When it comes to journeying with God, have you ever felt like you’ve been running on autopilot? Oftentimes, we make the commitment to follow Christ and then expect it to be a light and easy downhill jog from there. We assume God will move mountains instead of asking us to scale them. We spend all our energy dashing off to work and daycare and the gym and get swept up in the day-to-day. We listen for God, but don’t pause long enough to hear Him.

_How do you go from committing your life to making God the center of it?_

The writer of Hebrews offers this advice: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.” But how do we train for such a race? How do we build endurance as Christians? What does it look like to lace up and begin hitting the pavement?

God wants us to stretch our faith and strengthen our core beliefs. There’s no growth without tension. But it takes dedication and consistency. Like any race, there are muscles to train and practices to put in place.­

“Despite the fact that on paper I have been a lifelong Christian, I honestly had no strong or consistent habits in alignment with my faith,” says Kara. “Praying when I needed something or thought of it or haphazard fellowship wasn’t enough.”

Looking to change that, Kara signed up for the Foundations class at [Amplify, the one-day growth event offered at Hoboken Grace each fall and spring](http://hobokengrace.com/amplify/). The course focuses on how to pursue Christ on a daily basis through prayer, engaging in scripture, fellowship and tithing. It offers tips on making room to grow with God in the small, quiet moments of the day and on connecting with community. It also offers practical tools for developing these habits, such as setting aside time with God and exploring the Bible through reading plans and study guides.

The six other classes offered at Amplify on Saturday, May 7, build on Foundations. That’s why it’s recommended as an introductory course, before participants register for Story, Empower, Parenting, Luke, 1 Samuel or Ecclesiastes.

[![DSC_4670](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSC_4670-1024x592.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSC%5F4670.jpg)

Those who have taken Foundations say the class helped them develop the habits they needed to gain solid footing in their relationship with God.

For Kara, the class provided practical advice and encouragement for day-to-day life as a Christian.

“As someone who had already accepted Christ, but wanted to delve deeper, I am so thankful I took the opportunity to really engage in what these habits have to offer,” she says.

The class, she adds, has something to offer regardless of where you are in your relationship.

For Jonathan, it was a roadmap after recently recommitting himself to God.

“Although, I knew a lot about Him and His love, in many ways I was still very green,” he says. “I wanted to grow closer to God, but years of not putting Him first in my life only made me realize it was not going to be easy and would take some work.”

One of the biggest takeaways, Jonathan says, is that it takes discipline to see results: “Just like I couldn’t expect to run five miles or lift my goal weight the first day at the gym, I needed to develop habits and discipline myself spiritually as well.”

The writer of Hebrews also recognized this, hence the emphasis on perseverance. Our journey is more of a marathon than a sprint. It might be difficult to build endurance at first, but it gets easier over time. You breathe deeper. The path gets straighter and your gait gets wider. You learn to love the sound of rubber hitting the pavement, the steady cadence of progress. And eventually, you pause, look back and realize just how far you’ve come.

_[Click here](http://hobokengrace.com/amplify/) to register for Foundations or one of the six other classes offered at Amplify on Saturday, May 7\. Lunch is included, and childcare is available._


Running the Race Marked Out for Us

Hoboken Grace graduated its largest-ever Financial Peace University class this month, with participants leaving credit cards and thousands of dollars in debt in the dust. With a growing number of instructors, the Financial Peace Team for the first time held two weekly classes this spring, while also introducing a small-group format.

As a result, more people than ever have found financial freedom. Here are three other takeaways from this semester:

**1). Hope**

Oftentimes, people start the course with no idea of how to budget, save or invest, says Vinny Hu, who leads the FPU Team at Hoboken Grace. One of the biggest successes, he says, is seeing them get to a point where they can handle their finances with confidence.

“People walked away from the course with hope,” Vinny says. “And a lot of change, which is really encouraging. People who had no idea what to do — they’re running out of money two weeks after the start of the month, dipping into savings — for the first time, they’re not doing that.”

**2). Communication and vulnerability**

Another success, Vinny says, is seeing people talk more openly about their finances.

The team this semester introduced a small-group format, similar to a dinner group setting.

“People got to know each other very quickly, there was a lot of vulnerability early on,” Vinny says. “So that was a great success. We’re definitely going to do that again.”

And, as usual, the course helped couples learn to talk more openly about money.

“Married couples, some of them married for 15, 20, 25 years, for the first time are talking about money in a way that empowers them, and they’re not fighting about it,” says Vinny.

**3). Empowerment**

On average, participants paid off more than $2,500 in debt and saved more than $2,000 in cash. They also cut up an average of two credit cards, according to surveys distributed at the end of the course.

“I think we’re getting better and better at it,” says Vinny.

The course also had its highest number of small-group instructors. Having gained confidence over their finances with the help of previous classes, former students are returning to FPU to lead breakout discussions, helping the team to grow each year.

_FPU’s next semester begins in fall 2016\. For more information, contact Sarah at [sarah@hobokengrace.com](mailto:sarah@hobokengrace.com)._

_If you need urgent financial guidance about a situation before the fall course begins, you can contact Vinny at [vinny@hobokengrace.com](mailto:vinny@hobokengrace.com)._


Three Takeaways From This Semester of FPU

Throughout the year, Hoboken Grace offers mission trips designed to encourage us to step outside of our comfort zones, challenge our assumptions and transform our perspectives. Mission trips are one of the best ways to live out God’s word, allowing Him to work through us to serve others and love boldly. But many of us are afraid to take this leap of faith because of a number.

This year, our goal is to help eliminate the fear of a trip’s cost. The Missions Team at Hoboken Grace is committed to helping you fundraise for that trip you’ve been eyeing but also avoiding, not because you don’t want to go, but because you don’t think you can swing it financially. Below are a few great tips to help you begin fundraising to make your trip a reality.

**1). Create an online giving page:** Create a fundraising page where you can tell your story and share information about the organization you will be working with on the trip. Many of us feel called to go on a mission trip for different reasons. Let people know what you are fundraising for, and give them the opportunity to be a part of something greater than themselves. Your friends and family will want you to succeed.

**2). Social media:** Use social media (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) to build awareness around your mission trip “campaign.” Over time, your inner circle of family and friends will begin to share your story in an effort to reach more potential donors. Be sure to include a link to your fundraising page and include easy to understand instructions regarding how to donate. Remember, every dollar counts!

**3). Matching gifts:** Reach out to local businesses and see if they have a matching program. Let them know what you will be doing on the trip and how their funds will benefit those you are serving. Many businesses will match charitable contributions.

**4). Get crafty:** With a little ingenuity and some planning, you can host a local community day or initiative. Set up a donation booth at your local high school’s home basketball game or sell personalized, DIY Christmas ornaments around the holidays. Clean out your drawers and host a garage sale as spring rolls around or sell cute edible gifts like brownies in a jar.

**5). Reach out to the Missions Team.** When in doubt, reach out to our Missions Team for fresh ideas and assistance so that your dream of going on a mission trip becomes a reality.

Whether you’re [going ](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/where-will-you-go/)to South Korea in a few weeks, to Sierra Leone next month or on another trip later this year, it’s never too late to fundraise. [Click here](http://hobokengrace.com/mission-trips/) to learn more about the mission trips Hoboken Grace has planned for this summer. You can also contact Anthony at anthony@hobokengrace.com for more information.

[![DSCF4533](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSCF4533-1024x682.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSCF4533.jpg)


How to Raise Support for Your Mission Trip

A year and a half ago, Jessica’s life took an unexpected turn. It was a change in direction that would eventually lead to her standing on stage and getting baptized on Easter morning. But Jessica didn’t know that back then. All she knew at the time was that she had 60 days to find a new job.

“I was given notice at work around the same time that my lease was up,” Jessica explains. “Everything about my life in Florida seemed to be coming to an end.”

Jessica had a feeling that God had a change in store for her, but she didn’t know what that looked like or how it would all come together.

“I remember I had a friend who lived in New York at the time,” she says. “And he was making really good money, so I thought maybe I should give New York a shot. Of course, nobody mentioned anything about the cost of living up here.”

After a whirlwind of job applications, Jessica landed a position in Manhattan in January 2015 and moved to Jersey City, leaving her friends, family and church behind.

[![HG_Sundays_Kids_Averill_1.31.16-31-4](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/HG_Sundays_Kids_Averill_1.31.16-31-4-1024x683.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/HG%5FSundays%5FKids%5FAverill%5F1.31.16-31-4.jpg)

Even though Jessica believed that God had brought her to New York for a reason, it didn’t make a lot of sense. Life in New York was stressful and expensive, and everyone she knew and cared about was back in Florida.

“I realize now that I needed to be lonely for a little bit,” says Jessica. “I needed that season of loneliness so God could have me all to himself. No distractions. I talked to God a lot, because there wasn’t anyone else.”

Being alone was not something that came naturally to Jessica. In fact, for years she had made intentional choices so she wouldn’t be on her own.

“Being in a romantic relationship used to be the only thing that made me feel connected and loved and needed,” Jessica explains. “And I thought that kind of relationship had to involve being intimate, so even though I knew it wasn’t what God wanted for me, I kept on choosing a relationship with a guy over my relationship with God. I thought it was something I needed.”

For years, Jessica had wanted to walk more closely with God, and she longed to get baptized. But she couldn’t bring herself to choose God first — not if it meant giving up the relationships that she felt were helping hold her together.

“I didn’t think I could do it,” says Jessica. “It wasn’t until I found Hoboken Grace and met people who were living differently that I truly believed that I could change my story.”

[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSCF7142-1-e1459953439918-300x300.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSCF7142-1-e1459953439918.jpg)Jessica found Hoboken Grace online and quickly became involved in kids ministry. She later joined a dinner group, where she met women who loved God first and chose to date in a way that honored that love.

“I just couldn’t believe that that was actually possible,” says Jessica. “But there was this girl who was dating and not having sex and getting baptized. I remember thinking, ‘If she can do it, I can do it. That could be me.’ ”

Inspired by the women in her dinner group and surrounded by new friends who supported her, Jessica finally gave her craving for connection over to God and signed up to get baptized.

“For me, baptism is all about washing away the old self and starting a new life,” says Jessica. “I’ve wanted that new life for so long. I just didn’t see how I could let go of the old life.”

But on March 27, Jessica got up on stage in front of new friends and complete strangers and declared her faith in Jesus Christ, vowing to follow Him wherever he leads. She let go of her old desires and anxieties and grabbed hold of her new beginning with both hands.

“I feel a freedom from my old self and a sense of newness that I didn’t think I could have,” says Jessica. “And I have never felt more connected to God.”

_To learn more about taking the step of baptism, attend Hoboken Grace’s class_ [_What Is Baptism,_](https://hobokengrace.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/9320) _held after each service this Sunday._

[![DSCF7165 (1)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSCF7165-1-1-1024x682.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/DSCF7165-1-1.jpg)


A New Life in New York

The first time I attended Hoboken Grace, I was terrified. I dragged my friend along for moral support, but I was still anxious. Was I going to fit in? Would there be anyone there like me? Looking back, I laugh at how nervous I was, because from the moment I walked into 301 Garden I was made to feel right at home. I quickly signed up for a dinner group, went to a mission trip information session and joined a team.

When my friend moved away, some of the old anxiety returned. But soon I was sitting in my first dinner group, eating fried chicken and mac ‘n’ cheese as we shared funny stories from childhood. And then I began serving with the Communications Team, and felt so blessed to be able to help people share their stories. When I decided to get baptized, I had an entire community cheering for me and my new beginning, and nothing has ever felt more wonderful.

When it comes to our relationship with God, we can’t grow without moving forward. You have to take that [next step](http://hobokengrace.com/nextsteps/), whether it’s joining a dinner group, serving on a team, joining a Story Study or getting baptized. The first step is always the hardest.

I asked a few people at Hoboken Grace what “next step” had the greatest impact. Here is what they had to say:

**Jennifer Thomas:** “The step that really helped me get connected was being brave enough to go to a connection event, even when I didn’t know anyone there. I introduced myself to someone, and the next time I went to an event, I made sure she was going, too. We have a great friendship now.”

**Jeff Knorr:** “When I joined a dinner group it helped me dive deeper into the conversations and form a community of brothers. Serving on the production team helped me apply the talents that I’ve been given and gave me a sense of purpose.”

**Candace Maloney:** “Joining a dinner group and serving as a greeter helped me step out of my box. I enjoyed being encouraged and motivated to be the best version of myself, and I was taught to do the same for others. It has been great to be on the same journey in following God, through our similar struggles.”

**Mariel Moquete:** “Taking the step of baptism was the most important step for me. It was the moment in my life where I finally committed to God. I committed to actually building a relationship with God, instead of just saying I was Christian because I grew up in the church. After my baptism, saying I was Christian actually meant something deeper. It was my choice and not my mom’s or my pastor’s or someone else’s, but my own.”

**What’s your next step? What will you commit to?** 

[Go to a connection event](http://hobokengrace.com/events/)

[Sign up for a dinner group](http://www.hobokengrace.com/dinnergroups/)

[Join a team](http://hobokengrace.com/serve/)

[Register for Amplify](http://hobokengrace.com/amplify/)

[Go on a mission trip](http://hobokengrace.com/mission-trips/)

[Take the step of baptism](https://hobokengrace.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/13986)

[Become a member at Hoboken Grace](https://hobokengrace.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/5472)

[Attend Axiom (members only)](https://hobokengrace.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/20314)

[Join a Story Study (members only)](http://hobokengrace.com/nextsteps/)


Taking the Next Step

Hoboken Grace moved into Jersey City three years ago, launching a separate location in Hamilton Park. From Day One, its goal was to love the community in a way that mirrors God’s love for His people. The church began pouring into the community through initiatives such as Simple Service and 1Day Jersey City. And as it opened its doors each Sunday, God began to use the Hamilton Park location to help people find their way back to Him.

On Easter 2015 – a year ago this month – the Hamilton Park location became the first daughter church of Hoboken Grace. [Downtown Community Church](http://www.downtownjc.church/), as it is now called, has established deeper roots in the community and welcomed hundreds of people through its doors. To celebrate the church’s first birthday, we sat down with Wayne Burton, its pastor, to talk about the past year.

**It’s been a year since you launched as Downtown Community. What have been some of the highlights?**

Launching on Easter last year was really fun because we had so many people come. That was technically our first day. I think the first highlight was transitioning to Downtown Community. We had people step up and be a part of our experience who had never really served before.

We believe there are people here in Jersey City that would not connect to a church unless there was a local church connecting to them. We have been able to develop stronger relationships with the leaders and organizations in our community and in our neighborhood. There are people who don’t attend regularly or at all, but they know more about who we are, and they speak favorably about us. And to me, that’s just amazing.

Another highlight was our Go Jersey City outreach event in June. We built upon the 1Day Jersey City event that we did with Hoboken Grace, and we’ve been able to continue relationships with different parks and organizations. We partnered with St. Anthony’s for a similar event.

Then, there are always small victories. When we made the transition to Downtown Community, it was just our Jersey City group, which was a little scary at the beginning, but that gave us our core. Over the summer, we worked to just create a great foundation. We launched new dinner groups, we had a food truck come, and we just had a big fall kickoff and celebration. And then we started seeing our average attendance jump by about 20 people.

[![2016_Birthday1](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/2016_Birthday1-1024x684.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/2016%5FBirthday1.jpg)

**How was Easter?**

Easter was very smooth. We had 55 to 60 people serve to make Easter happen. We had people doing Simple Service at the PATH, and people who were preparing the space to accommodate more people. There were so many people who sacrificed to be there and changed their vacation plans. We had someone arrive on a red-eye at 6 a.m. and serve both services. Somebody gave up Elite Eight basketball tickets, just to see this happen.

And to see the neighborhood come, that was a highlight. Our neighborhood in Jersey City knows more about us. There is a trust that we’ve developed, and we saw evidence of that on Easter, after just a year of investing in the community and trying to take steps to love people in the way that God has loved us. We saw people come and say, “I’m going to take this step and attend your church for the first time.” There are always family members who come on Easter, but many people were there because someone brought a friend. There were 240 adults and children.

**Heading into Year Two, what are some of the goals moving forward?**

We want to keep doing what we’re doing. The goal for us is just to continue to get behind our city and be a part of the solution. And being a hope and a light in our city. Our world is so full of hardship and struggle and hate, and that was really our Easter message, and how we see Jesus step into that and meet people with grace and say I am the light of the world, and if you follow me there is no more darkness. We want to be a light in the city. Jesus showed us how valuable people are. And he loved them whether they believed in Him or not, because they are valuable, because He created them. So that is a goal for us, to just continue to pour into the city, to love them, because that is what Christ has done for us.

[![2015_1st Service of DCC](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/2015_1st-Service-of-DCC-1024x679.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/04/2015%5F1st-Service-of-DCC.jpg)

**What are some other ways that you have poured into the community? You partnered with Uber on Easter, right?**

Right, we offered free Uber rides. We had no idea that Hoboken Grace was doing it! We thought we were the first to do anything like that. We just created an Uber event, and essentially gave people free rides to church.

We’ve also been supporting local parks. A lot of our dinner groups do things where events happen in different neighborhoods. So we just helped with a local Easter egg hunt. We always serve at the Jersey City Street Fair, helping them with day-of needs, volunteering. And we’ve done little things like help pass out cards for local events. We want to do that more, see where people need help and just get behind it.

**You also threw a birthday party, right?**

Yes. We just wanted to celebrate that this has been happening for a year. It blows me away that we have people who are a part of our journey who were not even there last year. And there are people who are leaders who were just beginning their journey with us when we started. I pause and look around, and I’m just blown away by what God has done. And just incredibly grateful. It’s been a great year and we can’t wait to see what God will do next.

_To find out more about Downtown Community Church, click [here](http://www.downtownjc.church/)._


Downtown Community Turns 1!

_Portraits is an occasional series that captures stories across our community, one photo at a time._

In the seven years after graduating from college, Diane has moved four times. And as she moved in and out of apartments, up and down the East Coast, her sense of self-worth was just as unsettled as her living situation.

Diane had committed her life to Christ during her freshman year of college, but years later, her feelings about herself were still rooted in relationships and circumstances, she says. They depended on whether she was recognized by co-workers or in line for a promotion. Or whether a guy was interested and made her feel important. Or whether her family and, in particular, her friends, were there for her.

“When things were going well with friends, and when they were reliable and showing me attention, it was great,” she says. “But when they would get busy or let me down, which of course they’re going to do because we’re all imperfect, I would just spiral downward. … My value was so tied to them that it felt like I was a leaf in the wind. I was just being blown here and there by circumstances and by friends and my relationships.”

[![DSCF6260](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF6260-1024x682.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF6260.jpg)

After living in Connecticut for less than two years, Diane moved back to Hoboken at the end of 2014, expecting a promotion that didn’t come. It was one of several things that hadn’t panned out. She was in her late twenties and still single. Her friendships were not as fulfilling as she’d hoped, and dating relationships had fizzled almost as quickly as they’d started.

Angry and blaming God for the things that weren’t working out, Diane says she couldn’t see what was really behind her aggravation: She had tied her self-worth to circumstantial things that could never fully satisfy.

Despite the frustration, she began putting down roots in Hoboken. She started attending a dinner group, serving with Grace Kids and volunteering with True Mentors. She committed to spending more weekends in Hoboken, went to more connection events and started establishing deeper friendships.

They were all good things, she says, but she was still basing her value in them — the relationships she was developing, the promotion she had finally landed, even the dinner group she was now leading.

But the community Diane had been investing in was able to help her see that she was placing her self-worth and value in the wrong things. Friends saw how she ran from one source of affirmation to another and tried to remind her of her identity in Christ.

“A few of my friends kept telling me, ‘Your worth is found in God, not things or other people,’ ‘This is not who you are’ ‘Who does God say you are?’ ”

[![DSCF6252](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF6252.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF6252.jpg)

But her friends’ constant reminders left Diane with more questions than answers. Determined to find out who she really was, Diane tried to focus her attention fully on God and signed up for a Romans study class.

The connection between Christ’s value and her own slowly grew clearer. She began to view her life differently and began to find stable ground in her relationship with God. And eventually, God showed her a clear picture of her own story in the portrayal of the Woman at the Well.

“Jesus says to the woman at the well, you’re coming to this well for water, but I can give you life so that you will never thirst again,” Diane says. “I feel like I’ve been that woman for literally my entire life.

“I’ve gone to many things to fill a deep thirst and to fill longing, but it’s not long before I’m thirsty again. But when I go to God, He affirms me and satisfies my deep longing and reminds me of who I am. He reminds me that I am His beautiful daughter and that I am loved perfectly by Him.”

Diane admits friendships, relationships and her career can at times still sway her self-worth — it’s a work in progress, she says. But the knowledge that she has an eternal identity in Christ and that nothing can shake or distort that has given her peace. It’s an identity she can rest in, rather than one she has to chase after.

[![DSCF6151-2](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF6151-2-1-1024x682.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF6151-2-1.jpg)


PORTRAITS: Finding Value

All too often our love is a love that is reckless with the hearts of those around us. The pain of that can be powerful, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Join us this Sunday as we begin to look at the shocking way in which God has loved us, and the seemingly reckless truth about how we can keep love alive and thriving in our lives!


Reckless Love


We are always looking for new and creative ways to love our city. This Easter we’re going big!

If you’re looking to catch an Uber within Hoboken on Easter Sunday, the local portion of your ride is on us. We’re picking up the tab on rides for the first 5,000 people whose trip begins in Hoboken! You can go anywhere you’d like on March 27th, as long as your ride originates from Hoboken. Every user will receive a credit for $5.60 on Hoboken Grace, the cost of a normal local trip. It’s our way of communicating just how amazing the story of Easter really is!

It also gives you the opportunity to provide your friend with a free ride to join you Sunday morning. The ride is free no matter where they go, but it’s another way to start that conversation about how God has loved us. Spread the word! We believe we’ve been loved in an amazing way. We want to show that love to our community in any way we can.

Find an Easter service time that works for you, invite your family and friends, and join us for an incredible experience!

Good Friday: 7:30 p.m. on March 25th

Easter Sunday: 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (Grace Kids classes offered at all services on Easter.)

Happy Easter!


We’re Celebrating Easter in an Uber Way!

We want to make sure that this Sunday we’re able to love your friends, family, co-workers and guests well! In order for that to happen, we’re asking for our regular attendees to commit to attend the 8:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. service. This will allow us to ensure that we have room for every person who attends.

If you’ve invited someone who can only attend the 10 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. services, by all means, go with them. But if not, we ask that you love our guests with us by attending one of our other service times.

Easter is an awesome opportunity to share the love of Christ with our city and community. We can’t wait to do that together in just a few short days. Keep inviting and we’ll see you on Friday!

— Pastor Chris


Help Us Love Well Together!

Within Guatemala City, Guatemala, there exists an area infamous for its stark poverty that is simply known as “the dump.” As Latin America’s second-largest garbage disposal site, it has spawned entire communities of lower-class families that turn to it as their source of daily income. The dump is a literal trash city: Squalid neighborhoods surround its perimeter as it sustains its own economy of salvagers who sell and recycle the scrap they can find amidst the 500 tons of refuse delivered there each day. Every morning, salvagers in search of a day’s wages hop aboard city garbage trucks that ferry them to the bustling heart of the waste site.

A team from Hoboken Grace spent a week with the community, returning last weekend after building a home for a family with [Potter’s House](http://pottershouse.org.gt/). The Christian nonprofit organization has been working in Guatemala City for 30 years, identifying families that could benefit from their aid and providing homes for them.

[![DSCF3961](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF3961-1024x683.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF3961.jpg)

From March 5-12, the team from Hoboken Grace helped build a house for a family of five — three adults and two children. They have recently started a business that buys and sells the aluminum found in the dump. The mother is also three months pregnant.

“‘The dump’ is exactly what it sounds like — it’s a very poor area of Guatemala City located next to a giant dump,” said Erik Schlacter, one of the dozen people on the trip. “You don’t understand the severity of how bad it can be until you get there. People are laying on the street homeless, begging for food. We got to visit a few houses, and there were live wires dangling from the ceiling. They were just living a really hard, hard life.”

The team stayed in off-site housing provided by Potter’s House. Each morning they would have breakfast together before being bused on-site. After a brief devotional and run-down of the work to be done, they spent the day plastering walls, laying concrete floors and putting a roof on the house. Once complete, the home would replace the family’s shanty, which had just a single mattress and couch for the entire family.

“The houses are right on top of each other,” said Nicole Schlacter, Erik’s wife. “No real walls. It was aluminum and tarps over their roofs.”

[![DSCF5294 (1)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF5294-1-1024x683.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF5294-1.jpg)

The family’s business is expected to prosper, but their lack of storage space forces them to sell all of their products each day. With their new home, the family hopes to provide their children with new opportunities and offer them everything they need.

“Now that they have a house with a key and a lock and a door, they’re able to flourish,” said Nicole.

A dedication ceremony was held once the house was complete. Fireworks were lit in the street, and children from the community ran in to see the bunk beds the team had built. The family wept tears of joy and presented the group with gifts to show their gratitude.

In spite of the impoverished conditions, Erik says that there was a definite sense of hope and joy among the people they met, and that the work being done by Potter’s House had made a powerful impact on the community. Potter’s House refers to the salvagers as “Treasures” to remind them that they were made in God’s image and that they are valuable to Him. The group was also able to spend time with the children, playing soccer and Duck, Duck, Goose, and coloring.

“The group was so close,” added Erik. “Everyone got along. There were nights that were just filled with tears and laughter. We would share meals every single day and pray together. The group that we went with was probably one of the highlights of the trip. We couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to go down and serve with.”

[![DSCF3458](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF3458-1024x725.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF3458.jpg)

During the afternoon, the team would also go for prayer walks, where they would deliver food and a Bible to families in the area. On their very first day, Nicole and Erik met a woman whose sister had recently become a victim of gang violence. Her daughter, who had witnessed it, had been traumatized by the incident. But the woman’s attitude was nevertheless humbling. She communicated joy that they had basic necessities.

Nicole said the entire visit to Guatemala City was eye-opening.

“The poverty outside of the dump is unlike anything you can imagine,” she said. “It’s overwhelming. It’s just… a lot to take in.”

A team from Hoboken Grace travels to Guatemala City [each year](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/building-love-and-a-house-in-guatemala-city/) to work with Potter’s House. Some of the team members were making a return trip, and Nicole and Erik say they intend to do the same.

“I was truly blown away by this experience,” said Erik. “The people that we met, the group that we went with, the devotion with God every single day — you could just feel the Holy Spirit with you every single minute of the trip. The perspective that we have now is amazing.”

_To learn more about mission trips at Hoboken Grace, [click here](http://hobokengrace.com/mission-trips/)._

[![DSCF5297](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF5297-1024x683.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/DSCF5297.jpg)


Hope and a Home in Guatemala City

Once a month at Hoboken Grace, we celebrate [baptism ](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/category/baptism/)with members of our church family. It’s a physical symbol that represents a spiritual change — a new life found in Christ.

This month is no different. We will be celebrating baptisms next on [Easter Sunday](http://hobokengrace.com/easter/). (You can find out more by attending one of the [baptism classes](https://hobokengrace.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/13986) held after each service this week.)

For Margarita, who took the [step](http://hobokengrace.com/nextsteps/) several weeks ago, baptism was a public declaration. It was a commitment, she says, that she wanted to celebrate with other people. The Writing Team recently asked her a few questions about her decision and her journey.

**How did you hear about Hoboken Grace?**

I moved to Jersey City in November 2015 from Chicago and was working in New York City a few times a month. When I came here, I started attending a church in the city regularly but found the church too big, with a lack of community and connection with other members of the church. Before long, my boyfriend and I tried two or three other churches but never really found a “home.” One day, my boyfriend did a Google search and found Hoboken Grace. We decided to go that Sunday and when we walked in, one of the first songs they played was “Oceans” by Hillsong, which is one of my favorite songs. Right then, I felt that this was a sign from God and that we were finally home.

**What made you decide to join Hoboken Grace?**

As soon as we walked into Hoboken Grace, my boyfriend and I immediately felt at home. Everyone was so welcoming, and we really enjoyed the huge presence of community within the church. I started volunteering with Hoboken Grace Kids, joined a dinner group, and the rest is history!

**What steps did you take to get baptized?**

One day after service, I went to the intro class “Next” and learned what the steps were in a pamphlet which was given to new members at the meeting. I had been thinking about being baptized for a little over a year and it just seemed like the right time for me. Angie \[from the Family Life Team\] and my dinner group made themselves available to me for any questions I had and I also attended a baptism class before actually getting baptized.

**What made you decide to get baptized?**

I stopped going to church after my parents got divorced, and about a year ago, I went through some difficult times and found myself turning to God in my time of need. I looked into baptism as a Christian and really liked that it symbolizes a public declaration of Christ and that it is your own decision, not your parents’ or anybody else’s. I believe baptism is a beautiful way of celebrating your commitment to Christ, and I made the decision to do it surrounded by people who wanted to share in that moment with me!

[![Margarita_4](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/Margarita_4-1024x683.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/Margarita%5F4.jpg)

_If you are interested in learning more about taking the step of baptism, “What is Baptism” will be offered after each service on Sunday. For more questions, email Sarah at sarah@hobokengrace.com._


A Commitment Worth Celebrating

For Shanta, Hoboken Grace’s annual Easter Egg Hunt brings her family together to share in the excitement of the event, but also to discuss the true meaning of Easter.

Each spring after moving to Cliffside Park four years ago, Shanta looked for a fun, inexpensive Easter activity for her children but found nothing in their neighborhood. Then, two years ago, she stumbled upon Hoboken Grace’s free [Easter Egg Hunt](http://hobokengrace.com/egghunt/) online. She drove to Hoboken with her friend and two girls to check it out. She had no idea it was connected to a church with a kids ministry — something Shanta was also looking for.

The girls enjoyed activities such as face painting and taking a picture with the Easter bunny. They also loved every aspect of the Easter Egg Hunt, which is why Shanta brought them back the following year and is looking forward to this year’s hunt. “The girls wear their bunny ears to play dates, and tell their friends all about the event, even if it happened a few days or weeks ago,” she says.

For Shanta, the best part of the goodie bags were the snack clips with Hoboken Grace’s logo on them. She has them all over the house, securely fastening potato chip and cereal bags. “I see them every day, and one day, the bright orange clip made me curious enough to find out more about the church,” she says.

She had been praying for a church to attend as well, and wanted to find one that resembled the church she grew up in. “I was attracted to Hoboken Grace’s mission statement and to their strong Sunday school program,” Shanta says.

“I think God speaks to us all in a language we understand, no matter the age, and I am happy that the kids ministry team has helped my girls build a solid foundation in Christ,” she adds.

The Easter Egg Hunt has also helped her children learn more about Jesus, prompting discussions at the dinner table about the real meaning of Easter. Shanta explains the sentimental value Easter has for her and how Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated. The girls enjoy these conversations and have been inspired lately to ask about baptism after seeing one of their friends get baptized onstage.

This year, Shanta plans to invite friends to one of the two Easter Egg Hunts. She says she will never forget the warm welcome she received from Rachel, one of the volunteers. And what’s more, she says, it led to a significant turning point in her life.

“Easter is more special to me now,” she says. “Because besides the hunt and celebrating the Resurrection, it marks the time when I decided to learn about Hoboken Grace and get involved in the powerful, God-loving community there.”

_To register for one of this year’s two hunts, or to sign up to volunteer, [click here](http://hobokengrace.com/egghunt/)._ 


The Easter Egg Hunt That Changed Everything

Are you interested in going on a [mission trip](http://hobokengrace.com/mission-trips/) this year? Are you worried that you’ve waited too long to sign up? Don’t fret: There’s still time!

[Mission trips](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/category/mission-trip/) are an opportunity to serve the physical and spiritual needs of others as you show them the love of Christ. Sound like something you’d like to do? Check out these four awesome trips.

**Seoul, South Korea: April 29 – May 6**

This mission trip partners with [Liberty in North Korea](http://www.libertyinnorthkorea.org/) (LiNK) to help resettle refugees who have risked everything to escape oppression in North Korea. Team members will spend time with the refugees, helping them with their English and exposing them to American culture.

Those who have been on the trip say they have learned so much in return about resiliency and perseverance — North Koreans must travel a minimum of 2,000 miles while risking their lives to get out of the country. This is a great organization that helps brave individuals rebuild lives with the promise of true freedom. To find out more, attend the [informational meeting](https://www.facebook.com/events/1261164383897763/) on Sunday, March 13th, from 2-3 p.m. in the Study at 301 Garden.

[![2013-04-1023.15.35](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/2013-04-1023.15.35-1024x765.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/2013-04-1023.15.35.jpg)

**Sierra Leone: May 9 – 15**

Hoboken Grace will be working with [World Hope International](https://www.worldhope.org/), a Christian relief organization committed to community development in Sierra Leone. Team member Jim Mannoia says the trip will focus on helping provide clean water in areas affected by the Ebola outbreak.

Team leader Chris High emphasizes that the trip will be largely exploratory this year. “We’ve been able to work with World Hope as a financial partner for the past couple years, but we want to get involved in a hands-on way moving forward,” he says. “This year our goal is to identify how we can do that in a way that impacts their mission the most.”

**[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/11164837_10100701163265270_5451133910583059964_n-e1457668001670.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/11164837%5F10100701163265270%5F5451133910583059964%5Fn-e1457668001670.jpg)Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico: May 28 – June 4**

While partnering with [Casa Hogar Alegre](http://casahogaralegre.org/), an organization that cares for orphaned, abandoned and abused children, the main focus of this trip will be to provide love, support and opportunity for these little ones to grow in mind, body and spirit. Previous teams have shared their [stories](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/portraits-the-varelas/) and God’s love with the kids, which in turn allowed the children to feel safe, cared for and comforted.

During the course of the week, participants bonded with those at Casa Hogar Alegre, and many say the experience humbled them and deepened their dependence on God. “Working at Casa Hogar allowed me to reflect on my life and increase my gratitude,” says Andrea Lopez, who intends to return this year. “I also saw how these children had such an authentic relationship with God, and it caused me to consciously examine my own relationship with Him.”

**Nairobi, Kenya: August (dates TBD)**

[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/photo-e1457589886316.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/photo-e1457589886316.jpg)This trip will take you to the [Rehema Home orphanage](http://www.rehemahome.org/), where you will support the children by participating in various activities and in cooking, cleaning and maintenance. The goal of the trip is to build relationships with the 60-plus children at Rehema, letting them know they are loved and valued in the process. On [past trips](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/thumb-wars-and-mr-giggles-kenya-mission-trip-memories/), team members have built a girls bathroom, led Vacation Bible School, painted, played games with the children and taught the kids about social media safety.

Sarah Fishbein, who has served in Kenya on and off over the past 10 years, had this to say: “When I first decided to go on a mission trip, I was scared but interested to see what I could offer to the kids at the home. Boy was I wrong with the outcome. The mission trips I have participated in did more to transform my own heart and spirit. God showed me what love looks like in the heart of His children. It was a love I could not let go of or forget. Over the last 10 years, I have seen small children grow into young adults who love Christ. Their faith is deeper and stronger than mine, and every time I interact with them, I am humbled by their spirit.”

Don’t miss out on being a part of a life-changing experience, for both you and those you’ll serve. Registration for the May trips will begin wrapping up later this month, so don’t wait. Begin praying today about how God can use you to serve across the globe. For more information, email Anthony at anthony@hobokengrace.com.


Where Will You Go?

We are just a few weeks away from our biggest celebration of the year! With all that God is doing in our city, we have so much to celebrate this Easter. And there are so many things to look forward to.

Here are five things to get egg-cited about:

**1). Two hunts are better than one**

For the first time, Hoboken Grace is offering not one, but TWO Easter egg hunts. That’s right – the largest Easter egg hunt in Hudson County is getting even bigger. And have we mentioned the 20,000 Easter eggs? There will also be bounce houses, face painting, crafts, carnival games and pictures with the Easter bunny!

It’s all happening Saturday, March 19th, at Mama Johnson Field in Hoboken (4th and Jackson Street). The event is free, but registration for the two hunts (10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.) is required. [Sign up now.](http://hobokengrace.com/easter-egg-hunt-registration/)

**2). A great way to love our city**

The Easter Egg Hunt is a great opportunity to give back to our community. And each year, volunteers spend the day painting faces, running carnival game booths and taking Easter bunny photos. For the first time, volunteers can register ahead of time with the team they want to join. Have you ever dreamed of being Flopsy, Mopsy or Peter Cottontail? This is your chance. [Sign up here.](https://hobokengrace.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/18454)

[![hunt](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/hunt-1024x683.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/03/hunt.jpg)

**3). Easter Sunday is the perfect opportunity to invite a friend**

Is there someone you’ve been meaning to invite to church for months? [There is no better time to invite them than Easter](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/a-prayer-for-easter/). There are plenty of options with four services on Easter Sunday, March 27th. The services are at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Grace Kids will be offered at all services on Easter Sunday. There is also a Good Friday service at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25th. This will be an incredible celebration that you won’t want your friends to miss! Which brings us to …

**4). The choir is back!**

If you loved the Christmas choir, you’re in luck. The [Spring Choir](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/sing-into-spring-why-you-should-join-the-choir/) has been practicing for months. And because they only perform a few times a year, make sure you catch them on Easter Sunday!

**5). Crossroad Community Church launches weekly services**

Pastor Paul Mansala, a former Hoboken Grace intern, is launching weekly services at his Jersey City church plant on Easter. It’s a huge step for [Crossroad Community Church](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/crossroad-community-church-launches-first-services/), which began holding monthly services in December. We can’t wait to see how God uses this church! You can find out more about Crossroad [here](http://www.crossroadjc.com/).


Five Reasons to Get Egg-Cited for Easter

This March, Dario Torres, who has been a part of the Hoboken Grace community since its early days, is saying farewell to New Jersey and hello to Japan. For the next three years, Dario will be serving with [The Navigators](https://www.navigators.org/Home) student ministry at Shizuoka University. This new chapter in Dario’s life is the culmination of years of prayer, spiritual growth and personal healing.

Ever since college, Dario says he knew he wanted to be a missionary. As a junior, he spent an entire summer in the Philippines with The Navigators ministry. When he applied, Dario had no idea what to expect. And in the end, his official roles — teaching English and math, and leading Bible study with high school students — paled in comparison to his experience of life with people in his neighborhood.

For six weeks, Dario lived in a slum with a family with four kids, in a house the size of his room back in the United States. He spent time learning the language, eating the same food, and showing them as best as he could that he wanted to love them as one of them. That experience, says Dario, “changed my life.” He applied to go on missions right after college graduation.

During the application process, however, he realized that he still had a lot of work to do on himself. And over the next five years, as he confronted destructive addictions and sought personal healing, he learned that his own health and experience of God’s presence had to come before anything else. “My goal in life is not to be a missionary,” he says now. “My goal in life is to love God and love people, and I can do that anywhere.”

A few years ago, Dario felt God telling him that the time had come to spend more energy loving people, and less energy trying to fix himself. He had been reading Bob Goff’s “[Love Does](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0078FA8HU/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?ie=UTF8&btkr=1),” and decided that he needed to “just do something” to love people. Dario examined his gifts and talents, using the Empower track at Hoboken Grace’s one-day [Amplify](http://hobokengrace.com/amplify/) event, and began to consider missions again.

Having worked for a Japanese company for years, Dario already knew that there were many things about Japanese culture that resonated with him. Dario took another trip with The Navigators, this time to explore if and where God might call him to missions. Now, Dario felt certain God was calling him to serve with The Navigators in Japan.

[![IMG_0055](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/02/IMG_0055-1024x765.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/02/IMG%5F0055.jpg)

“Their ministry in Japan is almost exactly what I did in college as an RA,” he explains. “The Navigators build relationships with the students, and that’s what I loved most about being an RA: sharing my life with the students and seeing the students come into community and build relationships.” For the next three years, Dario will be working full time with the students at Shizuoka University.

He began fundraising for his trip about a year ago, and the funds came quickly. Still, Dario was surprised when two large donations wrapped up his fundraising in January, earlier than expected. “It reminded me that God is in control, not me,” he says. But he emphasizes that even if the funding hadn’t come, he wouldn’t worry. “What I want to do with my life is love God,” says Dario. “I don’t need to be a missionary to do that. This missions trip is just a means.”

To learn about this trip and partner with Dario in prayer during his time in Japan, please contact him at datorres87@[gmail.com](http://gmail.com/).


On a Mission to Love

_[This past Sunday](http://hobokengrace.com/podcast/flee/), Pastor Chris talked about the dangerous aspects of relationships and how we can establish guardrails in that area of our lives. For some people, he said, the guardrail that’s needed most is to step outside of relationships for an entire year. “You need to really wrestle with whether or not you need to reset the whole thing, and allow God to redefine this for you,” he said. “And trust Him that he loves you enough to do it in a way that’s best for you.” This is the story of someone who did just that, trusting God to redefine her view of relationships._

When my last relationship ended, I was left with a pile of regrets and insecurities. In the past, I’ve let these emotions overwhelm me, but this time, in the middle of the hurt, confusion and frustration, I was determined to not repeat the same pattern. This time, I decided to cling to God like never before. And after prayer and fasting, it was clear to me that God wanted me to take a break from dating… for a year.

Romantic relationships have always followed the same pattern for me. I’m interested in a guy, and within a few days, he knows the most intimate details of my life. When we start dating, I forget about friends, family and even myself, as I focus on him. I daydream about marriage and start planning the details of the big day in my head. I have a way of convincing even my most skeptical best friends that this time, I’ve found “the one.” And when that relationship ended, the next time I was able to talk them into it again, and then again.

The fear of being alone, coupled with flashbacks of my parents’ failed marriage, haunted me. I didn’t know my worth. I didn’t know that God was hurting as I spent countless nights sobbing in my college dorm because of a failed relationship with a guy who I thought loved me. Every time it happened I lost another part of me.

By the summer after my freshman year, I felt like I had lost all of me. I was completely emotionless, and my body was tired. It was tired of not being respected and tired of carrying life and then death. I stopped eating and spent too much time sleeping.

The only thing that was able to bring me back to life was Jesus.

With Jesus, my identity isn’t found in a man full of empty promises or an “I love you.” My identity is found in Christ, the only One capable of providing perfect and unselfish love.

Five years ago, I made a vow that I was going to remain celibate until marriage. Having pre-marital sex had just left me with scars. Even that decision wasn’t enough to kill the idol that relationships had become in my life, though, and so a year of not dating began.

Trusting God with my romantic relationships has been the most difficult decision I have made, but it has been the decision that has given me the most peace and fulfillment.

During this year of no dating I have learned that for far too long in my life, I have ignored that God made me for much more than being someone’s girlfriend. I spend more time in His Word now and because of that, the doors that need to be opened or closed are much clearer. It’s an ongoing process that I have had to get used to.

What does a dating fast look like? For me it looks like not meeting with guys one-on-one, not talking to guys on the phone after 10 p.m. and making sure I’m surrounded by friends if I’m at an event with a guy I know I like. I have slipped up a few times, but my community at Hoboken Grace always reminds me of why I started this journey.

Sometimes during this year, I’ve asked God to reward me with husband material right after the fast ends. His response is to stop expecting what’s not certain and take in my life day by day, working for Him and not man.

I can honestly say that I am now content with whatever plan God has for me in the future, and I want to take advantage of every day without regrets. Right now, I have family members who don’t know God’s love, and I can’t waste time not praying. I have a strong desire to help poor communities of color succeed, and I have God-given talents that can’t be wasted. I have a mission to fulfill, and I have no need to worry.

If I do get married and have a family in the future, I can say I have learned through this fast to rely on God through every upcoming obstacle. And if it doesn’t happen, I now know He’s all I need anyway.


My One-Year Dating Fast

_Portraits is an occasional series that captures stories across our community, one photo at a time._

For years as a kid, Brandon Black would lie in bed at night and stare up at a miniature replica fighter plane hung above his bed.

The plane was an F4U Corsair, the exact model flown by Mr. Vander Horst in World War II.

“He wasn’t just a fighter pilot,” says Brandon. “Mr. Vander Horst was also an extremely successful businessman and the coolest, most genuine and humble guy I knew. ”

He was also Brandon’s fifth-grade Sunday school teacher.

“Looking back, it’s a good thing we had someone with a military background,” says Brandon. “There were at least six boys in the class. And we were all into spears and slingshots and running around in the woods.”

The boys spent a lot of time in class building model airplanes and cars, and listening to Mr. Vander Horst’s stories.

“I wish I could say that there was some big life lessons he taught me,” says Brandon. “But it wasn’t like that, or maybe it was and I just totally missed the takeaway. But what I do remember is feeling incredibly special that this amazing, cool older guy chose to spend time with us every week. He didn’t have to be there, he wasn’t anybody’s dad. But he showed up for us and talked to us like we were people, not just kids.”

[![unspecified-2](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/02/unspecified-2.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/02/unspecified-2.jpg)

Nearly twelve years after Brandon finished building his model plane, he boarded a flight that would determine the direction of the next decade of his life. That flight was from his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, to Newark, New Jersey.

“I remember I flew in that morning, interviewed all day and then flew out that night,” says Brandon. “I didn’t know anything about New Jersey. I always wanted to live somewhere like Denver and go hiking and skiing on the weekends. But in the end I chose the industry I loved over the place I loved.”

While Brandon thrived at his new job, he admits that his personal life was fractured and disjointed.

“My apartment was in Hoboken, but I worked in Mahwah and went to church somewhere else. When I hung out with friends we would go into NYC or just get out of town for the weekend,” says Brandon. “Hoboken was just somewhere I slept, it wasn’t home. I was living with one foot out the door. I always thought I was about to move.”

But after five years of living like this, Brandon knew that things had to change. He needed to commit to something to give himself boundaries.

“I would just stay at work until 9 or 10 at night,” says Brandon. “I’m sure I wasn’t very efficient that late, but I could tell myself I was still getting something done. And there wasn’t anything to come home to anyway.”

Brandon decided to commit to Hoboken Grace, a church he had only casually visited before. With his engineering background, he figured he would get involved by joining the finance team. But God had a different plan. He left the Impact Fair having committed to trying out kids ministry.

[![Brandon.and.friend](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/02/Brandon.and_.friend.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/02/Brandon.and%5F.friend.jpg)

“I used to be a camp counselor when I was in high school, but I had never worked with kids as young as 10 or 11 before,” says Brandon. “And it felt a little awkward being the only guy teacher. But I kept on thinking about Mr. Vander Horst. I’m not a fighter pilot, but I could be that guy who consistently shows up, just because he cares, to teach the kids.”

Brandon’s calendar looks different than it used to. Instead of just work Monday through Friday and weekend trips, he has dinner group on Monday nights and volunteers at TRUE mentors on Tuesdays. On Sundays he leads the fourth- and fifth-grade Clubhouse kids, teaching them about Jesus, just like Mr. Vander Horst did.

“For the first time in my life, I’m turning weekend trips down or leaving early so that I can be in Hoboken on Sunday morning,” says Brandon. “I finally feel like I actually live here. My life is centered somewhere. I have an anchor and a bigger purpose.”

Brandon used to ask his parents for a little brother for Christmas. He never got that little brother, and although he always thought he would be married with kids of his own by now, that hasn’t happened yet either.

But recently, while Brandon was cleaning up after class, one of the kids’ grandparents approached him.

“I just wanted to let you know that my grandson wakes up early every Sunday because he is excited to come to Sunday school and hang out with you,” she said.

Brandon isn’t living where he thought he would live, and he doesn’t have a family of his own yet. But for the first time since getting on that plane to New Jersey, he feels like he has a home and a family right here in Hoboken. And what’s more, he’s making Hoboken feel like home and family for others.

[![DSCF1200](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/02/DSCF1200.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2016/02/DSCF1200.jpg)


PORTRAITS: Back to the 5th Grade

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A Diverse, Growing, Contemporary, Community Church in Hoboken

Everything we do revolves around our mission of helping people find their way back to God. Our goal is to demonstrate who God really is and to let others know that God wants a relationship with each and every one of us.

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