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Love Fullerton
 Our church recently had the privilege of serving our community through a movement called “Love Fullerton.” Reflecting on the event, the LoveFullerton website tells some great stories about this day of service. Let me share some stories from Erin Haselton and Jason Madsen . . .
Erin Haselton gave an overview:
Love Fullerton, a community-wide day of service, was held on Saturday, May 17, 2014, and garnered 2,000+ volunteers from over 20 churches, dozens of businesses, and residents from all corners of Fullerton and beyond. Jay Williams, a pastor at First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton (also known as “EvFree Fullerton”), was the man behind the mission.
EvFree Fullerton has always charged its members to give Fullerton a day of service, but this year it extended the charge to other churches. Williams then came across the “Love Your City” model, and EvFree Fullerton’s original vision of church-sponsored service grew to a city-wide service day involving the active participation of the entire Fullerton community—including the City of Fullerton, the Fullerton Police Department, the Fullerton school districts, and local businesses, just to name a few of the participants.
Jason Madsen wrote about the loft houses:
The streets of Fullerton were teeming with volunteers as Love Fullerton sprang into action. The sounds of hammers and table saws echoed through the parking lot structure at First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton (a.k.a. “EvFree”). While some volunteers came alone, they soon joined with several others who represented multiple organizations including: Hands of Mercy, EvFree’s Joint Heirs, and the Fullerton Police Cadets and Explorers (a program for young adults looking at a career opportunity in law enforcement).
Hands of Mercy brought a model loft house, which turned out to be a successful way for volunteers to visualize what the final product would look like, once assembled.
Over half of the volunteers were from the Fullerton Police Department Cadets and Explorers. Their courtesy and hard work ethic did not go unnoticed. Many of them stayed until the last bit of work was finished.
Hands of Mercy volunteers, Cindi and Gordon Mellis, were the leaders on the loft house pre-build. Cindi and Gordon have been working with the organization for seven and 12 years respectively. The Mellis’ enjoy serving and should be highly commended for their service.
The house is a 12-foot by 12-foot structure with four windows and a lockable door. The house costs $3,200 to build and will be presented to the new home owners with a propane tank, blankets, a food bag of rice and beans, a broom and a Spanish Bible.
Overall, the service project was very successful. The project gave Love Fullerton volunteers the opportunity to meet people and work shoulder-to-shoulder on building a home. Through sweat and sawdust, the project wrapped up late in the afternoon. Due to the diligence of all the volunteers, a family in Mexico will have a new outlook on life.
The next step will unfold when another team travels to Mexico. Once they arrive, they will quickly work together with Hands of Mercy to assemble the home for the new family. This team will have the honor of witnessing the handing over of the keys to the new homeowner in Puerta Trampa, Mexico.
Thanks, Erin and Jason, for sharing! Thanks to all who participated in this day of service! As Jay Williams says, “The best part of our first Love Fullerton citywide serve day is that it is a catalyst for the other 364 days of the year.”
 David Fletcher
Executive Pastor
(Model of Loft House above. Image courtesy of Shou Mo.)
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Upcoming Events for EvFree Kids & Youth
 Summer is just getting started for kids and youth and to start off, we’ll have Promotion Sunday on June 8; on that Sunday, children and students in kindergarten through high school will move up a class. In the weeks following, there will be plenty of fun-filled activities, from Vacation Bible School to summer camps and everything in-between.
And if you’d like to help, we’d love to have you join us! We need camp counselors, small group leaders, storytellers and more. Contact Arlene Pacheco or visit the table on the plaza to sign up to help or for more info. Register online for all kids and youth activities.
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Join EvFree Kids Crew
 What if we decided to work together for the faith formation of this generation that is not just knowledgeable about God’s word, but being transformed by it; unashamed to proclaim it as truth?
EvFree Kids is looking for partners in ministry to achieve this dream. We need small group leaders, administrators and storytellers. It takes nearly 300 ministry partners to make this dream a reality. Please join us! Our new year starts June 8. Pick up an application at our EvFree Kids table on the plaza or contact Arlene Pacheco.
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Women’s Summer Study
Wednesdays, June 11–July 30
7:00–9:00 pm, Commons
 What happens when your restless heart meets His relentless love? Join us in pursuing that answer this summer in Restless, an 8-session, video-based study from Jennie Allen. We’ll look at the life of Joseph and see how his passions, relationships, and suffering fit into the greater story of God—and how our stories can do the same. Come laugh together, learn together, worship together. Bring a friend or borrow some of ours! Register on the Plaza this Sunday or online. Contact the Women’s Ministries office, 714.257.4312, for more info.
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