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The Missions Team focuses on what God is doing outside our immediate community. This includes encouraging and supporting missionaries and mission organizations through prayer, gifts and other means. Our goal is to help each person at Creekside become involved in missions in some way whether by learning, praying, giving or going.

As a part of our efforts to keep Creeksiders informed of what God is doing around the world, we highlight different ministries throughout the year. Missionary updates are posted to the website regularly.

Financial support for missions comes from the church budget as well as special offerings.

Short-term mission trips are encouraged at Creekside. We have sent a number of teams to hold summer camps for orphans in Russia and the Ukraine, worked with Kids Alive and Children of the Nations in the Dominican Republic, and helped with Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi. Many Creeksiders have been involved in mission trips with other churches or organizations as well. If you are planning to go on a mission trip, please let the Staff or Missions Team know so that Creekside can partner with you.

These are the long-term missionaries and projects that Creekside supports. Click on the names to read their stories...

Other Connections Around the World

This is our miscellaneous spot where you can learn about the ventures of people connected to Creekside in some way, whether mission related or not. Pray for God's blessing on each person and for opportunities to share their faith.

Peder Brakke

Ministry: Young Life
Creekside Contacts: Peder Brakke; Macy Zwanzig
Contact Info: www.redmond.younglife.org
Opportunities: Committed Leaders (all ages), Adult Committee (encouragement to leaders, financial development, community networking), Monthly Financial Support

In Redmond we have one high school and two junior high schools (Redmond and Evergreen)... nearly 3,000 kids in all. We want to reach each and every kid in these schools with the good news of Jesus Christ and it takes a community to do it. It takes sacrificial leaders, caring adults, financial support, and the churches in Redmond to rally around this mission to reach the disinterested and unchurched in our public schools. We're continually building, training, and leading folks to enter the world of kids, build friendships, sit with kids when they hurt, and offer them hope that can be found in Jesus. Everyone has a place in this mission.

  • Pray that our leaders will be placed in relationship with disinterested and unchurched kids and have an opportunity to allow God speak through them, as they share not only their lives but the Gospel of Jesus as well.
  • Pray that the relationships we build will lead to mountaintop experiences at Club and Camp (Malibu & Wildhorse Canyon). Pray also that we can come down from the mountain and continue a lifetime of walking alongside kids, pointing them to Christ as he is proclaimed in the Scriptures.
  • Pray that new folks will have a passion and calling to this incarnational and relational mission.
  • Pray for our staff and volunteers: RJH/EJH: Macy Zwanzig, Dani Plagerman, Esteban Herrera, Peder Brakke. RHS: Mandi Jussel, Amy Shirley, Brandy Schuster, Mike Mead, Tristan Tynning and Dustin Wiese
  • Pray for our Leaders in Training: Steven Bolt, Darren Torkelson and Drew Fisher.

Updates: Year-End Need 2011, December 2011, April 2011, November 2010, Student Thanks 2010, July 2010

Jay & Linda Cruze

Jamaica

Ministry: Cool Water Ministries
Creekside Contact: Jennifer Cruze
Contact Info: www.coolwaterjamaica.org

Jay and Linda Cruze started Cool Water Ministries in Mandeville, Jamaica, West Indies, in 2005 after serving for three years at Central Jamaica Bible College and several local orphanages.

In 2005, the Cruzes opened their Cool Water Ministries resident facility for the forgotten young men leaving children's homes or disadvantaged situations. Cool Water Ministries is a safe place where these young men can prepare for their transition into mainstream society. Since most of these young men come to Cool Water Ministries with limited education or job related skills, the Cruzes focus on developing, equipping, and mentoring these men in academic, spiritual, leadership and life skills. At the close of their time with Cool Water Ministries, each student will have been equipped and guided onto a path where he can reach his full potential in God and positively influence his nation’s future.

In addition to providing for young men in their home, Jay and Linda provide assistance to their community. Jay is involved with supporting and equipping a number of national pastors as well as leading a men’s mentoring program. Recently, with assistance from two American nurses, Cool Water Ministries sponsored a medical clinic to one of the poor rural areas where people have limited access to basic medical care. In addition, they have coordinated several summer Vacation Bible Schools in nearby communities for churches. Their ministry extends to influencing, mentoring and teaching youth in community schools and sports programs.

Prayer Requests:

  • For wisdom, discernment and clarity of direction for Cool Water Ministries.
  • For the young, disadvantaged and forgotten men of Jamaica who wander aimlessly, without hope of a future.
  • For God’s guidance and favor on the new CWM campus project and each student and staff member.
  • For Linda and James as they get back into the home schooling routine.
Update: February 2012, October 2011,September 2011, August 2011, July 2011 #2, July 2011, June 2011, May 2011

Keith Ferrin

Ministry: That You May Know Ministries
Creekside Contact: Keith Ferrin
Contact Info: www.thatyoumayknow.com

That You May Know Ministries exists to introduce Jesus to people who don’t know Him yet, and lead those who already know Him into a greater understanding of, and deeper love for Him and His Word. That You May Know Ministries seeks to do this through preaching and teaching, drama, writing, and music.

Keith Ferrin founded That You May Know Ministries and has been doing dramatic presentations of Scripture since March of 1996. He is also the author of Falling in Love with God’s Word and has been utilized as a speaker for retreats, conferences, outreach events, and youth rallies. His practical, humorous, and thought-provoking style makes the Word come alive for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for Keith as he writes a new book about helping the next generation to fall in love with God’s Word.
  • Pray for bookings, Keith’s schedule, and health and safety as he travels.

Dan & Oksana Johnson

Ministry:  New Life Radio, Russia
Contact Info: CRFR@juno.com, www.CRFR.org

New Life Radio broadcasts Christian programming in the Russian language by satellite radio, internet radio, FM affiliates in Russia and Mobile Radio in the United States. Programming includes Christian music, Bible teaching, Christian drama and news.

The target audience is listeners between the ages of 17 and 45. Because New Life Radio is non-denominational in scope, it is able to effectively reach across a wide group of churches interested in proclaiming Christ to a lost nation.

  • Pray that New Life Radio will be able to expand service to new areas.
  • Pray for the finances to continue the ministry.
  • Pray that the radio programs will continue to draw people to Christ.

Update: January 2012, December 2011, November 2011, September 2011 #2, September 2011, August 2011

Liz Stiger

Ministry: Young Life, Eastside Capernaum
Creekside Contact: Liz Stiger
Contact Info: www.eastsidecapernaum.younglife.org

The mission of Young Life believes that every adolescent deserves to hear about Jesus Christ and be invited to choose to believe and follow Him, including kids with disabilities! Capernaum is a ministry of Young Life reaching out specifically to kids with disabilities (i.e. Down syndrome, Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, physical disabilities, etc.). Liz Stiger has been working with Young Life Capernaum since 2001 as the Area Director of Eastside Capernaum. She and her staff and volunteers are building relationships with kids and their families in Redmond and Bellevue primarily. Through YL clubs, camps and friendships, kids with special needs get to hear that they are not a mistake, but created with purpose in God’s image. They create adventure, fun, laughter and friendship for kids who are lonely, friendless and isolated. Young Life Capernaum leaders learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, in order to share and experience Christ fully and unexpectedly.

Aside from ministry to high school and college aged kids (15-25), Young Life Eastside Capernaum is partnering with local churches to facilitate and support small group Bible studies with young adults with disabilities, enabling growth in Christ and friendships beyond adolescent years. Less than 5% of churches have an outreach to people with disabilities, despite 15% of our population having a disability! This partnership is designed for mutual benefit to the Church as well as our friends with special needs.

Liz is married to Josh Stiger and they live in Redmond, Washington.

Ways you can pray for Young Life Capernaum:

  • New volunteers of all ages and shapes to be YL leaders and small group facilitators
  • Growing partnerships with local churches who want to reach out to people with disabilities.
  • New financial partners and local businesses to join our team.
  • Kids with disabilities and their families will come to know Jesus!

Update: January 2012, December 2011, September 2011, July 2011

Daniel & Casey Taylor

Ministry: Servant Partners
Contact Info: Daniel.Taylor@ServantPartners.org, sites.google.com/site/danieltaylorsp

Daniel Taylor is on staff with Servant Partners in Los Angeles, CA, training interns in urban ministry. He desires to partner with God in transforming interns so that they serve the urban poor for the rest of their lives. Both Daniel and his wife Casey went through this two-year program as interns. Now Daniel is taking on the role of leader and mentor. You can learn more about Daniel’s ministry on his website and Servant Partners at www.servantpartners.org.

Prayer requests:

  • Pray for Daniel to practice consistent spiritual disciplines as he ministers.
  • Pray for Casey and Daniel to learn good rhythms of marriage in ministry.
  • Pray for prayer and financial partners for Daniel.

For more information about Daniel Taylor’s ministry, as well as newsletters and prayer requests and items of praise, see Daniel’s updates page.

Update: Ministry Info Part 2, Ministry Info Part 1

Dave & Audry Waines

Ministry: Preventative Healthcare and Education, Evangelism, Refugees, Orphans, Justice
Creekside Contacts: Patty Coster
Contact Info: www.equipliberia.org, davewaines@yahoo.ca

The mission of EQUIP Liberia is to practically demonstrate the good news and love of Christ in order to bring the war-affected, impoverished people of Liberia healing, hope and fullness of life.

EQUIP Liberia is a Christian non-profit relief and development organization specializing in training and equipping local churches and community groups to transform their own communities through integrated, holistic community health projects.

In addition, EQUIP Liberia has recently launched a new program called Access to Justice and Human Rights Protection. Community Health Ambassadors as well as other volunteers are being trained, mobilized and empowered to stand up for justice and prevent crime and abuse in their communities.

  • Pray for physical and spiritual protection for the Waines and other volunteers working for justice.
  • Pray for continued success for the Community Health Ambassadors who work tirelessly to improve health through prevention. Pray for open hearts as they share the good news about Jesus.
  • Pray for health, energy and encouragement for the Waines in their daily responsibilities.

Update: December 2011, September 2011, May 2011, December 2010, September 2010

Dr. Christopher and Nancy Zoolkoski

Ministry: Medical Work in a Muslim country
Creekside Contact: Patty Coster
Contact Info:  Dr. Christopher Zoolkoski
Galmi Hospital, Niger, West Africa, www.galmi.org
 

Dr. Christopher and Nancy Zoolkoski serve with SIM at Galmi Hospital in Niger, West Africa. Christopher is a medical doctor; Nancy is a pharmacist.

  • Pray for Christopher and Nancy’s children: the older three are in the US, the next is in boarding school in Niger and the youngest lives at home and goes to school in Galmi.
  • Pray for Nancy who is working on learning the local language.
  • Pray for spiritual, emotional and physical health.
  • Pray for opportunities to share their faith with patients and neighbors.

“SIM is a community of God's people who delight to worship him and are passionate about the Gospel, seeking to... glorify God by planting, strengthening, and partnering with churches around the world.” www.sim.org

Updates: September 2011, June 2011, May 2011, May 2011 Note, April 2011, December 2010

Covenant World Relief

Ministry: Relief and Development
Contact Info: www.covchurch.org/cwr

“Established in 1946, Covenant World Relief has served as the international humanitarian aid and development arm of the Evangelical Covenant Church (in times of extreme need it also does USA domestic disaster response). Our charge is to assist the “poorest of the poor” by offering relief, rehabilitation and development.

“Covenant World Relief is an effective, efficient, respected and flexible humanitarian aid ministry in Christ’s name, with a sixty year history. CWR works through local churches, collaborations, and partnerships. This increases local presence in service, controls and reduces overhead, empowers local ministry, and grants immediate response to disaster and human suffering.”

  • Pray that aid given will be effective in alleviating human suffering.
  • Pray that people will hear the good news of Jesus Christ and chose to follow Him as a result of receiving humanitarian aid.
  • Pray that the church will continue to be compassionate and generous to those who are suffering around the world.
Updates: November 2011

International Justice Mission

Ministry: Justice for Victims of Oppression
Contact: www.ijm.org

International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems.

Fourfold Purpose of IJM:

  • Victim Relief
  • Perpetrator Accountability
  • Victim Aftercare
  • Structural Transformation

Prayer requests:

  • Pray for justice for people caught in human trafficking and other forms of oppression.
  • Pray for dedicated caseworkers and adequate funding.
  • Pray for God’s protection over the ministry and rescued victims.

The Mosaics Project

Contact: prayformosaics@yahoo.com, www.andresjourney.info/andres

Rev. Dr. Andrew Larsen has been an ordained minister with the Evangelical Covenant Church for over 20 years, with extensive experience working cross-culturally in Latin America and now serving Muslim communities locally and abroad. He received his Doctorate in Ministry from Fuller Seminary in 2007 where he received his M. Div. in 1988.

He has also served as a pastor in the U.S. for 7 years and is engaged in the broader work of the church in both local and global projects. Andy has taught classes on inter-religious engagement and is currently facilitating local churches across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America to serve their immigrant neighbors. He has traveled and networked with Non-Government Organizations and churches serving in Europe, South & North America, North Africa and the Middle East.

He regularly visits mosques, has many Muslim friends in the Puget Sound region and been involved in Christian-Muslim dialogue for over five years.

Andy now lives in Seattle with his wife and three children.

Prayer requests:

  • Strategy and training for new workers as the project expands and develops
  • Good relationships with Muslim friends that we engage with the Gospel

Slavic Covenant Connections

Russia and Ukraine

Ministry: Orphan Care, Summer Camps
Creekside Contact: Mike and Linda McAllister
Opportunities: Joint partnership with Russian and Ukrainian Churches, and orphan ministry organizations.

Creekside has been involved in outreach to Russian and Ukrainian orphanages since 2004. This ministry has included a summer camps for orphan children and ongoing connections with churches and orphanages in this region.

We are beginning a new partnership in 2010 with New Hope International working with their Orphan Care ministry in Ukraine. This is a ministry that places orphaned children in Christian foster care families. You can find out more about this ministry at www.newhopeinternational.org/orphancare/orphancare.htm. We re excited to begin participation in this new partnership by assisting with a New Hope summer camps in Ukraine for foster care families.

  • Pray for God's leading and direction with the orphan ministry.
  • Pray for an effective Christian outreach to Russian and Ukrainian orphans, that they will accept God's leading in their lives.

Other Connections Around the World

Creekside has helped support the Agros village of Villa Linda, Guatemala. Creeksiders have visited the village a couple times, and the villagers are making great progress towards repaying their loans and becoming self-supporting. The 2011 Village Update is now available online.

Kaitlyn Phillips works for Pencils of Promise in Nicaragua. Pencils of Promise focuses on education as a way to help children around the world. www.pencilsofpromise.org

Brian Kraft is in year two of a Fulbright Scholar Program, teaching English in Indonesia.

Caitlin Coggeshall is serving with the Peace Corps in Monastyrysche, Ukraine. She is teaching English to middle school-aged students and leading several English clubs, including one for adults.

Covenant Women SIMs (Special Interest Missionaries). Creekside has two SIMs; retired missionary Janet Thornbloom (Congo) and active missionary Ellen Haworth (Japan). Last year Creekside donated $100 towards Ellen's project to give Bibles to her ESL students.