Born and raised in Botswana, Africa, I

came to Rolla at the end

of summer 2013 to pur-

sue a degree in Mining En-

gineering at Missouri Uni-

versity of Science and

Technology – Rolla Cam-

pus. That same year, on a

snowy evening of Decem-

ber 4, Sheri Haselhorst ac-

companied me to Lambert

Airport to welcome my

husband and two boys

(then 1 and 4). Wrapped in

pink hats, scarves and gloves, (yes boys in

pink), they arrived in Rolla to join me. We

were looking for a living church, a loving and a

lovable church family. As a Christian family,

our goal was to grow and to raise our children

in the Lord. Our prayers were answered when

we found a home in First Assembly of God-

Rolla where we have been for over two years.

First Assembly of God has been a greater

home than we could ever ask for. The uncom-

promised word of God, the various Sunday

school classes, children’s programs, and the

reception and hosting of the International

community is beyond description.

As a family we believe in individual

growth in the ways of the Lord, development

of the unique talents that God gave each one

of us as well as glorifying him in cohesion.

Thobo (3)

The family glue and prayer Cap-

tain. He enjoys swimming, playing

drums, and is a great fan of Thom-

as the Train. Steak n Shake is his

best eat-out place. All for their

crispy large servings of French fries! With

ketchup of course!

Teto (7)

The family encyclopedia and Scripture bank.

He is a karateka, a djembe drum player, en-

joys fishing, drawing and

painting, and is a great fan of

racing cars and Legos of any

kind. Pastor Brian Feller is Te-

to’s best character! Anything

edible he will eat, but serve

him rice and chicken, and his belly is tickled!

Tshepho and Tsetsa

Married for almost 8 years and parents to the

boys Teto and Thobo. Tshepho is an explosives

technician currently reading for a degree in

Engineering Technology with Penn Foster Col-

lege. He enjoys working out, playing social

soccer, and farming. Tsetsa, a Mining Engi-

neering Degree student at MS&T, enjoys read-

ing, writing and cooking. Together we enjoy

spending time as a family and traveling.

(Motaneko continued on page 6)

As we contemplate the completion of 2015 and

the beginning of 2016, few of us would doubt that we

are living in the last days. How do we handle it when

the Supreme Court defies the law of God, Israel is un-

der attack as never before, and a world religious lead-

er declares that Christians and Muslims worship the

same God? (See the refutation of this in the Octo-

ber, 2015 newsletter). Do we throw up our hands

and give up? Of course not. In the perilous days of

the first century, Peter asked and then answered a

similar question: “Since everything will be destroyed

in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You

ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward

to the day of God and speed its coming.” 2 Peter

3:11, 12

How else do the writers of Scripture encourage

us? In Titus 2:11-13, Paul declares that “the grace of

God . . . teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and

worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright

and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for

the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our

great God and Savior, Jesus Christ”. In Philippians

1:9-10, Paul says, “And this is my prayer: that your

End Time Condition Our Response and Role Deception; false prophets Love the truth; study the Word of God; be accountable

Apostasy; falling away; betrayal of others Hold to the truth; draw near to God; do not forsake as-

sembling together; support and encourage others

Love of many grows cold Pursue Jesus as your first love; worship and pray

Lovers of themselves, lovers of money Love others; be generous

Boastful and Proud Be humble with a servant’s heart

Abusive; disobedient to parents Be kind in word and action; honor those in authority

Ungrateful Have an attitude of gratitude and a heart of worship

Unforgiving; slanderous Be forgiving; build up others with our words

Having a form of godliness, but denying its power Stir up the Spirit of power, love and a sound mind

Scoffers; following ungodly desires Honor God’s law; cultivate Godly desires

love may abound more and more in knowledge and

depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern

what is best and may be pure and blameless until

the day of Christ.” (emphasis added throughout.)

Following the description of “the lawless one” (the

Antichrist) and those “who have not believed the

truth but have delighted in wickedness” in 2 Thessa-

lonians 2:6-12, Paul exhorts us to “belief in the truth”

and to “stand firm and hold to the teachings we

passed on to you” in verses 13 and 15. Note how all

these exhortations in Scripture to a holy, self-

controlled, loving and steadfast life are tied in with

the coming of the Lord.

Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3:1-9 and 2 Peter 3:3-7

list many signs of the end as well as the ungodly life-

styles of many people in the last days. Let’s look at

these in the column on the left, but intentionally do

the opposite. The column on the right is how we, as

Christians, should live in these last days and prepare

ourselves for the coming of the Lord. Maranatha!

Come, Lord Jesus.

Ralph and Beverly Flori

One category of a donation to consider, when

giving to a church, is that of donating appreciated

stock. You might wonder how this would be a ben-

efit to you. The benefit will allow deducting the

amount of the charitable donation and relieve you

of unrealized capital gains on the donated stock.

When giving the stock, as a donation, it needs to be

held for more than a year. Otherwise, it will be

treated as ordinary income property.

In addition, stock gifts must be transferred

into the church’s investment account by December

31st to be eligible as a year-end contribution.

Always discuss your options with your CPA or

Investment Agent. Pansy Bingham, Business Administrator

FOOD DISTRIBUTION—OUR CHANCE TO SERVE

STOCK DONATIONS

In March 1999, Grace Church began distributing

groceries and USDA commodities to needy families in

Phelps County, in conjunction with The Food Bank for

Central and North-

east Missour i

(Columbia, MO.) Con-

tinuing every month

since then, the minis-

try has assisted thou-

sands of families with

items from Feeding

America and USDA.

Annually about

15,500 individuals (5,400 families) are helped with more

than 300,000 pounds of food and other needed items.

The ministry was organized as a separate 501c3

organization called Phelps County Faith Distribution in

2006. Members from area churches comprise a local

leadership board, led by founding members David and

Diane Hagni, Gerald Dowdy and Carl Mathews. Carol

Creighton is the organization's volunteer coordinator, and

Brad Pettijohn also serves on the board.

It takes 150 hours of volunteer manpower every

month to make each food giveaway a reality. About

25,000 pounds of food and other items are distributed

monthly to about 550 families (1,500 individuals). When

you offer your time to volunteer, PCFD believes you are

doing something great and that God will reward you richly.

The actual distribution is held the third Saturday

each month at Grace Church of Rolla, 1390 S. Bishop.

First Assembly has agreed to supply the volunteers for

the January 16 food distribution. Email phelpscountyfood

@gmail.com or call 573-368-3040 to sign up for one of

the two shifts that day.

Mission trips are a unique and bountiful ex-

perience for the Christian believer! Something

incredible happens when believers, gathered to-

gether in the name of Christ, go and do the Lord’s

work, united as one group. Ask anybody who has

been on a mission trip, and you will most likely

see a twinkle in their eye and a smile grow

across their face. God moves in wonderful ways

through the hands and work of a mission worker.

But He also works in a wonderful way in his or

her heart. “I went to bless others, but found my-

self blessed” is a common phrase I hear. There

are many words come to my mind to describe

what happens inwardly and outwardly, like ful-

filling, inspiring, rewarding, or empowering. But

one word I want to focus on is primary and su-

preme above these others. Obedient. For all of

the wonderful, outflowing blessings of being a

Christian, we must always be anchored in God’s

Word, which calls for us to be obedient to Him. 1

Samuel 15:22 tells us that obedience is greater

than sacrifice.

We have two upcoming mission trips at First

Assembly that will

be wonderful oppor-

tunities to partici-

pate in God’s King-

dom work in distant

places. Why do we

participate in mis-

sions trips? Mat-

thew 28:19 says, “Go

therefore and make

disciples of all na-

tions…” Jude 23 encourages us to “save others by

snatching them out of the fire…” And Romans

10 reminds us, saying, “How then will they call on

Him in whom they

have not believed?

And how are they to

believe in Him of

whom they have never

heard? And how are

they to hear without

someone preaching?

And how are they to

preach unless they are

sent? As it is written,

‘how beautiful are the

feet of those who

preach the good

news!” These, and many other verses, not only

encourage but expect that we as believers partici-

pate in mission work. In obedience to the Word

and Spirit of God, we lovingly hold out the good

news of Jesus Christ that brings forth eternal life.

Many of you are involved regularly in local pro-

jects or in supporting international and local mis-

sionaries. Thank you! God is furthering His King-

dom through your faithful and obedient commit-

ment. But I know that there are

many others who need a little spur-

ring on, a little iron sharpening iron.

Please pray about being involved in

some of our upcoming mission trips,

and we trust that the Spirit of God

that led us to these projects will stir

in the hearts of some of you to be-

come a part. Even for those that

cannot go, you can be in prayer for

the trip. You can help sponsor the

costs for another individual who would like to go

but cannot afford it.

Our world today is ripe for harvest! God is

Spring Break Mission trip to Yucatan, Mexico:

Location-Tahdziu, Yucatan, Mexico. We

will be flying out Friday, March 25th and re-

turning on Saturday, April 2nd. The cost is

$750, which covers the cost of flight tickets.

This project is to help build a small church for

a local congregation. This is a construction

trip, although there may be opportunities also

for direct ministry. We have 20 spots availa-

ble. Please quickly express your interest to

Kathi Garner, Sam Parker, or Len Miles as we

make all the plans. There are time-sensitive

dates as we finish our plans for this trip. Ap-

plication for passports must be completed,

along with several required shots. We will al-

so be requiring a deposit by mid-January.

Again, please be in prayer for this trip.

We need your prayers! We need willing hands

to come forth as those who in previous years

are now unable to go! We need you!

December Mission trip to Minden, LA:

Location-Minden Teen Challenge Family

Center. We will be leaving December 28 and

returning January 3. The cost is $100. Spon-

sorship to help cover some of the cost may be

available. The deadline for signups is Decem-

ber 6. We have limited spots available for this

trip, so please sign up quickly! Projects will

be painting, hanging doors, hooking up elec-

trical outlets and switches, and many other

small projects.

moving and saving souls in every corner of the

earth. His Kingdom is coming! His will is being

carried out through His bride, the Church! We

can and must be a part of what He is doing to

save souls that would otherwise be separated

eternally from Him. God is not wanting that any

should perish, but that all would come to salva-

tion through Jesus Christ.

If you have any questions, please contact

Kathi at missions@rolla-firstassembly.org or 573-

578-5590, or Sam at kcatsc@rolla-

firstassembly.org or 573-578-1770, or online at

http://www.rolla-firstassembly.org/missions.

God bless, and thank you! Sam Parker

Attention Middle School students! Mark your calendar for Xtreme Winter 2015! We’ll be heading

down to Branson on Sunday, December 27 and be returning Tuesday, December 29. The cost will be

$80. We have to register students very soon, and spots are very limited, so families, quickly get signed

up by contacting Sam either by text at 573-578-1770 or call the church office at 364-1266 and leave

your child’s name. We’ll get to listen to Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, For King & Country, and many

more, plus great speakers that will talk directly about issues our kids need to hear! If you’re a middle

school student, you don’t want to miss this trip!

WINTER XTREME FOR TWEENS

Baked potatoes, steak, and green beans are a

great treat for us.

As we wrap up to return to Botswana in a

couple of weeks, we carry with us great mem-

ories from Rolla, Missouri. The wonderful peo-

ple we met, the ‘Christ’ culture of the Chris-

tians here, which is expressed in the eager-

ness and readiness to share the Gospel at all

times. We wish to be able to emulate the re-

ception of the foreigners in our own land and

always show them the love of Christ. We were

proud to be a part of the annual Operation-

GO!, the monthly Love Feasts, the All Nations

Christian Fellowships, The Missions day, and

the various Sunday school classes! Thank you

to the leadership and the fellow servants in

First Assembly of God–Rolla for making our

lives here a comfortable journey. God bless

the church.

Tsetsa Motaneko

(Continued from page 1)

First Assembly donated 79 boxes this year for Operation Christ-

mas Child. These boxes will be delivered to children along with a

gospel message in countries around the world. Thank you, Chris

Skyles, for coordinating First Assembly’s collection!

OUR PASTORS Jason Gibson Youth Pastor

pastorjason@rolla-firstassembly.org

Sam Parker After School &

Missions Director kcatsc@rolla-

firstassembly.org

Brian Feller Children’s Pastor pastorbrian@rolla-

firstassembly.org

Ray Cook Associate Pastor

fireguy@rolla-firstassembly.org

Chuck Whitmire Lead Pastor

pastor_chuck@rolla-firstassembly.org

ADDITIONAL STAFF MEMBERS Karen Turner, Administrative Assistant office@rolla-firstassembly.org Mark Berry, Facility Manager office@rolla-firstassembly.org Pansy Bingham, Business Administrator pansy@rolla-firstassembly.org Abby Swearingen, Media Assistant media@rolla-firstassembly.org

1608 N Oak St Rolla MO 65401-2342

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #116 ROLLA, MO

MISSION TRIPS Minden, LA and the Yucatan Peninsula

HOW SHOULD WE LIVE? Worldview FAQs

PHELPS CO FOOD DISTRIBUTION When and where

THE MOTANEKO FAMILY Spotlight family