Why we love bad stats - Metro Voice News

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C E L E B R A T I N G FA I T H , FA M I L Y A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N N O R T H E A ST K A N S A SNow in our 8th Year!VOLUME 8 • NUMBER 6

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NEW RESIDENT

Wanamaker Woods Church of theNazarene

The Area’s Most Complete Event Guide

AVERAGE: In a recent study of economic freedom in North America, Kansasranked in the middle of the pack nationwide, but trailed most surroundingstates. Recent policy changes are designed to change that.

VISIT US AT

C5 Christian ChamberPlans Easter Parade

(KansasWatchdog.org) — The Sunflower State scoredmiddle of the pack in a recent study of economic freedom inNorth America, and while policy analysts say Kansas is trend-ing in the right direction, the state still has some ground tocover.Breaking down the data released last month by the

Canada-based Fraser Institute, an independent, nonpartisanresearch and educational organization, Dave Trabert, presi-dent of the conservative Kansas Policy Institute, said thenumbers show what Kansas needs to do to improve.“The biggest thing it can do is deal with the fact that we

have a lot more government in Kansas than we need, and this

Kansas seeks to reverse past economic trends

nn Please see TRENDS page 3

It seems that Easter is the only majorholiday that doesn’t have a parade in thecity of Topeka. That is about to change!Capital City Christian Chamber of

Commerce (C5) will hold the TopekaEaster Parade & Family Fun Fair onSaturday, April 19, 2014. The parade willbe the first of its kind and will be heldinside Gage Park. A Family Fun Fair willbe held in conjunction with the parade,and will blend in with the other regularactivities at Gage Park, such as the Zoo,the Carousel and the Mini-Train.Churches, non-profits and local business-es will take part in the parade, as well assetting up booths at the Fun Fair. Bands

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2014 Spring Retreat Guide PAGE 8

Travis Perry | Kansas Watchdog

Kansas Prayerbreakfast to

feature formerMLB player

No matter the weather, about a thou-sand people will show up very early forbreakfast at the Ramada Inn in downtownTopeka on Friday, March 28th. As severalbuffet lines open for serving at 6:00 a.m.,the banquet hall will be filled withKansans from all walks of life. The occasion is the 53rd annual Kansas

Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by TopekaFellowship, Inc. Statewide leaders in gov-ernment, business, education and indus-try will be on hand as usual as the pro-gram begins at about 6:45 a.m. This year’s featured speaker will be

Brian Holman, a former Major LeagueBaseball player.After a successfulcareer with theMontreal Expos,the SeattleMariners and theCincinnati Reds,Holman wasforced to retire in1994 due to an

arm injury. He began his business careerin 1995. From 2000 to 2013 he served as aManaging Director as well as a Sr. ClientAdvisor with Ronald Blue & Co. Holmannow focuses a majority of his attention onhis motivational speaking. He alsoremains heavily involved in youth baseballwhere he conducts private pitching les-sons, camps and clinics.Involved with many charitable organi-

zations, Holman currently serves on theboard of directors for the Kansas City

by Lee Hartman

Private education, whether on theK-12 or college level, continues to be animportant topic to many Christian par-ents. Add to that the growing number offamilies considering homeschooling,and it is no wonder the ChristianEducation Expo on March 1 will attract

thousands of people. The 16th annualevent, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2p.m. on March first, will again be held atColonial Presbyterian Church, 9500Wornall Road in south Kansas City, justnorth of I-435.

Parents looking both at K-12

P a r e n t s F i n d E d u c a t i o n E x p o I n v a l u a b l e T o o lMarch 1 event will host50 Christian colleges,area K-12, homeschoolresources & seminars

False FactsFalse Facts

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – We’ve all gotten the emails or seen theFacebook posts–strange and fairly believable facts on justabout everything. For most, we know to do a little research

before we pass them on or share over the water cooler.Sometimes these unresearched “factoids” make it intothe evening news or even the Sunday sermon.Like this one, which came halfway through a recent

sermon I heard on marriage. Things are scary out there,the preacher told us. And there’s no difference betweenpeople sitting in these pews and everyone else when itcomes to divorce.

It made a great sermon illustration. Only it’s nottrue, according to Bradley Wright, a sociologist at theUniversity of Connecticut and author of ChristiansAre Hate-Filled Hypocrites ... and Other Lies You’ve

Why we love bad statsBob Smietana | Lifeway

nn Please see BAD STATS page 2 n Please see EDUCATION page 3

nn Please see BREAKFAST page 3

R E C E N T C H A N G E SH AV E T H E STAT E O N

T H E U P T U R N

nn Please see EASTER PARADE page 5

Senior LivingGuide PAGE 18

2 • February 2014 ____________ ________ MetroVoiceNews.com __________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

Affordable Care Act:UPDATE DETAILS

On January 13, 2014, The Departmentof Health & Human Services released itsASPE Issue Brief on the enrollment num-bers for the Affordable Care ActMarketplaces through December 28, 2013.Following are updates for the enrollmentsin Kansas.Kansas enrollees up to December 28,

2013 have num-bered 14,242. Ofthat 56% werefemales and 44%were males.Distribution by agehas been: under theage of 18 is 5%; age18 – 25 is 9%; age 26– 34 is 18%; age 35 –44 is 15%; age 45 – 54 is 19%; age 55 – 64is 34%; and in the important 18 – 34demographic...27%. Enrollment by plan metal level has

been: Bronze is 17%; Silver is 54%; Gold is25%; Platinum is 3%; and Catastrophic is2%. 74% of enrollees qualified for finan-cial assistance and 26% applied withoutassistance.I have some additional information and

wanted to share this so that you wouldhave a better understanding of the issuesinvolved. In a previous article I said, “Thenew plans are more affordable than cur-rent plan offerings,” I said that youngmales are seeing 95% rate increases overall,young females are seeing 60% rate increas-es overall, and the overall market in Kansasis increasing about 35%. The stated per-centage premium increase reflects only myestimates based on projections rather thanactual, filed rates and fails to account forthe portion of the projected increase dueto causes other than the provisions of theACA.Under the statement, “If you like your

doctors you can keep them,” asserts thatthe FFM plans have narrow networks thatwill force consumers to change providersor pay more out of pocket to use non-net-work providers. Sometimes you will haveto go out of network to get your doctor. Ido not want to imply, that policy holders

will experience inferior quality or limitedavailability of care with those providers; atleast with respect to BCBS, because BCBSproviders receive the same reimbursementrate under all qualified health plans. Also, as I pointed out in my December

article St. Francis Hospital in Topeka is aBCBS provider. In addition, my statementsabout narrow networks and reducedprovider reimbursement rates under FFMplans did not apply to BCBS plans.I stated, “If you are a traveler do not buy

a plan on Healthcare.gov. . . these planshave KS networks . . . buy an off Exchangeplan that has a national network . . . It willcost you more than the subsidized plansbut will protect you MUCH better as youtravel.” More accurately, when you travelyou will be covered for emergency care asif it were in network, and the provisionsunder all qualified plans are the samewhether purchased through the exchangeor your agent.Navigators and certified application

counselors are trained and certified toassist with the application process only andmay not recommend a particular plan;and while some may be employees ofproviders, and the possibility exists thatsome of them could violate the rules byencouraging the choice of a particularplan, the navigators and CAC’s may also tobe volunteers and/or be affiliated withlibraries or social service agencies with nomotive to do so.In fact, consumers are not directly or

indirectly charged a fee to use the FFM,although they might be in the future. Theadministration is still working on how toprocess this part.Keep in mind insurance agents are typ-

ically compensated primarily by commis-sion on the sales of insurance products andit is reasonable to infer some motivationfor material gain. Most agents attempt towork in the best interest of their clients.

Scott Day

Day

Been Told.Wright looked at marriage statistics

from the General Social Survey (GSS), anational random survey of Americans,taken since the 1970s. Half of the“Nones”—people who claim no reli-gious identity—were divorced. Only 42percent of self-identified Christians—and members of other faiths—weredivorced.Catholics (35 percent) were least like-

ly to divorce, followed by MainlineProtestants (41 percent) and evangelicals(46 percent). Believers who show up tochurch every week were even less likelyto divorce.Wright, who has been writing about

faith and divorce rates since 2006, foundthat only about a third of evangelicals(34 percent) and Mainline Protestants(32 percent) and a quarter of Catholics(23 percent) who go to church aredivorced. Still the myth that churchgoersdivorce at the same rate as everyone elsepersists. Wright thinks we pay moreattention to bad news than to goodnews.“We pay a lot more attention to things

that are dangerous,” he said. “If I’m driv-ing down the road, I can pass 200 parkedcars and not notice them. But if I see anaccident—I will stop and look.”Mark Regnerus, a sociologist at the

University of Texas in Austin, said some-thing called “confirmation bias” mightbe at work. In other words, people likestatistics that reinforce their beliefs. Ifpeople are fearful that marriages are introuble, he said, they’ll tend to believestatistics that confirm those fears.Even if those statistics aren’t exactly

right.Regnerus said using bad statistics

about marriage is appealing—becausebad news can motivate people to action.But it can also undermine the credibilityof a pastor’s message.“I am glad pastors want to strengthen

marriages,” he said. “And bad news canbe galvanizing… But we trust our pas-tors to tell us the truth.”

Are Christians really bad tippers?Marriage isn’t the only subject where

perceptions about Christians don’tmatch with statistics. It’s also the casewith tips believers leave servers.Earlier this year, a trip out to eat

turned into a nightmare for the Rev.Alois Bell of the World DeliveranceMinistries Church in Granite City, Ill.Bell and a group of friends went toApplebees. Following company policy,their server, Chelsea Welch, added anautomatic tip to the bills.Bell was not pleased.“I give God 10%,” Bell wrote on the

bill. “Why do you get 18?”Welch posted the check on Facebook,

and it went viral. She eventually wasfired, while Bell apologized (indicatingshe’d left a cash tip) after her note madeheadlines.Turns out Welsh isn’t the only server

to have a bad run in with church folks.Karen Swallow Prior, an English pro-

fessor at Liberty University, worked herway through college as a waitress.Christians were notorious for being badtippers, she wrote in a piece forChristianity Today’s website.“My fellow servers called them the

‘Holy Rollers,’” she wrote. “Knowingthere would be little, if any, tip left at the

end of their meal, the servers saw theChristians’ robust attempts at ‘friendli-ness’ instead as pushy and arrogant. Thememories still pain me now.”But a study from Michael Lynn of

Cornell University and Benjamin Katzof HCD Research, showed that, overall,Christians are pretty good tippers. Theironline survey of 1,068 Americans foundthat the average Christian tipped 17 per-cent for good service. Only about one ineight Christians left a smaller tip forgood service. The national average is justunder 15 percent for all tippers.The problem is that there are a lot of

Christians out there. And since we tendto remember bad news, a fewbad tippers give all theother Christians a badname. Another prob-lem is that with somuch media atten-tion, several recent“bad tipper”episodes havebeen found to befalse with waitersand waitressesf a l s i f y i n greceipts in orderto gain media atten-tion, sympathy and donations from agullible public.

The sky is falling phenomenonStatistics about the future of the

church also give pastors and otherchurch leaders a hard time. Like this one:“94 percent of Christian young peopleleave the church never to return,” whichwas used to promote a major Christianconference several years ago. It’s partlytrue -- young people do tend to drop outof church.A 2009 LifeWay Research study of

1,000 young Protestants found thatseven out of 10 stopped attendingchurch for a time after high school.A few more details: the students sur-

veyed had all attended church for at leasta year in high school. Most dropped outbecause of a life change—such as goingto college—and just over a third hadcome back to church by age 30.The idea of anyone dropping out of

church is a concern, but there’s no signyoung people are forsaking the churchin droves.

Left-handed people, Texans, catsAnother bad statistics was used

recently by a megachurch pastor to pro-mote a Christian conference: “There aremore left-handed people, more Texans,and more pet cats than evangelicals inAmerica.” Actually, one-third of theclaim is true.There are more cats (and dogs) than

evangelicals in the U.S. But not Texans orsouthpaws.While there are about 95 million cats

in the U.S., according to the HumaneSociety, there are between 50 million(Religious Congregations &

Membership Study, 2010) and 75 mil-lion evangelicals (Pew Research).That’s more than the estimated num-

ber of southpaws—between 30 and 45million Americans—and Texans (26.6million, according to the U.S. Census).Going one for three might be good in

baseball, but it’s bad for preachers.Bad statistics persist because they

work—at least in the short term. Theyhelp sell books and tickets to confer-ences, make good sermon illustrations,and get people in church fired up. Theproblem, said Ed Stetzer, president ofLifeWay Research, is that bad statisticsdon’t solve real problems.It’s difficult to solve a problem when

you don’t understand it, said Stetzer.Too many bad statistics can alsoundermine a leader’s credibility. Gettoo many facts wrong, and it’s harderfor people to trust you.

Setting the record straightPerhaps it’s time for Christians,

including preachers and conferencespeakers, to be more discerning when itcomes to statistics. Pigs can’t fly.Stetzer said Christians should view all

statistics with healthy skepticism. That’sespecially true if a statistic is found in anadvertisement. Ads, said Stetzer, are usedto sell things. They’re not particularlyconcerned with getting the facts right.Also, beware any statistic that can’t beverified.“Ask, how do you know that?” said

Stezter. “If you can’t think of a way toverify a statistic, it’s probably not true.”He also said to be wary of stats that don’tmatch reality.“It’s okay to apply your own censor, to

say this doesn’t make sense,” Stetzer said.It’s important to realize all research is

imperfect and context matters.Researchers don’t have unlimitedresources. They can’t interview or polleveryone. Instead they interview a repre-sentative sample of people, asking a fewquestions.So go to the source. Find out who did

the research, how many people theyinterviewed and what specific questionswere asked, before assuming the researchis valid.For example, a poll from professional

researchers using a large sample will like-ly be more reliable than an informal polltaken by a professor of the students inclass.Finally, look at more than one study.“To understand the whole picture,

responsible researchers look at variousstudies, their methodologies, and theirresults,” Stetzer wrote in a 2010 storyabout bad statistics for ChristianityToday. “We reach bad conclusions whenwe latch onto one finding of one study,drag it out of context, and proclaim itfrom the rooftops without knowingwhether our interpretation is justified.”Facts are our friends, as Stetzer often

says. Just make sure the facts are true.

BAD STATScontinued from page 1

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ____________________ February 2014 • 3

PreachingToday.com, a ministry ofChristianity Today, announced therelease of a previously unpublished ser-mon by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called

"Guidelines for aC o n s t r u c t i v eChurch."Originally deliv-

ered during theheight of theAmerican CivilRights Movement onMay 29, 1966, thissermon was an

exhortation on Luke 4 given toCornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn,New York. Now for the first time, thetranscript and audio of this sermon areavailable for free exclusively onPreachingToday.com. King reminds hislisteners that it is not an easy task, because"the cross means what it says. It is some-thing that you die on." However, Dr. Kingalso proclaims a message of perseveranceand hope that Jesus will never leave.

By offering full access to this sermonfor free, PreachingToday.com is welcom-ing readers to participate in an ongoingconversation about the civil rights leaderand his sermon through Black HistoryMonth. In addition, PreachingToday willoffer reflections on Dr. King's sermonfrom several contributors, including thecurrent senior pastor of CornerstoneBaptist Church, Rev. Lawrence Aker III.Visit PreachingToday.com.

Unpublished KingSermons released

KING

options and high school students scout-ing colleges come with specific ques-tions in mind, said Anita Widaman,who started the Expo in 1999.

“Parents of younger students want toknow: what curriculum is used? What isthe worldview of the school? Is there anestablished fine arts program? What test-ing measure is used? What about sportsand extracurricular activities? and, ofcourse, can I afford it?” she stated.

These parents and college-boundstudents also appreciate the opportuni-ty to visit with administrators, admis-sions counselors and teachers.

“For high school students, prayer-fully choosing the right college can stillbe a daunting task,” said DwightWidaman, KC Metro Voice editor andExpo coordinator. “By the time theyreach their junior year like my daughter,

Emma, the mailbox is full of collegeadmissions brochures.”

For these teenagers, the college por-tion of the Expo offers a time-savingway to talk with dozens of universitiesand get a sense of what each college has

to offer. “They can ask the admissions coun-

selor about degrees and emphasis but alsoabout campus and community life, easeof transition, living away from home,rules, food and, of course,” said Widaman,“scholarships and financial aid.”

For 16 years, Metro Voice has organ-ized the Education Expo to help parentsand students grappling with these ques-tions. Last year, the event hosted collegesfrom 15 states as far away as Arizona,Virginia and Michigan.

Homeschooling organizations ledseminars for parents wondering if theywere up to teaching their children athome. For these families, it was an excel-lent way to learn about state laws, cur-riculum and hear from home educatorswho had the same questions when theystarted down that road themselves.

The expo typically draws severalthousand people who are looking atvarious levels of education including K-12, homeschooling, plus high schoolstudents eager to visit with dozens ofcollege admission representatives.

“This is a great opportunity for par-ents to visit with quality schools andmeet the teachers and administrators,”said Anita Widaman. “It’s really a one-stop shopping experience”.

“It’s an especially worthwhile drivefor students looking for a wide variety ofcollege options,” Dwight Widaman said.“With the price of gas, and busy sched-ule, it is easy to see the value of having somany schools under one roof.”

Colleges from many states willattend including Missouri, Kansas,Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas,Colorado, and Virginia. They includesmall Midwest colleges plus large oneslike Liberty University and ORU.Several popular mini-seminars will

return with expanded offerings: TheJourney: Preparing for College 10 a.m.;Finding the Most Financial Aid 11 a.m.;History, Mission, and Vision ofHomeschooling 9:30 a.m.; Home-schooling 101 and Missouri Law 10:30a.m. and K-12 Education Options: PanelDiscussion by Parents 11:30 a.m.

Dwight Widaman shared a conver-sation he had with a mom who attend-ed the expo with her high school junior.

“The mom had attended the Expo11 years ago when she was looking for alocal Christian elementary school,” hesaid. “At the Expo she connected with aschool teacher on a personal level and allof her kids ended up attending that oneChristian school.”

The mom had now returned to theExpo that had helped her many yearsbefore and credited the Expo.

“It was full circle,” said Widaman.“We had helped her connect withChristian education that had impactedher family in a powerful way and now,eleven years later, she was back to con-tinue their journey as she and her sonlooked for a Christian college.”

For more information, visitwww.metrovoicenews.com.

is just one of the latest (studies) to pointthat out,” Trabert said.The Fraser report looked at things such

as how much the government contributesto the overall state economy and work-force, levels of tax revenue, minimumwage laws and labor union density, amongother factors.Kansas ranked in the second-highest

quartile in terms of economic freedombased on data collected from 2011. Whilethat’s encouraging, the fact loses some ofits luster when you consider that the onlysurrounding state to rank lower wasMissouri. Oklahoma ranked 17th out ofall states, compared to Kansas’ 23rd placeranking. Nebraska and Colorado joinedDelaware, Texas, Nevada, Wyoming,South Dakota,Georgia, Utah and Illinoisto be named the 10 “most free” states.Trabert said based on a review of cen-

sus data provided by the Bureau of LaborStatistics, Kansas saw a 21.5 percentincrease in population between 1980 and2011, while at that same time local gov-ernment employment has increased 62.7percent.“It’s kind of across the board,” he said.

“Kansas, the structure itself, we have a lotmore government than most states.”Only looking at cities, counties and

townships, Trabert said, nationwide theaverage is about 8,066 residents per gov-ernment. In Kansas, that figure is signifi-cantly lower, clocking in at around 1,445state residents per government – andthat’s not even counting school districts ornumerous other, smaller governmententities. Kansas’ figures are five times thenational average.While the study knocks Kansas for its

2011 tax rates, Gov. Sam Brownback’s taxplan signed into law the following year,which decreases income tax rates, willlikely improve the state’s placement infuture studies.Still, the rankings of surrounding states

give Trabert cause for concern.Last year, when an analysis of IRS and

U.S. Census Bureau data revealed thatTexas, Florida, Colorado and other low-tax states have been veritable magnets forcash exiting Kansas.“It all comes down to how much you

spend,” Trabert said. “The more govern-ment you have, the more governmentspends, the more you have to tax people.”Brownback, speaking in his State of the

State message, agrees:“A decade of higher taxes, more spend-

ing and bigger government failed to deliv-er prosperity. In January 2011, fewerKansans were working in the private sec-tor than had been in January 2001,”Brownback noted. He went on to listchanges that have been made to reversethe trend:“We streamlined regulations, reformed

workers' compensation and went fromthe second highest tax burden in ourregion to the second lowest….Tax ratesfor all working men and women in Kansasjust went down again at the beginning of2014….We stopped counting on govern-ment to create prosperity and put ourfaith in the people of Kansas.”Brownback then noted encouraging

results already showing up:“Since December 2010, Kansas has

added, on average, more than a thousandprivate sector jobs every month, and ourunemployment rate has gone from 6.9percent to 5.1 percent – tied for the tenthlowest rate in the United States….We'veput cash in the bank, we're paying our billson time and we've balanced three budgetsin a row….And we've reversed a decades-long trend, as finally, the personal incomeof Kansas families is rising faster than gov-ernment spending….Not only is KansasTop 10 in employment, we are listedamong the Top 10 best states in which tomake a living and Top 10 for the lowestcost of living.”The least free states, according to the

Fraser Institute study, are Vermont, NewMexico, West Virginia, Mississippi, Maine,Kentucky, Montana, Arkansas, Hawaiiand Rhode Island.

Note: Metro Voice staff writers con-tributed to this report.

Metro and the Missouri State chapter ofThe Fellowship of Christian Athletes,Character that Counts, and Keepers of theSandlot. Additionally, he supports YoungLife, Pro Athletes Outreach, Children’sHospital, The Leukemia & LymphomaSociety and The National ChristianFoundation.Holman is a highly respected and

sought after motivational speaker. He andhis family know the pain of personal lossand have overcome great adversity.Holman uses his life experiences toencourage and inspire a host of audiences.His inspirational messages combined withstories from his professional playing days

have had a tremendous impact whenshared at churches, youth-family andmen’s outreach conferences, sports awardsbanquets, and corporate events across theUnited States and Canada.Holman enjoys coaching baseball,

upland bird hunting, fishing, weight liftingand collecting vintage baseball memora-bilia. He is a member of the Major LeagueBaseball Players Alumni Association, andin 2007 was inducted into the KansasBaseball Hall of Fame. He and wife Jamilive in Spring Hill, Kansas, and have fourchildren Scott, David, Jennifer and Kassidy.The audience will also hear from other

Kansas leaders,. Festivities will wrap up by 8a.m. Tickets are $18.00 per person or$180.00 for a table of ten. For reservationscall 234-6204 or [email protected].

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EDUCATIONcontinued from page 1

TRENDScontinued from page 1

BREAKFASTcontinued from page 1

Heavenly Father,No man we know is perfect.,

Including Washington:But we need to thank You, LordFor the good things he has done.

He gave his soldiers Chaplains,And attendance was required

At every worship serviceWhich he specified.

Soldiers could not gambleNor get drunk or curse;

And if they disobeyed, O God,

Things would get much worse!

He encouraged fasting,Thanksgiving and also prayers;And the soldiers who refusedNo doubt were very rare.

He added, “So help me, God!”To the inaugural oath.

No doubt hoping it would helpEach president’s spiritual growth.

Thank You for our first President!

I Pray in the Name of Jesus ChristAMEN

UncommonPrayers

Fred S.HollomonChaplain EmeritusKansas Senate

Prayers like this may be found in my Book of UncommonPrayers at Book Boutique at the Library, Wolfe’s CameraShop, the State Capital, and my Web site, fsh-kschap.org

4 • February 2014 ____________________ MetroVoiceNews.com __________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

Everyone wants a good, strong, happymarriage. Our marriages often start outwell. They are full of enthusiasm, joy, love,compassion, and devotion. But as timegoes by, couples often find it difficult tocarve out time, space, and energy for theirone true love.It seems so odd

and sad, but it is acommon story linewith a majority ofmarried couples.The things of life getin their way anddampen theromance that onceburned bright. A few years prior, nothingcould separate this pair of love birds. Nowpriorities have changed. Distractions areeverywhere. Demands must be met.Children must be fed. Bills must be paid.Somehow couples seem to lose the fire andenergy that brought them to the altar.We all need a wake up call when it come

to marriage. Everyone! We husbands needa reminder to date our wives and make hera priority. Wives need a reminder to loveand cherish husbands.February 7-14 is National Marriage

Week. It serves as the national alarm clockfor couples to remember why they gotmarried in the first place. It also allows

groups, organizations, and churches tojoin the fight in saving marriages acrossAmerica.If you are planning a marriage enrich-

ment event, a workshop, or presentation,join the campaign by sharing it on thenational website. Let your communityknow what resources are available in their

own backyard.This simple act cango a long way toencourage or evensalvage a couple onthe brink ofdivorce.N a t i o n a l

Marriage WeekUSA, offers several

marriage resources, date night suggestions,event guides, reading lists, and videos onhow to build a satisfying marriage. Checkout the website to find a tip, idea, or sug-gestion that can improve your marriage in2014.This can be the year that you turn

things around. Stop allowing distractionsand insignificant events to suck the lifeout of your relationship. Take time tostrengthen your marriage. Reconnectwith your spouse. Focus on the romancethat brought you together. Use NationalMarriage Week as a way to strengthenyour marriage and focus on the one youlove.

Marriage Enrichmentby John Potter | Military Chaplain

Chaplain’s Corner

Adopt Kansas Kids works to connect foster and approved adoptive families with children throughout Kansas who need adoption. This service is provided by the Kansas Children’s Service League through a contract with the

Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF).

www.adoptKSkids.org 877-457-5430

Every child deserves a loving, caring home. A family they can call their own. A place where they belong. With people who will be there for them always.

The news and information

you want...on-line.

metrovoicenews.com &

Facebook.com/metrovoicenews

The organization behind NationalMarriage Week USA (February 7-14)makes the case that marriage must bepart of the current political debate aboutincome inequality and how to reducepoverty. "Today 53 percent of all babies born to

women under age 30, are born outside ofmarriage," said Sheila Weber, executivedirector of National Marriage Week USA."If we had the marriage rates today thatwe had in 1970, we'd have 25 percent lesspoverty.""The decline of marriage is our most

neglected national emergency," saysWeber. "Yet the wealthy are doing a betterjob at keeping marriages intact and theirchildren are benefitting from the influ-ence of both male and female parentinginfluence and from enriching education-al habits in those homes."We must find ways to help impover-

ished single mothers learn more abouthow to enrich their own home life; anddespite their current circumstances, togive their own children a vision that mar-riage can be in their future aspirations,because marriage brings greater financialstability, better health, and brings thegreatest advantageous way to in turn raisetheir own children.""We need for ministries, non-profits,

schools and churches to find ways toserve fatherless boys, who may not be get-ting any messages that marriage can evenbe an attainable goal for them. The pen-dulum has swung too far away from thehistorical cultural norm of dutiful man-hood; we need a radical change of mes-sage, thinking and habits to raise the nextgeneration of young men. Of course,women also need some new messages --that forestalling sexual intimacy andchildbearing until marriage providesthem a healthier future and is best fortheir children," said Weber.National Marriage Week USA (Feb. 7-

14) is a campaign to increase marriageeducation nationwide and provides theonly online national marriage calendar tolist and locate any and all marriage class-es all year. To list or locate an event (it'sfree) -- click National Calendar atwww.nationalmarriageweekusa.org.

Marr iage must be par t o f pover ty/ income inequa l i ty debate


WHEN LIFE ISN’T FAIR“I know how to live in poverty or pros-

perity. No matter what the situation, I’velearned the secret of how to live when I’mfull or when I’m hungry, when I have toomuch or when I have too little. I can doeverything through Christ who strength-ens me.” – Philippians 4:12-13, God’sWord translation

As I read these words of Paul, I am cat-apulted back to Africa. A place where somany have so little yet rejoice in so much.When I last visited this continent of suchbeauty yet such lack, my heart wept.Though I had seen the poverty and injus-tices during visits before, my eyes werenewly opened and it didn’t take long toconclude… life isn’t fair.It’s not fair that one side of the world is

praying for the rains to stop so the floodswill dissipate while the other is desperate-ly crying out for rain so that no more peo-ple will die. It’s not fair that mommas anddaddies are dying way too young from adisease that is leaving their children andmillions of others orphaned and alone. It’snot fair that my fridge is full and I throwaway so many leftovers when so manymillions are dying because they havenothing. It’s not fair that I can bask undera steady flow of clear hot water for as longas I want when a large part of the globedoes not have even one cup of that sameclean water to drink.No, life is not fair. But we’re here any-

way. Born for such a time as this. How will we respond to the unfairness

of this world so ravished with the stains ofdarkness? Will we become calloused andinsensitive to those we can’t see? Will webecome hardened and bitter? Or will we,like Paul, allow our lights to shine as werecognize our utter dependence uponJesus for survival and contentment even inthe midst of the grim realities that sur-round us?

The worship services inMozambique consisted of hundreds ofpeople – many were natives who lived intiny makeshift huts. They had no beds;only mats which were placed on the hardred dirt. They had no running water orelectricity; only the mudded water from

wells which wereoften dry. Theyhad little food butdid possess vastmemories of lovedones who had diedprematurely dueto famine, war ordisease. There were widowed mommas,homeless orphans, men, women, chil-dren… people. People who breathe,hunger, thirst, love and mourn just like us.People with emotions and feelings, hopesand dreams. People who have so very littleyet remain so content. People who wearcontagious smiles and exhibit genuinepraise to the One they know is worthy,regardless of their circumstances in life.I watched as they praised God with

more exuberance than words could ade-quately describe. I watched as they prayed,fiercely and earnestly knowing they wereheard. I watched as they lifted their hands,closed their eyes and for hours wor-shipped Jesus – their everything – andthanked Him for the abundance they hadin Him.These people have it together. I do not.

Yet my heart cries out for the Lord to helpme learn through them the miracle ofcontentment, wherever I find myself inlife. Lord, help us. Help our hearts to be

stirred and our eyes to be focused on You– our everything. When life doesn’t seemfair, help us to put in our trust in You andknow that truly we can do all things whenit’s Your strength we’re dependent uponand not our own. May our praise andworship be genuine, our prayers sincereand our lives content in all things, on alldays. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Jessica Hosman

by Jessica S. Hosman

What can I do to fight human trafficking?Right now there are more slaves on

earth than at any other time in history: 27million worldwide. Many people want tofight this injustice, but how? As a follow-up to our January article, Metro Voicewants to share some good news inthe fight against human trafficking.Moody Publishers has teamed upwith Moody Radio to draw atten-tion to this horrific problem andempower people everywhere to helpprevent slavery/human trafficking,and rescue and restore victimscaught in this illegal trade.

Moody Radio is exposing thereality of the fastest-growing crimi-nal activity in the world and givingvoice to those who are working to bringfreedom and restoration to victims,through a series of conversations withministry leaders and on-the-ground

workers with firsthand experience. Theseconversations are available to listen to atfreethemtoday.org.

At the same site, Moody Publishers isoffering free e-books from experts who

are fighting injustice and want to helpothers do the same:

The White Umbrella: Walking WithSurvivors of Sex Trafficking, by Mary

Frances Bowley, president and founder ofWellspring Living, an Atlanta-basedorganization fighting childhood sexualabuse and exploitation since 2001.

Why Not Today: Trafficking, Slavery,the Global Church … and You, byMatthew Cork, lead pastor atFriends Church in Yorba Linda,Calif.

Gospel Justice: JoiningTogether to Provide Help and Hopefor Those Oppressed by LegalInjustice, by Bruce Strom, founderof Administer Justice, a Christianlegal aid organization serving theneeds of low-income and no-income individuals.

Moody Bible Institute also offers aMinistry to Victims of SexualExploitation. Details are available atmoody.edu/ministry-victims-exploitation.

Six Kansas communities to host exhibition from Smithsonian

playing at the Amphitheatre will be part ofthe festivities as well.The Fun Fair will take place from 10:00

a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the Parade itself willstart about 10:30am. Numerous churches,non-profit organizations, schools and localbusinesses are expected to enter floats andmarching bands, etc., in the parade. Severallocal and state celebrities have been invitedto take part.The Family Fun Fair will consist of

activities geared toward children and fam-ilies, as well as booths, exhibits, bands, etc.Activities will include children’s games,scavenger hunt, facepainting, and similarother activities in and around WestlakeShelter, the Carousel Room, ChildrensParty House, and the Amphitheatre.For more information, email

[email protected].

The Kansas Humanities Councilannounces six Kansas hosts for"Hometown Teams," a SmithsonianInstitution traveling exhibition aboutsports and community coming to Kansasin 2015.Hosts for the 2015 Kansas Tour of

“Hometown Teams” include:Ellinwood, Ellinwood School-

Community Library Jan. 31 - Mar. 15,2015 Goodland, High Plains MuseumMar. 25 - May 3, 2015 Greensburg, KiowaCounty Historical Museum May 9 - June21, 2015 Atchison, Atchison CountyHistorical Society June 27 - Aug. 9, 2015Perry, Perry Pride Aug. 15 - Sept. 27, 2015

Humboldt, Humboldt HistoricPreservation Alliance Oct. 3 - Nov. 15,2015“Hometown Teams” explores the many

ways that sports build and unite commu-nities using photographs, hands-on com-ponents, and audio and video clips fromthe Smithsonian Institution. From the lit-

tle leagues to the big leagues and every-where in between, “Hometown Teams”examines how sports are a significant partof our national narrative.For more information about the Kansas

Tour of “Hometown Teams,” contact theKansas Humanities Council at (785) 357-0359 or visit www.kansashumanities.org.

EASTER PARADEcontinued from page 1

Areas of expertise:• Marriage & Relationships• Depression • Addictions• Anxiety • Grief-Loss• Adoption • Foster Care

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The recent Phil Robertson DuckDynasty controversy brought it upagain. Bill O'Reilly quoted it on FoxNews; Don Lemon quoted it on CNN.The favorite verse ofthe Bible referenced inthe public sphere isMatthew 7:1, "Judgenot, lest you bejudged." The Bible'smost misinterpreted,misused and misunder-stood scripture verse isonce again in the fore-front of our public dis-course.What makes the verse so important

is it teaches a crucial truth abouthuman relationships. If this verse isused incorrectly much damage can

occur and people can get unnecessari-ly hurt. Jesus teaches a very importantand helpful principle which is there isa crucial balance between harmfuljudgmentalism and necessary judging.Judgmentalism is when we con-

demn others. Jesus uses the imagery ofa speck of wood in your friend's eyeversus a log in your own eye (v. 3-5).The message is vivid, shocking andludicrous. Before you judge someoneelse for their small imperfection makesure you first have dealt with yourown big imperfection. While con-demning others we don't see our ownshortcomings. We can judge visible

sins like adultery orcheating but minimizeless visible sins like envyor gossip. We may evenpoint out the faults ofothers to shift the focusfrom our own sin.Judging and con-

demning are always easyto do but they are notour job. It is hypocriti-

cal to see the sins of others but not ourown judgmental attitude. When wehave such an attitude we have forcedout love. Judgmentalism invites retali-ation and hinders fellowship. Many

times we may know only part of thestory and we certainly do not know aperson's motives. The non-Christianwill bristle at a condemning attitudealmost every time. Love has won overmany people, condemnation has wonover very few.The opposite extreme of judgmen-

talism is naïve acceptance of anything.Right after Jesus talks about specksand logs he talks about dogs and pigs(v. 6). His point is animals can't dis-cern what is of value. The early churchused this verse to teach judgment inwhether someone was in fact a truebeliever. There is a place for necessaryjudging. Judging is the exercise of crit-

ical thinking and it is needed on occa-sion. In fact Jesus said in John 7:24,"Don't judge by appearances, judge bywhat is right." Jesus is telling us weshould express our opinion on rightand wrong, truth and lies, good andevil.Judging is using wise discernment.

Some quote Matthew 7:1 to denounceanyone who would expose the sins,shortcomings or error of others. If inthe public realm a Christian leaderspeaks out about moral behavior oreven simply answers a media questionhe or she may be charged with judg-ing. It is ironic in judging someone for

“The oppositeextreme of

judgmentalism isnaïve acceptance of anything.”

RICK McDANIEL Senior pastor at the Richmond Community Churchand author

viewpoint

The non-Christians’favorite Bible verse

Senior advisor to President Obama,Valerie Jarrett, wrote for the WhiteHouse blog and The Huffington Postthat, "A Woman's Health Care DecisionsShould Be in Her Own Hands, Not HerBoss's." I couldn't agree more.Odd then that the administration is

trying to insert bosses, many of themagainst their deeply held religious beliefs,into the private health care decisions ofwomen. Jarrett writes that, "The ACA(Affordable Care Act) was designed toensure that health care decisions aremade between a woman and her doctor,and not by her boss, or Washingtonpoliticians."In fact, the administration has done

the opposite. It has forced employers toact as middlemen between women andtheir doctors by forcing them to partici-pate in providing four potentially life ter-minating drugs and the whole gamut of

FDA-approved contraceptives, evenwhen they object on religious grounds.And then it thrust the issue right into theportfolio of Washington politicians bymaking it an election wedge issue, byusing it to stoke partisan bickering, andby peddling lies about a "war onwomen."Look no further than the Little Sisters ofthe Poor, the first of the non-profit plain-tiffs to reach the Supreme Court to knowthat the Health and Human Services(HHS) mandate hurts women. Theircomplaint is proof that women are notsome monolithic block robotically reac-ing affirmatively anytime the adminis-tration tacks the word "reproduction"

onto a controversy.Jarrett went on to write:"A group of for-profit companies are

currently suing to gain the right to denyemployees access to coverage for birthcontrol and contraceptive care, which areused by the overwhelming majority ofAmerican women in their lifetimes.Among the first cases to reach theSupreme Court is one filed by HobbyLobby, an arts and crafts chain whoseowners want to be able to take the optionfor birth control benefits away from theiremployees."The fact is, however, Hobby Lobby,

which employs 25,000 people, alreadycovers and will continue to cover 16 out

of the 20-FDA approved contraceptivesmandated by HHS. The only four formsof contraception not covered are thefour, which the government itself con-cedes can act to prevent implantation.The owners of Hobby Lobby, the

Green family, are Christians who cannotviolate their religious beliefs by beingcomplicit in the destruction of human-life, at any stage. The government hasalready exempted--for commercial andother reasons--over 100 millionAmericans from having to comply.Imagine the gall of asking the govern-

ment to be exempt from a policy thatrequires employers to facilitate thosedrugs because of religiousobjections.�But according to Jarrett,that's not gall, that's trying to "seize acontrolling interest over the health carechoices of women."Hobby Lobby doesn't strike me as a

company trying to seize anything. On thecontrary. Its owners pay full-timeemployees 80 percent above the mini-mum wage, they close all stores onSundays, and they offer medical benefitssuch as an on-site free clinic at its head-quarters.For the same reasons the Greens can-

not be party to four life-terminatingdrugs, they cannot deprive their workers

Why Hobby Lobby must prevail in courtSTAR PARKER Author and president of Centerfor Urban Renewaland Education

myopinion

“Hobby Lobby doesn't strikeme as a company trying toseize anything. On the contrary. Its owners pay full-time employees 80 percent above the minimum wage… ” STAR PARKER

“Hobby Lobby doesn't strikeme as a company trying toseize anything. On the contrary. Its owners pay full-time employees 80 percent above the minimum wage… ” STAR PARKER

Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green

nn Please see HOBBY LOBBY next page

nn Please see JUDGEMENT next page


My last name has German rootsand I have been told in Germany“Decker” is common as Miller orSmith in the United States. And mymother’s maiden name is Broman,which has roots in Finland andSwitzerland. I believe my familyimmigrated to the United Statesthrough Ellis Island sometime inthe early 1800s. Immigration statis-tics began in 1820, in that year8,385 people started a new life inAmerica. Then in 2012, 192 yearslater, 1,031,631 people were grantedpermanent residence in the U.S. Millions upon millions have

crossed our nation’s boarders andgone through a process to bedeclared a United States citizenwith all its rights and privileges.Then immigrants have the door ofopportunity thrown wide open topursue their turn at the AmericanDream. When my family came to

America nearly two centuries agothey received America’s extendedhand of compassion welcomingthem. At the same time, those whocame outside the designated path ofcitizenship received its justice.According to the Department of

Homeland Security, in 1892, whenthey started tracking deportations,2,801 people were sent back to theirhome country and in 2012 thenumber was 409,489.God through Jesus Christ

extends His compassion inviting usto receive His gift of eternal life andcome to His home in heaven. Just asimmigrants to America are notborn U.S. citizens, so none of us areborn heaven’s citizens. Rather, weall must walk through God’s path toeternal citizenship. Some may try to come to outside

of God’s plan. They may think bygiving of their time and money tothose in need or by church atten-dance and service they can assurethemselves a spot in God’s gloriouskingdom. Yet, Jesus says there isonly one-way into His kingdomdeclaring, “I am the way, and thetruth and the life. No one comes tothe Father except through me.”(John 14:6). Not following God’spath assures us we will meet Hishand of His justice being deniedentry to His heaven and separatedfrom Him forever in hell – the eter-nal dwelling for the lawless. God has laid out a plan for citi-

zenship in His celestial kingdom.Out of His compassion, He extendsan invitation, inviting you to turnfrom your sinful deeds and toChrist. By faith receive His hope foryou today. Clint Decker is President &

Evangelist with Great Awakenings,Inc. Since 1990, he has reached overtwo million people with his message ofhope. Contact him [email protected] or calltoll free 877-433-3220.

CLINTDECKERPresident and Evangelist withGreat Awakenings,Inc.

hopefortoday

Path to Eternal Citizenship

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It’s impossible to listen to commentaryabout the state of affairs concerning blackAmerica and not form an opinion. Thiswill not be your typical article on blackhistory. I’m going to take a differentapproach, one that attempts to point outan empirical thing that we can remedy asa people still striving to fulfill the promiseof the God we serve in Christ and thedreams our ancestors had for us. By usingthe definition above I’ll attempt to pro-vide some clarity by defining institutionas a state of mind, and I’ll call for an exo-dus away from the mindset. We cannotcontinue to look to institutions, no mat-ter how evolved, for answers. The primary function of any type of

institution is to govern in some form.People conditioned by institutions of anytype look to the authorities and seekguidance, counsel, permission and ulti-mately favor from the leaders. We werebrought here as powerless people, and wewere liberated by the bold actions of abo-litionists, a president of conviction andthe blood of countless soldiers. Duringthe Civil Rights Movement, we compelledthe government to give us equal treat-ment. In short we were reformers of thestatus quo, not dependent on it. In ourbattle to secure rights and privileges fromthe institution of government, we, espe-cially as Christians, must ask ourselves ifwe have become dependent on it. Theinstitution has helped us, but it is not ourliberator.I was once privileged to sit in on a

training by Tom Pomeranz who oncesaid, “An institution is not a place; it’s astate of mind.” During the training hespoke of institutions in a profound way -- as a way of thinking and acting by thepeople who depend on it and those whoprovide services and instruction to thosethey are entrusted with. These three char-acteristics were evident:1. Belief in segregation (Certain people

should be kept away from others.)

2. Belief in limiting choice (Certainpeople can’t handle decision making.)3. Belief in limiting privacy (A mindset

that encourages and tolerates intrusion.)I cringed when I heard these words. I

knew it to be true. In some ways we were

all institutionalized in regards to ourthinking regardless of race. But slaveryhad a profound impact on blacks trau-matizing generations to come. It scarredthe soul of the oppressor and oppressed.Martin Luther King attacked the institu-

tions of the day that promoted the beliefin segregation, limiting choice and violat-ing the most basic private rights of ourpeople. The government upheld and cod-ified these approaches into law andenforced them with vicious brutality. I am thankful this is no longer the case,

but I lament the current state of affairs somany Black are disproportionatelyensnared in poverty, fatherlessness, addic-tion and skyrocketing incarceration rates.The statistics stagger the mind and stokethe compassion and anger of any personwith character. I’m thankful that manygood people are working to remedy thesethings, but we have a long way to go.One final note for all believers, the

institution of government is assertingitself by limiting choice, violating privacyand segregating people along politicallines, creed and dividing by race (covert-ly). This approach has accelerated since9/11 and after the financial crisis of 2008,it went to another level. There seems to beno end in sight. However, I am looking toa kingdom not fashioned by the hands ofmen to empower me. How about you? Iinvite you to renew your focus.

Hakim Hazim is the founder of RelevantNow and Cofounder of Freedom Squared.He is a nationally recognized expert in deci-sion analysis, criminality and security.

Black History: State of affairs and state of mindHAKIMHAZIM Founder of Relevant Nowand Cofounder of Freedom Squared

viewpointA challenge torenew our focus

“In our battle to secure rights and privileges from theinstitution of government, we, especially as Christians,must ask ourselves if we have become dependent on it.”

judging, you are in fact judging him orher!We are not to judge on appearances

or hearsay. In order to properly judge,correct or discipline all the facts mustbe available and evaluated. With prop-er discernment we can make appro-priate judgments. We cannot fail tomake essential distinctions betweenright and wrong simply because wefear the accusation of judging.People make judgments every sin-

gle day. The idea we should not judge

is simply unrealistic. The better ques-tion is what is the standard for judg-ing. For a Christ-follower the Bible isthe authority for right and wrong. Wejudge not based on our own opinionsbut rather based on God's opinion.Balance is always a challenge to

achieve. Christ followers who are con-demning and judgmental have donegreat harm. There are many who willnot darken the door of a church or lis-ten to a message from a Christianleader because of the hurt they haveexperienced. It does the cause of Christno good if people feel condemned bythose who should love them. On the

other hand truth must be proclaimed.A Christ follower cannot be fearful tospeak about right and wrong. To beintimidated, to be marginalized, to besilenced for speaking the truth cannever be tolerated. Properly interpret-ing Matthew 7:1, understanding its bal-anced message and applying it consis-tently is needed in the church, commu-nities and culture.Rick McDaniel is the senior pastor of

Richmond Community Church inRichmond, Va., and highim-pactchurch.tv. He is the author ofComeback: Overcoming The SetbacksIn Your Life.

of a decent wage, a day of rest, and accessto good health care. And that reasonwould be their Christian faith.The government should be ashamed of

its treatment of Hobby Lobby. TheObama administration has dragged arespectable company owned by principledpeople into the town square for a verbaland legal tar and feathering, solely becauseof their religious beliefs.Right now, the legal opposition to the

HHS mandate--led by the lawyers at theBecket Fund for Religious Liberty--is thelargest class-action religious liberty lawsuitin American history. The number ofplaintiffs is 300 and growing by the day.In trying to legally squeeze out those

family businesses owned by people whoconduct their affairs according to moraland religious principles, the government'sbehavior begs the question: What control-ling interest are they after?Star Parker is an author and president of

CURE, Center for Urban Renewal andEducation. Contact her at www.urban-cure.org.

JUDGEMENTcontinued from previous page

HOBBY LOBBYcontinued from previous page

8 • February 2014 _______________________ MetroVoiceNews.com __________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ______________________ Topeka Metro Voice

In any endeavor of life, failure toplan is planning to fail. This is espe-cially true when it comes to a groupretreat. The timeline for retreat pro-motion and registration may be sever-al months. Below is a sample timeline:

Four months: Church establishes a“Camp Coordinator.” The coordinatorwill want to ask for volunteers to beresponsible for the areas of finances,registration, promotion, program, siteselection, food, etc. There is truth tothe sentence: Many hands make lightwork. Leaders need to rememberwhen asking people to serve that thebenefit to serving is the personal rela-tionships that develop within thechurch.

Three months: Retreat centers web-site such as Tall Oaks has a promotion-al kit on line for their groups to use fornewsletter articles and bulletin inserts.Coordinator needs to publish datesearly so families can schedule theirvacations around the retreat. Theyouth coordinator needs to host ameeting with parents to provide financial deadlines and early bird discounts, camp schedule, travel details, etc. and

provide time for par-ents to ask questions.A youth coordinatorneeds to be sure thatfinancial guidelinesare clear and offerincentives to registerearly. Leaders need topromote retreats onsocial media such asfacebook and twitter.Promotion needs tobe unpredictable andcolorful!

Two months: On aSunday morning or inSunday school class,have past attendeesshare their personaltestimonies concern-ing retreat experiencefrom previous year.This will increaseinterest and increasethe possibility ofdonations of scholar-ship money. Picturesare worth a millionwords. The promo-tion leader may askpast attendees toemail pictures of theprevious retreat orcamp to the coordina-tor to organize apower point slidepresentation for view-ing before, during orafter the service. Thecoordinator needs tomake a special effortto personally invitestudents or adults.This can make all the

difference in their decision to come. One month: The registration leader

may organize a “Retreat/CampSunday” including a church memberwho is a notary on hand to finalizeregistrations. The leader may alsoorganize a pancake breakfast or abakede potato luncheon on that dayto provide awareness for others topray for the students who are toattend camp.

One Week After: Ask students to shareabout their experience at camp. Fellowmembers and parents will be muchmore willing the following year to sup-port you in your efforts when seeingstudents’ lives changed and enthusi-asm!

When asked what do I do atMidwest Christian Retreats, I respondwith "I am in media development".The question that follows 99.9 percentof the time is "What is media develop-ment?" To me, that shouldn't even be aquestion. But I have grown up in asocial media world and most of thetime I forget that social media isn'tpart of everyone's vocabulary.

Social media has grown rapidly inthe past few years. I can't remember atime when I wasn't on a computer ofsome sort. And now, we have so manyoptions to tap into the social mediaworld. It is hard (for me) to believethat there is still a percent of peoplewho don't even know what socialmedia is.With social media growing, many

event planners have been takingadvantage of what it has to offer theirtarget audiences. Especially when itcomes to targeting the younger gener-ation. Social media is a great way toconnect on their level and make it a

COURTNEYLORENZ Director of Marketingand Media Development, MidwestChristian Retreats

viewpointTargeting the

"Media" Generation

Planning for success: month-by-month guide

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Topeka Metro Voice ________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ______________________ February 2014 • 9

Whatever the season...Lake Doniphan

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more personal interaction.As an event planner, there are a few

things to remember when using socialmedia as a marketing tool.Seek out your target audience. You

have to go to them. Social media is agreat tool to find new and existing audi-ences. Today, the younger generationdoesn't tend to seek out opportunitiesfor retreats. If you seek them out andbuild a relationship with them, they aremore likely to respond. In return, theymay even invite their friends to theevent as well.Social media can keep your event

alive even after it is over. You can use ablog to post a wrap up of all the keyhighlights of your event. You can evenadd links to the presentations or down-loadable documents. On your socialmedia sites like Facebook, you can postphotos from your event. Social mediaallows you to create a place for people todiscuss what went on at the event withothers who attended.Make sure you listen to what people

are saying about your event. You wantto keep track of what people liked andwhat people didn't like. That way, asyou are planning your next event, youknow what to change.Another great tool with social media

is online surveys. Facebook has a placefor polls. These are easy and fun ways toget quick responses or feedback fromthe people who attended your event. Beprepared for negative comments.People will always have opinions aboutyour event. Make sure you respond totheir concerns. You will also get a lot ofpositive feed back. You can use the pos-itive feedback as a way to promote yournext event.

Excerpt from Courtney Lorenz’s Blogat www.midwestchristianretreats.org.

SOCIAL MEDIAcontinued from previous page

Today so many of us live our lives ata frantic pace in multiple arenas. Wescramble from one responsibility tothe other, worried, worn and weak-ened by the demands of daily living.In the midst of our earthly busy-nessand struggle, we yearn for the quiet in

the eye of the storm. “Come to me all you who are weary

and heavily burdened, and I will giveyou rest.” Jesus’ words in Matthew11:28 are an invitation we long toanswer and yet the demands of dailyliving do not make it easy. With a

thousand voices competing for ourattention, we as Christians know weneed the calming influence of thePrince of Peace. Yet it can be challeng-ing to create moments when we canfocus solely on Christ and center our-selves in Him. One of the most effective methods

of centering and re-focusing is theretreat experience. While there are a

variety of retreat styles, each is anintentionally carved-out time for thesoul with its Creator. There are indi-vidual retreats for those seeking guid-ance or healing, rest or renewal. Thereare group retreats to learn, reflect,plan, or strengthen relationships.Christian retreats, however designed,have at their core the opportunity to

Things too hectic? Retreat!

nn Please see RETREAT next page

Sports teams, homework, piano lessons,chores, and tests… The list of pressuresthat teens face seems to grow longer by theday, while the fillers of “down time,” likevideo games and media, keepmost teens plugged in con-stantly! It is hard to find a stu-dent who knows how to slowdown and rest. Youth retreatsare crucial events for a pastor orministry leader to plan,because they force students tostop, unplug from technologyand their active lives, and rest. Aweekend away gives studentsimportant time to step awayfrom their everyday demands, and focuson Christ. A great retreat center has activi-ties and amenities that draw students inand encourage them to sign up, but the realheart of a youth retreat comes during wor-

ship sessions, small-group time, Bible stud-ies and one-on-one conversations that aweekend away calls for. Seasonal retreatsbring about high points in a student’s busyschedule. Retreating and refocusing, stu-dents tune into the word of God in a way

that is hard for them to do whensurrounded by so many daily dis-tractions. It is amazing how mucha student can soak in during justone weekend away from the norm.Believe it or not, planning a

youth retreat is simple and fun!Retreat coordinators make it theirgoal to handle the details, while theyouth pastors and ministry spon-sors get quality time with the stu-dents. One of the best parts of my

job as a Retreat Coordinator is getting toserve and minister to the group leaders andpastors through helping them plan theiryouth retreat from the first phone call untiltheir departure home. God uses youth retreats in a big way and

these opportunities are a great outreachtool. Students who may be too scared tostep through the doors of a church can diveinto a youth group for the first time whileplaying laser tag with friends from backhome. The benefits go on and on! I wouldrecommend all youth pastors plan andparticipate in a yearly or seasonal youthretreat, regardless of how many studentsare in their youth group. It is amazing to seeall that God can do in a weekend!

Maddie Quick is Guest Services Specialistat Sky Ranch. [email protected]

Retreats effective reaching teens with Gospelby Maddie Quick

10 • February 2014 ________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _______________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _______________________ Topeka Metro Voice

focus our attention on God and rest inHim. In retreat, we fast from the pressures

and noise of everyday life. We becomeaware of the peace and beauty ofnature around us. We are freed fromthe superficial. Released from oureveryday to-do lists we can simply beand experience the reality of God’slove in “the deep hush of the wholesoul”. In stillness apart from thestorms of life, we are renewed in spirit.Our minds are opened to new under-standings. Our souls are refreshed andrefilled for the journey yet ahead.

In a military context, retreat is anacknowledgement of defeat, a turningback before the enemy and losingground. In a spiritual context, a retreatis a time of pushing the “pause” but-ton of life in order to regroup andallow God to renew us so that we maycontinue on in victory.What did Jesus do in preparation for

his earthly ministry? Retreat.(Matthew 4)What did Jesus do when the

demands on Him became a strain?Retreat. (Matthew 14)What did He advise his disciples to

do when stressed out in ministry?Retreat. (Mark 6)What did He do the night before his

arrest and crucifixion? Retreat.(Matthew 26)If you or your church group want to

develop strong Christian relationships,to grow spiritually as disciples, to seekGod’s will for your life or your church-- or simply to rest and meditate inHis presence -- there is no better waythan to retreat!

And He said to them, “Come asideby yourselves to a deserted place andrest awhile.” (Mark 6:31)

Brenda O’Dell is director at LakeDoniphan Conference & Retreat Center.Email: [email protected]

RETREATcontinued from previous page

Planning a men's retreat can seemlike a daunting task, especially if it'syour first time. I've found, however,that if you work with other men, andtry not to be too ambitious, you cancreate something quite meaningful.When planning the beginning of yourretreat, remember that it's an impor-tant time because it sets the tone.

Throughout the weekend, a nicebalance between small- and full-groupactivities is essential. It can be helpfulto have a few meetings of the samesmall group throughout the weekendso that men can build some closer rela-tionships. In large groups, storytelling,singing, and chanting can be very pro-

found if safety is established and guyscan let go and get into it. Campfires arefun, but have something planned (likea good storyteller with a meaningfulstory who can lead a discussion) oryou run the risk of extroverts domi-nating in ways that are unproductive.

Other activities you might consid-er for the retreat include action-ori-ented ones such as hiking and playingteam sports. Following these, youmight want to discuss the issue ofcompetition among men. Quieterworkshops might include journaling,goal-setting, or discussions related tobeing a father, husband or son.Retreats are also good times to reflecton the men's programming at yourchurch, or to plan a men-oriented

worship service at yourcongregation.

I always prefer to havea cook who is not partici-pating in the program soall of the participants canconcentrate on the work-shops and activities. Thenagain, cooking togethercan also be good program-ming as long as it doesn't take thewhole time or adversely affect thegroup unity by continually pullingsome guys away. I prefer to find aretreat center or camp with niceindoor space as well as a good outdoorenvironment.

If you have guys younger than 30,it's important to be very intentionalabout making sure they feel included.It's common for older, more experi-enced participants to steer the pro-

grams or discussionstoward mid-life issues;just remember thatyounger men have dif-ferent struggles, andthey're probably lookingto older men for guid-ance and wisdom. Shareyour wisdom!

Father/son atten-dees can be very powerful, unless theystart to dominate with their fierce,unexamined issues and turn the retreatinto a therapy group. Young sons canbe both very welcome and a distrac-

tion, depending on many factors, sothey are really a wild card.

Leave some time at the end of theretreat to evaluate the whole thing andset in motion a planning team for thenext one. Don't be discouraged if onlya few come to the first one; some guysneed to hear good reports beforethey'll take the step of committing awhole weekend. So if you've had agood experience, sing it from themountaintop when you get back toyour congregation.Reprinted from REACH: Religious

Education Action Clearing House.

Planning a men’s retreat

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Topeka Metro Voice ________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ______________________ February 2014 • 11

Surprise your Sweetheart!Check out our specials online!

www.davidsjewelerstopekaks.com

Order a ValentineGram for your SweetheartWant to do something out of the

ordinary for someone in your life?Why not enlist a Harmony Chorus orBarbershop Quartet to make some-one's day extra special with an extraspecial gift? For$10 - $40 you canhave your sweet-heart serenadedwith song, a roseand chocolates! Love N

Harmony quartetis part ofS u n f l o w e rHarmony Chorus and Sweet AdelinesInternational. Call 272-7232 to bookyour ValentineGram with them.The Capital City Chorus is once

again offering you a chance to give thatsomeone special in your life a uniqueValentine this year from a BarbershopQuartet. This package is offered onlyon Feb. 14th, and includes 2 songs, a

red rose and box ofchocolates for $40.You can reach themat 273-9514.The Madrigals

from Cair ParavelLatin School will alsobe doing SingingValentines again thisyear, which includes

a song, a card and a heart-shapedcookie or brownie. Call 232-3878 oremail [email protected] formore information.

Are you ready to make your love’sheart leap on Valentine’s Day? Our guideto a great Valentine’s Day will provideyou with ideas and tips that will makeyour Valentine’s Day a success.

Tips for a smooth Valentine’s Day:• Tell your special someone how much

you care about them• Be thankful – it’s the thought that

counts• Plan ahead – babysitters, reserva-

tions, and additional things that needdone• Turn off your cell phones – enjoy this

time together

Gift Ideas:

Candy and Flowers and Jewelry:

• Visit Hazel Hill Chocolate for aunique chocolate treat• Surprise your special someone with a

bouquet of favorite flowers or balloons• Dazzle him/her with a

piece of jewelry from David’sJewelers • Make a list of all the things

you love about him/her

Gift basket for her:

• Get a gift certificate for a massage ortrip to Avenue Hair Styling & Spa.• Pick up a candle for a candle-lit bath.• Find her favorite book at one of

Topeka’s bookshops for her to enjoy dur-ing her quite time• Buy her favorite candy bar and per-

sonalize it with new wrappers

Gift basket for him:

• Buy his favorite candy bars and per-sonalize it with “Udaman” wrappers• Include miniature bottles or cans of

his favorite drink and personalize themwith valentine’s day labels• Create a ticket book with tickets for

him to use at his leisure• Include a new favorite movie, C.D.,

or video game he’s been wanting

Dinner:

• Avoid the Valentine’s Day rush - cre-ate a romantic meal at home• Go to a restaurant where you share

special memories• Get dinner and a room at Ramada

West, and enjoy the indoor pool

Dates:

• Laugh together at a local comedyshow.• Enjoy a romantic

movie at home fromNetflix, RedBox, orone you already own.While watching shareyour favorite treat and

glass of wine orsparkling cider.Include a massage.• Enjoy a night of

music before or afterdinner at one ofTopeka’s nightspots.• Spend uninter-

rupted time togetherwith a romantic get-away at one of theretreats listed inMetro Voice’s RetreatGuide.

Tips for a smooth Valentine’s Day

12 • February 2014 ______________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _______________________ Topeka Metro Voice

Ed Popkess

TO NORTHTOPEKA!

Welcome...

More important than living in KANSAS iswhere you will live forever. Just as you wouldlook at a map of KANSAS to find your way, soyou must look at the Bible to find your way toheaven. The Bible says, “Narrow is the way,which leadeth unto life, and few there be thatfind it.” (Matt. 7:14). Jesus said, “I am the way,the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto theFather, but by me.” (Jn. 14:6). Jesus is theonly way to Heaven and He gave these direc-tions on getting there.1. Realize you are a sinner. Everyone

starts the same place spiritually. “For all havesinned and come short of the glory of god.”(Rom. 3:23). Sin’s penalty keeps you out ofHeaven and condemns you to Hell, separat-ing you from God. Romans 6:23 says, “Thewages of sin is death.” Sin brings both physi-cal & spiritual death. “And death and hell werecast into the lake of fire. This is the seconddeath.” (Rev. 20:14).2. Realize Jesus paid the penalty. Jesus

Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection provid-ed a way for you to go to heaven and restoreyour relationship with God. “But God com-mendeth his love toward us, in that, while wewere yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom.5:8). Since Jesus, God’s Son, was the onlyOne who could pay for our sin, He is the onlyWay to Heaven.3. Repent of your sin and receive Jesus as

your Savior. In order to go to Heaven fromKANSAS, or anywhere else, you must acceptChrist by calling on Him in prayer. He tells usin Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall callupon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Use the following prayer, or one similar to it, toreceive Him now:Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I

believe that you died and rose again for me.Please forgive me of my sin, become Lord ofmy life, and take me to heaven when I die. Iam trusting you completely, and in nothing Ican do. Thank you Jesus! Amen.

North Topeka areaoffers wide variety

of activities:HAM & BEAN/VEGETABLE SOUP

DINNER – Feb. 5, 4-6:30pm. OaklandUnited Methodist Church, 801 NE ChesterAve. All you can eat dinner. Adults $7, kids$3. For info: 357-5290 or 235-1010

CHILI & VEGETABLE SOUP – Feb. 7,4-6:30pm. KS Ave United MethodistChurch, 1029 N Kansas Ave. Adults $7,Kids 10 & under $3.

CROSSINGS ADOPTION TRAINING– Jan. 31, 12-5pm & Feb. 1, 8:30am-5pm.Northland Christian Church, 3102 NWTopeka Blvd. For info: Angela at 783-4577or [email protected]

CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMER-ICA (CWA) – 3rd Tue., 10am-12noon,Northland Christian Church, 3102 NWTopeka Blvd. 224-7126 [email protected].

SUNRISE OPTIMIST CLUB – EveryTue., 6:30am, Sunrise Optimist Complex,720 NW 50th St. For info: Gary, 246-1291.

MONTHLY SCORE MEETING – 1stSat., 8-9:30am, Comfort Suites, 6213 SW10th. Small business owners are invited toattend monthly Breakfast Roundtable dis-cussions with members of SCORE(Service Corps of Retired Executives). Forinfo: 234-3049.

CONCERTSWINTER JAM TOUR SPECTACULAR. Jan. 31. SprintCenter, 1407 Grand Blvd., KCMO. $10 at the door. 816-949-7100.THE WRIGHTS – Feb. 7, 6:30pm, Covenant BaptistChurch, 5440 SW 37th. For info: 289-8905“MANIC DRIVE” IN CONCERT – Feb. 13, 6 - 8pm atCafe Barnabas, inside Fairlawn Plaza mall. Free concertevent inside Fairlawn Mall, complete with stage and 16-ft square LED light wall with concert lighting andsound! Also featuring Ryan Stevenson and ConsumedBy Fire.“THE ACOUSTIC NINJA” TRACE BUNDY– Feb. 14,7:30pm. Manhattan Arts Center. For a specialValentine’s Day date-night, reserve a meal and drop thekids at our art play/date night. For info: 537-4420RISING STAR CONCERT – Feb. 16m 3pm, GraceEpiscopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave. Stephanie Langeand Rick Rowley will present a diverse and colorful pro-gram. 235-3457THE WRIGHTS – Feb. 21, 6pm, Oakland Nazarene, 939NE Oakland. For info: 289-8905J.S. BACH’S “B-MINOR MASS” – Feb. 28, 7pm, GraceEpiscopal Cathedral, 701 SW 8th Ave. The SpireEnsemble will perform with the Indianapolis BaroqueOrchestra. Adults $25, students $10, 12 & younger free.235-3457THIRD DAY, SKILLET, MANDISA, BRANDON HEATH,PETER FURLER & WE AS HUMAN. Mar. 16, 7pm. SprintCenter, 1407 Grand Blvd., KCMO 64106. 888-929-7849.

SPECIAL CHURCH EVENTSHARVESTER'S PROGRAM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS -every second Saturday, takes place at Christian LordMinistries, 2421 SE California. Call 266-4979.“GOD WHO DELIVERS” SERMON SERIES – Feb. 2 until

Mar. 23, Sun 10:45am. Cornerstone Community Church,7620 SW 21st. Based on the book of Exodus and the lifeof Moses. On Sun. evenings at 6pm, a meal and a dis-cussion of the principles learned. To RSVP for the meal:478-2929. For info: cornerstonetopeka.com.HAM & BEAN/VEGETABLE SOUP DINNER – Feb. 5, 4-6:30pm. Oakland United Methodist Church, 801 NEChester Ave. All you can eat dinner. Adults $7, kids $3.For info: 357-5290 or 235-1010CHILI & VEGETABLE SOUP – Feb. 7, 4-6:30pm. KS AveUnited Methodist Church, 1029 N Kansas Ave. Adults$7, Kids 10 & under $3. CLOTHING EXCHANGE – Feb. 8 & 15, 10am-2pm.Topeka Free Methodist Church. Exchange offers freeclothing and small household items. Only bring clothingthat is in good condition. For info: 785-266-6610CHUCK PIERCE & DUTCH SHEETS – Feb. 14, 7pm. 15,9:30am-1pm. Faith Family Life Centre, 3710 NW TopekaBlvd. To register: www.faithfamilylife.com or call 286-0429.

SEMINARS & CONFERENCESRECORD KEEPING WORKSHOP – Jan. 30,11:30am–1pm, Avondale East NET Center, 455 SE GolfPark Blvd. Record Keeping and General BusinessPractices for Small Businesses and Non-Profits, hostedby Kurt Guth, American Tax Service. He will discuss theimportance of good record keeping for a business ornon-profit. Learn tax tips to give owners and directorsan edge at tax filing time and stay in compliance withgood accounting principles and the IRS. FREE to CRCmembers, $10 for non-members. Bring Your Own Lunch.RSVP to Leah at [email protected] ARISE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE W/ KATHY GRAY - Jan.30, 7pm – Feb. 2, 12:30pm. World Revival Church,9900 View High Dr., KCMO 64134. Join Pastor KathyGray and guest worship leader Catherine Mullins for apowerful women’s weekend of LIFE! 816-763-0708.16TH ANNUAL MIDWEST CHRISTIAN EDUCATION & COL-

LEGE EXPO. Mar. 1, 9:30am-2pm. Colonial PresbyterianChurch, KCMO. 100 schools & organizations. 816-524-4522.CLA ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP – Feb. 18, 9:30am-1:30pm. Free workshop for seniors on securing one’sestate and retirement planning. Seating is limited. Forinfo: 1-866-252-8721 between 9am-5pm.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTSNOTO MARKET ON FIRST FRIDAYS – NOTO arts district.Enjoy arts, antiques, fine crafts, and flea market items.KANSAS AVENUE MARKET – 10-5 Wednesdays, Thurs-days & Fridays; also 2nd Sat. of each month, 10am-3pm; and during First Friday Art Walk, 628 S KansasAve. Multiple vendors, entertainment, refreshments.CROSSINGS ADOPTION TRAINING – Jan. 31, 12-5pm &Feb. 1, 8:30am-5pm. Northland Christian Church, 3102NW Topeka Blvd. For info: Angela at 783-4577 [email protected] COVER OF LIFE – Jan. 31 – Feb. 9, Helen HockerTheater, 700 SW Zoo Pkwy . A powerful drama by RTRobinson about the struggle for self worth. $13. Forinfo: 368-0191DISNEY LIVE! MICKEY'S MUSIC FESTIVAL - Feb. 1, 1pm& 4pm, Landon Arena. Disney hits are remixed to thehottest sounds of today!SOUL FOOD LUNCHEON FUNDRAISER – Feb. 1, 11-2,Advance ticket purchase required, $12/meal. Chicken,Brisket or Catfish. Eat in or carry out, Hillcrest Comm.

Center, 1800 SE Iowa Ave. Call 969-8957 or go towww.stepsks.org.TOPEKA POLAR PLUNGE & STRUT – Feb. 1, 11am and12pm. Lake Shawnee Swim Beach, 3300 Croco Rd.Benefit for the Special Olympics. 5k run/walk will beginat 11am. Plunge will begin at noon. For info: 913-236-9290 ext. 112 ksso.org/topekaLECOMPTON’S BLEEDING KANSAS LECTURE SERIES –Feb. 2, 2pm, “Scattered to the Four Winds: GeneralOrder No.11 and Martial Law in Jackson County,Missouri, 1863.” Feb. 9, 2pm, “One Woman’s Right inKansas.” Feb. 16, 2pm, “Bellicosity Endorsed: The 1855

Lexington Pro-Slavery Convention.” Feb. 23, 2pm, “FreeState Kansas: The Wyandotte ConstitutionalConvention.” Constitution Hall State Historic Site, 319Elmore. $3 suggested donation for adults. For info: TimRues [email protected] or 887-6520TOPEKA BOAT AND OUTDOOR SHOW – Feb. 7-9. KansasExpocentre. Adults $6.95, military $5.95, kids 6-12 $4,kids under 6 free. For info: 235-1986. www.ksexpo.comCHOCOLATE FANTASY – Feb. 8, 7-9pm. AtriaHearthstone West, 3515 SW 6th Ave. Enjoy two hours ofchocolate tasting, coffee sampling, live entertainment,fashions, and our sweet but silent auction. Tickets $10,

FREE LISTINGS! E-mail your events to: [email protected]; mail to Metro Voice, P.O. 5724, Topeka, KS 66605; or fax to 785-235-3340

t h e e v e n t scalendarThe Area’s Most Complete guide to the Events and Concerts You Want to See!Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ___________________ February 2014 • 13

Begin your journey to a healthy marriage or relationship today. Free relationship education workshops are forming in Topeka now. Singles and engaged, committed or married couples of all faiths are welcome.

A project of Catholic Charities of Kansas. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, O�ce of Family Assistance. Grant # 90FM0042-01-01.

Join us to learn tools to help you communicate, solve problems and strengthen your current or future romantic relationship.

For more information call 785-233-6300 or visitwww.KansasLoveLetters.com.

Hearing impaired:TTY/TDD: 7-1-1

Relationship Tips:Text LOVE to 72727

Every relationship has its own story.What do you want yours to be?

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or 4 for $36. For info: [email protected] FOR LIFE ANNUAL “VALENTINE” BANQUET.Feb. 13. Ritz Charles, OPKS. www.kfl.org. 923-642-5433.SCHOOL CHOICE RALLY – Feb. 14, 10am, South Stepsof the Capitol Bldg. If you want to be able to put yourchild in whatever school you desire and gain the taxbenefits from that decision; to be able to homeschool,and receive a tax break for that; to be able to put yourkids in private school and for the taxes to help take the'bite out' of that expense; to be able to choose a differ-ent public school because it performs better than theone you have to take your kid to; Stand in support ofeducational choice in primary education. KANSAS GARDEN SHOW – Feb. 14-15, 10-8 & Feb. 16,11-5, Kansas Expocentre. Adm. $6. Children 12 & underfree. Free parking. Friday is Senior Citizens Day: 55 &older buy one, get one free.GERMAN CLUB MARTI GRAS PARTY - Feb. 15, 5:30pm -midnite. Arab Shrine Temple. Costumes encouraged.Adm. $25 For info: 2349394TOPEKA RV AND SPORT SHOW – Feb. 21, 3pm-8pm.Kansas Expocentre. Adults $6.96, military $5.95, kids6-12 $4, kids under 6 free. For info: 235-1986 or ksex-po.comYOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN – Feb. 21-22,Feb. 27-Mar. 2, 7:30pm. Auburn Community Theatre,121 W 11th St. $10. Info: 256-2848 or [email protected] HOME SHOW – Feb. 28, 12-6. Mar. 1, 9-6.Mar. 2, 10-4. Kansas Expocentre. $7. Info: 235-1986KANSAS SILENT FILM FESTIVAL – Feb. 28, 7-9:30pm.Mar. 1, 10am-9:30pm. White Concert Hall, WashburnUniversity. Free. Kssilentfilmfest.orgPUBLIC SKATING – Mar. 1, 12:30pm, KansasExpocentre. For info: 235-1986

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONSBROWN V. BOARD NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE – Daily,9am–5pm, 1515 SE Monroe. Located in the former all-black Monroe School. Free admission. For info: 354-4273 or www.nps.gov/brvb/.CEDAR CREST, official residence of the KS Governor ¬–Mon., 1pm-3pm, with tours on the half hour, 1 SWCedar Crest Rd. Free adm. For info: 296-3636.COMBAT AIR MUSEUM – Mon.-Sat., 9:30am-4:30pm;Sun. noon–4:30pm, Hanger 602, Forbes Field. For info:862-3303 or combatairmusem.org.CURTIS HOUSE MUSEUM – Every Sat., 11am-3pm; byappointment other times, 1101 SW Topeka Blvd. Formermansion of Charles Curtis, 31st Vice President of theUS, and the only one of American Indian heritage. Cost$5. For info: 357-1371 or 597-5380.CONSTITUTION HALL – Wed.-Sat., 9am-5pm; Sun., 1-5pm, National Landmark, Kansas State Historic Site,Civil War History: Famous Lecompton Constitution, 319Elmore, Lecompton. For info: 887-6520 [email protected]; or kshs.org/constitution_hall. GREAT OVERLAND STATION – Railroad museum, educa-tion center, veterans memorial and more. 701 N.Kansas Avenue. Tue-Sat 10am-4pm; Sun 1-4pm.Closed on Sundays in Jan. & Feb. Adm: $4 adults, $3seniors,$2 children age 3-12. For info: 232-5533 orgreatoverlandstation.com.HISTORIC RITCHIE HOUSE – Tour the oldest remaininghome in Topeka (built 1856-57). 1116 Madison.Admission free. 10am-2pm; weaving demonstrations,games, food & more.HOLLEY MILITARY MUSEUM – Downtown Ramada Inn.Featuring 5 galleries, named after world leaders.Featuring World War II artifacts, Air Force One exhibit,Kansas War Heroes, Space, Vietnam & more. Cost:

Free. 10am-8pm daily.KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD MUSEUM – Forbes Field. Forhours & info: 862-1020. KANSAS MUSEUM OF HISTORY - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Tuesday - Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m. Sunday. 6425 SW 6thAvenue. 785-272-8681, kshs.org/museumKANSAS STATE CAPITOL – Mon.-Fri., 8am–5pm, SW10th & Jackson St. Tours provided. For info: 296-3966or www.kshs.org/capitol.OLD PRAIRIE TOWN – 1st & Clay. Open Mon.-Sat.,10am-4pm; Sun. 12-4pm. Daily guided tours: M-F10am, 12 & 2pm; Sat. & Sun. 12 & 2pm. 368-2441.ROEBKE HOUSE MUSEUM – 216 New York, Holton. Forinfo: 364-4991.TERRITORIAL CAPITAL MUSEUM – Wed.-Sat., 11am-4pm; Sun., 1-5pm, National Register Site, 3 floors ofCivil War and Victorian Artifacts, PresidentEisenhower's parents’ marriage site: 640 E. WoodsonAve., Lecompton. For info: 887-6148 [email protected] or lecomptonkansas.com.TOPEKA/SHAWNEE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY – 1515SW 10th St. Mon.-Fri., 9am-9pm, Sat., 9am-6pm, Sun.,12-9pm. For info: 580-4400.TOPEKA ZOO – Gage Blvd. between 6th & 10th St. Zoohours 9am-5pm. Birthday Parties available -- choosefrom two separate party packages; parties last twohours. For info: 368-9180 or topekazoo.com.

FINE ARTFIRST FRIDAY ART WALK – 1st Friday of every month atvarious Topeka galleries. Downtown businesses openlate, including Hazel Hill, Kansas Avenue Market & TheMerchant. For info: artsconnecttopeka.org."ART WALK AT THE T.V. UP/DOWN GALLERY!" – FirstFriday of every month, TV Up Down Gallery, 909 ½ S.Kansas Ave. "Art, Music, and More!" BEACH MUSEUM OF ART – 701 Beach Lane, KansasState University, Manhattan. For info: 532-7718.BEAUCHAMP’S ART GALLERY – 3113 SW Huntoon. Forinfo: Bob Swain, 233-0300 or [email protected]. THE ECLECTIVE: ECLECTIC ART SHOWROOM & STU-DIOS – 900 N. Kansas in the NOTO Arts District. MULVANE ART MUSEUM – at Washburn University. Freeadmission, open to the public. For info: 670-1124.MANHATTAN ARTS CENTER – 1520 Poyntz Ave.,Manhattan. 785-537-4420. Gallery Hours: M - F10am-5pm, Sat 1-4pm.SIGNS OF LIFE GALLERY – 722 Massachusetts St.,Lawrence. 830-8030 or SignsofLifeGallery.com.SOUTHWIND GALLERY – 3074 SW 29th Street, Topeka.Kansas 150 Art Exhibit – 150 original paintings and fineart photography. KTWU Lights-Camera AuctionReception, featuring “Master’s Paintings.” 273-5994STRECKER-NELSON GALLERY – 406 1/2 Poyntz,Manhattan. For info: 537-2099. THE UPSTAGE GALLERY – 720 SW Jackson (HistoricJayhawk Theatre). Open for 1st Fri. Artwalk 5-8pm.TOPEKA ART GUILD & GALLERY – Wed.-Sat., 11am-5pm, Fairlawn Plaza. 273-7646 or topekaartguild.org.

MEETINGS & CLASSESC5Alive “Valentine” LUNCHEON – Feb. 13, 11:30am-1pm, at Ramada West. Cost: $10 for C5 members &first-time guests who RSVP, $12 at the door; $15 fornon-members & other guests. Featured Speaker: DebGoodrich Bisel! Open to the public – come find outmore about Capital City Christian Chamber ofCommerce (C5) and network/fellowship with others. ForRSVPs & info: [email protected].

INNOVATIVE NETWORKING GROUP OF TOPEKA - everyother Wed. 11:20am - 12:30pm. www.INGTopeka.comgo to Event page to see future meetings, locations andregister to attend. Next luncheon is Feb 5th @ AJ Pizza,then Feb. 19th @ Kanza Cafe. - If you do not like awhole lot of rules and costs, this group is for you! CAPITAL CITY NETWORKING GROUP - every Thur,7:30am, Jayhawk Tower - www.ccng-online.com.Membership cost $37.50 a quarter. This is a greatmorning group, with some very friendly, innovativemembers.TIBA NETWORKING GROUP - 2nd Tues, 11:30a.m.-1p.m. MUST RSVP: [email protected]. Lunch is$10. www.topekatiba.orgING WOMAN'S CHAPTER NETWORKING GROUP - every2nd Sat., 11am. Feb 8th at Lazy Toad. Bring your busi-ness cards, catalogs, a guest and join in the fun! - Nofees to join. Go to Events Page at INGTopeka.com toregisterBIBLE STUDY ON THE BOOK OF ESTHER - 6pm Sundayevenings, Cornerstone Community Church, 7620 SW21st. For info: 478-2929DEAF WORSHIP SERVICE – 3rd Sun., 3pm, FaithLutheran Church, 17th & Gage. Also, every Sun. 9:30amservice is interpreted.FAMILY EXPERIENCE (FX) – Every Sun., 6:01pm,Fairlawn Church of Nazarene, 730 Fairlawn Rd. A timeof high intensity, action packed, skit mania, worshipmusic all centered around the word of God for 45 min-utes. A free family worship event. For info: Emily Moore,272-6322 or [email protected]' SMALL GROUP – Every Sun., 6pm, BethelBaptist Church, 4011 N. Kansas Ave. Studying the bookof Esther, using the DVD series "It's Tough Being aWoman" by Beth Moore. All welcome. Info: 286-0467.CHRISTIANS FOR LIFE – 2nd Mon., 7pm-prayer, 8pm-short business meeting, Community Church, 1819 SW21st. A pro-life educational ministry. 286-3432 . THE FORCE (Students Taking Action) – 1st Mon. & 3rdTue., 6:30-8pm, Safe Streets, 2209 SW 29th St. A groupthat's committed to being alcohol & drug free.Associate with like-minded peers, plan activities & getinvolved in the community. All youth ages 12-18 areinvited. For info: 266-4606.HEARTLAND HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS – 2nd Mon.,11:45am-1pm. Promoting neighborhood well-being bymobilizing people, ideas & resources. 233-1365.POINT MAN AND HOME FRONT OF SHAWNEE CO - 1st,3rd & 5th Tues. of each month, 6-8pm, Topeka BibleChurch, 1101 SW Mulvane, Potluck dinner begins at 6:10PM. A Bible study and support group for military & vet-erans and their wives, moms and sisters. Interested injoining or volunteering? Contact David or JacqueAnkenman at 249-8359 or 221-1739.TOPEKA LINCOLN CLUB – 1st Tue. of month, 7pm,Topeka Public Library. Discussing our greatestPresident, Abraham Lincoln, and his times. The publicis welcome. For info, contact Kirk Nystrom 235-6977.CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA (CWA) – 3rd Tue.,10am-12noon, Northland Christian Church, 3102 NWTopeka Blvd. 224-7126 or [email protected] TOPEKA – Every 2nd Tue., 6:45pm, lower level ofValeo, 330 SW Oakley. If door is locked, call 608-1317 toget in. The 1st hour is often a discussion of an impor-tant topic or video. The 2nd hour is usually a supporttalk time, with separate consumer & family groups. Forinfo: 608-1317.OUR LADY OF THE FAITHFUL – Every 1st Tues., 6:30pmMass followed by Dinner, Most Pure Heart of MaryCatholic Church. A Catholic group for those in their 20-30s. For info: Michelle Ann 580-3071 or [email protected]. All events are also posted onFacebook at "Ourladyof theFaithful."

SUNRISE OPTIMIST CLUB – Every Tue., 6:30am, SunriseOptimist Complex, 720 NW 50th St. Info: 246-1291.O.W.L.S. (Older Wise Loving Saints) - meets the secondTuesday of the month. Location varies and can befound at www.faithfamilylife.comS.W.A.G. (Spiritual Warriors Anointed by God) youthgroup - Wed at 7:00 p.m. 3710 NW Topeka Blvd.AWANA – Every Wed., 6-8pm, First Southern BaptistChurch, 1912 SW Gage Blvd. Bible based program forchildren & youth ages 3-HS. For info: 272-0443.AWANA – Every Wed., 6:30pm, Bethel Baptist Church,4011 N. Kansas Ave. Bible based program for children& youth ages 3-HS. For info: 286-0467.AWANA – Every Wed., 6:30-8pm, Auburn ChristianChurch. Bible based program for children & youth ages3-HS. For info: 256-2515.MACHINE EMBROIDERY CLUB – 1st Wed.,9am–2:30pm, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 2021 SW29th Street (south doors). To teach each other, enjoyfellowship & complete projects. Call Anne 271-1567.SAFE STREETS MEETING – 1st Wed., 11:45am, GolfPark Blvd, 2 blocks west of Adams. Info: 266-4606.STUDENT IMPACT – Every Wed., 6–8pm, First SouthernBaptist, 1912 SW Gage Blvd. Youth games, teaching,worship, small groups. For info: 272-0443.TGIW: “TEACHING GOD’S INFINITE WISDOM” MEN’SSTUDY – Every Wed., 6:15am, Backyard Burgers inLawrence. Affiliated with CharacterCounts.com. DavidScheib, 865-5258 or [email protected] STUDY - every Thur. 1pm-3pm in the Prayer Rmat Faith Family Life Centre, 3710 NW Topeka Blvd.CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE – Every Thurs. 7–9pm, FirstSouthern Baptist, 1912 SW Gage Blvd. Worship for col-lege students.LIFE FEST – 1st Thurs., 10am-12:30pm, CovenantBaptist Church, 5440 SW 37th St. Celebrate Senior Life.For info: 273-2811. OPERATION BACKPACK – 1st Thurs., 6pm, LymanLearning Center, Lyman and N. Kansas Ave. Volunteersgather to assemble Weekend Snack Sacks for low-income students. Sponsored by Topeka North Outreach.For info: 286-1370. iMOM – 1st & 3rd Thurs., 9-11:30am, Topeka BibleChurch Fellowship Hall, 1135 SW College. For all moms,helping them to be intentional! For info: 234-5545.

SINGLES BIBLE STUDY – 2nd & 4th Thurs., 7pm,Heartland Worship Center Church of God, 1401 NWHarrison. For info: 232-5503.FULL GOSPEL BUSINESSMEN’S FELLOWSHIP – 3rdThurs., 6pm meal, 7pm meeting, Coyote Canyon,Huntoon & Wanamaker. Kirk Nystrom, 235-6977.BIBLES AND BOOTS: Chapter of Cowboys for ChristFellowship – 3rd Thurs., 7:30pm, Wamego. Call forlocation. All welcome, no membership dues, livestockownership not required. Fellowship & fun! Doug Palmer,Pres. 410-9097, or Dave Boyd, V.P. 364-2779.NAMI WASHBURN – 4th Thurs., 6-8pm, Spirit BuildingRoom, University United Methodist Church, 1621 SWCollege Ave. NAMI is a student-run, student-led organi-zation that provides mental health support, education,& advocacy in the Washburn University setting. A sup-port group is also available during this time.TOPEKA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY – 4th Thurs., 7pm,Topeka Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10thSt. No program in Nov. or Dec. Promotes & stimulatesthe education, knowledge & interest of the membership& the public in family history, genealogical records &research. For info: 233-5762 or tgstopeka.org. AGLOW INTERNATIONAL TOPEKA – A Kingdom focusedministry for men & women. Meeting once a month atthe Ramada Inn, 420 E 6th Street. Call 230-4441 oremail topekaaglow@hotmail for dates/times. KINGDOM ADVISORS BREAKFAST STUDY MEETING –Every 2nd Fri., 7:15am, Perkins Restaurant, 1720 SWWanamaker Rd. Financial Planners, Accountants,Attorney’s & Insurance Agents invited to attend. king-domadvisors.org or Jim Hanna, 357-6278, ext.19.TOPEKA (Downtown) OPTIMIST CLUB – Every Fri., noon,Top of the Tower. Serving the youth of Topeka. Anyonewelcome. 272-1099 or [email protected] LUNCHEON FOR SENIORS – Every Fri., Noon, NorthTopeka Baptist Church, 123 NW Gordon. FREE lunchwith Christian fellowship, devotions & entertainmentprovided by Topeka North Outreach. For Info: 286-1370.A GOOD YARN CLUB – 2nd & 4th Sat., 9-11am,Wanamaker Rd Baptist Church, 2700 SW Wanamaker.Doing Good for Others: Knitting & Crocheting for LocalCharities, free yarn, needles, hooks & patterns. All arewelcome. Info: Debby, 215-4889, [email protected] QUIZZING – 1st Sat. Learn God's Word & havefun doing it with area Christian youth ages 9-19. New

14 • February 2014 ____________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews _________________________ Topeka Metro Voice

www.tradebank.com

teams forming now for this year's season of quizzing.YFC/YEA style quizzing & rules. For info: 913-593-6427or biblequizzer.org.MONTHLY SCORE MEETING – 1st Sat., 8-9:30am,Comfort Suites, 6213 SW 10th. Small business ownersare invited to attend monthly Breakfast Roundtable dis-cussions with members of SCORE (Service Corps ofRetired Executives). For info: 234-3049.FREE ENGLISH CLASSES – Every Sat. 9-10:30am,Central Congregational Church, 1248 SW Buchannan.For info: 235-2376. RUSSIAN HOUSE OF PRAYER – Every Sat., 4pm,Williamstown Assembly of God, 1225 Oak St.,Perry/Williamstown. For info: 597-5228.SINGLES PLAY CARDS – 1st Sat., 6pm, St. Peter’s UMC,NW 35th & Hwy 75; 3rd Sat., 6pm, Countryside UMC,3221 SW Burlingame Rd. Christian singles 18 & over.Bring a snack or 2-liter soda & join the fun. UPPER ROOM COMMUNITY – held at the CapitolBuilding every second Saturday of the month at 10am.

SUPPORT GROUPSABORTION RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUPS – A 12-stepRestoring Joy recovery journey for women. Providingservices for women & men who suffer from Post-Abortion Syndrome. For info: Kay Lyn, 272-6212.AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS – for friends & families ofalcoholics. For info: 357-8725.PURSUIT FOR SEXUAL PURITY – Men struggling withpornography & sexual addiction. This biblestudy/accountability group uses the Pure Desire book byTed Roberts. For info: Hunter Ruch, Topeka BibleChurch, 234-5545 or [email protected]’S SUPPORT GROUPS – Monthly supportgroup meetings for caregivers of individuals withAlzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. For info:Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of America Chapter,271-1844 or email [email protected]."BETRAYED HEART" support group/Bible study – Forwomen whose husbands struggle with pornographyaddictions or have had affairs. Videos & workbook willgive you hope for your marriage & emotional healing.For info: Jane Goble, 478-9605.BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE – NE Kansas Chapter(B.A.C.A.) 3rd Sun., 4 pm American Legion, 3800 SEMichigan. Open to the public. For info: 817-5801.FRIENDS WITH M.S. – 3rd Mon., 6:30pm, Our Savior'sLutheran Church, 2021 SW 29th St. (Enter East door). AMultiple Sclerosis support group. Donna, 266-7383.BOUNCE BACK SELF-HELP – 3rd Mon., 6:30pm, OurSavior’s Lutheran Church, 2021 SW 29th St. For thoseliving with multiple sclerosis. For info: 273-0799.INCARCERATED PERSONS & FAMILIES – 1st Mon.,6:30–7:30pm, YMCA, 421 Van Buren. 286-2329.THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS BEREAVED PARENTSSUPPORT GROUP –. Most Pure Heart of Mary, 17th &Stone. Memorial Candle Lighting, candles provided,please bring framed picture of memorial item of yourchild. Fellowship and refreshments following. 272-4895OVERCOMERS OUTREACH – Every Mon., 7-8:30pm,Wanamaker Woods Church, 3501 SW Wanamaker Rd. Abridge between traditional church and traditional 12step meetings. Contact info: Bill at 409-9111 or [email protected] SUPPORT GROUPS – Sponsored by HeartlandHospice for those dealing with death or major loss: 1st Mon., 6:30pm, Heartland Hospice of Topeka, 2231SW Wanamaker Rd., Suite 202.1st & 3rd Thurs., 3pm, Brewster Place, 1209 SW 29thSt., penthouse of indep. living high-rise apts.3rd Thurs., 11am, Widow’s/Widowers’ Luncheon,Paisano’s Ristorante, Fleming Place, SW 10th & GageBlvd,. Dutch treat luncheon to meet new friends whohave sat where you are sitting. For reservations(required) or info: 271-6500. OVEREATERS / UNDEREATERS ANONYMOUS:MON., 7pm – Westminister Presbyterian, south door,upstairs in Library; 233-6724.WED., 7pm – St. Francis Hospital meeting room 6, 2ndfloor; 234-8020.SAT. - 9am – St. Francis Hospital meeting room 8, 2ndfloor; 862-2326.For info: 357-8774; sunflowerintergroup.oa.org.CHRIST-CENTERED SUPPORT GROUP – “Strong Tower”12 step recovery program – Tue., 7pm, 1331 SWHarrison. Currently discussing the book “Living Free inChrist.” For info: Tony, 620-366-1427.GRANDPARENT/RELATIVE CAREGIVER SUPPORTGROUP – 3rd Tue., 6:30-8pm, 2nd floor meeting room,St. Francis Hosp, 1700 SW 7th. Join for support, infor-mation, etc. For info: Sharla, 286-2329; Jennie(English/Spanish) 231-0763.THE GREATER TOPEKA MULTIPLE MYELOMA – 3rd Tue.,7-8:30pm, Faith Lutheran Church, 17th St. & GageBlvd. Oen to Multiple Myeloma patients, their familymembers & friends. Share support, information,&friendship. For info: Donna, 903-918-9553. "HEALING AFTER THE SUICIDE OF A LOVED ONE"("HEAL") – or Survivors of Suicide" (SOS). 1st & 3rdTue., 7-8:30pm, Pozez Education Center of StormontVail Hospital, 1505 SW 8th St. Serving anyone who haslost a loved one by suicide.PRISON OUTREACH MINISTRY – Every Tue., 7-9pm,

Topeka Women’s Prison, 815 Rice Rd. Reaching out tothose who can’t come in, finding freedom behind bars,inspiring inmates to seek salvation during a difficulttime. Providing support & guidance through the HolySpirit to offer strength. Director: Don Garner. 286-0489or [email protected] ANONYMOUS – Every Wed, 7pm, St. FrancisHospital, meeting room #8.JAYHAWK AREA AGENCY ON AGING – 4th Wed., 1pm,Rosehill Place Clubhouse. Monthly support group forcaregivers of seniors. For info: 235-1367 ext.30.MOMS-IN-TOUCH PRAYER GROUP – Every Wed., 2:30-3:30pm, Library at Cair Paravel-Latin School.Experience God’s power through prayer as we lift ourstudents, teachers, staff, administrators & board up tothe Lord. For info: 357-0369.DIVORCECARE PROGRAMS – locations and times:TUE. – 7-8:30pm, Covenant Baptist Church, 5440 SW37th St. Cost $15. Scholarships available. Choose fromDivorceCare, Single & Parenting, or DivorceCare forKids. For info: 273-2811.WED. – 6:30pm, Topeka Bible Church, 1101 SWMulvane. Cost: $15. Child care provided. For info: 379-

0505 or www.divorcecare.org.WED. – 6:45 – 8:45pm, Walnut View Christian Church,3634 SE 37th St. (just East of 37th & Croco). Cost:$10 registration (scholarships available). The videoseminar series featuring some of the nation’s foremostexperts on divorce and recovery topics, combined withsupport group discussion of the materials.Complimentary child care children up to the fifth grade.For info: 266-7550 or [email protected]. Website:divorcecare.org. Contact: Tony Thornton, Pastor.PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP – 1st Thurs.,7pm, 2nd floor conf. room of the cancer unit at StFrancis Hospital. For info: 266-9533.NICOTINE ANONYMOUS – Every Fri., 6:30pm, Town &Country Christian Church Renaissance Room, 4925 SW29th St., use west door cross red foot bridge. A fellow-ship of men & women helping each other to live free ofnicotine. No dues or fees. The only requirement formembership is the desire to be free of nicotine. For info:John, 402-321-486 or [email protected] RECOVERY – Every Fri., 6pm, 1912 GageBlvd. A Christ centered program, based on 8 principlesfound in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Applying these

Biblical principles, become free from addictive & dys-functional behaviors. 272-7980 or crtopeka.org.COVENANT KEEPERS – 3rd Sat. Group for people whowant to see their marriage saved when their spouse

wants out. For info: 816-453-0884 or 816-966-0927.WIDOWED PERSONS SERVICE: monthly brunches – 3rdSat., 11am-12:30pm, First UMC. Bring a covered dish,rolls, salad, dessert, fruit or cheese. 357-7290.

Topeka Metro Voice _________________________ MetroVoiceNews.com _________________________ Facebook/MetroVoiceNews ___________________ February 2014 • 15

nn CALENDAR CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

“We’ve gotten quite a few calls off the ad.”

Jeff PayneKansas Furniture Mart Surplus Groceries4547 SW Topeka Blvd.

“THANKS...”


MOVIES, BOOKS, MUSIC & MORE!

NASHVILLE, /ChristianNewswire - GRAMMY®-nominat-ed artist and 42nd Annual DoveAwards' "Artist of the Year" and"Female Vocalist of the Year,"Francesca Battistelli, is preppingfor the April 22 release of her thirdstudio album, If We're Honest,with an iTunes pre-order availablehere today. With the pre-order,fans will also receive an instantdownload of her current single,"Write Your Story," which debutedat No. 3 on iTunes' Christian &Gospel chart today and has sky-rocketed to No. 15 at Christianradio after just two weeks.In the coming months Battistelli

will be touring in support of IfWe're Honest commencing with

the "Hands of God Tour" withSanctus Real on February 7 inDecatur, TX. "Hands of God"is also the title of a newly-penned track on her albumco-written by and featuringSanctus Real's Matt Hammitt.Launching on March 20 atSaddleback in Lake Forest,CA, she'll be featured on theWord Entertainment /LightWorkers Media (MarkBurnett and Roma Downey)partnership "The Bible: Son ofGod Tour 2014." Battistellialso has songs on the com-panion CD to the upcoming20th Century Fox feature filmand LightWorker's Media pro-duction "Son of God,"SON OF

GOD: Music Inspired by the EpicMotion Picture, and on the com-

panion CD, The Bible:Music Inspired By TheEpic Mini-Series, to themassive History channelmini-series "The Bible."For more information anda complete listing of datesp l e a s evisit :www.francescamu-sic.com.Since her debut in 2008,

Francesca Battistelli hasearned a Grammy nomi-nation (Best GospelPerformance), six DoveAwards including 2011"Artist of the Year" and 22Dove Award nominations.Both her debut album, My

Paper Heart (certified gold in

2012), and her 2011 sophomorerelease, Hundred More Years, tookthe No. 1 spot on Billboard'sChristian Album chart. With over978,000 in album sales to date andover 1.8 million single downloads,she is the best-selling new artist inthe genre in the past decade. Hermusic has also been featured onTriStar Picture's "Soul Surfer,"Columbia Picture's "Julie andJulia," TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8,"ABC's "Extreme Makeover: HomeEdition," NBC's "The BiggestLoser," Fox's "So You Think YouCan Dance," and several other tele-vision and movie outlets. In addi-tion, this past fall she was featuredon over three million Diet PepsiCans throughout the U.S.

Francesca Battistelli Preps for Release of Third Studio Album

Building upon a growing interest infaith-based productions, the creators ofthe successful television miniseries "TheBible" will take the message of Christianfaith to moviegoers with a full-length fea-ture film Feb. 28. The film is being releasedby 20th Century Fox.The movie portends a revival of

Hollywood turning to the scripture forinspiration, as other Biblical accounts arebeing readied for the big screen.Combining previously aired and

unused footage from the 10-part "TheBible" miniseries, "Son of God" will runmore than two hours. The studio is bank-ing on its TV popularity, which shockedmany when its two-hour finale, broadcast

in March on the History Channel, earnedblockbuster ratings.About 13 million viewers tuned in to

the show's finale, which portrayed the cru-cifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Itmarked the History Channel's highest-watched show and garnered three Emmy

nominations, later selling close to 1 mil-lion units on DVD, Blu-ray, andDigitalHD platforms.Columbia Pictures executive DeVon

Franklin says the marketplace for faith-based films always has been vibrant, butBiblical epics likely are the next wave ofthat genre that Hollywood will produce.Several more major film releases areplanned for 2014.

For Easter 2014, his studio is releasing"Heaven is for Real," a T.D. Jakes and JoeRoth-produced film adaption of the best-selling 2010 book and starring AcademyAward-nominee Greg Kinnear.

"It is an audience that is underserved,"Franklin said. "We are continually tryingto provide great content and quality filmsto what I believe is an exciting audiencebut also a growing one."Veteran film critic and Breitbart News

assistant editor Christian Toto agrees that"there is an untapped audience" for suchprogramming."There are people out there who are

deeply religious and they look at the

Cineplex and say there is nothing there forme, whether it's too violent, there are toomany anti-heroes, or a general suspicionof Hollywood that has not catered to thataudience for a long time," Toto toldNewsmax."Faith-based films, up until recently,

have been on a small scale with no big star,and yet they have been doing quite well atthe box office," he said. "I thinkHollywood is awakening to the fact thatthis is profitable. I think 'The Bible's'showing made that clear."The TV series was produced by Mark

Burnett and his wife, actress RomaDowney, for Hearst Entertainment &Syndication. Burnett also has made aname for himself in Hollywood, produc-ing such popular reality shows as"Survivor," "The Apprentice," "SharkTank," and most recently, the singingcompetition,"The Voice." "We are very excited to be working with

20th Century Fox to release 'Son of God'as a major motion picture," Burnett andDowney, the movie's producers, said in astatement. "We responded to an over-whelming demand for 'The Greatest StoryEver Told' to be seen as a shared experi-ence on the big screen. The result is abeautiful stand-alone movie. It's the storyof Jesus for a whole new generation."Phil Cooke, a Burbank, Calif., filmmak-

er, media consultant and author, saysChristians are perfect target group for thefilm industry."Hollywood bends over backward all

the time to court very small interestgroups — feminists, environmentalists,people who are gay — but there are more

than 91 million evangelical Christians inthe U.S., which makes us the largest spe-cial-interest group of all," Cooke said."What baffles me is why Hollywood does-n't take that audience more seriously. Weare the mainstream audience."Cooke, author of "Unique: Telling Your

Story in the Age of Brand and SocialMedia," advises churches, ministers, andother Christian groups about how best toget their messages across. He said he wasamused that soon after "The Bible" TVseries aired, he received calls from threemajor news organizations whosereporters were "baffled" that anyonewould want to watch such programming."They come from such a secular world-

view that it had never crossed their mindsthat someone would be interested in TVseries about the Bible," he said. "There area lot of Christian folks out there. Forgetideology. It's just good business. Whenyou have that many potential customersand you're not trying to reach them with aproduct specifically for them . . .Hollywood, I think, needs to understandthe business potential of that."Also scheduled for a March release is

blockbuster Old Testament story "Noah,"directed by "Black Swan's" DarrenAronofsky and starring such big names asRussell Crowe in the title role, EmmaWatson, Anthony Hopkins, and Jennifer

Connelly. Its budget is $125 million, and, by some

reports, growing, making it a massivegamble on a well-known Biblical story.Cooke points to other series in the

works, including one from Burnett andDowney chronicling the New Testamentbook of Acts. Others in the entertainmentbusiness would be wise to take note of thetrend, he said.But as Hollywood reaches to

Christianity for its storytelling, Cookebelieves Christians must "lighten up" andnot dismiss its message-spreading powerto spark a deeper conversation about faith."We need to suck it up a little bit and

realize the value of these creating culturalconversations about the Bible. It's soincredibly remarkable, I'm willing to givethem a little slack," he said. "We try ourbest. We don’t want them to cross danger-ous theological boundaries, but I'm will-ing to give them enormous slack just toget that out there.Cooke adds: "I've never met people

who got saved watching a movie, but it'scaused them to reconsider what theythink about God. We need to be matureenough to understand that no,Hollywood isn't going to make Bible sto-ries the way we grew up with them. But Ithink that if they are willing to spend thatmuch alone on a story like Noah, countme in.""Anything that allows me to start a

conversation with a friend or coworkerabout God, that works for me," Cookesaid. '"The Passion of the Christ" got mil-lions of people talking about Christ'sdeath and resurrection."

moviereviewby New Services

SON OF GODSTARS: Fraser Ayres, Rick Bacon, HamiBelal, Said Bey, Paul Brightwell,Andrew Brooke, Anas Chenin, Joe CoenHEAVEN IS FOR REALSTARS: Greg Kinnear, Kelly Reilly,Connor Corum, Margo Martindale,Thomas Haden Church

film411A P P L A U D H O L L Y W O O D D I S C O V E R I N G T H E B I B L E

Son of God hits theaters Feb. 28

Heaven is for Real stars l. to r. –Kelly Reilly, Connor Corum and Greg Kinnear

Son of God stars Diogo Morgad as Jesus.


Southern cross-over rock band NEED-TOBREATHE has announced the releaseof their newest album, slated for April 15.Rivers In the Wasteland is the band’s fifthfull-length, and is following hot on theheels of their critically acclaimed TheReckoning. The band had toured for two years pro-

moting their last work, and also sawreviews in the New York Times, NPR, andEntertainment Weekly. NEEDTOBREATHE closed out last

year’s DoveAwards withtheir news i n g l e ,“DifferenceMaker,” andhas gotten al a r g eamount of

airplay for just that track, alone.Singer/guitarist Bo Rineheart was recentlyinterviewed about the new album, and heis sounding optimistic. “We’ve got a new sense of purpose and

we believe in what we’re doing. We just fellback in love with the idea of what we getto do.” If Rivers in the Wasteland is anything

like their previous few albums, it will defi-nitely be a great album to pick up! Visitneedtobreathe.com for tour information,

as well as to purchase merchandise andmusic.In some heavy news (not musically

“heavy”) ,former leadsinger ofHi l l s ong ,D a r l e n eZschech, hasannouncedthat she hasbreast can-cer and hasasked forp r a y e r .Zschech reported she already had surgeryto address the cancer, and was releasedfrom SAN Hospital in Sydney onChristmas Eve. From her website, she hasnoted that since discovering the cancer, “ithas been a whirlwind of appointments,scans and surgery. Even though the pastdays have been very tough at times, theHoly Spirit has brought me endless com-fort and the Word of God is literally hold-

ing me moment by moment.”She went on to thank her husband and

children for their support and bravery,and has mentioned that she has alreadyexperienced miracles from this andbelieves there “will be many more tocome.” She has asked that fans and herChristian family pray for quick healing.

Lastly, and just in case you haven’tbeen paying attention, Jamie Grace hasreleased her sophomore album! The

Grammy-nominated and Dove Awardwinner (Best New Artist), unleashedReady To Fly at the end of January. Thenew album also brings back the producersshe worked with on her first album,Christopher Stevens (TobyMac), DavidGarcia (Britt Nicole). New songs from thealbum were already available for view onYoutube."The entire concept of Ready To Fly is

being ready even when you don’t knowwhat the Lord has planned for yourfuture," said Grace in a recent interview.Saying she wrote the title track the nightbefore her 18th birthday, “. I was cryingout, wondering what God's plan for mewas. I started to doubt so many things butas I randomly began singing the lyrics toReady to Fly, I realized I don't have to havemy whole life figured out to start my jour-ney.”For more information on her new

release, tour dates, and televised dates, visitwww.jamiegrace.com.

musicscene

D.C.JeanesMetro VoiceMusic Critic

NEED TO BREATH RELEASES ALBUM

In Gimme Shelter, a pregnant teenag-er flees her abusive mother in search ofher father, only to be rejected by her dadand forced to survive on the streets untila compassionate stranger offers a hopefulalternative.

In recent years films like Juno haveaddressed the subject of an unexpectedchild, utilizing humor in order to makethe subject matter of abortion palatablefor Friday-night moviegoers. Therein liesthe difference with Gimme Shelter. It’snot an after-school TV special. It’s notlightweight. Nor does it give us a spoon-ful of sugar to make the medicine godown. Rather, Gimme Shelter slaps us inthe face with brutal realities.

While the film doesn’t beat the view-er over the head with a proselytizingmessage, it does score points by suggest-ing a need for spiritual intervention. Aperson in the film who does pray fordirection and help ultimately finds a pos-itive resolve. Sadder examples indicatethat those who don’t turn to God contin-ue to stumble in the dark.

Cute little Vanessa Hudgens fromthose Disney High School Musicalsproves she has thespian chops. Sheddingany movie star vanity, she creates a real-life person with her role as Apple (as inthe apple of her father’s eye). The actresstakes on her character and the facts of lifewith truth and depth. She even goes sofar as to put on weight in order to believ-ably resemble a pregnant teen.

In the recent “Stories We Tell”, a film-maker decides to shoot a documentaryabout her eccentric family. At one pointthe writer/director is told that her moth-er had not only considered aborting her,but was in route to the clinic in order toproceed with the termination. Suddenly,she turned to her husband and said, “Ican’t do this.” Years later, the husbandsays to his moviemaking daughter,“Amazing how close we were to younever existing. Almost enough to makeyou an anti-abortionist.”

For that statement to come from a

onetime prochoice thinker makes it evenmore penetrating. We see home video ofthe moviemaker as a little girl splicedthrough the entire documentary. We alsolearn that she has been productive, andwe see her relating to loving family andfriends. The realization that she had beena car-drive away from not being a part oftheir lives haunts the production, per-haps negating any debate concerning awoman’s rights over those of the unborn.

The same emotion hits us in the gutwhen we see Gimme Shelter’s Appleholding her newborn.

Riveting. A film every teenagershould see. And their parents!

moviereviewby Phil Boatright

GIMME SHELTER A BRUTAL REAL ITY

Vanessa Hudgensshines in breakoutperformance withpro-life message

STARS: Vanessa Hudgens, RosarioDawson, Brendan Frazer, Ann Dowd.Roadside Attractions. RATING: PG-13

film411

Out of 1.6 million Jewish childrenliving in Europe at thestart of World War II,only 11 percent sur-vived. A new filmattempts to chroniclethe plight of these chil-dren, many of whomwere left to survive ontheir own during thewar. In the film "Adira",a young Jewish girl fleesfrom the grasp of the Gestapo and findsherself stranded on an abandoned farm.Adira, played by Lee’s Summit’s AndreaFantauzzi, has to learn to survive withonly her faith and basic instincts keep-ing her alive, as she awaits her rescue.The film chronicles the war and itsstruggles through the eyes of a lost child.

This film was shot in part at the1855 Harris-Kearney House Museum,located in Westport, as well as in various

locations across Kansas City. The locallybased cast and crew cametogether after a successfulcrowd funding campaignin May of 2013. Bradley J.Lincoln and IreneDelmonte raised $4,500,through contributions,for the making of the film.Using historicalwardrobe, props andvehicles, the production

company transformed Kansas City into1940’s Nazi Germany. The event will showcase the growing

“indie” film scene that has flourished inKansas City.

The screening will be held at 7:30p.m. on Feb. 6, at the ScreenlandArmour, 408 North Armour Rd., NorthKansas City. Tickets are $10 per personand can be purchased online atwww.hiddendistrict.net.

Local film company screens WWII film made in KC

Andrea Fantauzzi, from Lee’s Summit,plays Adira in a new WWII drama filmed in

Kansas City.

AndreaFantauzzi

Christian Newswire – LeadershipJournal, a ministry of Christianity Today,has announced its annual book awards -the editors' picks of the best books for pas-tors and church leaders from the last year. Each year Leadership Journal, "the pas-

tor's magazine," helps busy church leadersby recommending the books that are mostworthy of their time. The book awards arechosen by a group of the publication's edi-tors in two categories: The Leader's InnerLife, those books that encourage and nur-ture the leader's soul, and The Leader's

Outer Life, books that engage and equipleaders practically for ministry. This year's winner in the Leader's Inner

Life category is In Search of Deep Faith byJim Belcher,published by Intervarsity Press.Contributing editor Paul Atwater statesBelcher's new book "...creates a love forcourageous Christians of history, connectsthese discoveries to the challenges of today'sworld, and charts a course through theEuropean continent that I’d love to trek." In the Leader's Outer Life category, this

year's winner is I Am a Church Member by

Thom S. Rainer and published byBroadman & Holman. Atwater shares that"one thing all Christians can be sure of isthat Jesus loved the church and was com-mitted to the church. Thom Rainer hasgiven us a simple tool that has the potentialto foster generations of health and produc-tive service in churches of every size anddenomination."The full list of other highly-recom-

mended books can be found atwww.christianitytoday.com

Leadership Journal Picks 2013's Best Books for Church Leaders


YEAR-LONG CELEBRATION BEGINS

Brewster Place celebrates 50 years of CaringWith a gala dinner on January 18 at

the Topeka Country Club, BrewsterPlace kicked off a year-long celebra-tion of its 50th anniversary since itfirst opened its doors as a retirementcommunity. With live music playing,over 130 people celebrated the orga-nization’s past and looked toward thefuture with Brewster providing aninnovative retirement community,in-home support, rehabilitation serv-ices and healthcare for an ever-grow-ing population of seniors in Topeka. Back on May 17, 1964, a full page

advertisement in the Topeka Capital-Journal invited people to “…inspectthe beautiful and unique features ofBrewster Place, The CongregationalHome.” The ad goes on to say that

Brewster Place “is the first in theMiddle West to offer these opportu-nities to the ‘New Generation’ (per-sons over 62).”The Congregational Home for

older citizens, better known asBrewster Place, began as a dream ofRoy and Frances Engler. Frances’ eld-erly aunt was experiencing difficultiesliving alone and the couple couldn’tfind a suitable place for her to liveconveniently and comfortably. Theyboth wondered why other churchesbesides the Methodist church had notbuilt homes for their seniors. One dayRoy Engler said to his wife, “Whydon’t we offer our church ten acres ofour farm for a building site…maybewe could start something.”

The Englers took their idea andoffer of land to their pastor, Rev. NedBurr McKenney. Rev. McKenney tookthe idea to other Congregationalchurches in the area and by 1958, rep-resentatives of four localCongregational churches were grant-ed a corporate charter for TheCongregational Home.The first Executive Director, Mr.

Nathan Barr, was hired in 1961 andby 1964 construction of the MainBuilding was complete and the firsttenants arrived. Regardless of the cor-porate title (The CongregationalHome), the community becameknown as Brewster Place, named afterWilliam Brewster (1567-1644), anoutstanding Congregationalist andone of the leaders of the PlymouthColony.By 1969 the Brewster Place medical

facility doubled in size with construc-tion of a second floor. Brewster con-tinued its growth by adding 38 livingunits in 1972 – Brewster West. In1979, 38 more living units were con-structed including cottages andapartments. In more recent years, under the

leadership of Mr. David Beck whobecame President/CEO in 1996,Brewster has continued its growthand service to the community byadding the Brewster Health Center,eight Townhomes, a Brewster atHome program for those not yetready to relocate to Brewster Place,and the Rehab Center at BrewsterPlace. Just this past month, St. Francis

Family Medicine at Brewster Placeopened its doors, adding to the serv-ices provided on the Brewster Placecampus to its residents as well as thewider community.“Today we are a nation looking for

answers and needing solutions forproblems that loom, many of themrelated to how we’re going to care forthe next ‘new generation,’ the babyboomers,” says Mr. Beck. Ironically, the post-war baby boom

ended the same year Brewster Placewas born. The boom started in 1946and 78 million people were born dur-ing the next 18 years. Now and everyyear for the next 18 years, 10,000 peo-ple will turn 65 every day. “The sheer number of seniors

needing supports and services in thedecades to come will force us to con-sider some very significant changes,and we really need to get started nowif not yesterday,” Beck says. “As evi-denced by our four founding church-es many years ago, the faith commu-nity and the not-for-profit sector arethe leaders. On the big issues facing usnow – chiefly how will we providesafe, affordable, accessible supportsand services for seniors and theircaregivers – Brewster has been calledto lead.”

(Family Features) – A healthylifestyle is necessary at any age, but forthose over 50, it’s especially impor-tant. As you age, your body changes,and your risk for healthproblems increases.Fortunately, there arethree simple things youcan do to lead a healthi-er and happier life.

Eat Heart Healthy

If high blood pressureisn’t controlled throughlifestyle changes and/ormedicine, it can lead tostroke, heart disease, eyeproblems and otherserious health issues. A great way to estab-

lish a heart healthy dietis by reducing yoursodium intake, whichmay reduce the risk ofhigh blood pressure.Starting the day with alow-sodium ready-to-eat breakfast cereal(such as ShreddedWheat) is just one wayto choose a healthier lifestyle.

Enjoy Nutrient-Dense Foods

As you age, your body needs fewercalories for energy – but still needs thesame amount of nutrients. It’s impor-tant to make your calories count byeating foods packed with good nutri-tion such as:

• Fruits and vegetables: Fresh,canned, frozen – it doesn’t matter.Vegetables are loaded with vitaminsand minerals your body needs. • Protein: Add some variety to your

diet with delicious protein sourcessuch as fish, beans and peas.•Whole grains: The Dietary

Guidelines for Americans recom-mends at least three servings ofwhole-grain foods each day (16g perserving or 48g per day).

Get Moving

Physical activity and regular exercise

can decrease the risk of heart disease,stroke, colon cancer, diabetes and highblood pressure. The Centers forDisease Control and Prevention rec-

ommend those 65 years old an older,who are generally fit, and have no lim-iting health conditions, try to get:• Two hours and 30 minutes (150

minutes) of moderate-intensity aero-bic activity, such as brisk walking oryoga, and•Muscle-strengthening activities

two or more days a week.

You should consult your physicianor other health care professionalbefore making changes to your diet orexercise plan to determine what isright for your needs.In addition to taking up walking or

other exercise, joining group activitiesor sports are great ways to keep mov-ing. Taking care of your blood pressure,

enjoying healthy foods, and stayingactive are three steps you can starttaking today to help you get and stayhealthy for tomorrow.

Three Tips for Staying Healthy Over 50

Call (785) 478-9440 or visit aldersgatevillage.org!7220 SW Asbury Drive | Topeka, KS 66614

Independent LivingAssisted LIvingMemory CareSkilled Nursing Care

Rehabilitation ServicesSub-acute ProgramTransportation


SOCIAL SECURITY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What option is right for you?(Family Features) – Most people

prefer to stay in their home or apart-ment for as long as possible. The bestway to make this a reality is to planahead of time to make the amenitiesin your home as safe and accessible aspossible. It can be hard to imaginethat tasks around the house that wereonce done with ease can one day posea challenge. Anticipating the chal-lenge and planning accordingly mayallow you to remain in your home foran extended period of time. Often,with some minor modifications, yourhome can be adapted to help you stayas long as possible even with someloss of mobility.

Home ModificationsLiving at home longer may mean

renovating a home to make it moreaccessible. This can include such thingsas installing ramps to bypass stairs,building a bedroom on the main floor,placing grab bars in the shower, chang-ing the height of kitchen countertopsor making a bathroom safer and moreaccessible. Before you make homemodifications, you should evaluateyour current and future needs by goingthrough your home room by roomand answering a series of questions tohighlight where changes might bemade. Several checklists are available tohelp you conduct this review. TheNational Resource Center onSupportive Housing and HomeModifications is a good place to start.Go to the center’s website atwww.homemods.org and click on thelink to the “Safety Checklist andAssessment Instrument.”

Getting HelpKeeping a house running smooth-

ly requires a lot of hard work. If youare no longer able to keep up with thedemands, you may need to hiresomeone to do laundry, buy gro-ceries, run errands, clean the house orperform any necessary repairs. Thosewho are unable to perform Activitiesof Daily Living (ADLs), such as get-ting in and out of bed, walking,bathing, dressing, and eating, canoften continue to stay at home withoutside help. There are a number ofservices that can be brought in toassist with ADLs and other personalcare. You can hire someone, such as apersonal care aide or home healthaide, to help you out a few hours a dayor around the clock.

Some health care services can beprovided at home by trained profes-sionals, such as occupational thera-pists, social workers or home healthnurses. Check with your insurance orhealth service to see what kind of cov-erage is available, although you mayhave to cover some of these costs outof pocket. If very specific conditionsare met, Medicare will help pay for allor a portion of home health care.

TransportationDeclining health often causes a

decline in independence and mobili-ty. Many seniors lose the ability to

drive or simply feel uncomfortablebehind the wheel at night. Investigatetransportation options in your areaso you can maintain an active sociallife, get medical care and shop fornecessities. You might find familymembers willing to take you to thegrocery store, friends who will driveyou to social events, nearby busroutes, reduced fare taxis or seniortransportation services offered bylocal agencies. Staying in your homeshould not mean being cut off fromcommunity activities you enjoy.Finding new ways to get around, evenafter you are no longer driving, mayallow you to stay engaged and active.

After considering your options,you may decide you can no longerstay at home. If that is the case, thereare many fine assisted living facilitiesin Topeka that can offer a variety ofliving arrangements for you to con-sider. You may find that the advan-tages to one of these arrangementsoutweighs your desire to stay in yourhome, and may even offer manyoptions you cannot get by staying athome. Investigate all your optionsand choose the one that best fits thelifestyle you desire.

Question: I'm retired and the onlyincome I have is a monthly withdraw-al from an Individual RetirementAccount (IRA). Are the IRA with-drawals considered "earnings?" Couldthey reduce my monthly SocialSecurity benefits?

Answer: No. We count only thewages you earn from a job or your netprofit if you're self-employed. Non-work income such as pensions, annu-ities, investment income, interest, cap-ital gains and other government bene-fits are not counted and will not affectyour Social Security benefits.

Question: I applied for Disabilitybenefits, but was denied. I’d like toappeal. Can I do it online?

Answer: Yes — in fact, the best wayto file a Social Security appeal is online.Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/dis-ability/appeal to appeal the decision.

Question: It’s hard for me to getaround because of my disability. Can Iapply for disability benefits fromhome?

Answer: Yes — in fact, the best wayto apply for disability benefits is online.You can apply for benefits over theInternet at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.

Question: My dad receivesSupplemental Security Income (SSI)benefits. He soon will be coming to livewith me. Does he have to report themove to Social Security?

Answer: Yes. He should report any

change in his living arrangementswithin 10 days. The change may affecthis benefit amount. Also, we need hiscorrect address so we can send corre-spondence when needed, even if hereceives his payments electronically.He can report the change by mail,phone or in person at a Social Securityoffice. Changes must be reportedpromptly or a penalty may be chargedand held from future benefits.

Question: If I retire at age 62, will Ibe eligible for Medicare?

Answer: No. Medicare starts whenyou reach 65. If you retire at 62, youmay be able to continue medical insur-ance coverage through your employeror purchase it from a private insurancecompany until you become eligible.

Question: My spouse died recentlyand my neighbor said my children andI might be eligible for survivors bene-fits. Don’t I have to be retirement ageto receive benefits?

Answer: No. As a survivor, you canreceive benefits at any age if you are car-ing for a child who is receiving SocialSecurity benefits and who is under age16. Your children are eligible for sur-vivors benefits through Social Securityup to age 19 if they are unmarried andattending elementary or secondaryschool full time. If you are not caringfor minor children, you would need towait until age 60 (age 50 if disabled) tocollect survivors benefits.

For more information, visit ourwebsite at www.socialsecurity.gov orcall us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213(TTY 1-800-325-0778).

by Shawn Cole | SS Dist. Mgr.


Masahiro Tanaka, the highly toutedfree agent pitcher from Japan who hadteams lining up to bid on his services,finally reached an agreement with theNew York Yankees. He said that he chosethe Yankees because they “appreciatedhim” the most of all of the teams thatwere in the running.By that, he means they offered him

the most dollar signs. 155 million ofthem to be exact. I think it’s quitehumorous when these athletes sign witha team, regardless of the sport, that theyalways seem to say somethinglike that. They say things like“tradition,” “family atmos-phere,” “respect.” Another goodone is the fact that they have totake care of their family.Just once I would like to hear

someone say, “Yeah, I signedwith this team because, quite frankly,they offered me a ridiculous amount ofmoney and I would have been a com-plete idiot to turn it down.” I know it’snot the politically correct thing to do,but I would still enjoy hearing that. Atleast it would be the truth.The Yankees have been on a free

agent spending spree this offseason. Iknow that they usually spend a lot ofmoney but this year they’ve taken it to anew level. They signed outfieldersJacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran andcatcher Brian McCann. IncludingTanaka’s deal, they have now committed$438 million to the four of them. The question of the hour is this, is

Tanaka worth all of that money consid-

ering he has never pitched in the majorleagues before? Last year, with theJapanese champion Rakuten Eagles, hewas 24-0 and had an ERA of 1.27. I’msure that he will be a good pitcher forthe Yankees, but if anyone is expectinghim to have those types of numbers thisyear, they should probably have theirheads examined.Anyone who follows the sport real-

izes that pitching is the currency ofbaseball. You can never have enoughand it is extremely difficult to come by.

That’s why there are so manymediocre pitchers that signhuge contracts. There are sever-al pitchers still on the free agentmarket that have not signed yetand I believe that everyone waswaiting to see how the Tanakadeal went down. Now that it’s

done, I’m sure that pitchers will start tosign. It has already started to someextent with Matt Garza signing with theMilwaukee Brewers for $50 million.Why else would someone leave a con-tending team like Texas to play for theBrewers? That leaves Ervin Santana and the

Royals to figure out what they’re goingto do. The Royals have conceded thatthey will not be able to re-sign him, butthe closer they get to the start of the sea-son, Santana may find himself in needof a team and might be willing to re-jointhe Royals.That would be a big boost for the

team and it might get them over thehump, but I don’t expect that at all.

Years ago the Kansas Koyotes cameup with the motto “We are here FORGOOD!” It was to inform the people ofTopeka that the team was going to bearound for many years to come.Knowing the history of professionalsports franchises in the area this was anecessary battle cry to instill faith in thestability of the team. Now enteringtheir 12th season it seems the motto hasbecome a self-fulfilling prophecy. But, there was another meaning

other than the longevity of the organi-zation. There was, and still is, a deepermeaning to the phrase “FOR GOOD!”It meant that the Koyotes wanted tobecome a force “FOR GOOD” in thecommunity, to use their resources toenhance the quality of life for the peo-ple of Topeka and NE Kansas. Tobecome, not just a championship foot-ball team, but a part of the fabric of thecommunity. Over the years the Koyoteshave held fundraisers, donated time,money, tickets and other items toalmost every charitable organization inthe city. For the 2014 season the Koyotes have

developed their Koyotes KAREfundraising program. Over the yearsmany organizations have approachedthe team to help them raise funds.Whether you are a church needing toraise money to send your youth groupon a mission, or a school that wants tobuy new band uniforms or send theirband to a bowl game, or the boys andgirls club that has had their budget cutand needs to raise money just to func-tion on a normal level, the KARE pro-gram will work for you. Whatever yourcause, whatever your need, the KAREprogram is a fun way to meet yourfundraising goals.The KARE program is meant to be

an easy way for any group, school,church, sports team or other organiza-tion to raise funds for any project,camp, travel or other needs they mayhave. The beauty of this program is inits simplicity. The Koyotes have devoted 1,000 tick-

ets for each of their six home games tothe KARE program. The participatingorganization simply puts together agroup night for one or more of thegames and then sells tickets to theirfamily and friends for this event. Theregular price of a ticket is $16.00. TheKoyotes will discount the tickets to$10.00 for the program and the partici-pating group keeps half the proceeds. It’s that simple. It’s that fun.The Koyotes have added a competi-

tive element to this fundraiser. If agroup sells more than 50 tickets to agame, then the Koyotes will awardprizes to the top three fundraisers inyour group. Also when a group sellsmore than 100 tickets then they get tokeep an extra dollar ($1.00) per ticketsold. That’s six dollars a ticket. Plus,you get to come to a Koyotes homegame and have a great time with familyand friends!What could be easier than to ask

your family and friends to attend agame with you and half of all themoney for the tickets goes to your orga-

nization’s fundraising campaign? Koyotes games are fun-filled group

events. The football action, halftimeentertainment, and all the on-field con-tests held during time-outs make for anexciting night out with your family andfriends.The Kansas Koyotes are here to pro-

vide Topeka and NE Kansas with good,quality, football action and entertain-ment. But, their underlying goal, fromthe beginning, was to help Topekansand Kansans achieve a higher quality oflife and be a force “FOR GOOD” in thecommunity. The Koyotes KARE pro-gram is the newest piece of that puzzle.In fact, it is the first step toward creatingthe Koyotes KARE Foundation. Thisfoundation will become the charitablearm of the Kansas Koyotes and serve

the community for all the teams’ benev-olent endeavors in the future. To findout more information about theKoyotes KARE program, KAREFoundation, or the Koyotes team itselfcontact Nick Baumgartner at (785)383-4965.

Koyotes KARE for Topeka

DO YOU HAVE A STORY IDEA FOR METRO VOICE SPORTS?E-mail us at [email protected] with your questions & suggestions!


Dear Dave,�Do you have any advice for teaching

responsibility and generosity to adultchildren and grandkids when it comes tomoney?�

Justin

Dear Justin,�I think there are three key factors when

it comes to teaching children of any ageabout these concepts—humility, grati-tude and contentment. In my mind,humility is where gratitude comes from,and gratitude leads to contentment.I’m generous to my adult children, but

they have no sense of entitlement. That’sdue to their personal humility. They don’tfeel that I owe them anything, and theyalready know that anyone who cops anentitlement attitude gets cut off. You’re nolonger qualified for my generosity whenyou lose your gratitude.You’ve got to spend time talking to kids

about these things. Otherwise, you run

Humility, gratitude and contentmentDAVE RAMSEYFinancial author,radio host, televi-sion personality,and motivationalspeaker

viewpoint

the risk of them counting on the income.Here’s an example. We coach some fami-ly businesses at my company, and the bestfamily businesses are the ones that teachnon-employee family members whoreceive money from the business—divi-dends from the profits—never to live onthose dividends. I’ve seen lots of caseswhere someone will start living on thebusiness they don’t work in, and theyimmediately start feeling entitled to themoney.The same principle applies in your sit-

uation. If someone starts saying, “Well,since mom and dad are paying for ourdaycare, we can use that money we wouldhave spent to buy a car.” That meansthey’ve started counting on mom anddad’s generosity to live, and that’s a formof entitlement mentality.None of our kids receive any kind of

financial help from us at all, unless they’realready carrying their weight in their ownlives. That’s not being cold. It’s teachingresponsibility and self-reliance. Now itwould be different if one of them devel-oped a serious medical issue or some-thing like that. But the whole idea thatmommy and daddy have lots of money,and I can just get some from them? Thatdoesn’t fly in our family.You have to teach them character and

giving in order for them to be valid recip-ients. Plus, it’s all about the kids’ attitude.But you’ve got to talk about it often andcommunicate the value system out loud.The gifting and generosity are contingentupon the humility that leads to gratitudethat leads to contentment.�

—Dave

Managing personal finances isn't alwayslearned in school, and unfortunately, isn'talways learned at home either. Perhaps it isbecause it seems too simple, beneath us toeven have to talk about. Yet, managing per-sonal finances well seems to elude manypeople. They may find themselves makingbad financial decisions, getting into debtand falling further behind each month.Here are some simple suggestions for get-ting off to good start in life financially:1. Have a budget and live within it.

While having a budget may seem restric-tive, it actually gives you freedom - free-dom to control your money rather thanyour money con-trolling you. Thereare lots of greatb u d g e t i n gresources availableon-line and manyare free. Here is alink to a review ofseven such budgeting sites:http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/BudgetingSites2010/1.html�2. Make generosity a priority in your

budget. As counterintuitive as this mayseem from a secular perspective, there is aBiblical principal at work here that holdstrue. Whoever sows sparingly will also reapsparingly, and whoever sows generouslywill also reap generously. The rewardsreaped from a generous life extend farbeyond just financial returns. 3. Make savings a priority in your budg-

et. Savings doesn't usually just happen - itneeds to be planned. Save for specific goals(car, down-payment on a home, college,vacations, retirement, etc.) as well as forunforeseen expenses. For retirement sav-ings, take advantage of employer spon-sored retirement plans and IndividualRetirement Accounts. Start as early as pos-sible to take advantage of the power ofcompounding.�

4. Avoid consumer debt, especially cred-it cards. You will almost certainly spendmore if routinely using credit cards ratherthan only spending money you alreadyhave. Instead of borrowing for things youwant, save ahead and buy only what youcan afford in cash. Instead of borrowingfor college, actively seek out scholarships,and combined with any assistance you getfrom your family, work your way through.�5. If or when you own a home, consider a15-year mortgage instead of 30-years. Thepayment on a 15-year mortgage will ofcourse be quite a bit higher than on a 30-year mortgage, but you will pay significant-ly less in interest over the life of the loan. �6. Develop daily disciplines like Bible

study, healthy eat-ing, and exercise.You may ask whatdoes this have to dowith finances.Actually, quite a bit.Disciplines in onearea tend to spill

over into other areas of life, plus the Bibleis loaded with financial wisdom.�7. As you get established, make

sure you have a will and have adequateinsurance coverage in place. 8. Have written goals - You are far more

likely to be successful if you have a plan toget there.�9. Invest in yourself - learning should be

a lifetime endeavor and doesn't alwayshave to be in a formal classroom setting. Itcan be as simple as reading several bookseach year. By investing in yourself, youbecome more valuable to the marketplaceincreasing your earning power.�10. Strive for balance in life, realizing

that life is not just about possessions. Keep1 Timothy 6:17 in mind which instructs usnot to put our hope in wealth, but to putour hope in God, who richly provides uswith everything for our enjoyment.Barry Case is CFO of Christian

Investors Financial

10 financial tips for young peopleby Barry Case

ARE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TAXABLE?

If you’ve recently begun receiving SocialSecurity benefits or plan to apply in the near future,you may be wondering this tax season: are SocialSecurity benefits taxable?

The short answer is: sometimes. Some people have to pay federal income taxes

on their Social Security benefits. This usually hap-pens only if you have other substantial income(such as wages, self-employment, interest, divi-dends and other taxable income that must bereported on your tax return) in addition to yourSocial Security benefits.

There is never a case when a person pays taxon more than 85 percent of his or her SocialSecurity benefits, based on Internal RevenueService (IRS) rules. Now, let’s get down to the num-bers.

If you file a federal tax return as an individualand your income is between $25,000 and $34,000,you may have to pay income tax on up to 50 per-cent of your benefits. If your income is more than$34,000, then up to 85 percent of your benefitsmay be taxable.

If you are married and you file a joint return, andyou and your spouse have a combined income thatis between $32,000 and $44,000, you may have topay income tax on up to 50 percent of your bene-fits. If your combined income is more than $44,000,then up to 85 percent of your benefits may be tax-able.


Email your ads to [email protected]. Paymentin advance required: $12 for the first 25words; 25 cents for each add'l word.(classified ads also go immediately online)

ATTENTION!!!! $2000/mo. Weekly pay, Filling19 positions in 2 departments. Men and Womenneeded. Immediate interview for set up, displayand management training. No experience need-ed, full time only. Call Today @ 785-250-1069for an immediate interview.

CAREGIVER NEEDED - Disabled, middle-agedman moving to Topeka this Spring. Needs tomake arrangements for a live-in personal atten-dant/caregiver. Room/board/weekly pay provid-ed. Flexibility, apply male, ages 20-40, personalinterview required. Call Angelo: (785) 437-3210.

3 BR, 2 BATH MANUFACTURED HOME FOR

SALE – new roof, new central air & heat, newappliances, storage shed. On a nice big lot in N.Topeka park with pool & playground nearby; allresidents are background-checked. Seamanschools. A steal at $5000! Call 234-6464.

CERAMIC PAINTS (over 500 kinds) for sale.Also, Bisqued ceramics ready for painting. ManyChristmas Santas and winter scenes. For moreinformation, contact Kirk or Karin Nystrom at235-6977.

KANGAROO GOLF CART FOR SALE – Self-propelled push cart for your golf bag. KangarooHillcrest model. $1100 new, asking $75. Needsnew battery. Call 640-6399.

PART-TIME ACCOUNT REP WANTED –Work your own hours. No base pay, but youkeep 35% commission on all ads you sell.

Call on businesses, churches and non-profitsabout their advertisements in Metro Voice.Call 235-3340 or email [email protected].

VOLUNTEER WRITERS NEEDED - MetroVoice needs volunteer writers or interns whocan serve as area correspondents for churchand community news around the metro area.Call 235-3340 or email [email protected]. Someperks involved.

PLACE YOUR CLASSIFED AD WITH US! CALL 235-3340

1. VICTORY CITY CHURCH(formerly Victory Tabernacle)

Pastor Titus Terry2622 SE 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66607785-235-1748 • www.TopekaVictory.comWorship: Sun. 11am & Wed. 7pm

2. CHRISTIAN CAVALRYMINISTRIES INT.Pastor Beaux Bryant

3851 South St., Grantville, KS 664291-800-673-3633

www.church4bikers.org

3. TOPEKA BIBLE CHURCH1101 SW Mulvane St., Topeka

785-234-5545Worship: 8:00 - 9:30 & 11amSunday School & Bible Studies:

9:30 & 11amwww.discovertbc.com

4. NORTHLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH3102 NW Topeka Blvd., Topeka

286-1204Wed. 6:15 pm: Children/Youth/

Adult programsWorship Sun. 8:00, 9:30 & 11amwww.northlandcctopeka.org

5. FAIRLAWN CHURCH OF THENAZARENE

“Connecting to Christ, Church and Community”730 SW Fairlawn Rd., Topeka, KS(785)272-6322 • www.TheLawn.org

Gary Miller, PastorSunday Worship 9:15 am & 10:50 amSunday Youth Group 10:50am

Adult & Children’s Sun. School 9:15 & 10:50amSun. Eve Youth Activities 6pm

6. FIRST SOUTHERN BAPTIST1912 SW Gage, Topeka, KS

272-0443 www.fsbctopeka.orgSunday Services:

8:30 AM Traditional Worship9:45 AM Bible study--all ages11 AM Contemporary Worship

7. TOPEKA BAPTIST CHURCH“Finding NEW LIFE in CHRIST”

Sunday Worship 9:15 & 10:45am, 6pm~ Sunday School for all ages ~4500 SW Gage Blvd., Topeka

785-862-0988www.topekabaptist.org

8. WANAMAKER ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH

“Being and making disciples of Jesus Christby the power of the Gospel, to the glory of God”

2700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka(785) 272-9323 www.wrbctopeka.comTraditional Sunday Worship 10:30am & 6pmSunday School 9am • Wed. Prayer 7pm

9. GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH310 E 8th St (E. US 56 Hwy)Overbrook, KS; 785-665-7117Elvin Dillard, Senior Pastor

Sunday School 9 am; Worship 10 [email protected]

10. LORD’S HOUSE CHURCH300 SW Roosevelt, Topeka KS 66606

Pastor Marilyn Hahn McGinnis10 a.m. Sunday (Non-traditional Service)

See “About Us” at our websitewww.kawriverkeruv.com

Questions? [email protected] 12. BUCK CREEK COUNTRY CHURCHMeeting at Buck Creek School House

5 mi. east of Perry on Hwy 24, 13th & Phillips Rd.Childrens Sunday School - 8:30 a.m.

Worship Service - 9:00 a.m.Contacts: Logan Barnett 785-597-5498,Scott Bond 423-0406, Jack Snavely 760-3513

13. WANAMAKER WOODS NAZARENEServing Christ - Loving People3501 SW Wanamaker Rd

www.wwnaz.org273-2248 • Dr. L.D. Holmes, Sr. Pastor Adult & Kids Alive Worship Sun. 9 & 11 am

Sunday School 10 am, all ages11am worship Osage City campus6pm Sun. Small Groups 6:30 P Teens

Wed. 6:30 Teens, Discovery & small groups~ Youth & Children’s Programs ~Upward Sports: Seasonal Soccer,

Basketball, Cheerleading~ Nursery care at all services ~

14. FAMILY LIFE CHURCH - NazareneSundays - 10:00 am 1211 NW 46th ST

Nursery/Children’s Church/Small GroupsChurch office phone: 785 286-1889We are moving forward in God’s Word...with His passion...in our community!16. HOUSE OF THE LORD CHURCH A Spirit-filled, Word-centered church2531 SE Wittenberg Rd., TopekaSunday Worship 11am & 6pmWed. Prayer & Praise 7pm785-266-LOVE (5683)J. Michael Borjon, Pastor

17. HIGHLAND HEIGHTS CHRISTIANCHURCH

Sunday Services: 8:30 and 10:00 AM785-379-5642

Jars of Clay Children's Center now openTaking registrations: 785-379-9098

2930 SE Tecumseh RoadTecumseh, Kansas 66542

18. SOUTHWEST CHRISTIANCHURCH

5747 SW Huntoon • 785-272-0564Contemporary Service 9:30 amTraditional Service 10:45 am

Youth Group (Teens) 3 pm SundayWed. Prayer & Bible Study 6:30 pm

19. SEAMAN CONGREGATIONALCHURCH

Independent Christ-Centered Bible Church2036 NW Taylor, Topeka, KS

354-8777 • www.seamanchurch.comAdult Sunday School - Sun. 9:30am

Sunday Worship: 10:30amChildren's Sunday School: 10:30amYouth group 1st & 3rd Sundays 4-6pm

Pastor Jack Belland20. HERITAGE BAPTIST CHURCH

Pastor Dale Stockburger 801 NE Poplar St.,Topeka, KS 66616 785-506-4594

Sunday Mornings: 10 am Worshipand Junior Church for the kids

21. HARVEST FAMILY FELLOWSHIPMeets at Hillcrest Community Ctr1800 SE 21st Street • 785-220-5418

Pastor Rey RodriguezSun. Worship 10 am

www.topekaharvest.vpweb.com22. NEW CITY LIFE CHURCH

5221 SW West Drive Topeka, Kansas 66606

Sunday Services - 10:00 am Pastor Kathy Jimerson

23.EAST SIDE BAPTIST CHURCH4425 S.E. 29th St., 379-9933.

Sunday Worship 10:45am & 6:00pmAWANA Sunday at 5:45 p.m. See our website for info on ourStudent Ministries & Kid City

www.esbcks.org

New ResidentChurch Guide

Highland Heights Christian Church

Part-Time Income

Work flexible hoursCall on businesses, churches, and non-profits about advertising options in Metro Voice.

Keep 35% commission on any ads placed.Call 235-3340 or email [email protected]

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High price of groceries got youdown? Do you feel like a trip to themarket should be a trip to a bank torefinance your home? Perhaps it is timeto visit Kansas Furniture Mart SurplusGrocery! Located inside of Kansas Furniture

Mart, 4547 S Topeka Blvd, you will findtreasures you have only dreamedabout. KFM Surplus offers an eclecticselection of staples ranging from fruitsnacks for the kids to summer sausage!Local entrepreneur Robert “Bob”

Goodall recognized a need for valuepriced groceries after a fire destroyedthe last Surplus grocery in southTopeka.Surplus groceries are often confused

with expired or spoiled food. This is

simply not the case. Groceries can bedeclared surplus in several ways. Themost common are crushed or dentedcans. Items past the “Best if sold bydate” often times make up the remain-der.

This food is often reworked intobanana boxes and sold wholesale tostore like KFM Surplus. By passing the

savings onto you KFM Surplus savesyou money while keeping our landfillsfree of fresh safe food.In addition to food and drink items,

you’ll find paper goods, toiletries andhardware items, plus the occasionalone-of-a-kind oddball item.Kansas Furniture Mart is the home

of the $199 Queen Pillow-top set. Thisgreat value along with our 60 nightcomfort guarantee makes replacingyour old mattress set a breeze.KFM offers 90 day interest free

financing even with bruised or littlecredit. Browse the selection of area rugsstarting at only $29.00!!Kansas Furniture Mart is open

Monday thru Saturday 9-7 and from10-4 on Sundays.

Surplus Grocery is more than just groceries

The news and information

you want...on-line.

metrovoicenews.com &

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To develop your entrepreneurialspirit, your first priority is to under-stand if, and how, it matters.For decades there has been a schism

that has plagued entrepreneurial menand women as they go about theirbusiness. The schism is that whatentrepreneurs and people in businessdo is second class to the people who aredoing the work of full time ministry.We have failed to see that ministry is infact fulfilling any assignment that theLord has given us whether it is on full-time ministry org chart or in the work-place.Everyone’s work is important to God

as they labor in God’s will regardless ofthe sphere of influence—Media,Government, Family, Celebration,Religion, Education, and theEconomy—all have the same invita-tion to bring impact in their particularsphere of society. Every man andwoman working in their place ofassignment can bring glory to God,and we ought to. It comes when weembrace our callings and shed the guiltwhen there is none to be had. Jesus was a carpenter. God worked

to create the earth. Be encouraged tounderstand that there is a reason youenjoy your work as Jesus did. Many ofyou have an entrepreneurial spirit; youlove to put deals together and developproperty or invest in startups. When your vision is aligned with the

relieving reality of how important yourentrepreneurial work is to God, you arecommissioned to do it with all of yourheart and all of your skill as holy work.Embrace the validation that you arenot a second class citizen in God’s king-dom. Begin to pray about your ideas,speak them out with greater confidenceand imagine the possibilities with God.Ponder what He has in mind for yourentrepreneurial drive. Next month wewill explore some of the exciting outletsor expressions for your spirit of entre-preneurship. Until then, remember,your work matters to God. Now you can get down to business.

Linda Fields, is Director of TheJoseph Company.Learn more about developing your

personal vision for significant impactthrough The Joseph Company events.Visit Ihopkc.org/josephcompany

Developing an Entrepreneurial SpiritDoes Your

Work Matter? LINDAFIELDSDirector of TheJoseph Company

workmatters

TO BE FEATURED ON THISPAGE, CALL LEE AT 235-3340

16th Annual ChristianCOLLEGE EXPOONE DAY ONLY! Kansas City, MOSaturday, March 1 • 9:30am – 2pmAt Colonial Presbyterian Church • 9500 Wornall Rd.In Beautiful South Kanss City––Just East of Overland Park, only blocks north of I-435

50 CHRISTIANColleges From:

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