September 2026
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Learning the Bible and Reaching the World
For just over a year, a dozen of us have been meeting together and going through the ABCs for Christian Growth workbook. We are on lesson Q – Questions and have about six months left. By the time we finish, my group of mostly singles will have learned many of the core doctrines of the Bible. They will have a good, solid foundation under them.
Like every ABCs group before them, each person is being challenged to take the workbook and disciple someone else in their life. Of all the things I get to do in ministry, this is one of my favorite parts. There is something special about watching people grow in God’s Word and then help someone else grow too.
Just as we did in 2024, we encouraged this group to consider going on a mission trip when the studies are finished. We talked about several countries and places we could go to, but we kept coming back to Germany and Switzerland. That is where we took a previous Bible study group in 2024, and it was such a meaningful and powerful time.
We are excited to begin planning another trip to Germany and Switzerland in April 2027. Meetings have already taken place, deposits have been handed in, and we are watching airline ticket prices. Our goal is to spend a full week there. It appears that at least twelve people will go with us, including two young women from New Beginnings Homestead.
Letting Go and Trusting God
We also want to share a short update about our office and land needs. We have prayed many times about buying the property next door. We even made an offer, but our neighbors are not willing to sell at this time. Because of this, we have let go of the idea of buying that land and building a new office next to the ministry.
It now seems that we need to look somewhere else for property. The fire chief has asked us to move our offices out of Apartment A, where we have been located since January. He does not want commercial and residential use mixed together. We are meeting with him and working through the details, and we are thankful that he is willing to work with us.
We do not fully understand why the Lord has not opened a door yet. Perhaps He wanted us to come to the place where we would fully let go of our own plans and trust Him. We would be very thankful for your continued prayers.
Letter from a SonLight Club Student
Dear Friend,
Thank you for putting an effort to send so much for us, and thank you for giving me an extra mile page to get points faster and for all the prizes you gave to me.
You know you said you would like to hear about it when I turn a child to a Christian. Well I turned my sister, Miriam Rose to a Christian. Well, one day a while ago I was sitting on the couch reading a book and Miriam Rose came over to me and passed a book over to me that she had been reading and said it was about this boy. It says he sure changed since he had become a Christian. I laughed a little then said he asked Jesus to come into his heart then he became a Christian.
Then I asked do you want to become one to. She nodded her head and said yes. Then I went and got my papers which had the prayer and the five steps. I knew a locust grove beside the woods where it was peaceful. First I gave her the papers with the five steps and told her to read them to herself and then I prayed in my heart to God to make her understand what it meant. She knew everything but the words which I had tell to her what they meant.
Then I told her to pray this prayer. I handed the paper with the prayer on and she said it. And it was not so hard as I figured it would be. I hope the next Sonlight Club will be here soon.
Your Student,
Ethan
Marion's Testimony
Marion grew up Amish in a large family where life was often filled with chaos and responsibility. From a young age, she learned to suppress her emotions in an effort to help maintain peace in the home. As a teenager, she fell in with the wrong crowd and made choices that brought difficulties into her life. Eventually, she moved in with some non-Amish relatives, where the freedoms and lifestyle she experienced began to appeal to her deeply.
Through a series of circumstances, Marion came to New Beginnings Homestead and ultimately made the difficult decision to leave the Amish. One of the hardest parts of that decision has been missing her siblings and no longer being able to see them whenever she wants. Yet amid the heartache, Marion says the greatest blessing has been finding a true relationship with Jesus Christ.
Growing up, there was little discussion about who God truly is, and although she considered joining the Amish church, she carried many unanswered questions she was not allowed to ask. After meeting her boyfriend, he shared the Gospel with her and introduced her to the truth that salvation cannot be earned. One evening in October, shortly after moving to NBH, Marion was reading her Bible and began praying, asking God to come into her life and save her. She says an indescribable peace washed over her that night.
Today, Marion rejoices in the freedom she has found in Christ. “There is so much freedom knowing I don’t have to earn my way to heaven!” she says. During her time at NBH, she has learned she can trust God fully and speak to Him anytime, anywhere. Through regular Bible studies with Joe Keim and the loving support of the staff, Marion says she has felt deeply cared for and encouraged in her faith.
In just six months at NBH, Marion earned her driver’s license, gained computer skills, participated in life skills classes, and found great joy working in the MAP office. She especially enjoys being part of the ministry team and considers her job one of her greatest accomplishments so far.
Looking ahead, Marion plans to be married soon and is excited for what God has in store for her future. Her encouragement to anyone considering leaving the Amish is simple but heartfelt: “Don’t go with what other Amish people tell you because I was told that if I left the Amish I would go to hell. Pray about it and ask God what you should do.”