Please pray for us and these families as we press into restoring this foundational building block of society that has been ravaged over the last several generations. God is pleased at our pursuits and we sense His favor; the enemy, however, has not been giving up easy and there is an increased awareness of the intensity of this battle.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
We Love the Church!
Please pray for us and these families as we press into restoring this foundational building block of society that has been ravaged over the last several generations. God is pleased at our pursuits and we sense His favor; the enemy, however, has not been giving up easy and there is an increased awareness of the intensity of this battle.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
An Underground Movement

Also interesting is that while not noticeable at first, the bamboo as it matures will eventually take on the characteristics of the parent plant. New plantings of bamboo usually take about three full growing years before they produce multiple shoots and take on the appearance of a small grove.
We see the growth in the people at our church, but we long for more growth. There is a process and a period of establishing the foundations in this underground movement. Like Jesus spending time with his small group of disciples we have been given the opportunity to pour into a group of new believers that will grow exponentially and touch the nations.
UPDATES
Christmas Program & Dinner
Serving our Neighbors


Praying for a lady that is feeling trapped in an abusive relationship and then helping her connect with an organization that can help her, offering hope through Jesus and programs that can help to the many who are ‘solving’ their problems with alcohol and drugs, and providing clothes and hygiene supplies are some of the reasons we have for the third year now partnered with other area ministries to put on the HELP! Fair at South Park (below).



The retreat was a powerful encounter for the 7 teens that went. One girl had only come to our church once. We have continued our relationship with her through the various weekly and seasonal outreaches we do at the park. At the retreat she committed her life to Jesus and wants to begin studying the Bible more to understand more about Him. Two others confessed their sins and the fact that friends and other things had been distancing them from God. They came back to Him. Our group continues to get stronger and more unified thought these special times as well. Please pray that we wouldn’t live from retreat to retreat, but see these youth grow deep roots that would spread wide and that they’d shoot up tall for Christ in a city and in schools where it seems that nobody else serves Him.
New Team Members - Jim & Lizzie from Lancaster, CA
They have 20 years of ministry experience working with youth so we are excited to have them on board with us to help us reach the thousands of new students at the new high school down the street from us.
Pray for their safety, grace and fruit as they transition into the neighborhood, church and leadership team.

For the last six months Chad has been mentoring one of the youth at our church in a leadership program. We will be attending a retreat together on January 28. Please pray that Alex continues to deepen his relationship with Christ and excel in leadership development and ministry preparation.
Safety against Increased Crime
In the last couple weeks two homes (the one in front of us and another a few houses down) and two cars have been broken into on our street. Both the car incidents were literally outside our window. Continue to pray protection over our house (church) and family as well as for opportunities to minister life and love to these people that are lost and living in sin.
A Fresh Touch of the Holy Spirit
Our church knows we need more of God. We have decided to pray every night for a fresh touch and move of the Holy Spirit. When we aren’t meeting corporately at our home we pray individually at the same time (9:00 pm) for this move. Join us and pray for our endurance in seeking God and His Kingdom as well.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
The Needs are Great
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Fruit Lips
We hope you realize how important you are to us. We have been charged with the task of evangelizing the lost, equipping future leaders and planting churches yet we do this work as a team. We really are surviving on God’s grace and the prayers and encouragement you send our way. Physically we are able to dedicate ourselves to the urban poor and society’s shunned because we have people willing to support us financially.
Through Jesus then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 ~ Thank you!
Updates
Thanksgiving Dinner 2011





“I thank God because he took me out of the garbage. I have never really thanked God for the patience of my wife – the little faith she had – to hold on and trust in me when I was going through my hard times and walking far away from Him. God knows me and that is the most marvelous thing. I know that I don’t deserve the great things that come to me, but God knows. He has been patient with me – life hasn’t been easy, but I see that they are tests and trials of our faith. We need to just keep doing what we know to do – follow God.”
“There is so much to give thanks to God for…this year God has been so generous to me….Sunday we went with the church and helped bring food to the people on the street. It is a privilege to be able to give. People of all ages were trying to stay warm and dry after the big storm and it was amazing to be able to serve them. I was also surprised because the person that donated the food had two small babies in the car. We come up with excuses all the time for why we can’t do things, but we need to give thanks for what God has done through these people.”
“I’m thankful for Fabiola and for this church and for Chad because this is where I was able to meet and know God.”
“I give thanks to God and also for my mom for doing so much for me. Thanks to Chad and Fabiola for having this church. Thanks for this day that we’re all together and enjoying the food and thanks for each one of you.” (14 year old)
“Thanks for my children. I left the way of the Lord because everything was going well and I took my eyes of the Lord and began following man. But thanks to God for bringing us back to Him when we wandered away. I see my children worshiping and serving God and it brings so much joy to my life. The tests have been hard, but thanks to Chad and Fabiola because they have helped us. I’m so glad that I’ve been able to move. I’m thankful for all this food that we have to share with one another. I’m going through a hard time, but God pulls me through. Don’t put your eyes on man – they will let you down, but God will never let you down. Man isn’t perfect; God is! Thank God for life every morning. Things don’t get easier just because we come to church or walk with the Lord, but it will be better.”
“I give thanks to God for everything. The thing I most want to give thanks to God is I always feel like God is with me. I didn’t always feel that. But I know how much He loves me. I was the first in my family to move towards God – and now most of us in my extended family are coming closer to God. Thanks to God for my family, and for my health. I want to encourage those that are just starting to come out and just starting to know Jesus that you may feel discouraged, but that is normal – we’ve all felt that. Don’t give up – stick it out – God is the one that will change us and help us and He will be with you and will bring you through it all.”
“I’m thankful that I can call this church my ‘family’. It has been hard for me to not have any of my family with me since they are all in Mexico, but God has been good to me in bringing me you guys.”
“First I want to thank God for my children, for their health and my health also for being able to know this church. This wasn’t in my plans, but God knows and I know it happened for a reason. God put this church in my path. God picked me up from my hurting place. I wasn’t homeless or anything, but I was on a path of bitterness and had no direction. This hasn’t been easy and I don’t always have the patience that I need with my children [as a single parent of three children under the age of 5]. But God and this church have helped me organize my life a little bit and I’m in school now [to learn English]– and so are all my kids. And there is so much to thank God for and I’m trying to pray like you’ve all taught me to do. I’ve learned a lot of things here – thank you for everything.”
“I’m giving thanks for God’s mercy and love and that we can all be together. It was just two years ago that I was very preoccupied. I was raised in a family that talked about Jesus and my biggest worry was that my two daughters wouldn’t know about Him because my wife didn’t want to know the Good News. I prayed for my family, but she was closed and not interested. First thanks to God and then to Chad and Fabiola for helping bring my wife into the Kingdom of God. I hope that more people can come to the knowledge of our God.”
Javier Preaching
Thank you for praying for Javier. He did a good job preaching. The church was really blessed. We continue to pour into him and others to develop their gifts and their skills in leadership.


Christmas Program & Dinner – Friday, December 16
Our church really wanted the opportunity to spend quality fun time and fellowship for Christmas. We had such an amazing Thanksgiving together (see above for more details) and this provides an easy place for everyone to invite friends and family to a church event.
Serving our Neighbors – Thursday & Friday, December 29-30
During these two days of vacation our church will be providing some child care for women in our neighborhood for two hours. Pray that this will be an effective bridge into sharing the Gospel and building relationships.
Fuente para las Naciones hosts dinner for visiting church
Want some authentic Mexican, Guatemalan and Salvadorian food? You should come and visit us sometime when we are organizing an event like this one! Our church will be putting on a feast for a visiting youth group that is helping with some of these evangelistic outreaches.
End of the Year Fair (at South Park) – Friday, December 30
We are hoping for at least 100 children – and great conversations with the parents and grandparents. This will be our third year doing this carnival type event in the park – but this time our church will be out in full force to serve in every area possible. See our cool shirts (pictured in the Christmas at the Oaks group picture).
HELP! Fair (at South Park) – Saturday, December 31
We have been pooling resources and unifying with other ministries and organizations all year to be able to help the community from just about every angle. We will cover their spiritual needs through testimonies, preaching, music – rap and worship, dramas and dance. We will have food, clothes, hygiene packs and other resources (like counseling, medical, shelter or rehab programs, etc.) all on hand as well to cover their physical and emotional needs.
Family Teaching Series
Starting in January we will be studying God’s design for the family – including everything from dating to marriage and family dynamics including child rearing. This is one of the biggest real and felt needs in the community. Pray we’d be able to attract and reach a new group of people. We will be advertizing this series at all of the above events.

Thursday, December 1, 2011
God's Not a Fairy Tale
Craft and snack for Bible Clubs (for 1 week/30 children) for our weekly outreach $25
Discipleship packet (1 discipleship book) for spiritual growth $15
Discipleship outings (A meal/coffee for a one-on-one mentor meeting) $10
Groceries for Christmas dinner for families in need $50
A beginner’s guitar and classes to train up worshippers (class is $25) $100
Thank you so much for your love and support!
Chad & Fabiola
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Coffee Talks & Family Meals

Updates
The Money Seminar was a great success and we are believing for real life change resulting from this time. Here are a few short testimonies shared about the seminar:

o “I have been doing so many things wrong over such a long period of time without even knowing it. It is time to make a real change in my life.”
o “I see that the root cause of all my conflicts is money. I need to put this information into practice.”
o “God has blessed me with so much. I’m not going to complain about being poor anymore, but rejoice in what God has given me.”
o “I want to give to make a difference. I see how giving to God is investing into eternity.”
Thank you for praying for the “Touch of Jesus Crusade” we were a part of. A lot of familiar faces came out to listen to Chad preach – homeless and addicts that we have been ministering to over the years. Because the message was given in English (not Spanish) the dynamics were different, but exciting. We were able to challenge some of the young gang members – many whom have conveniently denied the existence of God to help justify their sinful lifestyle. Two of the gang members that we spoke to after preaching (one who had recently finished 3 years in jail) looked shaken-up by the evidence of a loving, personal God.
After the event another group of gang members pushed a drunk man off the top off level of the bleachers. We were able to step in and prevent them from completely beating up and robbing him and then share the gospel to some of the onlookers.
As a result of this outreach we were stirred up to start a pastor’s prayer meeting with other area pastors to pray for this community in unity. We will meet at our home the last Saturday of the month. Pray that these will be effective times of deep, sincere unity in the body of Christ producing fruit in our individual congregations.
A taste of Mexico
Eric Jaquith from Puebla, Mexico came and spent a weekend with our church. He preached powerful messages on offenses and forgiveness, listening and obeying and the need to live holy not just outwardly, but inwardly by controlling our thoughts. His visit challenged and stirred us up. We are thankful to God for our family in Christ that can come and minister along-side of us and encourage our hearts.
Aerobics class
Fabiola and a couple other ladies have begun taking an aerobics step class at the park with the hope to continue building more relationships and opening more opportunities to share the Gospel. We have been told that this class is the largest aerobics class in the city of Los Angeles with over 300 women signed-up. Pray that many women and their families would come to know Jesus and get connected with our church.

Ministry to prisoners. Fabiola and Erika (a young lady from our church) are going into a detention facility this Saturday to minister and share a Thanksgiving meal.
Nursery Leader
Tana is taking more responsibility as the nursery lead-teacher. Tana is one of the ladies who gave her life to Jesus through our church just a year or so ago. A volunteer was doing this job, but needs to pull out to focus on her college courses. This has been a gradual process, but we believe it is a great time for this change. Pray that Tana would step into this role with the confidence of the Lord and be able to use her God-given gifts with joy for the glory of God.

Thanksgiving Outreaches
-Sunday, November 20 – Thanksgiving dinner at South Park
This event is for everyone – the homeless, addicts, gang members and families.
-Thanksgiving Week – food box distribution for the community.
Thanksgiving Meal
Our church is having its Second Annual Thanksgiving Dinner together Wednesday, November 23 with a time for worship, thanksgiving and testimonies. Pray for a good turnout –including new faces—and good weather!
Christmas at the OAKS – December 3rd
Our yearly day trip up to the camp ground for a special time of Christmas fun, crafts and family time. We are planning some special all-church activities. Pray for families to be able to pull together the finances to pay ($10/person) and a powerful time of unity as we usher in the Christmas season focusing on God’s goodness and provision.
Javier preaching
One of the men Chad has been training-up as a leader will be preaching for the first time Sunday, November 27. The preparation time has been a great opportunity to talk about many aspects of ministry and our personal devotion and walk with God. Pray that he would be encouraged and effectively teach the Word of God challenging the congregation to respond.
We are planning a special Christmas celebration and outreach and then two New Year’s outreaches the last two weeks of December. Please pray for the preparation, details and that our church would really take the lead on passionately reaching out to their community.
With Thanksgiving so close we want to make sure you know how THANKFUL we are of you. Every time we get an email or phone call telling us that you are thinking about us or praying we are built up. Every time somebody shares a specific Bible verse for us or tells us how they are praying we know we can run another mile. Without the financial support and the prayer we wouldn’t even be here. THANK YOU for staying up to date with us and sharing this powerful Christian love with us. We appreciate you and hope you know it.
God’s best to you!
Chad & Fabiola
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Not the Same
Coming from a place of self-hate, constant nightmares, rebellion and no knowledge of God Andres is one of the younger people recently changed by God’s power and love. The strongest faith is often found in a child’s heart. Andres (pictured below) is a great example of that. He believes God can do anything and prays accordingly. He loves God and believes in the destiny and purpose God has given him. He loves to worship Jesus and learn more about Him at church. Andres was baptized this past summer, making public his faith in Jesus.

This month we will have several Thanksgiving celebrations. Our priority is reaching out to our community, including the homeless – sharing the love of God as a church to our neighbors. We also are planning a big celebration with our growing church family. Lastly, we’ll have some time with our missionary community and own family. Again, we give thanks to God for the provision to be able to minister to all of these people and for the prayer covering for our family and church.
Please also pray for:
A larger, more permanent meeting place. Having a growing church in our home is becoming a growing challenge for our family and limiting growth in our children’s and adult’s ministry.
More Sunday school teachers and leaders. Last year we were blessed with two interns to help us with the various children’s and youth events. This year we are blessed with the challenge to continue ministering to the growing congregation without their help. We are focusing on training, equipping and empowering everyone in the church to serve in this and other capacities, but as this is a process taking time we also need other people to come volunteer or join our team. Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings are our biggest needs.
May God shower blessings upon you,
Chad & Fabiola Wolyn