NEWS ARCHIVE. For the main Butler news page, click HERE.
Lent and Ash Wednesday
This month marks the beginning of Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday. All are welcome February 18 for an Ash Wednesday service in the Butler Sanctuary.
The season of Lent signifies Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem and beginning his journey to the cross. Our time will include worship, reading of scripture, the imposition of ashes (if desired) and a variety of stations to engage in to begin your journey with Jesus through the Lenten Series. Youth and children are invited to participate - stations are children-friendly (3rd grade and older).
February 2026
Workshop Highlights
Our All-Church Strategic Planning Workshop this past Sunday was well attended, provided helpful dialogue, and brought forward many helpful insights! Our time together covered: (1) review of our guiding Vision statements, (2) summary of key SWOT analyses insights, (3) laying the groundwork for re-envisioning the organizational shape and ministry model of our church, and (4) describing our next steps in the coming weeks.
The input is being summarized and will be posted on our Council Updates page
soon, and is being made available to our Church Council in preparation for their meeting next week. If you missed the session, a link to the video recording is available upon request; your input is desired now so it can be included in the process!
Again, it is important to emphasize that
we do not have a pre-determined outcome
for Butler's future model! Thank you for your continued prayer for Pastor Ron, the staff team, ministry leaders, and the Church Council as this discernment process continues.
February 2026
Mark Your Calendar
Our next All-Church Combined Service will be on Sunday, March 1! The special focus will be on our partner agencies, and our speaker will be Juan Wall, pastor and leader in the hispanic ministries of our Pacific District churches. There will be worship in multiple languages and we will be taking a special offering as part of the service. The morning will start with Butler Cafe at 9:30AM
in the courtyard and the service will follow in the sanctuary.
In Memory of Ray O'Neil
Join us in praying for Bonnie O'Neil and family following the passing of Ray O'Neil who went home to be with the Lord last week (January 29). Ray joyfully participated in our Faith Community congregation despite the limitations of Parkinson's disease. His passing followed a downturn in health but was still rather unexpected.
A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, March 14 here at Butler Church. More details to come.
A memorial service is being planned for Saturday, March 14 here at Butler Church. More details to come.
January 2026
In Memory of Lenora Nickel
Join us in praying for the family of Lenora Nickel
who went home to be with her Lord this past Sunday (January 25). Lenora is the last of our original Butler Charter Members who established Butler Church almost 70 years ago. Arrangements are being made to celebrate Lenora's 97 years of life.
A memorial service and reception will take place here at Butler on Wednesday, February 18 following the morning graveside service in Reedley.
A memorial service and reception will take place here at Butler on Wednesday, February 18 following the morning graveside service in Reedley.
January 2026
Update on Support for Anul
Thank you to all who have been praying for our church member, Anul Ram, who was detained by ICE several months ago. Her court hearings completed several weeks ago, determining that she will be deported back to her birth country of Fiji. She has finally received word that the consulate and immigration paperwork is completed, and that a plane ticket will be ready for her any day now! While this is bittersweet news, Anul is looking forward to restarting her life and trusting God to direct her.
Please pray for a smooth travel process, for housing to be quickly available to her, and for peace throughout the process. If you would more detailed updates on how to pray for Anul, or to give toward her support for resettlement, please connect with Shelly in the church office for details. 559-252-3741 | info@butlerchurch.org
January 2026
Intersections Cohort Highlights
Our collaborative learning cohort with the Central Valley Justice Coalition is off to a GREAT start! This past Tuesday, we had 25 registered participants attend (and there is room for more!). Our first, eye-opening session focused on issues of justice and compassion as it relates to human trafficking, specifically “Familial Trafficking."
If you would like to join in learning together, there is still time to register - whether you can attend in person or would like to request a recording. Additional topics include economic security, the justice system, and more to consider practical ways to join the work God is already doing in our community. Sessions are on
Tuesday evenings Jan 20 - Feb 24. A registration cost of $30 covers most meals for the six weeks. (If cost is a barrier, please let the church office know; we want all interested to be able to participate!)
January 2026
Strategic Planning Steps
This year at Butler Church will find us listening to each other and discovering what God may be saying to us about the church’s (1) Mission, (2) Model, (3) Leadership, and (4) Resources. Each distinct congregation at Butler is engaged in this work and, subsequently, we’ll all come together for church-wide discussion and decision-making. Can I ask us all to be in prayer for our newly constituted Council and our pastoral staff? We need wisdom to communicate effectively and to identify the changes needed to move Butler into a new season of flourishing and growth.
As we work through these meetings, updates will be shared here and available on our Council Updates page. Two congregations have met and the next will be Amor y Fe (this Sunday) and Common Ground (next Sunday). After that will be an All-Church gathering, likely on Sunday, February 1.
I join you in believing that our journey as “Jesus people” will be deeply rewarding as we trust that God has given us the resources of wise leadership and collective passion for the transforming Kingdom! - Pastor Ron
January 2026
Intersections Cohort
Butler Church is hosting a 6 week learning cohort is with the Central Valley Justice Coalition. Through scripture, community speakers, and guided conversations, we’ll dive into six interconnected topics, seeking deeper understanding of both our local context and God’s heart for our neighbors.
Participants will gain insight into the challenges and strengths present in Fresno, Hear from leaders working directly in areas addressing human trafficking, economic security, the justice system, and more….and consider practical ways to join the work God is already doing in our community. These sessions will be on Tuesday evenings Jan 20 - Feb 24. A registration cost of $30 covers most meals for the six weeks. (If cost is a barrier, please let the church office know; we want all interested to be able to participate!)
January Prayer Gatherings
Churches in Fresno/Clovis are again joining together for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting at the start of the new year, from January 5-25. A prayer guide is also available to pick up on Sunday mornings here at Butler. Consider setting aside a specific time for prayer, or joining one of the city wide prayer gatherings. Let’s begin the year with our attention attuned to God and what He wants to accomplish in our individual lives, the life of our church, and in our city.
A note about Fasting: This is about more much more than “giving up” - it’s about making room! Fasting from a meal, a particular food, or an activity, creates a “space” in us for God to fill. Prayer is communication with God; it's a two-way conversation where we speak and listen.
January 2026
Update from Pastor Ron
While everyone around us has marked the beginning of a new year, the people of God live by a different rhythm. Our “new year” began on November 30th with the start of the Advent season. Today, as I write this note, January 6th marks Epiphany – when we celebrate the discovery of Jesus by Persian astrologers (Magi in Matthew 2.1–12). Like them, we look for signs of the life of Jesus all around us – in people, in local communities, and, yes, even in world events where voices for peace ring out to counter the violence, greed, and deceit that seems to dominate. I say “seems” because the story of God and God’s people has a different plot and different outcome. We have the privilege to live a different way – the way of self-giving love that Jesus embodied. And, for the next several months our gatherings and teaching settings will focus on the way of Jesus. In particular, I am looking forward to several opportunities we, as an Anabaptist church, will have to reflect and meditate on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). I encourage us all to make these texts part of our daily curriculum this Spring as we invite God’s spirit to continue forming us as “Jesus people.” [read more here]
January 2026
Memorial Service
The granddaughter of our church member, Toom Polsena, passed away following a long battle with cancer. Ava was 16 years old and her passing has deeply impacted many, especially cousins and friends. Our Asian Grace congregation is hosting the memorial service this Saturday at Butler at 10AM. Thank you for your prayers for the family. Please also continue to pray for Toom who is also dealing with cancer.
Kings' Day Festival for Children
Our Amor y Fe congregation is planning a “Festival de Dia de Reyes” (Kings Day Festival) afternoon especially for children, on Sunday January 4. We are also planning to bless each child with a toy gift. Those interested in attending should register with Pastor Elbio. Financial donations or donations of toys will be helpful!
To donate or to sign up, please contact Pastor Elbio or the church office (559-252-3741). The event is free and open to friends, but each child must be registered in advance. Thank you!
January 2026
A Word of Encouragement
Pastor Elbio shares this word of encouragement:
“A time within another time”
Read: Luke 1:26-38
| Joel 2:25 | Galatians 4:4
When the time was fulfilled, God sent His Son, born of a woman. What God promises with His mouth, He does with His arm! For everything God desires to do, there is a “time of fulfillment.” He will restore the years!
Advent week 1: Hope
In the season of Advent
we join with millions of Jesus followers in a deeply meaningful of time of reflection and celebration. Here at Butler, our theme is “The Slow Work of God” and, for the next 5 Sundays, our gatherings will explore what it means to partner with God patiently and faithfully in the restoration and healing of our world.
This week is centered around HOPE. The art piece from this past Sunday brings us hope that comes when we make 'war no more.' You can reflect on the art piece and the artists' reflections. If you missed this past Sunday, livestreams from our English services are available on our YouTube channel.
from the artist statement:
"...both of these tools are used in the process of regeneration, but they are not in themselves symbols of a bountiful harvest. Like gardening, “learning war no more” is a daily practice requiring dedication and lots of trust that we are truly cultivating an environment for Godʼs peace to one day bloom.
And so, in this Advent season, what needs to be plowed or pruned?
What daily acts of regeneration will provide for you and the generations who come after you?"
"War No More"
by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity
Inspired by Isaiah 2:1-5
Silk painting with digital drawing and collage
Update from Pastor Ron
We’re in a season of beginnings and endings: while the end of 2025 rushes toward us, we mark the time of Advent as the first few days of the global and historic church’s New Year. I’m glad to share some updates on church governance and administration as we’ve just held our year-end congregational meeting this past Sunday.
A New Council
We welcomed three newly elected members
to the Butler Church Council.... I am so thankful for the willingness of these new members to serve and look forward to their leadership and wisdom among us with a year of significant transition ahead.
[Read more about the Council & strategic planning on our Council Updates
page]
December 2025
Mission Updates
GREAT news! We've reached our goal of $20,000 for the missions offering! This means we'll be able to support our missionaries and develop local mission partnerships in the coming year. We also have an established fund to support those interested in short term mission opportunities. Find out more at butlerchurch.org/missions
Please pray for our missionaries as they have special opportunities in the Christmas season to share the Good News of Jesus - God with us!
Our missionaries,
Pablo & Maricela Chavez are also preparing to head overseas...returning to return to Peru for a second term on January 7. Pablo writes:
"Our hearts are joyful, thankful and sad. Sad because in order to return to Peru for a second term we must surrender our family unity. Isaac will be staying in California to finish his senior year and to graduate from Reedley High School in May 2026 and then continue on to Reedley College. We have not found a place for him to stay, thank you to those of you who are praying specifically for a host family for him, please continue to pray for this." Let's join in praying for housing for Isaac!
December 2025
Community Festival Highlights!
There was a big turnout for the Community Festival last Saturday! A big THANK YOU
to Nzash Lumeya, Pastor Bruce Hood, and Teen Challenge, and the 50 volunteers – many resources were made available to our community! This included free food, shoes, bicycles, a car and motorcycle show, and support for addiction recovery.
Brother Nzash’s top highlights were (1) Gratitude:
for this vision becoming a reality and the great weather….the sun came out just as the event started! (2) Many Butler people serving together: setting up early; organized with shoes; tracts and Bibles given out (all available Bibles were taken!); Butler pastors opening and closing the event with a powerful message and prayer (3) Surprises of how God provided
more than we could ask or imagine: FPU offering use of the land; assistance from FPU campus safety; preachers in Spanish; extra food that wasn’t planned for; and a young man who committed his life to Christ and is now connected with the recovery program….join us in praying for Isaac.
This Saturday (Dec 6)
Nzash is hosting another prayer gathering to give thanks for this event and seek God’s continued guidance in ways to reach our community with the love of Jesus. This outreach prayer gathering is every first Saturday at 10AM
in Room 16.
December 2025
Update on Anul
Thank you to all who have been praying and supporting our sister, Anul Ram, who has been detained by ICE since August. She has been in a legal process to be able to return to Fresno and her ministry and family here at Butler Church. Unfortunately the immigration judge recently ruled that she is "subject to removal" and will be sent to her birth country of Fiji. She does not know how soon this will happen but likely within the next 2 months.
Anul is thanking God for the love and family she has here in Fresno and trusting God for what will come next. We are thanking Him for connections that have been made in Fiji where she may be able to stay and rebuild her life. Please continue to pray
for peace and guidance for Anul.
December 2025
Update from Pastor Ron
This holiday week represents many different and divergent traditions and concerns for the American family. For some, it is a time of family and friends, gratitude and generosity. For others, it is much more difficult – a reminder of a world where scarcity and insecurity are far too common. Our calling as God’s family includes making room for others and embodying the radical "neighborliness” of Jesus
amid the complexity of such different experiences. As Jesus urged his followers: “Freely you have received, freely give!” (Matt 10.8 TNIV).
Advent 2025:
This coming Sunday we join with millions of Jesus followers by entering the season of Advent. I anticipate this to be a deeply meaningful of time of reflection and celebration here at Butler Church. Our theme is “The Slow Work of God”
and, for the next 5 Sundays, our gatherings will explore what it means to partner with God patiently and faithfully in the restoration and healing of our world. God’s work is always underway, but the hectic pace and endless distractions of our lives can obscure our vision and hinder our faith. The good news is that we can choose to slow down and reconnect with God’s never-ending project of loving this world into wholeness. Let’s grow together in HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE this Advent season!
A final reminder: Butler Church’s annual congregational meeting will take place on Sunday, December 7
at 3:00 pm; I look forward to the opportunity to share updates and invite feedback on the strategic planning process as we discern God’s desired future for our church family.
Community Festival
The upcoming "Community Festival" event will bring Fresno area ministries & social services to our neighborhood! In partnership with Pastor Bruce Hood and Feed My Sheep Ministries, the community festival highlighting resources to combat drug and alcohol addiction will take place on
Saturday afternoon, November 29
in the empty lot across the corner. Food, community resources, and testimonies of addiction recovery are just some of features that will be part of this community festival! Please join in praying for a positive impact in the community, and plan to attend if you will be available!
Brother Nzash is seeking 5 prayer partners from each of our congregations. If you are able to commit to praying together in person or from your home
please let Nzash or the church office know!
November 2025
Serving school families in Southeast Fresno
Butler Church is being invited into more opportunities to serve our community through the work of our literacy mentors! In November
(Nov 22), a team from Butler helped assemble food boxes for an initiative focused on families in this school region. Pastor Connie writes:
"As our Butler members continue to serve as mentors at Ayer Elementary School, we are not only providing literacy support for first graders but also building connection and trust with the staff and personnel at Ayer and beyond! Our Community School Lead, Sal Lucatero, reached out and asked if Butler would like to participate in the first-ever Regional Turkey Giveaway in SE Fresno. In light of an increase in food insecurity, the Sunnyside Community Schools of Ayer, Greenberg, and Kings Canyon are patterning with Councilmember Brandon Vang's office to provide a turkey meal for families that have been identified as needing food assistance. Butler Church not only contributed funds to purchase food, we will also be serving at the event as well!
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our neighbors and ask for your prayers as we make deeper connections
and create good will through good deeds to prepare the way for good news. Thank you for your prayers and for giving financially to Butler Church so we can serve our neighbors in a tangible way!
November 2025
Christian Leader News and Magazine
A new issue of the Christian Leader is available! This bimonthly magazine features articles and news stories to help connect the US Mennonite Brethren churches with each other and our broader MB family.
You can
receive the Christian Leader
by mail or find it online.
(If you are not currently on the mailing list but would like to be added, please let the church office know!) News stories, feature articles and columns are published on their website, like these recent pieces:
ABCs of Partnership
(featuring Butler Church literacy mentors!)
November 2025
Update from Pastor Ron
Our Butler Church family is celebrating “Missions Month” this November, culminating with a Missions Sunday combined gathering on Sunday, November 23. Our distinct congregations have been hearing feature updates from gospel workers here in Fresno (Dr. Nzash Lumeya and Fresno School of Mission) and abroad (Thailand and Peru). We are very much looking forward to welcoming Pablo & Maricela Chavez (Peru) to be with us in person on the 23rd! Please keep in mind, on that Sunday, all our giving will go toward our Missions Offering for missions support in 2026 (Goal: $20,000).
Financial update: I’m pleased to report that our church’s overall giving in 2025 (to the end of October) is meeting our obligations (with a marginal surplus). So, on behalf of our Council, I want to say “thank you” for your faithful giving to this point. Many of you will know that the end of the calendar year is also the end of Butler Church’s fiscal year. As you plan your giving toward the end of the year, I encourage you to keep in mind that we will still have some significant general fund expenses. We also continue to leverage our collective generosity to help our neighbors as much as possible through food ministries (food pantry and first Fridays food distribution) and the benevolence assistance fund. Let’s together be generous and thank the God who makes our generosity possible!
Change for this Sunday. Finally, due to some conflicting schedules for those interested in baptism and / or membership, our pastoral staff made the decision to postpone this a few months. This means that our “Testimony Service” (previously scheduled for this Sunday) is also postponed. New dates for membership classes and a combined service celebrating baptism and membership will be announced early in the new year for this spring. I’m grateful for the conversations I’ve already had with the at least 5 people who wish to take this step in their faith journey. As God is faithful to us and we respond as a church family, I believe that number will be higher still in the coming months!
Let’s celebrate God’s goodness and kindness to the world God loves in this month of Thanksgiving!
November 2025
Congregational Highlight
In our Faith Community
congregation in early November, time was taken to mark All Saints' Day. A candle was lit for each member of Butler who passed away over the last year.
This month we also look toward Thanksgiving. Pastor Connie encouraged a gratitude journal practice and has provided a booklet for daily reflections. Additional copies are available from the office or on Sundays if you would like one.
November 2025
Highlights from Treat Week!
Two fun events happened this past week - and our Butler family was there sharing love and light with our community! An area schools Trunk or Treat
was attended by our Ayer school Literacy Mentors...and it turned out Butler was the only church represented! (Kudos to Pastor Connie for creating the brilliant backdrop of "Derpy Tiger" which the kids all recognized from a popular Netflix show!)
Meet and Treat at Butler
had a big turnout again with 250 hotdogs served up within the first hour! A bit THANKS to all our Butler volunteers. It was fun to see all the creativity put into costumes and classroom doors where the kids got to trick or treat. Plus there were games, bingo, a cake walk, and an opportunity for prayer. If you were there, let us know what part was your favorite! Join us in praying
over various requests shared for health, finances, housing, and relationship needs.
November 2025
Update from Pastor Ron
Reality.
Depending on where you live, work, or go to school, you may have found yourself distressed by news of the ongoing US government shutdown and its effects. Many of the conversations surrounding this unfolding crisis may be politically motivated or academically oriented. But, here in southeast Fresno, the experience of many residents is that the government shutdown is making everyday life significantly more unstable and tenuous. Food insecurity is an ongoing threat that has only increased over the past several weeks. This will change again, for the worse, on Saturday (Nov 1) when funding for SNAP* benefits (food stamps) runs out. While we cannot replace the work of so many critical government agencies and service platforms, we can be informed, pray for political resolution, and advocate for greater justice for our neighbors – persistent “prayer with legs” like we find in Luke 18! *See links for additional info on SNAP.
Opportunity.
Butler Church is in a distinctive position to make a difference in our community! In addition to our monthly food distributions (first Friday) and regular requests that come to the church office each week, we are making a new appeal for how Butler members and friends can be part of a solution for our neighbors.
Here are two tangible ways to contribute: (1) Stock the Butler Church Pantry: beginning this Sunday, we are opening a place in the church foyer to drop off dry goods (items like canned vegetables, canned soups, and dry pasta are especially welcome); and (2) Volunteer as a Butler Church Pantry Organizer: we welcome volunteers to help organize and monitor our pantry, as well as being present during Sunday gatherings or special events to represent this critical form of outreach. Please join us as a pastoral team, church staff, and Council leadership in prayer and action as we cultivate sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading at a time when there is deep need all around us!
November 2025
In Memory
Longtime Butler member, Johanna Braun, passed away last week Thursday at Palm Village in Reedley. The obituary is available here. A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, Nov 5.
October 2025
An All New Meet & Treat
An invitation and encouragement from our Children's Ministry Director, Maria Galvan:
As the month of October draws to an end, I’m excited that Meet and Treat will be happening! We are doing things a little bit different this year. The plan is to serve hot dogs, and a cake walk, but also have games and utilize our classrooms for trick or treating!
We hope to keep it simple so that we can make connections with our community; and that includes our Butler friends and family as well. In order for all this to happen we need about 20-25 volunteers.
In the past we’ve depended on Fresno Pacific University students for a big portion of this event, but we'd love to have more Butler people come out and serve.
Every year we have hundreds of people come into our campus; let’s be praying for all who will come out this year. While this event is not about celebrating Halloween, we are about being a safe environment and a fun place for our Butler Church family & community! Let’s remember to share the good news, letting people know that Jesus is the Light of the world! Every year when we have Meat & Treat we always get positive feedback. It brings me such joy to see so many returning families and new ones as well.
Three things we are in need of: Prayer, Volunteers, and lots of Candy! Let’s remember to love God, love our community, and serve both. I’m excited to see what the Lord has planned for us. Pray with me that those we serve see Christ in us and that our light shines bright. Blessings!
October 2025
Ministry Highlight: MCC
We welcomed Dina Gonzalez-Piña, Executive Director West Coast Mennonite Central Committee to share in our Common Ground worship service in October. Her message was "When Heaven Touches Earth: A Prayer for Peace and Justice." Thank you, Dina, for being with us!
October 2025
Update from Pastor Ron
There are some clear signs that we’re into the Fall season here in Fresno: cooler temperatures, the return of rain(!), and the prospect of festivities (and CANDY) for our children around Halloween events. One such event will be Butler’s “Meet & Treat” community festival on Friday, 31. October. I hope that many of us can participate by bringing our families and (where possible) volunteering some time to serve the hundreds of neighborhood friends who look forward to this event. You can find more information in this week 's newsletter as well as on Sunday mornings at the Butler Café where our Children’s Director, Maria Galvan, is coordinating participation.
There are also signs that our Butler Church family is moving into a new season of discernment, development, and opportunity. Here are just a few areas where we see such development: (1) our church staff is collaborating in meaningful ways (outreach, joint worship gatherings for our congregations, new policy initiatives to meet emerging needs); (2) efforts are underway to engage more directly with community partners (like Fresno Pacific University and West Coast Mennonite Central Committee); and (3) our Council is meeting this week to review the first drafts of budgets for the 2026 calendar year. In their own way, each of these aspects of our current work will influence our upcoming strategic planning. I am looking forward to initiating “listening sessions” with each of our 4 congregations in the coming weeks where we discuss strengths, concerns, dreams, and areas for improvement.
You may remember the quote from Walter Brueggemann that I’ve shared: “God’s desire is the world be a venue of neighborliness.” Please join me in prayer – and then also in discussion – as together we listen for and look to join the Spirit’s work all around us!
Missions Highlights
This month we were excited to have guests with us from Thailand! Our missionary Carmen Owen
gives ministry support to Naomi House, where at-risk women find training for self-employment, discipleship, and more. Through Carmen's work, Butler is one of the churches that helped this ministry begin!
Siriwan and Wichan
came with their daughter; Siriwan is the leader of Naomi House which they currently host at their home. Together with the couple representing the US foundation board for Naomi House, they shared in each of the worship services this Sunday. There was also a missions lunch following the services where we had a Q&A time and prayer over these faithful ministry leaders.
October 2025
Highlights from Vision Sunday
We had a wonderful combined service and potluck Sunday! This was also our traditional "Vision Sunday" and the installation of Pastor Ron & Kathy Herms. Thank you
to all who led the worship service, brought food for our multicultural lunch, and served behind the scenes!
Pastor Ron writes: “Incredibly grateful! So many friends, family, and members of Butler joined together for a commission to live for, and work into, God's dream for Southeast Fresno. Thanks to PDC District Minister Jordan Ringhofer, Pastor DJ Criner and leaders from Saint Rest Baptist Church for the encouragement of presence and friendship. The charge from Pastor DJ to follow the Anabaptist vision for peace (wholeness), non-violence, and love of (perceived) enemies will stay with us for a very long time.”
Pastor Ron brought an encouraging message from a challenging story in scripture, helping us to see those around us and follow the Spirit’s leading, right out our front door. The explanation of biblical vision and the benediction were just the way to begin our new season of seeking God’s vision for Butler Church.
September 2025
New Butler Worship & Tech Intern
We are excited to announce
Toby Ens, a longtime member of Butler Church, as our Worship and Tech Intern
for the 2025-26 school year. Toby has been an active member of our tech team and has served our worship and service teams in a variety of roles through the years. In this new position, Toby will be empowering and training other people to serve on our tech teams, help design tech procedures and gear management all while leaning into his own formation as a follower of Christ.
Butler Church will be partnering with Ridgepoint Leadership Academy through which Toby will be engaging in weekly discipleship classes which will focus on his KNOWING (calling), BEING (character), and DOING (ministry competence). Our prayer for Toby is that he gains confidence in his skills, continues to grow in his personal character, and gains clarity in what's next for his life through service to Butler. A special thank you
to our Faith Community congregation for their generosity in making this internship possible.
Be sure to congratulate Toby on his new job. Welcome, Toby, to the staff team!
September 2025
Update from Pastor Ron
As we move toward the end of September, there is much for which we can be thankful here at Butler Church! I write this note as we have a small team of members serving at a community celebration in Cedar Courts (loving our neighbors!). This week we also received a positive report from the detention hearing for our sister, Anul Ram, and we continue to pray as she trusts in the care and presence of our Father & the support of her Butler Church community as she awaits a further hearing. I’m personally grateful for the many conversations I’m having with volunteers and ministry teams who believe deeply in the transformative power of a church community that loves one another and their neighborhood.
This coming Sunday (Sept 28) we’ll have the opportunity to celebrate the “interim lead pastor” installation in a combined service at 10AM. My hope is that our focus will be more on the collective calling we all share
as we continue to live into the specific dream God has for Butler Church. We will welcome our PDC District Minister Jordan Ringhofer and Pastor David (DJ) Criner from Saint Rest Baptist Church as participants in this service of dedication and celebration. Kathy and I are also delighted that several of our friends from Saint Rest will be our guests this Sunday! As I share some thoughts on how we can live with VISION and PURPOSE, my reflections will come from Luke 16.19–31. I’m looking forward to seeing the whole Butler Church family – all four congregations – together in worship, prayer, and reflection this Sunday!
September 24, 2025
Update on Support for Anul
Thank you to all who have been praying for our church member, Anul Ram, who was detained by ICE in August. Her recent court date extended the time for her attorney to build a case for her release here, though that possibility is slim.
Anul's next court date is in mid-November, which gives more time to write, or even visit! Thanks for continuing to pray for Anul, for encouragement and peace in the midst of the unknown. If you would like to call or write to Anul, or give toward her support, contact the church office for details. 559-252-3741 | info@butlerchurch.org
September 2025
Update from Pastor Ron
Starting a new job can feel a lot like the first day of school – new people, new schedules, and new opportunities. But these kinds of changes also bring a mix of feelings – from excitement, anticipation, and gratitude to anxiety (fear) and a loss of familiarity. For me, the first few weeks at Butler Church are focused on a wide range of conversations with staff, members of all 4 congregations, and community partners. I’m grateful for how open so many of you have already been to engage with me in these conversations and patiently respond to the questions I bring to the task of learning more about this community!
I have found the most effective way to enter a new season of life (the future) is to nurture an appreciation for what has gone on before (the past). This is not to say that we should be content to simply repeat older patterns and practices. Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury) reminds us that learning from the past is vital precisely because the past is both strange and familiar at the same time! We have much in common with previous generations here at Butler; but we also live in a very different (and rapidly changing) world today. So, it requires intentionality on our part
to appreciatively understand where Butler Church has been (the past) and also courageously live out our calling as God’s people in new and creative ways (the future). This is exciting work but it can also be unnerving – and this is where we rely on God’s spirit
to generate gracious postures and open hearts in all of us as we enter this new season.
As the reading from St. Paul reminded us this past Sunday: “I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1.6)
September 10, 2025
In Memory
Larry Martens
passed away recently following a
battle with pancreatic cancer. Larry faithfully served, alongside his wife Kathleen, in numerous capacities in the Church, Conference, Fresno Pacific University and Seminary. Many at Butler may remember Larry Martens was also an interim pastor at Butler Church in 2008/2009. The memorial service took place September 20 at North Fresno Church.
September 2025
Prayer Request
Prayers are appreciated for our church member, Toom Polsena, who is part of our Asian Grace congregation. Toom is in the later stages of a cancer journey, and very weak. Pray for grace for her and those caring for her in these final days; that all would experience Jesus' presence and peace.
September 2025
Congregational Highlight: Amor y Fe
Pastor Elbio writes: "We are excited to have more people from the congregation taking ownership and leading parts of our service on Sundays. Our theme since the beginning of 2025 has been “Time for Expansion” and we understood that expansion in numbers and resources demands a some change in our congregational culture - more involvement of people willing to take the lead in our activities....It is a joy to see new people responding to the invitation to serve, and taking part and stepping into the way of leadership, and seeing them gain confidence as they participate. (Read more here.)
September 2025
Prayer & Support for Anul
Thank you to all who have been praying for our church member, Anul Ram, who was detained by ICE 3 weeks ago. She is being held in a detention center near LA and has appreciated the support she has been receiving through her COSA program, friends, and family here at Butler Church.
Anul's next court date is on September 24. Though attorneys have been working hard to build a case for Anul's release, current immigration policies are highly restrictive. Anul has a green card, but if you’ve heard her testimony, you know that her situation is complicated - yet God has been writing a beautiful story through it. Anul is trusting God for provision for what may come next.
Pray for
encouragement & wisdom in preparation for her next court date. If you would like to write to Anul, or give toward her support, contact the church office for details. 559-252-3741 | info@butlerchurch.org
September 2025
Highlights from Cedar Courts event
We're thankful to have been able to respond to an invitation to serve the Cedar Courts community at their Night Out event this week Wednesday. Our local missionary, Nzash Lumeya, lead a team of volunteers to serve a meal, provide some kids' activities, and connect with the community. (Nzash even arranged for facepainting and haircuts through his many connections!) We came alongside other local ministries and organizations providing resources by offering devotionals and Bibles, as well as an invitation to join us on Sundays.
Thank you to all who came to out serve and pray! We're praying for wisdom and continued opportunities to build relationships and serve our neighbors. If you would like to be part of future ministries like this, please talk with Nzash or contact the church office to get connected!
Thank you to all who came to out serve and pray! We're praying for wisdom and continued opportunities to build relationships and serve our neighbors. If you would like to be part of future ministries like this, please talk with Nzash or contact the church office to get connected!
September 2025
Welcome to Pastor Ron
Our Interim Lead Pastor, Ron Herms, started this week! Pastor Ron has jumped right in and has already had a full week of connecting...a Common Ground leadership dinner along with his wife Kathy; and engaging in staff meeting, worship planning, and more. He'll be present in each of the worship services this Sunday.
"Thank you for the invitation to join Butler Church as a new season of life and ministry takes shape in the four congregations that call this their home....We will listen, learn, and grow together as we prayerfully move forward into the future God desires for us as God’s people..." (read more here.)
September 2025
Highlights from Back to School Sunday
Our all church combined service was on Sunday, August 10. For
back to school season we heard stories of education in the church and in our community. Worship was led by members of each of our congregations, in various languages and we took time to pray over students, teachers & school staff. Pastor Connie shared a message about beginnings & endings - God is with us through all we experience!
To watch the recording from the service, visit our YouTube channel here.
To watch the recording from the service, visit our YouTube channel here.
August 2025
New Interim Pastor Ron Herms
We're pleased to announce that Ron Herms has been affirmed as our full time Interim Lead Pastor! A formal vote took place in our church business meeting last Sunday and the result was announced at that time. Pastor Ron will begin on September 1st
and serve for six months to one year. More background information can be found on the Council Updates page
here.
Pastor Ron has been spending time getting to know each of our Butler congregations and meeting with ministry leaders. Please pray for Ron and the council as they together shape the direction for this interim season, and for God's guidance throughout the process.
August 2025
Community Event Highlights
On Saturday August 9, Butler participated in a community event Summer Park Apartments.
Our volunteer team of 20 from Butler
served nachos and had a table with extra boxes of crayons, "You are loved" pins, and an opportunity to share prayer requests. (Thank you to all who served, on a hot day!) Praise God
for open hearts and good connections that were made! Pray with us as follow up contacts are made.
More outreach planning will happen in September. Please let the church office know if you're interested in future ministries like this or want to help with fall events!
Urgent Prayer Item
Thank you to all who have been praying for our church member, Anul, who was detained by ICE (on August 5). A team of people both from Butler and the Community Justice Center are working diligently to provide needed support.
Please pray
for peace and protection; and also for insights and wisdom on how to best support her. On August 8,
Butler hosted a lunch hour Immigration Information & Prayer session, to learn more about current immigration policies and pray for those impacted locally. This will be facilitated by MCC’s West Coast director, Dina Gonzales Piña. (If you were not able to attend but would like more information please contact the church office.)
August 2025
Memorial Service for PhoneKeo Keovilay
A local memorial service for PhoneKeo Keovilay
was held at Butler on Saturday, August 2, hosted by the family. PhoneKeo was a former Butler pastor and missionary. He passed away in his home country in May. Friends, ministry partners, and mission supporters were all invited to share in this celebration of life.
If you would like a copy of the recording from the service, please contact the church office.
August 2025
Saturday Neighborhood Outreach
Together with our missionary Nzash Lumeya, a group from Butler has been continuing to reach out to neighbors giving out bottled water, and offering prayer, encouragement, and an invitation to a church family and closer relationship with Jesus. This effort is branching out to the houses near Butler to ask "How would you like Butler Church to serve this community, and how can we be praying for you and your neighbors?" Please join us in praying
over these new connections.
August 2025
Thrift Donations Day this Sunday
Do you have gently used items you could donate to the MCC Thrift store in Fresno? "Thrift on Blackstone" is where every donation, purchase, & volunteer hour benefits MCC programs all over the world. Here at Butler on
Sunday morning July 27 you can drop off your gently used items with MCC Thrift volunteers (no large furniture, please). During that morning, take a moment learn what a Thrift Store volunteer experience is like and to receive a 20% off coupon to use at the store!
Thrift on Blackstone is open during the week and on Saturdays at 6687 N. Blackstone Ave, south of Herndon. mccthrift.com
Interim Pastor Candidate: Ron Herms
Over the coming Sundays, our interim pastor candidate, Ron Herms, will be spending time in each of our congregational worship services. This Sunday, July 27 he will be with Asian Grace and Amor y Fe. If you haven't yet had an opportunity to meet Pastor Ron, you can look for him at Butler Cafe!
A bio for Ron Herms is available on the Council Updates page here. We will be having an all-church business meeting following the combined service on August 10 to take next steps as a church family.
July 2025
Remembering Frieda Wiebe
We received news this week that our long time church member, Frieda Wiebe, passed away at the end of June, at the Palm Village retirement community in Reedley. You may recall that she celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year. Her obituary is available online here.
July 2025
Council Update
As announced in our Sunday worship services, the candidate for interim lead pastor is Ron Herms. His role could include both lead pastor, and congregational pastor for Common Ground – also on an interim basis. There will be opportunities to hear from Ron prior to a formal church business meeting next month. (A bio was provided on Sunday and is available from the church office.)
In the meantime, Jim Holm
has agreed to serve as our provisional interim pastor for July and August. If you have any questions, please connect with your congregational representative on Council, or with Pastor Jim.
July 2025
July 2025
Remembering Kao Saelee
We are mourning the loss of Kao Saelee, who passed away this last weekend. He was Butler Church member and on council, and a leader in our Asian Grace congregation. In his memory, Chansamone writes: “We appreciate everything that you have done to grow and strengthen our Faith in Asian Grace!! Thank you for teaching us and leading our Bible study!!”
Kao had been having some health challenges but his passing was still very sudden. Thank you for your prayers for his wife, Sahn, and family. Pray also for our brothers and sisters in Asian Grace. The memorial service will be at Butler on Saturday, July 19.
July 2025
Highlights from Pastor Scott's Ministry
We had a great time Sunday evening (June 29) celebrating Pastor Scott’s years of ministry and the ways we have seen God at work over those 19 years. If you missed the opportunity to write a note of encouragement or appreciation to Scott or the Holman family, you can send that to the church office.
During our open mic time, there were a few who didn’t get the chance to share. Emebet writes: “What I have appreciated about Pastor Scott is how he takes the time to listen, has a heart for mission, is so encouraging. As a youth leader, he took my son under his wing and this had a big impact on him. As a pastor he has served despite difficulties. For example, when he had a leg injury and had to use a knee scooter, he could have sat out – but he was up front pastoring and serving anyway! This showed me just how deep his commitment was, and it touched me deeply.”
As we look forward it can be tempting to ask, “What will happen now?” but instead let’s ask “What might God do here next?!”
Thanks for continuing to pray for Butler during this season of transition.
July 2025
The Global Sports team is back!
The Global Sports team has returned from Brazil! Thanks for your prayers for Ricky Sanchez, Niana, and the entire team. You can find many more photos @ instagram.com/globalsportsbasketball
On Sunday, June 29, Niana shared some highlights from their trip during the Common Ground service. You can watch here:
youtube.com/butlerchurch | June 29
youtube.com/butlerchurch | June 29
June 2025
Farewell Event for Pastor Scott
This Sunday, June 29
is our farewell celebration for Pastor Scott and family! Join us at 5:00 pm in the Worship Center; dinner will be served shortly afterward! Please plan to
bring a dessert to share. We're looking forward to a special time together as we look back, and share encouragement for what is ahead! During the evening there will be opportunities to write a thank you note, share a memory, and pray over the family together.
June 2025
Juneteenth
Juneteeth is a day to celebrate freedom but also to reflect on the realities of our history. Some great resources, including the “Faith & Freedom” documentary, are available at: bethebridge.com/juneteenth-resources. Here is a prayer litany to reflect on as well.
Info on Fresno area events is at: fresnojuneteenth.com
June 2025
Ministry Highlight
Together with our missionary Nzash Lumeya, a group from Butler has been continuing to reach out to neighbors in communities where our church members life, giving out bottled water, and offering prayer, and an invitation to a church family and closer relationship with Jesus. It was a joy to meet neighbors who were new in their faith, or interested in coming to Butler. One said: "I've been wanting to find a church nearby but didn't know where to go; and God brought you right to my door!"
Please join us in praying
over these new connections, and for future opportunities like this! If you'd like to be part of an upcoming outreach at Summer Park, let Nzash or Anul know!
June 2025
Fresno to Brazil!
This Sunday, June 8, we'll have a missions send-off for the Global Sports team headed to Brazil with our Butler missionaries Ricky & Karen Sanchez! Our own Niana Holman
will be part of this team, too! Looking forward to hearing an update on Thailand ministries from Karen and also praying over the teammates as they prepare to head out in the coming days! Here's a photo from their training week in Reedley.
June 2025
Congratulations
We've been highlighting all our graduates, and have a special degree to recognize! Butler's Edmund Janzen
received an honorary doctorate during the FPU commencement ceremony, honoring his career as Fresno Pacific president and faculty member as well a leader in the U.S. Conference of MB Churches. (Read more here.) Adding to his service and accomplishments, Edmund is also an author, recently publishing "The Window Pane: A Memoir of Seeing Out and In." Congratulations, Dr. Janzen, and thank you for life of faith and service!
Also pictured: FPU President André Stephens, and Josh Wilson, chair of the FPU Board of Trustees. (Photo from by Marty Solis and christianleadermag.org)
Graduation Congratulations
Andrew Garcia, son to Martha, will be graduating from Roosevelt High School this coming Monday! Reflecting on his high school experience, Andrew liked the teachers and memories he made at RHS. This summer he is working on finding a summer job, and anticipating to college courses at Fresno City College. Congratulations, Andrew!
We're highlighting all our Butler family graduates; if you have a grad you'd like to honor, please let us know!
June 2025
Graduation Congratulations
Sasha Nuñes graduated this week with the Clovis East High School Class of 2025! Sasha will be attending Fresno State this coming fall. At this time her major is Biomedical physics; she is hoping to become a nurse and, God willing, would like to be a doctor in the future. Congratulations, Sasha!
Shasha and her mother Erlinda Medrano are part of our Amor y Fe congregation. Erlinda writes: "We are thankful to God above all and to our family, church family and friend for love and support."
June 2025
Graduation Congratulations
Pastor Elbio Carballo has been part of a program with FPU's Center for Community Transformation.
June 16th will be CCT-FPU graduation for the Certificado en Ministerio de La Comunidad Program, designed to prepare Hispanic pastors and lay leaders with leadership training and community transformation skills. Felicidades, Pastor Elbio!
June 2025
Graduation Congratulations
Niana Holman will graduate on May 30 from Reedley High School as a valedictorian, with a GPA over 4.0! Niana plans to attend Reedley College, where she will begin her undergraduate studies and play on the basketball team. She hopes to pursue a career in writing or become a high school English teacher. Congrats, Niana!
June 2025
Graduation Congratulations
Jasmine Galvan is graduating! Her favorite activity this past year was playing on the Clovis High basketball team! This summer she plans to look for a job and be a support to her mom in ministry here at Butler. This fall Jasmine plans to attend Clovis community college and will study early child development. But right now she's enjoying all the senior milestones, like prom this weekend! Congrats, Jasmine!
June 2025
Anabaptism @ 500
Butler is part of the Mennonite Brethren family of churches, which is rooted in the Anabaptist tradition. This year marks 500 years since the Anabaptist movement began, with leaders choosing to boldly proclaim their faith through adult baptism.
The Mennonite World Conference welcomed guests from around the world to The Courage to Love: Anabaptism@500
in Zurich, Switzerland. “Anniversaries are a time to stop and reflect: we remember where we have come from, consider who we are today and anticipate where God is calling us to be,” says César García, MWC general secretary. The main celebration
event took place on May 29, 2025 with a livestream option. Watch the recording here.
May 2025
Podcast episode features Butler Church
The newest episode of Lead Pods features Pastor Scott and Butler Church! It was recorded prior to Palm Sunday, so it’s been while in coming out. It’s a really good episode, and Scott did a great job describing the joys and challenges of our multi-cultural, multi-congregational model.
Episode 127: One Church, Four Congregations:
Embracing Diversity at Butler Church
Listen at: usmb.org/lead-pods
Update from Council
The Search Team for our Interim Lead Pastor has formed! Our team consists of (at least) one representative from each of our four congregations in addition to two Council members. They held their first meeting last Sunday at the church picnic!
Juanita Aguilar (AF), Phanh Sivongsay (AG), Melissa Ens (CG), Steve Slattery (FC), Kao Saelee (Council), Connie Nicholson (Council), Harold Ens - facilitator/non-voting member (CG)
Please keep this team in prayer as they begin searching for our Interim Lead Pastor. If you have questions about this team, about the process, or about the Interim Lead Pastor, contact your congregational representative or a Council member.
The next Church Council meeting will be Thursday, May 29. Council meetings are at 6:30pm and are always open for those who would like to attend and listen in.
Church Picnic Highlights
We had a great time at our annual church picnic and combined service! Our service was filled with wonderful things like: testimonies from our recent women’s retreat, recognition and prayer for graduates, dedication of baby Ronell and family, verses and a song shared by our children and a message from Pastor Scott – it was a full morning!
Of course, we had our traditional water balloon toss - won this year by Alfred and his niece Josie! There were burgers and dogs grilled up by our awesome volunteers, amazing side dishes brought by everyone (thank you!), followed by great fellowship, water slides, volleyball, and all this with perhaps the best weather we have ever had at a picnic. Thank you to all that came, participated, and served...it was truly a great day together!
Highlights from Fresno Mission Festival
Butler was the host location this past weekend for the Fresno Mission Festival, led by our Butler missionary, Nzash Lumeya and the Fresno School of Mission. There were several speakers on the theme of "Change your Hearts and Live." Participants were reminded that mission calls us to ongoing repentance (turning toward God) and flows out of God's holiness. Saturday was a morning of local ministry at Cedar Courts...putting our learning into practice! We gave water door to door and paired that physical refreshment with refreshment for the soul, by offering prayer and an opportunity to get to know Jesus better.
Through weekend, several expressed new faith in Christ, on Sunday a new couple attended Butler Church, and the following Monday saw 7 ladies participating in a Bible study! Several Butler members participated, and there will be future opportunities to continue the outreach that was started...and for Butler members to grow in walking out their faith! For more information, reach out directly to Dr. Nzash, or talk with Martha, our ministry leader for Cedar Courts!
Nzash says "Matando!" (thank you) for coming alongside together in this ministry., and for praying for continued growth of the seeds that have been planted.
May 2025
Women's Ministry highlights
Our Butler ladies had a great time at the women's retreat at Calvin Crest. We had 25 in our group, and it was great getting to know each other better! It snowed somewhat unexpectedly! As one said, "The weather was definitely unexpected but surprisingly enjoyable." The focus of the weekend was Abiding in Christ. We had a time of sharing at the end of the retreat, and the following Sunday brought that same opportunity to Butler through a Women's lunch gathering on Sunday, May 4.
Stay tuned for upcoming women's ministry events! In the meantime, consider this your encouragement to be intentional about reaching out to each other. Our women's Bible study is also continuing on Wednesday mornings.
May 2025
Community Event Highlights
It was a joy serving together at the spring BBQ for the Cedar Court apartments on Easter week. Our local missionary Nzash, along with our church member Martha, brought the vision for this event and the community leaders and residents responded! In addition to the BBQ, the kids were excited to have an egg hunt, and there was a generous raffle with bikes and gifts for the adults as well.
There were at least 12 Butler people serving & at our Butler table we connected with several families. Their prayer requests were often for their family, marriage, or health. Pray with us as we follow up, speak with them about Jesus, and invite to know Him more - possibly through a new Bible study at these apartments.
April 2025
Good Friday Meditation
For Good Friday, instead of an in person service, Butler offered a Good Friday meditation to use during the day. This was made available by email, text, and on our website. Good Friday Meditation
April 2025
Palm Sunday Highlights
We had a wonderful combined service for Palm Sunday! We had a full worship team, Pastor Connie brought the message, and we celebrated baptisms of new members! Let's continue to encourage and pray for Anul, Dani, and Ma'Ziiya in this new stage of their journey with Jesus.
April 2025
New Butler Members
As part of our combined service, we will be celebrating baptisms and praying over those joining in membership at Butler. Two of these shared their testimonies this past Sunday: Anul Ram, and Danielle Johnson. Each have a dynamic story that shows us more of how God meets us in our circumstances, and makes them uniquely equipped to share with others who may be experiencing difficulties or distance from God. Ma'ziya Davis
from our youth group will also be sharing this Sunday. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement for Anul, Dani, and Ma'ziya!
April 2025
Upcoming Pastor Transition
On Sunday, March 23 an important announcement was shared with our church family. After much prayer and consideration, Pastor Scott has resigned as pastor of Butler Church and Common Ground. He will continue to serve the church and help in the transition process for the next 3 months.
While his resignation was unanticipated, we are confident that God is at work in this decision and will guide both Butler through this next season of pastoral search/transition and Pastor Scott into his next season of his ministry.
For more, visit butlerchurch.org/councilupdates where you can also find letters from Pastor Scott and from the church Council, and this video clip of his personal announcement as shared during the Common Ground service on March 23.
March 2025
Eric Pauls' Testimony
Recently in Common Ground, Eric Pauls shared about his cancer journey how he continues to experience God working through his story. The livestream recording is available on our YouTube channel. We're thankful for the medical care and miracles which spared Eric's life, and the grace that continues to sustain Eric and his family.
March 2025
Watch here
- Eric's sharing starts at 28 minutes.
Community Meal Highlights
What could you make with clay that represents you? At our March Community Meal we had several new folks join for a fun evening together. First we enjoyed delicious vermicelli bowls prepared by our own talented Butler cooks! As one person said, "all the flavors did a dance in your mouth!"
After dinner, the youth, children, and adults all engaged in an activity. Using clay, we were challenged to create something simple that represents us - our identity, interests, or skills. We had a lot of talented sculptors! And it was a fun way to share and get to know each other even more.
March 2025
Watch our Events page for info on the next Community Meal.
Milestone Birthday
A very special birthday is coming up - our Butler member, Frieda Wiebe, is turning 100 at the end of March! Frieda lives at the Palm Village retirement community in Reedley. If you would like to send her birthday greetings and need a mailing address, feel free to contact the church office. Happy birthday, Frieda!
March 2025
Bake Sale Highlights
Thank you to all who participated in the Bake Sale Fundraiser this past weekend! On Saturday we had a kitchen full of ladies baking and ovens going non-stop! What a fun time together! Because of the many orders and g enerous response at the bake sale on Sunday we raised a total of over $1,000! This will be a big help with scholarships for those planning to attend the women's retreat at the end of April.
Man Camp Highlights
A group of our Butler men were at Hartland camp this past weekend. It was a powerful time of worship, the Word, and fellowship in a beautiful setting. God's Spirit was at work in our men as we were challenged to trust God in our weakness, lead faithfully, and to give thanks in all circumstances. Stay tuned for more upcoming men's events, including the monthly breakfast fellowship!
March 2025
Lenten Series
We are currently in the season of Lent...the weeks leading up to the remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, and the celebration of resurrection on Easter Sunday. Our series for this jou rney is helping us encounter God in the midst of extremes; finding Him at work in Everything in Between. Join us in person on Sundays or find the livestream on our YouTube channel.
There will be additional opportunities to engage in these themes through the coming weeks, in scripture reading, art pieces for reflection, and memory verses. Look for these on Sundays, and in our media communications. Our desire is that through this season, our faith will grow and deepen as we experience how the cross leads us to new life.
March 2025
Highlights from Youth Ministry
Kathy Jacobs reflects on the experience of Youth Winter Camp at the end of February:
“I’m too old to old to work with young people”… this is what I told Pastor Scott last year. After stepping back from church ministries three years ago to focus on family, I told my husband that I was ready to serve again. ....This past weekend retreat at Hartland camp has made me realize that everyone has something to offer to young people.
My ability to hike, stay up late, climb the hills, and etc. may have decreased a bit, but my life experiences has helped me in my conversations with them....They’re not looking for adults to fully understand them, they’re looking for consistency and authenticity. Folks, our youth are super shy and total introverts. I’m so proud of how they broke out of their shell to connect with the other youth outside of Butler. Even if it took bribing them with ice cream. Thank you for your prayers and for your trust. Thank you to leaders Sai, Sam, and Rob for their dedication to our youth. God Bless."
March 2025
Highlights from the Community Meal
For our Community Meal for February, we took a cue from Valentine's day and chose Love
as the theme for the evening! As always, we had a tasty meal - which curry lovers were delighted by. (A special thank you to Anul and our kitchen team for serving!) Our activity was a gameshow; three couples played for a prize in the "Not-So-Newlywed Game" to find out how well these seasoned lovebirds know each other. We enjoyed a lot of laughter in the process! Pastor Elbio also shared a short devotional on love and reminded us of the importance of self care in order to love God and our neighbor well.
Mark your calendar for our Community Meal for next month on Sunday, March 30!
February 2025
Highlights from the Combined Service in February
This past Sunday we had a special focus on ministry partners, and received a special offering for their support. Worship was led by members of several congregations, and several highlight videos were shared. Our own Dr. Andre Stephens, president of FPU, shared a timely message about the importance of "Paying Attention." Our next All Church Combined Service will be on April 13 for Palm Sunday.
February 2025
Youth Ministry Update
Thanks for your support and prayer for the youth and leaders as they prepare to head to Hartland Camp this weekend! Please pray for
safe travel, growing relationships with God and each other; and....even though there won't be any snow....lots of fun!
February 2025
Thanks a bunch!
A big Thank You to all who participated in the recent fundraisers for youth and men's ministries! Your support made the difference in more participants being able to join in the camps coming up. Thanks, too, to all of our amazing chefs who make it such a delight to give in this way!
Butler women, a spring retreat is coming up for you as well! And we'll share details soon about that fundraiser, sign up opportunities, and other women's ministry events.
February 2025
Christian Leader News and Magazine
One the Mennonite Brethren ministries being supported through our special offering this Sunday is the Christian Leader. This bimonthly award-winning magazine plus regula r news stories help connect the US Mennonite Brethren churches with each other and our broader MB family.
Butler church members and regular attenders can receive the Christian Leader
by mail.
(If you are not currently on the mailing list but would like to be added, please let the church office know!) Feature articles and columns are also published on their website along with news stories on current events, like these recent articles:
February 2025
Congratulations
Our own Nzash Lumeya
was honored this past weekend with the Trailblazers award at a special benefit for the African American Historical and Culture Museum. He was nominated for his years of pastoring and equipping leaders locally and internationally, as well for his extensive local ministry - collaborating with churches and ministries to address social needs, including food distribution, community events, and support for job seekers.
Nzash shares: "This was a Holy Spirit 'set up!' I just seek what God is asking of me and follow through. Others noticed, because darkness is always transformed when Light is there. And I am not the only one who is doing the work; there are many others I am coming alongside. All glory goes to God!" Let us be about the good things which God has been prepared in advance for us to do - it brings glory to Him!
(Matt 5:14-16, Eph 2:10)
February 2025
Prayer for Peace in DR Congo
Our sister churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo are requesting prayer and humanitarian aid as eastern DR Congo faces a humanitarian crisis
following a new round of violent attacks in that region by Rwanda-backed rebels. This area has 10 Mennonite Brethren churches.
Pray for protection and refuge for the tens of thousands who are in danger, and comfort to those who have already been harmed. Pray for release of humanitarian funds (especially as US aid has been alarmingly restricted) and for resources to reach those in need.
February 2025
Black History Month
Nearly 50 years ago, February was designated as Black History month. It has become an annual cultural tradition where we get to focus on the people and events that often go overlooked and under-appreciated. However, author and speaker Jemar Tisby reminds us not to view Black history as isolated points on a timeline but as part of a coherent and continuous story. So, as you notice specific things or people being celebrated, take that opportunity to dig a little deeper!
Or ask a brother or sister at Butler what history is especially significant to them and learn more from there. There are 5 suggestions in this article on how to begin!
February 2025
Community Meal Highlights
We had a fun time together at our first Community Meal of the year! A BIG thank you
to our kitchen team that prepared a yummy meal. We got to know each other around tables with a Butler trivia game. You may know that we have 4 congregations with worship services in 3 languages....but did you know that among our Butler family we counted that 20 languages are spoken! Pastor Connie's table was the winner, because they knew that we have literacy tutors at Ayer Elementary and their mascot is the bears! Mark your calendar for our next Community Meal on Sunday, February 23!
January 2025
Prayer for PhoneKeo
Our former missionary and Butler pastor, PhoneKeo Keovilay, has been living and ministering in L--s. He has been having some significant health challenges and is again very ill. Please keep him and his wife in prayer; that they would be encouraged, and he would be able to regain health and strength.
January 2025
Anabaptism 500 Year Anniversary
Butler is part of a global family
of Mennonite Brethren churches, which grew out of the Anabaptist movement...starting with a January gathering 500 years ago! They read the scriptures and took intentional steps to follow Jesus' call to love, non-violence, and discipleship. A particular step of obedience was baptism, even for those who had been baptized as infants...and so they became known as Anabaptists (again baptized). That choice may not seem like a big deal today, but it was a radical departure from the mainstream church at the time, with severe results. May we learn from their courage and walk out our faith daily with boldness!
January 2025
A Butler Anniversary
As we think about January events, we have a big anniversary to celebrate here at Butler....or actually, 4 of them! This Friday it will be will be 15 years
since our current four congregations held their first worship services! Over this year we'll be celebrating the unique characteristics of each part of our church family, praying over each other, and looking toward what God may have in store for the future.
January 2025
Responding to the LA Fires
As you pray for the those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles and the first responders, note that our MB church family also has 11 churches in the LA area. All those buildings are OK, but many church members know people who have suffered loss.
Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) is receiving donations in preparation to help rebuild homes in the area. Locally, People’s Church is coordinating a relief response and encouraging prayer, giving, and donated supplies. You can learn more in the links below. Thanks for praying and responding as you feel called to help those in need. - January 2025
LEAD Cohorts this Spring with USMB
Start the new year with purpose! Join a USMB LEAD Cohort—free online learning spaces designed for personal growth, discipleship and community. (Butler is part of the USMB family of churches.) Let's learn together and build meaningful connections.
LEAD Cohorts are starting in January and February, and are a great way for church members to kick off 2025! There's even a cohort about Anabaptist Essentials, which is timely as the Anabaptist movement marks 500 years in 2025. Check out more details in the link, and sign up!
Church Directory Updated!
Thank you to all who helped with the church directory update project this fall or provided your current info! The final directory is now available and copies were provided at the church business meeting this past Sunday. (If you requested a copy, and have not received one yet please check in with the church office. Thx!)
< The photo directory is also available on our website!
< The photo directory is also available on our website!
December 2024
Christmas Eve Service Highlights
We celebrated Christmas Eve with a large full house! Through scripture and songs centered around the Advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, we enjoyed hymns, a song in Khmu from Asian Grace, Pastor Elbio together with Angel from Amor y Fe shared an experience of "O Holy Night" in Spanish, and our Butler kids shared the song "O Glorious Night." Special thanks go to all who prepared the treats afterward, including "tutes," hot chocolate, and champurrado. Jasmine and Andrew were our Mary & Joseph this year as we continued our tradition of singing carols outdoor by candlelight.
- December 2024
Church Business Meeting Update
A few updates from the church business meeting on Sunday, Dec 8:
- Council members: Special thanks were given to those ending their term. New Council members were appointed for Vice Moderator and Asian Grace. Nominations are still needed for Treasurer and Amor y Fe rep.
- The proposed budget was approved. Details are available in the meeting packet as well as some great ministry reports! (Click here
for a copy.)
- Pastor Scott shared an update from the Vision Team. An earlier proposal for a Sunday services 'experiment' is being modified. This will not be taking place in January, but the team is continuing to work to identify ways Butler could shift to have a multiethnic worship service and focus more on discipleship.
December 2024
Literacy Mentors Update
This past Sunday in Faith Community we highlighted the work of literacy mentors from Butler Church. There are 12 mentors from Butler who serve faithfully every week at Ayer School!
As we help first graders learn the basic sight words, reading becomes much easier for them. It is our joy to bless our students with a Christmas gift which contains a book to read, an activity book which helps with skills, and a little craft kit. On Sunday a group worked together wrap these packages. In addition, little packs were made for the all of the Ayer staff with a package of hot cocoa, a candy cane and two attachments: a note of thanks for the work they do and another explaining a special meaning of the candy cane. We're praying these gifts will be an added encouragement to the staff and that both staff and kids will feel seen and loved!
- December 2024
Missions Highlight: Christmas Outreaches
Reminder to please pray
for our missionaries in Thailand who have many opportunities to share the good news of Jesus during the Christmas season!
Carmen Owen writes: "Pray for the Christmas outreaches which are scheduled through December intending to reach 1000 children and youth with the Gospel (and for a team of 5 young adults sent from our home church in Kansas assisting in the Christmas outreaches).
Carmen Owen writes: "Pray for the Christmas outreaches which are scheduled through December intending to reach 1000 children and youth with the Gospel (and for a team of 5 young adults sent from our home church in Kansas assisting in the Christmas outreaches).
Sara Kumrod writes: On December 15
is an outreach at a Thai School for the Rimkhan community and that week an outreach to another neighborhood. On December 21
an outreach is planned at a Hmong village in Chiang Rai."
Pictured: ALH kids performing at a Christmas celebration. The Abundant Life Home orphanage is a ministry started by Ricky & Karen Sanchez.
- December 2024
Missions Offering Update
Great news! We have reached and exceeded our goal
of $20,0000 for the missions offering! This means we'll be able to meet all of our support commitments to our missionaries as well as support mission projects in Peru and help send people on short term mission assignments in 2025!
We're excited that one of our own Butler members, Niana Holman, will be participating in Global Sports to Brazil this coming summer! To find out about this and other short term mission opportunities, visit our Missions page, or get connected to our missionary support team!
- December 2024
Missions Sunday Highlights
Join us in praising God for a GREAT Missions Sunday, and generous offering! Our worship service included a multiethnic worship team, sharing from our missionaries, highlights from Pastor Scott from Peru, and a reflection on Acts 1:8 from Pastor Connie. You can watch the service livestream here.
We enjoyed lunch together with a variety soups as well as pumpkin pie! THANK YOU to all who prepared the meal and served in the kitchen!
Short term mission opportunities which were shared about during the service were explored further over lunch. Visit our
Missions page
for current missionary prayer requests and short term mission opportunities!
- November 2024
Christian Leader Current Issue
The November/December issue of the Christian Leader magazine is here! This issue is focused on the challenges and opportunities of ministry to the youngest generations. The CL is a publication of our Mennonite Brethren family of churches. If you want to b e added to the CL mailing list, let the church office know. You can also read it online, where translation is available in multiple languages!
- November 2024
Election Encouragement
Let’s remind ourselves today that our joy, our love, our hope, is not rooted in a system, a candidate, or a desired result. It is found in Christ and lived out in union with his Spirit. Our neighbor is still our neighbor, and our call has not changed to love those who are far and those who are near. Being a citizen of heaven means doing the work of God's Kingdom today in this place, where God has placed us. [Read more: Jeremiah 29:4-7]
- November 2024
Prayer for Election Day
God, You are Mighty and Merciful. We are grateful for the right to vote, and we will not take it for granted.
Empower us to prepare our hearts to both vote, and to respond to the results, in a way that reflects Your justice, peace, and compassion.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Meet & Treat Highlights
We had a great turnout again this year for Meet and Treat with over 500 people attending! Many commented how glad they are that Butler Church hosts this family friendly event, and look forward to it. Thank you
to all who served at this event, and a BIG thank you to the 40-50 FPU students who put on another amazing trunk or treat, as well as serving in the kitchen, and with set up and clean up! New this year was a free raffle drawing and it was fun to present the prize to our winner. We have several names to follow up with; join us in praying
for continued opportunities to build relationships with these families from our
community. October 2024
Peru Trip Updates
Thank you for your prayers for
Pastor Scott
and the Peru Vision Team which returned last week! While in Peru, Galen with Multiply wrote: “One church has 7 teams planting churches or supporting weaker churches that need help. There is a lot of poverty here, but in the midst of it people are being faithful to God. Thursday, we met with national leaders and talked about how we serve them in partnership. It was a very fruitful conversation. Saturday night we stayed in the homes of different Peruvian families. Last night we said goodbye to everyone. We had a great time of worship and sharing.”
Visit our Missions
page for more Peru photos! A report will be shared on our Missions Sunday Nov 17!
That same Sunday we will be taking a big offering in support of our missionaries and mission partners. Our goal for 2025 is $20,000! [Click here to give] October 2024
Lao Women's Gathering
Our Asian Grace congregation hosted a Lao Women’s Revival, a gathering of 6 area churches with worship, testimonies, sharing from the Word, and food together. Past events have had 50-100 in attendance! In anticipation of the event we prayed for encouragement and a spirit of unity throughout the event, and for sustaining energy for all who were busy with t he preparations. The event was well attended and a positive time together. Our own Phanh Sivongsay shared a word from scripture and each church group shared a song.
October 2024
Peru Vision Trip
Pastor Scott has the opportunity to join a Multiply Vision Team to Peru this October! Our Missions Team has identified Peru and Multiply missionaries there for potential future support by Butler. Please pray for Pastor Scott as he visits with missionaries and churches on this 10-day trip, and explores possible partnerships there! Stay tuned for more updates and report from Scott on our Missions Sunday on November 17! - September 2024
Cultural Celebration Highlights
We had a wonderful evening this past Sunday highlighting the diversity of backgrounds in our church family! Special thanks
to all who brought food for our multicultural potluck! And especially to all who participated in our program with pozole, dance, singing, quilting & fabrics, and a pinata for the kids! In addition to all this was the delight of having several new guests and families return or come for the first time!
- September 2024
Welcoming Pastor Connie!
Our church council has approved and affirmed the hiring of Connie Nicholson as the pastor of our Faith Community congregation! Connie will officially join our staff on October 14 but will be connecting with Pastor Terry as they transition leadership of the congregation over the next several weeks. Welcome to the team, Connie!
Connie has a depth of experience in ministry, Biblical studies, leadership, as well as training in spiritual formation. If you haven't gotten to know Connie yet, you will be glad to get the opportunity! She has spoken in both Faith Community and Common Ground worship services, and those recordings are available on our YouTube channel. You can also read Pastor Connie's bio here.
Our Faith Community congregation will be honoring Pastor Terry in the service on October 6, and there will be an installation service for Pastor Connie on October 27.
Connie has a depth of experience in ministry, Biblical studies, leadership, as well as training in spiritual formation. If you haven't gotten to know Connie yet, you will be glad to get the opportunity! She has spoken in both Faith Community and Common Ground worship services, and those recordings are available on our YouTube channel. You can also read Pastor Connie's bio here.
Our Faith Community congregation will be honoring Pastor Terry in the service on October 6, and there will be an installation service for Pastor Connie on October 27.
- September 2024
Community Meal Highlights
We had a great evening together at our August Community Meal ! We filled up the Family Center, and enjoyed a delicious meal of “tacos al vapor” which quickly vaporized! There was birthday cake for dessert to celebrate all the August birthdays. After dinner there was a powerful worship time in the Sanctuary lead by the FPU college hour team, Pastor Elbio shared his inspiring faith journey in the Family Center, and our Children's Ministry Director organized a great time for the children.
- August 2024
Back to School Blessing
At our combined service this month we has a special time of appreciation and prayer for all the students, teachers, and faculty present as they return to the classroom and coursework. We gave a ‘daily encouragements’ gift from our pastoral team to each one. If you would like a copy to use or to gift to another, you can pick up a booklet this Sunday, or find a printable version here.
- August 2024
Back to School Combined Service
We had a great 'Back to School' service together as one church this month! If you missed it, you can find the recording on our YouTube channel here. Leaders from each of our congregations led us in singing Doxology in multiple languages. Fitting with our Back to School theme, our pianist and organist are both music teachers! It was great to take the opportunity to pray over students, teachers, and faculty. (Some students were so small they were invited to stand on the pew chairs so we could see them better!) We heard an update on the Literacy Mentors ministry, our children's ministry director Maria Galvan shared an update from Summer Kids' Club, and Pastor Scott shared an update on the Vision Team process. Pastor Terry brought a message from Matthew 5:13-16.
- August 2024
Summer Kids Club
Our July Community Meal featured highlights from Summer Kids Club! Theme of God at Work came from our key verse Philippians 1:6. God was working in mighty ways as we met new families and children, learned great lessons, sang our hearts out, and enjoyed games, crafts and snacks together. On Sunday evening at our Community Meal, many of the families from Kids Club joined for the highlights of the week, during which two children chose to give their hearts to Jesus!
A big THANK YOU to our volunteer team and children's director, Maria Galvan. Let’s keep praying that the good work God began in Kid’s Club is carried on to completion!
- July 2024
> Find more photos on our
Talent Show Highlights
We had a big turnout for our June Community Meal & Talent Show! Our talented cooks served up a spaghetti dinner, and we had a fun evening enjoying a variety of talents! There was singing, dancing, instrumental solos, and an art display! It was such a hit, Butler's Got Talent will be back again! Mark your calendar for our next Community Meal on July 28 featuring the Kids Club kids!
- June 2024
> Find more photos on our
Juneteenth
Juneteeth is a day to celebrate freedom but also to reflect on the realities of our history. Some great resources, including the “Faith & Freedom” documentary, are available at: bethebridge.com/juneteenth-resources. Here is a prayer litany to reflect on as well.
- June 2024
- June 2024
Church Informational Meeting
Several updates were shared at the church Informational Meeting on June 2, and there was some good discussion time about some developing initiatives. Topics included: Recent event highlights; Attendance and Giving Updates; Pastoral Searches (Faith Community and Asian Grace); the Vision Team process; Potential partnership with Head Start (on site preschool); and a mural project in development. (Click here
to view the slides from the meeting.) The meeting concluded with a time of prayer for these points and for the Butler staff.
Update: Responses to the Butler Church Survey
are being received during the month of June by the vision/consult team.
- June 2024
Celebrating Asian American Heritage
May is Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage month. Here at Butler Church, we’re blessed to worship together with brothers and sisters from several Asian cultures! In our Asian Grace congregation alone, we have members who are Khmu, Lao, Mien, and T’in! And beyond that we have Filipino, American Samoa, Korea, and Cambodian represented within our broader church family and congregations! This article, written a few years ago from the perspective of a Korean-American pastor, provides insight on why celebrating AAPI histories, culture, gifts, and experiences is actually a form of worship.
- May 2024
Picnic Highlights
Our annual church picnic is always a fun Sunday! This year about 200 of our Butler family joined in our outdoor worship service at Fresno Pacific University, with activities, food, and fellowship through the afternoon. We kept the waterballoon toss tradition going, and added in a story time while the kids had relay games and played on the waterslides. Special thanks to the many people who served and made this big day possible!
- May 2024
- May 2024
Women's Retreat Highlights
A group of 18 Butler ladies attended the Calvin Crest women's retreat at the end of April and had a great weekend together there! The theme was "Trust in the Slow Work of God." We were reminded of the goodness of slowing down and walk at Jesus' pace - so we can notice what He sees, and hear each other's stories. For our Butler group, being intentional about making space for connecting times was a theme that came up several times. A big THANK YOU to all who donated for the fundraising events and gave rides; we were able to provide several scholarships so that so many ladies could participate. We're looking forward to more unique opportunities like this in the future!
- April 2024
Community Meal Highlights
We had a great time at our Community Meal on April 28. After a delicious taco dinner served by our amazing kitchen team, our children and youth were excused for a fun programs, while the adults spent time listening to and sharing personal stories. Special thanks to Nixon Khoutsavahn for sharing some of his story. Join us in praying for deepening connections among the new and old friends who gathered! Our next Community Meal is being planned for June 30!
- April 2024
Easter Highlights
We hope you had a wonderful Easter! On Friday we had a great time with neighbors at Summer Park, visiting and bringing joy to the kids. We're praying those connections continue to grow. And, it was truly a blessing to spend Easter Sunday praising God and celebrating the Risen Savior together. Each of our congregations were blessed to see friends, family, and neighbors join us and our children’s ministry was busting at the seams with kids. Let’s continue to pray that our faith and church family will continue to grow!
- April 2024
Welcome to Pastor Terry & Debra Brensinger
This month we are welcoming Terry & Debra Brensinger into the interim pastoral role for our Faith Community congregation. While they have been part of Butler for several years now, Pastor Terry officially began his work at the beginning of February. As a church we will pray over them this Sunday during the combined service for this 6 month season of ministry.
- February 2024
Note: The pastoral search committee continues their work and has posted the pastor opening. More details are available on the Faith Community
page.
Retirement of Pastor Jim Holm
Pastor Jim officially retired at the end of January 2024 and a special celebration took place on January 28 to honor this milestone with Jim and Shirley Holm. The event was hosted by Faith Community, the Butler congregation which Jim pastored, and attended by family and friends from the area. We bless Jim and Shirley as they spend time in travel and with projects at the MCC thrift store and Mennonite Disaster Service.
- February 2024
The Importance of January 6th
Pastor Jim writes: "January 6th is a day of celebration for Christians all across the world, but also a day of special importance to the Mennonite Brethren Church, of which Butler is a part.
To understand this takes a bit of background. About one thousand years ago, the Christian church divided into two sections, The East and The West. The divisions were over doctrine and the way in which worship was conducted. The “Western Church” came to be called the Roman Catholic Church and from it the Protestant Reformation sprang and from that the Mennonite Church in all its branches. The Western Church observes January 6th as Epiphany...
To understand this takes a bit of background. About one thousand years ago, the Christian church divided into two sections, The East and The West. The divisions were over doctrine and the way in which worship was conducted. The “Western Church” came to be called the Roman Catholic Church and from it the Protestant Reformation sprang and from that the Mennonite Church in all its branches. The Western Church observes January 6th as Epiphany...
- January 2024
Christmas Eve Highlights
We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with worship services in the morning, and our Asian Grace congregation had a fellowship lunch. In the evening was our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, with scripture readings and songs in multiple languages, from each our congregations. Our children sang and heard the Christmas story, and there was special music with dance. We ended in the evening with carols outdoor by candlelight, and then had a fellowship time with "tutes" (treat bags), hot chocolate, and champurrado.
The service was also livestreamed and is available on YouTube here.
- December 2023
Missions Sunday Highlights
What a GREAT service, offering, and lunch we had on Missions Sunday as one church family! Thank you to all who had a part in the special morning. Our missions offering goal was set at $21,800 for 2024, which will support our missionaries and short term opportunities in the coming year. We’re excited that the offering goal has been met and surpassed! It was a joy to participate in giving and prayer together, and has already been a great encouragement to our missionaries. Please continue to pray for our current and future missionaries. You can find current prayer requests and STM opportunities on our Missions page here.
- November 2023
Meet and Treat Highlights
We had a fun night at Meet & Treat, serving together and hosting so many families from our community! A huge THANK YOU to the many folks from Butler Church and Fresno Pacific students who poured their time and energy into this event, serving up the popcorn, 'dogs, hot chocolate, candy and more! It was fun see so many smiles and to be able to provide a family-friendly atmosphere. Pray that many would be drawn to the love and light of Jesus through their experience and the connections that have been made.
If you have Meet & Treat photos to share, be sure to tag us on social media or send them to info@butlerchurch.org. Thanks!
- November 2023
Cultural Celebration Highlights
What an evening we had for our Cultural Celebration night at the end of September! A large crowd made up of our church family, friends and neighbors enjoyed an evening filled with incredible sights, sounds and tastes, as we celebrated together the wonderful diversity and unity found in Christ. A huge thank you to all that brought food, and shared talents both up front and behind the scenes! Many that were new to Butler that evening expressed a deep appreciation and curiosity to know more about our unique church family. Pray that the seeds that were planted will bear much fruit!! - September 2023
Hispanic Heritage Month
This week launches national Hispanic Heritage month. Here at Butler Church, we’re blessed to worship together with Latinx brothers and sisters in several of our congregations! In Amor y Fe specifically, there are multiple cultures represented, and an average of 30 people attend each Sunday, worshipping and studying scripture together in Spanish. This congregation began over 25 years ago, and grew out of a Spanish language Bible study started by Butler members. There’s more growing possible, too - in southeast Fresno alone, 63% of residents are Hispanic, and 44% speak Spanish or only Spanish. (More....)
Community Meal Highlights
We had a full room for our Community Meal on August 27; even more people attended than we expected! Special thanks to our kitchen crew who served up chili burgers and bacon wrapped hotdogs. After dinner, the kids and youth (there were over 30 of them!) had a great time in their own activities. The adults had fun conversations around the table over M&Ms, and Loteria led by Jim & Yami Rodriguez complete with prizes. Afterward we all had dessert together, celebrating upcoming birthdays with a cake donated by Rosita Colin. Our prayer is that many of the connections that were made during this event will continue to grow...and that future opportunities like this will do the same. Our Butler Church Cultural Celebration night is coming up on September 24! - August 2023
All Church Combined Service
All of our Butler congregations join together for a combined service on specific Sundays during the year. It's a wonderful opportunity to worship together across languages and cultures! For back-to-school our combined service included prayer over children, teachers, and administrators returning to the classroom. We sang in multiple languages, heard an update on the tutoring ministry, and enjoyed a cultural dance by the Asian Grace dancers. Pastor Scott shared "The Answer to the Tests!"
- August 2023
If you have more picnic pics to share, please send them to info@butlerchurch.org! Thx!
Church Picnic Highlights
We had a great church picnic this past Sunday with a big turnout! Our outdoor worship service included music led by our Asian Grace worship team, child dedications of little Ella and Gael and their families, and recognition and prayer for our missionary PhoneKeo following many years of ministry through Butler Church & with Multiply in southeast Asia. Pastor Elbio brought an encouraging message from Hebrews 10:35-39, reminding us that God’s presence goes with us, so when circumstances are difficult we do not need to give up!
We had fun with the traditional water balloon tossing contest, and the kids had a blast on two inflatable waterslides! THANK YOU to everyone to brought food for our potluck and especially to Alejandro & Maria Galvan and lunch crew for the BBQ, to Nixon Khoutsavanh and Asian Grace for set up and worship, and to youth leaders Chansamone Khoutsavahn and Sam & Sai Ban for setting up the activities, and to all who helped clean up! - May 2023
Stories in Scripture
In Common Ground, every 5th Sunday of the month we plan something a little different! On Sunday, Jan 29, we gathered around tables in the sanctuary with breakfast treats. Terry & Debra Brensinger are leading us in digging into a story from scripture. (Click here for the text from Daniel 3.)
Terry explains: “The stories in the Old Testament served not only to instruct the people of God throughout history, but also to capture their imagination. By following just a few simple guidelines - that we will talk about and illustrate during our time together - all of us can read, learn from, and thoroughly enjoy the often humorous, engaging, and suspenseful stories preserved for us in scripture.”
January 2023
Ministry Reports and Annual Business Meeting
Our annual Church Business Meeting will be on December 4. The agenda will include finances, council leadership, a report from the Mosiax conference, and sabbatical overview. All are welcome to attend, and members of Butler Church are especially encouraged to be present to vote regarding the budget and council nominees.
Meeting Packet: Ministry Reports & Budget Proposal
Sabbatical for Pastor Scott
Pastor Scott will be taking a ministry sabbatical December 5th through March 5th. The church council and Common Ground leadership have granted this sabbatical according to our church policy and have made arrangements for our pastors and ministry leaders to carry on Pastor Scott’s ministry responsibilities during his time away. During his sabbatical, Scott will not be receiving calls or messages regarding the work of the church; we ask that you send all your communication to either the church office, one of our pastors, or ministry leaders.
We all have a role in the sabbatical process while Scott is away. We invite all of our church family to 'lean in' to help and grow during this season. [For more information about Sabbaticals and how you can lean in during this season, click here.]
- November 2022
Back to School Combined Service Highlights
It was great to be together as a whole church for our back to school combined service! Some of the highlights mentioned were: the café fellowship time, fun school photos, the great music, the children’s moment, and Roberto’s story behind one very special school shirt! Plus, prayer over all the students, teachers, and administrators heading back to school. If you missed any of these highlights, or Pastor Scott’s “Show and Tell” message, you can watch the video of the worship service
and find more photos on ou r social media here!
- Aug 2022
Meet and Treat Highlights
It was so good to connect with and love on our community at Meet and Treat! A big THANK YOU to all our amazing volunteers and those that donated all the candy. We served up 600 hot dogs, dozens of cupcakes and so many bingo prizes. The best part were the smiles and conversation with old friends and new. Special thanks to our amazing Maria Galvan for leading us and FPU partnering with us in the Trunk or Treat. Pray that the seeds that were planted will bear fruit!
- November 2022
65 Years!
Butler's Vision Sunday on September 25 included a birthday celebration! Following our "Butler's best" potluck, our evening program focused on Hebrews 10:23-25, inviting us into Confident Hope, Consistent Connection, and Creative Engagement. Then, dessert was a birthday party to celebrate 65 years of Butler Church, established in 1957. It was a reminder of God’s faithfulness and reason for Confident Hope, our theme for the coming year.
- October 2022
Vision Sunday Highlights
Vision Night lived up to its name as our 4 Butler congregations gathered for an evening filled with great food, talents, and fellowship as a church family! Pastor Scott shared a message from Hebrews 10:23-25 and challenged us to move forward as a church with
Confident Hope, Consistent Connection and
Creative Engagement. We highlighted three exciting new initiatives taking place this fall: Shared youth ministry with People’s Church Southeast, Community Clean Up monthly opportunities, and the sending of a team to the Mosaix Multiethnic Church conference in November! We are excited for these three initiatives and for more to come! We encourage every Butler member to consider how they too will move forward with Confident Hope!
- September 2022
Church Picnic Highlights
We had a great picnic Sunday at FPU, complete with an outdoor service, bounce house, pool time, water balloon tossing contest, and a BBQ potluck lunch. There was such a big turnout that we ran out of hamburgers and hotdogs and made a pizza run!
A huge THANK YOU to all who volunteered with set up, food, clean up and more. It was a joy to welcome several new faces and return visitors as well.
- June 2022
Volume Up on Jesus
This encouragement was shared with our Common Ground congregation in preparation for Lent: "In this season, let’s renew our focus daily by looking for ways to
turn-up the volume on Jesus
in our lives for the next 40 plus days. For more on this, and a list of ideas,
click here! Perhaps, as you “turn up Jesus” in the weeks ahead he might reveal some of that beauty in the midst of the everyday. We want to hear about it!"
March 2021
Meal & More Highlights
We had a great time at our Meal and More event for May! So many good things…amazing volunteers, awesome tacos, laughter and fellowship for all ages, and great encouragement in Christ.
We got some great feedback about continuing this event with activities for each specific age group. So, stay tuned for info on a future Meal & More date. Hope to see you next time! - May 2022
Easter Picnic Highlights
What a fun morning we had for our Easter Picnic BBQ and egg hunt! Though it was a little windy we had a great time playing kids' games and enjoying a hot dog lunch. Teacher Maria and kids did a great job telling the Easter story and just then it poured rain outside! The egg hunt had to be moved indoors, but it was still fun and there were LOTS of eggs to find. Thanks to all who helped and to neighbors who came for the first time! - April 2022
Prayer Series for Lent
Our Faith Community congregation is journeying through a series on Prayer during this season of Lent. The prayer series is led by Debra Brensinger and its purpose is to invite believers to explore several different ways of praying. Many of our prayers are intercessory in nature, and we pray for ourselves, or for others we care about. But there are other forms of prayer. This series invites worshipers to learn about and to engage in various prayer practices.
• Authentic Prayer, preparing ourselves spiritually for prayer
• Prayer for discernment, helping us to understand the Word
• Prayer as response to the Word
• Praying the News
• The Jesus Prayer, or The Prayer of Bartimaeus
• Praying the Scriptures, or Lectio Divina (combined service)
Each of these prayer experiences (March 6-April 10) is placed at different times in the worship service, depending on their purpose, either to prepare us for worship, or to respond to what we have heard and experienced. All are welcome to join, either in person or online, or through watching videos from past Faith Community worship services on our Facebook or Youtube channel. (See links below.)
- March 2022
Amor y Fe Highlights
Our Amor y Fe congregation recently celebrated the child dedication of little Maxymus Torralba. It was a full room for the worship service! Pastor Elbio writes: "Maxymus, son of Alma & Jesus Torralba, was dedicated to the Lord before the padrinos (godparents) and family and friends who came to the joyful celebration. We prayed all together and for the a special blessing upon Maxymus' life."
Earlier in January, Alma had shared an urgent prayer request for baby Maxymus - when he was just one month old, their family was fighting covid and he had a high fever. Praise God he recovered quickly and is healthy today!
- March 2022
Men's Ministry Highlight
The Saturday men's day hike this month was a great time together! Pastor Scott writes: “We had fun exploring a new place (to most of us) and connecting together. Shout out to Mike Acosta for instigating this adventure to Stevenson Falls!” Stay tuned for info on future men’s events.
- February 2022
Faith Community Highlights
For the past several weeks, our Faith Community congregation hosted a series of seminars on the subjects of aging, hospice care and caregiving, understanding grief and discussing our own losses and the response to them. The series was a follows:
• January 16, A presentation on Age-related Fears, by Jeri Stubblefield, a licensed geriatric advisor. She addressed the issues that all people face as they age, from personal loss of health, income and mobility, to walking with a family member through these things.
• January 30, Two persons from Hinds Hospice in Fresno presented lectures and discussions on understanding what hospice care is and how one approaches it. They also gave information on how to be a caregiver when someone you love is in hospice.
• February 6, Kathleen Cromwell of Hinds Hospice presented a lecture and discussion on Understanding Grief.
• The final Sunday in the series, February 13, will be a round table discussion in which all participants will be given an opportunity to share their own experiences with losing a loved one and the grief connected with that. The conversation will center around what was most helpful to them in their own grieving, and what was not as helpful. The gathering will be at 10:30am. Anyone is invited to attend.
- February 2022
Prayer Walking
When there is a 5th Sunday of the month, we plan something different for the Common Ground worship service. So, Sunday January 30 was a unique morning which included the opportunity to go on a prayer walk! .
You can use the prayer guide to prayer walk in your own neighborhood! Click here to learn more about prayerwalking,
January 2022
Prayer and Worship Night
Butler hosted one of the nightly gatherings for the city-wide 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
on January 17. It was a powerful time of worship and prayer together with believers from across the city! There were times of prayer for repentance and revival of the Church, and prayer for each other, and for the generations of our community. If you missed the service online, you can find it here as well as info on the nightly gatherings this month at 7:00pm. - January 2022
Kings' Day Children's Festival
Kings' Day, or epiphany, is often a celebration of gifts as we remember the journey the wise men made to worship the newborn King! Our Amor y Fe congregation again hosted a children’s festival for Kings' Day - a great opportunity to bless kids and families! With music, stories, and prayer, Pastor Elbio and Teacher Maria shared about the gift of God’s love for each of us! Each child received a toy gift, plus there was traditional Rosca de Reyes bread and champurrado (hot chocolate). Afterward, the celebration continued outdoors with two piñatas! Join us in praying for the families that attended, and especially for the children of our church and surrounding community! - January 2022
Missions Sunday Highlights
Our annual Missions Sunday this past November was again a wonderful time with worship in song, prayer, giving, and a meal together. We were blessed to have several missionaries sharing in person - all who were originally from Butler many years ago! - and were both encouraged and challenged through the message by Andy Owen and the reminder from Nzash Lumeya to “answer the call!” You can find missions highlights and a video recording of the service on our Missions page. We're thankful for all who served on this Sunday and gave generously - we have met our mission offering goal for the coming year! Please continue to lift up our missionaries in prayer. - December 2021
Vision Sunday
On Vision Sunday evening, we celebrated the story that God has been writing through Butler Church and each of us! There was a great turnout and we enjoyed multicultural dinner together followed by worship, testimonies, and baptisms! Faith stories were shared by both new and longtime members of Butler. Through each of our congregations, we welcomed new members, and 5 people were baptized! We’re looking forward to sharing more of Our Story in the coming weeks and months. - October 2021
Back to School Prayers
Almighty God, We give you our schools.
We give you all the teachers and staff who work there,
We give you all the students who study there.
We pray our schools would be places of great discovery, adventure and creativity. May they be places where students love to learn and where they learn to love, A place where every one is respected and all are deeply valued. (More....)
.
Farmer's Market Highlights
Our first ever Farmer’s Market at Butler Church was this past July! We had a great turnout and had tons of fun with kids games, balloons, & bubbles. In addition to a great selection of fruits and vegetables, we had hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn and other goodies to offer. There were dance performances, gift basket giveaways, backpacks for kids, and a special message from pastor Marcus from People’s Church. Join us in praising God for a great event and the many incredible volunteers that helped make this a great night together with our community! See our post here
to see some great photos and to share feedback. - August 2021
Movie Night Highlights
We had a great evening our Movie Night outdoor community event at the end of May! We watched the animated movie Soul, and enjoyed Kona Ice and popcorn on the courtyard grass on what may have been one of the last cool evenings of the summer. Thank you to all who came and those who volunteered; it was great to welcome both new and return visitors. Hope to see many of you again soon! - June 2021
Church Fellowship Night
On Sunday evening, May 23, we had our first all church gathering in over a year! During our Church Fellowship Night we enjoyed an amazing taco dinner, some talented and creative Butler musicians, celebrated with Asian Grace over new life in Christ, and honored a staff member who retired earlier this year. Another highlight was a children’s moment lead by Maria Galvan; we are like M&M’s….very diverse on the outside but all the same on the inside, and God loves us each the same! - June 2021
Remembering Pastor Souk
Our church family is grieving the passing of Souk Sivongsay, pastor of our Asian Grace congregation. He went to be with Jesus on June 11 following a decline in health due to cancer. The memorial service was on Monday, June 14 at Butler Church and a recording of the service is available here. The funeral and burial will take place in his family's home state of Minnesota. Please join us in continued prayers for his wife, family, and our Asian Grace congregation.
- June 2021
Retirement Celebration
Our long time custodian, Bounthone Vongviset, retired in April. We’re so appreciative of his work and faithfulness! With nearly 20 years of service he is likely the longest tenured staff member with Butler Church! Boun says “though I am retired, my heart won’t retire” and plans to continue volunteering as needed. Join us in celebrating this milestone, perhaps even sending Boun a special note of encouragement or gift in appreciation of his work!
Boun and his years of service were recognized during our Church Fellowship Night at the end of May, with a presentation of gifts and a time of prayer. Since that time, our part time custodial job opening has been filled and we welcome Rudy Marquez on staff! posted May 2021
Indoor Worship Services
We're glad to be able to have indoor worship services again, starting Sunday, April 11! We will be continuing our regular worship schedule, with congregations meeting in both the Family Center and Worship Center during the morning.
9:00 AM Asian Grace
and Faith Community
10:45 AM Common Ground and Amor y Fe
Services will continue to be livestreamed on Facebook and on our YouTube channel (see the links below!) See please follow covid guidelines
when coming to campus & stay tuned for information about childcare and children's programs, which will be phased in. posted April 2021
Partner Ministries Focus this February
At Butler Church we are truly blessed to be part of such a unique and diverse body of believers! As part of the Mennonite Brethren denomination, we are not on our own, but we have an extended church family
that is found not only in Fresno, but throughout our nation and around the globe! This February we will be highlighting our MB agencies and give a special offering for their support. Our partnerships make possible church planting, Bible training, unity and connection across our MB churches. Watch for more information to come in our worship services, by mail/email, and online! posted January 2021
21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
For the last several years, churches throughout Fresno/Clovis have started the year with a season of prayer and fasting. This year, you can join from your home virtually—wherever you are in the community—to ask God for a vision for our two cities and a heart to serve others.
This year the dates are January 11-31. Click here
for a current list of the hosting churches and links to join on weeknights 7pm and weekends at 5pm.
posted January 2021
Prayer for our Country and Leaders
As we continue to lift up our city and country through the 21 Days of Prayer, we are especially mindful of the leadership transitions happening this month. Please pray
for wisdom for our political leaders, that peace will be pursued over violence, and for justice for the marginalized to be at the center of policy decisions being made.
Statement regarding violence at the Capitol
We are thankful for this statement from our USMB leadership regarding recent events:
“As Mennonite Brethren leaders, we believe what happened in our nation’s capital Wednesday afternoon, January 6, 2021, does not reflect the values or mission of Jesus entrusted to his followers. The life and message of Jesus do not call us to violent solutions to the problems in our world. Jesus calls us to live as he lived, exemplified by his teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. He calls us to serve others in humility…” [continue reading here]
Holiday Food Boxes
Through our partnerships with partnerships with the Central CA Food Bank, Summer Park Apartments, and our missionary Nzash Lumeya, Butler Church was able to distribute holiday food boxes to about 150 families in time for Thanksgiving. Here are some photo highlights!
This is in addition to our regular food distribution on the first Friday of each month. If you or someone you know is in need, please
contact us
so we can find a way to help.
posted December 2020
Addressing Racism
Recent events have revealed once again the brokenness of our world and the horrible effects of racism and hate. As a church we absolutely rebuke and stand against the sins of racism and hate in all forms against our brothers and sisters of color, including the verbal and physical violence that has increased towards the Asian community. We stand with them in our church, our community, and beyond. As a church we remain committed to the work of peacemaking. Resources are available to learn more about our role as believers in peacemaking and social justice in the face of racism, here at butlerchurch.org/socialjustice. We also invite anyone wanting to learn more or to process recent events to reach out to one of our pastors or contact us here.
- June 2020
Council Update
A Council Connection update is provided throughout the year to highlight recent church council agenda items and decisions. If you have a suggested agenda item for the church council or any questions or concerns, please share them with the council member for your congregation. The council generally meets the 3rd Thursday of each month.
Most recent update:
Council Connection for July 2021
Food Distribution Ministry Highlights
Our food distribution ministry continues on the first Friday of the month. Thank you to our Butler volunteers who have been serving, helping the process to go smoothly with the new health guidelines in place. About 150 households are provided food regularly, serving over 300 people each month. Volunteers are always needed and welcome! To help, contact
us! - posted 2020
Butler YouTube Channel
Did you miss Church at Home
this week or are interested in other available videos? You can find them at youtube.com/butlerchurch. In addition to Church at home, you'll find playlists for Faith Community messages by Pastor JIm, messages by Pastor Elbio in English and Spanish for Amor y Fe, and fun Butler Kids videos for Jesus and Jammies time! - posted 2020
