Extend Ministries DNA

• Invitation: We value the kingdom of heaven being extended to those who are on the outside and who have little accessibility to the truth of Jesus Christ.
• Transformation: We value people becoming fully aligned with God’s purposes for themselves, those around them, and God’s creation as they grow deeper in their relationship with Him.
• Incarnation - We value the words as well as the works of the gospel as it is lived out through compassion, justice, and meeting the needs of the poor, weak, and marginalized. 
• Uniqueness: We value innovative, accessible, and marketplace-savvy avenues through which the message of Jesus Christ can uniquely infiltrate a culture.

• Community: We value ministry that flows from the relational community of the body of Christ in a way that fosters accountability and sharpens vision as people move together.

• Equipping: We value multiplication of ministry impact through people being equipped to live out the gospel and empowering them to extend the kingdom of heaven in their local context.

Single Moms Moving Help 

• Jessica Steele:  On Saturday, January 28th, Jessica will be moving from 335 Belvidere Avenue in Washington to 32 Lenape Trail. She has requested help, especially with heavy lifting and the moving of larger items that it would be tough for her and her boys to take care of. 
• Susan Balsamello:  On Thursday, February 2, Susan needs to move the contents of a storage unit at Stowaway Storage, 1095 Route 22 West, Phillipsburg to 15 Mark Drive, High Bridge.  After unloading, there is a need for the assembly and installation of a bunk bed, a full size bed, a king size bed, and hanging blinds.  Also, if a couch and dining room set could be picked up this day, it would save her from renting a truck again the following week.  On Tuesday, February 7, Susan needs help moving items from her current residence to her new place (both in High Bridge).

If you, your family, or the Group you lead can meet (or help with) either of these needs, contact dparker@southridgecc.org.

Grow-A-Row (Pittstown, NJ)

• Mission:  helping those in need through cross-generational teams of volunteers planting, picking, and delivering fresh produce.
• Current opportunities:
• Prep for planting – April/early May 
• Planting produce – end of May
• Harvesting – July – September

To set up something specific to you, your family, or your Group, contact Leena Waite (leena@americasgrowarow.org).  When you do, please copy Chip Pailex (chip@americasgrowarow.org) and Steve Sargent (ssargent@southridgecc.org).

Easter Offering/Project  

• Every Easter, a hands-on opportunity is provided for us, together, to meet a need for/through our ministry partners across the street and around the world.  Stay tuned for details on how your Group can participate!       

Feed the Need  (South Ridge Campus)

• Purpose:  provide a large-scale opportunity for people of diverse ages and backgrounds to come together, “love our neighbors” across the globe, live out the good news of God’s grace right here in Hunterdon, and be spiritually impacted by the Body of Christ putting faith into action. 
• Current Opportunity:   From March 23rd – 25th 2,000 volunteers will pack 400,000 vacuum-sealed meals for starving children in impoverished countries.  Online volunteer registration at www.helpfeedtheneed.org  is opened to all in February.  The packing is fast and fun!  This is a great opportunity to serve together and a great community-building experience.

 Contact Steve Sargent at ssargent@southridgecc.org for more info about how to connect the group you lead.  

Global Aid Network  

• Mission:  demonstrate the love of God, through word and deed, to hurting and needy people around the world through relief and development projects.
• Current Opportunities:  
• Packing Day at the GAIN Distribution Center in Mt. Joy, PA – On Saturday, June 23rd,  pack clothing, school supplies, blankets, shoes, hygiene supplies, care packages and meals as well as assemble bead bracelets to demonstrate and proclaim the gospel to the poorest of the poor around the world.   This is a great day trip for the whole family. SRCC took a team (comprised of kids up through seasoned adults) in October 2009, and everyone had a blast!  
• Assemble Care Packs/Hygiene Kits right here in NJ

To schedule a time to pack, contact GAIN Volunteer Coordinator Ellen Koser at ellen.koser@gainusa.org or (717) 285-4220. For more info, go to www.gainusa.org

Carlos and Sandy Rios Visits: 

• Current Opportunity:  Many of us heard missionary Carlos Rios speak in the worship service on 1/8.  Carlos and his wife Sandy are here in New Jersey until June, and they’ve offered to visit any SRCC Group to talk about their ministry, answer any questions, expand our vision of God's heart for the world, and explore various ways that we can partner with them to make an impact. Carlos and Sandy have spent over a decade planting a church on the Baja Penninsula in Mexico. They're valued friends and strategic partners with stories to tell of great challenges and God's greater grace.

If interested in having Carlos and Sandy visit email Steve Sargent at ssargent@southridgecc.org.

Our Global Ministries Team exists to establish, cultivate, guide & promote partnerships that extend South Ridge’s ministry into strategically-selected national and international contexts.

The Global Ministries Team meets monthly to:
• explore potential partnerships
• pray for existing partners
• articulate vision
• plan for projects and next steps.

Our Missionary Family:

• Roy & Delthea Anderson, AZ & Latin America - translating Bible studies into Spanish

• Andrew & Alanna Brown, Central Asia - ministering in the church and marketplace
• Doug & Nancy Everswick, Zimbabwe - overseeing TEAM ministries and missionaries
• Sam & Joan Fiore, Italy - planting churches and teaching through radio
• Pete & Cher Gatto, Mexico - spiritually impacting people through a horse ranch
• Jeff & Karen Grant, NJ - connecting college students to Christ
• Dan & Elly Maclean, Central Asia - reaching people through parental education
• Bud & Mandy Jackson, Zimbabwe - heading up AIDs/HIV initiatives
• Don Jackson, PA & NJ - implementing Bible clubs and camp ministries
• Bob & Emily Seemar, NJ & World - renovating properties for ministry to Jewish people
• Mike & Nina Schaafsma, Italy - planting churches through bible studies and more
• Don & Martha Kitchen, Latin America - operating a guest home for missionaries
• Kevin & Kaori Laverman, Japan - planting churches through music, small groups, etc
• Mark & Karen Marchak, NYC - planting churches and developing leaders
• Randy & Donna Meyers, NJ & DE - equipping churches to minister to children
• Carlos & Sandy Rios, Mexico - planting churches, equipping leaders
• David & Merita Scott, NJ & India - directing Ramabai Mukti Mission
• Mark & Jocelyn Scott, NJ - connecting college students to Christ

Retired:

• Ruth Alger, AZ - studying the Bible and corresponding with prisoners
• Fred & Janet Beam, PA - ministering to children through creative programs
• Nancy Wurzback, KY - assisting as able at Youth Haven Bible Camp

The Aquifer is a music venue hosted by South Ridge Community Church which puts on metal, alternative, and hardcore shows as a way of connecting with teens and young adults.  If you are interested in finding out more about the Aquifer or joining the volunteer team, contact Rich Gilchrest and visit the Aquifer MySpace page.   

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What is it?

The martial arts have a rich herritage of promoting mental, physical, and spiritual focus in community with others.  Community Martial Arts builds on this herritage by offering quality, accessible martial arts instruction as a pathway to relationship with God and service to others.  Instruction is designed to enlighten, enrich, and empower all who come that they might make a difference in their world.

Sensei Ed Barton, a 6th degree blackbelt in Kempo-Ju-jutsu as well as other qualified and encouraging instructors offer their expertise at no cost!   Participants purchase their own uniforms and make a contribution of $5.00 for each belt earned.

When & Where is it offered?

At the Clinton Community Center:

Saturday, 9:30am -10:30am

Saturday, 10:45am -12:00pm

At the SRCC Activity Center:

Tuesday, 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Tuesday, 8:00pm - 9:00pm

For more information, contact Sensei Ed Barton at communitymartialarts@gmail.com.

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Why Prison Ministry?

Is there anyone who is “too far gone” to be reached by God’s grace?  The Bible is full of voices that resound with a loud “no”.  David, who fell into murder and adultery, discovered that “A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)  The thief who died next to Jesus on the cross found that all the faith he could muster in his dying breath was enough “to be with [Jesus] in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)  Paul, originally the church’s most ardent persecutor, became its greatest advocate. (Galatians 1:13 -15) 

These are not isolated examples.  Far from writing people off, or even merely tolerating their failures, God mounted a rescue mission to “seek and save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10)  He became one of us to draw even the worst of us into relationship with Him. (John 12:32) As we move toward full devotion to Jesus, His mission becomes our mission too.  We are God’s ambassadors, entering the lives of those who are farthest from him to “implore them on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” (I Corinthians 5:20)   This is why South Ridge Community Church is involved in ministering to prisoners.  God has strategically placed us across the street from Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, the only New Jersey state prison for women.  

South Ridge Prison Ministry aims to move into broken lives and create a path for God’s healing.  Though only God can bring a heart to life and cause it to grow, we see ourselves as doing the work of cultivating the environment that facilitates the restoring work of God’s Spirit in inmates lives. 

Who Should Volunteer?

Although South Ridge Prison Ministry serves inmates who are women, our volunteer team is made up of both men and women.  The chaplains at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility have encouraged us to involve men because so many of the incarcerated ladies have lacked any kind of male role model.  Although it's crucial to have a "critical mass" of women ministering to women, especially as small group leaders, men are also needed to co-lead groups, teach and share faith stories, and accompany or lead worship. 

What's Going on Right Now?

We currently facilitate:

• A Spiritual Book Discussion in minimum security on the 1st Sunday night of every month from 5:45 - 8:15pm.

• A Spiritual Book Discussion on the 2nd Thursday night of the month from 6:00pm - 8:15pm.

• A Contemporary Worship Service in maximum security from 6:00 - 8:15. 

Check the SRPM Ministry Calendar for more specifics. (Sign in:South Ridge, Password: prison).  Teams meet in the front parking lot of Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, by the visitation trailer. 

How do I get involved?

 1. Complete a NJ Department of Corrections Volunteer Application.  The full application includes these three documents: Volunteer Application Form (450-I), Volunteer Rules and Regulations (450-II), and Application for Clearance and Issuance of Identification Card.  All three can be downloaded from the NJ Department of Corrections website (Provide two signed copies of the Volunteer Rules and Regulations). Just follow this link, and scroll down to "Volunteer Services": www.state.nj.us/corrections/pages/about_us/org_struct/Division_of_PCS.html.

2. Clip or staple these papers together and place your complete application in the "South Ridge Mailbox" on either side of the information racks in the foyer or in Angela Agnoletto's mailbox in the Church Office. 

2. We will let you know that we have received your application and are delivering it to Edna Mahan Correctional Facility. 

3. The prison will let us know once your application has been processed and you have been approved.  Please be patient.  SRCC has no control over the amount of time the state takes to process these applications and, often, many months go by before we hear from Edna Mahan. As soon as SRCC is informed of any changes in the status of your application, we will pass that along to you via email and/or phone.     

4. Once approved, you are eligible to attend the required state orientation.  As soon as Edna Mahan lets us know of the next upcoming orientation date, we pass it along to all approved volunteers who have not yet attended.  Orientations are most often held on Mondays, from 12:30-2:30pm.  We meet at SRCC at 12:15 and carpool there together.      

5. While waiting for state orientation,  begin attending the quarterly WPM meetings on Sundays (Noon to 1:30pm) in the Hospitality Room.  Meeting reminders are sent by email to the address included on your state application (unless you do not have an email address, in which case, we'll contact you by phone).

6. Once you have attended the state orientation, you are able to participate in prison groups and worship services.

For more information on South Ridge Prison Ministry, email Ministry Leader Gigi Schweikert at gigi@gigischweikert.com.