Mark 2 Ministries and Northview Church’s Carmel campus have been partners in ministry for several years now. The partnership that has seen lives change… not only here in Carmel, but throughout Latin America as well.

What is Mark 2 Ministries? Our namesake is from the second chapter of the Gospel of Mark: a story of a man who was paralyzed and his four friends end up digging a hole in the roof so that they could get him to Jesus to be healed. In that spirit, we at Mark 2 work with churches to do whatever it takes to bring the Gospel of Christ to people with disabilities.

We operate off of four main tenets: 1) God created people with disabilities in His image and for His glory. 2) Our responsibility is to treat people who have disabilities with kindness, dignity, and respect. 3) Evangelism and discipleship are our top priorities. 4) People with disabilities need to be nurtured in the faith to the point where they can use their spiritual gifts to bless others.

Mark 2 helps churches integrate people with disabilities into their congregations on Sunday morning as well as various activities throughout the week. This happens through program design and implementation, staff and volunteer disability training, and various networking opportunities so that people from churches around the city can share ideas and better themselves and their ministries. We also help churches put on respite events to allow parents of kids with disabilities to get a much-needed break to recharge and rejuvenate themselves and their families. We are also just starting the beginning stages of providing in-home respite for families affected by a disability.

Northview Church works with a ministry to help disabled adults.

I’ve been working with people who have disabilities for four-and-a-half years now, and it has been an amazing and life-altering ride! The friends I have made, the families I have seen grow in their love for one another and in their love for Christ, and the souls that have been impacted for eternity have all changed my life. I will never be the same. God has used people with disabilities and their families to teach me the true meaning of love, faithfulness, service and sacrifice. This work has helped me to be a better friend, son, husband, and future father as well. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity God has given me to help show Christ’s love to this often-forgotten population.

Every aspect of what we do is driven by the wonderful and amazing volunteers of the local churches we serve – like Northview Church. Each of the parts of our ministry listed above requires volunteers – and a lot of them! We also have several volunteer opportunities listed on the Good Neighbor website. If you’re open to learning about disabilities and have a heart to love, I’d love to help you get plugged in and serve with these great people! Shoot me an email at aaron@mark2ministries.org if you’d like more information.

Northview Students has a student-led worship band that plays during their weekend services at North Beach.

The first time she saw him in his casket, I stood beside her as her already broken body began to tremble, covering silent sobs. My tears finally broke loose when I heard her whisper, “Oh, Norris. Why did you leave me alone?”

Thirty minutes later, our family took my grandmother up to her husband’s casket again to remind her where she was and who was in the casket. During the entire viewing, we took her up to Grandpa’s casket at least four or five times, just to remind this once-again happy woman that her husband of many years had passed. Our grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease.

My grandparents were married for over 60 years before my grandfather left this earth at 96 years of age. My grandparents spent the majority of their marriage ministering to others, as my grandfather was a pastor for several missionary churches over the years. Not many people knew his age as he always wanted to hide his true age for fear people would stop asking him for help. My grandmother taught school for many years, teaching thousands of children, including my father. We could not travel anywhere without someone recognizing my grandparents and calling them “Grandma Ruth” and “Pastor Norris.” My grandparents were… to say the least, the closest thing to angels on earth.

God gave me a chance to get to know my grandparents in a different way. For instance, my grandparents owned an old piano. When I would visit, I would sit down at the piano only to find my grandfather teaching me new ways to play the keys. When entering a room, my grandfather would remove his favorite hat and would bellow one simple word, “Well!” This usually encouraged others to speak up with open arms to welcome our grandpa with a hug. Often, we found our grandmother in the kitchen cooking the next meal – a meal that invited our family to sit down together and enjoy another gathering.

Over the years, the gatherings grew smaller. Even so, Grandpa always took time to sit with me, pray with me, anoint me, take me on errands or just listen. He was always there, always teaching… and I loved him for it.

The day we buried my grandfather, I was two months away from delivering my firstborn. As I stood before his open casket and placed in two white roses – one for me and one for my son – the tears fell freely from my eyes. The one piece of Heaven given to me on earth seemed to have fallen. As I let go of the last rose in my hand, I felt I was letting go of my connection to God. Losing my grandfather was one of the saddest moments in my life.

After my son was born, I gave him the same middle name as my grandfather – Elliott. – The name, Elliott, comes from the name, Elijah, and means, “The Lord is my God.” My son, Parker Elliott, became a connection (to God) I never expected. He was my gift from God and a way to connect me back to everything I thought I had lost. God gave me more than I could have expected and I never even really had to ask – at least, not aloud. He knows my heart and my desires before I even know myself.

The Tuesday Spiritual Column is entirely the opinion of this week’s writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Northview Church as a whole.

Score one for the leaders at Northview Church! Momentum 2012 had their fourth annual Leadership Appreciation event on May 8 at Northview’s Carmel campus. The special occasion was to express appreciation and acknowledge leaders for the time they invest and gifts they share with others.

This year’s theme was a fun and relaxing environment—“tailgating.” Guests were asked to dress in their favorite sports team jersey. The crowd of 500 attendees who joined in on the evening of activities and celebration enjoyed a “touchdown” as Scotty’s Brewhouse catered the event. The restaurant served their infamous dill chips and piled on 600 boneless wings. Scotty’s provided other favorites too, such as their spinach dip, seven-layer dip, salsa, and delicious pizzas. The evening was topped off with huge brownies and chocolate chip cookies and was carried on by a series of events to include sports trivia hosted by “referee” Chris Reed, and moved on to an entertaining sportscaster skit. Next, Nothview’s own church band sent chills in the air while they sang “We Are the Champions” to communicate that the church leaders are our champions, our runners and coaches.

Leaders from Northview Church were treated to a tailgating theme for their efforts with this year’s Momentum 2012.

Momentum 2012 had a dual purpose: to celebrate and appreciate, and to keep the leaders “in the know” about what’s going on and coming up at Northview. Stan Killebrew, next steps pastor, sincerely lifted up the leaders and declared “the leaders of Northview are our champions.” He continued by sharing a few inspiring stories about how lives were impacted when volunteers decided to step into a leadership role.

The stage was then turned over to Steve Poe, lead pastor, who shared some details about our Next Steps spiritual growth campaign, The Strong Challenge, which will focus on spiritual discipline. Pastor Poe encouraged everyone in attendance to participate in the annual Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit coming this fall to enhance their leadership skills.

Pastor Poe then welcomed Jim Tomberlin, known as the “MultiSite Guy,” to the stage regarding Northview’s multi-site campus expansion. Jim began his multi-site church journey in the mid 1990s when he was the senior pastor of Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colo., and is working closely with Northview to develop and implement a multisite strategy to maximize the potential of our church.

The church staff wanted the attendees to walk away feeling a heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for their service and commitment to our Lord.

“Northview is a fast-paced church and things happen because of the volunteers and leaders,” Killebrew said. “Their heart to serve God and commitment to the church’s vision make a huge difference.”

To keep with the theme, leaders were sent home with a practical token of appreciation…a pedometer. Thank you, Northview leaders for serving our glorious God.

For more information about Willow Creek’s annual leadership summit, visit www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/.

Several weeks ago, Northview Church’s Carmel campus held its first Significant Marriage retreat, a workshop completely different from the Dynamic Marriage class that so many Northview Church attendees have already taken.

The Significant Marriage workshop was developed about 15 years ago by Dave and Mary Gothi, with the help of several respected Christian authors who included Dave and Claudia Arp, Linda Dillow, Lorraine Pintus, and Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. Shortly after getting married, Dave Gothi, an engineer, and Mary, a psychotherapist, began to feel a call to minister to couples together. The Gothis have been Dynamic Marriage leaders and leaders for a course for couples in crisis called “A New Beginning” for Family Dynamics Institute since 2001. Dave and Mary studied The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren at Saddleback Church “which helped crystallize how we believed God was calling us to serve as a couple,” Mary said. As far as they can tell, there is no other workshop in existence that is exactly like this one.

What is “Significant Marriage”? A brief definition displayed on the Gothi’s history page is “…choosing to be and do something ‘momentous, noteworthy, having an outstanding impact that has the potential to change lives.” The Significant Marriage workshop was originally formed as a premarital coaching course to help couples create a marriage that makes a difference by answering God’s call in their lives. Dave and Mary realized that no matter how good a marriage may be it can typically be strengthened by lessons in how to be more intentional in living your marriage as God intended. To challenge other couples in their marriages and to help them focus their direction for the future became goals for the Gothis.

Mary said that the format of the workshop is “a fun, relaxed one, but couples can also expect to dig deep to learn more about each other and what God wants for them.” The course meets couples where they are. There are teachings along with assignments done by each couple out of a workbook, titled Significant Marriage—Creating a Marriage That Makes a Difference. Each couple has time to talk together about every topic and there is some group discussion. The workbook also includes a planning/design book to help couples go forward with a plan and goals to achieve together.

Couples from Northview Church recently attended the Significant Marriage retreat held at the Carmel campus.

“Couples can expect to be encouraged and challenged to discover God’s purpose in bringing them together as a couple,” Mary said. “God has a unique purpose for them. They can discover that purpose or redefine their current purpose through this workshop.” She also said there will be lots of laughs and opportunities to make new friends, as well as to learn and experience growth.

The course workbook is not a one-time resource, but a living book that can be changed or redone when life events change so that new goals/purposes can be set. At the end of each chapter is resource websites. A new design book will be available on the website.

The Significant Marriage course is not merely a weekend “retreat” but an ongoing plan for living in God’s purpose. Dave and Mary have also created a follow-up course to this workshop. Accountability groups are available if the host church chooses to offer this. The Gothis are currently talking with churches about the possibility of holding the workshop and a follow-up class as a regular program of the church.

The hearts that Dave and Mary have for helping others is evident in their lives. They founded their own nonprofit organization, Sunshine Kids International (SKI), which was set up to help change the lives of orphans and other at-risk children in Mumbai, India. India is Dave’s home country.

Further information on the Significant Marriage course may be obtained by contacting Mary at the following email address: marygothi@sbcglobal.net.

Manners have always been important to me. It’s how I was raised. I strive to exhibit good manners in my dealings with others, and it’s what I expect in return. I expect you to say thank you and please. I expect you to hold the door for the person behind you. I expect you to treat the people that cross your path with kindness and respect.

Several years ago I ran into a former classmate. She’d had some family problems and the kids in school weren’t always kind. As we parted, she said, “You know, you were always nice to me, even when no one else was. Thanks. I really appreciated that.” I remember thinking about how sad and alone she must have felt that she would mention it so many years later.

Another time last year, I was standing in line at a Speedway gas station. I recognized the clerk. He had helped me several times before, was always very polite and had a habit of saying, “Be safe out there,” to his customers as they were leaving.

On this particular visit, however, a large man was very angry and giving the clerk a hard time, ranting and calling him names. I didn’t hear what it was about, but I couldn’t believe that the kind clerk I know would have provoked an argument. True to form, he remained calm until the man left. As I reached the counter, I didn’t say a word, but gave the clerk a sympathetic look. That’s all it took, and he said to me, “You know, I just don’t get it. Why do some people have to be so nasty? We’re all in this together.”

I love that Speedway clerk. We share a like mind. But, in reflection, I have to admit, I’ve had my large, angry man moments. They don’t take the form of ranting public displays, but nonetheless, they are not proud moments. It’s times like this I have to remind myself that we don’t all share the same experiences – nor would we all react in the same way even if we did.

I don’t know what was happening in large, angry man’s life. Maybe his wife just left him. Maybe he’s exhausted from taking care of his father with Alzheimer’s. Maybe he just got fired from his job and is worried about how he’s going to feed his five kids. Maybe… maybe… maybe… I don’t know.

But, this is what I do know. Hurt people will hurt other people.

Being kind when you are being treated unfair is extremely hard. “Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can be expected only from the strong.” I read that somewhere. I like it. I struggle with it. You are better. Not better than the person, but better than the behavior. That person is truly miserable if their only way of coping is to drag you down. Fighting back won’t ease their hurt. It will only increase yours.

I love the “pay it forward” idea. I love that Be Safe Out There clerk didn’t pay it forward. I love the hopeful idea that large, angry man did.

Sometimes I forget not everyone knows what I know. Sometimes I even forget that I know what I know. Be kind. We’re all in this together.

The Tuesday Spiritual Column is entirely the opinion of this week’s writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Northview Church as a whole.

by Mel Carpenter

As Christians, we celebrate special holidays and moments within the community of our church. Of all the traditions and ceremonies, communion, referred to as the Lord’s Supper, is a remembrance of the very heart of our faith. The evangelist Billy Graham stated, “On the cross Jesus Christ–who was without sin–took all our sins upon Himself, and He endured the judgment we deserve. The Lord’s Supper points us to this great truth. Thank God for His love and thank Him most of all for Christ’s sacrifice for you.”

The first communion was at the Last Supper and was given by Christ himself. It was a dinner of great significance like no other during Christ’s time on earth. From I Corinthians 11:24, Paul tells us that “The Lord Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks to God for it, He broke it and gave it to His disciples and said, ‘Take this and eat it. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” In the same way, He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new agreement between God and you that has been established and set in motion by my blood. Do this in remembrance of me whenever you drink it.”

Christ was very specific in telling us to always take communion to remember Him. Communion is a great reminder of our gift of salvation and a true memorial to Jesus Christ’s love for us. It is a time to reflect and be humbly grateful for our intimate relationship with Him and His ultimate sacrifice for us. John 3:16, the most quoted verse in the Bible, said it all: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Communion is a holy time recalling and honoring that in an intimate way.

Northview Church’s Carmel campus has open communion for believers in Jesus Christ. Communion is not only held in our church services; it is also available following Saturday’s 5 p.m. service and on Sundays between the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. service in the Chapel. During Easter weekend, more than 430 church attendees partook in communion that’s offered there.

Visit the Chapel to experience communion and the “peace that passes all understanding” when you celebrate Christ’s life and remember His sacrifice for us, His Christian followers. Communion is also a time to look to the great future that He has promised us with everlasting life as forgiven believers in the Kingdom of Heaven with Christ our Lord.