Interview with Dr. Brian Fikkert

This fall, the Northridge Serves team is collectively reading When Helping Hurts in order to have an understanding of Northridge Church's outreach strategy. Below is a link to an interview with Dr. Brian Fikkert, author of When Helping Hurts, giving an overview of the book and Dr. Fikkert's ministry through the Chalmers Center at Covenant College.

Helping Without Hurting: Christian Generosity and Material Poverty by Andy Jones

"Everything around me is wired to remove pain and to give me great comfort and assurance. There is a sense in which I don’t see a need for God in the everyday. I do intellectually, of course. But in the way I experience my Christian life and the way I live it out, there is a sense where I do not reach out to God as desperately as people who are in need do. I really do need him for every moment, but I do believe that Western Civilization has inoculated me a bit." - Dr. Brian Fikkert

Helping the Houghs

They left as a family of 4 and return as a family of 5!

This is just a friendly reminder that community groups and families can still help the Houghs with their transition back to the states from serving two years as missionaries in Nepal.

Here's how we can help:

• Give Items:
• Non-perishable foods like canned goods and boxed meals
• Toiletries for the family (Dad, Mom, 7 year old, 3 year old, and almost 1 year old)
• Furniture
• Give Time (work days Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday):
• House cleaning
• Moving items
• etc.

The Houghs are returning 12/19. If you're interested and able to help, please contact Miranda via agencyrep.northridge@gmail.com. She can help coordinate drop off times and is also having work days for the house on 12/13, 12/15, 12/17, and 12/18. Please let Miranda know if you have time you're willing to donate.

Click here for an up-to-date list of the Houghs' needs.

Let's Help Our Global Missionaries

Do you remember the Houghs? Those of you who follow David's blog may have read his most recent post about them. The Houghs are one of our global missionary families currently serving in Nepal. They embarked in September 2012 with a two year commitment, and now it's time for them to return back to the U.S.




We're looking for Northridgers to help the Houghs with this transition. In some ways they will be starting all over again, needing food, toiletries, furniture, a vehicle, house repairs and getting their oldest son back in school here. Community groups and families, we can help the Houghs!

Here's how we can help:

• Give Items:
• Non-perishable foods like canned goods and boxed meals
• Toiletries for the family (Dad, Mom, 7 year old, 3 year old, and almost 1 year old)
• Furniture
• Give Time:
• House cleaning
• Home repairs
• etc.

The Houghs are returning 12/19. If you're interested and able to help, please contact Miranda via agencyrep.northridge@gmail.com. She will be able to give you a current list of needs as well as help coordinate drop off times, etc.

We have a great opportunity to serve those who have served so sacrificially! 

To hear about the Hough's time in Nepal, check out their blog: http://tripstakepeople.org/