Urban Plunge

Gabriel Rademacher died Tuesday when he drowned approximately 70 feet from the shore of a Fremont-area lake. He was 18 years old, celebrating his high school graduation with more than a dozen other members of Concordia High School’s senior class.

Gabe went on the Urban Plunge last year. He wrote on his application that he wanted to build on and deepen his relationship with Christ by continuing to serve Him as well as praising and worshipping Him. We have confidence that Gabe is absent from his body and present with the Lord, right now, as you read this, worshiping and praising Him in person.

On the Plunge Gabe hung out with several hundred homeless people. He told us that “one of the things that surprised him was that there was so many problems and things going on just blocks away from the glitzy old market. But not only bad things, it was also great to see how God is bringing together His people in the midst of the pain to further His kingdom.”

Gabe started a blog… in his only post he writes about the solar system and the sun, which he spells “Son.” In a cleverly written metaphor… talking about both the universe and his relationship with “the Son” he ends his post with these words:

“And then there is the heat. In the farthest reaches of my orbit, icy particles of shame, doubt and fear quickly attach and weigh me down, until I can barely move. But even here, the Son’s heat blasts from out across the solar system, in rhythmic, pulsating waves, the very heartbeat of God. The ice of apathy and inadequacy melt quickly away and are replaced by glowing warmth. Though I am still bombarded by an endless storm of ice, it cannot overpower the warmth of God’s love that has penetrated to my core and now radiates from me as well.” http://greeneurosunglasses.wordpress.com

Gabe carrying a box of food at Mission For All National

Gabe with Angels on Wheels, hanging out with the homeless

Gabe getting ready for a prayer walk on Park Avenue

Gabe with youth leader, Adam, and a buddy

Saturday Afternoon

I talked with some people at “Mission for All Nations” and I realized how often we aren’t happy when we don’t things the way we want. However, these people have so little in comparision and yet they were all so happy and thankful for what they do have.

-Sydney

I feel called to do something for the children- specifically a diaper drive for Mission For All Nations. As I was talking with the coordinator, she said they never have enough to give away for the needs out there and I can’t imagine a baby without clean diapers.

Saturday Afternoon

I was impacted by the way Mission For All Nations was able to keep going when it seemed impossible to. They found $3,000 in a wall by accident. What a great reminder that God will find a way. It reminded me that God’s will, will prevail.

-Debbie

Saturday Afternoon

When I was picking up trash around the block at Mission For All Nations, I saw a man digging through the dumpster. And that started to make me think of stuff I could do to help them. Even simple things like giving them leftovers from a restaurant.

-Lindsey

Saturday Evening

While helping at the food pantry I was chatting with a volunteer. I asked what group she was with. She gave me a strange look and said, “I’m here for the food, aren’t you?” It was then it hit me, she could have lived in my neighborhood. How many people do I daily interact with that are hungry and hurting and I didn’t notice. God really opened my eyes.

-Julie

Saturday Afternoon

At Mission For All Nations a young woman came up to me while volunteering, and asked if she could volunteer to help her family. Our conversation continued on to a discussion of her tragic situation. But the woman was hopeful and grateful for what she had been given; life, family, food, ect.

-Brian

Saturday Afternoon

Write down an encounter at a ministry that impacted your life….

When a man at the food pantry, Mission For All Nations, said that I helped him live for another week and all I did was put his food in a car.

-Justin

Saturday Afternoon

Seeing a line already formed before our group even arrived at Mission For All Nations (a food pantry) caused me to realize all over again that I wasn’t reading a story about people in need, but seeing it right in front of me. I couldn’t ignore reality.

- Kerry