Christian Encounter

July 2013

A Publication ofChristian Encounter Ministries

Tending Lives…Training Leaders…

Expressing the love of ChristExpressionswww.ChristianEncounter.org Phone: 530-268-0877

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Student Profile

Josiah’s downhill slide reversesby Mike Petrillo

It was a great opportunity for Josiah. For three or four months he was able to work alongside his older cousins at the Christian camp managed by his aunt and uncle. Everyday work had meaning and purpose as he volunteered at the camp. In return, the Word of God penetrated his soul, and the family life warmed his heart. He had landed in their home a few years after his mom passed away, leaving Josiah’s dad with his three siblings at home. Josiah had already begun a steady downhill slide long before mom took her own life, and the darkness became very deep after that loss.

While serving and being served at the camp, Josiah waited for an opening at CEM. One cousin was an intern with Christian Encounter and another was in the planning stages of internship. As Josiah waited, the healing began. His physical health returned and the cloud around his mind from drug use started to clear. Now, after nearly a year at CEM, many of those spiritual and emotional issues are well underway in counseling. Josiah returned to school and learned to discipline his

Josiah puts his graduation into perspective

“This year at this school was by far the best year I have ever had! The rest of my high school experience differed greatly; I was never focused on academics, and certainly not on God. My a�ention was on a vast array of other things—different types of drugs, drinking, parties, and girls. But that is not what school means to me anymore. I really enjoy learning now and hope to continue the search for knowledge and truth outside of high school.

“None of this would have been possible if it were not for the amazing teachers we have here at Christian Encounter and their dedication to us and to God—from Tom Kern, who has been the principal here for “at least a hundred years” and has seen so many students pass and fail, come and go, to Jon and Jenn Palmer, who have full-time jobs, and more recently a baby, but still made time to come and teach our science class and still have the energy to deal with us… Then there is Ms. Robbin (Adams) who tries so hard to make English class fun and

Josiah graduates!

mind, after squandering its potential for so many years. That difficult ba�le continued right up to the week before graduation, but the fruit was unmistakable. Josiah was on the honor roll for three quarters of his senior year, and all three cousins were cheering in the audience as he received his diploma on June 1st.

In a wonderful way, a very

surprising way, God wove together the Christian family to nurture Josiah through grief and loss and darkness. In a way only the Lord knows, Josiah’s future is in God’s hands. Working together, the entire Body of Christ is the place of healing for Josiah. Praise God for His wisdom, mercy and goodness toward us all.

exciting with candy and games even when she has to stay up the whole night to grade our papers. And of course, there is Suzanne (Hartley) the combination nurse, math, econ teacher and between her and Tom, they could teach any class under the sun…

“Last, but not least, there is Caryn (Galeckas). It’s kind of hard to think of her class (P.E.) as school, and not just a break from work program, but whether or not it felt like a class, it was always a welcome break.

“I can’t express how grateful I am to all of you for seeing this through and for believing in me, and more so, I am eternally grateful to all the staff, interns and students for making this place happen and saving lives.

“The power and the love of God are in this place. I have found them and I have salvation; that gift is be�er than anything the ranch or the world has to offer. But it’s only by the grace of Jesus Christ that He chose this place to be the door for him to come into my heart. This graduation is an amazing accomplishment, but it means li�le compared to the great work that has been done in my heart.”

Ryan Chepernich (pictured with his son, Abraham, and wife, Emily) receives the Alumni Award, given to a former student whose life and char-acter strengthens the body of Christ.

Alumni student newsToreigh Sco� (’12) is spending the summer with family in Wisconsin, where she is working three jobs to prepare for college in the fall! She is a lifeguard at a large indoor water park, a teacher’s aide, and a retail clerk at American Eagle.

Michelle Alva (’09) graduated Magna Cum Laude from William Jessup University May 18. She was nominated by the faculty for special recognition as one of the top 5% of the graduating class for outstanding character and academic excellence.

Jackie Turner (’10) received the Lewis Mick Memorial Scholarship at William Jessup University for her academic excellence, spiritual growth, and student involvement.

Congratulations to Annie Middlebrook (‘10) and Nick Jauken who were married April 27! They live in Atlanta, GA.

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“Pick your ba�les!” a wise person implored. Except that you don’t always get to. Some ba�les do indeed pick you. Other fights are not worth the time or effort that is expended. Many intra-church squabbles fall into this category. Many a long argument inside the confines of our own imagination are equally useless. And then there are those wars that need to be fought, but no one really wants a piece of it. Such is the fight for righteousness, for holiness, for godliness.

The risk is that others will see us as acting “holier than thou.” The key word is “acting.” If holiness is just for show, it in no way resembles holiness in the first place. When Paul wrote that all those who desire to live a godly life will face persecution, he pre�y much killed his recruitment theme. It was truth in advertising, but it doesn’t a�ract crowds. So, I admit, I am a reluctant volunteer.

Still, this is the time when we need to fight, just as it was in first century Jerusalem or Rome or Ephesus. It has long been known that being a Christian will bring resistance. It is a fight that picks us. At conversion, or baptism, or in the moment of repentance from sin, that target goes on our backs. Fortunately, we are not left defenseless. We have the armor of God—and it is mighty beyond description. We have the hope of eternal

Director’s View

Fighting the good fight together…by Mike Petrillo

life, which scares the life out of our enemy. We have the blood of Christ applied to mind and heart and spirit, which disables all other weaponry. We have the mighty Shepherd instructing us in the tactics of intercessory prayer and strategies of fasting and giving and serving, for which our enemy has no effective countermeasure. We fight a fight where death is not a loss. We observe the enemy’s apparent victories from a heavenly observation post. This fight is already won.

Nevertheless, too many days, for too many believers, we begin each day in lackadaisical fashion. No Word of God (sword), no shield (faith), no breastplate (righteousness), etc. The fighting is intense on all sides, and yet we are numb to it. Now I don’t recommend starting a spiritual fight. You don’t have to go looking. Just be humble all day today, and Jesus’ enemies will find you. They hated Jesus (the Ultimate Lord, King of Kings, Prince of Peace) for being a suffering servant. They’ll hate you just as well for minor acts

of service. You don’t have to dare the enemy to join the fray. He’s already in place. His ba�le cry is to sleep in, take it easy, rest your weary spirit. His plan is to cause in-fighting, back-biting, and incessant dividing (without multiplying). But if you must advance the ba�le, if you must take it to him, if you must not wait, then here are five fights you can win. 1] Pray for the Word of God to speed on in triumph (II Thess 3:1); 2] Reconcile with a human antagonist who could be standing side by side with you in the Body of Christ (II Cor. 5:18); 3] Give time or money or affection to someone who needs it (Ma� 25:40); 4] Repent of anything on the list of works of the flesh, and do all the other good stuff in Galatians 5; 5] Challenge the enemy to meet your friend Jesus, either in your home or at work, or at the edge of the field of Armageddon. If you walk with Jesus every day, you’re already winning the ba�le. You’re doing damage to the enemy, you’re recruiting new soldiers to the front lines, you’re raising a banner of love for the lost, and you’re ever nearer the reward every Christian lives for. “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your master.”

This is the fight you were born again for. This is our time to win the ba�le.

Anthony and Haywood continue to enjoy their relationship with Men’s House resident and former student Andrew.

Have you ever been part of something that turned out to be bigger than you expected? Would you do something like that again? Here’s your chance!

Get involved in the Agony by providing physical support for the riders—by “sagging.” The all-volunteer army of saggers includes nurses and EMTs who evaluate the health of riders; map-tackers and ham radio folks who keep track of their whereabouts on the road; computer operators who tally miles and pledges; massage therapists who soothe sore muscles; a host of people

Can’t ride?

You can still be part of the Agony!who keep the cyclists fed and hydrated; and the “pep squad” which buoys bikers’ spirits and keeps weary ones from tumbling off their bikes as they approach the sag stations. Motorcyclists patrol the course and bike mechanics fix flawed bicycles.

All this effort would be meaningless without the financial backing of a host of people who believe in the cause—the healing of hurting young people. Join this heavenly host and ride, sag, or support the event as you are able. It could be the highlight of your summer!

Jesse Gerald Justice Haywood

Finishing high school in January

2014:

Please make Agony pledges above and beyond your regular church and ministry donations.

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In missiology, three types of encounters are commonly discussed: truth encounter, allegiance encounter, and power encounter. Truth

After three days of training and a period of orientation, the summer interns are an enthusiastic, prepared team ready for service. Joining continuing interns Josh Pa�erson from Cincinnati, Ohio, Jason Hayward from Missouri, and Californians Alyssa Arcadi, and Shawna McCurley, are Josh Mangano, a senior

Interns do small things with great love

encounter is the challenge of the Truth against all the lies of this world. Think Truth Project. Allegiance encounter is a volitional challenge that leads to relationship. “This encounter involves making a choice to stand with God or with the Enemy.” Power encounter is where the power of God is exhibited against the powers of darkness. “It is often considered to be simply preparatory for truth and eventually allegiance encounter.” (munsonmissions.org) There are several arguments as to which is more effective, if at all, and they even change depending on which side of the globe you

are on. The one universal encounter that vies for a place among the other three is love encounter. Yes, Jesus performed miracles, He testified to the Truth, and He challenged allegiance to the world, but the most provocative thing that Jesus did was love people.

That is the essence of “Christian Encounter” and what we do here. It’s one huge love encounter, which is really a whole bunch of li�le encounters. As the

interns make lunch, play basketball, go on walks, and have late-night talks, it is as Mother Theresa said: “doing small things with great love.” Though a duty-bound person could come in and serve as an intern does, that kind of person would only be brought to their death by their duty-bound ways. When the motivation is love and not duty, and the Source of Love cannot be quenched, the self-sacrificing service of the intern leads to life as they

truly experience that to “live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Christian internet columnist Charles Moore uses the early church during time of plague as a model for how Christians should respond today, In an age of impersonal medicine, fear of death, social isolation, and mounting catastrophe, today’s church has the opportunity to go beyond the precautions of quarantine and vaccine and trust in the ultimate protection: Love. Instead of retreating from the onslaught of

pain and death, the church has the chance to demonstrate that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Instead of fear, which makes it difficult to look beyond the precautionary, followers of Christ can show the world that it is in giving our lives away that we find life. How we live and how we die is our message. If we would but dare more in faith, here and now, then perhaps, like with the early church, an outpouring of new life and real hope, instead of terror and flight, will sweep the earth.

I believe that the Ranch is a place where there is an outpouring of new life and real hope, and that is in large part due to the loving devotion and sacrifice of interns. In giving their lives away, they find abundant life. The life of an intern requires tremendous faith.

It is hard to quantify the work of an intern, because how do you quantify God’s love? Though you may try to explain to friends what you do through measureable things like cooking, supervising, and mowing, when it comes down to it what an intern does is immeasurable.

If we were to draw the metaphor that the church is the School of Love, then the Ranch must be the University of Love, and I’ve just finished my freshman year.

Interns (front to back): Alyssa Arcadi, Shawna McCurley, Corrie Davis, Jonathan Mangano, Whitney McKenzie, Diana Shevchenko, Jackie Turner, Josh Pa�erson, Jaclyn Romero, Jason Hayward. Staff Mark Andrews and Nate Boyd. (Not pictured: Shannon Garner.)

by Zoya Lee2-year intern

Josh’s pride in Josiah is apparent. Shawna’s interest encourages Jessica.

Big crew of qualified summer interns are ready for action.

psychology major from Lincoln University in Lincoln, IL; Whitney McKenzie, a senior at Point University in Atlanta, GA; Corrie Davis from Pasadena City College; and Shannon Garner who was a summer intern last year. She recently graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo with a degree (and teaching credential) in education.

Coming October 12AUTUMN WORK DAY!

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Alumni Intern Family NewsBobby and Paula (Plischke) Susic’s (‘84) family changes include Kyle’s engagement; Caleb’s graduation with an AA and a Fire Science Degree and his completion of the California Regional Fire Academy, where he was named the Most Outstanding Recruit; and Brooklyn’s continuation in the US Coast Guard in New Orleans. Brandon and Mckayla continue in school. The Susics live in Cool, CA.

Jessica Ma�hies (’02) is working full time as an addictions counselor at Alberta Health Service (Canada), and she has started a new business besides! The new venture is “Preserve Food Skills” and is focused on building community through teaching traditional food skills.

Alena Egense (’10) recently graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, with a Masters in Genetic Counseling.

Autumn Webster (’04) married Chris Layman June 23 in Virginia Beach, VA. Chris is a firefighter and is in the construction business. Congratulations!

Destry (Morales) (‘96) and Aaron Wardle have moved to Boulder, CO, to become part of the staff at Cornerstone Church.

Jan Kern (‘80) recently com-pleted work at Western Semi-nary for her Transformational Coaching Certification.

Hurt 2.0: The focus of this book is “the systemic abandonment of our young” by society, meaning that young people have largely been left to fend for themselves emotionally and socially. It is based on Clark’s research project when he was a substitute teacher in a middle-class, ethnically diverse California public high school, a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School for excellence in academics. He conducted many interviews and received hundreds of le�ers and poems from students at that school about their lives. He also conducted numerous follow-up focus groups with high school students across the country. The recurring theme in the students’ feedback was

their hurt.Clark states that a major

need for today’s youth is safety. Although there are exceptions in healthy families and some social institutions, today’s youth largely feel unsafe; therefore, they intuitively believe they have no choice but to create their own world in order to survive. We see that world reflected in their peer groups and their activities, many of which are harmful and unhealthy. The author states that teens “have an amazing ability to band together in a way that satisfies their longing to connect with others while trying to navigate the difficult journey of adolescence,” a process he describes as “burrowing beneath the surface to create

their own safe place.” Along with a lack of safety, today’s teens are emotionally and relationally starved and incredibly lonely. Their myriad of friends and activities cannot adequately substitute for what they lack—a relationally-focused home where they know they are welcome and loved—a safe place.

Hurt 2.0 is the most insightful book I’ve read to date on our current youth culture, those whom we call the “Millenial Generation.” I believe that Clark has his finger on the pulse of today’s youth, and is as well-versed on current youth culture as anyone I’ve read or met in my 30 years of youth work. His unique combination of many years of hands-on

Mark Andrews’ book review

HURT 2.0: INSIDE THE WORLD OF TODAY’S TEENAGERS by Chap Clarkyouth ministry with Young Life along with his extensive research provides a balanced and revealing look at the inner-workings of today’s youth socially, emotionally, and psychologically.

This is not an easy-read “how-to” book. It does contain insightful ideas and suggestions; but, primarily, it is an academic, research-based book whose purpose is “to open the eyes of adults who care about the state of mid-adolescents in American society.” Its value is that it is practical and comprehensive in its scope, covering the major aspects of teens’ lives, including peers, school, family, sports, sex, stress, ethics and morality, partying and social networking, among others.

Australia’s Grant Norsworthy (formerly of Sonicflood fame) surprised us with a visit and con-cert. His music and perspective on worship are inspiring.

Ranch NeedsNew bicycle tire inner tubesGlow sticksBa�eries: AAAs, AAs Lumber rack for 1995 Ford

RangerTwo calvesSix-drawer chests of

drawersTwin captain’s bedsInternal frame backpacksMatching twin sheets for

Women’s HouseGarden and power tools for

Men’s House WorkbenchSoccer ballsLarge cans of tunaJams and jelliesCommercial-grade garden

hosesEnergy bars

BlessingsPlastic cutlery, paper plates, hot chocolate, energy bars, trail mix, peanut bu�er, tuna, lots and lots of good food, 6 new volleyballs, 2 new 8’ baseboard heaters, twin captain’s bed, recliners, easy chair, o�oman, office chair, trash compactor, 12 new devotional books, household goods, craft supplies, backpack, water purifier, bear-proof barrel, 2 camelbacks, air beds, clothing, toiletries, tire and ba�ery tool kit, solar light sets, pruning tools, water nozzles, new pillows, tents, air beds, mosquito lanterns, power station for car, 2 disc golf baskets, rolling cooler, new carpet for staff house, portable generator, pruning shears, sprinkler nozzles, Roundup, 2 new bicycles.

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HonorariumsMaterial gifts sometimes fail to express the depth of regard we may have for a friend or relative. A donation in appreciation of such a one is a living, working gift to God.

MemorialsMemorials are given not because someone died, but because someone lived and blessed our lives.

Given by:Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

John and Carol EdneyKathy McCardia

Keith and Kim DawsonGilbert and Gretchen Zaballos

Mike and Susie Petrillo

In Memory of:Be�y Greer

Harriet SmithHarriet SmithHarriet SmithHarriet Smith

Lorraine Chase

Given by:William and Rhoda Herda

In Honor of:Caryn Galeckas

Christian Encounter Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational, residential program helping 16- to 25-year-olds by providing love, spiritual guidance, high school education, counseling, and 24-hour supervision. Internships are offered to qualifying upper-level college students and graduates. CEM is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountibility and the Association of Christian Schools International. All gifts are tax deductible.

Justice is quick to smile and laugh and ask questions and make visitors feel comfortable and welcome! She is the recipient of the Founders’s Award for the further education of a notable CEM student who has persevered to overcome obstacles—a high honor.

Zoya Lee (see picture and

article on page 4) finished her internship a year ago, but has stayed at CEM to volunteer her

considerable talents. She received the Outstanding

Service Award.

Local volunteers needed to be on call for special projects. If

you are a retired plumber, carpenter, or landscaper with a flexible schedule, please call

Marion Parker at Christian Encounter Ranch. (268-0877)

Camping cabins are ready for Family Camp’s capac-ity crowd.

Li�le known CEM facts1. CEM is 43 years old!2. 44% of the full-time employees are women.3. The monthly grocery budget is $600.4. We have 25 tomato plants in the garden.5. The ranch well produces 80 gallons per minute

and services six homes, in addition to the dorms and other ranch buildings.

6. There are four ponds on CEM property.7. The main “lodge” building has had eight addi-

tions built on.8. The current Ranch cow’s name is Moolissa. She

needs bovine companions.9. A mile of irrigation ditch borders the property.

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Students vs. staff Ultimate Frisbee game upsetFrom the opening toss the dye was cast as the students blitzed the staff with a 20-3 win! Ouch!

Big turnout to workChildren, teens, parents, and retirees come out for CEM’s annual Spring Work Day—helping to ready the property for summer.

That’s a bowl of berries!Every activity creates a need for food! Work Day volunteers prepare a feast for the hot, hun-gry laborers.

Welcome to CEHSChristian Encounter High School Open House, an annual event in May, affords an opportunity for community folks to view the stu-dents’ work.

Out of state gangGenerational Leader-ship, a college-age group of 25 from the Seatle, WA, area, presented an evening of music (and stomp), then stayed to work for two days.

RECENT EVENTS AT THE RANCH

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDGRASS VALLEY, CA

PERMIT NO. 60

Christian Encounter MinistriesPO Box 1022Grass Valley, CA 95945

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

•

The Annual 24-HourAGONY BICYCLE RIDE

July 26-27, 2013

Purpose: Provides scholarships for CEM students

Past: Has raised more than $2,225,000 in 31 years to provide

for hundreds of students!

Plan: Ride, sag, or sponsor participants to continue the care

and love for CEM’s kids!

Go to christianencounter.org to participate now!