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Tag Archives: Otto Wegner

Winter 2020 Newsletter

Posted on December 21, 2020 by Staff
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Service During a Global Pandemic

This pandemic pushed us in to new territory; we could not serve children and families as we have in the past. Instruction is now virtual, and events have been canceled, yet we found a way to ensure the bible reached our community. We are proud to say COVID-19 did not stop our mission! To date, we have served food to over 2500 members of our community. In addition, we distributed over 1000 Family bible activity bags into the homes of our students and residents of the community. We engage in daily bible instruction for all grades online and have extended Bible videos to our wider community.

We want to close this pandemic year strong! We have raised over $27,000 towards Next Generation Ministries’ $50,000 year end goal. We need your help. When we educate children, they become followers of Christ. When we educate children, they become independent, critical thinkers. When we educate children, they become world changers.

Will you partner with us? Donate today to help us reach our end of the year goal.

You can give online: www.nextgenministries.us/give or by mail: P.O. Box 15191, Philadelphia, PA 19130

*Make all checks payable to Next Generation Ministries

A Message from REV Otto

One year ago, today, mid-morning, I called Joanna (our youngest who lives a few houses up the street) and asked her to take me to the hospital. I surmised (from extensive study of Reader’s Digest articles and AARP research) I might be having a heart attack. And I was!

In less than an hour I was on a table, under bright lights, and surrounded by six or more people I had never before met, each poking, probing, and promising me that I would probably be alright. Three days later I returned home — to an empty house. (Pat was in rehab following hip replacement surgery.) In the silence of those days I began a new journey, a more careful time of reflection, of meditation, of stillness.

Once I thought myself invincible. “Nothing-can-stop-me” was my internal mantra and mode of operation. Mortality is now more than academic; it became personal. Yesterday, 365 days after the “coronary event,” the cardiologist called, not to celebrate an anniversary, but to say, “I thought you would want to know that your lab reports are well within the range we had hoped for.” I guess I am in good shape.

Well, I am glad for the cardiologist’s report and assurance of good health, but I am committed to continue to reflect on what is most meaningful. I am reminded of a single class session at Wheaton College in spring of 1987 which I visited with my daughter. The professor taught a powerful life lesson. In one of the Apostle Paul’s earliest writings, he considered himself as “the least of the apostles.” (1 Corinthians 15:9) Mid-career, he identified as “the least among the saints.” (Ephesians 3:8) In one of his last writings, Paul called himself the “chief sinner.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

This anniversary day I am celebrating the grace of God more than surviving a coronary event and good lab reports. I am spilling over with JOY. Jesus rescued me! He saved me as a boy and entrusted me with responsibilities so huge that I had to trust Him or fail! This last year has been as good as all the others. Jesus is present. Jesus is our peace. Jesus keeps his promises. Jesus is generous in His provisions. No one deserves to have life this good!

Jesus paid it all.
All to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain. He washed it white as snow.

Otto Wegner, NGM Founder

12/5/2020

Current Family Story

Shamaya, Tiesha, and Serenity (left to right)

The Dolby family found Spring Garden Academy in 2004. Tiesha, mother of Shamaya (20) and Serenity (11) was looking for a school that was safe. Tiesha found more than she could have imagined. Spring Garden Academy not only called attention to her girls’ academics but also taught the girls to memorize bible scriptures, participate in chapel services and outreach events, and use their gifts and talents in school. Initially,

Tiesha did not know how to introduce God to Serenity and Shamaya, but they were growing in faith at school. Today, the family are participants of Resurrection Life Church.

Today, Serenity is in middle school. She has led school chapel by singing and is being transformed into the confident leader God has called her. Shamaya has served as a NGM intern for several summers. She attends Penn State College and desires to become an English teacher, showing future generations in the classroom how important and how loved they are by her and God.

Past Family Story

Kevon graduated from Spring Garden Academy in 2017. Here is what his family shared about their experience

“Spring Garden Academy feels like home. This is a school that does not make children feel like they are just a number. The teachers know about all their students. You can easily communicate with them and they do anything to help students succeed. Because of the smaller class sizes the school is more flexible in the way classes are taught. This was very helpful for Kevon because they were able to try out different ways of instructing him. The teachers and all the staff were incredible which has left a huge impact on my son. SGA taught him how to get involved and challenge him to be accountable. Moreover, SGA taught him moral values and helped him create a strong relationship with God. SGA helps you to become better… This is a school that cares, and you can’t beat that!”

Kevon is a senior at Belmont Charter and is excelling academically. He plans to attend college to be a game designer.

Our impact by the numbers

THANK YOU!

We are beyond grateful for your prayers and donations. Because of your commitment to our ministry, we can serve children and families through education, discipleship, and leadership ministries! We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Next Generation Ministries

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Posted in NGM Newsletter | Tagged 2020, 2020 impact, bible bags, bible club, Covid-19, elementary scholarship fund, family chapels, giving campaign, Giving Tuesday, kevon, missions, ngm impact, Otto Wegner, pandemic, scholarship fund, summer outreach, U.S. Missionary, virtual instruction | Leave a reply

Christmas 2017 Newsletter

Posted on December 8, 2017 by ngm_newsblog
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THE WORD MADE FLESH

A long time ago a few lines captured me. The individual words are rather ordinary; however, in their arrangement I see eternity coming face-to-face with time and hope unseating despair. John writes in his record of good news,

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. -(John 1:14)

The Eternal God— the One who spoke everything good into existence, the One who formed us out of dust and then breathed life into us making us living beings, that God—appeared! We were apprehended, caught up in His “glory.” In Jesus, grace and truth uncover the Father’s desire for all mankind.

Recently, I was the pulpit guest at Vailsburg Assembly of God, a church we planted in the 90’s. At the end of the service, Grace and Selena, a mother and daughter, approached me with the question, “Do you remember us?” Details of addiction, abuse, and anxiety about the future flooded my memory in a few moments.

Grace asked, “Will you please tell your wife that without her I would be dead?” Selena has graduated from Rutgers University and is a banker! More than 20 years have elapsed since Pat poured out her heart in prayer for a mom and her preschool-aged daughter. The “Word made flesh” has reversed everything for this family who stood at the altar speaking with me!

Oh that Jesus—the One described as revealing “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father”—would capture our imaginations and enlarge our faith today. Remember, every time hope confronts despair, hope wins!

-Reverend Otto Wegner

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

In October, we lost one of Next Generation Ministries’ biggest supporters, Mr. Bobby Williams.

Mr. Williams, a long-time resident of the Tioga community, cared passionately for his neighbors and worked tirelessly to encourage caring people to work together.

Each year, he pushed us all to keep Celebrate Hope Tioga alive and often encouraged the staff at Spring Garden Academy to not give up. He was our great encourager and called us his godsons, goddaughters, and angels.

Each year, well into his 80’s, he brought cupcakes to celebrate his birthday with our Spring Garden Academy children. Mr. Williams was a member of Resurrection Life Church. We will all miss Mr. Williams but pray that God will continue to send others who love people as Mr. Williams did.

 

FALLING INTO MINISTRY

This fall, our Next Generation Ministries team has been immersed in community ministry. Our youth and children ministered alongside adult volunteers at Celebrate Hope Tioga (CHT), an outdoor fall block party featuring Christian artists, food, kids’ zone, clothing bank, prayer table, community partners, and the gospel message. Our youth led games, performed on the stage, folded clothes, and shared the love of Jesus. Ministry is not just about sharing the gospel. It’s teaching others to share their faith with the world around us.

Just a few weeks ago, we had the largest family event in our school history. Over 350 people from our school and neighborhood joined together for a Thanksgiving Worship Service, led by our K-8th grade children. The students sang the hymns of faith and led us to show our gratitude to our Lord.

After the service, we joined together for a full Thanksgiving Dinner, prepared by a mission teams from River of Life Church in Doylestown, PA. Trinity Compassion Ministries from Westchester, PA donated 100 Boxes of Love (turkey meals) that we were able to send home with many of the attending families. It was wonderful to see the love of Jesus flood our community.

We invite you to join us in ministry – short term or long term – in the city. We are raising up children to lead and serve their neighborhood. We do this in partnership with God’s wonderful people. Thank you to all who have given so much this year
to the work in Philadelphia.

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Posted in NGM Newsletter, NGM Newsletter | Tagged Bobby Williams, Celebrate Hope, Next Generation Ministries, Otto Wegner, Tioga, U.S. Missionary | Leave a reply

September 2017 Newsletter

Posted on September 8, 2017 by ngm_newsblog
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SERVING IS LIFE

Founder, Otto Wegner, with U.S. Missionary David Dominguez

Every summer, teams of faithful partners like you descend on the NGM ministry centers at Resurrection Life and Highway Tabernacle to make building repairs, lead Vacation Bible Schools, paint trim, weed flower beds, and invite neighbors to our outreach ministries. We welcomed over fifty volunteers this summer; thank you for coming together with us to love our community in Jesus’ name!


We extend a special thank-you to our U.S. Missionary, Otto Wegner, for coordinating both the installation of new carpet at Resurrection Life and the building of a new shed to house our outreach ministry and clothing bank supplies. We appreciate Pastor Wegner’s example of lifelong service to the next generation of leaders who come from our community and across the region to work beside us during summer ministries!

Serving is life. It’s who I am.
– U.S. Missionary, Otto Wegner

SEEDS BEARING LONG-TERM FRUIT: HAAKIM’S STORY

Have you ever wondered who will be leading Philadelphia’s ministries twenty years from now? Haakim, a Youth Leadership Intern, loves outreach and plans to become a pastor.

During several years of his childhood, Haakim attended Spring Garden Academy’s elementary school and after school programs. This summer, he has pursued his calling by building leaderships skills as a Youth Leadership Intern. Instead of spending the summer months relaxing, Haakim and his fellow interns studied God’s word and worked hard supporting NGM’s community events, including multiple Vacation Bible School events and family block parties, along with missions trips to Pittsburgh and Newark, NJ. Interns receive intensive discipleship training, set goals, discover their spiritual gifts, serve in the ministries of the church, work as a team to lead events, and are missionaries to their own community.

“I see how much God is in the neighborhoods”
– Haakim

Haakim and the other four high school interns will continue to minister this school year at Celebrate Hope in September, children’s ministry with NGM and the churches, and outreach. They are meeting each month for leadership development and are planning a foreign missions trip for June 2018. We are blessed to train the next generation of leaders for the Kingdom!

 

A CALL TO PRAYER

As a child, I spent many Sunday nights at the altar, learning to hear the voice of God as I listened to my mom and dad pray for me. I can still remember the cadences of their speech and the pressure of their bodies against mine. Several years ago, I realized that the prayers of my parents, grandparents, and many church saints of my childhood and youth had shaped not only my own prayers but my destiny, for I heard them pray God’s will and purpose over my life. I still hear their prayers echo through my mind.

This fall, we are welcoming over 175 children and youth to participate in the ministries of NGM, including Spring Garden Academy, community family nights, Junior Bible Quiz, and our Youth Leadership Center. We believe that, from this group of children and youth, God is raising up Spirit-filled pastors and missionaries who love God’s word, honest and just lawyers who seek God’s will, passionate teachers who love Jesus and the community, and many workers for the Kingdom of God.

We need the prayers of God’s people to shape the destinies of these young lives. We need people who will pray that God’s call will be distinctly heard by each young person and that He will continue to keep them safe from the enemy and bring each of their families to salvation and hope.

Will you partner with us? Will you commit to praying for at least one child or youth each day. If you are local, will you commit to spending physical time in prayer once a month so that our children can hear you pray on their behalf? If so, please send an email to candace@nextgenministries.us. We treasure your partnership in prayer.

– Candace Wegner

CELEBRATE HOPE!




On September 30th (10am-4pm) Next Generation Ministries—in collaboration with its community partners—will be hosting Celebrate Hope-Tioga, a community-wide celebration for the residents of the Tioga neighborhood. We invite our neighbors not only to enjoy a FREE fun-filled day of entertainment, kids’ games/activities, giveaways, and access to resources, but also to experience God’s love for our community.

Through this event we aim to introduce our neighbors to the one who has plans to prosper them and to give them HOPE and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
If you would like to volunteer please register online using the link below!

Register to volunteer: www.nextgenministries.us

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Posted in NGM Newsletter, NGM Newsletter | Tagged Celebrate Hope, David Dominguez, Otto Wegner, Prayer, U.S. Missionary, Volunteer, Youth Interns, Youth Leadership Center, Youth Leadership Interns | Leave a reply

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Hours & Info

1801 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

P.O. Box 15191
Philadelphia, PA 19130

3501 N. 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19140
(215) 226-1000 or (215) 593-9192
Monday-Friday: 7am - 6pm

Thursday Family Nights (1801 Spring Garden Street): 6 pm-8:15 pm
Friday Family Nights (3501 N. 17th Street): 6 pm - 8:30 pm
visit US Mission America Placement Service
visit Spring Garden Academy's web site
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