The Ignited society ministers in area nursing homes as well as tutoring homeless and at-risk children at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. The Ignited hosts open gym basketball nights and also participates in Operation Appreciation, preparing care packages for military personnel.
Nursing Home ministry
An exciting opportunity Maranatha students have is to attend Thursday night sessions at a local nursing home. Golden Living Center allows students to come encourage and witness to our senior saints. This makes a big impact in our community as well as to the families who have relatives residing at the Golden Living Center. We leave Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. and return back at the school by 7:30. There is opportunity for special music and preaching as well as interaction with the senior saints. We are always looking for more people to join and make a eternal impact for Christ.
Jessica Larson: "This semester I have had the privilege of being a part of the Ignited nursing home ministry. Each Thursday we go to Golden Living Center and hold services with the residents. We sing their favorite songs, hear God's Word presented by one of the young men from our group, and visit with the people we have the opportunity to meet there. I love to hear the stories of their lives, and to enjoy the blessing of being able to share with them the best story of my life--the day I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior."
Milwaukee Rescue Mission
Jessica Walworth: "I am thankful the Lord has given me the opportunity to tutor at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. I go to be a blessing to the students the Lord allows me to tutor, but it seems like they are more of a blessing to me. The mission is also a blessing to me. Before each tutoring session the tutoring coordinator leads the tutors in a word of prayer. There are two tutoring sessions. Each is only an hour long, and there are a variety of items to accomplish in that time. The first subject I try to tackle with my student is the verse. The student is given a verse to memorize and has about a month to get it memorized and recite it for points. When I am helping my student learn the verse, I also try to help them understand what the verse means and how they can apply it to their lives. The next item to conquer is the homework. Sometimes that takes five minutes, other times up to 20. Reading is the next item. I usually have my student read for 15 minutes and ask him questions about what he read to make sure he understood what he was reading. His favorite part of the tutoring session is when we get to play a game for the last 10 minutes, but that is only if all of his homework is done and he read for at least 15 minutes. His favorite game to play is battleship, and somehow he beats me every time! I am thankful God has allowed me to be a part of the tutoring ministry. I encourage anyone who has the time either Tuesday or Thursday from 3:45 to 8 p.m. to take the opportunity to tutor at the MRM. You do not have to be an education major; just willing to be used of God. Jude 1:22 says, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” You can make a difference in a child’s life for eternity. Come join us and make a difference."
Operation Appreciation
Deb Lew: "Operation Appreciation, based on the principle of compassion, is designed to encourage members of the armed forces by sending packages to deployed soldiers. During the fall semester, we gathered the contact information for deployed soldiers from Watertown as well as soldiers related to Maranatha students or staff. Once we had compiled our list, we held a two-day letter writing drive. Nearly one-third of the student body responded by writing a letter or thank-you, resulting in about 300 notes. The notes were divided up, packaged with candy, and sent to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. During the spring semester, we’ll assemble and make a shipment of packages to the soldiers we’re supporting. We also have a special event planned for late April, the first OA5K. The proceeds of this 5K fun run/walk will go toward offsetting shipping costs."
Judson Society Officers Weeks Society Officers
President: Mark McIntyre President: Kalynn Ruis
Chaplain: Travis Dahairsh Chaplain: Kris Lloyd
Vice President: Jonathan Dodge Vice President: Ann Mace
Ministry Director: Jordan Hayhurst Ministry Director: Jessica Walworth
Athletic Director: Andrew Cherry Athletic Director: Amber Lehmen
Chorister: Joe Furnari Chorister: Addy Reynolds
Secretary Treasurer: Will O'Malley Secretary Treasurer: Lynnae Lawson