​We were so blessed to be a part of the Fire & Ice Festival and support Scott Freeman in the Mona Loveland community mural! Thank you to everyone who participated!
 
Learn more about the vision behind the mural here.

Below are a snapshot of responses from some of the folks at Beggars Gate that went to Pine Ridge this July, regarding the most meaningful experiences and what we learned.


Brian:

• Most meaningful experience: Spending dinner with Henry's family and grieving the loss of Tim's son.
  
•  Biggest surprise: How quickly and dramatically folks at White Clay opened up about suffering. Also the scale of the Tuesday night event at Lakota Hope.
  
• One thing I learned about Lakota culture: Much more comfort with discussing death & suffering than modern American culture. Also more comfort discussing spiritual topics.
  
• Key takeaway for my own faith: A confirming sense that God is leading me to be with the Lakota people long term.
  

Becca:

• Most meaningful experience: Bringing the Lord into simple conversations in White Clay through prayer, truth, care, and love.
• Biggest surprise: How welcoming the Lakota were when we conversed with them spiritual, and how easily they opened up to us and accepted our comfort.
• One thing I learned about Lakota culture: How adaptable they are towards our perspectives. And how they don't need anything physically like everyone tries to bestow on them.
• Key takeaway for my own faith: I have had the Lord more prevalent in my thoughts and actions in everything I do. I have also felt the beginning of becoming mature in my faith which bleeds through in every aspect of my life.
  

Anna:

• Most meaningful experience: Talking to Thomas at White Clay
• Biggest surprise: The conditions of the rez
• One thing I learned about Lakota culture: How important the music is in their culture
  
•  Key takeaway for my own faith: To be content in whatever circumstances God puts you in.
  

Paul:

• Most meaningful experience: level of connections with Henry and his family
  
• Biggest surprise: the depth of work by Curtis and Bruce with their ministries
  
• One thing I learned about Lakota culture: Matriarch's chose the chiefs

• Key takeaway for my own faith: the condition of my own heart is key to giving myself to others
  
• Grateful for:  being able to share the week with our young folks and others from BG
  
• Encouragement: the number of parallels with bible stories that can provide openings to the gospel
  

Kylee:

• Most meaningful experience: my most meaningful experience, (out of many) would have to be when I was able to connect and share verses with the Lakota and serve them in that way.

• Biggest surprise: I was surprised on how hopeless all of the people were there. I knew they felt no purpose in life, but not to the extreme of homelessness and depression.

• One thing I learned about Lakota culture: I learned a lot about the Sun dance (worshiping evil) from a lady sharing her heart. I also learned a lot about how Indians make jewelry.

• Grateful for:  I am grateful that I was able to connect with people who barely understood me and I loved growing relationships within our group.
  
• Encouragement: I was encouraged that most of the people there were open to me about religion, so that I was able to connect them to the Bible and God
  

Megan

• Most meaningful experience: Talking with the people in White Clay, specifically Rattlesnake, and hearing their stories. It gave me a new perspective of not only my life but others around me.
  

Philippians 2:1-3 (ESV) 
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

The Cajun Jamoboree for Flood Relief will be Wednesday, September 25 starting at 7 pm. 
 
If you know others that would enjoy some Cajun food and some swampy, bluegrass music, please pass the info along.
 
All proceeds from ticket and alcohol sales go to aid those affected by the flooding.
 
Tickets will be $75 and can be purchased in advance at https://lovelandfloodrelief.eventbrite.com/

Check out these excellent teachings on eternity from HSLT 20013

Location: Beggars’ Gate – 122 W 29th St., Loveland, CO 80538

When: July 19th-20th
Friday: 7pm-9:30pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm

No registration is necessary for this event -- this event is free!

Description: Patrick Nurre (pastor at the Expedition Christian Church in Washington) will be teaching for all interested in creationism. He’ll be speaking on issues like geological evidence for the flood, the issue of time, the ice age in Yellowstone, etc.

These teachings will be relevant for adults and also for those in school.

by John Meyer

A man once said, “The local church is the hope of the world”. That’s a pretty big statement! But it is also completely true. The Bible tells us that a local church, in a unique way, is like God’s workshop in the world. It is the place in the world where God lives by His Spirit, where He works changing lives as people care about one another, and the place where He blesses the world by revealing His love, His truth and His power for all to see. God works in people’s lives and through people’s lives when they are part of a church in a way that happens no where else.

read more...

Check out this short video encouragement to "just sow it" --

An encouraging video resource. The reality is we all need a Savior and thankfully God has provided One; His name is Jesus...

I am Second is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories on iamsecond.com provide insight into dealing with typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled. You’ll discover people who’ve tried to go it alone and have failed. Find the hope, peace, and fulfillment they found. Be Second.