Recent News

Meet Elder Candidate Josh Benadum

Xenos elders recently proposed Josh Benadum as a candidate for elder. Get to know Josh, and how God has worked in his life through the years:

What is your history with Xenos, and what has engaged you to connect here?

My parents were introduced to Christ in Xenos during the 1980's while my father was in medical school. We moved around a bit before eventually coming back to Columbus, but then moved again to Cambodia as missionaries when I was 14. During high school I struggled with my faith, uncertain if the God of the Bible was real. Going into my senior year of high school I had no real plans to follow Him after I graduated, but a summer spent in Salem, India doing Tsunami relief work with the India Gospel League changed that. I was so impressed by the authenticity of the Indian Christians and the other high school students I met from Xenos on that trip that I decided it was worth giving God a shot after all. Once I graduated, I felt no particular connection to Columbus, but finally chose to move back because this was the only place where I knew of people my own age living radically for Christ. I have remained here for that same reason: I have found this to be an incomparable community of people living radically for Christ. I also believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that God brought me here to both learn and serve.

Send a Shoebox of Hope this Christmas

Christmas is still weeks away, but now's the time to think about putting together an Operation Christmas Child box. Fill a shoebox with small gifts, and Samaritan's Purse will take them to a child in a region in need, sharing the gospel with them as well.

Xenos will be collecting the boxes November 11th and 18th at Main Campus (1390 Community Park Dr., 43229), the Warehouse (600 Oakland Park Ave., 43214), and 4th Street Pavilion (1934 N 4th St., 43201).

Please note: There are only two collection weeks this year.

Kim Aebie is helping organize the effort for Xenos. Kim says, "Over the last 10 years Xenos has sent over 5000 shoeboxes to children around the world. I can't wait to see the fruit of these shoeboxes in heaven!"

Oasis Rolling out New Check-in System

You may have seen a change in the lobby of your Central Teaching--Oasis is launching a new iPad-based check-in system at all adult Central Teachings starting October 14th. Oasis Director Jeff Risley says the new system moves away from a paper to a digital system, and will allow for better security and reporting.

When bringing your child to Oasis, first go to the iPad stations in the lobby. You'll use those to locate your child's information, check them in, and get 3 printed labels--one for the child, one for the classroom, and one for the person who will pick up the child after class. As part of the system the adult checking the child in will see a list of classroom options, based on the child's age or grade.

The check-in system will also be used at Main Campus for the PAX (Playgrounds at Xenos).

Jeff says the system can easily accommodate guests and first-time visitors. Oasis staff members and volunteers will be on hand to help them get their child registered. They'll also be there to help get you started with the changes.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Jeff Risley at risleyj@xenos.org.

Hope for Those Greiving as the Holidays Approach

By John Montgomery

As the end of the year approaches, soon everywhere we turn someone will be telling us we should be happy.

“Happy Thanksgiving!”  “Merry Christmas!”  “Happy New Year!”

This can be difficult when you are in grief. Grief can steal the joy from your holiday celebrations.

The Xenos GriefShare ministry will present “Surviving the Holidays” on Sunday, October 28th, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at the Warehouse (600 Oakland Park Av. 43214). This informative seminar can help those who are grieving find God’s hope and comfort during the upcoming holiday season.

Please encourage anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one to attend. There is no cost. To RSVP or ask questions, email xenosgriefgroups@gmail.com.

This seminar is presented every fall at Xenos because Thanksgiving and Christmas present special challenges. Holidays evoke strong emotions during the best of times, but, in grief, they force us to realize how much our lives have been changed by loss. No matter how long it’s been since your loved one died, grief can make the holidays a painful time.

Grieving takes energy and you may not be up to the physical and mental challenges of the many activities in which you usually participate. You may find yourself in social situations that now are uncomfortable because of your different circumstances.

Life Coaches Helping Set Young People up for Success

By Liz Sweet

Are you competent with life skills? Do you want to make a difference in the life of a young person? Do you want your practical knowledge to have an eternal impact? If so, Life Coaching may be for you.

Life Coaching needs responsible, dedicated people who are willing to help others who need guidance in the functional aspects of life.

Xenos is reaching an increasing number of people with difficult backgrounds. Many people coming out of low-income backgrounds have not had the support that they need to tackle some of the practical skills in life. With a little help and encouragement, students can live in a ministry house, land a good job, and go to college. But without help, simple things, such as not being able to get a driver’s license, impede their progress toward these goals. Life coaches provide practical guidance that is crucial to helping students take the next step toward becoming independent, self-sufficient adults.

Student candidates are pursuing a life centered on Christ: spiritually responsive, engaged in fellowship and discipleship, and living in a ministry house or aspiring to live in one. They are in their sophomore year of high school or older; students under 18 need parental permission to have a life coach.

Making Hospitality a Part of Your Parenting

The next Xenos Parenting Meeting is October 3rd, with Liz Sweet talking about hospitality--welcoming others into your home. She says it's one of the most important things we can do at every stage of parenting. She'll explain why, and will give you lots of ideas for how to make it happen.

The meeting is at the Main Campus in Room 202/204 (1390 Community Park, 43229) at 9:30 am.  Limited childcare is available. Guests are welcome too! 

Ecuador Missions Trip Offers Physical & Spiritual Healing to Nearly 2000

A team of people from Xenos is back from a medical missions trip to Ecuador, where, in conjunction with our global partner, Arco Church in Santa Rosa, they served nearly 2 thousand people--offering medical, dental, and vision care. Every person who visited the clinics also heard the gospel from one of the local home church members. As a result, 709 people prayed to receive Christ during the 4 days of the medical clinics.

While there, Xenos Missions Director Dave Glover says he, Jim Leffel, and Canco Cassasa from Xenos met with local home church leaders, hearing several stories of people who had come to Christ through a similar clinic 2 years ago, and who are now incorporated into these home churches.

Andrea Hesse served as a medical interpreter on the trip, and shares her experience:

I stared out the window at the lush, green countryside of southern Ecuador as our bus of 25 Xenos volunteers wound its way through endless rows of banana plantations. Our team had spent several months preparing for our trip to Santa Rosa, Ecuador where we would put on a week-long medical, dental, and optometry clinic. We had packed dozens of bags filled with medications and clinic supplies, practiced our Spanish, and spent time praying for our trip. Even with all this preparation I still felt a little unsure of what to expect as we traveled past fields of ripening fruit on our ride from the larger city of Guayaquil to Santa Rosa.

Pub Night with the Drowsy Lads on September 22nd

Enjoy a pub night at Xenos this month with the Drowsy Lads.  Share the warmth of fellowship with a friend or family member by inviting them to this event at Main Campus (1390 Community Park, 43229) September 22nd.

There's a modest cover charge--$5--and proceeds go to help Xenos' ministry to the Bhutanese. You're welcome to bring an adult beverage and snacks to enjoy.

Pub Night runs from 8:00 to 11:00 pm.

Harambee Christian School Sees Highest Enrollment Ever, Needs Volunteers

The school year for Harambee Christian School is well underway, with 150 students enrolled in grades K-8, its largest enrollment ever. 

The school, which is a Xenos ministry, invites you to be a part of this year's success. It needs volunteers in many different roles. You can serve in the classroom, behind the scenes, or working directly with students. Volunteers are needed during the school day and in the After School Program, which runs Monday-Friday from 3:30-5:30 pm.  Most volunteers serve once or twice a week for between 1-3 hours.

It's a great opportunity for those who want to serve young people and for those looking to gain experience in the education field.

To learn more about Harambee, view this video. If you'd like to learn more about the school and about volunteering email Michael Larson at larsonm@urbanconcern.org.

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