Dear Church Family and Friends,

God is Faithful!

Our bags are packed, the truck is loaded and we are eager to be with you and serve you in Downers Grove soon! As the Sabbath approaches, we look forward to the rest that God has promised all who will trust him. We hope that you are able to do the same.

Just in case you may not know, the last 3 ½ years we have been honored to serve as a Pastor and Family in south central Illinois. It has been our privilege to serve the churches of Mattoon, Stewardson, Noble, and Fairfield. Here we have seen church families grow, additions built, church buildings purchased and moved into, and many people baptized into the faith and added to the church. We have been greatly blessed while serving here!

We have also been blessed to have the Thompsonville Church School and family close enough for the girls to benefit from Adventist Christian Education. Tammy has made the commute of 6o plus miles each way for the last three years and we will forever be blessed because of the school family, teachers, and church family there.

We believe in the ministry of Seventh-day Adventist Christian Education. We are very thankful that you also value young people and want to create and maintain an environment of growth and opportunity. I am thrilled at the thoughts of what God is doing in the Church and School.

Teachers have been gifted by God to fulfill the ministry of reaching hearts for him in their own unique and special ways. As we begin a new school year with new teachers, I hope that you will make an opportunity to let them know how much they are appreciated and that you will be supporting them prayerfully and spiritually. I know that we will have a great year in Downers Grove!

As we look toward the future at Downers Grove, we see many opportunities to reach out to the people around us. We have all been given the mission of fulfilling the “Great Commission” by “seeking to save the lost”.

Our first Sabbath there will be August 16th and we would be honored to have you join us.

While we are leaving friends and family behind, we do this knowing that for all who trust in Jesus and accept the free gift of Salvation, that there is also the certain hope of being reunited when He comes again.

We look forward to many evangelistic opportunities that God will give us locally. We are also looking forward to Pastor Mark Finley coming in 2010. Our work is great, but God is GREATER! I am thankful for the privilege of working with God and angels as we seek to reach out and touch everyone for Jesus where we are!

Thank you again for your friendship and support for each one of us. We look forward to serving you soon, and serving the Lord together. You have already been in our prayers and we look forward to the many wonderful experiences that God has in store for each of us.

Have a blessed Sabbath,

Pastor Joe, Tammy, Joelle and Rachel

Pastor Joseph Arner
5522 Lee Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515