Immaculee IIibigiza, New York Times Bestseller, and a Rwanda 1994 Genocide Survivor Speaks in Birmingham
Featured – Family
A woman of God, a survivor of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide, a true testimony of faith that can and is moving mountains. Immaculee IIibigiza is a motivational speaker who will speak at Prince of Peace Catholic Church on July 23. Every denomination is welcome to come hear her speak. Children 10 and up are welcome with a parent. All ages 10 and up are welcome. This is a family event and will move your faith! Ignite your faith and soften heart. Payment is via cash, check, cc, or Venmo. Email Danielle Poe of Salt + Light Ministry at [email protected] to reserve your tickets that are $25 per person.
Join our church family July 15th through July 19th for three evenings of spirit-filled fun and fellowship at New Vision Christian Church 2025 located in Helena! We offer Kindergarten age through adult classes! Dinner is served nightly at 5:30pm and VBS begins promptly at 6:30pm. Register at MyVBS | New Vision Christian Church.
Double Oak Community Church, Mt. Laurel Campus VBS is offered each year for kids entering grades 1-6 on June 6-13 from 9am -12pm. Each day kids will enjoy a high-energy worship experience with Mr. James and his crew and enjoy crafts, Bible Study and much more! Students entering sixth grade will participate in a separate track designed especially for them! Register here.
Yearly event to raise money for Cullman Caring For Kids Food Bank. This is the 20th year! Evening includes: chili and grilled cheese sandwich, a handmade pottery bowls, Southern Gospel Music and a Silent Auction. Tickets are $15. Location First United Methodist Church in Cullman from 4-6:30 on February 17.
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (OLS School) invites you to its Open House on Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Come find out why our student families love us! Our friendly student-family environment allows us to individually foster the religious, academic, and social development of every child from 3K through 8th grade in a way other schools may find challenging. We are anchored in traditions and high expectations! During Open House, you can meet teachers and staff, tour the school, ask individual questions, and receive helpful information.
To learn more about OLS School today or to complete an application, visit our website at olsschool.com. If you have questions about Open House or the application process, please call the school office at 205-879-3237.
We are growing our children in knowledge and faith…and INVITE YOU to Experience the Difference!
Alabama Mineral & Lapidary Society invites you to experience its stunning, annual gem show on September 6-7 from 10am-6pm and September 8 from 10 am-4pm at the Irondale Civic Center (former Zamora Temple). Serious collectors will find prime specimens of minerals and fossils; lapidarists will find stone beads, slabs, and cabochons; jewelry admirers will find beautiful, natural adornments. Families will find fun and educational activities, with an expanded children’s section this year. The popular geode cracker will again be featured: Choose your own geode for purchase, then witness what timeless treasure hides inside as it is opened for you. There will be door prizes and demos on lapidary equipment. Follow for more information, visit www.lapidaryclub.com.
Join Sozo Children for a family-friendly adventure on the African Trails at the Birmingham Zoo. Sozo Safari will feature dinner, a DJ, games and up close and personal encounters with elephants, giraffes, and other exotic animals. There will also be a live performance from the Sozo Children’s Choir. This group of 13 energetic kids from Uganda, Africa is the 5th Sozo Choir to tour America since 2016. We invite you come out for an exciting evening to help reach our goal of raising $75,000 that will go directly to efforts of continuing to rescue and restore vulnerable children in Uganda.
Parenting Points
As the calendar turns to January, Christians worldwide celebrate Epiphany, a festival that marks the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Traditionally observed on January 6, Epiphany is a time of reflection and rejoicing as we commemorate the visit of the wise men to the baby Jesus, signifying the revelation of Christ’s light to the world.
Epiphany symbolizes the extension of God’s salvation to the Gentiles, emphasizing the truth seen throughout the Scriptures that Jesus came not only for a particular group but for all people. Guided by a star, the wise men from the East journeyed to find the newborn King. The star led them to Bethlehem, where they encountered the child Jesus and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Epiphany allows our families to reflect on the story of the wise men and the guiding light of the star, pointing them to Jesus. In this season, your family can use the story of the wise men to reflect how we can also be lights pointing people to Jesus. Here are four ideas.
1. Star Gazing. Spend an evening stargazing with your family. Reflect on the star that guided the wise men and discuss how Christ’s light guides your lives.
2. Gift of Light. Light candles as a family, symbolizing the light of Christ. Discuss how this light dispels darkness and represents the presence of Jesus in your home.
3. Gifts of Service: Encourage family members to give the gift of service. Discuss ways you can extend kindness and help to others, mirroring the generosity of the wise men.
4. Sharing the Light. Brainstorm some people you know who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus. Spend some time praying for an opportunity for you to point your light on Jesus by sharing about Him.
Epiphany not only looks back at the historical event but also invites us to look forward. It prompts us to consider how we, like the wise men, can seek and recognize the presence of Christ in our lives in the coming year and share the light of Jesus with others. As we begin a new year, Epiphany reminds us that the light of Christ continues to guide us. The wise men’s journey reminds us of the joy of discovering and worshiping the Savior. We are also reminded how God calls us to be the light pointing all peoples from all places to the hope we have in Jesus.
“But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”Psalm 33:11
My dad was always in and out of prison. My stepmom ended up taking my brother and me, but she didn’t plan on keeping us. It wasn’t long until she learned about Big Oak Ranch.
Julian considers the boys he lived with during his time at Big Oak as his brothers then and now.
It was summer and we were 11 years old. I could clearly see that our new home at Big Oak was safe and that I didn’t have to look over my shoulder anymore, and that was a huge relief. There were clothes for me at the Ranch, and I felt confident that I was going to get three meals a day. I could tell it had a completely different atmosphere than any place I had been. It was comfortable and positive. Upon meeting with Johnand Tee Croyle at Big Oak, they made me four promises: They would love me. They would never lie to me. They would stick with me until I was grown. And there would be boundaries.
Julian pours the valuable lessons he learned during his time at Big Oak Ranch into his family.
The boys I lived with at the Ranch were my brothers, not just guys that lived with me. They knew I loved and cared for them. They were and still are my family. Through life, it has stayed constant. I carry all these things with me and implement it with my family. Responsibility, hard work, and learning to navigate life in a Christ-like manner. My wife, Katie, and I met through mutual friends, dated for two years and married in 2017. I’m thankful Christ brought her into my life. She is a committed Christian, caring, smart, responsible and has always been my greatest gift. We are blessed with three children: Monte (15), Harrison (5) and Emerson (1). I took Katie to the Ranch while we were dating as it was important that her and her family see how much my home means to me. My brother, Jim, and I have been able to take what the Ranch taught us and pour it into our families, careers and serving others. From owning our own companies to being in upper management positions with multi-million-dollar companies, we’ve worked hard to provide for our families and maintain successful careers. Both my brother and me, and our families, are still very involved with the Ranch. We both have a close relationship with John Croyle, and we each regularly share about life with him. The Ranch is my home and my family, and it always will be!
