Global-Minded Kids

This past December, two young girls eight and nine years old decided that “Christmas was not about them.” They took the information from our Global Christmas packet and decided to go door-to-door around their neighborhood to see if they could raise money to help children around the world. Within an hour, the two little girls brought home $225 from generous neighbors. Their parents’ hearts were full to see God’s hand working through the small hands, mouths, and feet of their children. “What a blessing for us, for the Global Outreach fund—but most of all for two little girls who understood more about ‘GO’ than we did—and go they did—and it was not about them. We are blessed beyond belief!”

Christmas Party for Nashville Rescue Mission Women

The annual Christmas party, dinner and concert for the homeless women and children of the Nashville Rescue Mission was held in the Student Center on Dec. 17th. Four buses were chartered to pick up more than 200 women and children and bring them to our campus for a night they wouldn’t soon forget.

In addition to being served a delicious dinner, every woman was given a personalized gift of a new winter coat and the children were each given a new toy. The kids each made craft gifts for their mothers, while the women enjoyed an entertaining concert by Ronnie Freeman and friends. The volunteer turnout for this event was slow coming, but as we let the body know that we had an urgent need, many responded. We give a special thanks to the 500 volunteers who made this great night happen. An extra 100 volunteers that wanted to help had to be turned away.


Journey Toward Peace Begins With Visit From Fellowship Woman
Kathie Littleton was at the Nashville Rescue Mission for chapel in October and met a woman named Melissa. She was in a difficult place and was distraught over her children being taken from her, as well as her own battle with addiction. “I remember praying with her that day about what was happening in her life and that God would help her get through it,” Kathie explained. Melissa began to cling to God in a deeper way and has spent the last two months getting clean.

“At the Christmas party for the ladies of the NRM, I glanced at the table to the left of where I was sitting and saw Melissa sitting there. I remembered her! She looked so radiant and covered with peace.”

She told Kathie how she has been relying on God for her strength and understanding, and how she had been praying for God’s peace in her relationship with her son and daughter. “She’s also been writing her mother letters and telling her what God has been showing her and is praying for reconciliation.”

Melissa shared that she had asked God that very morning to show her His peace in her life. She walked into Fellowship that evening for the party and saw the banner that read, Isaiah 9:6 –“And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Then Larry Kayser opened the program with his message on what peace is and about how peace isn’t the absence of chaos or conflict, it is the presence of the Lord. “She was overwhelmed with the Lord’s answer to her prayer for peace!”

A God of Details
Judy Beaudin was helping to prepare the gifts for the women and children who were expected to attend the NRM Christmas Party. She found out shortly after the children arrived at church that there was an unexpected four-year-old girl who wasn’t on the original registration list. Since she had helped package all the children’s gifts earlier that day, she knew that there was nothing left to give the little girl.

Her heart sank at the thought that this little girl might not receive a gift. Judy said a prayer and decided to walk to the Christmas tree in the Learning Center and check one more time—just in case something might be there. She looked under the tree and miraculously found an African-American baby doll that she hadn’t noticed earlier in the day! The little girl told her mom that it was exactly what she wanted! Praise God for how deeply He cares for all the details of our lives.

Smelt - FSM Winter Camp

The Smelt is Fellowship’s winter camp for The Foundry. This year 95 high school students from our church, 30 from two other Fellowship churches Murfreesboro and Kingsport , and 18 leaders went to Sharptop Cove in Jasper, GA to explore the topic of “Now and Later: Don’t Waste Your Life.” In addition to frisbee, hiking, zip-lining, football, climbing and basketball, it was a valuable time of fellowship, teaching and encouragement. Students were encouraged and challenged from God’s Word. God was glorified and relationships were built.

Reaction from Parent of Smelt-goer:
“I was literally moved to tears when I saw the FSM team and volunteers going ‘over the top’ with creativity, energy, and excitement and seeing them love on all of the kids ... including my own. Seeing their heart and commitment to do such a great job of reaching these students was so impressive. But I’m even more grateful for the way my own kids were reached with the truth in a way that was so much fun for them.”
Tom Clagett
father of Smelt-goers Josiah, 16 and Rachel, 14

Worship & Family Life Conference Held by Fellowship Nigeria

Nearly 150 People Receive Teaching From Nashville Pastors
October 30 - 31, 2006

Pastors – 40
Church Workers and Leaders – 100


The conference started at the Resource Center with the Fellowship Nigeria choir leading the attendees into God’s presence in worship, followed by Pastor Aniefiok Udo officially opening the conference. Throughout the two-day event, Ray McKelvy taught seminars on Marriage, Brian Petak taught on the Theology of Worship, and Jeff Runion on Leadership

A profound moment in the closing session was a special prayer time for participants who responded to the invitation for commitment and dedication. Bibles and teaching resources were given to all the participants. This was followed by a victory shout as Pastor Udo led the entire house to say a big “THANK YOU” to Fellowship Brentwood for all they have done. “On behalf of Fellowship Nigeria we sincerely appreciate all our friends and partners—especially those in Nashville—for their financial support for the building of the Resource Center. We know that our faithful God will never forget your labor of love.”

Fellowship Nigeria Opens Resource Center

Pastor Aniefiok Udo Reports Exciting Growth in Church

The journey started in May 2006 when the foundation stone of the Resource Center was laid. The work started immediately, and now, five months later and with hard work from all—the multi-purpose building was finally completed. The ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Sunday, October 29th. Brian Petak, Jeff Runion and Ray McKelvy were all in attendance to witness this epoch event, along with a large crowd of local pastors, Christian leaders, and community chiefs. It was indeed a joyous celebration as “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” rang out in the brand new auditorium.

The event lasted about two and a half hours. Brian Petak delivered the message for the day while Archbishop Idem Ikon led the dedication prayers. We were humbled to present a “baseball” to Pastor Aniefiok Udo to honor a group of people who help others know, apply, experience and embrace biblical truth in the most challenging of contexts. Some 325 people attended the dedication service.

October '06 Highlights from Fellowship Nigeria

October was a defining month in the history of Fellowship Nigeria and Africa Outreach. Pastor Aniefiok Udo is pleased to report that great things happened. “We give all the glory and honor to Him who gives us all things freely to enjoy.” Here are a few highlights:

Church Attendance
Average attendance for Sunday services: 120

Baby Dedication
Sunday, October 15th, was another joyous moment as the Etokebe family brought their little daughter to the church for dedication unto the Lord.

Fellowship Bible Kids Club
We continue to maximize the gains from our fall 2006 Vacation Bible School as more and more kids from the neighborhood join us in our regular twice-a-month program.

Africa Ministerial Fellowship
It was indeed a busy month as the pastors met to pray and plan for the conference that was held later in the month.

Student Gives Away Her Talent to Train Others in Theirs

After seeing a ballerina perform at her church when she was only four years old, Lindsey Fisher knew that she wanted to be a dancer. She began taking lessons the following year, but it wasn’t until she turned 10 that she decided she wanted to dance for the Lord. Pam, Lindsey’s mother, said that it’s been difficult to find the right places to continue her daughter’s training. “That’s why we’re so excited about Fellowship School of Dance. It’s a safe, nurturing atmosphere for so many young ladies to get their start in dance.”

Lindsey started as a student at the school in mid ’05 and moved up to being a teacher’s assistant before taking on her own classes this year. “I’m reminded that it is important to watch what I do. They watch me and copy me. It really helps me to be stronger as a person,” she said. Her key verse is Romans 12:1. “For me, when I’m dancing I’m offering my whole body as a living sacrifice, every part of me. It’s fulfilling to be able to teach kids how to do that.”

To continue her training, Lindsey, a 17-yearold home-schooled junior, has had to go elsewhere, but she’s committed to helping the young girls here learn as much as they can. Her mom added, “I’m seeing there are a lot of students who are coming from outside the church, getting quality training and seeing that you can dance to glorify God. It’s a tremendous outreach.”

Lindsey’s currently training to become a professional dancer as part of a national company. “I feel called to that, to perform on a really high-class scale. But I’m just praying about that right now.”

School Director Karyn Kipley commented, “Lindsey’s story reminds me that God is the great Choreographer. It’s been truly awesome to watch Lindsey blossom over the years ... technically, artistically, spiritually, and personally.”

Reaching the Sudanese Community This Past Christmas

“I wish you could have seen the faces of those who benefited from your kindness,” said Gatluak Thack, Executive Director of the Sudanese Community Center. “People were so happy they were laughing and dancing!”

Several families felt led to reach out to some Sudanese families this Christmas. The families gave generously and provided $3,800 to purchase Kroger and Wal-Mart gift cards for some 35 Sudanese families. Because of their giving, many were able to buy special meals, warm clothes and much-needed items for their families this holiday season.

Thanks to those within our body whose “good deeds” impacted a community right here in our own back yard.

Purity Conference in Peru

This past summer, a team of FSM students conducted a four-day conference on Sexual Integrity for the students of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Comas. The intent was two-fold: to challenge students there to a life of purity and for us to train their leaders to carry out the seminar on their own. More than 400 young people, together with their parents, participated. Last fall, the students in Comas put on their own program at an all-girls high school, and 90% of the 400 girls who attended the program committed their lives to Christ. The event had such an impact that the mayor has now invited them to host the same conference at every secondary school in Comas!