Climbing to New Heights

As a forestry major years ago at Oregon State I remember being impressed by a story I read about John Muir climbing a tall tree during a severe storm.  He was able to gain a more profound appreciation of nature and its power from that vantage point within the storm.   

 

We too continue to climb higher – going wherever God leads us. Our perspective and vantage point greatly affect how we respond to what life dishes out. We serve a mighty God, the creator of all things, and He continues to take us to these new heights with Him.  Yes, many times the tree is swaying and the rain is pummeling us, but there is a security in being close to God.  We see, not with natural eyes, but with faith the many mountains and valleys that lie ahead – where many more people will come to Christ and second, third and fourth generations will be serving this awe-inspiring God.

 

Updates...

Men’s Retreat

Our group hit a few interpersonal bumps on our drive up.  The men come from different backgrounds and yet through these differences and hurts that surfaced we were brought closer together and had to press into God more.  There was a lot more talking, heart searching, crying and reconciliation than past men’s retreats have had (some tree climbing too as the picture above indicates).  This retreat helped solidify a base for our church and showed me (Chad) where the guys really are at in their relationship with God.   Thank you for your prayers!

Planned Absences

Over the last month Chad has missed two Sunday services and a Wednesday night community group for various other ministry events that were planned.  Part of moving our church towards greater maturity is allowing them opportunities to minister and to grow into new areas of responsibility. 

In these absences the church has done such a great job rising to this challenge and stepping-up to take on more responsibility.  One of our youth lead worship for the first time – first at the community group and then on Sunday for the whole church.  One of the men preached a message about the Church being the Body of Christ – this was his first time preaching, yet he spoke well and challenged the church with the Word of God.  The church came together as a body and were spurring one another on to press into God.  Last Sunday when our whole family was away at a World Impact retreat at least 12 different people had major roles in preparing, teaching or ministering in some way during the Sunday service. 

HELP WANTED: passionate, sold-out, like-minded, followers of Christ to team-up with…

Does your heart break for broken people wandering in the shadows of society without any hope?

Are you interested in being a part of a team of people doing something and bringing light and hope to the world?

 Do you love the idea of new churches being planted and young believers being equipped and activated in their faith?

 

 

Here is what we want….we would like you to consider if God might be calling you to partner with us and move to minister alongside our family.  We would like a core group of people with the same heart and vision to reach the lost and minister to the broken that can help our team train-up leaders and plant more churches.  We are looking for just about any skill and gift sets; experience in the inner city or in church planting is not required.  Spanish is a plus, but not necessary either.   Shoot us an email or give us a call – we’d love to talk more about this potential opportunity with you if God is tugging at your heart. 

 If moving to the city is not an option for you, consider how you could pray with and for us so that we can see an increase in salvations, baptisms, people set free from drug, alcohol and sexual addictions, leader’s identified, trained-up and released, and ultimately more churches planted that will continue to reproduce. 

 Another very practical way to participate from afar is to give financially.  Our family is able to minister in the community where we live full-time because of the sacrificial giving of so many individuals.  Our church plant has also been able to make significant advances and reach out to the community because of key partnerships and donations enabling us to go beyond what would be possible alone as a young church. 

 

Please Pray with Us…

 

Family: Fabiola continues to struggle with feeling sick every day due to the pregnancy. 

                   Pray for   relief and a healthy baby/pregnancy. 

                 Rebecca’s birthday is November 5^th.  (She will be turning 8!)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Finances: This month we went made it to 89% (we are so close to 100%).  Though stretching at times, it is so encouraging seeing how God continues to provide for our family and this ministry through the generous gifts of so many people.  Thank you for your prayers and gifts!

 

To new heights being reached in our homes, churches and communities in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Chad, Fabiola, Rebecca and Justice

Be His Witness...of what you've seen and heard

By the Spirit…While most of the adults we work with have not finished high school we equip and empower them to make huge Kingdom impacts.  God is moving here.  We recently shared what Acts 22:15 says, “You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.” As a result there has been an increase in prayer for the lost and visitors to our church.  They have seen and heard great things and now want to share this joy with their family and friends. 

I (Chad) was recently meeting with one of our youth and he began to share how he wasn’t sure how to hear God’s voice.  I shared my experience and some promises from the Bible and then we dove into a powerful time of worship and prayer.  God met him there and began to speak to him.  It was powerful to see him moved to compassion for his classmates - and one classmate in particular that is really struggling right now.  Because of this encounter with Jesus he has a new sense of vision and purpose and is excited to share with his classmates about his faith and relationship with Jesus.

“It is important to disciple a life, not teach a lesson,” says leadership expert P. Drucker. Part of empowering and releasing someone into ministry is discerning where they are and where they are suppose to go and giving them what they need to get there.  What a privilege we have to be able to come alongside so many people – young and old and from all sorts of backgrounds – and love them and nurture them so that they can realize a potential that neither they nor those around them thought was possible.  Thank you for helping make this all possible with your prayers and financial support. 

As we disciple people in the city there is an advancement and deepening of faith moving them from believing in God enough to benefit from His great blessings to a place of contributing and serving.  Now we ask that you would pray with us that we would see an even greater commitment – one of being given completely and sacrificially to Jesus and His Good News.  We ask for your prayers as we continually dream with God where and when the next church plant will be launched.  We are dedicating this year to equip and empower leaders that can take greater responsibility in the church and to help lead with this endeavor to plant new churches.

Excited we are on the same team serving the same mighty God!

Chad, Fabiola, Rebecca and Justice