The Community Garden

Cherlyn, Cherlyn, whose loam is merry land, how does Discoveryʼs garden grow?

Close your eyes and imagine... Our property on 144th... 15 (8 ft. x 8 ft.) garden plots... 3 (4ft. x 4 ft.) plots. Each plot tended by a Discovery family growing spring, summer and fall vegetables - peas, onions, carrots, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, broccoli, zucchini and more. Two big community plots, 10ft. x 60ft., sprouting food for anyone in the community needing fresh veggies but finding it unaffordable.

Cherlyn Morin is a southern Illinois farm girl who grew up with gardening.

I couldn't stand store tomatoes. Iʼm in heaven when Iʼm in a garden.

Cherlyn went to CSU graduating with a marketing degree. She and Eric were looking for a church when they received a Discovery mailer eight years ago and began attending.

I grew up in a Church of God and did what you do in a church family. I decided to follow Jesus Christ when I was 12. It became personal then, but it was easier because of my family influences. When Eric died, it was more difficult. I had to choose to follow Christ.

How does the Community Garden work?

There are eighteen plots for family gardening. Seventeen of them are reserved. We charge a fee ($40 for the larger, $25 for the smaller plots) which goes for fencing, developing paths and amendments for the community plots. We ask each family to contribute 10% of their produce to the Food Bank. Families are responsible to plant and care for their own gardens. Along with other volunteers, they care for the two large community plots. We give the produce from the community gardens to food banks.

What about the person who has no gardening experience but would like to help?

Weʼll show you what to do. Itʼs not hard to learn. Weʼll teach you to plant, weed, cultivate and water. Weʼll show you the difference between a vegetable and a weed.

Where do we get the water?

A wonderful neighbor, Denise OʼConnor, has graciously allowed us to use her water. There is no sprinkler system. Our people stand with a hose and water the veggies.

When does this start?

May 23 is planting day. Beginning at 2:00 p.m. weʼll put out the vegetables and finish by sharing a tailgate meal. Kids are welcome. They can work too. Harvest begins last of July and goes through October. That's the fun stuff.

"We want to hear the faith stories of first generation Christians."

The Romanian communist government was no match for Adiel Brasov’s mother who found it impossible to feed her 11 children. She knew that bureaucracies give in to power – unyielding persistence – and they eventually granted the family permission to immigrate to California.

Laura was born in Baltimore Maryland and moved with her parents and one sister to Southern California when her father began teaching at USC.

Romania and Southern Cal. How did you two meet?

We were both freshmen at USC and active in Campus Crusade for Christ. We didn’t start dating until we were seniors.

When did you decide to follow Jesus Christ?

Adiel: I was six. We worshipped in an evangelical church in Romania. On a family trip to another church, I heard the invitation to trust Jesus as meant especially for me. I gave my life to Christ that Sunday, July 1977. It absorbed me entirely.

Laura: I grew up in a very conservative Lutheran church. I made a commitment to Jesus when I was 14. I had no clue what this meant for daily living.

Significance of college years?

Adiel: I studied under Dallas Willard who was a great influence in my life. Campus Crusade was the right environment to help me mature.

Laura: Campus Crusade was an atmosphere of faith for my early adult years. When we started dating, we decided to go on a mission trip with CCC. I went to Lithuania and Adiel went to Albania.

Adiel: That’s where I met Ylli and Nikki Doci. I became Ylli’s mentor and we’ve continued a life-long friendship. Ylli is the National Director for Campus Crusade for Christ in Albania.

Life got tough soon after college. What happened?

Laura: We were married in ‘95 and moved to St. Louis in ‘96 so Adiel could teach at the University and pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy.

Adiel: I became disenchanted with university politics and decided that teaching at a university was not my calling.

Laura: I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2001. Four surgeries and two rounds of radiation launched us on a two-year emotional/spiritual roller coaster. It was hard to have hope.

Adiel: We came to Denver for mountain encouragement.

What refreshes your spirit?

Laura: Godly people pouring themselves into me, relational ministry, Bible studies, transparent people who share what God is teaching them. Oh, yes, trials.

Adiel: Reading, time alone (I’m reflective), the mountains, breaking the spell of business, good conversation with lots of laughter.

You are leading 31 adults and children on a two-week mission trip to Albania. Describe your hopes.

Adiel: I want the people to get connected with Ylli, Nikki and their work there. I still think I can influence people in Albania. We’d like to influence political and business domains for the Kingdom of God. I pray that Albanians will influence other nations in the same way.

Laura: We want our children to experience mission trips.

Adiel: We want to hear the faith stories of first generation Christians

"Learning how to be good stewards of what God gave us."

Ben and Nathalie Klopfenstein agreed to eliminate their credit card debt before their wedding, but still brought thousands of dollars in student loan debt into their marriage. Ben works in IT for an accounting firm and is a full time student. Nathalie is a biologist for a biotech company. They enrolled in the 13-week Financial Peace University course designed by Dave Ramsey. In the 12 months since entering the program they have eliminated all of Nathalie’s student loans.

What surprised them about the FPU program? “The power of compound interest,” says Ben. “The cash envelope system and the process for eliminating debt,” observed Nathalie.

How are they better off for getting involved in a formal financial program?

“Financial management is now the strongest part of our marriage. Sticking to a budget has made us a team. The security of having an emergency fund is both a game changer and an attitude changer. We paid off college loans much quicker.”

It’s been a tough year for many families. What do you say to families who believe they are too “broke” to have anything to manage?

Ben: “Most people have some kind of resources. When we manage a little bit well, it usually brings more and that can turn the tide. The principles Dave Ramsey teaches will help people in crisis. It takes being willing to give something up to get something better.”

So why are they going through the program a second time?

“We wanted a refresher. It also gave us a chance to help facilitate. This is a matter of learning how to be good stewards of what God gave us”

Ben and Nathalie will be attending the Financial Peace University Simulcast on March 13 from 1-6 at the Aspen Creek School 5500 Aspen Creek Drive, hosted by the Discovery Christian Church. The cost is $10. Information: discovery-church.org or 303-885-2781.

Adiel & Laura Brasov

The Romanian communist government was no match for Adiel Brasov’s mother who found it impossible to feed her 11 children. She knew that bureaucracies give in to power – unyielding persistence – and they eventually granted the family permission to immigrate to California.

Laura was born in Baltimore Maryland and moved with her parents and one sister to Southern California when her father began teaching at USC.

Romania and Southern Cal. How did you two meet?

We were both freshmen at USC and active in Campus Crusade for Christ. We didn’t start dating until we were seniors.

When did you decide to follow Jesus Christ?

Adiel: I was six. We worshipped in an evangelical church in Romania. On a family trip to another church, I heard the invitation to trust Jesus as meant especially for me. I gave my life to Christ that Sunday, July 1977. It absorbed me entirely.

Laura: I grew up in a very conservative Lutheran church. I made a commitment to Jesus when I was 14. I had no clue what this meant for daily living.

Significance of college years?

Adiel: I studied under Dallas Willard who was a great influence in my life. Campus Crusade was the right environment to help me mature.

Laura: Campus Crusade was an atmosphere of faith for my early adult years. When we started dating, we decided to go on a mission trip with CCC. I went to Lithuania and Adiel went to Albania.

Adiel: That’s where I met Ylli and Nikki Doci. I became Ylli’s mentor and we’ve continued a life-long friendship. Ylli is the National Director for Campus Crusade for Christ in Albania.

Life got tough soon after college. What happened?

Laura: We were married in ‘95 and moved to St. Louis in ‘96 so Adiel could teach at the University and pursue a Ph.D. in philosophy.

Adiel: I became disenchanted with university politics and decided that teaching at a university was not my calling.

Laura: I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2001. Four surgeries and two rounds of radiation launched us on a two-year emotional/spiritual roller coaster. It was hard to have hope.

Adiel: We came to Denver for mountain encouragement.

What refreshes your spirit?

Laura: Godly people pouring themselves into me, relational ministry, Bible studies, transparent people who share what God is teaching them. Oh, yes, trials.

Adiel: Reading, time alone (I’m reflective), the mountains, breaking the spell of business, good conversation with lots of laughter.

You are leading 31 adults and children on a two-week mission trip to Albania. Describe your hopes.

Adiel: I want the people to get connected with Ylli, Nikki and their work there. I still think I can influence people in Albania. We’d like to influence political and business domains for the Kingdom of God. I pray that Albanians will influence other nations in the same way.

Laura: We want our children to experience mission trips.

Adiel: We want to hear the faith stories of first generation Christians

“By the grace of God, I am what I am”

Chris & Beth Cuilla

They met when Beth hired Chris to work in a men’s clothing store while he was attending Northern Illinois University. They later married and moved to Colorado when Chris, a software engineer got a job offer. Katlyn and Erika complete their family.

When did you decide to follow Jesus Christ?

Chris: During my college years, I rebelled against my conservative Lutheran background. Our move to Denver introduced me to Tom, a Christian co-worker. Over time he coached/mentored me to begin a spiritual walk. Meanwhile Katlyn was asking questions about church. We started attending Riverside Baptist Church.

Beth: I was skeptical and thought Chris was going off the deep end. My grandparents had a strong faith and I had warm memories of them even as a toddler. But my father was anti-church and my family had a bad experience with judgmental attitudes, so we didn’t attend church. When Chris was starting his spiritual journey, we saw the late Reggie White, NFL Defensive End, speak of playing while injured. He said, “I’ve prayed about it and God said it would be fine.” Chris said, “Maybe there is something to this God stuff.”

Chris: I committed my life to Christ in a restaurant.”

Beth: I could sense the Holy Spirit’s presence that night. I committed my life to Jesus the following Sunday. We were both baptized soon after.

What brought you to Discovery Church?

Beth: A yellow mailer with a classic Cadillac on it convinced us Discovery must be a different sort of Church.

What is appealing about the church?

Both: It vibes authenticity and sincerity. It is centered on the person of Jesus Christ. They have respect for everyone’s distinct experience/journey to a relationship with God.

What’s difficult in the Christian life?

Beth: Everything! Rearing children to have a life and faith of their own.

Chris: Developing ways to serve God as a software engineer.

How do you keep yourselves refreshed?

Chris: Writing new software. When I’m creative, maybe I’m participating with God in the creative process.

Beth: I’m refreshed when I enjoy my marriage.

What advice would you offer to new Christians?

Chris: Continue to get close to people for mutual support. Be yourself. You are wired in a special way.

Beth: We must teach our children to look at themselves as a marvel. They are unique and must respect differences in others.

What is your favorite Scripture?

Chris: Proverbs 3:5,6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart….”

Beth: 1 Corinthians 15:10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”

"Lovin' People"

Jakob and Robbin Brown

What’s the goofiest thing you did in the past year?

Jakob: “I met Robbin, got engaged, married all in less than a year.”

Robbin: “That’s not goofy.”

Jakob: “It’s not goofy, just fast for me.”

Meet Jakob and Robbin Brown. Jake is the Middle School Ministry Director at Discovery Church. They are in their first year of marriage and wise beyond their years. Jakob grew up in Thornton in a family of four. He attended CSU and will be finishing at Metro State. Robbin grew up in Englewood and Thornton in a family of five. She attended Nyack College in New York and finished at Metro State.

When did you decide to follow Jesus Christ?

Jakob: “No one in my immediate family is Christian. A mentoring couple who was part of a STARS program influenced me. One Sunday they took me to Flatirons Community Church. I gave my life to Christ three days later.”

Robbin: “I grew up in a Christian home. My father was the lead Pastor of the Northern Hills Christian Church. I thought the Bible made some sense and I wanted to follow Christ. I was baptized at age nine. We went on an inner city mission trip to New York when I was 12. I rededicated my life and have been on mission trips most summers since that time.”

Jakob’s role at Discovery is part time.

Tell us about your other Job, Jake.

“I work at GOALS, a non-profit organization helping high-risk kids from generally low-income families get through the teen years as healthy adults. We use incentives to help train students to mentor other students.”

Robbin, where do you work?

“I’m a Ministry Advancement Administrator for Dare to Share Ministries. We train students during weekend retreats to share their faith.”

What is your vision for Middle School kids?

Jakob: “Three things:

Ø We want to mentor them. One-on-one mentoring changed my life. Kids need stable adult influence in addition to their parents.

Ø We want to challenge them to think about their faith. Examine what they believe.

Ø We want to challenge them to develop the way they express their faith.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Jakob: “I want to do full-time youth ministry in a local church.”

Robbin: “I’d love to work with the whole family unit including kids.”

How do you keep yourselves refreshed?

Robbin: “I love movies and I love being with friends.”

Jakob: “Watching sports with friends. Hanging out with friends. Talking online with friends. I like to read. John Eldridge’s book The Journey of Desire: Searching for the Life We Only Dreamed Of fascinates me.”

Holy desire: Our ancient passion for God. Lovin’ people.

I want to help people be the best they can be in God's eyes.

Scott Sullivan is no stranger to Colorado or to churches. Born in Loveland and reared in Colorado Springs, he grew up in Methodist and Nazarene churches. He is the second of four children.

When did you decide follow Jesus Christ?

I was in Jr. High and my friend Troy attended a church with a youth group that was more active than mine. I started going with him and they talked often of Jesus Christ and salvation. It was through his influence that I chose to follow Jesus. It was a social decision at first, but deepened the more I attended, studied and was mentored. It led to my choice of Olivet Nazarene College in Illinois.

Did you graduate there?

Oh no, I came home and then went to Southwest Baptist University in Missouri hoping to get into their physical therapy program. However, I always loved music, especially composing. So, I moved to Nashville hoping to break into the music scene. I wrote for some groups and did some demos. I got homesick and decided to come back to Colorado. I really felt as if God was telling me to stay in Nashville. It's the only time I consciously made a life choice that conflicted with God's direction for me. So I returned to what was easy – the restaurant business. I started leading worship services at Pathways Church in Denver.

How did you meet Angie?

Pathways Church. She walked into one of our young adult worship services one night and I was immediately attracted. We dated, were engaged in six months and married seven months after that.

Scott, you've been through a 10-year ordeal of terminal liver disease that culminated in a liver transplant last summer. You and Angie knew the risks when you married. Tell us about that journey.

I don't think God gave me liver disease. I think he used it to make us stronger. When you are newly in love, some things go over your head. They are not an immediate concern. It's when the doctor says, “We need to get you a liver, you could die any day,” that things change. You hug your children and your wife tighter. You treasure friendships, family and real relationships. Other things you spent your life collecting start to fade. It changed our focus which led to our next step.

You are a recent addition to the Discovery staff with intern responsibilities in Music and Discipleship. Describe your call to ministry.

Angie and I developed a formal life plan, determining where God has been developing my gifts. I love to develop experiences that can draw other people to Christ. Whether in music, speaking or men's ministry, I want to help people be the best they can be in God's eyes.