News
Quick Links
Wisconsin summary
Robert Knepp wrote about the Wisconsin trip. It will appear in the newsletter, but I wanted to post it here. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement along the way.
We began our trip early on Saturday morning as we flew out of Killeen at 8:30am. We had a short flight to Dallas and then a little bit longer trip from Dallas to Madison, Wisconsin. The flights were uneventful, which is what you look for in a good airplane trip with 12 people. The people that went on the trip were Kim and Caleb Reid, the Knepps and the Turners. The rest of the day one was spent getting settled in to our new “home” for the next week, the Big Red Barn. We were able to stay in an old dairy barn that has been converted into a great place to stay. The kids and the adults enjoyed exploring all of the rooms, hiding places and the giant spiral stair case that was inside of an old silo. We could not have found a better place to stay with this many people, God really provided us with a perfect place.
The next day was Sunday and we were able to get to the business that we were sent to do. Trey preached at the Campus Community Church and gave a great message about David and Goliath and how to stand up to the giants that we face in today’s world. Trey was able to preach in the morning and afternoon service as their church has just began a second service focused on their college ministry. After the morning worship, we were treated to some outstanding Korean food provided by the members of the church.
That afternoon we started the Network program which began the church member’s journey to finding their spiritual gifts, personal style and ministry passions. Trey started the program by giving them an overview as to why spiritual gift are important. I (Robert) completed the evening by telling them a little more about what the spiritual gifts are and getting them started on their personal spiritual gift inventory. The people were very receptive and were excited about what God had designed and equipped them to do.
Monday was a day of fun as we went about one hour north to a ski area called the Cascade Mountain. We spent the majority of the day going up and down the “magic carpet,” a moving side walk that took us to the top of the 80 foot hill. When we reached the top we would ride tubes as fast as possible back to the bottom. We had a great day of fun and relaxation.
Tuesday we were able to finish the Network program with the church members. We had two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening. Both sessions went very well as Teresa, LeaAnn and Kim presented how the church members’ personal style can have a major impact on how you use your Spiritual gifts. Trey finished the last session by giving the people a general summary of the Network program and giving the people an opportunity to express what they had learned. He had the participants share what they felt that their spiritual gifts, personal style and mission passions are. This allowed the people a chance to see what area of ministry other people of the church might be interested in.
In the afternoon, DW Feaster, the Campus Community college minister took us on the campus of the University of Wisconsin and gave us a tour of the campus. While we were there, the student were on Spring Break, but we were able to get a feel for how liberal minded the campus is by the obscene writing that was on the sidewalk and the presence of alcohol all around.
Wednesday, we had another day of rest and celebrated Zachary’s birthday. In the evening, we had a fellowship at the Big Red Barn with about 15 of the members of the Campus Community Church. We were able to return some of the hospitality that they had shown to us. We had some good ol’ Texas tacos, salsa, guacamole, and cheese dip. Then we had a campfire and enjoyed smores under a perfectly clear Wisconsin sky. The evening was a great fellowship that was a great way to end our time with our new found friends from the Campus Community Church.
Thursday we took about a two and a half our drive north to an amazing retreat called Green Lake conference center, where they were having a conference called Empower. For the rest of Thursday and all of Friday we provided child care and teaching for several age groups so that the adults could enjoy worship and a conference centered around Phillipians 4:13. The people were very appreciative for the extra set of hands and the knowledgeable teachers that we were able to provide.
Friday night we drove home late in the evening as a nice rain snow mix began pouring out of the sky. It made for a beautiful yet challenging ride back to the barn where we would spend one more night.
Saturday we spent the day in and out of airports until our return late Saturday afternoon. As we look back on the experience, we see how God was able to use simple people like us to encourage and motivate more people in a distant land even if we never left the country. God also brought the three families closer together as we spent a week together working as one large family. Robert Knepp
One Response to “Wisconsin summary”
Leave a Reply
March 23rd, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Wow! I’m so glad the Lord both blessed you and used you to bless others.