A few hours before we rang in the new year, many friends shared heart level desires for how they wanted to surrender to Jesus in 2016. One attendee, Alison Elliott, shared, “use His giftings, He has placed in my life, more for His glory.” We all turned around to the Koinonia wall, that she had recently completed in the community house, and someone said, “looks like you are off to a good start!” Everyone laughed and celebrated how her artistic gifts are displayed for all to enjoy and remember.
Many visitors to the Grace Klein Community house will never know she painted the mural on the wall, that she prayed through every word and wrote specific scriptures behind every board. Alison created that wall as a visual representation to represent a living, breathing, and moving, deep fellowship of the Body of Christ that we call community. As she saw the finished product, she thanked God for the journey to right then and the adventure that awaits all of us around life’s bends.
Alison is the wife of Scott and the mother of Erin and Micah. She’s the bread fetcher on Tuesdays and the Taco Wednesdays host. She makes the yummiest guacamole you’ve ever tasted. She paints for our BeMoreRandom store and creates works of art on cardboard. Alison can hear an idea and create a visual that captures hearts. The scripture painting ministers deeply to the souls of community members as she prays for inspiration and gets to it. She has also started creating bookmarks that speak encouragement and truth.
Another way Alison contributes to the community is spending time with its members. She enjoys serving with others for the weekly bread donation pickup, inviting single women over to her home for fellowship, stopping by a friend’s home to share a hug or prayer, or hosting cookouts and game nights. She desires to hear the hearts of the body and to be an encourager. Recently, a friend gave her a shirt that says, “Be Barnabas” and it perfectly depicts her way of life. She even maintains a blog under barnabasgirl.blogspot.com where she shares her heart, pain and God lessons to encourage readers.
When Alison’s husband, Scott, left the corporate world to work at a non-profit, she knew the faith ride would impact their entire family. She was excited to trust Jesus as they would be raising his salary as missionary support. The first year transition has been stretching for their family. Many people they thought would give haven’t and some they never imagined giving have. She has learned to reduce her grocery bill and eating out budget. Her shopping excursions are less and going out for ice cream is a treat. They no longer have cable and their transportation looks different. She spends more time investing in people and less time with errands and extras. Alison did not know what the following would cost her family, but she chose not to panic and bravely take the next step, and then the next one. She’s still learning the joy of surrendering the unknown to a very present Father, trusting Him for the fees for school band, the unexpected vet bill, a chronic eye infection, and gifts for the kiddos for Christmas. As you pray for this staff family, consider sending a one-time or monthly support towards the Elliott family to help them stay fully funded.
Alison can often be found for a visit at Monday night prayer nights, family fun nights and community events. Her favorite event is our annual camping week at Oak Mountain. Sign up to join us one night the week around the Memorial Day holiday. She would love hearing your story and sharing hers. Some of the reasons she enjoys this community getaway is the intentional conversation, shared meals and watching the kids ride bikes, swim and have fun.
As Alison spends her life seeking to “Be Barnabas,” let’s follow her example and demonstrate our own creative ways to share encouragement to those we meet. Our gifts and abilities are for His glory, so let’s pull them out of the closet, basement and attic, or wherever else we have them hiding, stop the hoarding, and share away!
A few hours before we rang in the new year, many friends shared heart level desires for how they wanted to surrender to Jesus in 2016. One attendee, Alison Elliott, shared, “use His giftings, He has placed in my life, more for His glory.” We all turned around to the Koinonia wall, that she had recently completed in the community house, and someone said, “looks like you are off to a good start!” Everyone laughed and celebrated how her artistic gifts are displayed for all to enjoy and remember.
Many visitors to the Grace Klein Community house will never know she painted the mural on the wall, that she prayed through every word and wrote specific scriptures behind every board. Alison created that wall as a visual representation to represent a living, breathing, and moving, deep fellowship of the Body of Christ that we call community. As she saw the finished product, she thanked God for the journey to right then and the adventure that awaits all of us around life’s bends.
Alison is the wife of Scott and the mother of Erin and Micah. She’s the bread fetcher on Tuesdays and the Taco Wednesdays host. She makes the yummiest guacamole you’ve ever tasted. She paints for our BeMoreRandom store and creates works of art on cardboard. Alison can hear an idea and create a visual that captures hearts. The scripture painting ministers deeply to the souls of community members as she prays for inspiration and gets to it. She has also started creating bookmarks that speak encouragement and truth.
Another way Alison contributes to the community is spending time with its members. She enjoys serving with others for the weekly bread donation pickup, inviting single women over to her home for fellowship, stopping by a friend’s home to share a hug or prayer, or hosting cookouts and game nights. She desires to hear the hearts of the body and to be an encourager. Recently, a friend gave her a shirt that says, “Be Barnabas” and it perfectly depicts her way of life. She even maintains a blog under barnabasgirl.blogspot.com where she shares her heart, pain and God lessons to encourage readers.
When Alison’s husband, Scott, left the corporate world to work at a non-profit, she knew the faith ride would impact their entire family. She was excited to trust Jesus as they would be raising his salary as missionary support. The first year transition has been stretching for their family. Many people they thought would give haven’t and some they never imagined giving have. She has learned to reduce her grocery bill and eating out budget. Her shopping excursions are less and going out for ice cream is a treat. They no longer have cable and their transportation looks different. She spends more time investing in people and less time with errands and extras. Alison did not know what the following would cost her family, but she chose not to panic and bravely take the next step, and then the next one. She’s still learning the joy of surrendering the unknown to a very present Father, trusting Him for the fees for school band, the unexpected vet bill, a chronic eye infection, and gifts for the kiddos for Christmas. As you pray for this staff family, consider sending a one-time or monthly support towards the Elliott family to help them stay fully funded.
Alison can often be found for a visit at Monday night prayer nights, family fun nights and community events. Her favorite event is our annual camping week at Oak Mountain. Sign up to join us one night the week around the Memorial Day holiday. She would love hearing your story and sharing hers. Some of the reasons she enjoys this community getaway is the intentional conversation, shared meals and watching the kids ride bikes, swim and have fun.
As Alison spends her life seeking to “Be Barnabas,” let’s follow her example and demonstrate our own creative ways to share encouragement to those we meet. Our gifts and abilities are for His glory, so let’s pull them out of the closet, basement and attic, or wherever else we have them hiding, stop the hoarding, and share away!
Many visitors to the Grace Klein Community house will never know she painted the mural on the wall, that she prayed through every word and wrote specific scriptures behind every board. Alison created that wall as a visual representation to represent a living, breathing, and moving, deep fellowship of the Body of Christ that we call community. As she saw the finished product, she thanked God for the journey to right then and the adventure that awaits all of us around life’s bends.
Another way Alison contributes to the community is spending time with its members. She enjoys serving with others for the weekly bread donation pickup, inviting single women over to her home for fellowship, stopping by a friend’s home to share a hug or prayer, or hosting cookouts and game nights. She desires to hear the hearts of the body and to be an encourager. Recently, a friend gave her a shirt that says, “Be Barnabas” and it perfectly depicts her way of life. She even maintains a blog under barnabasgirl.blogspot.com where she shares her heart, pain and God lessons to encourage readers.
When Alison’s husband, Scott, left the corporate world to work at a non-profit, she knew the faith ride would impact their entire family. She was excited to trust Jesus as they would be raising his salary as missionary support. The first year transition has been stretching for their family. Many people they thought would give haven’t and some they never imagined giving have. She has learned to reduce her grocery bill and eating out budget. Her shopping excursions are less and going out for ice cream is a treat. They no longer have cable and their transportation looks different. She spends more time investing in people and less time with errands and extras. Alison did not know what the following would cost her family, but she chose not to panic and bravely take the next step, and then the next one. She’s still learning the joy of surrendering the unknown to a very present Father, trusting Him for the fees for school band, the unexpected vet bill, a chronic eye infection, and gifts for the kiddos for Christmas. As you pray for this staff family, consider sending a one-time or monthly support towards the Elliott family to help them stay fully funded.
Alison can often be found for a visit at Monday night prayer nights, family fun nights and community events. Her favorite event is our annual camping week at Oak Mountain. Sign up to join us one night the week around the Memorial Day holiday. She would love hearing your story and sharing hers. Some of the reasons she enjoys this community getaway is the intentional conversation, shared meals and watching the kids ride bikes, swim and have fun.