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Milan's Musings
by Milan Dekich, State Pastor
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I was shocked by conversations I had with several young people this week. They are confused about the tragedy in Israel. They told me they are being taught in school and by their friends that somehow Israel deserved their people being killed because of the Palestine situation. This idea is a lie. The massacre of innocent people on October 7 has nothing to do with the Palestine people. They despise Hamas. Hamas is now using them as human shields. Their lives mean nothing to Hamas. Hamas’ intention is to kill Jews and destroy Israel. What happened is genocide. The cowardly terrorists attacked innocent and defenseless people not soldiers. They beheaded babies, burned old people alive in their wheelchairs, killed whole families in their homes and took approximately 150 people hostage including children. These people were killed because of their religion and race. In every genocide that has happened in modern history the killing of innocent people was blamed on the victims as if they deserved to be killed. Hitler did it and now certain people are blaming the Jews for the massacre. The historical facts are that in 2005 Israel withdrew from the Gaza strip as a gesture of peace allowing Palestinians to control their own government. Hamas took control of the government in 2007 and, since then, Hamas has used the Gaza strip as a staging area to launch attacks on Israel. Hamas is funded by Iran which has millions of dollars to give to terrorists because of the sale of oil since the Biden administration lifted the sanctions on Iranian oil imposed by the Trump administration.
The church cannot be silent when 1,300 Jews were massacred because of their faith. Israel faces dark days ahead as they try to rescue the hostages who are enduring unimaginable torture. I call on every church to continue to pray for this effort. Take time to speak in support of the Jewish people and condemn their slaughter. I call on national church organizations, including the Church of God, to speak in support of the Jewish people and Israel. Your silence is deafening. The church must combat the popular notion that massacring Jews by terrorists is acceptable. If we remain silent while innocent people are slaughtered for their faith then we are complicit this genocide.
-Milan
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2023 Unity Banquet - November 3, 2023
This year's Unity Banquet is here. Because of the success of last year's banquet, we've brought back the great entertainment, "The Sound". Don't miss it! We will meet again at Stone Bridge Farms at 6pm this Friday, November 3rd.
Be sure to RSVP by doing one of the following methods...
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The Grace Place - Falkville
In November 2020, Fairview: The Grace Place ushered in Pastor Greg Hill following the
service of Rev. Dr. Milan Dekich, who served Fairview for 40 years. Since the arrival of Rev. Hill 3 years ago, Fairview has been and is still committed to the vision and mission of The Grace Place - engaging, serving, and loving the lost and the least of these. How do they accomplish this? Well, simply put, “We want all who attend and those who walk through our doors to be a part of our family. I believe that the idea of church being like a family is not only a New Testament idea, but it is Fairview’s very identity,” Pastor Greg Hill stated. Here is a few ways that Fairview continues to be a family.
In October 2021, Fairview welcomed Pastors Meredith and Cooper Sperle from Oklahoma and the two of them are Fairview’s Next Generation team. Their ministries cover birth through youth ages. “We whole-heartedly believe that the investment of the next generation is crucial to the future of the church. We believe in the discipleship of both kids and teenagers is what leaves a lasting legacy for generations to come,” said Next Generation Pastor Meredith Sperle. “Our hope is that kids and teenagers alike would be well equipped and know that that a man named Jesus died for them and loves them. Then they would take that truth to heart and go into their schools, ballfields, and homes to share that truth with others with their words and actions,” said Youth Pastor Cooper Sperle.
Another thing worth celebrating is that 2023 marks 12 years that Kim and Danny Lopez
left the States to serve missionary work in Guatemala. Their ministry, Ministerios Buena Vista, continues to serve meals each day for kids in the San Pedro Las Huertas area. These meal times also provides the students with homework help, vitamins, and Biblical devotions. Danny and his team have recently partnered with a junior high school in Santa Rosa, located near the coast of the Pacific Ocean, where they are able to provide an education & share the Gospel in an area that would otherwise receive none. They have also been busy at work with their new feeding center #3 located in El Hato, which many mission teams have been able to serve and help build throughout the year. Continue to be in prayer for the Lopez family and their team!
Coming up on November 11th is the annual Feed. Love. Serve. Auction! This event is a
big part in how Ministerios Buena Vista stays funded throughout the year. This year, the theme is Fiesta! Come join us for homemade fajitas & Mexican cuisine. There will be numerous items to bid on, ranging in value and price. Buy tickets online at fairviewthegraceplace.com or reach out to the church office! 256-784-5642
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