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Covenant Life men's fellowship took their first-ever missions trip to Circle in the spring of 2002. They spent two days painting from morning until evening. Roger Bergman (fourth row, left) and Jim Dice (second row, right) have been leading groups from Covenant Life Church since 1999. Read below what the men experienced here.
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"Instead of seeing a poor, depressed neighborhood, I see beautiful buildings being renovated. I see the love of Christ bringing life back to this area...It was great to sit and talk with the men in our group, to share our lives, both the good times and the bad." Dick Fisher
"I've been challenged to step out and do something significant and challenging and risky for Christ and his kingdom." Mike Lemkail
"I want to keep visiting to see the positive things happening." Joe Allen
"I've learned that God is present regardless of the situation one may find oneself in." Bill Vanderpoorte
"The faith of the people here encouraged me to step out in faith more and let God take care of the details. ...I had time to just talk openly with others. It is crazy that I had to come to Chicago to do that, but it is one of the ways God blesses us when we respond to his call." Ed Hatt
"I can see how the work inside Circle Urban has not jusst had an impact on the lives and hearts of people that come into the building, but it also has impacted even the physical neighborhood. God be praised for all the ways you help to transform lives." George Bazuin
"A wonderful weekend of learning and growth." Neil Versluis
"I have seen how God is working in this community of people to transform it to be a place for his glory." Jeff Bradshaw
"Every community needs an effort like this to reach out and be salt and light where they are. I can't wait to come back!" David Barrone
"We just completed our fifth trip and each time have come away with much more than we have left behind. God used us to touch lives in Chicago on each of these trips, however we have been touched by the people there also.
For me personally, to be able to hear the story that Leonard [staff person whose life was radically changed by Christ] had to tell us, brought tears of joy and gratitude. To be able to work along side my brother Leonard was a real blessing only a gracious God could have planned.
We forget that this heaven we're going to will be such a vast place with different colors and languages. We get a taste of that at Circle Urban Ministries.
Jim and I both dream that as we expose more people from Covenant Life there will be a groundswell of support for this ministry." Roger Bergman
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