A man who would not die in battle
BY DR. MARC DRAKE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SUN LAKES SENIOR PASTOR
For more than 150 years, a fascinating story appeared in virtually every student textbook in America, but, sadly, it has not been seen for decades. It is the story of George Washington when he was 23 years of age and involved in the French and Indian War, 20 years before the American Revolution. The colonists sided with the British in this war, and most of the Indians sided with the French.
that after the battle was over, he had discovered four bullet holes through his jacket; yet not a single bullet had touched him. He said “by the allpowerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation.” Washington openly acknowledged that God’s protecting hand was on him.
Interestingly, 15 years later during a time of peace, Washington and a friend returned to those same Pennsylvania woods.
Washington was a colonel in the Virginia militia at the time and when the British troops arrived, he and 100 Virginians joined with General Braddock, a British general. The troops were divided and Braddock, Washington and 1,300 soldiers marched north to drive the French from Fort Duquesne, which is now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Then, while marching through a wooded ravine, only seven miles from the fort, they found themselves ambushed with the French and Indians firing at them from tree tops and from behind rocks. The result was a slaughter.
Yet, of the 86 British and American officers involved in that battle, George Washington was the only one who had not been shot down off his horse. Once the battle ended, Washington gathered the remaining troops and retreated back to western Maryland. The next day he wrote a letter to his family explaining
An old Indian chief, having heard that Washington had come back to that area, traveled a long way just to meet with him. He told him that in that battle 15 years earlier he had instructed his braves to single out all the officers and shoot them. The chief said that he had personally shot at Washington 17 times, but without effect. Finally, the chief told his braves to stop firing at him. He then said to Washington: “I have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle...I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of heaven, and who can never die in battle.”
This is only one example of God’s intervention in the founding of our great country. As we celebrate our nation’s independence this month, let us give thanks for our spiritual heritage—a heritage we must never forget. From Columbus to the Pilgrims to Washington and Lincoln, we have been blessed with leaders who understood the fact that God’s hand has been on this nation.
The Bible says “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” Psalm 33:12.
Chandler United Methodist Church
Charity workers devote lives to assisting Filipinos in need
BY TRACY HOUSE
John and Gina Allcott are having the time of their lives serving the poor in Davao City, in the Philippines.
The Allcotts, who lived in Chandler for 35 years, started a mission in 2013, the Davao City Outreach.
“My wife and I decided several years ago to move to the Philippines and wanted to help poor kids, so we spent the preceding several years trying to figure out the best way to go about doing that,” John said.
The couple waited until their youngest child turned 18 years old before setting off on their adventure.
ripeforharvest.org, donations can be made to benefit the people served by Davao City Outreach.
“Ripe for Harvest requires me to demonstrate that the money we are spending is charitable,” John said.
Most of the Allcotts’ services are provided out of their home in Davao City.
Working with the people in Davao City, the Allcotts provide school supplies, school uniforms, used clothes and sometimes help with financial needs, in addition to feeding and teaching in the poor areas.
“We’ve gotten to know a lot of people and we try to help them with whatever is needed,” John said.
The Davao City Outreach is not a nonprofit, however, through the organization Ripe for Harvest, www.
“We were able to find a large home,” John said. “We can fit about 25 people in our living room. It’s a little crowded, but we do that often, three times a week.”
At other times the couple goes out to locations depending on where the need may be.
John and Gina are officially hosted by the Chandler Christian Church at Alma School Road, south of the Loop 202, and John mentioned he took early retirement from the post office after 25 years service and it pays for all their living expenses. All donations go to the charity.
“There are no paid employees. Anything donated goes directly to helping the needy,” John said. “We love seeing people become so happy when we
help meet their needs.”
John explained he and Gina plan on returning to Chandler annually, for about a month, to tell their stories of service. At first they thought the yearly travel would be too costly, but John said, “So many people have helped us financially since we’ve been here. It’s like, I guess, seeing people face to face, and us telling stories, makes them want to contribute.”
The couple has been in Davao City for two years and plan to continue with their mission indefinitely.
“We have no plans of moving back to America,” he said. “You can never say never, but we’re happy doing what we’re doing and we don’t have any plans to do anything else.”
Spiritual Reflections
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For more information, contact Chafee, King of Glory Lutheran Church, at (480) 838-0477 or visit www.kogaz.org.
Gina is Filipino and her family is in the north, but John said they are on a different island more than 14 hours away. The decision to work in Davao City was to meet the greater need of the southern city area. He mentioned there are 7,107 islands in the Philippines, which all together are about the size of Arizona. To donate to Davao City Outreach, visit www.ripeforharvest.org. Click on donate and then choose how to partner with Ripe for Harvest. In the donation dropdown menu, choose John Allcott— Davao City Outreach to proceed.
Tracy House is a freelancer for SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@ santansun.com.
John and Gina Allcott host a teenage outreach program every Friday in their home through Davao City Outreach in the Philippines.
John Allcott stands with Filipino children and adults who he and his wife, Gina, assist at the Gem Village squatter area in Davao City, Philippines.
SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS
Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting you would like listed in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to news@santansun.com.
SUNDAY
Celebration Service
10:30 a.m. Sundays
All with peaceful beliefs are welcome to this inclusive, loving, thriving UNITY Community. Join the group at 10 a.m., proceeding the service, for fellowship. Youth and toddlers meet during service. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline, Suite 102, Mesa. Info: (480) 593-8798, www.interfaith-community.org
Kids’ Sunday School
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sundays
Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800, www.unityofchandler.org
Lift Your Spirit
10 a.m. Sundays
Hear inspirational messages and music. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800, www.unityofchandler.org
Celebrate Recovery Men’s Step Study
5:30 p.m. Sundays
Gender-specific accountability groups that meet for 28 weeks and use the eight recovery principles. CrossRoads Nazarene Church, 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler. Info: (480) 722-0700, celebraterecovery@crnaz.com
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church
7:30 a.m. traditional worship
9 a.m. traditional worship and choral music
11 a.m. contemporary worship with live Christian rock band
There is also a service at 12 p.m. Wednesdays.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W. Erie St., Chandler. Info: (480) 899-7386, www.saintmatthewschurch.org.
MONDAYS
The Art of Parenting
7:30 p.m. Mondays
Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99. Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life, 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. Info: (480) 855-4333, rabbi@chabadcenter.com
TUESDAYS
Career Connectors
9 a.m. to noon, fourth Tuesday of month
Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to high-quality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits. Central Christian Church, Gilbert Campus/Student Center, 965
E. Germann Rd., Gilbert. Info: www. careerconnectors.org, (480) 442-5806
Christian Business Networking, Tri-City Chapter—Chandler, Tempe, Mesa
7:15 a.m. Tuesdays
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Crackers and Co. Café, 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa. Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www.christianbusinessnetworking.com
Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter
7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays each month
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Chandler Christian Church, Room C100, 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler. Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www.christianbusinessnetworking.com
Grief Share
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays
A combination seminar and support group that meets weekly with people who understand because they have “been there” themselves. Fee for materials is $15, but scholarships are available. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 739 W. Erie St., Chandler. Info: (480) 9634127, www.htlutheran.com
HOPE—Help Overcoming Painful Experiences
7 p.m. Tuesdays
Free weekly small group sessions helping people overcome emotional pain caused by divorce, grief, addictions and more; free child care for children ages 10 and younger. Desert Springs Church, Room 106, 19620 S. McQueen Rd., Chandler. Info: hope4all@comcast.net, www. helpovercomingpainfulexperiences.org
Shalom Chapter of Hadassah
11:30 a.m. second Tuesday of each month Iron Oaks (Oakwood) Clubhouse, 24218 S. Oakwood Blvd., Sun Lakes. Info: Cyril, (480) 802-0243; Kathy, (480) 895-5194; Shirley, (480) 883-9159; or Joyce, (480) 802-4902.
Monthly Women’s Fellowship
6:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month
The monthly fellowship Bible study with the East Valley Chapter of Christian Women’s Devotional Alliance “ministers to women’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs.” Best Western-Mezona 250 W. Main St., Mesa. Info: (480) 232-3773
Narcotics Anonymous (Nar-Anon)— Chandler Chapter
7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Twelve-step program for families and friends of addicts. Faith Community Church, 1125 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler. Info: www.nar-anon.org
WEDNESDAYS
“A Course in Miracles” with the Rev. Julianne Lewis
1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesdays
The weekly group is an interactive time
of learning and sharing, appropriate for course beginners, as well as longtime students of ACIM. Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline, Suite 102, Mesa. Info: (480) 5938798, www.interfaith-community.org
The Art of Parenting
9:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Mendy Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99. Chandler Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler. Info: (480) 855-4333 or rabbi@chabadcenter.com
Panic Healing and Meditation
7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays
Guided meditation and healing for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in their lives. Love offering requested. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800
Grief Care
6:30 p.m. Wednesdays
A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone. Epiphany Lutheran Church, South Campus, old church building, 800 W. Ray Rd., Room 325, Chandler. Info: www.griefcareaz@gmail.com
Healing Prayer and Meditation Circle
7 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays
Guided prayer, affirmations and visualization for those facing physical, emotional, mental or spiritual issues in their lives. Love offering requested. Unity of Chandler, 325 N. Austin Dr., Chandler. Info: (480) 792-1800
Re|Engage Marriage Program
6:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Whether you’d rate your marriage a two or a 10, this class will help you reconnect. Chandler Christian Church, 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler. Info and registration: www.chandlercc.org/reengage
St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church
12 p.m. Healing and Eucharist service
St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church, 901 W. Erie St., Chandler. Info: (480) 899-7386, www.saintmatthewschurch.org.
THURSDAYS
Spiritual Chat
7 p.m. to 8 p.m. second Thursday of each month
A discussion of spiritual topics such as awareness, lucid dreaming, near-death experiences, out-ofbody experiences, past lives, living gracefully, reincarnation, karma and divine guidance during Arizona Satsang Society’s Spiritual Chat sessions. Unity Church of Divine Love, 325 N. Austin Dr., Suite 4, Chandler. Info: vizzit@hotmail.com, (877) 300-4949
First Baptist Church of Sun Lakes
A Church of Joy Committed to the perfect Word of God, living under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and worshiping with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Dr. Marc Drake, Senior Pastor 9535 E. Riggs Road Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248 480-895-1088 www. csl.org Sundays: Bible Study: 8:30 am Worship: 10:00 am
Send us your church, temple events
Let the SanTan Sun News help you publicize your church or temple’s events and activities in the Spirituality section by emailing details to news@ santansun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.
WebXtra:
WebXtra: For a complete list of Spiritual Connections, SanTan Sun area monthly support groups, study groups and spiritually stimulating meetings, visit SanTanSun.com and click on “Spirituality.”
