Small Beginnings Ministries

Foundation & Transformation Class Students 

Julene Pommert (intern & small group leader), Susan Weber, Megan Risley,
Yvonne Wilson, Maginel Galt, Randy Ramos, Steve Sprague (small group leader)
Karla Neiser (not pictured) 

Fall Quarter comes to a close

Our Fall Quarter has come to an end and we can hardly believe that time has passed so quickly. Our Foundation & Transformation students were wonderful while we had to remain flexible, meeting in a basement conference room, while our new office space was being remodeled.  We have now been in our new suite for a few weeks and we have retained all of our students from our Orientation Day. We feel terribly blessed and honored by their commitment to the transformation process. Already we see students not only learning about this most important part of their walk with God, but applying it in very concrete ways.

We wish to thank the Seattle Mennonite Church for allowing us to meet in their conference room with the full use of their kitchen and restrooms at no cost while our suite was being remodeled. They have bent over backwards to make us feel welcome in our place and their example of service, grace and love have impacted us greatly.

Steve Sprague directed the entire remodel and nearly single-handedly stripped the offices and then rebuilt them to our specifications. We wish to thank Randy and Sheryl Ramos, Susie Rodriguez and Andrew and Jonathan Sprague for spending hours doing a lovely painting job. Thanks also goes to Phil Manginelli, the youth pastor for Mill Creek Foursquare Church, for helping Steve put the kitchen cabinets in place. It most certainly was a two-man job. Randy and Sheryl Ramos also affixed the scripture words on the walls in both the main area and the prayer room and it looks just beautiful. 

In addition to the remodel, we had to move everything we had in storage and we wish to thank, Steve Sprague, Dave Ris, Susie Rodriguez, Roy, and Julene Pommert for taking time out of their weekend to lift, pack and carry numerous items from our storage unit in Lynnwood to our new suite in Lake City. We are excited to finish organizing the suite for our Open House which, God willing, is coming up in the New Year.

We wish to extend a special thank you to Marian McCann, facilities manager at The Seattle Mennonite Church. She worked hand-in-hand with Steve, making herself available for any needs or concerns that came up. She continues to be an invaluable partner with us as we launch this new aspect of our ministry.

In addition to the work on the space, we also received donations of a large, sturdy office desk, a new office chair and monetary donations as well. We are deeply grateful for all the people who gave of themselves during this time.

As we all enjoy a short holiday break, we look forward to 2008. Upcoming events are our Open House, our classes and counseling resuming as well as our Annual Passover Seder on Saturday, April 19th, 2008. Now that the hard work of getting our offices ready is nearly completed, we look forward also to getting back to organizing seminars in the future.

Monday Night Healing Prayer

We made the move from The Vineyard to our new office space and thankfully, all of our regular attendees of the Monday group have found us and find the place warm, welcoming and safe.

Usually, we close down during the holiday break, but we felt strongly that the Lord wanted us to remain available for these people during the holidays. Many people do not experience the next few weeks as pleasant, but find them terribly difficult while they experience intense loneliness, alienation and despair. It is no surprise that suicide rates increase during what should be a happy time of year. We will make the Monday Night Healing Prayer meeting available at its usual time on both Christmas Eve and New Years’ Eve. If you know someone who could benefit from receiving personal attention, prayer, (and some delicious cookies!) on these two evenings, do not hesitate to send them our way. The only deterrent would be if we get severe weather that would make travel dangerous.

Prayer Requests

Although we have experienced many blessings and the presence of the Lord has been particularly powerful over the last few months, we still believe that we need your prayers to continue in the strength of the Lord to help His people.

Please continue to pray for the following:

• That those within our care, particularly those suffering severe and persistent mental illness, would be protected physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally during the holidays when they very often feel alone and disconnected from others.

• That our students would continue to bond with one another and experience transformation in their hearts and minds.

• That we would be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in all our decisions within the ministry.

• That we would be wise and discerning regarding the use of our space, but also open to new opportunities as the Lord guides us.

• That the Lord would continue to provide financially for the work He is doing through the ministry.