Below are highlights from The Way Church during 2022.
Church Camping Trip
The Way Church and Pastor Jared Little led a group into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in July. Seventeen people, including two leaders – Jared Little and Andrew Miller, and wilderness experts Dave and Patty Berlin from the Windom church, canoed into Seagull Lake and chose two separate sites for the party. Most of the group had never camped before, but all were excited about experiencing the peace of the wild.
Members got to go swimming, jump off rocks into the water, hike to a high overlook, explore the woods and lakeshore, go fishing, canoe at night, and learn wilderness camp craft.
However, the highlight for many was the opportunity to share together. Sabbath morning each person spent time alone to look for nature object lessons to share. Each one was unique and thought-provoking. Sabbath evening all were inspired by the testimonies of God’s providence that many in the group related.
High Sabbath
August 13 was a high Sabbath at The Way Church with a baby dedication, elder ordination and a baptism.
Eden and Fridah Yegon presented their baby girl, Raelee, to be dedicated to the Lord. Family came from around the country, including Pastor Godwin Sang, Eden’s brother currently attending seminary, who dedicated his niece. Eden and Fridah serve at The Way as elder and Sabbath school teacher, respectively. Eden moved here from Fargo to be near his mother, Florence Sang. Fridah moved from Kenya and was staying with family. They met at vespers and started dating. They married five years ago. The church happily celebrated the new addition to one of our pillar families.
After the sermon, Libny Dubreuze was ordained as an elder, the first such ceremony for Pastor Jared Little. All ordained elders and pastors were encouraged to come forward for a special dedicatory prayer for Dubreuze and his wife, Lizbeth. Dubreuze has attended The Way for about two years, energetically and enthusiastically participating in church and activities. He and Lizbeth, originally from Colorado, married last year at North Star Camp. Currently, they are serving as interim lay pastors at St. Paul Eastside.
After the church service, everyone left immediately for nearby Snail Lake for the baptism. The day was comfortable but overcast and the beach was empty. Pastor Little led Iosif Dubreuze far out into the water where it was deep enough while the gathered congregation softly sang. Iosif, Libny Dubreuze’s brother, has read and studied his Bible for the past year while actively participating in church. This summer he continued studying while canvassing in the metro area and is very excited about following God all the way. He wanted to be baptized before attending Maplewood Academy in the fall.
Baptisms
On September 17, three young people were baptized from the Westview church.
Immediately after the church service, the church family drove to Lake Minnewashta. The weather was beautiful. Pastor Little baptized Joshua Ewald, Xenia Birech, and Xavier Birech in the cooling water while the congregation sang. Josh is 22 years old and the son of Mark and Kim Ewald. The whole family has attended Westview for many years. Josh wanted to be baptized because he loves Jesus. He was happy that his older sister and her family could come for this special day.
Xenia is 15 years old and the daughter of Peter and Judith Birech. They have attended Westview for seven years and Xenia participates enthusiastically in many areas of church. She thoroughly enjoyed the Bible studies and new things she learned with Pastor Jared and wanted to show her commitment to God publicly.
Xavier celebrated his 13th birthday on the day of his baptism. He is Xenia’s brother and they enjoyed studying with Pastor Jared together. He felt it was extra special to be baptized with his sister and wanted to show that he was becoming a new person for God.
Sarah Little is married to Jared Little, pastor of The Way Church.
