National Community Church - aone:eight

Welcome: What this is all about…

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:59:48 +0000

This is the seventh edition of the NCC A1:8 missions newsletter! We hope that this will accomplish three goals: 1) give opportunity to the greater community to participate in the experiences of our missions teams and the amazing work that God is doing around the world 2) be an educational resource to learn more about each of the seven issues A1:8 is focused on this year 3) provide a space for missions events, fundraisers, prayer requests, and art to be highlighted and lifted up. Perhaps this will inspire a life lived more fearlessly.

Issue Brief: HIV/AIDS

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:58:34 +0000

HIV/AIDS IS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGES WE FACE TODAY. The virus is the world’s top infectious killer, claiming over 27 million lives to date. Nearly 1.8 million die every year from HIV/AIDS. The killer is also surprisingly close to home – DC has an unusually high number of people affected. More than three percent of DC residents have HIV/AIDS. This rate is three times the official threshold of what constitutes an epidemic. DC’s HIV/AIDS rate is 11 times higher than the national average.

Photos courtesy of Kerry Ensinger and Sarah Bayot

Arts & Mission: South Africa

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:57:19 +0000

Back in the Field: Eating Elephants, Michael Higdon

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:56:45 +0000

Wrapping up South Africa is like eating an elephant (which we got up close and personal to!), you can only do it one bite at a time and probably over several months!…For me, the trip was an emphatic reminder of God’s irrefutable faithfulness. Even before the trip was a reality, there were times when it didn’t make much sense or it felt like obstacles were in the way, even obstacles that perhaps I helped erect, but GOD was at work even in the challenges…But GOD brought the right 10 people to Richards Bay…GOD’s timing is perfect – Just enough, Just in Time…

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. – Deuteronomy 31:5-6

The point is that we can often see the overwhelming need either in our own personal world or the world at large and begin to feel GOD is absent and grow discouraged. This is not the heart GOD wants for his children in DC, South Africa or anywhere. ”Be strong and courageous!” for GOD promises to be there – trouble is we can’t always see it. South Africa was a reminder of GOD’s elephant-sized faithfulness – too big to consume.

Read A1:8 South Africa Team Blog –>

Quote: South Africa

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:55:44 +0000

“I want to find joy in my life – in my mission field – here and now. I always want to get goosebumps at the sight of the Capitol. I also want my heart to break for the things that break the heart of God. Those things certainly exist in South Africa, but they exist in DC, too.“ – Jamie Higdon

Snapshots in the Community: The Other City

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:53:16 +0000

Addressing the gravity and reach of HIV/AIDS in our city, NCC partnered with several local churches to host a screening of “The Other City.” On the soccer field of Harriett Tubman Elementary School located in Columbia Heights, the event provided opportunity for local organizations to talk with and educate community members on their scope of work and give insight into the complexities of HIV prevention, treatment, advocacy, policy, challenges, and successes. The Other City frames the issue from the perspectives of individuals and organizations that work and live with HIV. Each of these storytellers give dimension and breath to the struggle of combating the virus in DC, revealing a side of our city whose shadow grows at an alarming rate in our very own nation’s capital. Described in further detail, “In every city, there’s another city that visitors rarely see. But this other city isn’t just anywhere—it’s in Washington, D.C. The very city that is home to the capitol of the most powerful country in the world has an HIV/AIDS rate that is not only the nation’s highest, but rivals some African countries.” Speaking with Patty Wudel, Executive Director for Joseph’s House, she gives insight into their role during the filming and what she hopes viewers take away.

Click here to read more about The Other City and watch the trailer –>

Witness:

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:52:55 +0000

Looking Ahead to 2011-2012 Missions:

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:51:25 +0000

aone:eight 2012 trailer

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:50:25 +0000

A stop motion video project by Dylan Byrd, Dave Schmidgall, and Jason Yost.

What is ACT?

aoneeight — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:49:52 +0000