celebrating

Thank you!

Because of your support, God has allowed us to continue serving at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church bringing God’s blessing to Yakima and the world. From leading new teams and committees at Saint Andrew’s to seeing our boys grow, we hope you are encouraged as we reflect together on all that God has done this spring.

John’s profession of faith!

It is our pleasure to announce that our eldest son, John, has made a profession of faith!

This year, John has been eager to pray at meals and during family worship. He has also demonstrated a good understanding of grace and forgiveness. When John sins against someone, he knows he needs to ask for their forgiveness and for God’s forgiveness. We remind John often of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Another verse John has memorized is, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” These verses remind John that he is forgiven because of the blood of Jesus.

Our son is called John because in one of his early ultrasounds he was leaping back and forth in the womb. We were reminded of John the Baptist who leaped in the presence of Jesus. Like John the Baptist, John Babcock has exhibited early signs of faith.

Every week during communion, an elder prays for our children asking that they may never know a day apart from the Lord. Join us in this prayer for John, that God would continue to strengthen his faith and love. Rosebud and I are greatly encouraged that John has professed his young faith and is confident enough even to profess his faith to the elders of our church.

Winchester and Gilbert

Winchester is two and a half now! He is often the first one up in the morning and is always looking to read a book with one of his sleepy eyed parents. Winchester loves to laugh and make others laugh. He is always trying practical jokes like pretending to eat my nose or toes. If there is one way you could pray for him it would be that he learns to turn his words into sentences. It is clear he wants to talk a lot but he has trouble getting all the right words out.

Gilbert, John and Winchester

Gilbert is quickly approaching his first birthday (June 29th). He just started crawling and his brothers enjoy chasing him around the house. Pray for Gilbert as he enters the toddler stage that he would continue to grow big and strong.

An old fashioned tug of war

What’s new for 2026?

In January, I was asked to expand my role at Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to include leading Sunday Morning Operations in addition to Directing Missions and Outreach. Leading operations includes scheduling and managing our sixty Sunday morning volunteers, helping church start on time, and solving any headaches for Pastor Craig so he can focus on preaching and meeting with congregants every Sunday morning.

Adding this new role has greatly increased my workload at the church. Although I have been working more, I have been able to continue to test my calling in new ways as I serve the church. This role is an important one and provides stability as our church continues to grow.

Leading Sunday morning operations has challenged me in new ways. I enjoy working at Saint Andrew’s because I am able to develop a broad skill set. As I continue to prepare for church planting, it is helpful to become proficient in many different areas. I am thankful for this opportunity to learn and test my calling.

Please pray that as I become proficient in my new role I will find more time for my seminary studies which have taken a back seat to begin the year. Pray too for rest. Pray I will not only will be physically rested but also mentally refreshed each morning.

Trail Life

We are closing in on our first year of trail life! I have had many opportunities to teach the trailmen as we have studied Galatians together. As a result of our study, I hope everyone has expanded their understanding and clarity of the role of faith and the law.

Please pray for our Trail Life Committee as we weigh changes and decisions for the troop next school year. We have a strong vision for the future of trail life in Yakima and God has blessed us with several key leaders. We are excited to lead the troop into its second year as a ministry of Saint Andrew’s. Our desire is to help forge strong bonds between dads and sons as they grow in stature and faith. Please pray to this end, that more dads will attend and participate alongside their sons.

The trailmen practice some outdoor cooking

Health Update

Thank you for prayers for my health. I was able to get in to see my doctor who informed me that I have a dust allergy. Since my diagnosis, Rosebud and I have been working to manage the symptoms. We have found a several things that help and recently I have consistently been feeling better.

A window into Easter Sunday at Saint Andrew’s

A Message from Pastor Craig

Pastor Craig asked to be included in this newsletter so he could thank each of you.

Hello! My name is Craig Harris, and I serve as the pastor of Saint Andrew’s. I wanted to send a quick note on Jesse’s behalf to say how thankful we are for your support of his ministry and his training toward pastoral ministry.

Jesse has been an invaluable part of our team. He helped establish our outreach committee, which is focused on reaching our community with the hope of Christ. He also serves the church by overseeing all of our Sunday morning volunteers (which can feel a bit like herding cats!), and he now leads our diaconate team in their important work of mobilizing the gifts of our members to serve others.

Your support truly makes his work possible. We are deeply grateful for the way you partner with us, and our church would not be able to operate in the same way without Jesse’s faithful service.

Thank you again for your generosity and partnership in the gospel,

Craig Harris

Join us by giving and praying

If you would like to give to support our work in Yakima, visit https://www.saintandrewsyakima.org/give to give online. Scroll down and “Click Here to Give.” In the popup click “General” and select “Jesse Babcock” in the drop down menu. This step is important and will designate your donation to go to us, instead of the church’s general fund. To give by check, mail your check to Saint Andrew’s Presbyterian (225 N. 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901) and include a note with my name.

• Pray for John, Winchester and Gilbert that they would learn to love one another and love God.
• Praise God for John’s young faith!
• Praise God for all those who helped put on Trail Life this year!
• Ask God to give us rest as Rosebud and I parent a house full of busy boys.

Every day, we are thankful for your financial support and partnership through prayer.
Thank you,
Jesse and Rosebud Babcock