Friends Connection

There are many of you I haven't had the privilege of meeting, yet.  In order for you to know a little more about me, I thought I would add a few personal details. 

I grew up in a little town called Cleveland, Texas just north of Houston.  I have lived in New Jersey and in Bossier City, Louisiana, also.  I currently live in Lufkin, Texas..  I work at Memorial Health System (hospital) here in the office of a Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon, who is the Director of the Heart Team there.  I also help with the music at Eastview UPC, pastored by Rev. David Hunt.  I really love my job, my church and all my friends here.  God is so good!  It's fun living in the same town as our Texas District Campground and Texas Bible College.  I also serve as the Texas District Singles Coordinator...

I have a wonderful twin brother who is married with a wife who is a best friend to me and 2 gorgeous daughters.  To see pictures of my family go to the Photo Gallery page.  Thank you to everyone who has been a part of Friends Connection for the past 8 years!     (Cheryl - 6/2008)

Oh yeah...and I really love Starbucks!

My answers to a list of questions

FC is simply a way to get work out about events, prayer requests, news etc concerning single adults.  This is accomplished in a quick manner via e-mail. 

You see...it all started like this.....

Once upon a time there were a few Apostolic single adult groups in north Louisiana.  Some had been very active for 4 years or more, but no one ever got together for fellowship or church services.  During personal prayer time, it was born in the heart of a few leaders to see things change.  The small group met in Minden at Golden Corral to share ideas and after getting the appropriate pastoral and district approval, a plan was made.

The first event was an icebreaker at Christ Apostolic Tabernacle on Shed Rd. in Bossier City with about 70 singles present and 7 churches represented.  Everyone enjoyed the skits, songs, testimonies, fellowship, food and meeting new friends.  Many comments were made on the great atmosphere and wonderful spirit felt.  After having a good time, singles started asking how they could get information on further events. 

The largest and most active group at that time was from the Shed Rd. church, led by yours truly, and pastored by Rev. Ron Hehnke.  This group had been going for about 4 years and met every week.  The closeness among everyone was contagious and truly unique for the time.  If anyone from that group reads this, I want you to know you will always be special to me. 

When the question came up of how people could find out the calendar, I offered to send them an e-mail.  It would be easy for me to do, so the idea just came with nothing else in mind other than letting people know the plans coming up for the area.  After a short time, I realized there were about 20 people getting that e-mail, including a few from out of the area.  A brain urge hit and I decided to ask everyone a question.  The question was "If you could go anywhere in the world and money was not an obstacle, where would you go and why?".  Everyone started writing back their answers and it was so much fun to see them, I decided to share with the list.  Hence, the very first "FC".

I had no clue that over 8 years later (as of 2008) "Friends Connection" would still be going and would now include people from all over the nation, their events, prayer requests, etc.  It's difficult for me to keep up sometimes, but I still love getting to meet everyone via e-mail and sometimes in person.  Many precious friends for life have been made because of this connection.

I said all of this to give you an idea of how the e-mail started and so you will know that I never actually meant to start it...it just happened.  All glory and honor belongs to the God we serve - this is definitely because of Him and not about me.

I do pray that FC is a blessing to you in some way....single adults are truly special people!

Cheryl  :)