JUNE 2015

The picnic is like an annual

reunion with our big crazy family.

WHY ARE WE HERE?

IBC is a community that exists

because we believe Jesus Christ
transforms lives. We want to be fully
alive as followers of Jesus, and we
hope youll join us on this journey.

HOW DO WE DO THIS?
GROWING IN CHRIST At the
heart of our journey is the gospel of
Jesus. We trust Christ as our Savior
and find ourselves becoming more
like him as we deepen our relationship with him.
CONNECTING IN COMMUNITY

The way of following Jesus is not a

path we walk alone. The gospel story
draws us into a community of people
whose lives are being transformed
by Jesus.

JOINING THE MISSION Followers

of Jesus arent just saved, theyre also

sent. Believers become witnesses to
the grace of God as they take part in
his mission to rescue and redeem the
lost and broken.
For more about growing in Christ,
connecting in community, and joining the mission at IBC, please contact
info@irvingbible.org.
CONTACT IBC
2435 Kinwest Pkwy
Irving, TX 75063
(972) 560-4600

irvingbible.org
irvingbible
TWITTER @ibcvoice
ELETTER irvingbible.org/eletter
WEB

FACEBOOK

New to IBC? Turn to page 18.

SMALL GROUPS PICNIC

Pulled pork, anyone? On Sunday, May 3, IBCers gathered for

the All Groups Picnic, a time
for small groups of all stripes
to gather for fun and family
time. (And, as implausible as
it may seem, the all-pervasive
May rain managed to hold off.)

Katie Geurin, Small Groups Administrator

a letter from Chatter

Chatter is
Editor Julie Rhodes
Art Direction, Design & Goodness
Josh Wiese, Lindsey Sobolik, JD Lemming
Admin Extraordinaire
Victoria Andrews
Pastor to Hashtags
Scott McClellan, Communications Pastor
Photography
Jacque Bundy (Photo Update)*
Evan Chavez (2435 Clinic)*
Trey Hill (Barry Jones)*
Writers
Adrienne Siefers (Next Steps)**
Jason Fox (Idle Chatter)*
Megan Foreman (Chatter Facts)*
Peggy Norton (Responding to the Whisper)*
Shawn Small (Barrys Bad Day)*
Victoria Andrews (The Lords Prayer)**
Editorial Assistance/Proofing
Summer Alexander*, Annie Stone*
Thoughts, comments, ideas?
Contact Chatter at chatter@irvingbible.org.
Need Chatter Digitally?
Chatter is on the web at
irvingbible.org/chatter.
Are you a media socialite?
Like Chatter on Facebook. Its so likeable.
*Most beloved and indispensable
Chatter Volunteer.
**Most beloved and indispensable
IBC staff member.

Charles Spurgeon was a great writer and theologian. I, of course, like to imagine him as a big stur-

geon coasting languidly along a riverbed with a pipe in his mouth, but thats just because Im strange, and
hungry so often. Anyway, he said this: The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were
supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible
by the carnal eye.
Now, we of The Bible Church, place a high value on
the idea of possessing a rational faith. My husband
is the treasurer of a nonprofit that brings preachers into bars and pubs to defend the legitimacy of
Christianity. And for good reason.

those particulars give way to the mysterious. Permitting the inexplicable to just sit there without
badgering it. Allowing God to emerge as a whole
thing, not as a bunch of particulars, and then letting his dark beauty fill me with humility.

But I think what Sturgeon meant has more to do

with visible proofs of God in our own lives, and how
even visible proofs can get in the way of faith
itself. We hold so tightly to our little evidence, our
blessings and lack-of-hardships.

And humility, at least for me, leads to quiet hope.

I dont know why it should, exactly, but it seems
to. Maybe this elementary hope is the seedling of
actual, capital-F Faith. And maybe the frustration-then-humility-then-hope-then-faith is an
unavoidable cycle that must be constantly reengaged.

I see the way God has provided financially for my

family and me, for instance. And while that might
bolster my faith in a generous God, it becomes dangerous to lean up against that particular column.
And not just because when financial turmoil hits,
the column buckles and implodes my perception of
God, but because, even if I was forever financially
secure until the day I die, I could be tempted to
believe Gods provision meant something about
me that it really doesnt. That Im some kind of
super-duper, extra-special person. Or worse: that
his love is normatively expressed in a comfortable
paycheck. What appears to be a pillar can just as
often be a stumbling block.
And what about the bad stuff the awful diagnosis? For every pillar, theres a wrecking ball.
So how do we find the glory of faith? It all seems
hopelessly frustrating. How do we get past the
futility of trying to sort out both the affirmations
and disappointments of God in our lives?
Maybe its best to go back to Spurgeons sky.

C HAT TE R FA C T I CON K EY
CULTURE

LANGUAGE

FOOD

LIFE

GENERAL

SCIENCE

GEOGRAPHY

TEXAS

HISTORY

TOMFOOLERY

Just look at it at night. You dont see all the

mathematical equations and laws of physics it
represents. You dont see the proofs for why the
sky should be scattered so broadly and brightly.
You look through the lens of proof, and then past it.
Glory is in the sum total. And there are black holes
and disturbing, inexplicable phenomena. But just
lie there for a moment. Take the whole picture in
at once eyes open, breathing in, watching. Receive the panorama for what it IS, without flinching or whispering. Suddenly Im so small and God
is so big.

Well. All of this is easier said than done.

Most people are way better at it than me. Hebrews
11 contains quite a laundry list: Gideon, Barak,
Samson and Jephthah, David and Samuel and
the prophets; Rahab, Moses, Joseph, Jacob, Isaac,
Abraham. These were all commended for their
faith, says the writer, yet none of them received
what had been promised, since God had planned
something better for us so that only together with
us would they be made perfect (11:39-40).
Those people never saw the fulfillment of their
faith in their lifetimes. They had to wait and obey,
and were never given a timeline their work
would stretch beyond their natural lives, it turns
out, but they didnt know that. Im sure they were
probably tempted to believe all sorts of awful
things about God and themselves based on this
incomplete, lopsided data. But somehow they
were still able to live by faith. Somehow, some
way, they had still been able to allow enough glory
to emerge from their limited, sum-totaled experience of God; enough to wake up, make coffee, and
put one foot in front of the other every morning (or,
most mornings; or at least, an adequate amount of
mornings) despite what must have sometimes felt
like a random, open-ended kind of a life.
I want to be like them a little glory every day.

Maybe the glory of faith is in taking the sum total

of everything I see, the good and the bad together,
and then seeing through it, and past it. Letting
Caviar comes from sturgeon.
Snobbiness comes from salmon.

Chatter | 3

church, people were sad about the

loss of Barrys presence but incredibly supportive of his call. Not to
mention, interested in its progress.
The next year was filled with prayer,
research, imagining what the church
might look like, along with practical planning.

Barry Jones was not having a

good day.

Barry Jones was not having a

good day.

Barry kept replaying the nagging

question everyone had been asking
him since the announcement. No
matter where he was that Sunday
morning, people seemed to find
him and inquire about the situation.
Their question followed him constantly and it was always the same:

Ask Barry what contributed most

to his Christian formation and hell
say it was his mentors. The chapters
of his life have been significantly
marked by a handful of spiritual
mentors. First there was his Godfearing grandfather who was present
from his earliest memories. As a
teenager, his youth pastor shaped his
faith more than anyone else in his
life. Next, there was the college professor who, though not a Christian,
awakened Barrys academic gifting
and taught him the necessity of critical thinking. In seminary, a professor took special interest in Barry,
guiding him through his Masters
program, sponsoring him though
his PhD studies, and walking beside
Barry when his dad passed away.

Hey, whats happening with your

church launch?
Unsure of what to say, Barry simply
smiled and tried to say as little as
possible. He knew there was one
thing that might take his mind off
the uncomfortable query. Barry decided to go grab some takeout from a
Chinese restaurant not far from the
church.
As he waited in line at the restaurant
perusing the menu, Barry felt a tap
on his shoulder. He turned around to
see a friendly IBC family in line with
him. He didnt have time to brace
himself before he heard:
Hey Barry! Whats happening with
the church launch?

Chatter | 4

Not only had mentors marked every

part of Barrys life but they had established in him a passion to coach
young leaders. The unique opportunity to help develop leaders was
the primary reason Barry chose to
teach at Dallas Theological Seminary and why he joined the teaching
team at IBC. Yet Barry felt there was
something he lacked. He believed his

greatest limitation in coaching young church leaders was

the fact that hed never planted
a church.
As a student of church history, Barry
understood that over the last 2000
years people came to faith primarily
through the work of church planters. The book of Acts makes it clear.
What we often refer to as Pauls
missionary journeys were, in reality,
church-planting journeys. Historically, as the church spread through
the Roman Empire and beyond,
it did so through new churches.
Statistically, the greatest growth in
evangelism today happens through
young vibrant church plants.
In November of 2012, Barry met
with IBCs senior pastor, Andy McQuitty, and executive pastor, Bryan
Eck, to share his dream of planting a
parish church. IBC was supportive
and Barrys co-partner in the venture was on board and ready to move
forward.
In May of 2014, Andy made an
announcement from the pulpit.
Barry, Kim and the Jones kids were
leaving to start a church. As one of
the beloved regular preachers at the
The average church in America has
about 75 people in attendance.

Though excited about the church

planting process, Barry knew
there was risk involved. Not only
would his wife, Kim, have to walk
away from her significant leadership involvement at Irving Bible
Church, but moving their three kids
from a thriving childrens ministry
into an undeveloped program was
scary. Leaving the familiarity and
stability of the IBC community for
an unknown future was a challenge.
Through these dilemmas, Barry
was beginning to feel the personal
struggles of church planting.
Their commitment was solid, their
plans were maturing, and their path
seemed clear. But even the best
laid plans of church planters often
go awry.
Three weeks after the big announcement, it felt as though the ground
had shifted under his feet. Barry and
his family were living in a new home
near the location of the church plant.
But a series of unforeseen circumstances led to a change in location
for the church. And with a shift in
location came a flood of changes.
Despite already going public with
their plans, Barry and Kim began
to realize they would not be able to
continue with the project.

Barry was flabbergasted. All the

time hed spent dreaming, praying
and planning unraveled in front of
his eyes. He had resigned from IBC
and most of his responsibilities had
been given to others, effectually leaving him with no place to come back
to in church leadership. It had only
been a month since he had stood in
front of the church making the big
announcement to the congregation
of IBC. Embarrassment, sorrow and
confusion pestered his mind.
But Barry was sure of two things:
his family at IBC would love him
through this unseen bend in the road,
and God, who had guided him this
far, had not done so in vain. There
was sovereignty somewhere in the
shadowed valley he was navigating.
He needed to ask God to reveal it to
him before moving forward.
And God did.

Pulling together his thoughts, Barry

set another meeting with the church
leadership to bring a bold proposal.
Barry envisioned IBC creating a
church planting initiative. After a
series of meetings with the church

Barrys ideas, backed by eighteen

months of church planting experience, crystallized. IBC would create
a yearlong residency with two
candidates chosen out of a handful

But Barry was sure of two things: his

family at IBC would love him through
this unseen bend in the road, and God,
who had guided him this far, had not
done so in vain.
leadership and elders, Barry found
only open arms for his plan. With the
outstanding success of IBCs debt
pay-off, the initiative could become a
reality immediately.

Next September, these men will be

the first official graduates of the
residency program and they will
officially launch new congregations.
And they happen to have wonderful things to say about their friend,
Barry. Ask Ephraim about Barrys
leadership style, and hell use words
like transparent and participative. Barry has vision, but he gives
you space to think. Trey has said
his favorite part of the program
has been the camaraderie between
Barry, Ephraim and himself. They
have laughed together, cried together,
and grown together. Trey adds that
Barry is one of the brightest men
I know.

of vetted applicants. These church

planters would not be multipliers of
IBC congregation as much as multipliers of the IBC DNA. The initiative
would be an investment into these
future leaders.

The future of the program looks

bright. Through relational mentoring with Barry, the staff at IBC,
and church planters around the
world, the initiative will focus on
four pillars:

By the late fall of 2014, Andy presented the IBC church planting
initiative to the congregation during
a Sunday morning sermon. The pilot
program kicked off the following
January 2015 with two candidates.

1. Encouraging the young church

planters into a deeper confidence in Christs identity.
2. Aiding the church planter into a
vibrant spiritual life.
3. Helping the church planter
understand their unique call.
4. Creating a practical strategy in
the location to which the church
planter is called.
This September, IBC will bring
on two new candidates with the
financial commitment to back
them through their first year of
church planting.

Trey Grant leads a church-plant meeting for The Well in Keller.

Thankfully, Barry Jones' days are looking up.

Trey Grant, IBCs Middle School

Pastor of six years, had identified
a stirring in his heart to plant a
church in the mid-cities a few
months earlier. When he heard
about the residency opportunity, he
jumped aboard.

A volunteer musician plays for Ephraims R.E.D. Tu Iglesia en Espaol congregation.

It takes between 70-80 church members to support one full-time pastor or

minister in an average church.

Ephraim Figueroa one of Barrys

promising DTS students, had been
handed a small Hispanic congregation, but he was unsure of what to
do. Barrys invitation to the pilot
program was a lifesaver.

2015 has already gotten off to a great

start for Barry Jones. We, at IBC, are
overjoyed to have him back and we
are eager to see where the Lord leads
him as the year continues. Next time
you see him, make sure to ask how
the residency program is doing. We
promise he wont mind a bit. And if
you want to make him really happy,
take him out for a nice Chinese meal.
Shawn Smalls favorite food is food.
Shawn Small is an avid adventurer, author,
pilgrim, husband, and father of three. He is the
founder of Wonder Voyage Missions and Boundless Expeditions. You can catch more of Shawns
mental gymnastics at ShawnSmallStories.com.

Chatter | 5

THE LORDS PRAYER: AN INTERPRETATION

By Victoria Andrews
IBC Communications Assistant

To our heavenly

Father,

who loves us and cares for us,

we praise your name,

we lift it high,
declaring that you are more holy that we could ever imagine.
Please come soon Lord Jesus!
Our world is groaning under the weight of sin and darkness,
we desperately need your healing.
May your shalom come and set all the world to rights again.
May we live not according to the worlds way of doing things,
but walk in your perfect and upright ways.
Holy Spirit, please give us what we need to make it through today.
Whatever strength, peace, love, compassion, joy,
forgiveness, hope, or faithfulness we need,
we trust you to provide today.
Would you also forgive us for the ways
we have fallen away from you?
And please help us to extend grace to those who have done us wrong,
so that we show Christ to the watching world.
We pray that you would protect us from all schemes of the enemy,
and that you would help us to remain strong in the face of trials and temptations.
May we walk in the light, and not fall prey to the darkness.
We declare that all that we can see,
and all that we cant see is yours oh Lord.
All power, glory, people, and situations are yours.
You are ruler over all,
and we trust in you to move and work in the ways
that bring you the most glory
and us the most good.
We love you.
Amen.

Chatter is asking several pastors and IBC family members to write The Lord's Prayer in their own words. To submit yours, send it to chatter@irvingbible.org.

Chatter | 6

Martin Luther once commented,

As it is the business of tailors to
make clothes, so it is the business
of Christians to pray.

Next Steps:

ASKING MY FRIEND A QUESTION

Chatter asked IBC pastors to weigh in on their next steps for
the year personally, spiritually, or ministry-wise. Heres Adrienne.

hen I was asked to write about my personal next steps, it was

overwhelming. I prayed for God to reveal what he would like me
to write, and it came to mind: my love of the sport of volleyball.
It has opened doors I never knew existed.

Let me start at the beginning. I grew up in the church as an MK, PK and PD

missionary kid, pastors kid and principals daughter. (I know what you are
thinking AND she works at a church??) I was surrounded by people who
loved Jesus. But whenever a speaker would talk about evangelism, I was at
a loss of who to evangelize. I didnt know anyone who didnt know Jesus. I
pushed this uneasy feeling back for about 15 years until 8 years ago when I
was at a conference. The speaker addressed the topic of living in a bubble of
Christianity and how many people are open to loving Jesus, but not so open
to the church. I felt a prodding to leave my bubble and become friends with
people outside the church walls. I started praying about how this could happen,
and it was scary.
This is where my love for volleyball came in. I played volleyball competitively
from 5th grade through high school, and then played recreationally through
college and after. In the spring of 2008, I was helping coach a YMCA team. At
the end of our practice one day,
a group of people arrived and
started to play volleyball. They
were pretty good and I was curious if they played together often.
I found out they were a meet-up
group an online community
where people meet others with
the same hobbies. They would
reserve indoor courts and occasionally play sand volleyball
at different locations around the
Metroplex. Later that week, I
looked up the group and discovered they were having a meet-up
near my apartment. I decided to

Volleyball was invented in

1895 by William G. Morgan, a
Massachussetts YMCA teacher.

go. I went every Monday night for a few months and started to hang out with
the group afterwards for dinner every now and then. My next step was going
well: I had started branching out.
Fast-forward to the present: this group has become known as Team Fun. We
have sweatshirts, jerseys and play in tournaments together. There are a few on
this team who have become good friends, and one in particular whom I would
call one of my closest friends. When I am sick, she is the first to reach out and
ask if I need anything. On a Friday night, we can be found at a movie theater,
playing volleyball or just hanging out. We have had some conversations about
God, and I have learned that she has been hurt in the past by people in the
church passing judgment.
A few months back, I was going through some difficult personal questions
about work and life in general, and I was talking about them with her. One
night, as we were walking toward my car, she made the comment, You may
not think I pray, but I do, and I will be praying for you. This conversation has
been on my mind ever since. It seems like an opening for a deeper conversation
about God. I have worked in childrens ministry all of my adult life, teaching
and leading children towards Christ, but sharing with a close friend suddenly
seems risky and hard.
Eight years ago, God provided a next step through something I enjoyed doing.
These days, I feel my next step is to ask my friend what Jesus means in her life.
Maybe that question would lead to other questions how does she see prayer?
Does she have a relationship with Jesus?
These are scary questions, and there is a chance I will be perceived as judging
her. But my prayer is the question will be seen for what it is: an expression of love.

Adrienne Siefers enjoys teaching her two-year-old nephew to serve a volleyball.

Adrienne is IBCs Elementary Pastor.

Chatter | 7

Responding
to the
Whisper
When IBC Missionaries Alex and
Holly Oliva returned to the States
from Honduras, they didnt expect to face a battle with cancer.
Thanks to the IBC Medical Clinic,
Alex is now on the road
to recovery.

Alex and Holly Oliva

If you build it, he will come. This

famous line whispered in the movie
Field of Dreams sounds like something that could be said for IBCs
2435 Medical Clinic.
The first night the clinic opened in
2011, things were fairly quiet. There
were probably more staff on-hand
than patients. Fast-forward to today,
and the clinic is a thriving place of
healing and hope with patients lined
up outside the door.
One patient was Alex Oliva. Alex and
his wife, Holly are former IBC missionaries who called Honduras home
for 13 years. The two first met in 1997
when Holly went to Honduras on a
mission trip with IBC. At the time,
Alex was serving as a youth pastor.
Several years later, in 2002, the two
married, started a family and continued their work training and discipling youth leaders in Tegucigalpa.

Chatter | 8

While living in Honduras, a physician discovered a tumor on Alexs

thyroid. But the biopsy came back
negative, so Alex and Holly put it on
the backburner while they focused
on an international move back to
the States.
In 2013, Holly began feeling a
prompting to come home. She cant
explain why, but Alex agreed they
would move. They packed up their
three children and made the long
journey to Texas and, as Holly put it,
came back home to their IBC family.
Another local church offered them
a temporary home for three months
until they were able to get on their
feet. And in the back of their minds,
they knew they needed to follow up
on the tumor.
We had no idea how to navigate the
healthcare system, Holly explains.

U.S Residents pay about $8,500 per

person annually for health care.

After having been away for so long

and not having insurance, we didnt
know where to turn.
When Alex visited the 2435 Kinwest Clinic, he was immediately
impressed by the care and concern
by not only the doctors but also the
entire clinic staff. After some testing,
Alexs initial results came back

I believe the reason I heard

that whisper to move back
to the States was to bring
us home to IBC and the
medical clinic.

negative again. But because the

clinic staff noticed other abnormalities, they recommended Alex see
a specialist.
2435s Clinic Director Charles
Pierce was instrumental in helping
guide the family through next steps.
We share this arduous process
with our patients, but its
a process that is doable,
says Charles. We get to sit
one-on-one with them and
help navigate through more
extensive medical care
options far and above
what we can provide at our
Wednesday clinic.
Charles recommended Alex
go to Parkland Hospital
and sign up for what was
called (at that time) Parkland Health Plus, a low-cost
health insurance plan to be
used within the Parkland
Health system for qualifying
patients who reside in Dallas County.
Once Alex got in to see the
specialist, they performed
surgery to remove the tumor.
This time, the news wasnt
encouraging: it was cancer
after all. Alex would need
yet another surgery to remove the rest of his thyroid.
Had it not been for the care
and diligence of the doctors
and staff at the 2435 Clinic,
we would never have known
how serious Alexs condition was and would not have
known we could get treatment at Parkland, Holly
says. It was because of
them that Alex got the care
and treatment he needed.
There are not only doctors
at the 2435 Clinic but also
licensed social workers to
help families like Alex and

Holly get the services they need

before, during and after surgery.
Whether for Alex or any of our
other patients, I stand convinced of
the good work God allows us to do
for the many folks who walk in our
doors, says Charles. The Clinic
is anchored in the process of good,
quality healthcare not just
treating symptoms.
Lauren Moussa, IBCs Director of
Global Partnerships, sees a sweet
full-circle element to the Olivas
story. For so many years, the Olivas
served and loved sacrificially on
the mission field, and the same IBC
family that supported and served
alongside them in Honduras was
also able to provide vital care as they
returned home.
Today, Alex is working part-time;
and, thanks to the diligence of the
clinic staff, on the road to recovery.
Holly is employed as a middle school
science teacher in the Frisco ISD
and their three children are adjusting to life in the U.S.
I know that God used the clinic and
Charles in an extraordinary way,
Holly says. I believe the reason I
heard that whisper to move back to
the States was to bring us home to
IBC and the medical clinic.
When a discovery team first looked
into starting a medical clinic at IBC,
they took a leap of faith not knowing
how many lives would be changed
and impacted. Since late 2010, over
2,800 patient visits have taken place
at the clinic, including the Olivas.
They built it and He did come.

Peggy Norton is busy celebrating

milestones Husband turning 60,
married for 30 years, son graduating from college, brother turning 50,
sister-in-law turning 50, Chatters
10-year anniversary (we added that
last one).
Peggy is a communications professional at a
global security company.

The Olivas with Clinic director, Charles Pierce

Ben Afeck and Matt Damon were

among the thousands of extras in the
Field of Dreams Fenway Park scene.

Chatter | 9

BE
RS
M
U
N
TH
E

BY

TAPESTRY &
EMPOWERED TO CONNECT
Irving Bible Church, through its ministries of Tapestry & Empowered To Connect, is impacting
parents across the U.S. and around the world. Here is a glimpse of that impact in 2014.

WHAT IS TAPESTRY?

Tapestry is the adoption and foster care

ministry of Irving Bible Church. We provide
a loving, supportive and authentic community that connects with, encourages, and
equips families along the adoption and
foster care journey.

WHAT IS EMPOWERED TO CONNECT?

Empowered to Connect is a set of parenting strategies created by Tapestrys Michael & Amy Monroe and
relies heavily on the Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) model developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and
her colleagues at the TCU Institute of Child Development. The training teaches and reinforces the fact that
we are made in the image of a loving, relational God who has created us to connect in relationship both
with him and with others. We empower parents with tools and strategies to effectively meet their childrens
needs, build trust, and help them heal and grow.

4 6,000+

CONFERENCES

Birmingham, St. Louis, Washington D.C.,

Dallas/Ft. Worth (at IBC)

3,860

Number of
parents taught
through Tapestry
events in 2014.

in total
attendance

TOP
TEN
CITIES
FROM
WHICH
ONLINE
CONTENT IS
ACCESSED

Number of people in the U.S. And Canada to whom the

April 2015 Empowered to Connect Conference was simulcast:

20,000+
Save the Date September 19

TAPESTRY TURNS 10
MORNING: Family Fun Day! Activities, food, and FREE entertainment for all ages.*
EVENING: Dinner Celebration. Come and celebrate a decade of ministry and hear

what Tapestry has planned for the next decade.

* We are looking for volunteers to help staff this event. Please contact Ryan North at rnorth@irvingbible.org.

Chatter | 10

In the U.S. 397,122 children are

living without permanent families
in the foster care system.

1. Houston
2. Austin
3. Dallas
4. Chicago
5. Fort Worth
6. San Antonio
7. Nashville
8. Sydney (Australia)
9. New York
10. Calgary (Canada)

Food as a
First Language
Every week, students gather at 2435 Kinwest
(IBCs Wednesday community night) for the ESL
and Citizenship classes in order to acclimate
to American culture and language. But some
things transcend it all. Like food. GOOD food.
We asked our ESL students what their favorite recipes are from their home countries. Try
them for a trip around the world.

BREAD KABAB (INDIA)

By Manpreet Kaur
Ingredients:

1 C red lentils
1 C rice
salt (to taste)
TBS turmeric
TBS gram masala
TBS coriander
chili (to taste)
TBS chaat masala
5 potatoes
bread ( loaf)

Instructions:

Soak red lentils and rice overnight. Then grind lentils and rice together
until the mixture becomes smooth. Add water if mixture is too thick.
Boil potatoes, then peel and mash them.
Mix together: gram masala, salt, turmeric, chili, and chaat masala.
Combine with the mashed potatoes.

CHEESECAKE WITH STRAWBERRIES

AND GLAZE (MEXICO)
By Isabel Gutierrez
Ingredients:

1 graham piecrust
1 8 oz bar of Philadelphia cream cheese
1 can of La Lechera (condensed milk)
3 eggs
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1 lime

Toppings:

strawberries
strawberry glaze (store-bought)

Mix all ingredients (except topping ingredients) in a blender.

Pour mixture into piecrust. Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes.
For topping: Cut fresh strawberries into small pieces and mix with strawberry glaze. Apply to the top of the cheesecake once its out of the oven.
Refrigerate cheesecake.

Take bread pieces, remove crust, then soak in water.

Press bread pieces with your fingers to remove extra water.

KALAKAND (INDIAN DESSERT)

Then take bread pieces and fill them with the potato mixture,
forming them into balls (kababs). Roll kebabs in lentil/rice mixture.

Prep time: 20 minutes

Deep fry.
Serve with ketchup or dipping sauce of your choice.
(Good for parties!)

by Kavita Sigh
Ingredients:

16 oz ricotta cheese
3 C nonfat dry milk powder
2 C sugar (Adjust accordingly to taste)
2 TBS unsalted butter
1 greased tray (grease with oil or butter)

Ingredients:

Mix all ingredients in a microwavable bowl. Microwave for 4 minutes.

Remove from microwave. Mix thoroughly. Microwave again for 3 minutes.
Mix thoroughly. Microwave again for 2 minutes. Mix thoroughly. Microwave again for 1 minute. Spread mixture on tray, cut into small square
pieces. Wait for bars to cool, then enjoy.
Early cheesecake can be
traced back to ancient Greece.
It was served to athletes at the
first Olympic Games!

Kalakand is traditionally made

in India during festivals and
celebrations.

Chatter | 11

Books Take A Bow

AT T OW N S E L L E L E M E N TA RY

900+
BOOKS DONATED

Chatter | 12

his year, IBC donated over

900 books to Townsell
Elementary School, providing a book for every student. What
you might not know is how hands-on
IBC is with the delivery itself. Turns
out, its a lot more than dropping off
a bunch of boxes.

Beth Horn, a former IBC staffer and

current SchoolWorks volunteer,
was instrumental in organizing
and producing the mad scientistbased show, putting on science
experiments related to Patience and
involving kids in discussion about
what it means to have character.

In addition to collecting and organizing books for Townsell, a team from

IBC holds an all-school assembly
on Character (this years focus:
Patience), where the entire student
body is divided into three groups and
attends an IBC-produced assembly
on-campus during the school day.
This past year, it was held the Friday
before Spring Break.

This was followed by SchoolWorks

director Lindsay Hamilton reading
an age-appropriate book aloud to
the assembly related to character
and patience.
At the end, classes were sent back to
their respective rooms with bags full
of books one for every child.

I am so thankful to be a part of a
ministry that meets students needs
in a very practical way a book
but what a difference it makes in
the lives of these students, says
Lindsay Hamilton.
Lindsay isnt the only one whos
grateful.
Here are just a few letters we got from
Townsell kids about their special day
and their special book. If you would
like more information about SchoolWorks, visit schoolworksdfw.com.

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

SchoolWorks is an IBC-sponsored coalition of

churches organized to support public schools.
Reading Buddies and Lunch Buddies meet weekly
with elementary and middle school students to
show the love of Jesus in a tangible way.

Sean Snowden with his buddy, Joseph

Beth Horn with her reading buddy, Alex

Texans are the least likely in the nation

to have their high school diplomas or
GEDs (according to Literacy Texas).

Patience and perseverance have a

magical effect before which difficulties
disappear and obstacles vanish.
John Quincy Adams

Chatter | 13

UPCOMING

June
JUNE 7

JUNE 14

JULY 1011

Baptism Orientation 12:30 p.m.

West C

Mission Lunch 12:30 p.m. West C

Conference for Single Moms

See ad, pg. 16.

Join Single Parents at IBC for the Survive N Thrive

If you are interested in becoming baptized, the first

conference in Oklahoma. Contact jerlenbusch@

step is this mandatory orientation. Register at irving-

irvingbible.org.

bible.org/baptism.

Tapestry Book Club 5 p.m.

JUNE 21
Tapestry Fostering Hope
Group 5 p.m.

JULY 11

Discipline (Siegal, Bryson). This book provides a

compassionate road map for disciplining children.

A support group for those involved in foster care, in-

Guy Stuff Event

The club is open to anyone who has completed

cluding those who are fostering, fostering-to-adopt,

Join other boys from single-parent homes and learn

either the Empowered to Connect Prepare or

or are considering foster care. Contact rnorth@

about surviving in nature by making simple hunting

Connect courses. Contact rnorth@irvingbible.org.

irvingbible.org with questions.

devices. Contact mtribbett@irvingbible.org.

JUNE 9

JUNE 22

JULY 12

Womens Summer Bible Study Begins

6:30 p.m.

Vacation Bible School 9 a.m.

Mercy Street 101 Lunch 12:30 p.m.

See ad, pg. 17.

See ad, pg. 16.

Tapestry is currently going through No-Drama

See ad. pg. 16.

July

Tapestry Created to Connect womens

discussion group begins 6:30 p.m.
For more info, contact Ryan at rnorth@irvingbible.org.

JULY 2

JULY 1317
High School Beach Camp
See ad, pg. 17.

JUNE 13

Recovery Eatin Meetin

If you have ever considered going to Recovery, July
2 would be a great night to do so. Contact jorman@

Writers Workshop 10 a.m.

Commons Annex

irvingbible.org.

Join a community of people honing their writing

skills. Contact Donna at doreilly@irvingbible.org.

JULY 913
Middle School Beach Camp
See ad, pg. 17.

Stay Connected with IBC

ON G OI NG

BIBLE COMMUNITIES

Groups on Sunday

Synergy

9 a.m. The Alcove

Multi-generational

MEALS

Stephen Ministry at IBC

One-on-one ministry for hurting

people. Contact stephenministry@
irvingbible.org or call (972) 560-4636.

Spousal Abuse Recovery

Contact kyeichner@irvingbible.org.

Crossroads

10:45 a.m. West C

Couples & Families late 20s to 40s

Journey

10:45 a.m. The Alcove

All Welcome

MARRIAGE

Growing Together
Marriage at IBC

Contact bmassey@irvingbible.org.

6 p.m. Town Square

Meals are $3 per person or $10 max./

family.

Small Group for Parents

6/7

Yummy pizza, breadsticks,

salad bar

SonShine Pals and Room

6/14

Fajita Madness, salad bar

6/21

Burgers and brats, chips,

salad bar

6/28

Giant baked potatoes with all

the fixins, salad bar

Wednesdays, 6:308:15 p.m.

Care during Sunday ministry.
Contact specialneeds@irvingbible.org.

STUDENTS

Middle/High School and College

Thrive

MEN

Renew

Fridays, 6:22 a.m. The Commons

Contact Nat at npugh@irvingbible.org.

Legacy Builders

Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.

Training Center
Contact brianarrington1@yahoo.com.

CHILDREN

Infants Through 5th Grade

Wednesday, 6:30 a.m.

Training Center
Contact bcope@huntoil.com.

Childrens Sunday Services

Visit irvingbible.org/men.

6:45 p.m. West A All Welcome

In His Image Bible Study

Pre-Marriage Mentoring

On Track

10:45 a.m. Training Center

All Welcome

Small Group for Moms

Sundays, 10:45 a.m.12 p.m.

SUNDAY
COMMUNITY MEALS

Visit irvingbible.org/marriage.

10:45 a.m. Conference Room

Single Parents
10:45 a.m. West D
Singles in their 30s & 40s

Community & Care

Sundays, 6:307:45 p.m

The Tree

9 a.m. West D
20s & 30s, married & young families

SPECIAL NEEDS

Community and Resources

First Watch

First Watch Replay

Middle School Sundays

Sundays 10:30 a.m.12:20 p.m.

Student Ministries area

All June meals hosted by the

Summer Team.
If youd like to serve on a Sunday
night meal team, contact Pat OReilly
at (214) 289-6176 or sundaynightmeal@irvingbible.org.

High School Sundays

Sundays, 6:458 p.m.

Student Ministries area

IBC College Ministry

Sundays, 3:30 p.m.

The Commons Annex
Contact college@irvingbible.org.

WEDNESDAY
MIDWEEK MEALS
56:20 P.M.

First Watch Xtra

9 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 5 p.m.

HOPE & HEALING

Community Care

Cancer Care Support Groups

Meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday.

Caregivers meet in West A; cancer
patients meet in the Mens Conference Room. Contact Sherri at ssharp@
irvingbible.org.

Abortion Recovery Counseling

Contact Kym at (972) 560-4632 or
kyeichner@irvingbible.org.

Recovery at IBC

Thursdays, 6:308:30 p.m.

West Wing Youth Lounge
A group for hurts, habits, and hangups.
irvingbible.org/recovery.

MISSION

The Living Grace Group

For those with mental illness. Contact

Heath at heathmurry@yahoo.com.

Family Grace Group

Every other Monday

through August 24
For families/caregivers of those with
mental illness. Contact Buzz Moody at
myrabuzz@gmail.com.

NAMI Family-to-Family Class

Contact Joey at joey@netbreezeinc.com or

Debra at eumoore@yahoo.com.

Community and Resources

6/3

Pizza, salad, dessert

Summer Study

6/10

Burgers, french fries, beans,

dessert

6/17

Chicken tenders with dip,

chips, veggies, salad, dessert

6/24

Lasagna, salad, breadsticks,

dessert

Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. The Commons

See ad, pg. 16.

Local and Global

Prayer Meeting

2nd and 4th Wednesdays

6:45-8 p.m. The Chapel

Laundry Love

First Saturday of the month

9 a.m.12 p.m.
Contact laundrylove@irvingbible.org.

YOUNG ADULTS
Events and Resources

Young Adults Summer Events

Check our Facebook page for up-todate fun activities this summer.

New Friends New Life

Serve Dinner to women healing from

exploitation in the commercial sex
industry every third Wednesday. Contact
Christine at newfriendsnewlife@irvingbible.org.

Shelter from the Storm

Sexual abuse support group. Contact

shelterfromthestormibc@gmail.com or
(214) 725-0898

WOMEN

SINGLE PARENT

Community and Resources

Sit with us on Sunday!

9 a.m. service, lowest right-hand section,

Rows 5 & 6, facing the stage. Visit irvingbible.org/singleparents.

Cost is $3/meal or $10 max./

family. PB&J sandwiches are
also available.

2435 KINWEST

Wednesday Nights at IBC

IBC Choir

Wednesdays, 78:30 p.m.

IBC Worship Center
Contact Crystal at
celwell@irvingbible.org.

ESL: English as a
Second Language

Wednesdays, 6:308:30 p.m.

AZ17, 18 and 19

Citizenship Class

Wednesdays, 6:308 p.m.

IBC Conference Room

IBC Career Transition Ministry

Wednesdays, 6:308 p.m.

Visit 2435kinwest.org.

Changes to the menu may be made

depending on food cost, availability,
and Bob Downeys whim.
If youd like to serve on a Wednesday
night meal team, please email bdowney@irvingbible.org.

NEXT STEPS FOR IBC

JUNE 14,12:30 2 P.M. IN WEST C/D

The word mission has a wide variety of meanings in

Christian circles. At IBC, we feel its important to let you
know what WE mean when we encourage our church family to join the mission. Let us buy you lunch as Mission
Pastor Brent McKinney leads an interactive discussion
on what mission looks like at IBC and how we can take the
next step towards it.
RSVP to smiller@irvingbible.org.

T H I S S U M M E R AT W O M E N S B I B L E S T U DY:

101
Mercy Street

FIGHT BACK WITH JOY

by Margaret Feinberg

What if joy is better than you imagined? The cherished virtue has been wrapped in clichs, stamped
on coffee mugs, and sewn onto decorative pillows.
Fight Back With Joy declares that joy is more than
whimsyits a weapon we can use to fight lifes
greatest battles. Join us for this six-week Bible study
where together well learn that no matter our circumstances, we can practice defiant joy.

J U LY 1 2 , 1 2 : 3 0 P. M .

Come join Mission at IBC for a special lunch where youll

hear about the work Mercy Street is doing in West Dallas.
Mercy Street mentors at-risk kids in the West Dallas neighborhood, and is a long-time IBC partner. Join us for a free
lunch and find out how to get involved!
Please RSVP (and direct all questions) to Shannon at smiller@irvingbible.org.

DATE: Tuesday, June 9

July 21 (not meeting June
23 due to VBS)

For more information

and to register visit
irvingbible.org/women.

TIME: 6:308:30 p.m.

KidZone registration is also

available at a cost of $10
per child, with a family max
of $30 (the fee covers all
six weeks of Bible study).
Registration closes on
June 2 at noon.

LOCATION:

The Commons, IBC

COST: $15
(includes workbook)

Chatter | 17

This summer, kids will go on an icy

expedition to the slopes of Mount
Everest where theyll discover they
can conquer challenges with Gods
mighty power! Kids will be anchored in
rock-solid truths that will guide them
through lifes hard times.
Register: irvingbible.org/vbs
Cost: $30 (family discounts and scholarships
available)
Volunteer info: Ready to embrace the expedition
challenge? Cool. We have a place on the team
for you!
Questions? Contact Melody at
mparlett@irvingbible.org.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

JULY 913
GULF SHORES BEACH, AL

REGISTRATION: $420

HIGH SCHOOL

JULY 13-17
GULF SHORES BEACH, AL

Join other middle school students for a week of

fun, friendships and time to grow in your relationship with God. This years theme is: Own It! Come
learn what it means to own your faith and learn
practical steps for walking with God every day.
Passionate, well-equipped high school students
will bring special worship music and large-group
teaching during the week.

Its almost time to taste the salty air and dig your
feet in the sand! Join guest speaker David McNeely
for an incredible week on the beach where youll
learn what it means to really own your faith, and get
practical tips for following God in day-to-day life.
REGISTRATION: $420

REGISTER AT IRVINGBIBLE.ORG/STUDENTS

HOW DO I GIVE?
My Time, Talents & Skills

HOW DO I GET
CONNECTED AT IBC?

Find Your Spot

Each Sunday, IBC helps about 800 kids grow in
Christ and connect in community. We are in need of
people of all ages to invest in the next generation
of nursery, preschool, and elementary kids. We have
opportunities for all skill sets. Contact Melody at
mparlett@irvingbible.org.

Were glad you asked. Here are the steps to take for
having your questions answered, guring out the
IBC story, and, if youre feeling ready, plugging in.

Family Promise Day Center Volunteers

The FP Day Center is where the adults go to develop a plan for housing and jobs while their kids are
in school. If you could give a few hours a week or a
month to spend helping at the Day Center, contact
Merlyn at (469) 586-5374, or ma-n-me@msn.com.

Start

JOIN IN WORSHIP

Meal Team Volunteers

IBC makes meals available both Sunday and
Wednesday nights. These fun teams could use
some additional volunteers to serve together. For
Sundays, contact sundaynightmeal@irvingbible.org.
For Wednesdays, contact bdowney@irvingbible.org.

So you found the address, a place to park, and a breath

mint on the way in. Good work! If youre reading this,
youve probably already taken the first step attending a
worship service. This is the first and most important place
to start, so keep coming. Become a regular. Make sure to
fill out a Newcomer Card. Tell us a little about yourself and
let us know how we can engage with you. Somebody will
reach out to you this week. Visit irvingbible.org/connect.

Medical Professionals Needed

Our weekly medical clinic needs professional health
care providers (MD, PA, FNP) to provide treatment
for our patients. Volunteers serve on a rotating
basis and do not need to serve every week. Contact
Charles at cpierce@2435clinic.org.
Mentor Kids in Single-Parent Families
Men and women are needed for gender-specific
mentoring of children from single-parent families.
Contact Marsha at mtribbett@irvingbible.org.
New Friends New Life
Serve dinner to women healing from exploitation in
the commercial sex industry every third Wednesday.
Please contact Christine at newfriendsnewlife@
irvingbible.org.
Senior Citizen Volunteers
Do you have a heart for our assisted living neighbors? Mac Arthur Hills and Ashford Hall need loving
volunteers and visitors for those who dont have
family nearby. For more info contact Mike at
seniorcare@irvingbible.org.

CHECK OUT THE NEWCOMER GATHERING

So youre kicking the IBC tires? Good! Were so glad youre
here. The Newcomer Gathering is a great opportunity to
meet church leadership, learn what IBC is all about, and
connect with other newbies in a fun, relaxed environment.
Next Newcomer Gathering: August 27

SIGN UP FOR PROPEL

All right! Youre feeling the IBC vibe and want to see where
you might get involved. Propel is a 4-week class that explores
the IBC calling and culture, and how your unique personality
and passions fit in. Meet many of our pastors and directors of
ministries at IBC. Next Propel: September 20

Visitor Follow-Up Team

(Rex Greenstreet Ministry)
We are looking for a volunteer to make calls or
send welcome emails (or both) to new visitors from
IBC. Training and coaching will be provided.
Contact Sherri at ssharp@irvingbible.org.

JOIN A COMMUNITY
Youre firing on all cylinders but something is missing. And
that something is a someone, or a group of someones.
Enter sermon-based Small Groups, Womens Bible Study,
First Watch, and more. We encourage you to find a group
and connect authentically with others.
Visit irvingbible.org/adults.

My Resources
Online Giving Option
If you would find it more convenient to donate to
the ministries of Irving Bible Church online, visit
irvingbible.org/give.

FIND A PLACE TO SERVE

Youve come a long way since that first breath mint. Youve
been busy worshipping, learning, relating, and committing.
And its at this point that you might start looking around
at all the people who help create those events ushers,
greeters, meal team members, table hosts, small group
leaders, and the like. Your next step now is to join them!
Consider your passions, talents and spiritual gifts and then
ask about a place to serve. Visit irvingbible.org/serve.

FOR MORE INFO, VISIT IRVINGBIBLE.ORG/CONNECT OR LOOK

FOR THE NEWCOMER GUIDES AT THE INFORMATION DESK.

Chatter | 18

Rex is the name of the green plastic dinosaur

with an anxiety problem in Toy Story. (Tiny
arms tend to have that effect.)

HITCHHIKING ALONG
THE ROMANS ROAD

have three kids. My wife also has three kids. They are as far as we can
tell the same kids, despite their predilections for pulling rather convincing Jekyll-and-Hyde acts depending on which one of us is presently
crushing their tiny, obstinate wills into submission. I mean, lovingly explaining the errors of their ways through helpful Bible-or-VeggieTales-based
illustrations involving poorly glued dowel rods, cotton balls and felt.

According to the objective standard set forth nearly sixty years ago by Hugh
Ward Beaumont on Leave it to Beaver, our offspring qualify for the nebulous title of good kids. But, despite their collective tilting towards Wally and
away from Eddie Haskell, we dont want our kids to be relatively good. We
want them to be wholly sanctified. And so, a couple of weeks ago, I determined
to speak with my two eldest scions, Gideon and Charlotte, both 7 years old, and
hopefully help them stumble down the Romans Road to born againism. Obviously, I needed a tract.
I joke, of course, because thats what I do in uncomfortable situations, which,
as it turns out, is pretty much my entire life. I did not need a tract. But thinking about needing a tract took me back to my own youthful days of nascent
discipleship, which soon turned into a greatest hits list of evangelical proselytizing clichs. Like the aforementioned tract. For those not prone to touching
anything that doesnt come with a two-year commitment and tons of hidden
fees, a gospel tract is basically a tiny brochure explaining the, um, gospel. Usually printed on wafer-thin paper in just two colors (black and red), and often
with artwork created circa 1935. Theyd probably work great with todays
hipsterati as a kind of retro pastiche.
So, I didnt need a tract. But did I need to use the verbiage I once embraced as
an eight-year-old? Did I need to update my salvation sales pitch to incorporate
more contemporary clichs of the conversion process? Could I put off the actual conversations by crafting more cunning creations of abysmal alliteration?
Yea verily, I could. But I did not.

Happily, as you probably guessed, both Gideon and Charlotte chose to follow
Jesus and accept his gift. I assume its because of my wifes great example of
Christian living. I also realize that this conversation may happen more than
once in the future. Especially once the question of Santa Claus is resolved.
When Gideon and Charlotte were still in their cribs and sharing a room,
neither one was terribly excited about having the lights turned off at bedtime.
Never mind the blue glow of the Tot Clock or a ceiling full of blue and green
stars shining from their Bedtime Buddies if the main room light wasnt
cranked to 11 (they were precocious with their comedy), they wanted no part
of it. So, to calm their nerves with something besides Yanni and cigarettes, we
used to recite a little call-and-response before leaving them to their dreams:
ME Dont get up until the clock is?
G&C Yellow!
ME Im going to turn off the lights and its going to be?
G&C Dark!
ME And the dark is?
G&C Okay!
ME Because?
G&C We all sleep in the dark!

Well kiddos, you may still sleep in the dark, but now and forever you will walk
in the light. And youve made your Daddy exceptionally happy and almost
almost jokeless.
Jason Fox has something in his eye.
Jason writes from Omaha, Nebraska, because why wouldnt he?

I decided that Gideon and Charlotte did not need to be told that not only was
I going to love on them, but that Jesus himself would come alongside them
and love on them, too. Or that they needed to ask Jesus into their hearts to be
their personal Lord and Savior. I didnt recite Footprints. I didnt ask them
to recite the Sinners Prayer. I didnt steer them off the Highway to Hell and
onto the Romans Road, or even the lesser known 2 Timothy Tollway. Not that
theres anything inherently wrong in any of the above. But, as you can probably
guess, my kids are subject to enough wordplay and strange speech from Daddy
that its somewhat hard for them to tell when Im being serious and when Im
just making stuff up. Wisely, they typically assume the latter.
So, I just talked to them. One-on-one and a day apart (they share so much as
twins, I wanted them to have these moments for their own). They both already
knew the basics as the topic of Christ is not a foreign one in our house, nor, we
hope, in their Sunday school classes. I explained in a way that I hoped was
simple yet not condescending the reasons for both Christs love and sacrifice
and why acknowledging that God exists is neither the same as repentance nor
choosing to be a follower. And I invited them to join the family. I offered no
bribes. I told them they didnt have to decide right then. And I certainly didnt
ask a couple of first graders that, if they died that night, would they know where
they would spend eternity. If theyd been eight, well, the gloves wouldve come off.
If you really left it to beaver, it
would no doubt end up wet
and hiding in a lodge.

Identical twins supposedly

have identical DNA yet do
not have identical finger prints.

Chatter | 19

Grasping the true usefulness of Chatter, Victoria

Andrews, Lindsey Sobolik and Shannon Miller
employ it to keep a recently rescued baby bird all
warm and cozy. Its not just for reading, people.

Chatteryou CAN take it with you. Send us

your Chatter photos on location, and you may
see yourself in an upcoming issue. Email us
at chatter@irvingbible.org.