Help MAM Grow!

Thanks to the Calvin Worship Institute grant (Yay Dr. Michelle!), MAM has funds this summer for two book discussions.  We can buy up to 20 books for each group.  You'll have a couple of months to read an interesting book on an important ministry topic and then spend an hour or so toward the end of the summer talking about it with others here at MAM.  (Discussion dates TBD.)  The aim is to develop greater congregational capacity in these areas--please join us!

Group 1

Helping Our Children Grow in Faith by Robert J. Keeley

This book group is for those who work in children's ministry as well as parents and other family members.  Dr. Keeley is a professor of education at Calvin and a children's minister in his own church.  It's short and easy to read with a focus on the practical application of theory.  The book is designed to make children's ministry more effective by building a strong faith foundation and focusing instruction on children's developmental levels.

Group 2

Biblical Teachings on Loving Your Immigrant Neighbor

Group members will read one of three books; we'll talk about all three in the discussion, sharing what we've learned with others.

• The God Who Sees: Immigrants, the Bible, and the Journey to Belong by Karen Gonzalez. Ms. Gonzalez works for World Relief; the chapters alternate between biblical immigration stories and the author's own experiences as an immigrant.

• Beyond Welcome, also by Karen Gonzalez.  (What can we say?  She's good!)  This book helps those who welcome new neighbors think about ways to develop genuine community that goes beyond merely offering assistance when needed.

• Migrant God: A Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice by Isaac Samuel Villegas.  Rev. Villegas is a Mennonite pastor who advocates for justice for immigrants.  He believes that God is a migrant because "God moves with people as they wander through the wilderness of this world," and he writes about how understanding God as a migrant can enrich our faith individually and collectively.

Email green@hope.edu by June 20 if you're interested.