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Jan 18
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“Ethnos”
We are excited to introduce the ministry of The Ethnos Commission! Everyone always asks us,...
FELIZ CUMPLEANOS!
The birthday “fiesta” is a huge influence among the Latin culture. We celebrate the...
Summer Hope
We plan to spend the summer with a special emphasis on children’s ministry. It is the perfect...
a church planting mission living out the great commission
“Ethnos”
We are excited to introduce the ministry of The Ethnos Commission!
Everyone always asks us, “What does that name mean and where did you come up with it?” Well, that is an interesting story. As we all sat and talked about our vision for a new mission that simply focuses on the basics of church planting, the word ethnos kept coming up. This word is found in the original Greek version of Matthew 28:19. You may be familiar with the passage which is known as The Great Commission.
“ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations (ethnos), baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19, 20
As we discussed the things God had placed on our hearts, we kept coming back to the concept that this word has an emphasis on PEOPLE GROUPS and not only on PLACES, as the passage is so often taught. As we look at the world today, we have a huge burden to reach the lost all around the world, but we don’t want to overlook all of the people groups who have come to North America. We cannot stay safe and comfortable in our own little personal bubbles and ignore the mission field that God has brought to us!
As the passage states, God has “commissioned” us, or entrusted us, with the responsibility to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations. We are it — there is no Plan B! And so we want to fully embrace God’s plan to reach all people groups and so we chose to name this ministry the Ethnos Commission to tie those concepts together.
The heartbeat of our ministry is a focus on people and we are willing to do whatever it takes to assist them in accepting the grace God offers them, encouraging them to grow strong in the Lord, and teaching them to go out and reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Please pray for this new ministry as we seek to follow God without reserve and please consider ways that God may impress upon your heart to be a part of what He plans to do through Ethnos.
FELIZ CUMPLEANOS!
The birthday “fiesta” is a huge influence among the Latin culture. We celebrate the birthday whether it is a one year old or a seventy year old. It is such a fun way to fellowship and encourage each other. Nobody had better let a birthday slip by…young and old have it marked on the church calendar! The Tres Leche cake is a Mexican favorite. “Pastel de Tres Leches” or “Tres Leches Cake” is named for the three milks in the soaking liquid (Leche means milk in Spanish.) The three milks in the soaking sauce for Tres Leches are sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream. The heavy cream is also whipped up to use as the topping. Due to the rich ingredients and that it is soaked in a creamy syrup, Tres Leches Cake is extremely dense and moist, almost like a custard. Tres Leches is sweet and delicious, but it is nothing like a traditional dry cake that is light and fluffy. Want to try it?
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
* 1 1/2 cups cake flour
* 1 pinch salt
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/3 cup oil
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 5 large eggs
* 1/2 cup whole milk
* Cream Syrup for Soaking (see recipe below)
* Whipped Topping (see recipe below)
Preparation:
Combine flour and baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add the eggs to the sugar mixture one at a time until well combined. Stir in the 1/2 cup of milk, then gently fold in the flour mixture a little at a time.
Pour batter into a lightly greased cake pan or baking dish and bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until it feels firm and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cake cool until it feels room temperature. Turn it over onto a platter with raised edges. Pierce cake with a fork 20-30 times. Let it cool in the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes.
Cream Syrup
* 12 oz. evaporated milk
* 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon rum or brandy (optional)
Whisk together the three milks and the rum or brandy if you are using it. Slowly pour the liquid over the cooled cake. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Occasionally, spoon the milk runoff back onto the cake.
Whipped Topping
* 3/4 cup heavy cream
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 tablespoon sugar
In a chilled mixing bowl add heavy cream, vanilla and sugar. Beat on high speed until peaks form. Spread a thin layer over the cake.
Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or garnish with fresh berries.
Summer Hope
We plan to spend the summer with a special emphasis on children’s ministry. It is the perfect time to invest in young people while they are free to fill their time with things other than school. A youth group from Illinois is coming to help us do some ministry in the parks of Greeley. Please pray for the planning to go smoothly and that we will all be effective in our spiritual service.
Some don’t see independent children’s programs as direct ministries of church planting, but we believe it is a crucial step for several reasons:
1) Each child deserves a chance to accept Christ regardless of whether their parents or guardians choose to take them to church.
2) It builds trust with parents when you invest in their kids and over time may bring opportunities to reach parents with the gospel.
3) As we seek to reach ethnic teens, they are often left with the care-giving responsibilities for the younger children. Therefore, having a program for kids allows the teens to be able to participate in the ministry we offer for their age group.
“Ethnos”
We are excited to introduce the ministry of The Ethnos Commission!
Everyone always asks us, “What does that name mean and where did you come up with it?” Well, that is an interesting story. As we all sat and talked about our vision for a new mission that simply focuses on the basics of church planting, the word ethnos kept coming up. This word is found in the original Greek version of Matthew 28:19. You may be familiar with the passage which is known as The Great Commission.
“ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations (ethnos), baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19, 20
As we discussed the things God had placed on our hearts, we kept coming back to the concept that this word has an emphasis on PEOPLE GROUPS and not only on PLACES, as the passage is so often taught. As we look at the world today, we have a huge burden to reach the lost all around the world, but we don’t want to overlook all of the people groups who have come to North America. We cannot stay safe and comfortable in our own little personal bubbles and ignore the mission field that God has brought to us!
As the passage states, God has “commissioned” us, or entrusted us, with the responsibility to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations. We are it — there is no Plan B! And so we want to fully embrace God’s plan to reach all people groups and so we chose to name this ministry the Ethnos Commission to tie those concepts together.
The heartbeat of our ministry is a focus on people and we are willing to do whatever it takes to assist them in accepting the grace God offers them, encouraging them to grow strong in the Lord, and teaching them to go out and reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Please pray for this new ministry as we seek to follow God without reserve and please consider ways that God may impress upon your heart to be a part of what He plans to do through Ethnos.
FELIZ CUMPLEANOS!
The birthday “fiesta” is a huge influence among the Latin culture. We celebrate the birthday whether it is a one year old or a seventy year old. It is such a fun way to fellowship and encourage each other. Nobody had better let a birthday slip by…young and old have it marked on the church calendar! The Tres Leche cake is a Mexican favorite. “Pastel de Tres Leches” or “Tres Leches Cake” is named for the three milks in the soaking liquid (Leche means milk in Spanish.) The three milks in the soaking sauce for Tres Leches are sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and heavy cream. The heavy cream is also whipped up to use as the topping. Due to the rich ingredients and that it is soaked in a creamy syrup, Tres Leches Cake is extremely dense and moist, almost like a custard. Tres Leches is sweet and delicious, but it is nothing like a traditional dry cake that is light and fluffy. Want to try it?
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
* 1 1/2 cups cake flour
* 1 pinch salt
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/3 cup oil
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 5 large eggs
* 1/2 cup whole milk
* Cream Syrup for Soaking (see recipe below)
* Whipped Topping (see recipe below)
Preparation:
Combine flour and baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add the eggs to the sugar mixture one at a time until well combined. Stir in the 1/2 cup of milk, then gently fold in the flour mixture a little at a time.
Pour batter into a lightly greased cake pan or baking dish and bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until it feels firm and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Let the cake cool until it feels room temperature. Turn it over onto a platter with raised edges. Pierce cake with a fork 20-30 times. Let it cool in the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes.
Cream Syrup
* 12 oz. evaporated milk
* 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon rum or brandy (optional)
Whisk together the three milks and the rum or brandy if you are using it. Slowly pour the liquid over the cooled cake. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Occasionally, spoon the milk runoff back onto the cake.
Whipped Topping
* 3/4 cup heavy cream
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 tablespoon sugar
In a chilled mixing bowl add heavy cream, vanilla and sugar. Beat on high speed until peaks form. Spread a thin layer over the cake.
Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or garnish with fresh berries.
Summer Hope
We plan to spend the summer with a special emphasis on children’s ministry. It is the perfect time to invest in young people while they are free to fill their time with things other than school. A youth group from Illinois is coming to help us do some ministry in the parks of Greeley. Please pray for the planning to go smoothly and that we will all be effective in our spiritual service.
Some don’t see independent children’s programs as direct ministries of church planting, but we believe it is a crucial step for several reasons:
1) Each child deserves a chance to accept Christ regardless of whether their parents or guardians choose to take them to church.
2) It builds trust with parents when you invest in their kids and over time may bring opportunities to reach parents with the gospel.
3) As we seek to reach ethnic teens, they are often left with the care-giving responsibilities for the younger children. Therefore, having a program for kids allows the teens to be able to participate in the ministry we offer for their age group.
