Spring has sprung in the beautiful Moreno Valley, though it is snowing as we write these words. The first quarter of this year has been full of wonderful discovery and bond building for our church and our community. We began the year with a new Minister family, the Stillwells, and renewed energy and passion for the mission opportunities God has blessed us with.
In January we restarted a Men’s Group Bible Study on Tuesday nights, walking together though the book of Acts. We began with three men in the congregation which quickly grew to eight in just a couple weeks, including several from the community. Many great conversations have lead to spiritual growth and firm foundations for the men involved, as well as bolstered the impact we have in the youth we mentor.
We were thankful and excited to see several pandemic restrictions opened up in February, which allowed us to resume transportation for kids on Wednesdays. During the height of COVID we enjoyed a little rest and opportunities to develop deeper and more intimate relationships with our core students in smaller numbers (around 15). The youth in our community were eager to return, and as soon as we resumed transportation we quickly began averaging 50 students each week. This swell in involvement has also opened many new doors, first time student involvement, with parents and families in our community.
Slow work in the new building was also seen in February and March as individual members would come up as they could to hang insulation, cut back spray-foam insulation, and continue general clean up. Contracted electricians and plumbers worked when they could (due to weather) to get us ready for inspections and drywall. With warmer weather in April, and with the help of Garrett Schmille from the UNM Campus Ministry, we were able to apply the fire barrier paint to the foam insulation and cross over a major hurdle in construction.
Through March and April several of our young disciples began weekly preparation on Sunday afternoons for involvement with Lads To Leaders. On April 28-May 2 we took 12 students to convention in Colorado Springs where the hard work paid off and was celebrated with several first and second place finishes. All who went returned with greater knowledge of the book of Hebrews and talking about what they want to do next year. 
Through cooperation with the Moreno Valley Ministerial Alliance Eddie was able to share the gospel with the community at a sunrise Easter service at the Vietnam Memorial. This message tied into a series of lessons about the difference the resurrected life of our savior makes on our every day living, and stood as an invitation to the community to experience resurrection in their own life. Over the last several weeks we have had several new families from the community inquire and engage with us on Sundays and Wednesdays.
We were also blessed in April with a grant through the Lang Foudnation to purchase new recreational equipment for the youth program that will help our kids and adults build relationships and lasting memories for years to come. It felt like Christmas all over again as equipment came in the mail and members gathered on the weekends to assemble, organize, and prepare for student engagement.
April also saw the return of our Ladies Bible Study on Monday afternoons. Each week 5-7 women have come together to dive deep into the sermon on the mount and apply the lessons of Jesus to their lives with encouragement and accountability.
God amazed us again in April as the bus we use for transporting kids from the school began breaking down again. As repair cost began to mount up, we bagan looking for a used van to add to our fleet to replace the bus. An opportunity was brought before us to purchase a larger bus at about the same price as a newer van. In just three short days we had received commitments for the full price of the bus from our generous supporters. What we thought was desperately needed but out of our reach, especially in the middle of a building project, God was quick to provide. While we are thankful for every support we received, the most moving commitments came from people in our community who are not members of the church but know of the work we are doing with their children and grandchildren and desire to help it keep going.
We now turn our eyes to the summer, and pray that we can steward well all that God has provided us. We continue to pray and study in order to re-imagine mission and vision in the Moreno Valley through our congregation. Our summer youth program will resume as we continue to share Christ, develop young disciples, and transform lives in our community. Plans are set for our wonderful friends from Bartlesville OK to return and help us run a day camp the week of June 19-26.
We are also looking forward to the return of a group of Sojourners in July who are willing to help with some work projects around the building, as well as reaching out to open doors and prospects made through our youth program and other community events. This group may also help us spread the word about the Angel Fire Bible Symposium which will be held in our new building July 28-Aug. 1.
Speaking of the new building, plans are being made for the weekend of May 21 for another hurdle to conquer as all the sheetrock, metal paneling, and canvas ceiling will be installed with the help of our friends from the Mountainside Church of Christ and the University of New Mexico campus ministry. At this point we estimate we have $60,000 in cost and around 50 full days in labor to finish our new building. We hope to have a grand opening event soon to celebrate God’s provisions and dedicate the building to Kingdom purposes. We want to give a big “Thank You” to everyone who has donated time, labor, materials, funds, and prayers towards this end. It has been a long journey, but we have seen God’s hand at work through the entire process….and for that we are extremely grateful.
The Summer months will conclude for our youth with Camp Blue Heaven, July 25-30 for middle school and August 1-6 for High School. Once School starts we will continue our Wednesday night program with an added adult session for outreach to the parents. We will also be hosting our region-wide youth rally September 10-12.
God has definitely blessed us as a faithful gathering of His people in the Moreno Valley. As Jesus prayed in Matthew 17, our goal is to make the name of God known and exalted in our valley and beyond through the power of Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus, our savior, according to the will of the Father. Thank you for your interest and support.
On Behalf of the Moreno Valley Church of Christ,
Eddie Stillwell – Minister
Damon Waggoner – Youth Minister