My name is Rev. Sedar Shako. I serve Jesus at the Harris and Lake Park Global Methodist Church. I am married to Marcelline Shako, and we have four daughters. Our oldest, Rachel, was in Africa before joining us in the USA. Mado, our second daughter, recently graduated from Dordt College and is currently seeking employment. Rebecca joined the Navy, graduated this year, and is now working as a nurse while pursuing her career. Our youngest, Davina, is a freshman and assists me with many aspects of ministry in Lake Park and Harris.
Regarding the growth of the church: Both churches are thriving by the grace of God. In line with our mission statement, we focus on reaching out to unchurched individuals by inviting them to our activities, which helps us build relationships with those who may not yet understand our vision. Through these efforts, we have welcomed visitors in both churches, some of whom have joined as members because they appreciate what we do. We have strong leaders in the youth group, and both churches are equipping the youth well with solid spiritual lessons. The youth have a lot of fun during the meetings.
According to our church's mission statement, we are committed to connecting with our community through an annual outdoor service held at Lake Park. This event has become a cherished tradition, in which we organize three services at Lake Park and one hosted by Harris by the Iowa lake. This initiative aligns with our evangelism efforts and embodies the principles laid out in the Global Methodist Church's mission statement, which is rooted in the teachings of Matthew 28:19-20 and emphasizes our commitment to making disciples for Christ.
During these outdoor services, we not only encourage participation from our congregation but also extend a warm invitation to individuals and families from the surrounding area to join us in worship. To foster a sense of community and fellowship, we provide a potluck meal, where everyone is welcome to contribute and share, creating a diverse and engaging dining experience.
In addition to our annual service, our outreach includes bi-monthly food distribution at Lake Park. On the first Thursday of each month, we mobilize our congregation to help distribute food from our pantry, ensuring we meet the needs of those who are food insecure in our community. This proactive involvement illustrates our commitment to serving others and living out our faith through action.
Each year, I meet with the outreach and worship committee to prepare for the church's mission. This year, after learning about the Ebola crisis in Africa, both churches sent support, including medicine and supplies, to an orphanage. Additionally, we are planning a mission trip to Guatemala in September with our youth group, especially those confirmed last year, to help them learn to serve God and become good disciples of Christ. Amen.
