CCY Connect DECEMBER EDITION 2024

Ephesians 2:19: Consequently you are no longer foreigners and strangers but fellow citizens with GOD’S people and also members of HIS household.

The Holidays are a time meant to spend with family, and for me the word family has grown and evolved into so much more than the typical definition, which is “A group of one or more parents and their children living together as a unit.”

In 2010 at the young age of 18, I moved from Southern California to Oklahoma… I know SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, the land of beautiful weather, beaches, and ACTUAL mountains to OKLAHOMA of all places, and felt like a complete stranger. When I moved I thought I was leaving my forever friends and man was I wrong, of my group of friends I quickly learned that with the exception of one person those friendships were all surface level.

Over the last 13 years CCY has meant so much to me, it instantly became a place I would call “Home” and unbeknownst to her when she introduced herself to me it is where I met not only my wife but also some of my closest friends that I now consider family. Jordi and I married in 2013 and in 2016 we embarked on a journey together that took us to Boston, MA for 3 years, I felt like I would be starting over again and while we did to a degree the “Family” we created here at CCY never let us go and since having returned in 2019 that “Family” has done nothing but grow.

I write all of this to say we have an opportunity to be a blessing to everyone around us if we simply open our hearts and show Christ’s love, I would not be where I am today if CCY had not opened it’s doors and if the people inside those doors hadn’t been so welcoming and loving. In this time of celebrations I would encourage you to be mindful of people who may be suffering in silence. Remember that our greatest commandment is to Love God and Love others (Matt. 22:36-40).

Be the light and the love this holiday season and reach out to those around you believers and not. Lastly, if you find yourself looking for connection and fellowship reach out to someone you trust you may find the proverbial village is already waiting for you there.

Galatians 4:4-5 - But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

With the holidays upon us, I wanted to remind you of one of the things I love so much about church. It is family. We celebrate together. We share with one another. We serve along side one another. We even mourn together. I am thankful we are family.

God has brought us – adopted us into His family! WOW – I am reminded that I don’t deserve that AT ALL. But Romans 5:8 reminds us that “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That is a love beyond description. A love beyond understanding. A love that binds us together as HIS family.

One article in this newsletter you will read, was written by Bobby Lister. He and Jordi, and their girls, are in the adoption process. They want to bring someone into their family – as one of their very own – just like God did for us. That is amazing love. One of the lines that really grabs me is how Bobby described how much Christ’s Church of Yukon has meant to him and his family over the years. How we all have been so welcoming and loving and he wouldn’t be where he and they are today without that.

May we reach out and love like never before. God has been so good to us here at CCY. But I believe the best is yet to come! As we turn the page into 2025 may God lead us like never before!

All for His Glory!

We have the opportunity on Sunday, Dec. 8, to be a great blessing to thousands of believers! Let me explain: on Sunday, Dec. 8, we will take up our annual “Kingdom Churches” offering. Throughout the years, we have built church buildings around the globe in third-world countries. Year after year, we have met our financial commitment goals.

Our goal this year is the largest ever—$39,500—because we plan to fund two projects.

Our first project will be to build a church building on Palawan Island in the Philippines, at a cost of only $12,000.

Our second project is to print 5,000 copies of the Bible in the Rawang language (at $5.50 each), which will be given to believers in Burma. The goal for this project is $27,500. Because of God’s faithfulness, we already have $13,000 in our “Kingdom Churches” account. On December 8th, we will take up a special offering to receive the remaining $26,500.

Join me in praying about your sacrificial gift. Together, we can attain this goal! I’m committed—will you join me?

Can you imagine handing a Bible to a believer as they open it and read God’s Holy Word in their language for the very first time?

May God receive all the glory!

The Christmas season is a time for joy, giving, and reflecting the love of Christ to those around us. At Christ’s Church of Yukon, we are looking forward to hosting our annual Christmas Extravaganza, an incredible event where we bless families in need by providing gifts, clothes, and hope during this season of celebration.

This event isn’t just an opportunity to give—it’s a chance to serve. We need YOU to make this ministry a success. Whether you’re 8 or 80, there’s a place for everyone to get involved. Visit www.ccyok.com/christmasextravaganza to learn more and sign up for one of the many volunteer opportunities available.

Opportunities to Serve:

• Sorting and Staging: Help organize donated items to ensure everything is ready for the big day. We will start set up on Tuesday at 8:30 am.
• Shopping Helpers: Assist families as they select gifts for their loved ones.
• Kid's Craft Area: Help kids with navigating the craft area as the parents shop.
• Greeters and Hosts: Share a warm smile and Christ-like hospitality with our guests.
• Prayer Partners: Pray with and encourage families, reminding them of the true meaning of Christmas.
• Traffic/Parking Lot: Directing traffic to enter at the northwest entrance.
• Clean-Up Crew: Help ensure our church shines as brightly as the joy in our hearts!

Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:13, “Serve one another humbly in love.” Through acts of service, we can be a tangible representation of Jesus’ love to our community. This is a chance for all of us to come together as the Body of Christ, serving with open hands and open hearts.

Event Details:

• Set-Up Day: Tuesday, December 3rd, 8:30 am. We need volunteers to prepare the gym for sorting and staging. We will continue to work throughout the week as a come-and-go as your schedule allows.
• Christmas Extravaganza: Saturday, December 7th, 10-2 pm. Let’s make this event unforgettable for the families we’ll serve. Volunteer shifts will be available throughout the day.

This Christmas, let’s shine the light of Jesus into our community. Invite your friends, family, and small group to join you in serving. Together, we can make a lasting impact, one family at a time.

Gifts Needed for the Christmas Extravaganza

We’re still looking for gifts for dads, teenage boys, teenage girls, and younger boys to bless families this Christmas season.

Here are some gift ideas:

• 🛠️ Dads: Mugs, small tool sets, work gloves, Bluetooth speakers, stocking caps, cologne, bath and body gift sets.
• 🏈 Teenage Boys: Bluetooth speakers, sports balls (soccer, football, basketball, etc.), cologne, bath and body gift sets (Axe, Old Spice), workout equipment.
• 💄 Teenage Girls: Makeup or bath and body sets, perfume, tabletop mirrors, Bluetooth speakers, workout equipment.

Let’s make this Christmas memorable for those in need! ❤️