What Courage Looks Like

 Suicide is the third leading cause of death among individuals 15 to 29-year-olds. Sadly, more than 720 000 people die due to suicide every year with 49,000 reported in the USA. According to the World Health Organization, in wealthier countries, suicide is often linked to mental health conditions like depression, alcohol problems, or a history of suicide attempts. Still, many suicides happen suddenly in moments of crisis, when people feel unable to cope with challenges such as money troubles, relationship conflicts, long-term pain, or illness. Suicide is preventable and help is available. Call 988 for assistance if you or someone needs immediate intervention. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Rom, 15:13).

Michigan Advance Partners

We can learn a few lessons from nature: Like humans, ants exhibit social behavior, thriving in meticulously structured societies known as colonies. Remarkably, the unity within these ant colonies is so profound that they collectively work towards the shared goals of survival, growth, and reproduction, functioning much like a unified entity or a "superorganism." Worker ants often use teamwork to move larger objects, coordinating their movements to ensure successful transportation. For instance, leafcutter ants carry leaves and other vegetation that can weigh up to 50 times their body weight. This is equivalent to a human lifting about 7,850 pounds!

Once a month, a Sabbath is set aside for Michigan Advance Partners offering. This is used for local evangelism to finance programs that most local churches cannot shoulder on their own. Elementary education, child evangelism, academy operations, summer camps, and youth evangelism are also areas supported by the Michigan Advance Partners offering. 

These designated monthly Sabbath offerings offer educational and life-changing programs, which are only possible because individual members choose to contribute to the larger task. Collectively, when members and churches contribute to this fund, we can fund more ministries and reach more people. Let's remember that we can impact many churches and communities when we give our offerings systematically for God's kingdom.

—North American Division Stewardship Ministries

A Memorial Service for Dr. Russell Staples, Professor Emeritus and longtime Pioneer member who passed away in April will be held on Sunday, October 5, at 2:00 PM, in the Seminary Chapel.

Small groups for PMC, known as Grow Groups, are now beginning for the fall semester. Please text "JOIN" to 269-281-2345 to view the groups and choose one or more that interests you. If would would like to lead your own group, text "LEAD" to the same number, and complete and submit the form.