Krechnyak Family Update

Kids Choir

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:15:00 +0000

Five Sisters!

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:58:00 +0000

Christmas Joy!

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:33:00 +0000

Enjoying Christmas Morning with Church Family

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Great to be with some wonderful people on Christmas. This is Church on Christmas morning followed by tea, coffee, and small desserts!

Benjamin doing a "running" dance at the party

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:17:00 +0000

Caleb dancing at Church Christmas party

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:16:00 +0000

Church Christmas party

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:30:00 +0000

Church Christmas Meal

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:11:00 +0000

Church Christmas Meal

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 21:10:00 +0000

Every year at Christmas, we look for ways to enjoy the holidays as a Church family. Each year is different. This year, it seems like there have been a number of challenges that have resulted in us canceling events...such as our usual Christmas choir that would perform at the local nursing home and in the shopping centre...or the craft market that we were going to hold for the first time in our Church building. But out of the ashes, a few of our LifeGroup leaders got together and organized a Christmas party for all of our LifeGroups to join together. We have a resident chef, and for a small fee to cover costs, we enjoyed a "four star" oriental meal!!! With the kids we had over 30 at the event, and what a great time we had!!! We are so blessed to be in relationship with God and with one another to encourage and bless!!!

Grassroots School of Discipleship

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:03:00 +0000

It is hard to believe that 10 years ago we arrived in Ireland. We were sent out by LGOM (Life Giving Outreach Ministries) to find what God was doing in Ireland and join Him. An exciting and daunting task for a young couple just to be married.

Somehow we have survived and remained. Many have come and gone, and somehow by God's grace, He has called us to remain and continue on in this nation once called a "land of saints and scholars." We have always felt a burden for that mission to be restored. The land where 1500 years agi, through St. Patrick and other godly men and women, this nation was changed, resulting in one of the greatest missionary movements in world history.

We believe God wants to do it again. We have invested our lives here for that vision. We are about to take the next step in that vision. After many years of dreaming and dying to the dream, we are stepping out to launch "Grassroots School of Discipleship." It is a six month school geared towards training people in passionately knowing God, and then fulfilling His "call" on their lives to reach the nations.

There is such a great need for laborers. For Church planters. If you or anyone you know may be interested in setting a season aside to pursue God relentlessly and seek His fresh direction, check out the website: www.grassrootsdiscipleship.com for more information and an application. The website is not yet complete, but should have enough information to answer any questions. If you have a further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Precious Moments

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:03:00 +0000

Some moments just strike you as special. Actually, if we live aware, they are very often. Like the day last week I (James) was working on a kitchen cabinet door, taking out the glass, and my little girl decided it was a great moment for a snuggle with dad. How often do we miss these moments? How often with God? Is doing the will of God more important to us than moments like these? I believe the snuggles are much more important than the doing. We just get that wrong way too often...especially in the Church. It is great that it is never too late to learn. So take some time to "snuggle" into God today!

Bubble Mania

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:14:00 +0000

Simply

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 08:41:00 +0000

Probably one of the greatest challenges in this day and age is to live
"simply." Our children are the greatest reminder that life is more
than activities, accomplishments, and meetings. They had a deep
appreciation for each moment and get joy from the smallest details of
life. As I grow up, I want to be more like them!
They do not have to "grow up so quickly." Maybe it is just "us" who
are too active. Last night we spent an hour just sitting and watching
the fire. More and more we enjoy these kind of moments. More and more
we are aware of the peace and presence of God each and every moment of
our lives.
Jesus said that to inherit the Kingdom of God we must be as children.
I would say, as we are learning, there is a lot more to this statement
than we have ever understood before!

Decisions

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:21:00 +0000

I am continuing my (James) journey through the book of Genesis in my early morning time with God. Genesis 19 today. The story of Sodom being destroyed.

Lot lived near Sodom because of a choice he made over his uncle Abraham to have the better land for his flocks. What were the results?

He remained godly. We and his family was saved.

He met the two angels that came to preempt the destruction of the great city while sitting at the gate. That could very well had meant that he had gained a position of eldership within the community as they often sat at the gates.

In fleeing, his wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. His daughter acted immorally by making him drunk and having children with him.

These are the questions I wrote in my journal after reading this chapter: "How do I influence without becoming part of the sin of the society I live? How do I be in the world but not of it? How do I prepare and train my children to follow in the ways of God?"

We will not always make right choices in this life, but more than the choices we make, we must go back to the root behind those choices. "Why are we doing this?" And after we have thought through this question, we must pause, and with the help of the Holy Spirit ask, "No, really...why are we doing this?"

Pioneer

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:43:00 +0000

Had a bit of fun over the weekend doing this project. As it sat in my office to dry I was reminded of the early pioneers in America. They suffered and sacrificed for new life and adventure. Some of them never saw the fruit of their laborers, but their children and grandchildren did.

Makes one think about what is important in our lives. The closer I (James) grow to God the deeper I understand His great love for me. His desire to bless. But does His blessings result in me "settling" for something less. God is still looking for "pioneers." People to blaze a trail.

Those who know me well, know that over the past year I have thought a bit about America. There are times I have desired to return. I am not saying that the day will never come for us to leave Ireland, but I must always check my heart for the reasons when I want to leave.

I have been reading in my personal time about Abraham. God called him to leave what was comfortable and familiar and go to a new land. For him, he never returned. It was twenty-five years before he received the promise of a son. Though he lived for a season of his life in the land of promise, it was in the purchase of a site to bury his wife that he actually owned any of it. Yet God blessed him everywhere that he went and in the end, he became the father of a great nation. Even beyond the Jewish nation we read in Galatians that the Seed (Jesus) came through him and that by faith we become heirs of the promise with him.

That puts it all into God's perspective. It reminds me that though there are things that can "feel" missing at some seasons, that God really blesses us. No matter how hard and slow things appear at times I would not want to be anything else but a "pioneer."

Teacher Ben

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:48:00 +0000

Homeschooling can be tough but for the most part very rewarding. Ben has been added to the equation now with this being his first year. He really loves to learn and today decided that when he was finished today that it was time to teach some of his stuffed animals. Kids are precious. Eat up every minute with them!

At Home And Not Well

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:30:00 +0000

We took a few days break after all the hard work of the conference and
got family time and a rest. I (James) came home with a cold. Been
fighting it off for the month and now here I am debating on whether or
not I will make it to Church or not tomorrow.

God continues to put everything in it's perspective. The world and the
Church moves on without us if needs be, but knowing God deeper and
personally means everything.

It can be so easy to view success in a way contrary to the way God
does. He sees into eternity and with perfection while we often look
for the results. I am glad on am much farther on this identity thing
than I was six months ago let alone five years ago.

It has been said that if the Holy Spirit left the church in the West
at least half the Churches was continue on as normal. A sign that we
may be missing it a little.

Thank you God for Your presence, life, family and all those other
things we can take forgranted. Thanks for not leaving me the same.

Autmnfest Worship

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:17:00 +0000

A good friend once said, "One of the most unnatural things for us to
do is stop worshipping." Have a powerful time with God and it is hard
to stop. We are so busy we too often have the the art of saturating
ourselves in Gods presence. That is why conferences are great because
we allow ourselves that extra time.

We really must all look at our lives and define what is most
important. If you are not sure see where you spend your time. That is
what you worship.

Stolen Innocence

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:40:00 +0000

Friends of ours lead a ministry based in YWAM called MercyWorks. They reach out to areas of crisis in our world by meeting physical & spiritual needs. Their most recent newsletter spoke of the issue of human slavery. Did you know that millions are caught up in human slavery (that includes Western countries like the United Sates)?

The following is an exert published from the U.S. Department of State:

"Kiri grew up in rural Cambodia. Her parents died when she was a child and in an effort to give her a better life, her sister married her off when she was 17. Three months later Kiri and her new husband went to visit a fishing village. He rented a room in what Kiri thought was a guesthouse, but when she woke the next morning, her husband was gone. The owner of the house said her husband had sold her for $300 and she was actually in a brothel!

For five years, Kiri was raped by five to seven men every day. In addition to brutal physical abuse, Kiri was infected with HIV and contracted AIDS. The brothel threw her out when she became sick, and she eventually found her way to a local shelter. She died of HIV/AIDS at the age of 23."

Let God speak to you through this story.

You can learn more about MercyWorks at www.mercyworks.org

Autumnfest 2009

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:45:00 +0000

What a conference! The messages brought by Pastors Terry and Pat
Carlson were powerful and direct. There is no doubt that God is
preparing His people for something great in these last days! We are
also more aware of the challenges that lie ahead for God's people.
Ther was a deep work in the hearts of many and we look forward to
hearing more testimonies over the next few weeks.

One girl in the church wanting to hear God for direction felt on
Friday to lay it all down. By the end of the weekend she got a call
for an interview for a ministry position working with troubled girls.
She still needs to pray about it, but God was quick to answer.

This was a funny picture of us being attentive. We will download some
more pictures over the next week.

Autumnfest 2009

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:15:00 +0000

The days have been full and exciting for the past few days as we have
just completed a three days kids club. The theme for the confernce is
"The Call" and the kids were taught from the life of Jonah to follow
God's call on our lives. Tonight we start the adult meetings and look
forward to what God will do after an already great start.

Living The Dream

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:19:00 +0000

After much prayer, study, and work, James has finished his second book. While it continues in his life story from where his first book, "Through the Wilderness" left off, it has an entirely different focus and theme.

James takes a deeper look at the Kingdom of God and how God has been revealing it to him through marriage, children, Church planting, illness, and just in the day to day experiencing God.

Copies can be obtained directly through James and Rachel or at the Church website: www.familyworshipcentre.com

Back from the States

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:29:00 +0000

Seems like we have been gone from Ireland more than we have been in Ireland over the past five months. We continue to feel "seasons of change" upon us, but as opposed to spending all of our time and energy chasing ideas, we feel God calling us to be at "rest" in Him, work on our relationships with Him and one another, and leave the "door opening" to Him. That does not mean that we are not in prayer and looking at options, but the journey is a lot more pleasant when we leave Him in the drivers seat.

We spent the month of September in Texas, which turned out to be an essential for us. But as usual, we expected God to be showing us direction, and God spent that time "working in us." We are confident in His plans, and will keep you all informed as we know and feel at liberty to share those things He is starting to speak to us! So often we put in identity in "what we are doing" and God is concerned with so much more than that. Painful as it is at times, we are always happy when God reveals when we slip into earthly and religious patterns. Life is always better when it is about Him!!

Pictures are from some of the fun family activities we did while enjoy warm weather after a pretty rough summer here in Ireland. Grandpa (Krechnyak) poses with Caleb as "the men" (Jim, James, Caleb, and Benjamin) went fishing.

We also took a few days "camping" (people kept asking if we needed money they would have helped us but we really do love camping, and not just because it is the cheaper option) in Arkansas, near Hot Springs. We went to a beautiful garden place where this famous glass chapel was built.

It is also good to be back in Ireland and see from another view (after being gone) what God is doing in the Church and more important in people's lives. People are really growing in God and stepping out in what they are called. We look forward to the future and what God will continue to do in this part of the world.

Sozo Festival

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Seems like we have been doing a lot of traveling. We are wondering if this is a sign of things to come. Last week we returned from Stafford upon Avon, England from Sozo Festival.

About four months back an old friend from the days that James was in YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in Budapest, Hungary, found him on FaceBook. Besides reconnecting he invited us to be part of the staff of an event called Sozo. Sozo is a gathering of the nations for reconciliation, relationship building, prayer (lots of prayer), worship, and seminars.

We helped serve, prayed, led prayer groups, and shared about what God was doing in the nation of Ireland. It was a powerful time.

The first few days were difficult with all the rain and cold being in a tent (this part of the world was not made for camping!), but God blessed us with a couple that took our entire family (and that is a big deal) for three nights so we could be dry.

We built numerous relationships and were blessed by what was going on at the conference. We feel one reason that God brought us was to speak to us about some of the changes that have been stirring in our hearts to be more connected with His work in the nations (Even as we speak of change two women from the Church are praying in France for the nation and if there be any open doors for future ministry...remember them in your prayers).

Dedication of Church

noreply@blogger.com (jrkrechnyak) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:16:00 +0000

We were blessed with a wonderful evening on the night of the dedication of the new Church building. As many know, we still have a bit of work to do, but as money has started to just trickle and our volunteers are getting involved in other jobs, it was time to step back and thank God for all the progress that has been made.

Even the week before, volunteers lined up to paint and fix up as much of the two upstairs classrooms and hallway as possible. One person was so committed that on his own accord he worked on the Church until 2 in morning the night before. We are always amazed at the commitment that exist in the people that God has sent to the Church.

Our good friends from Kilkenny, Bob and Jan Murphy (www.oneweekofdays.com) performed as the "main event" for the evening. Marco and Erica, a Brazilian couple in the Church performed an amazing hip hop/dance routine (they will be running a dance & drama class for the community this weekend under the umbrella of the Church).

Many of our regulars were present, as well as visitors from neighboring counties, including the general overseer of the AGI (Assemblies of God Ireland) and pastors of Open Arms Community Church who have played a helpful role in our lives and in the Church from the get-go.

Work still continues on the building and we look forward to what God will do in the future.