Reaching Wisconsin Dells

Dells Planning Meeting!

When: April 15, 2009

meeting with Dells pastor

I want to let the planning team know that I met Jay Heesch today. Jay serves as the senior pastor for Pine Valley Church in the Dells. Jay's chuch is Evangelical Free and it has been going for about three years. We spent two hours together at the Starbucks in the Dells this morning talking and getting to know one another.

I shared with Jay about partnering with him during Family Fest. I believe he was very open and I think he could also help us as he has built many relationships and already is familiar with a number of venues where they have hosted outreach events.

Just to let you know, I invited Jay to our April 15 planning meeting at River of Life. Some of his insight could really save us a lot of steps. At the same time we can help them in some significant ways through Family Fest.

I believe the Lord has placed Jay strategically in the Dells. I look forward to introducing him to the Family Fest planning team at our next meeting on April 15.

EV Free Church in the Dells

Today I made contact with the Evangelical Free Church in the Dells. I talked to the wife of the pastor on the phone for a few minutes and she is going to have the pastor call me back. If you want to check out their information, you can go to www.pinevalleymc.org. I will keep you posted as I talk further with them.

2nd Harvest for Family Fest

2nd Harvest is not interested in helping out w/ FamilyFest. They want us to pay $2000 for the mto be involved

Teen Ministries?

It's been heavy on my heart to get something teen based going for familyfest. In just a few minutes Mark Millman, Caryn Jette, and myself came up with a lot of ideas. Just to name a few, drama team, teen style music concert, teen prayer or counsel booth, and just about anything that will be attractive evangelism for teens. 

Sharing FamilyFEST at Empower

The Empower Conference is coming up quickly...March 19-21. I spoke with David Sundeen this morning about sharing the FamilyFEST missions opportunity at Empower. Here are our three options:

1. Set up a display - there will be a lot of displays in what used to be called the Missions Mall. We can have a display (I've already emailed Karen Olson to reserve a table) with brochures and registration forms. If we have someone to man that table from time to time, that would be great. I requested that it be located next to the Literacy Missions display, so I can be there some of the time.

2. Powerpoint Slide - this would be shown during announcement times and before each session. They do not typically do announcements unless they pertain specifically to Empower...so we would not be able to do a verbal announcement.

3. Brochure on seats - since attendees do not get a packet, but only the Empower booklet, we would need to place any additional brochures on the seats before one of the main sessions. As Friday evening is the most attended session, that would be our best time to do that. David estimated 250 brochures would cover the room. I will be there and can work on that, but would really appreciate if someone else could lend a hand on Friday afternoon putting those brochures out.

That's it! Now for creating the brochures, powerpoint slide, and display board...anyone?

Prayer & Brainstorming Follow-Up - 3/4/09

Following are the notes from tonight's meeting. If you see that I've missed anything, please post a comment and let everyone know what's missing!! I tried to put this altogether in as orderly a fashion as possible, but some things just overflow into others...excuse any rambling and misspellings, especially names!

AGENDA: Turn brainstorming into ministry ideas.

RULES:
#1 Unlike brainstorming, there ARE bad ideas.
#2 Lots of details and clarification should be discussed.
#3 Piggybacking is still allowed.

MINISTRY IDEAS:
1. English as a Second Language (Ministry Leader: Caryn Jette) - offer English classes to international workers preferably onsite at the resorts where they work. Library is also an option. End the week with a prayer breakfast/event for the workers.

ACTION: Talk to H.R. people at resorts. Find locations, optimum times for classes. See if there's an international organization/hub that all these workers go through for hiring, etc. (Caryn Jette)

2. Block parties (Ministry Leaders: Paul and Kelly Zuelke) - include clowning, face painting, balloon animals, in addition to other traditional block party 'stuff'. Also consider worship nights in conjunction with block parties.

ACTION: Find locations for block parties, including parks, Jellystone campground, Knucklehead/Tanger Outlet, HoChunk Casino, and The Wilderness. (Zuelkes)


ACTION: Find alternative locations in the event of inclement weather, not only for block parties but for larger worship nights. (Zuelkes) Check into EMS/Community Center. (Matt Graf)

3. Backyard Bible Clubs (Ministry Leader: ________)

ACTION: Contact Kayla Seamans at Trinity and the Evangelical Free Church starting in the Dells to determine best locations for these. (Mark Millman) Talk to Bob Turner's Mom. (Bob Turner)

4. CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) Events - (Ministry Leader: Johanna Wynn) - due to conflict with the Columbia County Fair, Monday and Tuesday would be the best time for these events.

Note: We may borrow for either most/all of the week the "Muppet" costume. We'll need a t-shirt for the muppet guy:-)

ACTION: Contact Johanna to contact other C.E.F. agencies about other similar resources that would be available. (Bob Turner)

5. Columbia County Fair (Ministry Leaders: Paul and Kelly Zuelke - is this correct?)

6. Servant Evangelism (Ministry Leader: ________) - this is ministry work with no strings attached. There are 4 groups we're targeting: local residents, local business owners, international workers, and tourists. Some ideas suggested: Contact Family Social Services, International Organizations, and the Red Cross to find out specific needs and people in need.

ACTION: Look at kindness.com and brainstorm ideas. (everyone!)

7. Pavilion in the Waterpark (Ministry Leader: ________) - possibly at Mt. Olympus. This would basically be an indoor block party.

ACTION: Check on use of pavilion and what would/wouldn't be permitted. (Jason Zacijek)

8. Public Prayer Booth (Ministry Leader: ________)

ACTION: We didn't mention this in the meeting, but we may should check with the city on permits, etc. Wouldn't want anyone in a prayer booth on Main St. to get arrested!!! (WHO?)

9. Whisper Campaign - T-shirts will play a huge part. Lifeguard theme (Red shirts, white cross, white lettering "Lifeguard Ministry - Jesus Saved Me!"; include the website: www.dellschurch.com)

ACTION: We didn't mention this either...would making of t-shirts be in Kristy's ballpark? Discuss Monday!


10. Pow Wow Meeting (Leader: Bob Turner) - Sunday 2pm - meeting/pep rally for all missions workers - share the vision, the plan, discuss the culture (what's your testimony in 30 seconds w/out churchy words).

ACTION: Ask Randy Smith about childcare during the meeting. (Nikki Zacijek)

11. Care Packages (Ministry Leader: _____________) - these are bags that would be given out to all that we come in contact with that week. This would include a "Best of the Dells" booklet for the tourists that would include family-friendly activities; possibly coupons to some of these locations. This would also include a business card w/website. Additional items needed: sun block, chapstick, water w/either sticker or custom label including verse of scripture and website, gum or mints, lotion, hand sanitizer, tissues, bug spray, keepsake, and clear bags.

Assembling of bags could begin on Sunday following the Pow Wow meeting, before the evening of worship. We need bags ready to give out at the worship concert on Sunday evening.

ACTION: Find a keepsake item, including ordering information, that can be included in our 'needs' list. (Paul Zuelke)


ACTION: Look into either custom labels or stick on labels for water bottles and other items. (Matt Graf & Paul Z.)

12. Outdoor Worship Service (Ministry Leader: ___________) - Sunday at 5pm w/block party. Possible worship nights through the week.

ACTION: Find location and check into all-week availability (park by Mobil gas station). Investigate costs of park rentals, permits, etc. (Aaron R.)


ACTION: Get Family Fest Events on the Wisconsin Dells Calendar (Caryn J.)


ACTION: Look into bands to play, including Trinity's worship team. (Aaron R. and Faith G., Bob T. follow up with Ben S.)

13. Prayerwalking (Ministry Leader: ________) - suggested everyone participate in this Monday morning, as well as other times of the week if desired.

14. Elderly Visitation (Ministry Leader: Anne Zinsmeister) - Youth choir from Kristy Carr's church may be able to sing for assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Others may want to visit these places or shut-ins. Coordinate with C.E.F. events to have kids make crafts that would be delivered to the elderly (decorated clay pots - add this item to needs list?)

ACTION: Check w/2nd Harvest Food bank (Jenn Selbach)


ACTION: Also not mentioned, contact facilities to coordinate choir and visitation times (Anne Z.)

15. Hotel Lobby Ministry (Ministry Leader: __________) - Make balloon animals for kids while parents are checking in and/or during continental breaksfast.

ACTION: Contact Kayla Seamans at Great Wolf/Ben Seamans about others they know who work in resorts in the Dells. (Mark M.) Follow-up to find hotels that would welcome this service. (Caryn J.)

16. River of Life Buildings and Grounds (Ministry Leader: Frank Vandersump) - Provide a list of light construction items that would help R.O.L.

ACTION: Investigate the cost and feasibility of having volunteers construct a handicap ramp. (Frank V.)

17. Follow-up! (Ministry leader: __________)

ACTION: Sell our congregation on follow up. (Bob Turner)

ACTION: Follow-up cards with business card tear-off need to be designed. Agreed that we'll use the same logo for everything as the t-shirts. Funded by CBA Church Planting. Talk to Kristy about logistics of this.

ACTION: Develop simplified New Believer's packet. (Faith G.) Include Bibles on needs list. Make pdf file included in packet available on the website. (Bob T.)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO CONSIDER:

a. Funding - Vista Church in TX has committed to contributing $$ to a Dells Church plant. ($1000/mos)

b. Truitt & Sherry Easom will be staying in a camper in the Dells from May 15 through Aug 15. Truitt has web and computer skills. Sherry has secretarial skills. They can help with fliers/promotional materials. They will also be onsite!

ACTION: Assign them duties before, during, and after this event. (Mark Millman)

c. Chad & Sherry Ellis will arrive in June and will be helping with the Dells event.

ACTION: Assign them responsibilities. (Bob Turner)

ACTION: Begin scheduling times that you will need volunteers. Divide into morning, afternoon, and evening segments. (All Ministry Leaders)

NEXT MEETING: April 15th, 6-8pm at River of Life

ACTION: Set-up conference call for those at a distance (Kristy Carr)


ACTION: Set-up live streaming of the meeting via the web. (Aaron R. and Bob T.)


CURRENT NEEDS LIST:
Donations for printing expenses (for promotional materials, business cards, follow-up cards, new believers packets, Best of the Dells booklets)
ESV New Testament Bibles (www.crossway.org ISBN: 978-1-58134-835-4)
sun block
chapstick
gum or mints
lotion
hand sanitizer
tissues
bug spray
clear bags
Water bottles (looking into custom labeling)
Keepsake (looking into specific order information)

Let me know if I missed anything!
Caryn

Reminder - Meeting Tonight at 6 PM

Just a quick reminder that we are meeting tonight at 6 PM at River of Life Church in Portage. This meeting is to go over the brainstorming ideas and solidify them to activities and people.