Jesse Cottonham: GX Volunteer Mentor
by Grace Dulcé
With more than 25 years of working with youth from all walks of life under his belt, Jesse Cottonham is showing no signs of slowing down. He and his wife, Pally, of 34 years have been awarded a number of covetous titles including the Jefferson and Mielke Awards for outstanding community service. This San Francisco native’s love for God and passion for kids can be seen weekly as he volunteers his Sundays to help serve GX youth.
The Cottonham’s have been ALCF members for three years. They have two adult children who are both married and ALCF members. Jesse, having gone on the Mexico mission trips and both summer and winter camps, treasures many fond memories with the youth. By profession, he is a human performance senior specialist for a local energy company, where he trains electrical workers to reduce performance errors. Upstairs in GX, he is simply known as “Uncle Jesse.” Read more
Tools For The Trade
David Thompson Teaches Construction Courses at ALCF
by Mary Tan
On a warm September afternoon at a Starbuck’s in San Jose, David Thompson sets up his Gideon Bible station.
“Would you like a Bible?” asks David.
“No. I’m an atheist,” Richard* retorts.
“Well, Happy Veteran’s Day! Are you a veteran?” responds David.
“Actually I am…was in the Air Force,” says Richard.
“Really! I was in the Navy,” says David.
From there the conversation led to the construction course David teaches on Saturdays through ALCF’s JOBS Ministry.
Richard opines, “I think teaching people a job skill is more important than giving out Bibles or teaching a Bible study in jail.” Richard then goes on to attend David’s Construction Technology course. Read more 
Answering The Call
by Grace Dulcé
What began for ALCF member Gina Covello as a two-year volunteer assignment with Kid’s Club, has become a lifelong commitment and friendship with two young girls whom she came to know deeply through this weekly after school program at Brentwood Academy in East Palo Alto. Gina, a former high school teacher, felt God’s calling through ALCF’s weekly service announcements.
“It’s funny because when God calls you, He really calls you.”
The goal of ALCF’s Kids Club is not to just teach kids biblical lessons and values, but to help them apply God’s Word to situations and circumstances in their own lives given the challenges they face at home, in their neighborhoods, and at school. Read more
The Gift That Never Loses Its’ Power!
by dr. jjj
Christmas is NOT about Black Fridays, Small Business Saturdays, or Cyber Mondays. Rather, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus—God’s Ultimate Gift to us! At Christmastime, we give gifts to symbolically honor His birth and His ultimate blood sacrifice that reconciles us to God. Read more
Legacy of a Self-Proclaimed Geek
How God Used Kenny Gibbs to Serve 5ifty6ixers
by Chequita Parker and Mark Arevalo
It’s Sunday morning in the Worship Center. As the doors of the GX room open and close, the sounds of intermittent guitar riffs, drum beats, and voices raised in praise, echo, and then fade away. Worshipers in the sanctuary settle down to listen to the weekend’s video announcements. However, upstairs in classroom 5, everything is going full throttle. Welcome to 5ifty6ix, ALCF’s community of fifth- and sixth-grade children. These preteens are busy—chatting about school, the latest movies, and YouTube clips. They’re playing foursquare, foosball, and video games. In other words, they’re having a great time just being themselves. And sitting with the kids in this organized chaos of activity is the amazing “Mr. Kenny”. Read more
Letters to God
The SAFARI Kids’ Prayer Wall
by Lovisa Brown
[Volume 1, Issue 2, Summer 2007]
Jerusalem’s Western Wall is the only remaining structure from the original temple that Jesus knew. For thousands of years, people have prayed there—a great number of them writing their prayers on paper, wedged between the bricks.
This page is our wall, covered with prayers by some of ALCF’s SAFARI kids. We invite you to agree with them in prayer as they seek God for answers.
Boy in Jerusalem lighting candle (photo: George Hsia; graphic design: Monique Funnié)
Resources for Job Seekers
by Pamela Sneed
[Volume 2, Issue 1, Spring/Summer 2008]
Sean Passin (photo courtesy of Sean Passin)
ALCF member Sean Pasin, a military veteran who was working part-time for the Army Reserves, began participating in PrayerWorks after earning his Masters in Communication Studies in 2007. At the time, he was looking for full-time employment. “Being around people looking for jobs can be discouraging. I realized I needed encouragement,” he explains.
A common goal shared by members volunteering in PrayerWorks and JOBS is this: They seek to encourage people looking for work. Both ministries are focused on leading others to prayerfully seek God’s guidance in their career choices. PrayerWorks endeavors to encourage and to give hope, recognizing God as our source and provider, and relying on His promises. The JOBS Ministry models God’s love and compassion, while encouraging individuals in their walk with Christ as they make use of its employment preparation services. Read more
The Joy in Giving–Your Time, Talent, and Treasure
by Scott and Holly Bachman
[Volume 1, Issue 3, Fall 2007]
My 11-year-old son, Grant, loves to play basketball. So, it was no surprise when he rushed through the gates of Great America last month and headed straight for the basketball games. I immediately heard “Dad, Dad, can I have five bucks?” Within a matter of seconds, Grant slapped down the $5 bill I handed him, made three shots, and was gleaming over the three regulation-size basketballs he had just won.
Student Ministries
Transforming Students into Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ
by Dena Evans
[Volume 1, Issue 3, Fall 2007]
At first glance, this doesn’t look like your parents’ Sunday school. Colorful beanbag chairs, cushioned sofas, video games, and wide-screen TV sets provide the backdrop for this meeting place, while the sounds of a full band jamming to the rhythmic drumbeat of a contemporary praise and worship music style reverberate off the bright purple, orange, green, and blue-painted walls. Absent are a blackboard and traditional classroom configuration. But present are stacks of Bibles waiting to be brought out as needed for small group discussion. Here at GX and The HOUSE, students (from sixth grade and up) enjoy the familiarity of a clubhouse-like, recreational atmosphere and contemporary music.
Generation Example (photo: Charls Fosterwhite)
Iron Sharpens Iron
One Men’s Accountability Group
by Shawan Worsley
[Volume 1, Issue 3, Fall 2007]
Kevin Lee, the pastor charged with oversight of the ALCF Men’s Fellowship, believes that the practice of accountability creates lasting changes in Christian men’s lives. Leaning forward in his armchair, he claims passionately that every man should embrace this time-proven concept.
Njuguna Njoroge, André Worsley, Collen Buie, Marion Martin, Chigo Uzoigwe (photo: Shawan Worsley)
