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Discipleship Essentialsby Brady Ball

Ministry leadership is one of the roles offered to themen of Grace Evangelical Church. I began six years agoas a deacon, moving into Men’s Ministry, and now focus-ing on a men’s and young men’s discipleship group namedafter the first book we began to study, entitled DiscipleshipEssentials.

I want to take your focus to what led me to where someof the men and I are in discipling and learning to be disci-plers. First, I want all men to think back to who discipledthem and how they compare to that person now.

For me, for the most part, it was my first youth leaderDavid Barr and my mother. I was very stubborn and thoughtI knew myself as a Christian and what I needed to do. Iknow now I was young in age and a lukewarm Christian.Eleven years ago, when my family began attending Grace,I was oblivious to the fact that I was still a young Christian.At that time, I was awakened by a close friend and the manwho is now my “accountability buddy.” My sons were lessthan a year old and he said to me, “Do you know that youare responsible for leading your boys to salvation, leadingthem to Christ? You only need to lead them, not make themaccept Christ and become saved.”

That statement hit me like a ton of bricks and sent mymind into a spin that I was not able to recover from for manydays. After prayer and deep thought, the first thing I consid-ered is that I don’t really know as much as I think I do and Ifelt ill-equipped at this point in my life to lead as a Christian.

I shifted into high gear and began to read Scripture,books, stories about Paul’s travels, and as much as I couldabout who Christ, the man, was. Guess what I found out?I found out that everything I thought I needed to brush up onor find out more about I’d been taught already. I knew it!What I really found out was that I was completely unaware

on HOW to disciple. Think about it, we commonly only needto worry about ourselves as young Christians and spendmost of our time thinking about what can “I” get out of it.We think about “How can I get right with God?” and spendlittle time working through those real and deeply hiddenstruggles with other Christians.

I want you to reread that last sentence, and then thinkabout how many times you have listened to a messagebeing preached and have said something like, “That willhelp my buddy out, I need to go to that buddy and talk tohim about this and lift him or her up to God.” We take God’sWord into us, and for most of us, it stays inside of us and isnever released or passed on to others.

I realized that I had to change my way of thinking andconsider how I applied what I had learned to others in theirwalk as new or young Christians. My sticking point was thatI was ashamed and also embarrassed by the person that Ionce was. Although saved, I was not closely walking withHim and didn't consult Him about decisions. In trying to fig-ure out how to lead my kids, I realized that I was alwaysgoing back to not wanting my children to fall into the way Ilived, and the trappings I fell for. I knew then that my armorwas almost nonexistent when I was their age, as it is for

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317-859-8008www.indygrace.org

September, 2016

GRACEand Truth

For the law was given through Moses, but GRACE AND TRUTH came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

“… At some point men need tobe sitting down with youngermen, younger Christians, andpassing on knowledge, makingthat lifelong connection.

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September, 2016 GRACE aanndd TTrruutthh

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Leadership SpotlightRYAN STEENBURG, Pastor/Elder

by Jennifer WilkersonAttend Grace on al-

most any Sunday andyou’ll see a friendly, be-spectacled guy sporting amilitary haircut with sev-eral small children stayingclose by his side. In theshort time he’s been amember (a little over ayear), he has exhorted allof us at Grace to walkcloser with the Lord.

Let’s get to know thiselder of the month!

The middle child of three growing up in a pastor’s home,Ryan Steenburg was born and raised in Philadelphia andwas saved as a teen. It was evident that he had both an ath-letic and an artsy side as he participated in football, wrestling,and track and field while either acting in or directing severalplays. In high school he was intrigued with the prospect oftravel – and ended up being an exchange student to Japanhis junior year where he achieved a black belt in Judo!

When choosing a college major, he knew he wanted towork with kids and decided on an elementary educationmajor that allowed him to also have a major and a minor.Choosing Japanese and Theater reflected his interests at thetime, and having served as a chaplain in high school “set thestage” for future ministry.

The next few years would see Ryan gaining experienceinstructing different age groups of children, and it was thenthat he first felt the Lord leading him into ministry. He alsobegan his military career by joining the Texas Army NationalGuard as a field artillery forward observer. And 2003 wouldbring one of the most important days in his and college friendKristen Trudel’s lives – their wedding day!

After more teaching experience, Ryan became a studenthimself, and earned a Master of Divinity degree. While con-tinuing to serve in the Texas Army National Guard, he as-sumed a new position which would prove to be a long termpursuit – that of a chaplain, and in the same year he and Kris-ten began to not only teach but nurture and lead the mostimportant “class” of children they would ever encounter –their own! And he founded a new ministry … one called, ap-propriately enough, “Daddy Discipleship.”

An associate pastor position and a Doctorate of Philos-

ophy in Family Ministry followed. After achieving this degree,Ryan was equipped to serve in even more roles, includingsome in the literary world that included being associate edi-tor of the Journal for Family Discipleship, teaching classesfor Liberty University and the Southern Baptist TheologicalSeminary, and being published in several books. In the midstof all these pursuits came 2013, when he put all of them onhold temporarily to don a hat (actually, a helmet!) of a verydifferent kind as he was deployed to Jordan for most of theyear while anticipating the birth of child number six!

At what time did the call to be a pastor happen?“Throughout my seminary training God continued to reveal tome the place He wanted me in ministry. I garnered experi-ence in the church as well as para-church ministries and ul-timately God pointed to the pulpit and said, ‘Go!’”

As we already know, this multitasking individual becameour “Pastor Ryan” last June.

Our new leader fondly remembers …“God called us toGrace in the winter of 2015. As much as the process atGrace seemed to take longer, we knew as we prayed for theprocess and for the people at Grace that this is where Godwanted our family. After a lot of time of seeking the Lord’s di-rection for the next step for our family, we felt God’s leadingand confirmation to come to Grace!”

Pastor Ryan remains in the Army National Guard, nowserving for the state of Kentucky since moving there in 2008,but limiting his time spent there to focus on the family atGrace.

His role? “I get to minister to soldiers and their familiesthrough counseling, providing worship services, keeping thecommand informed about the soldiers’ morale, and helpingthem in whatever ways they think the chaplain can.”

A bit about the Steenburg clan…Kristen, a teacher in the elementary age classroom her-

self for several years, now stays home with her very ownbrood – some that are already her students! She enjoysneedlework when time permits but devotes most of her en-ergies to homemaking. Reading light Christian fiction, watch-ing sunsets and being at the beach delight her, and shecherishes time with good friends and playing “peek-a-boo”with the very young people in her life.

Daughter Caitlyn was born in January of 2007 and is anavid reader and loves learning to cook and bake.

Wes was born in March of 2008 and enjoys readingGarfield and playing with Legos. He also enjoys wrestlingwith Josh.

Anabelle is this family’s Veteran’s Day baby, born on No-vember 11, 2009. She is quite artistic and loves to dance andsing, even if the song is just on her heart.

Mikayla is their petite little girl who was born in May of2011. She loves to run and play but is always available tocurl up and cuddle.

Josh was born during Pastor Ryan’s deployment to Jor-dan. He spent his first week in the NICU and happened tobe there over Mother’s Day. He is tough and yet bouncesaround like a kangaroo.

GRACE AND TRUTH Newsletter Editors:Jennifer Wilkerson

and Janet Simpson . . . . . . . . . . . . . newsletter@indygrace.orgGrace Evangelical Church Office Staff:W. Ryan Steenburg, Senior Pastor . . . . . . . . . ryan@indygrace.orgDick Witmer, Pastor to Seniors, Emeritus . . . . . dick@indygrace.orgDonna Huff, Financial Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . donna@indygrace.orgKeli Handy, Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . keli@indygrace.org

Ryan and Kristen Steenburg

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The old downtown Wheeler Missions building at thecorner of New York and Delaware is a familiar sight to a lotof people. It shelters and feeds homeless men. ButWheeler Mission Ministries does much more than that byoffering Christ-centered programs and services for thehomeless in Indiana. It is a non-denominational, Christian,social services organization which provides for the needy inIndiana without regard to race, color, sexual orientation,creed, national origin, or religion.

Founded in 1893, Wheeler is the oldest continuouslyoperating ministry of its kind in the state of Indiana. Withnine locations, dozens of ministries, a budget of $9.5 mil-lion, and about 135 employees, Wheeler is also the largestand most diverse ministry of its kind in the state.

Listed here are some of the programs Wheeler offers.The Addiction Recovery Program for Men is a long-

term, residential addiction recovery and regeneration pro-gram for men. Support counseling for families is providedfor on weekends.

The Men’s Residential Center provides shelter, meals,

and case management for men in non-addiction programsand those beginning and ending the Men’s Addiction Re-covery Program.

The Center for Women and Children provides for thephysical, emotional, education, vocational, and spiritualneeds of homeless women and mothers with children. Italso provides long-term, case-managed, residential pro-grams to help women live self-sufficient and healthy lives.

In addition, Higher Ground Addiction Recovery Pro-gram for Women is a long-term, residential addiction re-covery and regeneration program for women whichincludes some counseling for their families.

The budget of the Missions Committee operates solelyfrom designated giving, and not from the general offering.In order to support the Grace Evangelical Missions out-reach, you need to mark your offering envelope with thespecific amount you wish to go to MISSIONS. God hasrichly blessed our church and the missions giving has al-ways been very good. Please join with us in making certainthat you designate a portion of your giving to MISSIONS.

Third QuarterSunday ClassThis summer there is a sin-

gle DiscipleLIFE class whichstarted July 3rd and continues

through September. It’s a 12 week study of FrancisChan’s We Are Church and explores who God is andwhat the church ought to be like. Each week there willbe a 15 minute video, a time of instruction and reflec-tion questions for smaller groups or individual house-holds. This class will meet on Sundays in thesanctuary at 9:00 a.m.

GRACE

Disciple LIFE

Jordan Rain was their post-deployment baby whoearned her name because of where he was deployed and

the fact that it did not rainthe entire time he wasthere.

This animated familyis eagerly anticipatingSteenburg number sevenwho is due on August26th, and all brothers andsisters have cast theirvotes regarding a name.

Pastor Ryan loves tointeract with his youngfamily, whether teachingor just having fun. Theyenjoy reading, playingoutside, board and cardgames, and watchingmovies. Most important isdaily Scripture readingand memorization, and

prayer for many that they know. Basic doctrine is taught in aquestion and answer format, and this joyful household fre-quently breaks into songs of praise.

More about Pastor Ryan’s “eldership” …Some of his areas of oversight are (of course!) preach-

ing and teaching. Others include Home Groups and Men’sMinistries. He enthusiastically describes these two opportu-nities and ways to serve:

“Home Groups are a great way to be involved in the bodywhile also getting to know others on a more intimate level. Ithink these settings provide for great avenues of discipleshipfor individuals of all ages. You can easily be involved in a

Home Group by attending one that fits your schedule or isclose to your home. You can also be involved in leading oneif you are a member.”

“The Men’s Ministry has a handful of consistent activitiesthat are organized and conducted by groups of volunteer menin the church. We have a men’s breakfast every other month,an annual retreat, and some small discipleship groupsthroughout the week. All of these are areas you can be in-volved in from a participation standpoint to a volunteer, andpossibly a leadership standpoint. My immediate heart is in thediscipleship groups. These are the more regular meetings ofmen that will provide the platform for the men’s breakfastsand the annual retreat. The Men’s Ministry also teams up withthe Women’s Ministry to organize the church’s annual picnicand annual Bob Raber Hog Roast.”

Pastor Ryan invites all who are interested in participatingin or leading these ministries to contact him!

(Clockwise starting top left)Caitlyn, Wes, Mikayla, Josh,Annabelle and Jordan (center)

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT (Continued from page 2)

Grace Supports Wheeler Mission Ministries

September, 2016 GRACE aanndd TTrruutthh

SEPTEMBER9/05 Mary Monfreda 9/06 Tammy Graham 9/07 Reagan Hill 9/10 Stephanie Hill 9/12 Pat Hillebrand 9/14 Charles Conlin 9/15 Bill Simpson 9/19 Kristina Smith 9/20 Melissa Hedden 9/25 Douglas Decker 9/25 Rick Wilkerson 9/26 Christian Moreno 9/27 Brent Hendricks 9/30 Michael Huff

ANNIVERSARIES9/01 Steve & Janet Agal 9/03 Joel & Jen Yao 9/17 Rick & Jennifer Wilkerson 9/21 Jack & Mary Phoenix 9/21 Ron & Sandra Dodson 9/23 Larry & Rose Hartman

DISCIPLESHIP ESSENTIALS (Continued from page 1)

News From the Children’s Departmentby Cristi DeHoff

The Children's Department has been busy this past month. We had promotionsfor several of our kids and held two Family Worship Workshops.

The workshops went very well. A lot of information was shared, and it is en-couraging to know that we are not alone in trying to faithfully raise our children inChrist. Please pray for all of the parents, grandparents, and anyone else trying totrain their children in the way they should go.

With the new quarter coming quickly, please prayerfully consider volunteering towork with the children. We have many rooms, positions, and times available. If youare unsure, have questions, or want to volunteer, please see Holly Phoenix, CristiDeHoff, or check the Children's bulletin board.

Thank you of all of your prayer and support!

most young men who are trying to find themselves as Christians. I knew then that Ineeded other men in my life, and I knew I needed to open up and talk about what I wasashamed of and that I was not where I should have been with God, and even in mymarriage.

Those men I talked to and opened up to were men of Grace and men that causedme to be accountable for my actions after that point. I came to the conclusion that Iknew what armor was needed and I know what examples caused me to stumble andfall. I truly felt and knew I could follow through with my children and give them the armorand knowledge that I did not have by being open about my failures and what wentwrong, but most of all what eventually went right.

Moving a few years ahead to the year 2014, I was asked to take on a role as a min-istry leader and become the deacon in charge of Men’s Ministry. I met Bob Raber whohad taken over the call to recreate the Men’s Ministry. For those reading this who didnot know Bob, our brother Bob passed away two years ago to be with the Lord. Bob car-ried a lot of Christian knowledge; he was very straight forward and I think everyone re-spected him for that. Bob was the leader of the first Discipleship Essentials group thatbegan to meet, and I was part of that group.

A few weeks into the lessons of the Discipleship Essentials, Bob shared with usone of his regrets. At that time he was close to death due to cancer and told us that hewished that when he had been in good health he had started small group discipleshipwith men who were like me, Don Andry, Devin Patterson and Cyrus Amir. It was pro-found to me when he said he realized that we have little time to pass on what we learnas Christians, and that connection is so very important to the next generation. The pur-suit to being a deeply educated Christian should not be the only goal. For a lot of us, tovalidate our knowledge in Scripture is a goal – we want to make sure that we are takencare of and know what we are talking about if tested on Scripture.

In contrast, Bob realized that at some point men need to be sitting down withyounger men, younger Christians, and passing on knowledge, making that lifelong con-nection. I think at some point, we all realize we are spiritually growing and expandingin our gifts. At that time, we must find it in ourselves to connect with others and partic-ipate in discipleship. We know we can grow inside, but also must begin to take thatgrowth (the example of Christ and the Holy Spirt) outside of ourselves to connect withyounger Christians: both younger in growth and younger in age. Author Greg Ogdenwrites, “Being a Christian is a statement about what Christ has done for me; being a dis-ciple is a statement about what I am doing for Christ.”

Are you a disciple, or are you simply participating in a Christian life hoping thatwhat you learn and some of the things you do are enough to get you through? 2 Tim-othy 4:7-8 says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept thefaith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, therighteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all whohave loved his appearing.”

The righteous cryout and the LORD

hears, and deliversthem out of alltheir troubles.

– PSALM 34:17