We would love for you and your family to join us on Sunday, September 28 at 9:30 or 11am in the Activity Center as we come together as one church family to celebrate all that God is doing and look ahead to what He has next.
Kindergarten through adults will worship together in the service, with a special activity for kids (grades K-4) and donuts for everyone to enjoy.
This is the perfect opportunity to connect in new ways, share in the joy of what God is doing, and take part in the mission of sharing the love of Jesus with our world.
In this Edition:
Message from Pastor Kris
Jesus once told His followers, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” He called them to pray for more workers, and that same call still rings true for us today. Vision Sunday reminds us that God continues to send people into the harvest. Last year, at our very first Vision Sunday, we celebrated what He has already done through Shawnee Alliance. We remembered that His mission has never been about buildings. It has always been about people -- about building bridges that invite our neighbors into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
And this mission does not stop with one Sunday. Because Jesus has transformed our lives, we live it out daily—in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and our schools. It shows up in the way we serve one another and in the partnerships we share with ministries throughout Lima. From the WORTH Center to local shelters, from food ministries to outreach programs, Shawnee Alliance is present in the community.
UNOH College
The work of Shawnee Alliance to our college community looks like this: celebrating students preparing for baptism, hosting a dinner for the UNOH basketball team, and creating moments where people experience warmth, welcome, and care for the first time. For many, we are their first exposure to church, and it made a lasting impression.
It also looks like building meaningful relationships with those who feel marginalized. Some are discovering that exploring the Scriptures and learning about God can bring hope and positivity, even when they’ve felt disapproved of or excluded in other spaces. - Jenn
These connections create safe environments where people can encounter God’s love and begin to see the difference it can make in their lives.
Allen Oakwood Prison Ministry
Each week, volunteers from Shawnee Alliance enter Allen Oakwood Correctional Institution to walk with men processing grief and loss. Over time, trust has been built and a strong sense of community has formed. These men are opening up about their grief, sharing how Scripture is comforting them, and even praying prayers of salvation during sessions. - Mary Ann
One man recently shared, “I don’t ever want it to end!” — a powerful reminder of how deeply this ministry is impacting lives.
Ladies' Bible Study at The Worth Center
For nearly two years, a volunteer from Shawnee Alliance has been bringing weekly Bible study to the women at The Worth Center — and God has been moving in incredible ways! These studies have led to nearly 100 baptisms among the female residents. Revive Ohio brings a portable baptismal tub right into the yard, and before each baptism the women learn the meaning and purpose of this step so they fully understand the choice they’re making.
The impact has been remarkable. Not a single woman who has come to Christ through this Bible study has been a repeat offender. One woman who began her stay acting distant and tough ended up leading others and bringing them to class by the time she left. - Monica
These women are discovering how to live for Jesus, how to stand firm against spiritual attacks, and how to step back into their families and communities as salt and light.
LifeWise Shawnee
This September, LifeWise Shawnee launched with new energy and new volunteers — including two men who joined the team to teach Middle School boys. The team worked closely with schools to finalize schedules and make sure every class was ready to go. - Ruth Ann
One unforgettable moment came from a volunteer assisting in a 3rd or 4th grade class. A young girl in foster care learned about Jesus and asked to pray for a permanent family.
Together they prayed, and soon after, she was adopted by a Christian family —a powerful reminder that Jesus hears prayers and loves His children!
Court Appointed Special Advocates
I see being a CASA as a meaningful way to engage with families who are going through a lot of struggle. As a Court Appointed Special Advocate, I get to speak up for children who are abused, neglected, or living in homes affected by substance abuse. I collect information, attend court hearings, and advocate for what’s truly best for each child. - Josh
What I love about this role is that I can build real relationships with the families because I’m not “the law” or part of the court system. It gives me a unique opportunity to support children and teens, encourage them, and share about Jesus in ways that make a lasting difference in their lives.
Worth Center Worship
Both the men and women are so engaged when we worship. They choose to be there and worship so authentically. We were able to pray specifically for a couple of the women who were being released that week, and it was powerful to speak the words of Firm Foundation and Build My Life over them — that they would make God the center and foundation of their lives outside of the Worth Center. On the men’s side, there was a moment to offer a simple, heartfelt invitation to salvation. It was beautiful to see several people deep in prayer during that time. - Sheena
God is moving powerfully within these walls, and we trust He’s continuing that work as each person steps back into their daily life.
We celebrate the tremendous opportunities God has given Shawnee Alliance within our community—and we recognize that there is much more to be done. The mission of transforming lives takes all of us, fully vested and joyfully engaged. As we step into this next season, let’s come together again to celebrate what He has done, to align ourselves with His mission, and to commit to the work He has placed before us.
We love seeing how God is using Shawnee Alliance — both inside and outside our walls — to bring hope, healing, and transformation. Each story we celebrate is possible because of God’s faithfulness and the generosity of His people.
Malachi 3:10 reminds us: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. And thereby put Me to the test, says the LORD of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
When you give, you are helping to fill the “storehouse” so that these ministries can continue to feed hearts and lives — both physically and spiritually. If you’d like to join in what God is doing, you can give today.
We cannot wait to gather with you on Sunday, September 28 at 9:30 or 11am in the Activity Center as we celebrate what God has done and look forward to what He will do next. Bring your family, enjoy a morning together, and be part of what God is doing through Shawnee Alliance.
God is at work — and you’re invited to join Him.
Whether it’s reading Scripture together through the Bible App or the Bible Reading Plan, finding community in a Group, stepping into Volunteering, or showing up at one of our upcoming Events, there’s a place for you to grow and live out your faith.
We hope you enjoyed this edition of the Shawnee Alliance SnapShot! Please visit shawneealliance.com/media to view previous editions of this newsletter, watch sermons and testimony videos, and more!
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