Eagles Ministry
The Eagles Christian Church (ICA) is nestled above a very depressing scene. In full view of
the church is a large closed landfill surrounded by poor and needy people. Many of these
people separate trash for a living. The cardboard goes in one stack, the plastics in large bags
and the glass is separated by color. Many of these same people are addicted to drugs, pipe
cleaner and alcohol. Their children roam the streets in dirty clothes and some are barefoot.
Immediately above these lower streets are better homes, some businesses and a working
class neighborhood. The children from these homes, for the most part, have a brighter future.
They attend school and have more opportunities available to them.
The Eagles church lies between these two worlds both physically and spiritually. Today there
are still garbage trucks leaving and entering the neighborhood. There is still much addiction
and needy people. But there is also a church that cares about their neighborhood. And
because they care they have opened their doors to many types of activities and programs for
the community.
The Eagles church has Sunday school, worship service and youth meetings on Sunday
afternoon. The recently appointed church council meets on the occasional Sunday and an
adult Bible study follows the worship service. Recently ICA has hosted two marriage
seminars, held a movie night and enjoyed two men’s cookouts on Saturdays. The Eagles
women joined the women from the North side church (ICN) in renting a bus to attend the
women’s retreat in March. Two women team-taught a workshop as did Kay and a number of
women from ICN as well. Ruben Fuentes leads two mid-week classes, one a Bible study and
the other a marriage course. The marriage course began the first week of April with 19 people
in attendance. Steve leads two home studies with families interested in studying the
scriptures and learning more about Jesus. Kay co-teaches a women’s study with Sandra who
accepted Christ a little over a year ago. All of these activities and more are open to the
neighborhood, but the congregation and her leadership have chosen to go way beyond these
activities.
After many months of preparing documents, visiting offices and praying together a Civil
Association was established that becomes the cover organization for the Community Center
Alas A.C. Through the A.C. a number of projects are in action to minister to the community.
One day a week there are classes for the children to help them stay in school and be
successful in school. Jorsy Fuentes and Joy Jimenez lead the Homework Club which helps
the children understand their subjects and do their homework. If a student is struggling with a
particular subject they receive additional attention. The English Club exists to encourage the
children and to help them to understand the basics. The English Club is pretty much a family
affair for the Carpenter family. Benjamin helps the youngest children experience English
through games, coloring sheets and playing together. Kay teaches the elementary children
using activity sheets, bingo and other games and activities. Steve teaches the adults. He too
uses activity sheets, sharing and some role playing. Rachel Long also helps with the English
Club teaching the advanced students one hour and middle and high school students the
second hour. Sandra leads a sewing class for interested women who usually have children
attending the clubs.
After several years of studying and planning what will surely be the most engaging ministry to
the community is ready to be implemented on June 5th. Known to many as Community Health
Evangelism (CHE), Transformacion Integral Comunitario (TIC) is a program in which the
neighborhood is mobilized to improve the community. Around the world CHE is making a
difference both physically and spiritually in neighborhoods and communities. We will be
utilizing TIC to meet the physical needs in the Eagles community as well as their spiritual
needs. TIC will kick off with a Seed Project that is designed to attract attention, involve the
entire neighborhood and give us a platform from which to explain the program. Our Seed
Project is a neighborhood wide street cleaning day. We will be involving the community
leaders as well as different neighborhood organizations.
As you can tell the Eagles church is involved in ministry that is relevant, impactful and
challenging. The church and her leaders need your prayers in order to successfully reach out
to the neighborhood around them.
For any question please contact Steve Carpenter at modem phone numbers, 503-821-7507
or 423-443-3452. Or skype us at "steven.ray.carpenter". E-mail: sknb@sknbc.com