Shawnee Alliance SnapShot april 7 - Edition 51

In this Edition:

Message from Pastor Kris

Beginning last Christmas, we began walking through the life of Jesus together. We've followed Jesus as He called the disciples, challenged the Pharisees, turned the world upside down in the Sermon on the Mount, healed, saved, and brought God's Kingdom closer to earth. We continue the story as we approach Holy Week with excitement! We will welcome Jesus as our King on Palm Sunday, experience the cost of grace on Good Friday, and rejoice with our Savior who has forgiven our sins on Easter Sunday. I look forward to seeing you at our services (times listed below). If you'd like to know more about what the services will look like, watch last year's service here!

  • Easter Saturday Services: April 19 at 6:30pm in the Activity Center (modern service)
  • Easter Sunday Services: April 20 at 9:30am in the East Campus Sanctuary (traditional service), and at 9:30 & 11am in the Activity Center (modern services)
Invite Your Friends & Family to Easter Services

God is doing big things in and around Shawnee Alliance Church. Whether through sprucing up our welcoming spaces in the Activity Center, new lighting on the East Campus, or providing for the facility needs to be the place that welcomes our community for Upward Basketball, Cheerleading, and Volleyball -- your giving to the Building Fund helps make our buildings more inviting to our first-time guests and community! More changes and updates are still needed. You can partner with us through giving below. Thank you for cheerfully being part of Transforming Lives!

Partner Through Giving

Additional Partnering Opportunities - Eagle Scout Projects

Since 2024, we have focused on revitalizing our existing facilities, knowing that God has a lot more for us as we welcome the community and gain the opportunity to lead our neighbors toward transformation.

Two prospective Eagle Scouts have chosen projects that will help us reach our goal of beautiful, welcoming facilities. If you would like to learn more, have the opportunity to be a part of these young men's projects and to the improvement of our church grounds, click the links below:

Jackson Niesen
Connor Vondrell

Connect with us!

Building a community of faith... Leading people to become fully transformed followers of Jesus Christ.

New to Shawnee Alliance or have updated information?

Would you like to know more about the church, submit a prayer request or connect with a pastor? Or maybe you'd like to find out about upcoming groups and events or let us know of a change in contact information? Let us know by filling out a connect card below! We would love to hear from you!

Connect Card

How to Connect With Us

As you're continually called into God's presence, we invite you to dive deeper into community. Click the links below for more information, and always feel free to reach out and connect with us!

Website
Facebook

Stay connected, watch our services live, and share special events with friends and family!

YouTube

Watch our church services live or view previous messages! Playlists make it easy to navigate between different topics.

Church Center App

Download the Church Center App to connect with us, keep up on events, sign up for groups, give online, begin volunteering, view our newsletter, and more!

Join Community

Life Transformation happens through discipleship, serving, and making connections with others. Below are some opportunities to join community throughout the week and month!

If you have a question about how to get connected, please feel free to reach out to our staff by filling out a Connect Card. If you'd like to serve Jesus and others but you're unsure of where to start or what your fit might be, we invite you to visit shawneealliance.com/volunteer for some ideas! From there, we will work with you to determine your next step to thrive in the Shawnee Alliance community.

Fill out a Connect Card

New & Updated Groups

1, 2 & 3 John Bible Study

Join Brad Reeder on Sunday mornings from 10:45am-noon from March 23-May 4 in East Campus Rooms B-C! We will be beginning a new study by Pastor Gary Hamrick that will take us through a verse by verse teaching on the books of 1, 2, and 3rd John in the Bible.

Brad Reeder facilitates bible studies frequently throughout the year on Sunday mornings from 10:45am-noon in East Campus Rooms B-C. Stay tuned for future Bible Studies!

High School Healthy Sexuality Course

We will be pausing our individual high school girls & guys groups for a combined 3-week Healthy Sexuality course where we will discuss sex from God's perspective (grades 9-12). We will meet in Hopeshakers Youth Room D on April 27, May 4, & May 18 from 4:30-6pm before youth group (taking a break for Mother's Day). Parents: we will be utilizing axis.org and their sexuality conversation kit, which is a free resource and provides discussion guides that you can cover with your student. For more information regarding the course, please email Josh (josh@shawneealliance.com) or Sarah (sarah@shawneealliance.com).

Wednesday Night Groups

We meet Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm until May 7, 2025

Whether you’re new to Shawnee Alliance or have been here a long time, getting involved in a group is a great way to join community and deepen your faith! We have groups for Kids, Teens and Adults!

View Groups

Ongoing High School-Adult Groups:

We invite you to volunteer with Kids, Youth or Worship/Tech Ministries during Wednesday Night Groups! Please fill out the applicable volunteer form at the link below. Thank you!

Volunteer

Life Groups

Life Groups are groups of about 6-14 adults that meet together on a regular basis to enjoy fellowship and lift each other up in prayer. Many groups are family-focused and their children are welcome to come as well. These used to be referred to as In-Home Groups, but as we have brought more intentionality to the groups, we have decided to change the name as well. The "Life Groups" name comes from the intentional design of fostering Christian friendship while living life together. The name is also an acronym which stands for:

  • Love – build relationships and show love in the body of Christ
  • Instruct – study the Bible to grow in their knowledge of God
  • Fellowship – value the experience of being with other Christians and enjoying time in the body of Christ
  • Evangelism – as with everything at Shawnee Alliance Church, life groups are a part of the way we fulfill the Great Commission

You can visit shawneealliance.com/groups at any time to view groups that are open for new members, and new Life Groups form regularly. If you want to get involved but don't know where to start, or have any questions, please join the group "I am interested in joining a Life Group" on the Life Groups page, and you will be contacted about how to become part of a group!

More Info About Joining a Life Group

YouVersion Bible App

Join our church family on YouVersion! Download the app below and search for Shawnee Alliance, set as your home church, and connect with others through devotionals and prayer. Whether you do a Bible plan on your own, with your family or small group, or together with your church family, there are many opportunities to pursue discipleship together!

Download YouVersion

As we walk through each week, watch for updates on social media and in the YouVersion app for new plans! Join in our newest plan below:

Congregation Devotional

For more details, please see below or visit shawneealliance.com/groups. If you are interested in leading or hosting a small group, please contact Pastor Brian at brian@shawneealliance.com.

Ongoing Weekly Groups

Ongoing Monthly Groups

Don't see a group you'd like to attend? Contact Pastor Brian at brian@shawneealliance.com if you're interested in leading your own!

We often talk about Transformed Lives. Here are some of the ways we share and live that out at Shawnee Alliance!

LifeWise Academy in Shawnee is Transforming Lives!

“God has been so faithful to provide for every need we have, often even before the need arises,” says Program Director, Ruth Ann Stover.

As the 2024 school year begins to wind down, LifeWise Academy in Shawnee is pleased to share it continues to grow its mission of delivering Bible-based character education to Shawnee students during school hours. Since piloting the program with 100 students just three years ago, our enrollment has grown substantially to 350 students in grades 1-8.

Thanks to our small army of dedicated teachers, classroom assistants and bus drivers, we are equipping the next generation with the transformative message of God’s Word, making a lasting impact upon students, families and our community.

A significant achievement to share: Ohio was 1 of 3 states to pass legislation ensuring public school students continue to have access to released time programs like LifeWise. Imagine the impact of every public-school student in Ohio having the chance to hear the gospel – like our students in Shawnee and throughout Allen County!

Children are all smiles, brimming with curiosity and asking amazing questions as they dive into the Word of God each week, and discover more about His boundless love for each one of us.

  • Our Elmwood 1st & 2nd graders love riding the LifeWise bus to class and singing their LifeWise song. Their young minds are hearing God’s word and having fun.
  • Our active 3rd & 4th grade Maplewood students excitedly enter their classroom ready to find out what is in store for them. Our teachers challenge them to remember the Bible story with games and contests.
  • Our Middle School classes run 5 days a week where 5th and 6th grade boys and girls meet in separate classrooms. Our dedicated teachers invest in these students, arming them with God’s truth versus what the world is shouting at them from every turn. God is winning the hearts of these boys and girls!

How to Enroll Your Child

LifeWise is open to all Shawnee students grades 1-8, accepting students into the program on a rolling basis throughout the year. If your child has been part of LifeWise, they are automatically enrolled for the next school year.

Learn More or Register

How to Support LifeWise

This is a large ministry and it takes a lot to keep it running! Please click the button below if you'd like to help in any of the following ways!

  • Volunteer your time as a teacher, assistant, or driver
  • Support us through prayer
  • Make a monetary donation -- this could be a recurring or one-time donation, or you could even sponsor a student!
  • Did you know that many companies in our region offer matching charitable donations? Consider talking to your employer about this option.
Support LifeWise

Upward Basketball & Cheerleading

This season, our K–1 Division featured 14 energetic teams, including the Bears, Bobcats, Bucks, Bulldogs, Cardinals, Cobras, Dragons, Falcons, Hawks, Hornets, Leopards, Lions, Lynx, and Mustangs. The older division brought just as much excitement with teams like the Bulls, Cheetahs, Eagles, Gators, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams, Rhinos, Sharks, and even the Yeti (because sometimes you just run out of real animals!). Our cheer squads—Clovers, Rockets, and Sparks—added so much spirit and enthusiasm all season long!

In total, we had 175 kids participate, supported by over 80 amazing volunteers: coaches, assistants, Snack Shack workers, our DJ, scoreboard crew, and many others who made it all happen.

What a fantastic season! We’re incredibly thankful for our coaches—and for Pastor Josh, whose tireless behind-the-scenes work holds it all together. Most of all, we give glory to Jesus for guiding this ministry every step of the way. He continues to bless our church, our families, and this league in ways we can’t fully measure.

The WORTH Center

"Just over 18 months ago, I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me to create a team that could lead musical worship for those unable to attend church. That same weekend, Pastor Kris was approached by a volunteer from the WORTH Center in Lima to request live musical worship for their residents. God orchestrated these events with remarkable timing and in March 2024, a team from Shawnee Alliance Church began leading worship on the second Sunday of each month." - Sheena Clevenger

In the last year, we have seen God do amazing things at the WORTH Center! Along with the partnership of two other churches, we are now able to provide live musical worship 3 Sundays a month for about 20 women and up to 50 men, serve communion, and provide baptism services. In a place where many of us would find it difficult to praise, these inmates lift their hands and voices in beautiful, authentic worship. As the ministry moves forward, Dinah Carver will take the lead in overseeing this team, continuing to provide the residents with the opportunity to worship through music and hear truth through Scripture and teaching.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to lead the WORTH Center Worship team, and I'm amazed and inspired by the joy of the Lord I see in the men and women we lead. I have just begun to be the leader of this team, but I have great hope for growth not only in the lives we serve but also in our ministry, church, and community. My encounters with the men and women of the WORTH Center have been heartening, and I have found joy in our conversations. Some have wanted to know more about Shawnee Alliance, and some have said they are going to tell their families about Christ. I love the energy that these individuals will bring into a room. They come to worship with high energy and excitement. They have a very evident love for the Lord. They are singing praises to our God despite their circumstances. They all sing out loud without holding back. Many like to clap to the songs, and some make drums out of their chairs. It is all beautiful. It is a joy to be a part of the many lives that are being changed!" - Dinah Carver

How you can pray for and support the WORTH Center ministry:

  • Please pray that God will bless and be blessed through the worship; that lives will be transformed; and that when these people are released from their 3-6 month stay, they will connect with a church where they can continue their relationship with God in community.
  • Donate or collect Bibles to distribute to those who attend worship
  • Write notes of encouragement to be placed in the Bibles we hand out

Funeral Ministry

When a family experiences the loss of a loved one, our church steps in to provide a comforting meal after the service—a moment for friends and family to gather, share stories, and be supported. Our dedicated team coordinates everything from food preparation to setup and cleanup, with help from a generous network of volunteers. Whether you're a skilled cook or just want to lend a hand, there’s a place for you in this ministry. If you’d like to be part of offering care and comfort during a difficult time, connect with us below -- we’d love to have you join us.

Volunteer for Funeral Ministry

Missions

Guinea, West Africa: April 24-May 4

We pray that the Holy Spirit moves powerfully through this team—that they would be a clear witness of You, even across language barriers. We also ask for their safe return to the States and to their families, bringing with them stories of how You moved in their hearts and lives throughout the week.

The team will serve by teaching English classes, assisting with eye exam & glasses distribution events, helping local churches and volunteering at the Child Rescue Center.

Missions at Shawnee Alliance

If you have any questions or would like to know more about mission trip opportunities, please contact Jessica at missions@shawneealliance.com.

Prayer Ministry

Prayer is not just something we do, it's a part of who we are. We incorporate prayer into everything we do -- because prayer brings us closer to God, and that's right where we want to be.​

Send & Receive Prayer Requests

We invite you to pray alongside us as a community for different needs throughout our congregation and world! A great way to do this is by receiving Prayer Request emails with updated prayer needs for those in our church. Sign up below!

Receive Prayer Request Emails

You can send prayer requests and updates to prayer@shawneealliance.com, and we will pass it on to our Prayer List so we can all pray for you! If you'd rather keep your prayer request private to the pastors and staff, please fill out a Connect Card at the bottom of our website and mark your prayer request "Private".

Join the Partners in Prayer Team

On a rotating schedule, 2-3 people arrive before each Sunday service to walk through the buildings and pray for the pastors, worship team, and everyone who will join together in worship that day. Join with us to partner with the Holy Spirit as He brings to mind the right people to pray for and how to come alongside them!

Volunteer for Partners in Prayer Team

Join the Prayer Counselors Team

Toward the end of the worship services, the pastor or host will invite anyone who would like to receive prayer to come to the Prayer Area. Prayer Counselors are not licensed counselors; they are simply people who are willing to pray with and offer encouragement to people on Sunday mornings. As a Prayer Counselor, you will be in the designated prayer area at the end of the services to be available to meet with people, listen, and pray with them as the Holy Spirit leads.

Volunteer for Prayer Counselors Team

Volunteer Ministry Highlights

Hospitality

Would you like to help create a warm, inviting atmosphere as we welcome new guests into our buildings for services and activities? Whether you're interested in greeting new and familiar faces, making coffee, ushering, or driving the shuttle, there is a place for everyone to help carry the hospitality of Jesus to all who enter our doors!

Volunteer

Kids & Youth

What are you doing this summer? We invite you to step into helping with our Kids & Youth Ministries! Whether you're interested in holding babies in the nursery, singing fun songs with our preschoolers, teaching the Bible story to elementary students, or being a role model to some teenagers, you're invited to join us in the fun! Plus, our summer events are right around the corner, including Preschool VBS, Beulah on the Road, Upward Volleyball, and more!

Must have attended Shawnee Alliance for at least 6 months and pass a background check.

Volunteer in Kids & Youth Ministries

Nursery - Pre-K Ministries

Do you enjoy working with young children? Our nurseries provide quality care of infants and toddlers while teaching them about Jesus' love, while Preschool uses games and crafts to show how fun it can be to follow Jesus. Miss Shayla would love to have a conversation with you about how to join the team!

Shayla - Nursery/PreK Director

KidsMin: Grades K-4

Join us in KidsMin as children in grades K-4 enjoy worship, a story lesson, crafts and lots of fun! Our staff and volunteers are excited to share Jesus' love with all the children who come through our doors, and you could join our team! Miss Erin would love to talk with you about your interests and how you can bring your unique gifts to KidsMin!

Erin - Children’s Director

Hopeshakers Middle School Youth Group: Grades 5-8

Our Middle School Youth Group meets on Sunday mornings as well as Wednesday evenings during the school year. At 9:30am, we engage in reading Scripture together and discuss how God is working in our lives, while at 11am, we focus on life application of the teaching series we're covering, similar to our adult modern services. Wednesday evenings are driven by fun, games, and some relevant Bible teaching. Pastor Josh would love to talk with you about how you could join the team!

Hopeshakers High School Youth Group: Grades 9-12

Our Our High School HopeShakers Youth Ministry is open to grades 9-12 and discusses life and Jesus in a fun, understandable way. It meets every Sunday night from 6-8pm, right after our High School small groups (split into girls and guys groups to discuss what matters most to each of us!). Whether you're interested in teaching, being a role model to students or chaperoning events, Pastor Josh would love to talk with you about how your unique gifting can serve our high school students!

Josh - Youth Pastor

To volunteer in any of these ministries, please fill out the form below!

Volunteer in Kids & Youth Ministries

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Community Volunteering Opportunities

Heartbeat of Lima

Heartbeat provides free resources such as pregnancy tests and parenting classes. If you'd like to volunteer, a Client Advocate is a great role for those who seek to mentor new or expecting parents, one-on-one. If you'd like to be a listening ear, provide support and encouragement, and share the gospel with our clients in a private and personal setting, this is for you!

More Info/Volunteer at Heartbeat of Lima

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity not only requires people to help build their own homes, but they also teach financial skills and basic homeowner maintenance so they can maintain independence. Caleb from Habitat guarantees there is a way for anyone to help, and works with volunteers to make their ideas come to fruition! He works with retired people who can fix things, people who can make things, people who can use skills like making model houses and crafts. It’s a good way to interact with people and give back! Their current needs are financial, as well as volunteering, especially in small jobs to organize or clean houses. A 2-hour commitment every other week would be helpful, coming in to share about a career, help with the website, etc.

More Info about Habitat for Humanity

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please reach out to Caleb at caleb@habitatlima.org

General Volunteer Opportunities & Forms

Reach out to our staff at any time by filling out a connect card at the bottom of our website!

Bible Reading Plan

Bring transformation to your life by reading your Bible! You will get to know Jesus on a deeper level and learn wisdom for your everyday choices.

You can find a free Bible in any of our church lobbies. Please feel free to take one when you're with us at church on Sunday or download the YouVersion app on your phone.

Download YouVersion Bible App

Use this simple SOAP format to guide your interaction with God's Word:

  • Scripture. Take your time reading each chapter and allow God to speak to you.
  • Observation. What do you see God doing in the Scripture? What is God saying to you?
  • Application. Ask yourself how you can apply this to your life right now.
  • Prayer. Communicate with God and ask Him to help you apply this to your life.

Try adding a chapter from Proverbs every day to the below plan! This list is also posted every Sunday on our Facebook page.

  • Monday, April 7 - John 12
  • Tuesday, April 8 - Mark 11
  • Wednesday, April 9 - Zechariah 9
  • Thursday, April 10 - Luke 19
  • Friday, April 11 - Psalm 118
  • Saturday, April 12 - Matthew 20
  • Sunday, April 13 - Matthew 21
  • Monday, April 14 - Romans 5
  • Tuesday, April 15 - Mark 9
  • Wednesday, April 16 - Mark 16
  • Thursday, April 17 - Luke 23
  • Friday, April 18 - Matthew 26:14-16, 27:24-31, 27:57-61
  • Saturday, April 19 - Isaiah 53
  • Sunday, April 20 - Luke 24:1-7
  • Monday, April 21 - Acts 1
  • Tuesday, April 22 - John 20
  • Wenesday, April 23 - Mark 13
  • Thursday, April 24 - Mark 14
  • Friday, April 25 - Mark 16
  • Saturday, April 26 - Luke 24
  • Sunday, April 27 - Luke 24:13-34
  • Monday, April 28 - John 14
  • Tuesday, April 29 - Luke 10
  • Wednesday, April 30 - Matthew 10
  • Thursday, May 1 - Matthew 16
  • Friday, May 2 - Hebrews 1
  • Saturday, May 3 - Luke 9
  • Sunday, May 4 - Matthew 28:18-2

Giving

How does your giving impact Shawnee Alliance Church and the world around us?

  • General - Covers the day-to-day operations of the church and helps fund staffing, building upkeep, church events, outreach, and all ministry needs!
  • Building - Giving over and above your tithe to the Building Fund helps provide for facility updates that are needed in our aging buildings! This helps people to be more comfortable in our buildings, from painting to replacing aging carpet and flooring, and even new lobby furniture!
  • Benevolence - Sometimes people need a little extra help while they make job transitions or have unexpected medical expenses, and with your additional giving to our Benevolent Fund, we are blessed to be able to help church attendees and others in our community in times of need.
  • Missions - Join in giving to the many different ministries, missionaries, and other missions efforts that we support that help bring Jesus to our community and world!

When you give to Shawnee Alliance Church, you not only give to help cover the day-to-day operations of the church, you give to the mission of Transformed Lives! Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing all that God will do!

  1. Online at shawneealliance.com/donate
  2. Church Center App - download today
  3. In Person - place check or cash in offering box after Sunday services
Donate online

Giving Message from Pastor Kris

Giving Update Email Opt-In

Financial Update

Upcoming Events

Calendar Month View

Keenagers Luncheon - April 8 at 11:30am In East Campus KidsMin Room

Stamp Trimming - April 12 at 9am in East Campus Room F

Our Daily Bread Volunteer Thursday - April 17 at 11am

Good Friday Service - April 18 at 6:30pm in Activity Center

Easter Saturday Service - April 19 at 6:30pm in Activity Center

Easter Sunday Services - April 20 at 9:30am in East Campus Sanctuary, and 9:30 & 11am in the Activity Center

Easter Monday - April 21 - Office Closed

Our Daily Bread Volunteer Tuesday - April 22 at 11am

Connected Women's Discipleship Breakfast - May 3 at 9am (register by April 28)

Stamp Trimming - May 10 in Room C

Child Dedication - May 11 at 9:30 & 11am in Activity Center (register by April 27)

Keenager Luncheon - May 13 at 11:30am in East Campus KidsMin Room

Our Daily Bread Volunteer Thursday - May 15 at 11am

Upward Volleyball Evaluations - May 17 (register by May 17)

Sunday Faith Track - May 18 - (register by May 11)

Memorial Day - May 26 - Office Closed

Our Daily Bread Volunteer Tuesday - May 27 at 11am

High School Graduation Recognition Dinner - May 29 (register by May 25)

Preschool VBS - June 3-5 (register by June 1)

Keenagers Luncheon - June 10 at 11:30am in East Campus KidsMin Room

Beulah on the Road Family Fun Night - June 16 at 6:30 -8pm in Activity Center

Beulah on the Road - June 17-20 (register by June 15)

Our Daily Bread Volunteer Thursday - June 19 at 11am

Our Daily Bread Volunteer Tuesday - June 24 at 11am

LIFE 2025 - July 4-9 (National Youth Conference) (register by Feb 28)

Beulah Beach Overnight Camps - register soon for camps this summer!

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!

If you no longer wish to receive the SnapShot, please email office@shawneealliance.com and we will remove you from the email list. (Clicking "unsubscribe" removes you from all church communications including emergency email notifications, updated information about an event you registered for, scheduled volunteer communications, etc.)