Celebrating 100 Years of God’s Faithfulness

1904-2004

Pioneering the Foothills

In 1879 John G. Johnson, the first pioneer to Foothills, and his family came toFoothills Store 1904-1953 Foothills and others moved into the community the same year.  Sometime in the 1890’s the first pioneers erected a small, unpainted building near Morrison and McMahan Roads which served as school and Pleasant Valley School (Yellow School House) Located at corner of Lincoln and Forker. Burned December 14, 1939.Sunday School until 1904.  John W. Robbins was the first Sunday School superintendent and held the office until his death in 1898.  About this time David Williams and his wife moved to a farm here and became very active in church work.  Mr. Williams became the superintendent and his wife helped organize a Ladies Aid Society which later became the Blue Ribbon Circle.Foothills School March 1912. First class of 8th-10th grade students. Teacher was A. J. Smith.

The first general store was built at Forker and Moffat Roads and a blacksmith shop was built north of the store.  Three more schools were built:  the Pleasant Valley School called “The Yellow School” at Forker and Lincoln, 1899-1920, the Frog Pond School near Temple and Forker, 1904-1920, and the Millville School, later called the Foothills School, 1905-1960, and the present community center.

 

Building the Church

Ladies Aid in 1901, later became the Blue Ribbon CirclePeople decided it was time to have a minister and have church services.  Different ministers came and held services.  Finally the community grew and the old school house on Morrison Rd. was about to be abandoned.  A church building was needed.  Mr. O. M. Skattum came to the Foothills and built store number two on Forker and Peck Roads and he donated a corner of his land for a church with the stipulation that the land revert back to the original owners if it was not used for a church and there was to be no dancing or card playing.  The ladies aid got busy and had a house to house campaign to raise money for the church.  They also made a quilt forKronquist Sawmill 1902—Supplied logs for the church—located across the street raffle to help with expenses.  The quilt had names of all who paid 10 cents a name and was won by J. A. Kronquist.  It is now in the possession of Dan Howard.  Almost everyone in the community had a part in the project.  Those who were not able to give money signed up for so much labor.  J. A. Kronquist who owned the sawmill across the street donated the lumber at cost.

Dedication Service Bulletin February 19, 1905In those days money wasn’t so easy to get, but the Methodist conference granted the church $192.00 with the understanding that the church was to be a Methodist Church.  On November 24, 1904 a Thanksgiving dinner and program were held in the new building.  The new Foothills Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated February 19, 1905.

First Ministers

The first minister, Reverend G. S. Snyder, was sent out to serve the community.  He also had two other small churches on Pleasant Prairie and Peone where he preached every Sunday.  The Fooothills Church usually had their service on Sunday evening and held Sunday School in the morning.  In those days people went everywhere with the horse and buggy and the church became the center of the community.  Nearly everyone went to church on Sunday evenings to hear God’s Word and to visit with neighbors.  Weddings, christenings and funerals were held there.

One of the early ministers. Rev. Alfred Derby and his wife, Grace, pastored at Foothills from 1914-1917.  They lived on Pleasant Prairie and each Sunday drove in their two seated buggy with their three sons to Peone for the morning service, back to Pleasant Priairie for the noon service and Foothills for the evening service.  Mrs. Derby played the organ for all services and since there was no electricity, the boys had to pump up the gas for the gas lights.  Rev. Derby’s salary for the three churches was $300.00 per year.

Troubled Times

After World War I some of the old timers passed away and others moved to some other locality.  The automobile came and people could easily go to Spokane to church or to one of the nearby lakes for a picnic and the little country church found it harder and harder to hold the interest of the people.  Some of the churches in the surrounding communities were sold as grange halls or just closed up.  The Methodist Church on Peone became a grange hall and the Methodist Church on Pleasant Prairie (which was located on the southwest corner of Lehman Road and Bigelow) was closed and Foothills was unable to support a full-time pastor.  A few faithful people kept the Sunday School going until 1937 but only a few were there most of the time.  In the Sunday School records from July, 1934 to February, 1935 the high attendance was 19 on September 16 with a collection of $.63.  The attendance low was February 17, with 5 present with a $.20 offering.  After the church closed in 1937, it was once again necessary to go elsewhere to church,  with most attending the Nazarene Church on Pleasant Prairie located on the northwest corner of Bigelow and Lehman.

About this time the people were afraid the church would be sold by the Methodists.  Some representatives from the community went to the district superintendent of the Columbia River Conference of the Methodist Church to see if the building could be bought by the community.  He was not in favor of selling the church.  His desire was to see it built up once again and as long as it was used for a church would never be taken away.  During this time the church had been falling into disrepair and the Blue Ribbon Circle paid to have the building shingled and in 1938 electricity was installed.  The community continued to use the building as a community center, for school programs, PTA and Blue Ribbon Circle.

God’s Grace Prevails

In 1939 and 1940 some new families moved to the community and began to pray and seek God’s guidance to have services at Foothills again.  The Maiers, Kaelins, Boswells (who owned the store) and the Duffs (the school teachers) were the leaders of the drive to re-open the church.  November 24, 1940 the church once again opened its doors with 27 in Sunday School the first Sunday under the leadership of Ray and Hazel Griffith, served Foothills 1940-1942Ray Griffith, a single Whitworth College student, and his fiancee, Hazel Gustafson.  It was his first experience as a pastor.  He was married to Hazel Gustafson November 21, 1941 by Rev. Stewart Sparrow at Foothills.  They served about 15 months, driving from Moran Prairie 8 miles south of Spokane to Foothills each Sunday morning in a 1928 Dodge coupe.  After Sunday School and worship service, they had dinner with one of the families and then spent the afternoon calling on people in the community often taking a group of teens, singing and giving testimony and inviting people to services. Average Sunday School attendance in 1941 was 31 with a high of 51 and a low of 17.  The church interior was repaired in 1942.

Student pastors from Whitworth came to Foothills and gave much of their time, especially with the young people.  Many times they brought gospel teams with them and lots of special music.  In 1942 the janitor was paid $1.50 per week and average Sunday School attendance between March, 1942 through May, 1943 was 20.  The offering high during that time was on November 1, 1942 with $1.88.

Clifton and Rosamae Keene were Whitworth students here the longest, fromClifton and Rosamae Keene, served Foothills 1945 October, 1945 to June, 1948.  They lived in Foothills from 1947 to 1948 when he graduated.  Several others followed serving from 3 months to a year at a time.  Most of them were young couples preparing for the ministry.  As a result of their time and effort many young lives were changed as they gave their lives to Christ.

From the minutes of the April, 1948 board meeting: “Question of a range was brought up.  Mr. Reed Kaelin told of a range which would be given to the church.  Discussion of where it could be placed in the room.  Motion made and carried that the stove be gotten.  Motion was made and carried the church board give the treasurer authorization to pay Mr. Kaelin for expenditures in putting in stove, stovepipe, asbestos, etc.  Johnny Luther was appointed as head of a committee to build two small outhouses.”  The stove was installed in the side room off the fellowship room.  One outhouse was finally installed.  It was moved from where the old Yellow Schoolhouse had been at the corner of Lincoln and Forker and the Blue Ribbon Circle ladies painted it.

Village Missions

House built in 1913. It became the first parsonage where Bill Mai lived from 1951-1954. House burned to the ground February 22, 1970.The first contact with Village Missions was with Archie McNeill and his wife, Evangeline, from Cannon Beach, Oregon, who came to Foothills for special services.  (Evangeline was the sister of Rev. Walter Duff).  Village Missions is an organization whose purpose is to provide fulltime, qualified, spiritual leadership Bill and Kathryn Mai, served Foothills 1951-1954primarily to rural areas in the United States and Canada where none exists; and to continue such leadership as long as requested.  June, 1951 Bill and Kathryn Mai, David, Ruth Ann and Marilyn were sent to Foothills.  They came from back East – strangers  - with accents and were one of the first families sent out by Village Missions on a salary of $10.00 per week, plus housing.  They lived in the old Johnson home at the end of Lincoln Road most of their time here and it was always open house for the young people to come there.  They encouraged them and refused to give up on them.  Many are still worshipping at Foothills. While they were here the basement and back room were added to the church and attendance rose to 125 the first Easter.  They began a Young Married Couples group which was very active.

In June, 1951 the insurance premium on the church was $52.00 for 3 years.  It was insured at the time for $3,000.00.  The janitor’s salary was raised to $2.00 per week.  In March of 1954 the church received a disconnect notice from Inland Power and Light because of past due bills, $23.58 being past due for over a year.  The light bill at that time was $1.50 per month with a high of $4.80 during April, 1954.  The church was also having trouble meeting other expenses with a cement bill for $40.00 going unpaid for over a year.

1954 - 50th Anniversary - all pictured attended the church in 1904When the Mai’s left in August, 1954 the church was once again supplied by ministers and lay leaders from the Methodist conference on Sunday mornings.  They were lay ministers, Whitworth students, retired ministers and finally a minister with a church at Mead and at Foothills.  During this time the young people remained active though most of the adults had left and gone to other churches or just quit going.  Sometimes the morning service consisted of singing, spur of the moment specials and testimonies led by Bill Bleasner and George McConahy when the speaker for that Sunday failed to show up.  Sunday School attendance fell to about 30 in 1956.  In 1958 it began to rise a little as new families moved into the area and averaged about 45 in Sunday School.  Perry Van Vliet was often the evening speaker.

A congregational meeting was held in October, 1958 and the members voted to become dissolved completely with the Methodist church and become a non-denominational community church as of  June 1, 1959.  Dr. Chamberlain, the Methodist District Superintendent was very cooperative and helpful regarding purchasing the church building.  Many meetings with the lawyer and Dr. Chamberlain took place in May, 1959 and the congregation voted to accept the offer of the Methodist Conference and buy the church for $400.00.  Village Missions was again contacted to secure another pastor.  Jim Steele, Perry Van Vliet and Oliver Howard were elected as the first deacons.  George McConahy was elected Sunday School Superintendent.

First Village Missions Pastors

Ray and Esther Williams, served Foothills 1959-1960In June of that year Ray and Esther Williams and their three boys arrived from South Carolina and were here one year.  The parsonage was in the cottage behind the grade school.  During that year a constitution was drawn up for the church and accepted and the closing details of purchasing the church were taken care of.  With the coming of a full time pastor once again the church began to grow and changes were made in lives.  The Williams’ left Village Missions to prepare for foreign service with New Tribes Mission.John and Marion Duckworth, served Foothills 1960-1964

Under the direction of John and Marion Duckworth and family, who were with us from 1960 to 1964, the church was painted, a new tile roof added and a cross erected on the steeple.  A large sign was added to the grounds for all to see.  For the first time a church bulletin was printed each week by Pastor Duckworth and a junior choir formed by Mrs. Duckworth.  During this period the church became self-supporting.

On a beautiful day in August, 1964 Bob and Bev Collins and their five children arrived in Foothills to serve four years.  They lived on Farwell Road in a rental house on the Mannie Anderson place.  In 1965 the men again went to work and lowered the church ceiling in the sanctuary, installed electric heat and put wood paneling on the sanctuary walls.  (Until this time the church was heated by a huge old monstrosity of a Old Camp Pinecroft - Spirit Lake, IDwood stove centered on the south side of the sanctuary).  The young people began to be interested in going to camp with other Village Missionary fields at Camp Pinecroft.  A church bus was purchased  to use on Sundays to bring all who would come from Mt. Spokane and Peone.  The bus was usually full of a lively bunch of youngsters who had no previous church training because there was no church nearby.  Average attendance in 1965 was 75.  Mrs. Collins organized an adult choir in 1966 and at Christmas directed the first Christmas cantata.

Pastor Keith Potts

Parsonage and Office where Keith and Letha Potts lived. Jerry and Jan Kennedy also lived here, and it later became the church office. The CE Building now stands in its place.In 1968 Keith and Letha Potts, Garry and Laura arrived and as the church Keith and Letha Potts, served Foothills 1968-1981continued to grow, changes again had to be made.  In 1969 a parsonage was needed and a small house across the road from the church was purchased.  In just one month three rooms were built on and the Potts were ready to move in.  Water was piped from the parsonage into the church and much needed bathrooms were built.  The wall between the sanctuary and the side room was torn out and a sliding door added to make room for more people in services.  The platform was lowered and shortened (again to make more room), an organ and another piano added, and new lights put up in the sanctuary ceiling.  In December, 1971 the congregation gave a love offering to the church and carpeting was installed before Christmas from these gifts.  November 1969 the lst church paper “The Friendly Visitor” was sent out to those in the area and now goes out to about 520 families per month.   

In September, 1973 as the church continued to grow, Walt C. Wruble, a descendant o O.M. Skattum who originally gave the land, signed off the deed toBuilding the new Sanctuary 1973-1974 the church and the sanctuary and educational unit were begun.  On Easter 1974 the first services were held in the new sanctuary.  Seven new classrooms were added and extensive remodeling done in the old unit.  On June 8, 1975 a dedication service for the new sanctuary was held with Rev. Walter Duff giving the dedicatory message.

Mr. Duff and Pastor Potts at the 1975 dedicationJoe and Debbie Shepherd moved into the newly purchased mobile home next to the parsonage on June 10, 1975 and served for one year as Assistant Pastor. Ted and Jennifer (Harmon) Schlund served from September, 1976 to April, 1977 as Visitation Pastor.  Village Missions sent intern pastors from September 1977 through September 1979.  Richard and Loreen Shearer serving as the first church secretary in 1979Sue Skimming were here September 1977 through March 1978.  David and Patty Harrison served from July 1978 through June 1979.  Carl and Debbie Kinne served July through September 1979.  At this time the mobile home was turned into a church office with Loreen Shearer serving as the first office secretary.

Pastor Jerry Kennedy

Jerry and Jan Kennedy, served Foothills 1981-2008After 13 years at Foothills, Pastor Potts was forced to leave due to poor health in July, 1981.  In August Pastor Jerry, Jan, Christine, Julie and Bryan Kennedy arrived.  Church growth continued as home Bible studies were added and the body of believers grew in the Lord.

Remodeling again was done in the old sanctuary (now the fellowship room) as the old floor had rotted out and had to be replaced and new carpeting installed.  The new kitchen was completed in May, 1983 and the bathrooms and new nursery completed in 1984.  The parking lot was black topped in May, 1984 and the triangle parking lot added south of the church and landscaped.80th Anniversary - 1984 Former and current pastors

Remodeling and painting project - 1984In November, 1982 Doug and Nita Hollums arrived here as Associate Pastor and lived in the Mannie Anderson home on Farwell and Forker.  They helped organize the Pioneer Clubs on Sunday evening and a College and Career class along with their other duties.  They served until August, 1985.

A remodeling project and painting of the entire building took place before the highlight of 1984 – the 80th Anniversary celebration in October.  The former pastors present were Ray Griffith, Bob Canfield, Roy Ray and Janet Gustafson, served Foothills 1985-1987Myers, Bill Mai, Fred Riehle and Keith Potts who, along with previous attenders, shared the blessings of God and rejoiced in His greatness.  Rev. Walter Duff, National Chairman of Village Missions, was the Sunday morning speaker.

In October 1985, Ray and Janet Gustafson arrived to serve as Christian Education Director.  They made their home in the Ron Olinger house next door to the church and were especially involved with young adults.  They were here until August 1987.

Missions Conference

Our first Missions Conference was held in November 1985 and has become an annual event with challenging speakers motivating the church body to become more involved in world missions through prayer, giving, encouragement and going.

Building ProjectsParsonage completed in August, 1989

December, 1988 Construction began for new parsonageDuring  this  time the church felt a  desperate  need  to  build  additional  classrooms  and activity  space,  but were frustrated over the only available  property on which to  build a multipurpose structure.  In March of 1987 an 8:30 worship service was added along with the 11:00 service to alleviate crowding in the sanctuary and was received with great response.

At the November 1987  congregational meeting Dewey Hanson reported the reasons to build the parsonage as the first phase of a building project.  1994 - Old parsonage was torn down and area was used for C. E. Building parking lotAn acre of land was donated by Howard Capell and a special variance received from the county to build on an acre site.  The cost for a 4 bedroom 1600 sq. foot Christian Education Building groundbreaking and construction, 1993home would be $57,000 with volunteer help to reduce the cost.  By removing the existing parsonage at a later date it would utilize all the property for construction of a multipurpose building.

Ground was broken for the new parsonage in December 1988 and a beautiful home was complete in August 1989.  The office was moved temporarily into the old parsonage and the mobile home was sold.July 17th, 1994 - Dedication of C. E. Building

The old parsonage was torn down in March 1994 (taking with it many fond memories) to make way for parking space.  The parking lot was paved in July and the new building dedicated July 17th with comments by Bill Bleasner, Chairman of the Building Committee, George McConahy, Finance Committee Chairman, Dewey Hanson, Contractor and Cliff Halstead, Volunteer Coordinator.

Youth Ministry

Kim and Debbie Alexander, served Foothills 1988-1993In June 1988 Kim and Debbie Alexander and family moved to Foothills as Assistant Pastor.  They lived in the Terry Peters home and then in November 1989 moved to the Walt Wruble Sr. home and began working with the young people.  They served until August, 1993.

Of great loss to our church family in April, 1990 was the home-going of our beloved Pastor Keith Potts.  He had returned to the church staff as Church Counselor during 1988 and 1989, going south for the winter months.  He is still greatly missed but we rejoice that he is in the presence of the Lord and freed from his body of pain.  His faithfulness to the Lord spurs us on to greater faithfulness ourselves.

In August, 1990 twenty-four young people and adults went on the first Mission Mexico trip.  Since that time there have been many adult and youth Mexico work trips to the orphanage Casa Elisabet in Imuris, to Kino Bay, Hermosillo and Basconcobe in Sonora, Mexico.  The trips have been challenging and a blessing to nearly all who have made the trips and experienced another culture.

The average attendance in 1992 was 335 at the morning worship services and 178 in Sunday School.

One of the most visible signs of God’s goodness was the beginning of construction of the new Christian Ed-office building in 1993 as the funds came in for the project.  Ground was broken May 23, 1993 and construction began with Hanson-Carlen Construction Co. and much volunteer labor. Again God’s faithfulness was shown as He laid it on the hearts of His people to give so that there was no financial debt whatsoever.  The church staff and Sunday School classes moved into the building December 1993 followed by an open house in February 1994.Brian and Erica Dedera, serving Foothills 1994-Present

Brian and Erica Dedera joined the church staff as Pastor of Family Ministries Feburary 1, 1994.  They are living in the Walt Wruble, Sr. house. Under their capable direction the youth group has grown spiritually as well as in size.  Many of the youth have gone on short term missions and now are studying for full-time ministries.

After 31 years Family Camp at Farragut State Park continues to be a highlight each year.  It is a great time of fellowship, fun and growing together and immensely enjoyed by all ages.  Carl Shearer, who has been to camp every year since it began, has been affectionately given the title of “mayor.”

Construction began on Activity Center April, 1996In April 1996, after much discussion, prayer and fasting, it was decided to begin work on the Activity Center with the available funds and to continue construction as the LORD provided.  Ed Morgan of E.M. Construction was contacted and the building started.  The walls were up and the roof was on by October 31st, so it was used for the annual Harvest Party.  One hundred seventy-two children from the church and community came to play games and collect goodies while their parents visited, listened to music and ate pie.  The desire had been to provide a place in the community for the children, young people, or the entire family to go for activities.  The LORD was making that hope a reality.

Work on the Activity Center continued at a steady Activity Center Dedication November 2, 1997pace and the building committee had progress to report at each congregational meeting.  On November 2nd, 1997, the Activity Center was dedicated.  Many people gave (a total of $240,280.35), many people prayed and many labored to finish this task.

Pend Oreille Bible Camp for Village Missions Churches broke ground on Nov. 5, 1997On November 5, 1997 some Village Missions Churches in the area broke ground to start laying foundations for the Pend Orielle Bible Camp on property donated to the Dalkena Church.  Foothills Community Church agreed to build at least 2 cabins that could sleep 8 to 10 campers.  Cliff Halstead was appointed to coordinate this effort.  Many trips to Dalkena and hours of hard work went into building the lodge, shower building, nurses quarters and cabins.  The first youth camps were held there in July 1999.

Changes at Foothills

The first annual Village Missions Mini-Conference was held in the Fall of 1998.  More than 40 Village Missionaries in the area attended the 3-day event.  It was a time of great blessing and encouragement.

Loreen Shearer retired as church treasurer on December 31, 1998.  She was given a beautiful, framed picture in appreciation for her 29 years of faithful service, 19 of which she also served as church office secretary.

Don and Rene Shearer, serving Foothills 1999-PresentDon Shearer began serving as Associate Pastor of Evangelism and Discipleship on August 1, 1999.  Don was raised in Foothills and attended the Foothills Community Church regularly with his parents, Carl and Loreen Shearer.  After high school he attended Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, Oregon.  In  1979 he married Rene’  Morris, who also  attended the  Foothills Church.  Don built their house on Morrison Rd. where they raised their four children, Nathan, Jeremy, Christopher and Angela.

At the close of the Millennium Pastor Jerry wrote, “…as we have been praying, God has been answering, often in ways we would never dream possible.  It has been so exciting to see HIM at work.  We’ve added Don Shearer to our staff on a full-time basis, all our financial needs have been met (and then some), there has been significant spiritual growth in many lives, we are discovering a new intimacy in prayer, many are involved in care groups and Bible studies.  GOD has been good!”

To start the new millennium the main church building received a much needed facelift.  A new electric screen was installed in the sanctuary, the platform was remodeled, fresh paint, new linoleum and carpet were installed in the entire church building.  Services were held in the Activity Center while this work was done.

Because of the possible need to expand, the Board began praying about acquiring the property between the parsonage and the C.E. Bulding.  In July 2000 the 10 acres were purchased from Max Reinland for $98,000.00.

New Ministries

In an effort to effectively show care and concern for one another, the Dare-to-Care Ministry was begun in March 2000.  The goal was to reach out and encourage through prayer, phone calls, house calls and the writing of notes.  This ministry has touched many lives and has proved to be an effective tool to help the Pastors meet the needs of the congregation.

In the spring of 2002 new equipment was placed in the sanctuary, making it possible to project the words of the Praise Songs onto beautiful backgrounds.  New audio visual equipment made it possible for the overflow seated in the Fellowship Hall to hear and see the services more clearly.

A Quilting Group made up of ladies from both the community and the church began meeting in 1994.  They have made quilts to encourage those who might be discouraged, baby quilts for “Life Services” and pillow slips for Ogden Hall.  They get together to learn new techniques or to work on their individual projects.  They call themselves the Foothills Fabricators.  Two ladies from this group, Kim McConahy and Anita Pederson, have designed and put together the Centennial Quilt, 2004.

Youth in 2003 (Pastor Brian Dedera’s Report)

“We are thankful to the Lord for His allowing us to minister here at Foothills.  God has been gracious in giving us so many wonderful youth to work with.  There has been such a desire to know God and His word.  What a joy it is to see teens serving Jesus Christ.

Our purpose has been the same over the years.  Our prayer is to help young people mature in their faith by learning to serve God, being faithful to His work, studying and knowing His word, and living as an example before them.

Our Bible Studies and Discipleship groups have met faithfully throughout the year.  Our attendance  varies  from  week to  week as school  commitments  fluctuate  but  we have  seen  a consistency and desire from the teens to  study God’s word and learn how it applies to their lives.  Our Sunday school classes and youth group program are continuing to see faithful teens coming to encourage one another and srengthen their walk with Christ.

2003 gave us many opportunities to serve the Lord.  In February, the high school group participated in the World Vision 30-hour famine.  They raised money to help underprivileged children around the world by taking pledges for a 30 hour fast.  We also headed up the Vacation Bible School program in June.  We were blessed to have the youth group from Jefferson Baptist Church assist us again this year.  It was a truly encouraging time as we watched our kids lead all the various aspects of VBS and share their faith with those who attended.  Summer also allowed nineteen of us to take a trip to Skykomish to paint the V.M. Church.  We were able to assist Sherman and Alice Potts  in a very practical way that also ministered to their church body.

September brought us to our annual youth retreat at Pend Orielle Bible Camp.  Over 60 kids joined us as we set our focus on discipleship for the new school year.  Harvest Fun night was a great night again this year.  We are thankful for all the donations of candy, pie and juice.  We also are grateful to the quilt group and the Preedy’s for their work in the gymnasium that draws in our community.  Our attendance this year was over 300.  December was filled with Christmas programs, gatherings and caroling.  The junior high group took on the ministry of adopting a family for the holidays and providing them with holdiay gifts and treats they would not otherwise have.

We are grateful for the opportunity to work with a group of teens that continually bless and encourage us.  We are thankful to God for allowing us to be a part of the work He’s doing.

“The Lord Has Done This”

June 19, 2004 Foothills sponsored their first golf marathon with all proceeds going to V.M. “New Fields Fund.”  The funds will be used to pay salary in a new field/church that is unable to pay any salary.  The event was held at Antler Springs Golf Course with lunch catered by Longhorn Barbecue.  21 golfers participated in raising over $7000 for V.M.  Praise GOD for HIS provision through HIS people.

The end of June, 30 youth and adults again made the long trip to Basconcobe, Sonora, Mexico.  They worked at a church in the morning and did VBS in the evening with skits, music and testimonies.  What a great time of encouragement to everyone involved.

As Pastor Jerry wrote in the Friendly Visitor May 2004: “I’ve often been thankful for the vision, the sacrifice, the hard work, and the commitment of those early pioneers, as well as so many through the last century who have committed themselves to the Lord’s work here at Foothills.  I doubt the first founders envisioned how God would bless that seed they so faithfully planted here.  If they were still living I have no doubt they would join us, along with Psalmist David, in exclaiming, ‘..the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’ (Psalm 118:23)

As I reflect on the history of the Lord’s church here at Foothills, I am simply astounded at what He has done.”

The church has gone through some very good times and also some very difficult times but through it all God has been faithful.  “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness.”  Lam. 3:21-23   

As the church contines to grow and families are reached for Christ, we can look back and see how God has protected and used this church through the years.  Much love, work and prayer has gone into this church and through the efforts of many it is still a place where the Word is clearly and faithfully taught and Jesus Christ is the center.  We thank God for this church and those who have remained faithful to Him.  “To God be the Glory, Great things He Hath Done!”