Winter 2016-17

UPDATES

Christmas seems like a long time ago now, but we do want to share some great things that happened at the end of 2016. 2017 took off with us launching into a new version of our Worship and Music Academy – offering not only music classes, but also dance and drama classes...that along with a pretty major building renovation (see pictures below), launching our compassion food ministry and jumping back into the internship program, small groups and everything else made January fly by quite quickly. 

Annual Christmas Banquet

We had a great turn out - we met our goal of having at least 25 new people out to the event. We started with a simple service with a clear gospel message…there were several people that responded whom we have been able to follow up with and help along their journey to know God. We had a father-daughter sing some beautiful songs while the crafts and other activities were taking place. 

At the banquet the children, youth and families in need were given Christmas gifts specifically picked out for them from a partnering church. It was fun seeing the eyes of the children (and the parents light up). Many sponsoring families really went out of their way to bless these families and it was fun to include that special extra detail for many who do not get much under their tree. 

 

One of the youth from our church has been getting into photography at school, so we turned him loose to take the family portraits this year…they turned out good and it is always a fun thing for families to do…and then we get to give them their picture later reminding them of the great time they had at the banquet. Our volunteers also brought a couple different fun, engaging and Christ-centered crafts which were a hit from start to finish not letting our volunteers get much of a break the whole time.  

We had a wonderful meal as part of the banquet…it was fun walking around and hearing all the great conversations at the various tables with all the guests who had come out for the first time.

The team of volunteers not only did an over-the-top job blessing everyone, but they also encouraged us by sharing with us all the growth and “real fruit” they have seen in the church and ministry since the previous year. Examples they gave were: people in our church taking initiative and ownership, greater involvement, interest and delegation and of course more people/new faces. Others commented about the hardness and darkness of the neighborhood contrasted with the peace, light, warmth and good “God” vibe during the event. Praise God!

 

 Christmas Toy Store

One of the practical ways we have discovered we can be a blessing in our neighborhood is by being a bridge and providing some great toys and gifts to families at deeply discounted prices. Over the years, we have partnered with different churches, individuals and agencies to gather toy donations. While we do end up giving some of the toys away to bless families that literally cannot afford even a $5 toy (that was originally $20, 75% off!), most families are honored and blessed to be able to choose their own gift for their child and put a bit of their own hard earned money into it. We don’t want to create deeper dependency, but help people move out of poverty. 

 

This year we blessed more families than the past year! There were several people from our church that have seen a slight increase in their income this year and they opted out of participating, but did invite other friends, family and neighbors. It is such a fun time and way to get to meet new people. Along with toys and gifts, we had a table of Christian resources: books, music, movies and Bibles that we offered at great prices as well. Thank you to everyone that participated…by you going out and having fun shopping or sending some money we were able to give a special, fun shopping experience to families in need. 

Church Expansion Project     

Over the last month or two we have been making more room in the church. First the before pictures…then we’ll walk you through some of the work.

WAY BEFORE Pictures

Picture of when the church was literally our home…this was our family room where the church started meeting for mid-week Bible studies circa 2010. 

 BEFORE Pictures

Here are pictures of the same room a couple years after we had moved out leaving our old-house to the church so it could grow. This old family room circa 2015 is now fitting 40 people with an overflow into our entry hall way of another 20.

The NOW Pictures

We removed the wall between our old family room and master bedroom, which give us more than double the space for meetings. We can now seat 80+, have a larger stage area for our worship team (we never actually had a stage before, but the space is larger too) and still have some room to expand if we open the side doors.

 The initial tearing down of the sheetrock and wall. 

Peeking into the new space.

 The wall has come down and has been framed…

...missing wood floor pieces were cut and placed.

 

Then a small stage is assembled. 

 Stage is carpeted. 

 Handmade sound box. Cables and wires now run under the building allowing us to put the sound system in the back. 

 New varnish on floor, paint on walls, window coverings, lighting, and more…

And voilà….ready for worship!

With the expansion one of the children’s ministry’s classrooms disappeared, so we had to reorganize and set up another room. Most of that involved moving things, but we did build a large storage cabinet (pictured below) to allow for the maximization of the space. 

New leaders in the church

We officially named and installed a few new leaders…people we have been working with for several years. We see the calling of leadership and pastoring on their lives and with further experience, study and testing we believe this is the beginning of a group that will be able to take the church to another level allowing us to continue planting more churches and pouring into our leaders. Hugo and Yuri, took over the leadership of the youth ministry and have continued to help it grow. Jorge oversees the usher ministry, food box compassion ministry, work projects and is a small group leader…but his main focus is studying and learning to teach and preach the Word of God more.

We were invited to a Quinceaños of a family that we are getting to know and towards the end of the event we were called over to pray for the now 15-year-old. We had a great time ministering to the girl and her parents, but what was even more exciting was being able to bring along Jorge, one of our new leaders, and have him share a word and pray over her too. Discipleship, or life-on-life training, is very exciting because we get to pour into people intentionally and watch them grow. We are doing the same thing with Hugo and Yuri as they go through all of the preparations for the Youth Winter Camp…it gives us a lot of opportunities to meet with them and guide them through the process and encourage them as they blossom into their calling. 

Coming Up

Special Services w/ Pastor Phil and Judy (February 11-12)

Youth Winter Retreat (February 18-20)

Panel Discussion on Immigration, Race, Homelessness and Education (February 26)

Women’s Breakfast (Outreach to Women’s Rehabilitation Home) (March 4)

Beniah’s 3^rd Birthday (March 21)

Please Pray with Us…

1.      We are sending 20 youth to Winter Camp with their youth leaders, Hugo and Yuri.  Please pray for a transforming, life-changing time…several of the youth are newer in their faith or have yet to confess Christ as Lord and Savior.

2.      That we would be able to continue to empower and train-up the leaders we are currently walking with and identify others to help grow into their unique calling and purpose.  Also, for wisdom in how to invest time and resources amongst different groups and needs in our community.

3.      As we send teams into the community to visit families in need and give them the “Boxes of Love” (boxes of basic food staples), that we would see an increase of salvations and new relationships forged and/or strengthened and the teams maturing and deepening in their faith.

We thank God for you. Thank you for loving us…it has allowed us to pour out even more of God’s love on people who are often ignored and forgotten. May God use your prayers, encouragement and financial support to advance His Kingdom through the poor in the inner-city of Los Angeles and beyond!

Chad, Fabiola, Rebecca, Justice and Beniah