Local Outreach
Evangelism
How comfortable are you talking about Jesus with non-believers? This is a good question for us all! We desire that everyone who calls Hill Church their church family will know Jesus, believe him, trust him, and share his gospel. Sharing the gospel may look different from person to person because God has gifted us each differently. However, we all need to challenge ourselves to bring the gospel into our daily conversations with our families, co-workers, neighbors, and friends. From time-to-time, Hill Church will provide opportunities to train and study how evangelism can be done in Kewanee and the surrounding areas. Here are some examples of what we do to help you share your faith.
Magnify
Magnify is a praise and prayer service we have each quarter that focuses on praising God and praying specifically for the needs of those in our communities and around the world. The next Magnify service will be in January (date TBD). You are invited! Free childcare is provided.
How to Share Your Faith
How to Share Your Faith is a four-week class at noon on Sundays at Hill in October and February. Jesus commanded that we "make disciples" (Matt 28:19), sharing the good news of Jesus like a fisher goes fishing for those who might respond in faith (Mk 1:17). And even though we have no reason to be ashamed of the gospel (Rom 1:16), we sometimes are driven by shame or fear and refuse to speak up about what we believe. This class will equip and encourage you to talk about Jesus in your regular conversations. The class is free and open to all Christians. Light snacks will be offered. Free childcare is available if you email Elaine Pendergrass at kids@hillchurchfamily.org.
Why I Know Christianity is True
Dr. Pendergrass leads the study, Why I Know Christianity is True, to cover foundational, rational and emotional reasons to believe in Christianity. Once we understand the solid grounds for believing in Christianity, it increases our confidence to share the gospel. The handout for the study can be downloaded here. Click here to see a previous iteration of the study, and here to learn more of Dr. Pendergrass.
How comfortable are you talking about Jesus with non-believers? This is a good question for us all! We desire that everyone who calls Hill Church their church family will know Jesus, believe him, trust him, and share his gospel. Sharing the gospel may look different from person to person because God has gifted us each differently. However, we all need to challenge ourselves to bring the gospel into our daily conversations with our families, co-workers, neighbors, and friends. From time-to-time, Hill Church will provide opportunities to train and study how evangelism can be done in Kewanee and the surrounding areas. Here are some examples of what we do to help you share your faith.
Magnify
Magnify is a praise and prayer service we have each quarter that focuses on praising God and praying specifically for the needs of those in our communities and around the world. The next Magnify service will be in January (date TBD). You are invited! Free childcare is provided.
How to Share Your Faith
How to Share Your Faith is a four-week class at noon on Sundays at Hill in October and February. Jesus commanded that we "make disciples" (Matt 28:19), sharing the good news of Jesus like a fisher goes fishing for those who might respond in faith (Mk 1:17). And even though we have no reason to be ashamed of the gospel (Rom 1:16), we sometimes are driven by shame or fear and refuse to speak up about what we believe. This class will equip and encourage you to talk about Jesus in your regular conversations. The class is free and open to all Christians. Light snacks will be offered. Free childcare is available if you email Elaine Pendergrass at kids@hillchurchfamily.org.
Why I Know Christianity is True
Dr. Pendergrass leads the study, Why I Know Christianity is True, to cover foundational, rational and emotional reasons to believe in Christianity. Once we understand the solid grounds for believing in Christianity, it increases our confidence to share the gospel. The handout for the study can be downloaded here. Click here to see a previous iteration of the study, and here to learn more of Dr. Pendergrass.
Relief Work
Communicating the truth of Jesus is crucial but we also need action and deeds (“...faith without works is dead.” James 2:26).
At Hill Church we long to reach our community through acts of service and kindness.
Resident Assistance Program (R.A.P.)
The City of Kewanee Community Development Department administers the Building and Zoning Codes as well as Nuisance Codes within the city limits of Kewanee. Building Permits for all residential and commercial projects are approved and issued through this office. Kewanee’s Community Development Department issues notices (and sometimes, fines) for a wide variety of violations (e.g., tall grass, landscaping debris, litter, yard clean-up, fences needing repair, houses or accessory buildings needing paint). Kewanee Community Development Director, Keith Edwards, developed R.A.P. to bring together volunteer groups to help those whose properties receive violations but are unable to fix the problem (perhaps they are too ill or elderly).
Hill Church is partnering with the City of Kewanee. If you can provide some basic services, like cutting grass or doing minor repairs on a property, you can sign up. Whenever a need would arise in the community, the Director of Local and Global Outreach would let you know. If you’re available to help, you’ll help; if not, they’ll just move on to the next volunteer group to see if they’re available. In addition to this relief outreach, we would also do our best to encourage the homeowner with a small gift and share the gospel. Simple instructions would be provided to you in how to go about doing this. To sign up to serve, click here.
Rooted
Hill Church has developed a program called Rooted (formerly called, "Rising Tide") which provides training to develop healthy financial, emotional, and spiritual fruit. We partner with those in need to work towards stability in all areas of life. Click here if you are interested in volunteering for the Rooted program. Click here to apply to be in the program.
Communicating the truth of Jesus is crucial but we also need action and deeds (“...faith without works is dead.” James 2:26).
At Hill Church we long to reach our community through acts of service and kindness.
Resident Assistance Program (R.A.P.)
The City of Kewanee Community Development Department administers the Building and Zoning Codes as well as Nuisance Codes within the city limits of Kewanee. Building Permits for all residential and commercial projects are approved and issued through this office. Kewanee’s Community Development Department issues notices (and sometimes, fines) for a wide variety of violations (e.g., tall grass, landscaping debris, litter, yard clean-up, fences needing repair, houses or accessory buildings needing paint). Kewanee Community Development Director, Keith Edwards, developed R.A.P. to bring together volunteer groups to help those whose properties receive violations but are unable to fix the problem (perhaps they are too ill or elderly).
Hill Church is partnering with the City of Kewanee. If you can provide some basic services, like cutting grass or doing minor repairs on a property, you can sign up. Whenever a need would arise in the community, the Director of Local and Global Outreach would let you know. If you’re available to help, you’ll help; if not, they’ll just move on to the next volunteer group to see if they’re available. In addition to this relief outreach, we would also do our best to encourage the homeowner with a small gift and share the gospel. Simple instructions would be provided to you in how to go about doing this. To sign up to serve, click here.
Rooted
Hill Church has developed a program called Rooted (formerly called, "Rising Tide") which provides training to develop healthy financial, emotional, and spiritual fruit. We partner with those in need to work towards stability in all areas of life. Click here if you are interested in volunteering for the Rooted program. Click here to apply to be in the program.
Global Outreach
Evangelism
"Unreached" People Groups
In regards to global outreach, Hill Church stewards most of their resources, time, and energy on evangelism and church planting among unreached people groups. Click here to watch this two minute video to learn more about these precious people and the work to bring them the Gospel.
Outreach Families
We support six "Outreach families" that live amongst unreached people groups. To get connected by receiving their newsletters or give to them personally, contact Bobi (email below).
Outreach Trips
An Exposure Trip is planned for Sept. 23-26, 2021 to take a group to Minneapolis and learn more about reaching the unreached.
Relief Work
There are other types of trips that Global Outreach hosts, such as development and relief trips.
Canaan Christian Community
Most often we find ourselves headed to Haiti because we have a sweet relationship with a group of believers in Montrouis, Haiti, Canaan Christian Community. On their compound is an orphanage, clinic, nutrition project, school, and church. They have a beautiful ministry in Haiti that we are grateful to be a part of. As trips are planned, we will update this page with the relevant information.
In addition to trips to their Community, you can sponsor a child and supply Christmas gifts each year: backpack, outfit, personal item and card or letter from sponsor. (Adult workers will receive a card and $20.) To find out more about this Christmas Project, email Lacey Landwehr at laceylandwehr@gmail.com.
Destiny Rescue
Destiny Rescue is an organization that we support financially that seeks to end child trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Action Pack Projects
Approximately twice a year we collect items to send to persecuted Christians all over the world. Look for it to happen again in February. The pictures below demonstrate a recent example of gathering Action Packs for Ethiopian Christians. Several people contributed; the Youth Group consolidated the Packs for delivery.
"Unreached" People Groups
In regards to global outreach, Hill Church stewards most of their resources, time, and energy on evangelism and church planting among unreached people groups. Click here to watch this two minute video to learn more about these precious people and the work to bring them the Gospel.
Outreach Families
We support six "Outreach families" that live amongst unreached people groups. To get connected by receiving their newsletters or give to them personally, contact Bobi (email below).
Outreach Trips
An Exposure Trip is planned for Sept. 23-26, 2021 to take a group to Minneapolis and learn more about reaching the unreached.
Relief Work
There are other types of trips that Global Outreach hosts, such as development and relief trips.
Canaan Christian Community
Most often we find ourselves headed to Haiti because we have a sweet relationship with a group of believers in Montrouis, Haiti, Canaan Christian Community. On their compound is an orphanage, clinic, nutrition project, school, and church. They have a beautiful ministry in Haiti that we are grateful to be a part of. As trips are planned, we will update this page with the relevant information.
In addition to trips to their Community, you can sponsor a child and supply Christmas gifts each year: backpack, outfit, personal item and card or letter from sponsor. (Adult workers will receive a card and $20.) To find out more about this Christmas Project, email Lacey Landwehr at laceylandwehr@gmail.com.
Destiny Rescue
Destiny Rescue is an organization that we support financially that seeks to end child trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Action Pack Projects
Approximately twice a year we collect items to send to persecuted Christians all over the world. Look for it to happen again in February. The pictures below demonstrate a recent example of gathering Action Packs for Ethiopian Christians. Several people contributed; the Youth Group consolidated the Packs for delivery.
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Questions Worth Pondering
- Do you listen to others to learn their story before telling them about your faith?
- In recent years, have you influenced multiple people to consider following Christ?
- Do you regularly choose to have meals with people with different faith or morals from you?
- Do you try to discover the needs of non-Christians rather than waiting for them to come to you?
- Do you spend time with non-believers to help them follow Jesus?
If you would like more information or to volunteer for any of these outreach ministries, please email the Director of Local and Global Outreach, bobithroneburg@gmail.com.
