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FAITH FORMATION

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The 25:35 Crew Update
“I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat… I was a stranger and you welcomed Me.” - (Matthew 25:35)

The 25:35 Crew exists to live out Christ’s compassion in real and practical ways. Each time we gather, we strengthen one another so we can better serve our community with love, dignity, and purpose.

Why We Gather
Encourage. Learn. Support.
Our gatherings give us space to share stories, celebrate wins, navigate challenges, and remind each other why this work matters.

Growing Through Best Practices
A few core principles guide us:

• Dignity first - We see each person as made in the image of God.
• Consistency matters - Showing up regularly builds trust.
• Small acts, big impact - A meal, a smile, a listening ear—these reflect Christ’s love.
• Share what works - Your insights strengthen the whole team.

Our Ongoing Call
As we carry the heart of Matthew 25:35 into our communities, let’s continue encouraging one another and learning together. When we serve others, we are serving Him. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation. February dates are set to gather at 7:00 p.m. If you are unable to join the conversation in your district, please register for the date that works best for you.

• February 9 – Hocking River and South Forest
  
• February 12 – Maumee River and Western Lakes
  
• February 19 – Olentangy River and West Plains
  
• February 24 – Scioto River and Great Miami River
  
• February 25 – Central Valley and Northern Waters

Details and Registration

Faith Formation … What is It?

Following are ideas from several Christian leaders whose life work is/was focused on faith formation:

“ … a journey through which we open our hearts to deeper connection with God.” – Richard J. Foster, author of Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth

“Christian faith formation is the life-long process of being continuously transformed by God’s abiding love into the image of Christ for the sake of others (or the world).” – Johnny Sears, director of the Academy for Spiritual Formation & Emerging Ministries

“ … a process whereby we adopt practices that help us deepen our openness and receptivity to God’s presence and action in our life.” – Phileena Heuertz, founding partner of Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism

“ … the biblically guided process in which people are being transformed into the likeness of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit within the faith community in order to love and serve God and others.” – Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU)

“… process of being shaped by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ, filled with love for God and the world.” – “A Call to Spiritual Formation,” 2009

The core of these definitions is a call for believers to become more like Christ, not for oneself, but for the world. So how does this transformation take place?

The basis of this is intentionality and focus, creating the time and space in your life to engage the Holy Spirit. This engagement comes best through the practice of faith disciplines – those practices found in scripture that promote faith formation among believers of Jesus Christ. These practices are a means to an end, the end being Christlikeness.

The basic faith disciplines include:

• Prayer – individually and corporately
• Fasting – leading to prayer
• Worship – corporately and individually
• Service – planned and spontaneous
• Study – memorize and meditate on scripture – learning more the nature of God and Christ
• Giving – regularly and when called upon

On the connected pages, you will find resources to aid your local congregation in developing and promoting faith formation in the lives of your people.