J U N E 2 0 1 5

WHY ARE WE HERE? IBC is a community that exists because we believe Jesus Christ transforms lives. We want to be fully alive as followers of Jesus, and we hope you’ll join us on this journey.

HOW DO WE DO THIS?

GROWING IN CHRIST At the heart of our journey is the gospel of Jesus. We trust Christ as our Savior and find ourselves becoming more like him as we deepen our relation-ship with him.

CONNECTING IN COMMUNITY The way of following Jesus is not a path we walk alone. The gospel story draws us into a community of people whose lives are being transformed by Jesus.

JOINING THE MISSION Followers of Jesus aren’t just saved, they’re also sent. Believers become witnesses to the grace of God as they take part in his mission to rescue and redeem the lost and broken.

For more about growing in Christ, connecting in community, and join-ing the mission at IBC, please contact info@irvingbible.org.

C O N TACT I B C2435 Kinwest Pkwy Irving, TX 75063 (972) 560-4600

WEB irvingbible.org FACEBOOK irvingbible TWITTER @ibcvoice ELETTER irvingbible.org/eletter

New to IBC? Turn to page 18.

SMALL GROUPS PICNICPulled pork, anyone? On Sun-day, May 3, IBCers gathered for the All Groups Picnic, a time for small groups of all stripes to gather for fun and family time. (And, as implausible as it may seem, the all-pervasive May rain managed to hold off.)

The picnic is like an annual reunion with our big crazy family.

–Katie Geurin, Small Groups Administrator“ ”

Chatter | 3

LIFE

Charles Spurgeon was a great writer and theologian. I, of course, like to imagine him as a big stur-geon coasting languidly along a riverbed with a pipe in his mouth, but that’s just because I’m strange, and hungry so often. Anyway, he said this: “The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the carnal eye.”

Now, we of The Bible Church, place a high value on the idea of possessing a rational faith. My husband is the treasurer of a nonprofit that brings preach-ers into bars and pubs to defend the legitimacy of Christianity. And for good reason.

But I think what Sturgeon meant has more to do with visible proofs of God in our own lives, and how even visible “proofs” can get in the way of faith itself. We hold so tightly to our little evidence, our blessings and lack-of-hardships.

I see the way God has provided financially for my family and me, for instance. And while that might bolster my faith in a generous God, it becomes dan-gerous to lean up against that particular column. And not just because when financial turmoil hits, the column buckles and implodes my perception of God, but because, even if I was forever financially secure until the day I die, I could be tempted to believe God’s provision meant something about me that it really doesn’t. That I’m some kind of super-duper, extra-special person. Or worse: that his love is normatively expressed in a comfortable paycheck. What appears to be a pillar can just as often be a stumbling block.

And what about the “bad” stuff — the awful diagno-sis? For every pillar, there’s a wrecking ball.

So how do we find the glory of faith? It all seems hopelessly frustrating. How do we get past the futility of trying to sort out both the affirmations and disappointments of God in our lives?

Maybe it’s best to go back to Spurgeon’s sky.

Just look at it — at night. You don’t see all the mathematical equations and laws of physics it represents. You don’t see the proofs for why the sky should be scattered so broadly and brightly. You look through the lens of proof, and then past it. Glory is in the sum total. And there are black holes and disturbing, inexplicable phenomena. But just lie there for a moment. Take the whole picture in at once — eyes open, breathing in, watching. Re-ceive the panorama for what it IS, without flinch-ing or whispering. Suddenly I’m so small and God is so big.

Maybe the glory of faith is in taking the sum total of everything I see, the good and the bad together, and then seeing through it, and past it. Letting

those particulars give way to the mysterious. Per-mitting the inexplicable to just sit there without badgering it. Allowing God to emerge as a whole thing, not as a bunch of particulars, and then let-ting his dark beauty fill me with humility.

And humility, at least for me, leads to quiet hope. I don’t know why it should, exactly, but it seems to. Maybe this elementary hope is the seedling of actual, capital-F Faith. And maybe the frustra-tion-then-humility-then-hope-then-faith is an unavoidable cycle that must be constantly re-engaged.

Well. All of this is easier said than done.

Most people are way better at it than me. Hebrews 11 contains quite a laundry list: Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets; Rahab, Moses, Joseph, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham. “These were all commended for their faith,” says the writer, “yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (11:39-40).

Those people never saw the fulfillment of their faith in their lifetimes. They had to wait and obey, and were never given a timeline — their work would stretch beyond their natural lives, it turns out, but they didn’t know that. I’m sure they were probably tempted to believe all sorts of awful things about God and themselves based on this incomplete, lopsided data. But somehow they were still able to live by “faith.” Somehow, some way, they had still been able to allow enough glory to emerge from their limited, sum-totaled experi-ence of God; enough to wake up, make coffee, and put one foot in front of the other every morning (or, most mornings; or at least, an adequate amount of mornings) despite what must have sometimes felt like a random, open-ended kind of a life.

I want to be like them — a little glory every day.

a letter from ChatterEditor Julie Rhodes

Art Direction, Design & Goodness Josh Wiese, Lindsey Sobolik, JD Lemming

Admin Extraordinaire Victoria Andrews

Pastor to Hashtags Scott McClellan, Communications Pastor

Photography Jacque Bundy (Photo Update)* Evan Chavez (2435 Clinic)* Trey Hill (Barry Jones)*

Writers Adrienne Siefers (Next Steps)** Jason Fox (Idle Chatter)* Megan Foreman (Chatter Facts)* Peggy Norton (Responding to the Whisper)* Shawn Small (Barry’s Bad Day)* Victoria Andrews (The Lord’s Prayer)**

Editorial Assistance/Proofing Summer Alexander*, Annie Stone*

Thoughts, comments, ideas? Contact Chatter at chatter@irvingbible.org.

Need Chatter Digitally? Chatter is on the web at irvingbible.org/chatter.

Are you a media socialite? Like Chatter on Facebook. It’s so likeable.

*Most beloved and indispensable Chatter Volunteer.

**Most beloved and indispensable IBC staff member.

Caviar comes from sturgeon. Snobbiness comes from salmon.

HISTORY

SCIENCE

TEXAS

TOMFOOLERY

LANGUAGE

GENERAL

FOOD

CULTURE

CHATTER FACT ICON KEY

Chatter is…

GEOGRAPHY

Chatter | 4

Barry Jones was not having a good day.

Barry kept replaying the nagging question everyone had been asking him since the announcement. No matter where he was that Sunday morning, people seemed to fi nd him and inquire about the situation. Their question followed him con-stantly and it was always the same:

“Hey, what’s happening with your church launch?”

Unsure of what to say, Barry simply smiled and tried to say as little as possible. He knew there was one thing that might take his mind off the uncomfortable query. Barry de-cided to go grab some takeout from a Chinese restaurant not far from the church.

As he waited in line at the restaurant perusing the menu, Barry felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see a friendly IBC family in line with him. He didn’t have time to brace himself before he heard:

“Hey Barry! What’s happening with the church launch?”

Barry Jones was not having a good day.

Ask Barry what contributed most to his Christian formation and he’ll say it was his mentors. The chapters of his life have been signifi cantly marked by a handful of spiritual mentors. First there was his God-fearing grandfather who was present from his earliest memories. As a teenager, his youth pastor shaped his faith more than anyone else in his life. Next, there was the college pro-fessor who, though not a Christian, awakened Barry’s academic gifting and taught him the necessity of criti-cal thinking. In seminary, a profes-sor took special interest in Barry, guiding him through his Masters program, sponsoring him though his PhD studies, and walking beside Barry when his dad passed away.

Not only had mentors marked every part of Barry’s life but they had es-tablished in him a passion to coach young leaders. The unique oppor-tunity to help develop leaders was the primary reason Barry chose to teach at Dallas Theological Semi-nary and why he joined the teaching team at IBC. Yet Barry felt there was something he lacked. He believed his

greatest limitation in coach-ing young church leaders was the fact that he’d never planted a church.

As a student of church history, Barry understood that over the last 2000 years people came to faith primarily through the work of church plant-ers. The book of Acts makes it clear. What we often refer to as Paul’s missionary journeys were, in reality, church-planting journeys. Histori-cally, as the church spread through the Roman Empire and beyond, it did so through new churches. Statistically, the greatest growth in evangelism today happens through young vibrant church plants.

In November of 2012, Barry met with IBC’s senior pastor, Andy Mc-Quitty, and executive pastor, Bryan Eck, to share his dream of planting a parish church. IBC was supportive and Barry’s co-partner in the ven-ture was on board and ready to move forward.

In May of 2014, Andy made an announcement from the pulpit. Barry, Kim and the Jones’ kids were leaving to start a church. As one of the beloved regular preachers at the

church, people were sad about the loss of Barry’s presence but incred-ibly supportive of his call. Not to mention, interested in its progress. The next year was fi lled with prayer, research, imagining what the church

might look like, along with prac-tical planning.

Though excited about the church planting process, Barry knew

there was risk involved. Not only would his wife, Kim, have to walk away from her signifi cant leader-ship involvement at Irving Bible Church, but moving their three kids from a thriving children’s ministry into an undeveloped program was scary. Leaving the familiarity and stability of the IBC community for an unknown future was a challenge. Through these dilemmas, Barry was beginning to feel the personal struggles of church planting.

Their commitment was solid, their plans were maturing, and their path seemed clear. But even the best laid plans of church planters often go awry.

Three weeks after the big announce-ment, it felt as though the ground had shifted under his feet. Barry and his family were living in a new home near the location of the church plant. But a series of unforeseen circum-stances led to a change in location for the church. And with a shift in location came a fl ood of changes. Despite already going public with their plans, Barry and Kim began to realize they would not be able to continue with the project.

The average church in America has about 75 people in attendance.

Chatter | 5

Barry was fl abbergasted. All the time he’d spent dreaming, praying and planning unraveled in front of his eyes. He had resigned from IBC and most of his responsibilities had been given to others, eff ectually leav-ing him with no place to come back to in church leadership. It had only been a month since he had stood in front of the church making the big announcement to the congregation of IBC. Embarrassment, sorrow and confusion pestered his mind.

But Barry was sure of two things: his family at IBC would love him through this unseen bend in the road, and God, who had guided him this far, had not done so in vain. There was sovereignty somewhere in the shadowed valley he was navigating. He needed to ask God to reveal it to him before moving forward.

And God did.

Pulling together his thoughts, Barry set another meeting with the church leadership to bring a bold proposal. Barry envisioned IBC creating a church planting initiative. After a series of meetings with the church

leadership and elders, Barry found only open arms for his plan. With the outstanding success of IBC’s debt pay-off , the initiative could become a reality immediately.

Barry’s ideas, backed by eighteen months of church planting experi-ence, crystallized. IBC would create a yearlong residency with two candidates chosen out of a handful

of vetted applicants. These church planters would not be multipliers of IBC congregation as much as multi-pliers of the IBC DNA. The initiative would be an investment into these future leaders.

By the late fall of 2014, Andy pre-sented the IBC church planting initiative to the congregation during a Sunday morning sermon. The pilot program kicked off the following January 2015 with two candidates.

Trey Grant, IBC’s Middle School Pastor of six years, had identifi ed a stirring in his heart to plant a church in the mid-cities a few months earlier. When he heard about the residency opportunity, he jumped aboard.

Ephraim Figueroa one of Barry’s promising DTS students, had been handed a small Hispanic congrega-tion, but he was unsure of what to do. Barry’s invitation to the pilot program was a lifesaver.

But Barry was sure of two things: his family at IBC would love him through this unseen bend in the road, and God, who had guided him this far, had not done so in vain.

Next September, these men will be the fi rst offi cial graduates of the residency program and they will offi cially launch new congregations. And they happen to have wonder-ful things to say about their friend, Barry. Ask Ephraim about Barry’s leadership style, and he’ll use words like “transparent” and “participa-tive.” Barry has vision, but he gives you space to think. Trey has said his favorite part of the program has been the camaraderie between Barry, Ephraim and himself. They have laughed together, cried together, and grown together. Trey adds that Barry is “one of the brightest men I know.”

The future of the program looks bright. Through relational mentor-ing with Barry, the staff at IBC, and church planters around the world, the initiative will focus on four pillars:

1. Encouraging the young church planters into a deeper confi -dence in Christ’s identity.

2. Aiding the church planter into a vibrant spiritual life.

3. Helping the church planter understand their unique call.

4. Creating a practical strategy in the location to which the church planter is called.

This September, IBC will bring on two new candidates with the fi nancial commitment to back them through their fi rst year of church planting.

2015 has already gotten off to a great start for Barry Jones. We, at IBC, are overjoyed to have him back and we are eager to see where the Lord leads him as the year continues. Next time you see him, make sure to ask how the residency program is doing. We promise he won’t mind a bit. And if you want to make him really happy, take him out for a nice Chinese meal.

Shawn Small’s favorite food is food.

Shawn Small is an avid adventurer, author, pilgrim, husband, and father of three. He is the founder of Wonder Voyage Missions and Bound-less Expeditions. You can catch more of Shawn’s mental gymnastics at ShawnSmallStories.com.

It takes between 70-80 church mem-bers to support one full-time pastor or minister in an average church.

Trey Grant leads a church-plant meeting for The Well in Keller.

A volunteer musician plays for Ephraim‘s R.E.D. Tu Iglesia en Español congregation.

Thankfully, Barry Jones' days are looking up.

Chatter | 6

we praise your name, we lift it high,declaring that you are more holy that we could ever imagine.

Please come soon Lord Jesus!Our world is groaning under the weight of sin and darkness,we desperately need your healing. May your shalom come and set all the world to rights again. May we live not according to the world’s way of doing things,but walk in your perfe� and upright ways.

Holy Spirit, please give us what we need to make it through today.Whatever � rength, peace, love, compassion, joy, forgiveness, hope, or faithfulness we need, we tru� you to provide today.

Would you also forgive us for the ways we have fallen away from you? And please help us to extend grace to those who have done us wrong, so that we show Chri� to the watching world.

We pray that you would prote� us from all schemes of the enemy, and that you would help us to remain � rong in the face of trials and temptations.May we walk in the light, and not fall prey to the darkness.

We declare that all that we can see, and all that we can’t see is yours oh Lord. All power, glory, people, and situations are yours. You are ruler over all,and we tru� in you to move and work in the ways that bring you the mo� glory and us the mo� good.

We love you.

Amen.

Chatter is asking several pastors and IBC family members to write The Lord's Prayer in their own words. To submit yours, send it to chatter@irvingbible.org.

who loves us and cares for us,Father, To our heavenly

THE LORD’S PRAYER: AN INTERPRETATION

By Victoria AndrewsIBC Communications Assistant

•

Martin Luther once commented, “As it is the business of tailors to

make clothes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.”

Chatter | 7

When I was asked to write about my personal next steps, it was overwhelming. I prayed for God to reveal what he would like me to write, and it came to mind: my love of the sport of volleyball. It has opened doors I never knew existed.

Let me start at the beginning. I grew up in the church as an MK, PK and PD — missionary kid, pastor’s kid and principal’s daughter. (I know what you are thinking … AND she works at a church??) I was surrounded by people who loved Jesus. But whenever a speaker would talk about evangelism, I was at a loss of who to evangelize. I didn’t know anyone who didn’t know Jesus. I pushed this uneasy feeling back for about 15 years until 8 years ago when I was at a conference. The speaker addressed the topic of living in a “bubble of Christianity” and how many people are open to loving Jesus, but not so open to the church. I felt a prodding to leave my bubble and become friends with people outside the church walls. I started praying about how this could happen, and it was scary.

This is where my love for volleyball came in. I played volleyball competitively from 5th grade through high school, and then played recreationally through college and after. In the spring of 2008, I was helping coach a YMCA team. At

the end of our practice one day, a group of people arrived and started to play volleyball. They were pretty good and I was curi-ous if they played together often. I found out they were a “meet-up group” — an online community where people meet others with the same hobbies. They would reserve indoor courts and oc-casionally play sand volleyball at different locations around the Metroplex. Later that week, I looked up the group and discov-ered they were having a meet-up near my apartment. I decided to

go. I went every Monday night for a few months and started to hang out with the group afterwards for dinner every now and then. My next step was going well: I had started branching out.

Fast-forward to the present: this group has become known as Team Fun. We have sweatshirts, jerseys and play in tournaments together. There are a few on this team who have become good friends, and one in particular whom I would call one of my closest friends. When I am sick, she is the first to reach out and ask if I need anything. On a Friday night, we can be found at a movie theater, playing volleyball or just hanging out. We have had some conversations about God, and I have learned that she has been hurt in the past by people in the church passing judgment.

A few months back, I was going through some difficult personal questions about work and life in general, and I was talking about them with her. One night, as we were walking toward my car, she made the comment, “You may not think I pray, but I do, and I will be praying for you.” This conversation has been on my mind ever since. It seems like an opening for a deeper conversation about God. I have worked in children’s ministry all of my adult life, teaching and leading children towards Christ, but sharing with a close friend suddenly seems risky and hard.

Eight years ago, God provided a next step through something I enjoyed doing. These days, I feel my next step is to ask my friend what Jesus means in her life. Maybe that question would lead to other questions — how does she see prayer? Does she have a relationship with Jesus?

These are scary questions, and there is a chance I will be perceived as judging her. But my prayer is the question will be seen for what it is: an expression of love.

Adrienne Siefers enjoys teaching her two-year-old nephew to serve a volleyball.

Adrienne is IBC’s Elementary Pastor.

Next Steps: ASKING MY FRIEND A QUESTION

Chatter asked IBC pastors to weigh in on their “next steps” for the year — personally, spiritually, or ministry-wise. Here’s Adrienne.

Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a Massachussetts YMCA teacher.

Chatter | 8

“If you build it, he will come.” This famous line whispered in the movie

“Field of Dreams” sounds like some-thing that could be said for IBC’s 2435 Medical Clinic.

The fi rst night the clinic opened in 2011, things were fairly quiet. There were probably more staff on-hand than patients. Fast-forward to today, and the clinic is a thriving place of healing and hope with patients lined up outside the door.

One patient was Alex Oliva. Alex and his wife, Holly are former IBC mis-sionaries who called Honduras home for 13 years. The two fi rst met in 1997 when Holly went to Honduras on a mission trip with IBC. At the time, Alex was serving as a youth pastor. Several years later, in 2002, the two married, started a family and contin-ued their work training and disci-pling youth leaders in Tegucigalpa.

While living in Honduras, a physi-cian discovered a tumor on Alex’s thyroid. But the biopsy came back negative, so Alex and Holly put it on the backburner while they focused on an international move back to the States.

In 2013, Holly began feeling a prompting to come home. She can’t explain why, but Alex agreed they would move. They packed up their three children and made the long journey to Texas and, as Holly put it, came back home to their IBC family.

Another local church off ered them a temporary home for three months until they were able to get on their feet. And in the back of their minds, they knew they needed to follow up on the tumor.

“We had no idea how to navigate the healthcare system,” Holly explains.

Responding to the Whisper

When IBC Missionaries Alex and Holly Oliva returned to the States from Honduras, they didn’t ex-pect to face a battle with cancer. Thanks to the IBC Medical Clinic, Alex is now on the road to recovery.

U.S Residents pay about $8,500 per person annually for health care.

Alex and Holly Oliva

Chatter | 9

“After having been away for so long and not having insurance, we didn’t know where to turn.”

When Alex visited the 2435 Kin-west Clinic, he was immediately impressed by the care and concern by not only the doctors but also the entire clinic staff . After some testing, Alex’s initial results came back

negative again. But because the clinic staff noticed other abnormali-ties, they recommended Alex see a specialist.

2435’s Clinic Director Charles Pierce was instrumental in helping guide the family through next steps.

“We share this arduous process with our patients, but it’s a process that is doable, “ says Charles. “We get to sit one-on-one with them and help navigate through more extensive medical care options — far and above what we can provide at our Wednesday clinic.”

Charles recommended Alex go to Parkland Hospital and sign up for what was called (at that time) Park-land Health Plus, a low-cost health insurance plan to be used within the Parkland Health system for qualifying patients who reside in Dal-las County.

Once Alex got in to see the specialist, they performed surgery to remove the tumor. This time, the news wasn’t encouraging: it was cancer after all. Alex would need yet another surgery to re-move the rest of his thyroid.

“Had it not been for the care and diligence of the doctors and staff at the 2435 Clinic, we would never have known how serious Alex’s condi-tion was and would not have known we could get treat-ment at Parkland,” Holly says. “It was because of them that Alex got the care and treatment he needed.”

There are not only doctors at the 2435 Clinic but also licensed social workers to help families like Alex and

Holly get the services they need before, during and after surgery.

“Whether for Alex or any of our other patients, I stand convinced of the good work God allows us to do for the many folks who walk in our doors,” says Charles. “The Clinic is anchored in the process of good, quality healthcare — not just treating symptoms.”

Lauren Moussa, IBC’s Director of Global Partnerships, sees a sweet full-circle element to the Oliva’s story. “For so many years, the Olivas served and loved sacrifi cially on the mission fi eld, and the same IBC family that supported and served alongside them in Honduras was also able to provide vital care as they returned home.”

Today, Alex is working part-time; and, thanks to the diligence of the clinic staff , on the road to recovery. Holly is employed as a middle school science teacher in the Frisco ISD and their three children are adjust-ing to life in the U.S.

“I know that God used the clinic and Charles in an extraordinary way,” Holly says. “I believe the reason I heard that whisper to move back to the States was to bring us home to IBC and the medical clinic.”

When a discovery team fi rst looked into starting a medical clinic at IBC, they took a leap of faith not knowing how many lives would be changed and impacted. Since late 2010, over 2,800 patient visits have taken place at the clinic, including the Olivas. They built it and He did come.

Peggy Norton is busy celebrating milestones — Husband turning 60, married for 30 years, son graduat-ing from college, brother turning 50, sister-in-law turning 50, Chatter’s 10-year anniversary (we added that last one…).

Peggy is a communications professional at a global security company.

I believe the reason I heard that whisper to move back to the States was to bring us home to IBC and the medical clinic.

The Olivas with Clinic director, Charles Pierce

Ben Affl eck and Matt Damon were among the thousands of extras in the

“Field of Dreams” Fenway Park scene.

Chatter | 10

20,000+

TAPESTRY & EMPOWERED TO CONNECT

In the U.S. 397,122 children are living without permanent families in the foster care system.

WHAT IS TAPESTRY?Tapestry is the adoption and foster care

ministry of Irving Bible Church. We provide a loving, supportive and authentic commu-

nity that connects with, encourages, and equips families along the adoption and

foster care journey.

Irving Bible Church, through its ministries of Tapestry & Empowered To Connect, is impacting parents across the U.S. and around the world. Here is a glimpse of that impact in 2014.

WHAT IS EMPOWERED TO CONNECT?Empowered to Connect is a set of parenting strategies created by Tapestry’s Michael & Amy Monroe and relies heavily on the Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) model developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and her colleagues at the TCU Institute of Child Development. The training teaches and reinforces the fact that we are made in the image of a loving, relational God who has created us to connect in relationship — both with him and with others. We empower parents with tools and strategies to effectively meet their children’s needs, build trust, and help them heal and grow.

BY THE N

UMBERS

4CONFERENCES

Birmingham, St. Louis, Washington D.C., Dallas/Ft. Worth (at IBC)

3,860 in total attendance

6,000+Number of parents taught through Tapestry events in 2014.

Save the Date — September 19 TAPESTRY TURNS 10MORNING: Family Fun Day! Activities, food, and FREE entertainment for all ages.*EVENING: Dinner Celebration. Come and celebrate a decade of ministry and hear what Tapestry has planned for the next decade.

* We are looking for volunteers to help staff this event. Please contact Ryan North at rnorth@irvingbible.org.

Number of people in the U.S. And Canada to whom the April 2015 Empowered to Connect Conference was simulcast:

1. Houston2. Austin3. Dallas4. Chicago5. Fort Worth6. San Antonio7. Nashville8. Sydney (Australia)9. New York10. Calgary (Canada)

TOP TEN

CITIES FROM

WHICH ONLINE

CONTENT IS ACCESSED

Chatter | 11

BREAD KABAB (INDIA) By Manpreet Kaur Ingredients:• 1 C red lentils• 1 C rice• salt (to taste)• ½ TBS turmeric• ½ TBS gram masala• ½ TBS coriander• chili (to taste)• ½ TBS chaat masala• 5 potatoes• bread (½ loaf)

Instructions:Soak red lentils and rice overnight. Then grind lentils and rice together until the mixture becomes smooth. Add water if mixture is too thick.

Boil potatoes, then peel and mash them.

Mix together: gram masala, salt, turmeric, chili, and chaat masala. Combine with the mashed potatoes.

Take bread pieces, remove crust, then soak in water. Press bread pieces with your fingers to remove extra water.

Then take bread pieces and fill them with the potato mixture, forming them into balls (kababs). Roll kebabs in lentil/rice mixture.

Deep fry.

Serve with ketchup or dipping sauce of your choice. (Good for parties!)

CHEESECAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES AND GLAZE (MEXICO) By Isabel GutierrezIngredients:• 1 graham piecrust• 1 8 oz bar of Philadelphia cream cheese• 1 can of La Lechera (condensed milk)• 3 eggs• 1 tsp of vanilla extract• 1 lime

Toppings:• strawberries • strawberry glaze (store-bought)

Mix all ingredients (except topping ingredients) in a blender. Pour mixture into piecrust. Bake at 350° F for 45 minutes.

For topping: Cut fresh strawberries into small pieces and mix with straw-berry glaze. Apply to the top of the cheesecake once it’s out of the oven. Refrigerate cheesecake.

KALAKAND (INDIAN DESSERT) by Kavita SighPrep time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:• 16 oz ricotta cheese• 3 C nonfat dry milk powder• 2 C sugar (Adjust accordingly to taste)• 2 TBS unsalted butter• 1 greased tray (grease with oil or butter)

Ingredients:Mix all ingredients in a microwavable bowl. Microwave for 4 minutes. Remove from microwave. Mix thoroughly. Microwave again for 3 minutes. Mix thoroughly. Microwave again for 2 minutes. Mix thoroughly. Micro-wave again for 1 minute. Spread mixture on tray, cut into small square pieces. Wait for bars to cool, then enjoy.

Every week, students gather at 2435 Kinwest (IBC’s Wednesday community night) for the ESL and Citizenship classes in order to acclimate to American culture and language. But some things transcend it all. Like food. GOOD food. We asked our ESL students what their favor-ite recipes are from their home countries. Try them for a trip around the world.

Food as a First Language

Kalakand is traditionally made in India during festivals and celebrations.

Early cheesecake can be traced back to ancient Greece. It was served to athletes at the first Olympic Games!

Chatter | 12

T his year, IBC donated over 900 books to Townsell Elementary School, provid-

ing a book for every student. What you might not know is how hands-on IBC is with the delivery itself. Turns out, it’s a lot more than dropping off a bunch of boxes.

In addition to collecting and organiz-ing books for Townsell, a team from IBC holds an all-school assembly on Character (this year’s focus: Patience), where the entire student body is divided into three groups and attends an IBC-produced assembly on-campus during the school day. This past year, it was held the Friday before Spring Break.

Beth Horn, a former IBC staff er and current SchoolWorks volunteer, was instrumental in organizing and producing the “mad scientist”- based show, putting on science experiments related to Patience and involving kids in discussion about what it means to have character.

This was followed by SchoolWorks director Lindsay Hamilton reading an age-appropriate book aloud to the assembly related to character and patience.

At the end, classes were sent back to their respective rooms with bags full of books — one for every child.

“I am so thankful to be a part of a ministry that meets students’ needs in a very practical way — a book — but what a diff erence it makes in the lives of these students,” says Lindsay Hamilton.

Lindsay isn’t the only one who’s grateful.

Here are just a few letters we got from Townsell kids about their special day and their special book. If you would like more information about School-Works, visit schoolworksdfw.com.

Books Take A BowA T T O W N S E L L E L E M E N T A R Y

900+BOOKS DONATED

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”— Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Chatter | 13

SchoolWorks is an IBC-sponsored coalition of

churches organized to support public schools.

Reading Buddies and Lunch Buddies meet weekly

with elementary and middle school students to

show the love of Jesus in a tangible way.

Texans are the least likely in the nation to have their high school diplomas or GEDs (according to Literacy Texas).

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which diffi culties disappear and obstacles vanish.”

— John Quincy Adams

Sean Snowden with his buddy, Joseph

Beth Horn with her reading buddy, Alex

UPCOMING

JuneJUNE 7

Baptism Orientation — 12:30 p.m.West CIf you are interested in becoming baptized, the first

step is this mandatory orientation. Register at irving-

bible.org/baptism.

Tapestry Book Club — 5 p.m.Tapestry is currently going through “No-Drama

Discipline” (Siegal, Bryson). This book provides a

compassionate road map for disciplining children.

The club is open to anyone who has completed

either the Empowered to Connect Prepare or

Connect courses. Contact rnorth@irvingbible.org.

JUNE 9

Women’s Summer Bible Study Begins6:30 p.m.See ad. pg. 16.

Tapestry Created to Connect women’s discussion group begins — 6:30 p.m.For more info, contact Ryan at rnorth@irvingbible.org.

JUNE 13

Writer’s Workshop — 10 a.m.Commons AnnexJoin a community of people honing their writing

skills. Contact Donna at doreilly@irvingbible.org.

JUNE 14

Mission Lunch — 12:30 p.m. — West CSee ad, pg. 16.

JUNE 21

Tapestry Fostering Hope Group — 5 p.m.A support group for those involved in foster care, in-

cluding those who are fostering, fostering-to-adopt,

or are considering foster care. Contact rnorth@

irvingbible.org with questions.

JUNE 22

Vacation Bible School — 9 a.m.See ad, pg. 17.

JULY 2

Recovery Eatin’ Meetin’If you have ever considered going to Recovery, July

2 would be a great night to do so. Contact jorman@

irvingbible.org.

JULY 9–13

Middle School Beach CampSee ad, pg. 17.

JULY 10–11

Conference for Single MomsJoin Single Parents at IBC for the Survive N’ Thrive

conference in Oklahoma. Contact jerlenbusch@

irvingbible.org.

JULY 11

Guy Stuff Event Join other boys from single-parent homes and learn

about surviving in nature by making simple hunting

devices. Contact mtribbett@irvingbible.org.

JULY 12

Mercy Street 101 Lunch — 12:30 p.m.See ad, pg. 16.

JULY 13–17

High School Beach CampSee ad, pg. 17.

Stay Connected with IBC

July

SUNDAY COMMUNITY MEALS

6 p.m. — Town SquareMeals are $3 per person or $10 max./family.

6/7 Yummy pizza, breadsticks, salad bar

6/14 Fajita Madness, salad bar

6/21 Burgers and brats, chips, salad bar

6/28 Giant baked potatoes with all the fixin’s, salad bar

All June meals hosted by the Summer Team.

If you’d like to serve on a Sunday night meal team, contact Pat O’Reilly at (214) 289-6176 or sundaynight-meal@irvingbible.org.

WEDNESDAY MIDWEEK MEALS5–6:20 P.M.

Cost is $3/meal or $10 max./family. PB&J sandwiches are also available.

6/3 Pizza, salad, dessert

6/10 Burgers, french fries, beans, dessert

6/17 Chicken tenders with dip, chips, veggies, salad, dessert

6/24 Lasagna, salad, breadsticks, dessert

Changes to the menu may be made depending on food cost, availability, and Bob Downey’s whim.

If you’d like to serve on a Wednesday night meal team, please email bd-owney@irvingbible.org.

ONGOING MEALS

BIBLE COMMUNITIESGroups on Sunday

Synergy9 a.m. — The AlcoveMulti-generational

The Tree9 a.m. — West D20s & 30s, married & young families

Crossroads10:45 a.m. — West CCouples & Families late 20s to 40s

Journey10:45 a.m. — The AlcoveAll Welcome

On Track10:45 a.m. — Conference RoomSingle Parents

Thrive10:45 a.m. — West DSingles in their 30s & 40s

Renew10:45 a.m. — Training CenterAll Welcome

Legacy Builders6:45 p.m. — West A — All Welcome

CHILDRENInfants Through 5th Grade

Children’s Sunday Services9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 5 p.m.

HOPE & HEALINGCommunity Care

Cancer Care Support GroupsMeets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday. Caregivers meet in West A; cancer patients meet in the Men’s Confer-ence Room. Contact Sherri at ssharp@irvingbible.org.

Abortion Recovery CounselingContact Kym at (972) 560-4632 or kyeichner@irvingbible.org.

Recovery at IBCThursdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. West Wing Youth LoungeA group for hurts, habits, and hangups. irvingbible.org/recovery.

Shelter from the StormSexual abuse support group. Contact shelterfromthestormibc@gmail.com or (214) 725-0898

The Living Grace GroupFor those with mental illness. Contact Heath at heathmurry@yahoo.com.

Family Grace GroupEvery other Monday through August 24For families/caregivers of those with mental illness. Contact Buzz Moody at myrabuzz@gmail.com.

NAMI Family-to-Family ClassContact Joey at joey@netbreezeinc.com or Debra at eumoore@yahoo.com.

Stephen Ministry at IBC One-on-one ministry for hurting people. Contact stephenministry@irvingbible.org or call (972) 560-4636.

Spousal Abuse RecoveryContact kyeichner@irvingbible.org.

MARRIAGEGrowing Together

Marriage at IBC Contact bmassey@irvingbible.org.

Pre-Marriage Mentoring Visit irvingbible.org/marriage.

MENCommunity and Resources

First WatchFridays, 6:22 a.m. — The Commons Contact Nat at npugh@irvingbible.org.

First Watch ReplayTuesdays, 6:30 p.m.Training CenterContact brianarrington1@yahoo.com.

First Watch Xtra Wednesday, 6:30 a.m.Training CenterContact bcope@huntoil.com.

Visit irvingbible.org/men.

MISSIONLocal and Global

Prayer Meeting2nd and 4th Wednesdays6:45-8 p.m. — The Chapel

Laundry LoveFirst Saturday of the month 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Contact laundrylove@irvingbible.org.

New Friends New LifeServe Dinner to women healing from exploitation in the commercial sex industry every third Wednesday. Contact Christine at newfriendsnewlife@irving-bible.org.

SINGLE PARENTCommunity and Resources

Sit with us on Sunday!9 a.m. service, lowest right-hand section, Rows 5 & 6, facing the stage. Visit irving-bible.org/singleparents.

SPECIAL NEEDSCommunity & Care

Small Group for MomsSundays, 10:45 a.m.–12 p.m.

In His Image Bible StudySundays, 6:30–7:45 p.m

Small Group for ParentsWednesdays, 6:30–8:15 p.m.

SonShine Pals and RoomCare during Sunday ministry.

Contact specialneeds@irvingbible.org.

STUDENTSMiddle/High School and College

Middle School SundaysSundays — 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.Student Ministries area

High School SundaysSundays, 6:45–8 p.m. Student Ministries area

IBC College MinistrySundays, 3:30 p.m.The Commons AnnexContact college@irvingbible.org.

WOMENCommunity and Resources

Summer StudyTuesdays, 6:30 p.m. — The CommonsSee ad, pg. 16.

YOUNG ADULTSEvents and Resources

Young Adults Summer EventsCheck our Facebook page for up-to-date fun activities this summer.

2435 KINWEST Wednesday Nights at IBC

IBC ChoirWednesdays, 7–8:30 p.m.IBC Worship CenterContact Crystal at celwell@irvingbible.org.

ESL: English as a Second LanguageWednesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. AZ17, 18 and 19

Citizenship ClassWednesdays, 6:30–8 p.m.IBC Conference Room

IBC Career Transition MinistryWednesdays, 6:30–8 p.m.

Visit 2435kinwest.org.

T H I S S U M M E R AT W O M E N ’ S B I B L E S T U D Y :

FIGHT BACK WITH JOYby Margaret Feinberg

What if joy is better than you imagined? The cher-

ished virtue has been wrapped in clichés, stamped

on co� ee mugs, and sewn onto decorative pillows.

“Fight Back With Joy “ declares that joy is more than

whimsy—it’s a weapon we can use to fi ght life’s

greatest battles. Join us for this six-week Bible study

where together we’ll learn that no matter our circum-

stances, we can practice defi ant joy.

DATE: Tuesday, June 9 – July 21 (not meeting June 23 due to VBS)

TIME: 6:30–8:30 p.m.

LOCATION: The Commons, IBC

COST: $15 (includes workbook)

For more information and to register visit irvingbible.org/women.

KidZone registration is also available at a cost of $10 per child, with a family max of $30 (the fee covers all six weeks of Bible study). Registration closes on June 2 at noon.

Mercy Street

The word “mission” has a wide variety of meanings in Christian circles. At IBC, we feel it’s important to let you know what WE mean when we encourage our church fam-ily to “join the mission.” Let us buy you lunch as Mission Pastor Brent McKinney leads an interactive discussion on what mission looks like at IBC and how we can take the next step towards it.

RSVP to smiller@irvingbible.org.

JUNE 14 ,12 :30 – 2 P.M . IN WEST C/D

N E X T S T E P S F O R I B C

Come join Mission at IBC for a special lunch where you’ll hear about the work Mercy Street is doing in West Dallas. Mercy Street mentors at-risk kids in the West Dallas neigh-borhood, and is a long-time IBC partner. Join us for a free lunch and fi nd out how to get involved!

Please RSVP (and direct all questions) to Shannon at smill-er@irvingbible.org.

101J U LY 1 2 , 1 2 : 3 0 P. M .

Chatter | 17

This summer, kids will go on an icy expedition to the slopes of Mount Everest where they’ll discover they can conquer challenges with God’s mighty power! Kids will be anchored in rock-solid truths that will guide them through life’s hard times.

Register: irvingbible.org/vbs

Cost: $30 (family discounts and scholarships available)

Volunteer info: Ready to embrace the expedition challenge? Cool. We have a place on the team for you!

Questions? Contact Melody at mparlett@irvingbible.org.

MIDDLE SCHOOLJULY 9–13

GULF SHORES BEACH, ALJoin other middle school students for a week of fun, friendships and time to grow in your relation-ship with God. This year’s theme is: Own It! Come learn what it means to own your faith and learn practical steps for walking with God every day. Passionate, well-equipped high school students will bring special worship music and large-group teaching during the week.

REGISTRATION: $420

HIGH SCHOOLJULY 13-17

GULF SHORES BEACH, ALIt’s almost time to taste the salty air and dig your feet in the sand! Join guest speaker David McNeely for an incredible week on the beach where you’ll learn what it means to really own your faith, and get practical tips for following God in day-to-day life.

REGISTRATION: $420

ØREGISTER AT IRVINGBIBLE.ORG/STUDENTS

Chatter | 17

This summer, kids will go on an icy expedition to the slopes of Mount Everest where they’ll discover they can conquer challenges with God’s mighty power! Kids will be anchored in rock-solid truths that will guide them through life’s hard times.

Register: irvingbible.org/vbs

Cost: $30 (family discounts and scholarships available)

Volunteer info: Ready to embrace the expedition challenge? Cool. We have a place on the team for you!

Questions? Contact Melody at mparlett@irvingbible.org.

MIDDLE SCHOOLJULY 9–13

GULF SHORES BEACH, ALJoin other middle school students for a week of fun, friendships and time to grow in your relation-ship with God. This year’s theme is: Own It! Come learn what it means to own your faith and learn practical steps for walking with God every day. Passionate, well-equipped high school students will bring special worship music and large-group teaching during the week.

REGISTRATION: $420

HIGH SCHOOLJULY 13-17

GULF SHORES BEACH, ALIt’s almost time to taste the salty air and dig your feet in the sand! Join guest speaker David McNeely for an incredible week on the beach where you’ll learn what it means to really own your faith, and get practical tips for following God in day-to-day life.

REGISTRATION: $420

ØREGISTER AT IRVINGBIBLE.ORG/STUDENTS

Chatter | 18

Rex is the name of the green plastic dinosaur with an anxiety problem in “Toy Story.” (Tiny arms tend to have that effect.)

HOW DO I GIVE?

FIND A PLACE TO SERVEYou’ve come a long way since that fi rst breath mint. You’ve been busy worshipping, learning, relating, and committing. And it’s at this point that you might start looking around at all the people who help create those events — ushers, greeters, meal team members, table hosts, small group leaders, and the like. Your next step now is to join them! Consider your passions, talents and spiritual gifts and then ask about a place to serve. Visit irvingbible.org/serve.

JOIN IN WORSHIPSo you found the address, a place to park, and a breath mint on the way in. Good work! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably already taken the fi rst step — attending a worship service. This is the fi rst and most important place to start, so keep coming. Become a regular. Make sure to fi ll out a Newcomer Card. Tell us a little about yourself and let us know how we can engage with you. Somebody will reach out to you this week. Visit irvingbible.org/connect.

We’re glad you asked. Here are the steps to take for having your questions answered, fi guring out the IBC story, and, if you’re feeling ready, plugging in.

CHECK OUT THE NEWCOMER GATHERINGSo you’re kicking the IBC tires? Good! We’re so glad you’re here. The Newcomer Gathering is a great opportunity to meet church leadership, learn what IBC is all about, and connect with other newbies in a fun, relaxed environment. Next Newcomer Gathering: August 27

SIGN UP FOR PROPELAll right! You’re feeling the IBC vibe and want to see where you might get involved. Propel is a 4-week class that explores the IBC calling and culture, and how your unique personality and passions fi t in. Meet many of our pastors and directors of ministries at IBC. Next Propel: September 20

JOIN A COMMUNITYYou’re fi ring on all cylinders but something is missing. And that something is a someone, or a group of someones. Enter sermon-based Small Groups, Women’s Bible Study, First Watch, and more. We encourage you to fi nd a group and connect authentically with others. Visit irvingbible.org/adults.

Start

My Time, Talents & SkillsFind Your SpotEach Sunday, IBC helps about 800 kids grow in Christ and connect in community. We are in need of people of all ages to invest in the next generation of nursery, preschool, and elementary kids. We have opportunities for all skill sets. Contact Melody at mparlett@irvingbible.org.

Family Promise Day Center VolunteersThe FP Day Center is where the adults go to devel-op a plan for housing and jobs while their kids are in school. If you could give a few hours a week or a month to spend helping at the Day Center, contact Merlyn at (469) 586-5374, or ma-n-me@msn.com.

Meal Team VolunteersIBC makes meals available both Sunday and Wednesday nights. These fun teams could use some additional volunteers to serve together. For Sundays, contact sundaynightmeal@irvingbible.org. For Wednesdays, contact bdowney@irvingbible.org.

Medical Professionals NeededOur weekly medical clinic needs professional health care providers (MD, PA, FNP) to provide treatment for our patients. Volunteers serve on a rotating basis and do not need to serve every week. Contact Charles at cpierce@2435clinic.org.

Mentor Kids in Single-Parent FamiliesMen and women are needed for gender-specifi c mentoring of children from single-parent families. Contact Marsha at mtribbett@irvingbible.org.

New Friends New LifeServe dinner to women healing from exploitation in the commercial sex industry every third Wednesday. Please contact Christine at newfriendsnewlife@irvingbible.org.

Senior Citizen VolunteersDo you have a heart for our assisted living neigh-bors? Mac Arthur Hills and Ashford Hall need loving volunteers and visitors for those who don’t have family nearby. For more info contact Mike at seniorcare@irvingbible.org.

Visitor Follow-Up Team (Rex Greenstreet Ministry)We are looking for a volunteer to make calls or send welcome emails (or both) to new visitors from IBC. Training and coaching will be provided. Contact Sherri at ssharp@irvingbible.org.

My ResourcesOnline Giving OptionIf you would fi nd it more convenient to donate to the ministries of Irving Bible Church online, visit irvingbible.org/give.

HOW DO I GET CONNECTED AT IBC?

FOR MORE INFO, VISIT IRVINGBIBLE.ORG/CONNECT OR LOOK FOR THE NEWCOMER GUIDES AT THE INFORMATION DESK.

Chatter | 19

HITCHHIKING ALONG THE ROMANS ROAD

If you really left it to beaver, it would no doubt end up wet and hiding in a lodge.

Identical twins supposedly have identical DNA — yet do not have identical finger prints.

I have three kids. My wife also has three kids. They are — as far as we can tell — the same kids, despite their predilections for pulling rather con-vincing Jekyll-and-Hyde acts depending on which one of us is presently crushing their tiny, obstinate wills into submission. I mean, lovingly ex-

plaining the errors of their ways through helpful Bible-or-VeggieTales-based illustrations involving poorly glued dowel rods, cotton balls and felt.

According to the objective standard set forth nearly sixty years ago by Hugh “Ward” Beaumont on “Leave it to Beaver,” our offspring qualify for the nebu-lous title of “good kids.” But, despite their collective tilting towards Wally and away from Eddie Haskell, we don’t want our kids to be relatively good. We want them to be wholly sanctified. And so, a couple of weeks ago, I determined to speak with my two eldest scions, Gideon and Charlotte, both 7 years old, and hopefully help them stumble down the Romans Road to born againism. Obvi-ously, I needed a tract.

I joke, of course, because that’s what I do in uncomfortable situations, which, as it turns out, is pretty much my entire life. I did not need a tract. But think-ing about needing a tract took me back to my own youthful days of nascent discipleship, which soon turned into a greatest hits list of evangelical prosely-tizing clichés. Like the aforementioned tract. For those not prone to touching anything that doesn’t come with a two-year commitment and tons of hidden fees, a gospel tract is basically a tiny brochure explaining the, um, gospel. Usu-ally printed on wafer-thin paper in just two colors (black and red), and often with artwork created circa 1935. They’d probably work great with today’s hipsterati as a kind of retro pastiche.

So, I didn’t need a tract. But did I need to use the verbiage I once embraced as an eight-year-old? Did I need to update my salvation sales pitch to incorporate more contemporary clichés of the conversion process? Could I put off the ac-tual conversations by crafting more cunning creations of abysmal alliteration? Yea verily, I could. But I did not.

I decided that Gideon and Charlotte did not need to be told that not only was I going to love on them, but that Jesus himself would come alongside them and love on them, too. Or that they needed to ask Jesus into their hearts to be their personal Lord and Savior. I didn’t recite “Footprints.” I didn’t ask them to recite the Sinner’s Prayer. I didn’t steer them off the Highway to Hell and onto the Romans Road, or even the lesser known 2 Timothy Tollway. Not that there’s anything inherently wrong in any of the above. But, as you can probably guess, my kids are subject to enough wordplay and strange speech from Daddy that it’s somewhat hard for them to tell when I’m being serious and when I’m just making stuff up. Wisely, they typically assume the latter.

So, I just talked to them. One-on-one and a day apart (they share so much as twins, I wanted them to have these moments for their own). They both already knew the basics as the topic of Christ is not a foreign one in our house, nor, we hope, in their Sunday school classes. I explained in a way that I hoped was simple yet not condescending the reasons for both Christ’s love and sacrifice and why acknowledging that God exists is neither the same as repentance nor choosing to be a follower. And I invited them to join the family. I offered no bribes. I told them they didn’t have to decide right then. And I certainly didn’t ask a couple of first graders that, if they died that night, would they know where they would spend eternity. If they’d been eight, well, the gloves would’ve come off.

Happily, as you probably guessed, both Gideon and Charlotte chose to follow Jesus and accept his gift. I assume it’s because of my wife’s great example of Christian living. I also realize that this conversation may happen more than once in the future. Especially once the question of Santa Claus is resolved.

When Gideon and Charlotte were still in their cribs and sharing a room, neither one was terribly excited about having the lights turned off at bedtime. Never mind the blue glow of the Tot Clock or a ceiling full of blue and green stars shining from their Bedtime Buddies — if the main room light wasn’t cranked to 11 (they were precocious with their comedy), they wanted no part of it. So, to calm their nerves with something besides Yanni and cigarettes, we used to recite a little call-and-response before leaving them to their dreams:

ME Don’t get up until the clock is?G&C Yellow!ME I’m going to turn off the lights and it’s going to be?G&C Dark!ME And the dark is?G&C Okay!ME Because?G&C We all sleep in the dark!

Well kiddos, you may still sleep in the dark, but now and forever you will walk in the light. And you’ve made your Daddy exceptionally happy and almost — almost — jokeless.

Jason Fox has something in his eye.

Jason writes from Omaha, Nebraska, because why wouldn’t he?

Chatter…you CAN take it with you. Send us your Chatter photos on location, and you may see yourself in an upcoming issue. Email us at chatter@irvingbible.org.

Grasping the true usefulness of Chatter, Victoria Andrews, Lindsey Sobolik and Shannon Miller employ it to keep a recently rescued baby bird all warm and cozy. It’s not just for reading, people.