News and Inspiration Blog

The Sound of Worship

Posted August 19, 2010  |  Category: Local Sites, Longwood, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: Robert Andrescik

God can use anything to bring glory to Himself ... even an audio system. Tim Tracey, Northland’s executive director of worship, talks about the impact the church’s audio system is having ... not only on our worship, but in our community.

Haiti Team: Final Day

Posted August 16, 2010  |  Category: Disaster Response, Distributed Journeys, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: Jen Beres, Haiti Team Member

It was Friday the 13th, and we rose early to walk to our final service project at a nearby orphanage. Our plan for this visit was to train a group of translators in some basic first aid. Mick, one of our team members who is a paramedic, did a great job providing some hands-on training for treating injuries. As we were waiting for the the translators to arrive, “Jaguar” the man in charge, told us a breathtaking account of his experience of the earthquake. Jaguar was born in Haiti and...

Haiti Team: “Drink the Water”

Posted August 16, 2010  |  Category: Disaster Response, Distributed Journeys, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: J. Michael Blackston

When you think you’ve seen it all in Haiti ... our Thursday turned out to be quite eventful. We started the morning out very early with a 6 a.m. devotional led by A.J. We had to leave the house by 7 a.m. because we went to the mountains about two hours north to visit a school/orphanage. We planned in advance to take a “tap tap” (a common transportation mode in Haiti, which is basically a truck that has a topper on it for shade). In order to get to the...

Media Design Interns Reflect on Summer at Northland

Posted August 12, 2010  |  Category: Local Sites, Longwood, Online, Media and Technology, Media and Technology, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: Robert Andrescik, Northland's PR Guy

TJ Krusinski, the tall guy in the middle wearing a dark grey shirt, is one of Northland’s media design summer interns. At TJ’s left are fellow interns Emiley Jones and William Webb. This summer, Northland’s media design department had the privilege of hosting several student interns. In line with Northland’s core value of intergenerational leadership, this program offers students an opportunity to gain valuable skills and ministry experience as they serve alongside Northland’s staff. The unique gifts and perspectives that each student brings to his or her daily tasks is...

Firefighter Honored at Northland Funeral

Posted August 12, 2010  |  Category: Local Sites, Longwood, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: Robert Andrescik

Seminole County firefighters hoist an American flag outside Northland at Longwood in a moving tribute to Julio Caesar Iglesias, who died August 6 from an apparent heart attack. Mr. Iglesias’ funeral was held this morning with Dr. Joel Hunter presiding. A firefighter paramedic with 22 years of service at the time of his death, he is immediately survived by his loving daughter Mariah, whom for Julio the sun rose and set upon; his adoring mother Clara, and his brother Richard. Read Mr. Iglesias’ obituary.

Haiti Team: “Our Most Challenging Day So Far”

Posted August 12, 2010  |  Category: Disaster Response, Distributed Journeys, Local Sites, Longwood, Online, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: John Tardonia

Day four may have been one of our most challenging and yet fulfilling days so far. We began the day by arming ourselves with what was needed to attack a scabies outbreak at an orphanage. That orphanage has come to be known as “Johnnies,” in honor of a little boy named Johnny who had a serious hip problem and was unable to walk. Johnny is now walking, getting stronger by the day and is a testimony to God’ s healing power. The ride to the heart of the city in...

Channel 6: Coverage of Backpack Drive

Posted August 10, 2010  |  Category: Local Service, Local Sites, Longwood, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: Robert Andrescik, Northland's PR Guy

Haiti Team Update: “God’s Grace at Work”

Posted August 10, 2010  |  Category: Disaster Response, Local Sites, Longwood, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: Andrew Jones

Tuesday was a great day. We started out at 9:45 a.m. for Santos 17, an orphanage about 30 minutes from the base house. When we arrived we met with the the manager of the orphanage. David from ACTS presented the manager with a plan to tap a well of fresh water beneath the foundation of the orphanage. Once this is complete (it will take about 30 days) the orphanage will receive enough fresh water to not only use but also to sell to the local community at an inexpensive price....

Haiti Team: “God Is So Good”

Posted August 9, 2010  |  Category: Disaster Response, Distributed Journeys, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: Jen Beres, Haiti Team Member

We were able to spend our Sunday morning with a church in a small village about an hour or so from where we are staying. I want to tell you mostly about the pastor of this church, Elysse. He is a young man who has a renewed passion for the Gospel. He has a vision for his village to have all of the people come to a full understanding of the gospel, renounce Voodoo and come into a relationship with Jesus. We were able to worship together, share some Bible...

Haiti Team Arrives Safely, Begins Ministry Efforts

Posted August 8, 2010  |  Category: Disaster Response, Distributed Journeys, News and Inspiration  |  Written by: April Pence, Haiti Team Member

We made it safely to Haiti! Getting through the airport was very smooth and we have been well taken care of by our hosts. We have spent most of the day getting settled in and preparing for tomorrow. We will be heading to a small town on the seaside to do a church service for the community. We will be telling Bible stories, our “on team pastor” (John Tardonia) will deliver a message and one team member (AJ Jones) will share his testimony. Please pray for this service and that...