Northwest News!

God blessed our football tournament outreach today.  We had 24 young men and women between the ages of 12-17 show up to play football at 2.00 PM.  Each of the 5 teams played 5 games.  Before we awarded the prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, we gave a short gospel presentation and made sure that each young person received a gospel tract and invitations to our youth meeting on Friday nights and our youth activities.

Everything went quite well, and we look forward to have twice that many out for our tournament next year.  We plan to have brackets for 10-13, 14-17, and 18+ next year. 

Please be in prayer about the services tomorrow.  We are asking God to do great and mighty things.

Below is a testimony from the wife of our missionary speaker who will be coming in October for our World Evangelism Conference.  They are trully an amazing couple, and I know you will enjoy them being here.

Respect is an Understatement.

I have been wanting to share this but I really haven’t been able to think of the right words to say. Before we came over here, I will not try hide the fact that I was scared. I was intimidated by what was in front of me. I felt so small and so helpless. I thought we would be hated and unwanted. I even let my mind entertain thought of all the horrible things that “could” happen to us. I made my self physically sick. Worry and fear- two things that don’t have a place in the victorious Christian life were taking over. After we got here and the Lord began a work in my heart everything was improving. I was learning to daily trust the Lord and not let myself think about anything “scary” or negative. Of course I had to learn to not watch Aljezeira News Station, and we quickly deleted all the propaganda channels.(There is one channel that shows nothing but Insurgents in Iraq killing American Soldiers and laughing about it. They just show it over and over again all day.) Yea, sick to your stomach doesn’t explain what I felt when I saw that. We erased that one as quick as possible. I had to eliminate as much negative as I could. But everyday I was growing daily more comfortable here.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

We are rejoicing over the good day God gave us yesterday.  It was great to worship God together, to fellowship with one another, and to be challenged by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God.  I really enjoyed preaching yesterday morning on “Recovery from Broken Marriages” from Hosea and then yesterday evening on “The Real Jesus - More Than a Man” from John 2.  I am already getting excited about “Recovery from Broken Homes” on this coming Sunday morning.  If you know someone who had been through a tough time in their home life, this Sunday would be a great day to invite them.

The Lord blessed with 25 in attendance and 1 first time visitor in the morning and then 13 last night.  It was great to have several of the familes who visited with us on Celebration Sunday come back.  Also, I really appreciate all of our volunteers who help with the creche, Discovery Zone class, greeting, ushering, setting up and taking down.  Many hands make light work.  You guys make it all possible!

We just found out that the father of one of the ladies who came to church for the first time this past Sunday passed way today.  Please be in prayer for her and her family in this very difficult time.

We have alot of exciting things coming up this autumn, and I want to give you advance notice so you can be sure to be involved and invite your friends.

• Ladies’ meeting on Tuesday, 2 October at 7.30 PM at our house.  The meeting will last one hour and will involve a cup of tea and some good things to eat, a time of Bible study and prayer, and a time of fellowship.  The ladies meeting will be the first Tuesday of every month, unless you are otherwise notified.  I think all the ladies will really enjoy these meetings.
• Men’s Meeting on Saturday, 13 October at 9.00 AM.  More details will come soon.   I hope all the men will make plans to come as we learn more about Biblical manhood.
• Harvest Day & Festival at the Park on Sunday, 21 October at 11.30 AM.  Great music, great food and great fun at the park. 
• World Missions Conference - Wednesday-Sunday, 24-28 October, weeknights at 7.30 PM, and Sunday at 11.30 and 7.00 PM.  You won’t want to miss this exciting time.  We will have a great guest speaker all the way from Morocco.  This will be one of the highlights of our year!
• Remebrance Day & Banquet on Sunday, 11 November at 11.30 AM when we will remember veterans from all backgrounds and countries as well enjoy a banquet together with family and friends.

Also, if you would like to be involved in helping out with singing or the creche, please let us know as we are putting together a rota of those would would like to help.

God was extremely good to our church on yesterday as we opened our church’s doors officially in the community.  Even though the day started out very rainy, it did not seem to dampen people’s spirits because God gave us 47 people in attendance with 29 first time visitors! 

Everyone pitched in and helped which was a great blessing, the children really enjoyed all the activities, and the service and classes went well.  I want to say a special word of “Thanks” to all of you who volunteers to help with the children, greeting, ushering, bringing biscuits, or praying for us.  Also, thank you for inviting folks to come with you. 

Here is a picture of the group of adults in the main meeting room.

Here is a picture of our Discovery Zone class for ages 11-4 years old during the second half of the Sunday morning service.  Teri and Rachel did a good job in there yesterday.

Here is a picture of the creche (ages 3 and under).  A special thanks to Gail and Sarah for watching the children on yesterday.

Well it is raining quite heavily today, which could affect our activities of the children.  I don’t know what God is doing, but this is His day, so we just give it to Him.  We are praying and asking Him to make the rain to stop by 12.30 PM our time.  Whatever happens, we just want His will to be done.

Two of my friends are serving God in restricted access countries.  I hope that you will take time to reach their blogs.  They are very fascinating and challenging!  I read them every day and it is exciting to hear about their real live experiences on the field.  Below are links to their blogs.

Missionary in North Africa

Missionary in China

I just want to thank all of you who have already volunteered to help out on Sunday.  You work and effort will make the day possible.

We just a phone call from a lady who just went through a divorce and she was interested in the series we are doing on broken dreams, broken marriages, etc.  She got a leaflet and may come on Sunday.  Praise God for what He is doing!