1st Corinthians 15:1-11, Mark 15-16

Thank and praise our Lord Jesus Christ who died in the place of sinners and rose again to defeat sin and death. Thank you that this good news is true and has the power to change people¡¯s lives.

We thank God for this Easter Bible School and the grace we learned from it. We learned that man had plans, but God had a slightly different path he wanted us to go down. On Friday night Shepherdess Hannah Kim (Wheaton) shared the good news message on 1st Corinthians 15:1-11. In this message she testified that we need to wake up from our spiritual slumber and worldliness and see the good news of the gospel, the truth of Jesus death and burial and how its power can change our lives. This is what we as Christians believe and this is what we need to hold on. Friday night also held a special place as all of our young woman¡¯s fellowship shared their testimonies. Sarah Bahn, testified that she grew up with the gospel, but needed to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Rebecca Lee shared not to be proud and bossy by Jesus¡¯ grace. Maria Joo testified that she must repent and restore her relationship with God. Ashley Ulrich testified that God is helping her through her issues and helping her family as well. This was a great work of God as these teenagers all participated in the service. On Friday we also were treated with two gospel poems from Jon Greene. We learned on Friday that Jesus truly opened the way.

Saturday¡¯s message graced our hearts. It was the story of Jesus¡¯ crucifixion. Shp. Jeremy Hajek (IIT) delivered this message. He taught us the reason Jesus chose to stay on the cross and not give up. Jesus loved us and paid the price for our sins so that our relationship could be restored with God. Shp Jeremy also testified that he wanted to give up his cross of work and mission because it was too hard, but repented when he saw how Jesus refused, but decided to stay on the cross. He now wants to hold his cross until the end. Saturday night we were treated to the young men¡¯s testimony. David Lee Jr. shared his testimony that compromises are easy but by grace he wants to wake up and be changed from the inside out by the Holy Spirit. Steve Slattery testified that he needs to rededicate his life through Jesus¡¯ death on the cross and seeing what he did for him. Chris Barth (COD) shared that God was encouraging him through Jesus¡¯ sacrifice to get up early and pray. Finally Jason young (NIU) prayed not to be distracted from the love of Jesus. In between the testimonies, we were treated with a graceful quartet composed by Shepherd Matthew Monroe (EIU), and preformed by our own DuPage Orchestra and Jessica Hajek (U of I).

Sunday was Easter. We greeted everyone with, ¡°He has risen!¡± Due to an unforeseen situation, Sunday¡¯s messenger had to be changed at 9:30 am that morning. Shp Jeremy Hajek was tapped to share one prepared one Easter Message. By faith he delivered a message on the empty tomb, ¡°He is not here he is risen!¡± Many people came Easter Sunday, 31 in total. Many people were greatly moved by the good news that Jesus is not dead, but risen, just as he said. We can trust Jesus, and we too can have eternal life. Sunday¡¯s speakers and music programs changed, we did our best to prepare, but ultimately we fall short before God. We did our best to prepare and I think God accepted our Easter worship. Edward Winter shared his testimony on how he was encouraged by the good news of the gospel; he invited his mother and wants to be bolder in sharing his faith. Next Isaac Bahn shared his testimony that he needs to also be a bold witness of the gospel like Jesus¡¯ disciples to all his school friends. Isaac was a great encouragement because he is only 12, yet brought one classmate all three days. Next David Ziehm (COD) shared his testimony on how he needs to be more prepared like Jesus. And finally Paula Terova (COD) shared how we are blessed to receive the good news of the gospel and we should share it all over the world. After the service and during lunch 12 year old Michael Ulrich shared his testimony on how he wants to overcome his destructive behavior and honor God. Finally Franco Jacobson (Benedictine) shared his testimony on how he needs to overcome fear and trust Jesus and follow him.

Many people participated in the conference who normally doesn¡¯t participate. Missionary Joshua Hong and his daughter, Grace, also came to pray for us from U of C, Michael Mack from Milwaukee, and Esther Kim from Northwestern U. Here we brought all members of our fellowship. Some did music, some prepared food, others helped with chairs and vacuuming, others ran the video recorder. Everyone pitched in. Everyone was moved by Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross and wanted to do something for him. We thank and praise God for this mighty work. May God accept our Easter Bible School as a prayer offering for the upcoming Purdue International Summer Bible Conference, 2008. Amen!