P.O. Box 2256 Columbus, Ohio 43216 www.reachtni.org

Winter 2012 Volume 5 Issue 1

A Light Shines in the Darkness (by Ginny Etienne)

“It’s dark, I’m scared,” came the voice of a little girl in

the back seat. Our van had just passed the last street

lights as we headed outside of city limits. Having never ventured far beyond the brightly lit streets of her Milo –

Grogan Neighborhood, the darkness of a country night

was something unfamiliar to her. Ironic, because despite the lamp posts which line each street, many of the people

in our city live in darkness. This, however, was a night which would allow the light

of the Gospel to reach her heart.

As we traveled 33 East toward Bellefountain, OH, we could see little beyond the

windows of the van, save an occasional home festooned with Christmas lights. The

long van ride made the appearance of the many barns of Marmon Valley Christian Horse Farm, which had been trimmed in white lights, even more striking. You could

sense the excitement of the kids as we left the highway and turned into the farm.

They enjoyed pony rides, a petting zoo, and a hay ride with stops in scenes depicting

the Christmas story.

As the wagons, loaded with visitors, would pull up to each stop, a bright spot light

would be turned on to illuminate the actors, animals and backdrops. The kids chattered about a scared Joseph, exuberant shepherds and a frustrated innkeeper as

they journeyed from scene to scene, but at the last scene, all 29 youth quietly filed

into the warmly lit barn where they viewed the baby Jesus and his kneeling

worshipers. They were presented with a simple gospel message about the “Light of the World” who came to seek and to save those that were lost.

Talking to the kids some weeks later, it was this part of the evening that seemed to

have the most impact on them. While some of the kids talked about their ride on a pony named SpongeBob, and the animals at the petting zoo, all of the kids talked

about what they heard and saw in the barn that night.

The exciting part of this experience is that some of these kids will return to their

community carrying this new found light with them and like a single flame passed

from candle to candle around a dimly lit sanctuary on Christmas Eve, they will be

used to shed light in their families and community.

Being a Disciple (by Will Smith, Youth Director at Atonement Church)

Jesus makes being a disciple so easy and so hard. He has given us a simple

command. We are to go out and share Jesus...what could be easier, right? Obeying the

command is unfortunately where things get hard. We get to share in the inheritance of

Jesus which means immeasurable blessings but also we get to share in His sufferings.

Not everyone loved Jesus. His teachings were hard, and many mocked and hated Jesus

because they did not want to change. And in case you do not know, here is the news:

when you go out and share Jesus not everyone will be impressed. In fact sharing the

Good News might make you downright unpopular with many people.

But what joy there is when someone does come to know Jesus and their life is changed. Emily and Aaron have

done a tremendous job of sharing Jesus with the children (and families) in the Milo-Grogan area. They have

literally thrown their entire lives and treasures into sharing Jesus with their community. That is something that I

want my church to experience. This past December, Atonement Church had the joy of hosting the children of

Milo-Grogan for a Christmas Party. It was a blessing for our church members to get to share Jesus and show

love to the 40+ children who were able to come and take part.

The children got to hear Jesus, so I know they were blessed! I sincerely believe that our volunteers came away

from the experience doubly blessed also because they got to share Jesus with these wonderful children. There

are so many ways that individuals and churches are able to help to follow Jesus' lead of sharing the Good News

to our communities. As a church, Atonement is actively seeking new ways to give support to RTNI and

I strongly encourage any individual or church who is seeking such opportunities to connect with RTNI today!

Upcoming Banquet and Silent Auction Come celebrate with us! Our annual banquet, along with our first ever silent

auction, is coming up on March 10. Dr. Alveda King will be our guest

speaker. If you live in the Columbus area and would like to know more,

go to www.reachtni.org/banquet or call Emily 614.291.0224. Grace, Mercy and Peace,

Aaron and Emily Starr

Marquise and a happy cookie Christmas Carols Making Paper Wreaths

Pastor Brian Sharing about Jesus Decorating Ornaments Cookie Decorating