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TESTIMONY FROM MARY WANGERIN: WHY I "GIVE MY ALL"
Nine years ago, Mary Wangerin saw a boy receive a religious award and decided
that her son would earn his own religious emblem. Since then, over 300 children
have been presented with their God and Country awards from Mary’s congregation,
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
Mary Wangerin would introduce herself as "the lady that wears her Boy Scouts of
America uniform around the church." Besides being a Sunday school teacher,
confirmation guide, Easter passion play volunteer, money counter, facilitator
for the TABLE Small Group (supporting parents of special kids), she also holds
the God and Country program "near and dear" to her heart. Here's Mary to tell
why:
I have an opportunity to meet children and help them
realize the wonderful relationship they have with Jesus, their families, church
communities and the world around them. The joy and pride in a seven-year-olds
face as they recite the Lord's Prayer and the excitement when they learn that
praying is not a formal thing they have to use big words for, but a simple
conversation with God, is the most wonderful feeling I can experience. To have
parents tell you that never before have they talked about their faith,
relationship with the Lord, or prayed at dinner, tell you they are doing all the
above and more... To have a family walk out of class and see Living Water in
action and say, "Can we stay? We love this music!"... To have a young girl say,
"Mary, when can I take the next God and Country class? I can't wait!" These are
just a few of the reasons I "give my all" for the God and Country program.
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church accepted the God and Country program as
part of its ministry seven years ago. It didn't take them long to realize that
this was not just a "scouting thing." Since then they have embraced the program
as a family ministry. God and Country is presented not just as a Scouting award,
but as an opportunity for children and families to grow in faith together. Click
here to see the program brochures used by Mary Wangerin at Shepherd of the Lake
Lutheran Church.
http://www.sollc.org/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=261
[For more information on the God and Country program as ministry, browse the
Start-up Kit
http://www.praypub.org/god_country/start_up_kit_01.htm]
Photo Gallery from Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church
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