach every time he prayed and asked for help. He began to love preaching.

In 1830 he married Mary Groves and soon afterwards they agreed to give most of their meager finances to the poor and trust God to provide for their own needs. Thus began their lifelong practice of depending on the Lord to provide without asking others or making known their needs.

Through many personal, physical, and financial trials, Müller established a school in Bristol to train Bible teachers, assist missionaries and distribute Bibles. He participated daily in the school in addition to his role at church.

Many times Müller told the poor to pray and trust God for their needs to be met. He could see that they believed he was speaking empty words. He and Mary had proven God faithful in their lives, but he desired to “showcase” God by proving to others in a grand yet practical way that God answers prayer.

A cholera epidemic in 1832 had left hundreds of orphaned children in Bristol. Many went to the almshouse and some lived on the streets. When he saw the rough and tumble street urchins, he decided an orphanage would provide a viable “experiment.” He set about finding a house to rent and soon acquired it. Some people, including his wife Mary, at times thought him impractical and fanatical, yet he persisted in daily prayer. Amazingly, a pattern emerged: people brought money, supplies, clothing, food, etc. just in time to provide for the orphans and the caregivers. By the end of that year he was caring for 45 children. The next year he rented two more houses, and the number of children increased.

For the rest of his days, life was a daily trust in God. One much-repeated story was of a morning when there was no food for the children, and a milk delivery wagon had just happened to break a wheel near the orphanage. With no way for quick repairs, the milkman gave all the milk to the orphanage. That same morning the baker came by with an excess of freshly-baked loaves of bread. These “miracle” stories were not unusual in the lives of George and Mary Müller.

Over the years, Müller bought property, built suitable buildings, and cared for more than 10,000 orphans during his lifetime. He experienced the personal pain of losing three children, his wife Mary, and his later wife Susanna. By the time he died at 92, there was no way to measure his impact on the world. Whenever prayer is taught, the story of George Müller is sure to be told. Most of us have no desire to live such a life, yet does our timid, playing-it-safe faith, limit what God would like to do in our lives? Müller said that God gave him the “grace of faith,” so even his faith (as ours) was a work of God. He proved that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

We have an opportunity to participate in community-wide prayer every month for the purpose of asking God to change Maury County for good, to save souls, and to bring Him glory. The newly-formed Pray Maury County is a non-denominational, non-political initiative inviting all Christians to gather for united prayer at the courthouse on the second Saturday of every month. In case of rain, we will meet upstairs at Venue Tennessee. Mark your calendar for October 10 and join us at 9:00 a.m.

We can’t wait to see what God will do when Maury County Christians pray in one accord!

Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes - The Next Generation

T H E n E X T G E n E r a T i o n

By Beverly Simmons The Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes (L2LL) ministry has been a part of West Seventh since the early 1990s. This program’s mission is to train youth to lead in the church, community and at school. Many success stories can be shared about young people who have blossomed and become effective, godly leaders through the efforts of this program.

Two of those stories are about Jacob and Jennifer Eastep, products of the West Seventh L2LL ministry. Because L2LL helped prepare them well for life, they now want to give back to the program, making sure other students continue to have the opportunity they had to develop their skills in leadership. We are very excited and blessed to have Jacob and Jennifer now coordinating L2LL at West Seventh!

Welcome Jennifer & Jacob!

How did L2LL make a difference in your life?

Jacob: I would never have gone into teaching if I had not been a part of this program. It taught me skills and helped build confidence in myself to be able to stand in front of a group and effectively teach students.

Jennifer: I feel so strongly about the impact this program has on young people. It has given me the leadership skills and confidence to volunteer to help coordinate this program so other students can continue to benefit from L2LL training at West Seventh.

Steve & Vickie Cofer were asked how it has helped their family.

They shared that it has helped all three of their children to be more confident and do a better job of speaking, song leading and being in front of an audience.

Vickie stated Maria, a freshman at Harding University, had to give a talk in front of her speech class last week. Because of what she learned in L2LL, Maria said it was much easier to prepare her speech and she wasn’t afraid to get up and speak in front of the group.

Molly, their 7th grader, wants to someday have a job in media of some type. She said L2LL teaches her how to share her thoughts and not be afraid when speaking to a group.

Steve said he is grateful for the many things their children have gained by participating in L2LL. It has helped them be better leaders at church, at school and in the community.

Jacob & Jennifer participating in 2003 L2LL competition

Jacob & Jennifer Eastep

Steve and Vickie Cofer talking with K-2nd graders about L2LL

Luke Thomas reading scripture

informational meetingSunday, October 4

11:45 Family Center (bring bag lunch)For parents and anyone interested in learning how they and/or their children can be a part of this great ministry

registration Sunday October 11

4:45 p.m. Family Center

Sunday, October 25, 20155:00 pm Worship and

Trunk or Treating To Follow

Games, Food, & FunCostume Contest

Inaugural Chili Cook-off

• Athenaeum Street parking lot reserved for FuN!• Please change into non-scary costumes after worship.

• Bring your chili for the cook-off.• Bring cake or cupcakes for Cakewalk.

West seventh MinistriesTo learn more about: Contact:Announcements Porter KingAttendance Jacob LoveAudio System Chuck SimpsonBaby Showers Helen JonesBaptism Preparation Jim CriswellBenevolence Tom Anderson Members Joe Westmoreland Hispanic Alex Quintero Non-members David Thomas, Bill StevensBridal Showers Wanda SmithCollege Ministry Phillip & Brandy Young Joel & Paula OswaltCommunion Preparation John & Barbara McDavidCommunion Cleaning Janet MartinCounseling Barry EnglandDisaster Relief Tommy HemphillEducation Kent Pardon Children’s Education Haley Schmidt, James Thomas, Zach Whitworth Lads to Leaders John & Beverly Simmons Jacob & Jennifer Eastep Vacation Bible School Lisa Couch Adult Education Kent PardonFacility David KirkFamily Ministry Barry EnglandFellowship Meals Jerry & Shirley OakleyFinance/Contribution Count Duane Leach, Zach WhitworthFood Pantry Darrell Trimble, Bob & Sandra JohnsonHispanic Ministry Alex QuinteroLandmark John SimmonsMen’s Ministry David EsslingerMissions Josh HardinNursing Home Communion John SimmonsNursing Home/Assisted Living Brian JacksonOpen/Close Bldg HVAC Billy Brooks, Steve McEwenPowerPoint Brad BeasleyPrimeTimers (Senior Adults) Barry England Service George & Shirley Freeland Enrichment Darrell & Deena Trimble Fellowship Bob & Judy Cofer, Faye KinzerService Station Mike ForsthoffTV/Radio Calvin Jackson, Paul GibsonTraffic/Parking Billy BrooksVehicle Maintenance Billy BrooksVan Drivers/Scheduling Steve CoferVisitation Program Mike Greene, John LawWebsite Rachel BashamWomen’s Ministry Jeanine Denney, Sharon Greene, Beverly SimmonsWorship Assignments Sunday Jeff White Wednesday Tommy McEwen Nursery Brenda ColemanTween Ministry Grades 3-6 Elliotte Kinzer, Jody Reed, Greg YokleyYouth Ministry Grades 7-12 Bo Pugh, Marty DeJarnette, Jon Bennett

BiBle Classessunday 10:15 a.M.

Children’s ClassesSee the Information Center for a complete list of children’s classes, teachers, topics and a map of our facilities.

adult ClassesCollege Age & Acts Room 1110 Young Professionals Joel OswaltPhillip Young

Young Marrieds Acts Fireside RoomJosh HardinJim Robinson James Thomas Homebuilders 2 Corinthians ChapelWade Denney Barry England

Adult Class 2 Peter Family Center Randy Owens

Adult Class Bible Studies Auditorium Porter King

Adult Class Revelation Room 1109 Mike Kesler

sunday 6:15 p.M.Hispanic Class Fireside RoomAlex Quintero

tuesday 10:00 a.M.Ladies’ Class Romans ChapelLottie Umstead

Wednesday 7:00 p.M.

Hispanic Class Fireside RoomAlex Quintero

Adult Witnesses of the Cross AuditoriumBill Hall & the Power of the Resurrection

Adult 5W +H Room 1110Joel Oswalt

Adult Singing ChapelMark Donahoo, David Bell, John Law

Ladies’ Class The 7 Experiment TV StudioCelia Owens, Kim Forsthoff, Lisa Bennett

Ladies’ Prayer Meeting Prayer RoomMarynelle Criswell

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Shirley Oakley

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Margaret Parsons

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Will Robinson

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Braden Davidson

Kara Morgan

Reese Shirley

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Susie JacksonBo Pugh

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Schools closed for Fall Break

Trunk or Treat

Youth Retreat

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Youth Retreat

L2LL Information

Meeting

Children’s Ministry

Information M

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L2LL Registration