Last week, Narrow Gate's Intern, Jim, began a nine-week stay at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C., one of the nation's leading blacksmithing schools. The rest of Narrow Gate's staff had the opportunity to take him to school and, while there, tour the campus, which offers training in various folk arts. While there, Jim will serve the school as a work-study participant, allowing him to perform basic work functions such as grounds maintenance in exchange for taking classes in blacksmithing. Once he finishes his studies, Jim will return to continue leading and training our students in the Narrow Gate blacksmith shop. Congratuations to Jim for this fantastic opportunity, and we can't wait to see what God teaches you while you are away! If you'd like to learn more about John C. Campbell, please visit www.folkschool.org. To receive a brochure about Narrow Gate's metal shop or other artisan shops, please contact Allie Davis.

Happy New Year! What better way to start 2012 than to get involved in your community and serve others? We at Narrow Gate believe each of us exists on this earth to be a servant and, as Paul says in Philippians 2:3-4, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." If you are looking for ways to serve, we'd love for you to serve within our ministry, and we're ready to facilitate your participation.

If you would like to volunteer at Narrow Gate but have not filled out our Volunteer Sign-Up Form, please CLICK HERE. Melissa Smith, our new volunteer coordinator, will then be notified of your volunteer preferences so she can schedule times for you to serve. Melissa has also put together a calendar with specific dates scheduled as group volunteer days for cooking, cleaning, and landscaping/gardening, so please email her at Melissa@narrowgatefoundation.org to receive the calendar. Once you receive and review the scheduled dates, if you know you would like to and are able to participate, notify Melissa so she can plan accordingly. Feel free to email Melissa with other questions or with other ways you would like to serve, and here's to a great year of helping young men find vision and purpose for life!

Merry Christmas from everyone at Narrow Gate! We pray that during this time you enjoy time with loved ones, worshipping Jesus for the sacrifice He made when He took on flesh so one day we might know Him. May He fill your hearts with joy, love and peace. If your family is looking for a way to bless others during this time and would like to gift an item to Narrow Gate, check out our Christmas Wish/Needs List, then contact Allie Davis to set up deliver or pick up. We also welcome holiday treats and eats, and you can contact Allie with desires to bless the guys this way, as well. Thanks for remembering the young men who come to our property to seek the Lord and His purposes for their lives!

Narrow Gate's newest three students began their journey on Tuesday, November 8th. We welcomed Joel of Henderson, Texas; Caleb of Columbia, Tenn.; and Ryan of Franklin, Tenn. This week they'll spend Thanksgiving away from their families as they will still be in the Foundation phase, during which they choose to only communicate with family via letters. Please also pray that they will feel loved by their new family in Christ during our Narrow Gate Thanksgiving celebration. Praise God for the  willingness of all our students to sacrifice so many pleasures, comforts and even some communication with friends and family in order to press into God and listen for His still, small voice during this season of their lives!

When Executive Directors Bill and Stacy Spencer visited Israel in the spring of 2010, David Shishkoff, son of pastors Eitan and Connie Shishkoff and the older brother of Narrow Gate Graduate Avi, shared with them his vision to start a discipleship training experience for young men at his home in Israel.

This fall, their dream became a reality, and two of Narrow Gate's graduates participated: Avi (pictured second to the left) and Daniel (pictured at far right). David and his wife, Orit, sent the following update at the completion of the experience:

"A few days ago we completed our first full homegrown discipleship internship here. Half of the interns were Israelis and half from the nations. The program was blessed and successful and marked a new stage in fulfillment of the eight-year-old vision of a land-based discipling environment. We intend to have the next such program in early spring of 2012."
Praise God as He continues to use the NG family throughout the world to bring to pass His eternal plans for His children, and especially His children of promise!