Due to other ministry commitments of the staff of Reconciliation Ministries, RecMin has ceased operation as of July 2008. Thanks for your support of Reconciliation Ministries!

For: Conversation Café participants and friends

Schedule:

Friday, June 22 - 10 am - leave from Richard’s in Troy Mills-5952 Winthrope St. Bring sack lunch for the trip.

**Activities: swimming, hiking, canoeing, fishing. Extra money is needed for a Wisconsin fishing license and boat rental.

Saturday, June 23- Rock climbing, swimming and hiking all day.

Sunday, June 24- More rock climbing and hiking. Bring money for a meal on the way home. Return by 7p.

Cost of trip: $145 Includes transportation, camping costs, meals, gear and guide fees.

What to bring: sleeping bag, pillow, day pack, swim wear, rain gear, shorts, pair of warm pants, sweater, hiking boots(good tennis shoes are fine), mosquito repellent, camera and toiletry items. Tents will be provide although you are welcome to bring your own tent if you have one.

Registration: $30 will hold your spot. The registration fee is nonrefundable. The balance of $115 and your Release form is due June 15.

Contact Information: Richard Marsceau, Reconciliation Ministries, 5952 Winthrope St. P.O. Box 96, Troy Mills, IA 52344. Phone- (319)224-3700. Email: richard@noelridge.org

Click on the thumbnails to see them full-sized.

Climb Leader Josh Marsceau with a First-Timer

Needles, South Dakota “Granddaddy Route”

Devil’s Lake descent

Devil’s Lake descent

Preparing to rappel.

Devil’s Tower at Dawn

Devil’s Tower “Patent Pending Route”

Devil’s Tower Camp

The group at Devil’s Lake

climbing a route behind Sylvan Lake Dam

Swimming at Sylvan Lake in the Black Hills, SD

Devil’s Tower

Do you love the outdoors? Are you adventurous? Do you want to get out of your comfort zone? If this fits your description then rock climbing is the sport for you!

I began rock climbing to commemorate my graduation from college. I went on a weekend trip to Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin, with my father’s summer ministry LYNX (Leading Youth in Nature eXploration). On the first day of climbing, I let everyone go ahead of me, hoping dusk would come before it was my turn. But, alas, my time to climb came. With nervous excitement

I strapped on my safety equipment, slowly turned around and began climbing, expecting to have to use all the strength in my body for every move I made. But as I began to climb, I realized it was not about strength, but about patience, observation and precision. Climbing, for me, became like solving a mystery. I had to be observant, constantly looking for crevices for my hands and feet. Always looking for the clues (rock crevices) that will bring me closer to solving the mystery (reaching the top).

Is climbing really safe? This fear held me back for years from climbing, but after my first climb, I never again worried about falling or hurting myself. After seeing that my safety equipment and ropes were secured to the rock I knew that I was safe, because that rock was not going anywhere anytime soon. Even if I slipped and lost a hold of the rock I never fell far. My partner was at the bottom, pulling my rope taut, so that I did not fall to the ground. Whenever I slipped, I was able to regain my bearings and continue my trek to the top safely.

Why should you go climbing? One, it is challenging both physically and mentally, giving you a chance to stretch both your body and mind. But most importantly, it draws you closer to God. My weekend of climbing showed me much more about God than if I had stayed at home doing something “safe” and within my comfort zone. I began to see the significance of the Lord as my rock. He is a firm foundation that will not be moved; I am safe and secure in Him. Even if I slip or fall, He is right there to catch me and put me back on the right track. In life, I must take one step at a time, staying close to the Rock. Because it is only if I stay close to the Rock that I can continue my journey to the “top” - to know God intimately.

How can you get involved? It’s easy. Just contact my father, Richard Marsceau, director of LYNX Ministries, by mail at P.O. Box 96, Troy Mills, Iowa, 52344. Or call him at (319) 224-3700. He will let you know of upcoming trips with LYNX or set up a trip for you and a small group with trained rock climbers in your area. Call today for an unforgettable adventure!

by Heather Marsceau - July 1999

Upcoming Events

July 8, 2007 Canoe trip

1-4pm Paris to Pinicon Ridge. Trip is rain or shine.

Meet at Pinicon Ridge at 12:15-12:30pm
Cook out at Pinicon Ridge after

Cost: $18 per canoe or $9 person
Bring: Suntan lotion, water, soda, snacks, and things you don’t mind getting wet.

Signup is necessary to make sure there will be enough canoes.
Contact AJ Lindaman 319-363-4514

Date TBA Music and Culture

Travis Scott from the Shaffer Institute in St. Louis will lead a discussion on trends in music.

Travis lives in St. Louis, MO, with his wife Brooke. He has a B.S. in biblical studies and is working towards an M.Div at Covenant Seminary (although he thinks that the title Master of Divinity comes across as a bit pretentious).

Travis currently works for the Francis Schaeffer Institute at Covenant. He has a passion for students and has ten years experience working with young people. He spends his down time drinking excessive amounts of coffee, watching movies, listening to music, and visiting homestarrunner.com. In the midst of all this Travis is trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up. He’s hoping that whatever he ends up doing will allow him to have an expense account for tattoos, although he’s not holding his breath on that one. But if you have any ideas let him know.

Previous Speakers

November 2-5, 2006 Dr. John Stackhouse

Dr. John Stackhouse is the Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Culture at Regent College, an international graduate school of Christian studies affiliated with the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

Visit his webpage here.

His schedule for the weekend:

Thursday, November 2nd
7 PM - “Jesus, Buddha, and Muhammad: What’s the Difference?”
Place: Kesler Auditorium in Hickok Hall, Coe College

8:30 PM - Q&A Reception at Brewed Awakenings Coffeehouse, 1271 1st Ave SE

Friday, November 3rd
7 PM - “Christ and Culture: Hostile or Friendly?”
Place: First Lutheran Church, 3rd Ave and 10th St SE, Cedar Rapids.

8:30 PM - “How should Christians respond to American Culture? Five Alternatives.”
Place: First Lutheran Church, 3rd Ave and 10th St SE, Cedar Rapids.

Sunday, November 5th
9 AM - Speaking at Noelridge Park Church
11 AM - Speaking at First Lutheran Church
Sermon Title: “What in the World is God Doing?”

November 4-6, 2005 Dr. Gerry McDermott

Dr. McDermott is a Professor of Philosphy and Religion at Roanoke College, in Roanoke, VA.

Visit his Roanoke College web page here.

His topics for the weekend:

“Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Jonathan Edwards on Religious Pluralism”
“Was Jesus a Fundamentalist or a Liberal? Jesus and the Bible”
“Christian Faith and Homosexuality”

Leading Youth in Nature eXploration

Lynx is an outdoor ministry of Reconciliation Ministries. We offer high-quality outdoor adventures to organizations with young people. We are also equipped to design unique events specifically tailored to your youth.

Here are just a few of the ways Lynx can minister to your teens: We can…

• Help form them into a team through activities that will require team work for success.
• Give them a clearer picture of our awesome God through exploration of His creation.
• Help them recognize their personal possibilities and responsibilities through outdoor activities.

Popular activites include:

• Camping
• Rock Climbing
• Caving
• Whitewater Rafting
• Rappelling
• Hiking
• Canoeing
• Horseback Riding
• Fishing

See a photo gallery of previous Lynx events or read a first-hand account of a Lynx experience!

Contact Richard via e-mail for information on the latest Lynx trips, or visit the Contact Info page for mail and phone information.

Little House Books is affiliated with Reconciliation Ministries and located near the scenic Wapsipinicon River in Troy Mills - a quaint Iowa community steeped in folklore and Indian legends.

Little House Books offers books, Bibles, and general ministry supplies at discount prices. We have accounts with the largest Christian & secular wholesale distributors and have access to nearly all books in print. Your selections can be shipped directly to you - usually receiving them in less than a week - sometimes in a little as two days.

Call for specific shipping times and really great prices!

Reconciliation Ministries
5952 Winthrope, Box 96
Troy Mills, IA 52344
319-224-3700
marsceau@recminusa.org

Rest and Relaxation in Troy Mills, Iowa

The Ray House is a newer ranch home on our wooded grounds at the west edge of the village of Troy Mills. It is a fully furnished, three bedroom home — an ideal get-away for individuals, couples, families or small groups and informal meetings. The house is located on 25 acres of woods and trails adjacent to the Wapsipinicon river.

Enjoy the quietness of the country. Take a walk in the woods or sit and enjoy the scenery. You can watch the many species of birds and wildlife known to inhabit the area. You can do these things from a trail or from one of the benches overlooking the old quarry beside the river. You can even venture into the limestone quarry and study the fossil history of the area.

Just some of the ways the Ray House can provide you with the refreshment you’re needing:

• We can provide Bed and Breakfast service or, you can bring your own food.
• The trails are delightful for summer walks or winter cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
• Bring couples, groups, or individual getaways.
• Short on time? Come out just for day use

Reconciliation Ministries was conceived to help re-establish scriptural principles within marriages and families, among pastors and lay leaders, and within various church settings. People may need counseling, mediation, personal renewal, or leadership training.

With biblical insight, the strengths and weaknesses of a given ministry are assessed and provided with a vast range of time-tested solutions. Practical steps toward reconciliation with each other and with God are then shared with the groups and individuals.

Our vision is to see Christ-centered homes, churches effectively ministering the gospel, and youth growing in Christ and equipped to be examples of godliness throughout the world.

Please follow the links at left to get more information on our ministries.

Richard Marsceau is the director of Reconciliation Ministries.

Richard and his wife Nancy married in 1973. They have three children and two grandchildren.

Ministry Experience:

• Christian school teacher and coach
• Pastor of rural churches in Iowa
• Pastor of Youth and Families at large urban church in Virginia
• Currently Senior Pastor of Noelridge Park Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts, Bible and Education from Colorado Christian University
• Master of Arts in Ministry from Moody Graduate School
• More than 75 hours of training with Sonlife Ministries in developing “Great Commission Ministries”

Contact Richard via e-mail at marsceau@recminusa.org.

Directors

Phil Humphries, Pastor, Dallas, TX
John Romanosky, Pastor, Ravenna, MI

Advisors

Greg Alderman, Youth Pastor, Abington, VA
Ed Bateman, Prison Chaplain, North Liberty, IA
Albin Crutchfield, Pastor, Roanoke, VA
Bob Dye, Director, Eastern Iowa Youth for Christ, Cedar Rapids, IA
Van Marsceau, Senior Pastor, Harper’s Ferry, WV
Gerald McDermott, Asst. Professor of Religion, Roanoke College, Roanoke, VA
Jeff Suhr, School Teacher, Roanoke, VA

RECOMMENDATIONS

“Richard Marsceau’s skills and capabilities show the results of years of experience as a teacher, senior pastor, and youth pastor, and youth pastor…He is an unusually mature and seasoned Christian leader.”

Gerald McDermott, Assistant Professor of Religion, Roanoke College, Roanoke, VA

“I have been privileged to observe and enjoy God’s ministry through Richard at our church. I have personally worked very close with him on virtually every facet of church life, leadership, and ministry. Richard is a very organizeed and able administrator who is also sensitive and compassionate. He is studied, articulate and an engaging speaker who genuinely seeks the Lord’s leading in all these endeavors and in reaching individuals or groups at their level of spiritual need. I know that the Lord has used Richard to bring restoration, reconciliation, and revitalization to some very difficult situations.”

Bernard Hayes, Elder, Noelridge Park Church, Cedar Rapids, IA.

“Richard is a Christian brother of unquestionable integrity and commitment. He is very gifted and talented with a desire to serve the body of Christ.”

Ed Bateman, Prison Chaplain, North Liberty, IA.