The First Thing

I really like what Rob Birks said at the outset of his book - Orsborn Again, when he said, “Let’s put down the books on prayer and devotion (yep, even this one) and pray prayers like “Lead us to grace,” and “Show us thy face.”  For a start-up church to begin its journey, it must do so on its knees!  For a dying church to revive once again, it must do so on its knees.  Whenever a church prays, it is as if, an ignition to a rocket ship has turned and started.

There are many church growth methods and so-called ‘experts’ out in the world, but only one is guaranteed to bring success.  That one thing; that one method is none other than prayer!  Have you been praying specifically for your church?  If not, then make today that day!     

Dark Clouds

One of the coolest things to look at are dark clouds covering the sky. I know what you are thinking, "he's weird--why look at dark clouds and not broncos color clouds--orange and blue." Hold on, I'm not finished yet. I like it because when the sun rays beams penetrate the dark clouds, it forms something beautiful (a contrast between light and darkness). It's a great sight, because even though the dark clouds covers the whole sky, the sun beams overpower them. This reminds me of a title of a Christian novel that I read few years ago, called 'Piercing the Darkness.'

These past months have been quite a dark and gloomy time in our ministry. Our church have been struggling to find its voice in our community. People have expressed their disappointments about us as leaders and as Pastors. Some have gone behind our backs and said some troublesome things about our character. But in the midst of these clouds, we can clearly see a bright light!

This light is none other than the light of our Lord Jesus. In the midst of these dark clouds, we have seen how God has shine ever more brighter and stronger in our lives. We can never appreciate the power of God in our lives until the time of trials. Trials are inevitable, as the book of James chapter one tells us. Trials are there to refine us and push us to trust and depend on our Lord Jesus! As gold is refined through fire, so our character is always refined by trials to be more and more like that of our Lord Jesus.

Dark clouds are to be welcomed and appreciated, because when the light shines through them, the light becomes the center of our attention. God is good all the time!

Six Months Review

Since coming to our new Church Home, here's our 6-months review and upcoming goals.

Here's what we implemented right away.

1. Sermon Series.
2. Dance Group/fellowships
3. Using multimedia
4. new Church bulletins introduced

The upcoming changes/events for our Corps/Church are:

1. Rearrange Leadership Team position. Positions responsibilities and duties will be enforced.
2. Create 'Creative Team,' for the purpose of planning monthly services.
3. Modernize Church Aesthetics. (including multimedia)
4. Create Weekley/bi-weekly church fellowships.
5. Communicate new Vision/Mission.

Moving to Denver

We have gotten our marching orders, within 6 months of serving in Fountain, to oversee the work of the Salvation Army in Denver. On January 25th, we will leave the Fountain Valley Corps and move to the Salvation Army Red Shield.

The world may look at this move as 'too soon,' but in the overall Will of God, it's always the perfect timing. God does things in a way that makes us scratch our heads, but at the end, we in the end, we exclaim, "aaaah, I now see why." To be in God's perfect Will is the best place to be.

May the Lord go before us and prepare the way! May He be glorify in all that we do in this next mission field! To God be the Glory!

Last Corps Council

On June 29th, the Corps Council/ Leadership Ministery Team held its last meeting.

The meeting agenda focused on three areas: Corps goals for 2008-2009, evaluationing Church leadership and expressing gratitude for to everyone.

Majors Ken and Betty Gibson will be overseeing the Spokane Corps in the interim for 6 weeks, until Captains Kyle and Lisa Smith come back from New Zealand. Captains Dana and Katheleen Johnson will be focusing on our Campus Ministries as Spokane's Social Services Chaplains.

May the Lord continue to bless His Church! May they continue, with ever urgent vigor, to fight the Salvation War!

Corps Councils & Leadership Team

Lt. Colonel Joann Brodin met with the Corps Councils and Leadership Ministry Team on May 15th. The purpose for this meeting was to report on how our Corps review went, give some updates on the progress of what we've been doing, and share our three goals for 2008 - 2009.

The three goals are:
1. Corps Direction: this includes our vision/mission.
2. Leadership Development: Developing team concept and bringing up 'assistants or apprentices' to take over various ministry opportunities in the future. This is based on 'The Law of Legacy.'
3. Increase Effectiveness in Evangelism: this includes implementing a second service and building upon our outreach efforts.

Some of our leaders shared their thoughts and concerns regarding these goals. Praise God! The meeting went really well!

Regional Learning Center

Dr. Charles "Chip" Arn, the President of Church Growth Inc, gave a wonderful presentation on church growth during our Regional Learning Center at Camp Kuratli in Boring Oregon.

Dr. Arn's message was simple, and yet profound: Discipleship is the root to church growth! Discipleship was Christ's mandate to his church. The first century Christians discipled thier people--their household, their 'oikas,' and a domino effect took place. People came to know the Lord and the church grew!

How do we evangelize in an effective way? Simple, be Christ to others! Love people and you'll earn the right to point them to Jesus!

We praise God for our Leaders who made this possible for us! Major Linda Mandhart who heads our Territorial Headquarters' Extensive Learning Department, coordinated this wonderful and much needed event.

God bless The Salvation Army as it wins people to Christ!