Molter Family - 2020 CCFF Update

  "And let us not neglect our meeting together,
as some people do, but encourage one another,
especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
- Hebrews 10:25

Dear Family and Friends,

It’s been an interesting and challenging time for most of us, and yet it’s also been an amazing time of seeing what God is doing in our Calvary Chapel Fergus Falls family with a new season of growth and grace. Many churches in the Midwest have remained closed and even those who have reopened have seen that not everyone is ready to return to in-person gatherings. Yet the Lord has been gently leading us through this uncertain time to keep meeting, and keep moving forward. And, in following the Lord we are seeing more people coming to our Sunday morning services and have doubled in our fellowship size. Even our online participants has grown to about 500 people a week from all of the USA and world.

Because of this our church leadership team have seen that we need to start looking for a building of our own while we continue to meet at our local YMCA. In this process of looking at buildings in town and potential sites, we have been approached by another church in town about the possibility of renting from them. Our Sunday service time would change as well as a few other things, so we are still in prayer over this as we want to honor the Lord no matter where in Fergus Falls the Lord would have us equip the saints for the work of the ministry.

Below are a few pictures since we last sent out an update, and we pray it will encourage you and remind you of God's goodness!

We had a great and respectful conversation regarding Covid-19 state mandates in our town between the church leaders, the Mayor, and the Chief of Police (who said he would not interfere with churches however they choose to respond). I (Tim) even had the opportunity to pray before a city council meeting this summer asking God to grant wisdom to the city leaders for the days ahead (who knew just how much wisdom we would all need?)

  

With the nice Minnesota weather we have in the Summer we had a fun family camp out in the backyard, and we plan to explore nearby camping sites. Also, we are still working with Trail Life USA to get a local troop started, and until then we have enjoyed many walks and hikes at our local Wetlands in God's great outdoors.

  

With all the running events being canceled or postponed the nearby news station ran a story about a friend in town who organized some virtual races and included some photos of locals. We have found it's important to keep ourselves not only spiritually healthy but physically and mentally healthy. Running has been a great conversation builder for us too.

  

We had a fun visit from Anna's family over the summer and enjoyed showing them a few State Parks. There is a spot called "Preacher's Grove" in Itasca State Park (where the Mississippi headwaters start) that we just had to take a group photo at. We even got to spend an evening at a baseball game in Fargo, ND where our boys got a game ball.

 

We were also able to get up to Duluth, MN for a day and spend sometime to relax while Anna's parents visited. We went for a hike in a National Park, spent some time on the beach, and then enjoyed a meal and a walk on the pier near the lighthouse and boat lift bridge. It was a nice time to rest and refocus on family and on the Lord together.

    

One of our family slogans is that 'the family that serves the Lord together, stays together' and each week we have a great time of setup/tear down before and after our church services. We have never asked our kids to help, but they have a desire to, and we believe that desire is from the Lord.

    

We hope you have enjoyed looking at these photos and ask for your prayers as we consider what the Lord has for us and our church fellowship in the future. Thank you again for your desire to get our updates, thank you for your prayers, and thank you for your support! 

- Pastor Tim, Anna, Joshua, Caleb and Samuel Molter

* To give to the work of Calvary Chapel Fergus Falls you can donate at: http://ccfergusfalls.com/giving/ or text CCFF to 555-888, Mailing Address: PO Box 263, Fergus Falls, MN 56537

* To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to updates please send an email to ccfergusfalls@gmail.com

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give
you peace always in every way.
The Lord be with you all.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:16

  

Molter Family - 2020 CCFF Update

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
—Lamentations 3:22-23

Dear Family and Friends,

Here we find ourselves in 2020, living during a pandemic and realizing it's been more than half a year since we last sent out an email update to our prayer partners. Wow, where did the time go? It’s undoubtedly been an interesting and challenging time for most of us, and we want to thank you for your prayers, support, and positive outlook as we all work through this challenging time filled with unknowns.

The great news is that God is still in control, and He is gently leading us through this uncertain time. We pray that you are resolving to trust Him now more than ever so that you may rest in His comfort and care. During this time Jesus’ charge to us is still the same — BE DISCIPLES WHO MAKE DISCIPLES — and we are confident that we will all be found faithful to this mission.

Below are a few pictures we pray encourage you and remind you of God's goodness!

We were blessed to be with our family and friends in Chico, CA for Christmas and share in person all that the Lord is doing here in the Midwest.

   

Back in MN, our middle son Caleb took a dance class and stole the show! 

We were able to chat with the instructors and other parents and are slowing building relationships with this new community.  

We also found Caleb was starting to have some ear pain but he was able to have a procedure which helped. He's a joyful kid and always with a smile.

   

I (Tim) was able to go to a men's conference with my dad and also teach at a Calvary Chapel men's retreat.

It was a great time of catching up with friends and making some new friends who are ministering at an Indian College. 

  

Anna's been working with Samuel, and he's very close now to walking. She also finished the home-school year with Caleb and Joshua.

   

I graduated from a leadership training course at work. It was a great time of learning and training to think like a coach to encourage others.  

The group of guys for our Wednesday men's Bible study are continuing to meet during lunch break and I've been meeting with our chaplain to encourage one another in ministry.

 

It has also been a challenging time as I found out I had some benign nodules on my throat in February but thankfully one of the medications prescribed helped the swelling go down after a few weeks and God has allowed me to keep teaching His Word despite being uncomfortable. Some days it was painful but thankfully I never had to bear it alone. God has been with me always, faithfully walking with me through it, and He is still helping me day by day. All the more reason to look forward to Heaven. 

And then the world went on lockdown with Covid-19, and our outreach plans, discipleship meetings, and church services all got put on hold. 

We had to get creative and learn quickly how to do an online service from home to keep ministering to our church family via digital technology and online tools.

   

We are still working with our local YMCA that we rent from regarding when and how to come back for Sunday services (we would appreciate prayers for that). Just this past weekend we had an outside service (even during a rain storm). In the midst of the pandemic (or rain storm), God is there, and we don’t need to let the headlines (or weather) frighten us. We need to trust God, even when we don’t understand the world around us, or know what will come next. It's a time of learning to discern what God is speaking to us and to take on the glorious task of sharing the hope we have through Jesus with others. Perhaps this pandemic will cause people to look up and listen to what God has to say? Maybe it will even spark a worldwide spiritual revival? Our hearts say, "May it be so!"

Before this pandemic started we received a check in the mail for $5,000 which has covered all of our church expenses and helped us launch into doing online ministry during this time. We have experienced God’s faithfulness to meet our needs in unexpected ways, His grace and blessings through family and friends, His strength and His goodness to bring us through one day at a time. We've never been busier in ministry than right now, yet throughout this season we have never once lost our joy, inner peace, or the steadfast hope that God was is in control and is working out all things for our good (Romans 8:28). So, let's continue to put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and when the world around us fails, crumbles, and shatters, He’ll be there, and we can know that we have a future with Christ that’s brighter than tomorrow.

The Lord's return is soon, Hallauliah! We are so thankful for your prayers and support! 

- Pastor Tim, Anna, Joshua, Caleb and Samuel Molter

  *   To support the work of Calvary Chapel Fergus Falls please donate at: http://ccfergusfalls.com/giving/   or text CCFF to 555-888

  *   To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to updates please send an email to ccfergusfalls@gmail.com

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give
you peace always in every way.
The Lord be with you all.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:16

  

Molter Family - 2019 CCFF Update

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God... —Luke 2:13

Dear Family and Friends,

It's the time of the year we wish you all a “Merry Christmas,” and our hope is that this Christmas many more hearts will be merry by knowing our dear Lord and Savior. And the joy of Christmas is not limited to His birth. It is built even more on the triumph of His death and resurrection—that gave meaning to His birth. We don’t usually think of a person as a gift, but actually interpersonal relationships are the most valued and cherished gifts of all. And the Bible teaches that God gave a Person as a gift to every one of us, and that Person is Jesus Christ. Let us rejoice with the angels and praise His holy name!

One of the growing psychological problems facing people today is loneliness, and one of the greatest ministries that a person can have today is just being a good listener. That's what we have been focusing on and have found many people are longing not only to be loved but to have someone who will listen to them. The promises of God’s love and forgiveness are real, sure, and available to all. When we love God with all our hearts, then we have the capacity to love our neighbor, and we have seen God work in wonderful ways for His glory.

As a simple church in the Upper Midwest we are committed to loving everyone, always and extending the hope and grace of Jesus. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a full house with those from our fellowship that had no other family to be with. What a joy that we can be the family of God together and show God's love to the widows and orphans. It's also great to be with the people of God no matter where you are. And we are excited to be coming to Chico, California in a few weeks for a Christmas Vacation. We travel from MN to CA on December 23, 2019 and then from CA back to MN on January 3, 2020. We are looking forward to seeing many of you again!

Below are a few pictures we pray bring a smile to you and remind you of the grace of God!

Joshua's B-Day with a few friends                                   Gathering of Calvary Chapel Pastors and Wives

              

 

Tim's mother Lisa visited in September                          Visiting the Mississippi Headwaters in MN

         

   

What a joy to participate and baptize our son Joshua in front of all of his friends and our church fellowship

       

Our son Caleb is turning into quite a dancer for the Lord, and even got to perform recently

  

Anna enjoyed a Mother and Sons day and caught up with our old neighbor

Tim has been volunteering with the YMCA as a head coach for both kids baseball and flag-football

  

Our School of Choice group (a Christian Homeschool Co-op) saw the play "Charlotte's Web"

    

Not even the winter snow can stop us or our kids from expressing the overflowing joy God gives us

   

Again we look forward to seeing many of you for Christmas and we "thank you" for your prayers and support! 

- Pastor Tim, Anna, Joshua, Caleb and Samuel Molter

  *   To support the work of Calvary Chapel Fergus Falls please donate at: http://ccfergusfalls.com/giving/   or text CCFF to 555-888

  *   To Subscribe or Unsubscribe to updates please send an email to ccfergusfalls@gmail.com

Blessed is the man who trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. —Jeremiah 17:7