Thanks for visiting our website to find out more about Faith Family Church. We believe you will find Faith Family Church a place where the people are friendly and caring, where the teaching is relevant to your life, and where you can get involved in activities and events that grow your relationship with Christ and with others. Here you can worship, learn, encourage, be encouraged, meet new friends, and reach out to others - all while being exactly who God created you to be and using the gifts He's given you. We are a Christ-centered, Bible-based church with a focus on reaching out, serving others, and growing in our relationships with God and with each other. We are passionate about worship and even more passionate about every individual discovering that God loves them infinitely. We believe such a discovery gives people hope and purpose for their lives. It is the reason we exist - to reach out to people who don't yet know the wonderful news of Jesus. This website will provide you a lot of information about who we are and what we're about. However, nothing can take the place of actually coming and experiencing a service here. When you visit, it is our hope that you experience the warmth and love of Jesus through the service and from those around you. We are always excited to make new friends and look forward to meeting you soon! Who Are We? We are a Christ-centered, Bible-based church with a focus on reaching out, serving others, and growing in our relationships with God and with each other. We are passionate about worship and even more passionate about every individual discovering that God loves them infinitely. We believe such a discovery gives people hope and purpose for their lives. It is the reason we exist - to reach out to people who don't yet know the wonderful news of Jesus. We believe you will find Faith Family Church a place where the people are friendly and caring, where the teaching is relevant to your life, and where you can get involved in activities and events that grow your relationship with Christ and with others. Here you can worship, learn, encourage, be encouraged, meet new friends, and reach out to others - all while being exactly who God created you to be and using the gifts He's given you. Frequently Asked Questions On this webpage, we have tried to respond to the most common questions regarding Faith Family Church. However, we don't have the space to answer all the questions that could be asked. If you don't find your specific question answered here, please don't hesitate to contact us via phone or our convenient web form. Where are you located? We are located at 704 North Green Mount Road, approximately 1 mile south of the I-64 interchange. If you are coming from the Belleville/Shiloh area, we are just off the corner of Lebanon Avenue and Green Mount Road. What are your service times? Sunday services are at 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM, and 11:00 AM. Each service is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes in length and is identical to the others. Children's Church runs simultaneously with the main worship service. The Wednesday service is at 7:00 PM and runs approximately an hour and a half in length. Children's Church and adrenaline! (our middle school ministry) run simultaneously with the main worship service. Our high school youth ministry, Storm, meets on Thursday nights from 6:30 - 9:30 PM. We have a prayer meeting every Saturday night from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. This prayer meeting is open to anyone and is a time set aside for you to pray for your personal needs as well as join in corporate prayer for the church. Do you have Sunday School? We do not have Sunday School classes. For fellowship, connection, and growth, we suggest you consider involvement in a small group. What are the Wednesday services like? Wednesday night services tend to be more relaxed than our Sunday morning services. While Sunday morning services are structured to reach the lost and help them find Jesus, Wednesday night services get down to the practical issues of the Christian walk. A typical Wednesday night service consists of both a time of worship and a time of teaching. Additionally, there might be an altar call for various prayer needs as the Holy Spirit leads. What is your doctrine? Please refer to our Statement of Faith. How many people attend Faith Family Church? We currently run approximately 1,000 adults on a Sunday morning. Each of our Children's Ministry classrooms run approximately 150 children between the three services on Sunday morning and 40 kids on a Wednesday night. Our adrenaline! youth ministry reaches approximately 40 middle school students on a given Wednesday while our Storm high school ministry draws in about 50 teenagers from area high schools on Thursday nights. Do you have Bible Studies? We do not have any church run or directed Bible study groups, per se. However, several of our small groups are Bible study focused. Please click here for further details. When and how can I contact someone in the church office? The church office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 8:30 AM until 5 PM (with the exception of some holidays). You can reach church staff during those hours or leave a voice mail after hours. The phone number to the office is 618.277.0232. Additionally, you can contact the church office using our convenient web form. What are the hours of the bookstore? The bookstore is open for a half an hour before and after each Sunday and Wednesday service. How do I become a member? At Faith Family Church we don't have a membership process. There is no membership class or rite of passage or roll book to sign. We just love having you here. However, we do encourage you to get involved. Involvement is the key to feeling like Faith Family Church is your home. Additionally, we ask that you take our Principles of Ministry class to prepare you for serving in one of the various ministries here at the church. This class will give you the basics of what and why we believe what we do, church procedures, information on the ministries here, etc. How do I participate in Water Baptism? While water baptism is not necessary for salvation, it helps to solidify your commitment and signifies your new life to yourself and others. We perform water baptisms at 12:30 PM on the first Sunday of every even (February, April, etc.) month. In preparation for baptism, we ask that you participate in the Water Baptism class we offer on Wednesday nights during service. Please check Upcoming Events to find out when the next class and baptism service are. How do we dedicate our child to the Lord? We have a special service at 12:30 PM on the first Sunday of every odd month (January, March, etc.). This special service allows us to give extra time and attention to the importance of child dedication that simply cannot be given in the midst of regular service time. To receive additional information on dedicating your child or to schedule your child's dedication, please contact the Children's Ministry department either by phone (618.277.0232) or using our email form. How can I get a tape/CD of the service? You can purchase a tape/CD of any service one of two ways: 1. Purchase it at the bookstore directly 2. Fill out the online order form What is your church affiliation? Faith Family Church is not affiliated with any denomination. We are an independent body governed by a Board of Directors. However, we are strongly linked to other churches. Most notably, we are linked to St. Louis Family Church located in Chesterfield, Missouri, and pastored by Jeff and Patsy Perry. What does Faith Family Church believe about the doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues? We support this doctrine. We at Faith Family Church believe in the present, supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit. We believe He indwells, guides, instructs, and empowers the believer for godly living and service. While speaking in tongues is not necessary for salvation, it is a tool for the believer to use in their prayer life for strength and edification. Every believer can be filled with the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues as physical evidence. Scriptures that support this belief are as follows: If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:13) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:4) Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38) Who do I contact for name and address changes? Please contact the church office at 618.277.0232, and give your updated information to the receptionist. Do you have any information about the different ministries at the church and how I can get involved? We have many different ministries at Faith Family Church. You can find more information on the various ministries as well as how to get involved by clicking here. Is there a singles ministry? We currently have a singles ministry for singles thirty-five years old and on. They plan quarterly events. Additionally, there are many small groups that would probably fit what you are looking for. You can check out all of the small groups here. Does the church offer counseling? Faith Family Church does offer pastoral counseling. This consists of and is limited to spiritual guidance pertaining to religious ideals, beliefs, and Scripture as interpreted and ministered by the assigned counselor. Please call the church office at 618.277.0232 to learn specific details on what we offer for your particular need. Do you offer divorce recovery or have any divorce recover groups? Some of our Small Groups provide divorce recovery processes and help. Additionally, Faith Family Church offers pastoral counseling in dealing with divorce recovery. What if I want to get married at the church? What do I need to do? To get married at Faith Family Church or by Faith Family Church pastoral staff, we request the following: Both individuals have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and live according to scriptural principles pertaining to sexual purity, living in separate residences, and seeking a partner with the same spiritual commitment. Both individuals have regularly attended FFC for at least six months. Both individuals have completed all sessions of the Preparing for Marriage Program offered by FFC. This process can take up to six months. A fee will be required for program materials, wedding coordination, sound technician, facility use, and cleaning. There will be a minimal fee for off-campus weddings utilizing FFC pastoral staff. Please contact the church office for further information. Who do we contact in case of a death? In the event of the death of a close family member, please contact the church office at 618.277.0232. In case I have to go to the hospital, whom should I contact? In the event of your hospitalization, a close family member's hospitalization, or the hospitalization of another church attendee, please contact the church office at 618.277.0232. Church History Faith Family Church was founded in November of 1992 by Pastors Rick and Marjie Hufton. But long before that, the vision for this church and burden for this community was placed in their hearts. They had been traveling and preaching in England the four previous years. When they returned from overseas, they felt a strong calling from the Lord to be in the Metro-East community and to create a place where people could be ministered to, where they could worship God in such a way that they experienced God's presence in a real and tangible way, and where they could grow through teachings from the Word of God. God placed a Scripture on Pastor Marjie's heart. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, And My blessings on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3 (NIV) The thirsty land was (and still is) the people of this community who don't know Jesus. Who don't know the victory and joy that God has for them. The dry ground is those who need encouragement, help, and a strengthening of faith. And, so, with much prayer and planning, Faith Family Church was born on that fall day in rented rooms at the Ramada Inn in Fairview Heights. Approximately 60 people attended that first service. Those days at the hotel are remembered fondly by those who were there. But that truly was only the beginning. Soon we needed to relocate. In 1993, we moved to a building at Emerald Terrace Professional Park in Swansea. There growth continued at an astonishing rate. We soon had to move to a larger building in Emerald Terrace, and by the time we left Swansea, we were running three services on a Sunday morning and occupying a separate building for our office space. Running out of space was a good problem to have because it meant we were doing what God had called us to do. People were learning of Christ and finding the joy, hope, and peace that comes from walking with Him. The times in Emerald Terrace were good. We started producing our annual Christmas and Easter plays complete with live animals and flying angels. The foundations of our youth and children's ministries were cemented. And many ministries were born. But space was running out and it was time to think about moving once again. After searching for property to purchase, in May 2000 we bought the land our building currently sits on. It provided the room we would need to expand as God fulfilled His purpose for this church and our lives. When we bought the 34 acres on Green Mount Road, it was just "an old bumpy road" (as per Pastor Rick). However, soon buildings began popping up the length of Green Mount Road. The roads were redone. And we truly knew God had blessed us with a gem of a piece of land. In October 2004, the new building was complete and ready to move in. It was exciting times! It seemed we were swimming in space. And God's amazing grace and blessing were seen throughout. Since then, we have continued to grow as hundreds of people have come to Christ and plugged into our vision to reach others, serve each other and community, and grow in our relationships with God and others. We look forward to seeing both God's hand and His faithfulness in the years to come. The best is yet before us! Statement of Faith 1) The Old and New Testaments are the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God. In the Bible, we find the revelation of God's will for the salvation of men and the divine and final authority for the Christian life. 2) There is one God, the Creator of all things, who is infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 3) Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is now at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and Advocate. 4) Man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost. Only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only grounds for justification and salvation. 5) Water baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances to be observed by the church during the present age; however, they are not to be regarded as a means to salvation. 6) The present, supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. During this age, He indwells, guides, instructs, and empowers the believer for godly living and service. Every believer can be filled with the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues as physical evidence. 7) The true church is composed of all who are born again. Through this new birth, we are united together in the Body of Christ. Jesus Christ is Lord and Head of the Church. Every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs. 8) There will be a bodily resurrection of the dead, of the believer to everlasting joy with the Lord and of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting consciousness of that judgment. Values There are several values that we hold to as a church body. They are a part of and affect everything else we do. Integrity - we do not compromise our beliefs or our morality at any time, for any reason Excellence - everything we do is done to the best of our ability Love - we interact with others in love at all times Compassion - as Jesus was compassionate to the poor and the sick, so are we. We reach out to those less fortunate with a helping hand. Vision At Faith Family Church, we have a three-fold mission: reaching, serving, and growing. The moment you walk through our doors you'll have a sense of what we mean. 1. Reaching out to those who don't yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 2. Serving our members and the people in this community with the gifts and talents God has given us. 3. Growing in our relationships with God and with one another. Our desire is for every individual to discover how much God cares for him or her. We believe this discovery will fill them with hope and purpose. The message of Jesus is so powerful that it can bring change to the life of every person who believes in Him. That's why we exist, and that's why we desire to reach out to people who don't yet know this wonderful news. The Ministries of Faith Family Church Worship and the Word - Through contemporary praise and worship, you will enter into the presence of God and feel a deeper hunger for His love. Pastors Rick and Marjie Hufton deliver practical, inspiring, and Biblical messages designed to move you closer to God, deepen your knowledge and understanding of the Bible, and help you develop into a powerful, effective Christian. Small Groups - We offer a variety of interest-based small groups with gatherings for anything from hiking and motorcycling to quilting and cooking to Bible and book studies. Small groups allow another avenue to grow in relationship with each other. Youth Ministry - Storm & adrenaline! - Storm offers high school students an interactive way to experience and understand the love of Christ every Thursday at 6:30 PM. Adrenaline is a compact, relevant experience every Wednesday at 7:00 PM designed to engage and inspire middle school students to see, hear, and feel Jesus in a way they understand. Children's Ministry - Nursery, 2's, 3's, 4-K, 1st-3rd Grade, 4th-6th Grade, Puppet Ministry - From nursery and preschoolers through elementary students, our Children's Ministry provides childcare in a safe, structured environment designed to teach children Biblical principles like love, forgiveness, faith, and healing. This allows parents to comfortably enjoy the adult service while their children have amazing amounts of fun! Outreach - Outreach is a primary focus of FFC bringing God's love and message of hope to our surrounding community through practical and spiritual service. (Streetlights Urban Ministry, Sonshine (retirement home) Ministry, Park Outreach, Christmas and Easter Productions, Belleville Christian Center, etc. ) Ministries of Faith Family Church We have many fulfilling ministries through which you can serve at Faith Family Church. Take a look at the list below and consider where you want to participate. Click here to get involved. Service Time Ministries Cafe/Bookstore - With a smile, provide coffee to chat over and books to pore over. Camera/Video - Provide image projection for services, recording of services, and edit video clips for announcements and special services. Communion Ministry - Prepare the elements for communion at each service (once a month). Connexions - Connect with new members and visitors. Also serve at the visitor table. Greeters - Welcome our guests with a smile and a bulletin. Parking - Keep our parking lots safe, friendly, and running smoothly. Prayer Teams - Pray with others or receive prayer for needs after each service. Projection - Use computer technology to project songs, scriptures, and various multi-media presentations during the service. Sound - Have a good ear? Operate sound equipment to ensure proper mix and sound levels, allowing people to participate in anointed services without sound issue distractions. Usher - Assist in seating guests, gathering offerings, and carrying out other assignments that insure the service flows in a reverent and efficient manner. Children's Ministry Here at Faith Family Church, we love children. They are the future of the church, of the community, of our country, and, really, of the world. They have so much potential. And they are so open to Jesus and His love. That's why in Mark 10:15 Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." A child's faith is powerful. It ushers in miracles. A child's faith is profound. It will soften even the hardest of hearts. A child's faith is passionate. It will talk about Jesus to anyone. This is what we believe in our Children's Ministry and everything we do is geared toward growing children in their faith... and having tons of FUN! All of our classrooms run in conjunction with the main worship services. Nursery Our nursery is divided into two separate rooms (one 0 - 12 months and the other 12 - 24 months) to better accommodate the developmental differences from 0 - 2 years old. Both rooms are staffed with people who love babies - who love to cuddle them, rock them, sing to them, and love on them. Most importantly, these babies are being told constantly how much Jesus loves them. 2-Year Old Room If you have a two year old, you know that they are full of energy. Our staff recognizes this fact and accommodates it through exciting action songs that share Biblical truths as well as lessons that are created just for this age group. Additionally, they are given plenty of time for structured play and interaction with both peers and adult workers. 3-Year Old Room If you thought two year olds were active, they have nothing on three year olds. The age of exploration. They seem to get into everything and enjoy exploring boundaries and their environment. And question everything! So this classroom incorporates a lot of music and a lot of movement. Learning activities are hands on to satiate their rampant curiosity. Bible-based lessons keep the children engaged and learning about the love of Jesus. 4-K Room This classroom is set up for children who are definitely going through a transition in their lives. Some might be starting pre-school. Others are going to half-day or all day kindergarten. It's a whole new world, and the approach needs to shift as well. This class is chock full of creative activities and interactive dialogue. The teachers are excited about the lessons they present each week, sharing about Jesus, obedience, the Golden Rule, and more. 1st - 3rd Grade Room This room combines state of the art multi-media with good, old-fashioned puppet shows. And the kids love them both. In this room, the children of Faith Family Church are first introduced to a structured worship and teaching environment. They are led into worship by gifted musicians. Then they participate in a lesson that has been carefully crafted with them in mind. The love of Jesus shines through the teachers to the kids. 4th - 6th Grade Room This classroom is structured more like the main worship service. Although fun and games are still definitely present. Worship leaders help the children experience God's presence through the use of contemporary Christian worship songs. The teachers present the Word of God with drama and practical teaching. The kids in this classroom are taking ownership of their faith and growing it. Special Events The Children's Ministry hosts several family and/or kid oriented events each year. Whether it is ice skating at the Big Green Freeze, swimming at the winter lock-in, or attending summer camp, fun is being had. Safety Safety is a priority in all of our classrooms and events. Especially when minors are present. All of our workers have to fill out an application packet (including a background check) before being assigned to a classroom and put on the schedule. This is for the safety of our children. Workers in all classrooms and at all activities must be at least fourteen years old. The classrooms are all child-proofed to the appropriate standards for the age group that occupies the room. A licensed nurse is always on call should any injuries or illness occur. Children must be signed in and out by a parent, guardian, or another individual on the "approved" list for that child. Your child will not be released to just anyone. Family ID Number Each family is issued a Family ID Number upon signing in. That number is used to notify parents/guardians of issues with their child during Children's Church. Note that if you need to report to your child's classroom your Family ID Number will be posted on the projection screens at the front of the auditorium. Parent/Guardian Participation We ask that you sign up to serve once a month in Children's Ministry if you have a child/children who are involved in our Children's Church classes. This does not mean you will need to work in a class with children. Positions are also available at the registration table, to help with snack preparation, etc. Classroom Promotion For children 0 - 4 years old, promotion to the next classroom occurs on their birthday each year. For school age children, promotion occurs the first Sunday in June if the child is moving to another classroom. Lift Him Up Puppet Ministry This is a team of excited middle school and high school students who share the good news through the use of puppets. They practice bi-monthly to hone their talent and perform in the Children's Church rooms several times per month. They provide a visual and fun way to convey the messages being taught. They also can be seen at some of the Children's Ministry special events like the Fall Celebration and Summer Camp. Classes Facts of Life Are you a new believer? Did you recently accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? And now you're wondering, "What is this really all about? How does one live this 'Christian life' that's talked about?" Our Facts of Life class will answer those questions and get you started down a path of growing in your relationship with God. Classes are held during Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services. Please check the Calendar for when the next class is scheduled. You can sign up for the class at the information table in the main foyer or by contacting the church office. Water Baptism Class While water baptism is not required for salvation, it does help cement the decision you made when you turned your live over to Jesus Christ. We encourage everyone who has professed faith in Christ to publicly acknowledge their faith through baptism. This class covers What is water baptism? Why water baptism? Who should be water baptized? The Water Baptism class is offered during the Wednesday service prior to the Sunday Baptism service (the first Sunday of even numbered months). Please refer to the Calendar for the next scheduled class time. If you would like to register, you can contact the church office or sign up at the information table in the main foyer. Principles of Ministry Are you wanting to know more about the church? Do you want to know about our beliefs? Are you ready to get involved in serving but don't know what's available, what the expectations are, or what the criteria is? Principles of Ministry is just the class for you! It is kind of a "Faith Family Church 101" class that we ask all people who serve to take. But those who just want to find out more about the church and ministry opportunities are also welcome. This class covers: an overview of how we are organized and function as a church basic doctrine and beliefs of Faith Family Church standard of conduct for those who serve in a church ministry a synopsis of the ministries available expectations you should have in volunteering expectations of you as a volunteer Principles of Ministry is offered during Sunday and Wednesday services (a two-part class) as well as on Saturday mornings (the full class all at one time). Please refer to the Calendar for the next scheduled class times. If you would like to register, you can contact the church office or sign up at the information table in the main foyer. Principles of Leadership This is the follow up class to Principles of Ministry. Kind of a "Faith Family Church 102," if you will. This class is designed for those who want to move forward to a leadership role in the ministry they are currently involved in. This class covers: standard of conduct for leaders serving in a church ministry expectations you should have as a leader expectations of you as a leader church protocol on event planning, bulletin requests, etc. Principles of Leadership is offered during Sunday and Wednesday services (a two-part class) as well as on Saturday mornings (the full class all at one time). For scheduled class times or to register please contact the church office or sign up at the information table in the main foyer. We Invite You to Serve It is our heart here at Faith Family Church to have every person who calls this church home involved in serving in some capacity. Serving in a ministry is a great way to get plugged in, meet new people, and grow personally. It's also a God idea. See I Corinthians 12. We each have a role to play in this Body of Christ (the church). No one can do our job for us. To find out more information regarding involvement in a particular ministry or get details on volunteering, please call the church office at 618.277.0232 or fill out the following form. Music Ministry Philosophy Pastors Rick and Marjie Hufton began Faith Family Church with Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and steams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and My blessing on your descendants Heavy on their hearts. They launched with the idea that Faith Family Church would be the water poured out on the thirsty ground of the metro-east community. The Music Ministry at Faith Family Church exists so that people can know the presence of God, connect with Him, and be touched and changed in His Presence. We want people to experience God and develop lifestyles of worship, not just to have worship be a portion of their lives. It is our belief that that worship is not only what takes place on Sunday before the sermon; it can happen everyday, in everything we are doing. As we offer God the simple moments and activities of our day, we make our very life an offering of worship, allowing His presence to invade our lives. Band Since our style of worship is contemporary, our band consists of contemporary instruments. Using guitar, bass, drums, trumpet, etc., our musicians play with excellence. If you are used to a more traditional style of worship, this might seem a little different to you. But give it a chance. You will be pleasantly surprised. If you are an accomplished musician and would like more information about joining the band, please contact us at the church office or fill out our ministry request form. Praise Choir We have a 50 member (and growing) choir that ministers at Sunday morning services. And if you talk to any of those individuals about their choir involvement, they would unanimously say that it is FUN! We practice and we learn new songs. But we also talk, make new friends, and laugh. We laugh a lot. Another thing they will say is that they have grown closer to God through serving in choir. It has given them a deepening in their relationship. You cant practice and sing praise and worship songs all the time and not be struck by how amazing this God we serve is. If you can carry a tune and would like more information about joining the choir, please contact us at the church office or fill out our ministry request form. Outreach Belleville Christian Center Serving in a practical way, we team up with Belleville Christian Center once a month to prepare and serve a meal to less fortunate individuals in the community. On the second Monday of each month, a team gathers to prepare the noon meal for the next day. They enjoy fun and fellowship while knowing they are reaching out to others and contributing to a worthy cause. Then, on the second Tuesday of each month, another team (people can participate on one or both teams) goes to Belleville Christian Center to serve the prepared meal. They do so with kindness and a smile, letting those coming to eat know that they are loved and cared about. Christmas Outreach People are much more likely to attend a Christmas show than a Christmas service. So that? what we give them ?an amazing stage production that weaves the gospel message throughout. Each holiday season, we put on a two hour play that entertains, encourages, inspires, and speaks life to those who view it. All in a fun manner. We have live animals, animated toys, songs, and dance. And everything is done with excellence. Easter Trilogy Starting two Sundays before Easter and carrying through into Easter Sunday, we present our Easter Trilogy. These innovative stage productions show in a very real way the stories surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. They are hard-hitting, presenting the Gospel message in a way people from all walks of life can relate. Katrina: Hurricane Relief Trips Though most Americans have moved on from the tragedy that hit our gulf coast in 2005, there are still many lives and homes in need of rebuilding. We have joined our efforts with Service International, a St. Louis based relief organization. In coordination with them, we take members of our church and other area churches on quarterly trips to New Orleans, LA, and Gulf Port, MS, to aid in the ongoing relief and rebuilding effort there. Missions A missions focus is part of the Great Commission ?to go and preach the Gospel. And our missions team supports individuals who are doing just that. One the fourth Wednesday of each month, our mission team meets to talk and pray for missionaries the church supports. News is shared, praise reports rejoiced over, and prayer requests taken to God. Park Outreach Our community loves to celebrate ?anything and everything. We have homecoming and cook-offs and all sorts of other events held in neighborhood parks. And these events give us an excellent opportunity to serve others in a very practical way. We take our tents out there that say ?ere to Serve?and spend the time picking up trash, serving cold water and/or hot chocolate, and providing a space for attendees to change their children? diapers. These simple actions make a difference by reminding our community in a practical way that Jesus cares about them. Sonshine Ministry Aptly named the ?onshine Ministry,?this team of people brings cheeriness and the good news of Jesus to those who are restricted to retirement and convalescent homes. Each Sunday after first service the Sonshine team departs from the church. They go into area homes with worship, Bible study, and fellowship. It? bringing church in for those who can? get out. StreetLights Urban Ministry This ministry consists of two components ?Adopt a Block and Sidewalk Sunday School ?each reaching out to the inner-city Robinson DeShield housing complex in East St. Louis. Adopt a Block is a year round outreach. We run three seasons, each approximately three months in length with a month break in between. The goal: Connection. We visit each apartment each week offering residents help, hope, and friendship. We pray with the families ?laugh with them, cry with them, celebrate and mourn. Sidewalk Sunday Schools is a children? program that runs every Saturday throughout the summer. It is a fun, interactive program geared for children of all ages. There are songs, games, prizes, snacks, and a message that speaks right to their lives. We also have special events throughout the year: Camp Penuel, Clean Up Day, the Annual Block Party, and the Christmas Matinee. Small Groups Small Groups are groups of 3 to 20 people that meet regularly for a set period of time on the basis of sharing a common interest or meeting a felt need. We have a wide variety of Small Groups with new groups forming each trimester. Small Groups help make our large church feel more like a family and provide a place for everyone to belong. Our small groups operate under a free market philosophy that gives qualified leaders the freedom to develop their groups based on the leaders interests, talents, or needs. When, where, and how often a group meets is initially determined by the leader and members are free to attend whatever group fits their interests/needs. Groups meet on a trimester schedule with a Spring Trimester (January April), Summer Trimester (May August), and a Fall Trimester (September December). Each trimester provides an opportunity for new leaders and new groups to start. Members may choose a new group each trimester or recommit to a previously attended group. To download a pdf file of our Small Groups (870k pdf file) catalog, click here Youth Ministry Need fun?... Looking for friends?... Searching for purpose in your life... ? Student Ministries Our student ministries exist to help middle school and high school students come to an understanding of God, who He is, and the relationship He wants to have with each of them. Everything we do is focused towards building relationships and character. It is our endeavor that students have a firm foundation in the word of God when they leave our ministry to pursue further education or a vocation. Our weekly services are set up to encourage intimacy with God and friendship with others. We have various special events throughout the year to stimulate a deeper walk with God. And we have some events just for fun. It is our desire to equip your student to reach out to their friends and classmates with the love of Christ. To show them there is a better plan for their lives than the death the world shows them. We also provide students opportunities to serve in the youth group as well as facilitate servant hood of teens in other church ministries. Growth is the end result we are looking for. Growth of students in their relationship with God. That each student has a personal relationship with God, where they meet with Him daily, and lean on Him for the guidance and direction their lives need. Growth of relationship with each other. Friends and a place to belong are critical for middle school and high school students. And growth of the ministry, because this means we're successfully reaching what has currently been coined the "Lost Generation." Adrenaline Adrenaline is the name dubbed to our middle school group... because they certainly have a lot of it. Adrenaline is fast-paced to accommodate the unique challenges of middle school students. Teachings are practical and relevant to the issues they face. And fun and connection to others is always a part of the service. Adrenaline meets at 7 PM on Wednesday nights in the Zone, coinciding with the mid-week worship service. Storm Storm serves 9th grade students through those in their first year of college. This is a critical time to get students plugged into a relationship with God. Statistics show that if someone doesn't accept Christ before graduating high school, chances are they never well. Storm is a diverse group of students coming together for high impact worship and teaching. The messages cover topics that the students can apply to their lives right away. We also open our Zone area for gaming, pool, socializing, and food. Storm meets on Thursday nights at 7 PM in the Auditorium. Youth Band It is our desire to have teenagers leading other teens into the presence of God through praise and worship. Worship is key to developing intimacy with God and is a part of the majority of our services. Special Events/Trips We have special events and trips scheduled throughout the year to help students get more connected to God and to each other. Typical events included attending Teen Mania's Acquire the Fire, float trips, retreats, ski trips, missions trips, etc. We would love to hear from you! Whether you have a question, a comment, a suggestion or just want to give a praise report, please feel free to contact us. You can either call or write the church directly or use the convenient form below. Our Address Faith Family Church 704 North Green Mount Road Shiloh, IL 62221 Our Phone 618.277.0232 Our Fax 618.277.0350 Our Email ffc [at] faithfamily.cc Receive Jesus God has a plan for your life. And it is a good plan. A plan to give you a hope and a future. However, something has messed up that plan. It is sin. We have all sinned. And that sin separates us from God and destines us to eternity in hell. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 But God doesn't leave us there in our sin. He has an answer to it. He has a way to close the gap between a sinful man and a holy God. That answer is Jesus Christ. God sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth for the express purpose of dying for your sins. He took your place. He took your punishment. And He did it willingly, out of His great love for you. Jesus died on the cross in your place. But it didn't end there. He also rose from the dead to give you eternal life in heaven with Him. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17 "For Christ also died for sins once and for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit." I Peter 3:18 God has made a way. But you have a role to play as well. It is your responsibility to accept His gift of salvation. You can't earn it. You can't do enough good things to be accepted by God. But God offers it freely and is waiting for you to accept it. It is not a difficult thing. But it is so important. You first have to admit that you've sinned. Admit that you have done wrong and can't make things right on your own. Ask Jesus to take away your sins. Thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross that set you free. Turn away from your wrong doing and determine to obey God from this point forward. Ask Him for help as you walk out your new life. He will do it. He is longing for you to ask. To receive salvation, pray this prayer and mean it from your heart: Dear God, I realize that I have sinned. And I know that I can't fix any of it on my own. I thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who You sent just for me. I believe that He died for me and rose from the dead so that I can be right with You again. Please forgive me for all of my sins, for everything I have done wrong. I receive Jesus into my heart and life right now. And ask for Your help as I walk out this decision. In Jesus Name, Amen. We'd love to know if you just prayed this prayer. Please contact us, and we'll send you some information that will help you understand more about the decision you just made. Giving Options Did you know that giving tithes and offerings is a form of worshipping God? It is. Additionally, giving is good for the church. The church has very practical needs (lighting, workers, facilities, etc.) that take money to provide. Additionally, there are special ministries, outreaches, and events that wouldn't take place without people generously giving. Giving is good for you. It is an indicator of your heart's openness to God. And it does something inside you to see how your money can change the lives of people. God doesn't need our money. But we need to give it. And now we've made it even more convenient for you to give with online giving. Simply click the "DONATE" button below to submit your donation!