FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE NATIONS
RECLAIM SPRING 2016
Season Two | 2019
HITTING THE TRAIL Finding Community While Exploring the Great Outdoors
IN THE CROSS-HAIRS OF LOVE Pursuing Friendship Brings us into Alignment with God
FINDING HOPE
How a Lifelong Struggle Became the Catalyst for the Calling of a Lifetime
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RECLAIM
FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE NATIONS SENIOR PASTORS | Wendell & Lynda Vinson EDITOR | Jenifer Watts ASSISTANT EDITORS | Erika Ramirez, Richard Shepherd, Salomon Servin CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jonathan Allbaugh, Cody Criswell, Natalie Cunningham, Brooke Lawrence, Erika Ramirez, Dr. Susan Rowe, Vanessa Shepherd, Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner, Wendell Vinson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Mary Davis, Elexa & Evan Henderson, Salomon Servin, Michael Wong, Wayne Wong PUBLISHED BY Canyon Hills Assembly of God 7001 Auburn Street Bakersfield, CA 93306 canyonhills.com QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/IDEAS Write to us at reclaim@canyonhills.com CAMPUSES
Canyon Hills Assembly of God 7001 Auburn Street Bakersfield, CA 93306 Canyon Hills at City Center 3201 F Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 Canyon Hills: Kern River Valley 25 Arden Avenue Wofford Heights, CA 93285 Canyon Hills: San Luis Obispo 525 Cerro Romauldo Avenue SLO, CA 93405 Canyon Hills: Wasco 600 Broadway Avenue Wasco, CA 93280 CityView Church 3535 Union Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93305 Revive Church 1326 30th Street Bakersfield, CA 93301 Riverview Church 315 May Street Bakersfield, CA 93308
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IN THIS ISSUE 4 | GROWING IN COMMUNITY 8 | IN THE CROSS-HAIRS OF LOVE 11 | HITTING THE TRAIL 12 | MORE THAN A VACATION 15 | IF ONLY I HAD ______ 17 | MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER 20 | THE BLESSING OF LIVING IN COMMUNITY 23 | WHAT? PRAY? 24 | FINDING HOPE
Canyon Hills Assembly of God exists to inspire and equip people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. We accomplish our purpose as we grow together in INTIMACY with God, in COMMUNITY with other believers, and in INFLUENCE in our world.
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If you take the short drive up into the nearby Sequoia National Forest you can visit the majestic giant sequoias. These trees are among the largest living things on the planet. They are the tallest trees in the world. Some of them are three hundred feet tall and over 2500 years old. These massive trees have survived incredibly harsh conditions over the centuries. Think of all of the severe winds and treacherous storms these trees have weathered. How can they still be standing? The secret to not only their survival but their ability to thrive under duress is found in their root system. Their root system is actually interlocked. They are all tied in with each other. And in that root system they support and sustain each other. These amazing trees were actually designed by their creator to need one another. That’s how God created us as well!
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As we enter this next season of 2019 our focus turns toward the importance of each of us, living in community with other believers. To be spiritually healthy and to reach your potential in Christ you need to be fitly joined with the body of Christ. Simply put, we’re all much better together. Acts 2 tells us this about the early church . . . They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:4247 You see, it wasn’t easy to follow Christ in the first century. Times were tough and persecution was rampant. But those early believers, like those giant sequoias, were bound together in community. They were going deeper in the truth. They were growing close through fellowship. They were gaining clarity in their purpose, and as a result they operated in greater power in the world. What they accomplished together they could have never accomplished alone!
when you lose the right perspective in life, when you’re discouraged, your relationships with strong believers will be of immense strength to you.
because the Holy Spirit was at work among them as they spent time together both in the temple courts and house to house. The community they shared strengthened them just like the Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those root system on those giant sequoias. who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. Theologian Francis Shaffer wrote 1 Thessalonians 5:14 these words, “Unless people see in the church not only the preaching It provides wisdom that we of the truth but the practice of the truth, the practice of love and would otherwise lack. beauty in relationships, they will not listen and they should not listen. The community of faith, Our relationship with each other is relationships with people who are the criterion the world uses to judge farther along on the journey, can provide us with an invaluable resource whether our message is truthful or not. Christian community is the final of wisdom. apologetic.” Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of safety. Proverbs 11:14 this going off and doing your own thing. But encourage one another daily, as long And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of as it is called “Today,” so that none of Christ—the Message—have the run of the you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good Hebrews 3:13 common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, It allows us to experience actions, whatever—be done in the name of friendships that sharpen us. the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:15-17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the (Message) countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17 Let’s make this next season of There are few things in life that 2019 a time of growing stronger in support and strengthen us like community! Christian friends. We all need Godly friendships in our lives.
I can say this with absolute confidence, The righteous should choose his friends true Christian community provides carefully, for the way of the wicked leads us with some things that we will find them astray. Proverbs 12:26 nowhere else . . . Your growth, your effectiveness, you It strengthens us for the fulfilling your God given purpose journey! in life are all connected to the community of people you surround In this life we will all face storms, trials yourself with. and troubles. None of us are immune because we live in a sin marred world. The early church flourished in But when those stormy times come, the face of tremendous adversity
Wendell Vinson, Pastor 5
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IN THE CROSS-HAIRS OF LOVE by Jonathan Allbaugh I am no hunter. But, if I were, I would certainly need the assistance of a scope on my rifle to take aim with accuracy. With this metaphor in mind, I ponder the intentions of Jesus as He sought to offer clarity in what was necessary of people to fulfill God’s requirements in Mark 12:30-31: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” – the vertical cross-hair of love. “Love your neighbor as yourself ” – the horizontal cross-hair of love. It is only through the concurrent alignment of our love toward God and our love toward others that we can be on target. C.S. Lewis, in his book The Four Loves, sheds light on the power of friendship by describing the connection he experienced with a small group of friends that were selfnamed “The Inklings.” Along with Lewis, the famous author J.R.R. Tolkien (author of the Lord of the Rings) and Charles Williams were part of this group of close companions. Lewis described how the unexpected death of Williams revealed the deep essence of brotherly love.
“In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets. Now that
As a community of believers, the pursuit of love for one another through friendship and love for everyone as our neighbor will bring us into a horizontal alignment that cross-sects the vertical love we have for God. Charles is dead, I shall never again see Ronald’s [Tolkien’s] reaction to a specifically Charles joke. Far from having more of Ronald, having him “to myself ” now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald…In this, Friendship exhibits a glorious “nearness by resemblance” to heaven
itself where the very multitude of the blessed (which no man can number) increases the fruition which each of us has of God. For every soul, seeing Him in her own way, doubtless communicates that unique vision to all the rest. That, says an old author, is why the Seraphim in Isaiah’s vision are crying “Holy, Holy, Holy” to one another (Isaiah 6:3). The more we thus share the Heavenly Bread between us, the more we shall have.” As a community of believers, the pursuit of love for one another through friendship and love for everyone as our neighbor will bring us into a horizontal alignment that crosssects the vertical love we have for God. As the Apostle Paul explained, “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ephesians 3:10-11).” There is something so beautiful about the manifold love that exudes from the community of believers. Through one another, we have a clearer picture of the nature of our Lord.
Jonathan Allbaugh, Dean of Missional Effectiveness at Vanguard University of Southern California
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LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS BACHELOR’S DEGREE in
MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP MASTER’S DEGREE in
LEADERSHIP STUDIES 2 FORMATS Online Canyon Hills Campus (bachelor’s only)
55 FAIR DRIVE, COSTA MESA, CA 92626
VANGUARD.EDU Academic Scholarships, Ministry Grants, AG School of Ministry or affiliate partnership discounts may be available. Scholarships, grants and discounts cannot be combined.
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HITTING THE TRAIL
FINDING COMMUNITY WHILE EXPLORING THE GREAT OUTDOORS by Natalie Cunningham Canyon Hills is passionate about seeing people connect with one another. CH Trails is a new way to see that passion come alive by seeing people come together through exploring God’s creation. This group goes on monthly hikes to better know one another and grow in the love and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Heather Reed had just moved to Bakersfield when she began attending Canyon Hills. She started looking for ways to get involved and began going to several ministries to find where God wanted to use her. At around this same time, she found a love for the great outdoors through hiking. She found local hiking groups to join, but could not help but wish there was a ministry like this at Canyon Hills. She felt strongly that God had called her to start a hiking group that kept Jesus at the center. Heather soon connected with Franko and Misty Besinaiz who had been wanting to start a similar group. As she plugged in with other believers who shared the same interests as her, CH Trails was established. The heart behind CH Trails is for believers and nonbelievers alike to freely come and experience the love of Jesus through community. On their monthly hikes, someone from the group shares something the Lord has put on their hearts or a simple testimony. Sharing a small “nugget” has opened the door for attenders to share their personal struggles, victories, and even receive prayer while hiking!
Misty says, “I can be frazzled and having difficulty escaping the busyness, but once I get out of my car and on the trail, the cares of the world are temporarily suspended and my heart and thoughts are clear and open to my Lord. It is our desire that others will also find this kind of peace and community as we fellowship, embrace new friends and encourage one another along the trail. As we help one another over physical obstacles, it often opens the doors to life's obstacles where we can share the love and hope we have in Jesus and pray along the way.”
CH Trails hopes to provide a place for you to not only push your body in new ways, but to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus. If you are interested in joining CH Trails for an upcoming meetup, you can connect with the group on the new Canyon Hills app.
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MORE THAN A VACATION A RENOVATION OF THE HEART by Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner To camp or not to camp? That is the question. I am not talking about 'going camping'; that is, pitching a tent, building a campfire and roasting hot dogs over an open fire. Oh yes, each of these might be something done at camp, but summer camp is much more than participating in these outdoor tasks. I am suggesting you and your family consider investing in the opportunity to send your child, junior higher, high school student or young adult to a week of summer camp. Oh, so there's no one in your family you might want to send to camp? Why not sponsor someone's child or teen? Or maybe a foster child through Royal Family Kids' Camp? Wikipedia defines summer camp as "a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. The traditional view of a summer camp is a woody place with hiking, canoeing, and campfires." Christian camps exist to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their desire is that each person coming into contact through attending a week of summer camp will learn of the love and power of a life lived in Christ. A week or more at a summer camp can change someone's life for eternity. It happened to me. 12
At seventeen, I was careening deep into drug addiction. I stayed high as much as possible, trying to fill the emptiness in my life with the highest high or the cutest guy while my need for affection only increased. I couldn’t wait to move out of my parents’ home. My family pulled strings to get me a volunteer summer job at a Christian camp. The camp staff assigned me lists of chores, such as washing hundreds of dishes in the mess hall, raking piles of pine needles around the campgrounds, and even moving logs around the outdoor campfire ring. Whenever I complained or threw fits over doing my chores or smoked cigarettes and dope, the camp staff said, “Love covers over a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8 [NIV]) Their words, repeated over and over, immersed me for two weeks. The words rang in my ears, I couldn’t get the seven-word phrase off my mind. The staff didn’t tell me to change anything about my appearance, attitude, or addictions. Instead, they showed me what the invitation of love looked like. They were kind; they offered the true love of God without forcing me to accept it. As a youngster in Sunday school, I’d learned Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” After two weeks of experiencing how “Love covers a multitude of sins,” I embraced it. Submitting to the overwhelming love of God, I allowed His abundant love to cover my multitude of sins. I began to believe God’s love could cover the things that held me captive to my addictions: drugs and alcohol, lying and stealing, promiscuity and drug dealing. It was finally clear: I didn’t need to clean up my act before coming to God; He loved me passionately just the way I was. One night in my cabin, I submitted to the overwhelming love of God. He had reached out to me, and I, a most unlikely choice, finally grasped His hand. His abundant love did cover my multitude of sins. I accepted the invitation to live a new life. My life was transformed, I was given a fresh start, however the divine connection through a new beginning happened because I was away from the negative influences of my regular life, I was at a Christian camp. According to a recent survey conducted by the National Study of Youth and Religion, "Nearly 40 percent of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 have been a camper at least once at a summer camp run by a religious organization with religious teachings or songs in its program." Does attendance at religious summer camp strengthen the faith of teenagers? The data does reveal a simple correlation
between attending religious summer camps and the strength of teenagers' religious faith. "Most likely," says Dr. Christian Smith from the University of North Carolina, "the camp and home life influences work in both directions. Even so, going to religious summer camps appears to be one of a broader set of intentional practices that parents can pursue to help build up the religious faith of their teens." True life-transformation requires more than just a marshmallow roast, capture the flag or a starry night mountaintop experience. True spiritual renovation of the heart is dependent upon the inner work of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes this happens when we or those we love are away from the daily-ness of life – a week away at summer camp is a great opportunity for life-change. It’s our role as the body of Christ to diligently and prayerfully pray for those would-be campers, staff and camp programs and then depend on God to work in the hearts of his people. So who do you know that should be going to camp the summer of 2019?
Kids Camp - Master Builder: Building on God's Promises Ages 8-12 (younger if parent also attends) June 17th - 20th at Mountain Pointe Camp
Junior High Summer Camp Junior High Students July 31st - August 3rd at Mountain Pointe Camp
Uprising High School Camp - Unashamed High School Students July 29th - August 1st at Camp Oakhurst
Registration is available for all camps online at canyonhills.com/rsvp
Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner, Author of It'll Be Okay: Finding God When Doubt Hides the Truth, and Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down
fromashestobeauty.com 13
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IF ONLY I HAD ____________ by Cody Criswell The other day I was out for a drive, trying to find the best fishing spot possible. I took every back road I could find in search of the perfect spot, until I took a wrong turn and ended up stuck. I don’t drive a 4x4, so I probably shouldn’t have been on these roads anyways, but it was too late for that. So I did what any man would do: I didn’t ask for help. I tried my best to get myself out of the mess I was in. I tried shifting to different gears, rocking back and forth, and even digging myself out. Despite all of my effort, I only ended up making it worse. After about an hour of trying to get out in the hot weather, I gave up. I laid down in the back of my vehicle, feeling tired and hopeless. Just then, a gentleman in a 4x4 pulled up and yelled, “Need me to pull you out?” I looked at him and said, “No, I’ll get it eventually!” I’m kidding, that’s not what I said. I jumped right up and said, “Please!” And in less than a minute, he had me tied to his truck and out of the sand. He offered me a cold water, and then we were both on our way. It was then that I realized the lesson God was teaching me. God has designed us to need others. We live in a culture that encourages us to go at it alone, so we try our best to navigate life without help, without God, and without others. This is not God’s plan for your life. Right before Jesus goes to the cross, he gives instructions to his followers: “Live in me, and I will live in you. A branch cannot produce any fruit by itself. It has to stay attached to the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit unless you live in me” (John 15:4).
Jesus says that being spiritually connected is like being attached to a vine. You’re not going to have any fruitfulness in your life if you’re out there on your own. You’ve got to stay connected. What kind of fruit does someone who’s connected have? “Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control” (Galatians 5:22-23). I don’t know about you, but I’d like to be more loving. I’d like to be more joyful. I’d like to be more at peace, no matter what happens. I’d like to be kind to people who are mean to me. I’d like to be a good person. I want to be faithful. I want to keep my promises. I’d like to be gentle with people who are not very gentle. And I’d like to have more self-control. That’s called the fruit of the Spirit. If you are not seeing yourself grow in all these areas, you are probably not connecting. Paul’s saying this is so important that not only do you need the support like in a building, and not only do you need the life blood like being in a body—he’s saying you’re not going to have any fruitfulness in your life if you’re out there on your own. You’ve got to stay connected. And the Good News is that God wants you to be connected! God is for you!
Cody Criswell, Canyon Hills KRV Campus Pastor
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MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER by Vanessa Shepherd Surrounded by over 30 women recently thrust into similar seasons of grief in September of 2018, Eileen Vignaroli hosted the “Lemons to Laughter” kick off event put on by Moving Forward Together, a newly established ministry for widows with guest speaker and author Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner. The idea for such a group came to Eileen after experiencing her own loss of her husband of 47 years, Don, on June 15, 2015.
October of 2018, Eileen opened the conversation with a note of her own: “We are all on a journey of grief. Some of us are in the early stages while for others it has been many years. Our journeys are similar, but also different and fit no mold. My personal journey began a little over three years ago when my husband died of metastatic prostate cancer which had metastasized to his bones.
Most people thought
“What do we offer for widows?” she recalls inquiring of a close friend in the they were comforting me when they first years to follow. Canyon Hills has an incredible bereavement ministry to reminded me that I support men and women through the had my memories. initial stages of grief through helping My memories were with funeral services and a few meals. “But what happens after that?” she killing me. remembers asking. The answer was, nothing . . . yet. I was one of the fortunate ones who had time to talk about everything It was then that Eileen began to with my husband before his death. dream about a group for widows, run Some of you were not that fortunate. by widows, to offer a community who Little did I know, the depth of grief understood what it meant to journey that would follow. I found myself the hard road of grief together. In the falling to my knees in the shower first two seasons of its first year, Moving sobbing uncontrollably over and over, Forward Together has consistently I teared up constantly when hearing a seen 12 - 20 women gather on the first song, recalling a memory, or leaning day of each month ranging in ages forward to make a comment to him from 45 to 85. Each woman’s story and realizing he wasn't there. Most unique but each desiring the same people thought they were comforting thing - true connection. me when they reminded me that I had my memories. My memories were “No one can talk to a widow, killing me.” like a widow.” Eileen lovingly explains. There is just something Her words rung true for many. In so beautiful about another woman fact, one million new widows join the who understands the all too new ranks every year around the world, frustrations and hardships like another with an average age of 56 years old. woman who has journeyed the road as And of the women already connected well. to a church body, only half of those are able to continue attending During the group’s second meeting in
despite the onslaught of memories and relationships shared with their spouses. For Eileen, this too was a difficult task. But nearing his death, Don urged her to be strong and “keep living [her] life.” So that was her new mission. Allowing God to create beauty from the ashes, and purpose from her pain. Despite the compassion many feel for a woman who has lost her husband there was a real disconnect in support for those same women. The goal of this particular group varies from many grief programs offered around the world as it aims to create laughter and give a safe place for memories to be shared amongst people who understand. It is a group by women and for women, hosting an array of events from dinners out on the town to Bunco nights in a woman’s home and everything else in between. And it has only just begun. Eileen closed the October gathering with this one final thought: “On my quest to move forward with my life, God has shown me that widows have new and relevant gifts to offer, not in spite of, but rather because of our loss. We become strong because we have no other choice. We are compassionate because our heart has been broken. We are bold because we have already faced death in a part of ourselves. We become faith filled because we cannot face the day in any other way. It is my prayer for each of you that you will seek God in your journey moving forward.” For information about upcoming Moving Forward Together meetups, check out our Canyon Hills app.
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"CityServe comes at a perfect time when businesses are encouraging workplace compassion through volunteerism and giving. A top resource for any companies team!" Anne Beiler, Co-founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels “At Focus on the Family we know that the first line of defense for families is the local church. That’s why I’m so excited about CityServe. This book will be a tremendous resource for churches as they engage in the critical work of helping troubled marriages, equipping parents in the challenges they face, and embracing struggling families with the hope of Christ.” Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family
“CityServe is an effective road map to bring together businesses, churches, and government to offer proven solutions to the systemic problems in our communities.” Charlie O’Reilly, Former Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO, O’Reilly Auto Parts “More than ever, churches need to making a difference in their communities. Habitat for Humanity is delighted to be a part of CityServe’s efforts to engage churches in ministries that can alleviate suffering — ministries that stir the hearts of passionate and compassionate people.” Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International
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THE BLESSING OF LIVING IN COMMUNITY by Erika Ramirez Located right next door, to the west of our main campus, is a beautiful independent living facility that you actually may not know a lot about. Florence Gardens is an independent living residence for seniors that opened its doors in 2000.This facility includes almost 100 cottages and apartments. The heart behind this project was to provide a safe and secure environment at an affordable living rate for seniors right here in our church and our community, many of whom are widows and widowers. More than providing a place to live, Florence Gardens offers a community built on friendships and activities for all the residents to be a part of and enjoy. Sharon Gardner is one of the many residents that lives right here on campus at Florence Gardens. She is also a big part of making Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights a success with her help on our Guest Services team. Since her amazing life transformation almost 10 years ago, the importance of community is so evident. It is something that has changed Sharon’s life forever! Sharon left her old lifestyle behind and moved into Florence Gardens in 2010. Feeling isolated and trying to find her place, little did she know, she had moved in right next door to people that she would grow amazing relationships and friendships with. Sharon began connecting with Pastor Dale and Martha Rose, along with Doris Vinson, because they all had dogs. It was something they could all relate to and enjoyed. From these encounters, Doris invited and brought Sharon to Canyon Hills for the very first time. It was only a couple weeks later when Pastor Steve and Renee walked Sharon through the sinner’s prayer and she gave her life to the Lord and it was just a couple weeks after that when she decided to go public with her faith and get baptized. 2010 is definitely a year that Sharon will never forget!
Because of Florence Gardens and the amazing community of residents that live there, Sharon was able to leave her feelings of isolation behind, and finally find her place here in the Florence Gardens and Canyon Hills community. She has built amazing friendships and relationships over the past 10 years that will last a lifetime. Sharon says, “Florence Gardens isn’t just a community anymore, it’s a family to me.” Sharon has also grown in her love for serving others right here in the community, enjoying time with all of her neighbors in Florence Gardens and being able to help people as much as she can, wherever she’s at. “Florence Gardens is a wonderful example of how building a community can have a huge impact in changing the lives of people who are apart of it, just like my life has been impacted.” Another couple you may recognize is Lance and Julie Rowland. You may have seen Lance on Sunday mornings driving around on a golf cart or Julie helping Sharon on our Guest Services team, but did you know they also recently just moved into the Florence Gardens community? “Everyone is so friendly at Florence Gardens. Even when you simply go out to check the mail or take out the trash, you get to stop and talk to many people along the way. It’s so nice that we get to be a part of all the activities they have here, but most of all, we love being right next door to our church.” If you or anyone you know would might be interested in moving into Florence Gardens, we would love for you to join the community! Please call the office at 661.873.0701 “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” - James 1:27
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FPU begins June 4th. Register online at canyonhills.com/rsvp 22
WHAT? PRAY? by Susan Rowe, M.D. When most people think about prayer, they think about going to a place of peace and quiet to get alone with God. This is an essential discipline for all believers to develop. James 5:16 promises, “The effective, fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much.” God’s Word promises, “If we seek Him we will find Him,” (Deuteronomy 4:29). Personal prayer is where our spiritual muscle is developed and the testimony of Jesus in our lives is birthed.
"...the corporate expression of praise and worship ... not only drew the Presence of God, but changed the course of history. However, taking a look at biblical history, it was in the corporate expression of praise and worship that not only drew the presence of God, but changed the course of history. The corporate expression of praise and worship moves us beyond personal expression into corporate dimensions that can frequently expand our spiritual lives. Biblically, God moved supernaturally in response to corporate prayer and worship to deliver the nation of Israel from humanly impossible situations. There are multiple instances in which corporate prayer/worship moved God’s hand. Gideon defeated the Midianites with a small remnant of committed warriors, Judges 6. Jehoshaphat called all Israel into prayer and worship as a massive Syrian army descended upon the nation. As they bowed their heads in praise and worship, God moved to completely destroy the enemy. Not only that, it took the Israelites three days to collect all the spoil, (2 Chronicles 20:25). Furthermore, when the day of Pentecost came, “They were all with one accord in one place,” (Acts 2:1). Corporate prayer and community birthed the New Testament church. Corporate prayer characterized the early church and catalyzed it into a great power, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved,” (Acts 2:46-47).
In revival history, committed prayer and community have been a recipe for revivals that lasted beyond a few years. Fleeing religious persecution, a small refugee community developed in eastern Germany, in the early 1700s. Fraught with cultural differences, God began to work. The owner of the property, Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf started to work with the villagers to help unite the diverse nature of the community. As the villagers began to work through their differences, they began to commit to pray together. Shortly after that, they named the village, Herrnhut, meaning “The Lord’s Watch.” By August 1727, the community’s commitment to each other and to prayer drew God’s presence in an outpouring of His Spirit catalyzing over 100 years of 24/7 prayer. Shortly thereafter, through the consistent, corporate prayer and community, the village became a center for sending missionaries into the nations. Some credit the outpouring as a Pentecost like experience, others credit it as the birth of the modern-day missions movement. In light of this powerful outpouring, Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf is credited as saying, “There is no Christianity without community.”
“There is no Christianity without community.” Isaiah prophesied, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations,” (Isaiah 56:7). Jesus re-declared this foundational call to the church in Mark 11:17. A house connotes a community. Today, what are we doing to contribute and build our church to be known as a house of prayer for all nations? Now, in the challenges of this time, God is calling His church to become the house of prayer as He prepares the His body to become His alert, ready and awakened Bride. Dr. Susan Rowe, Author of Remnant Rising and The Amos 911 Call, along with her husband Dr. Fred Rowe, are the Directors of our Prayer Ministry at Canyon Hills and lead Pray Bakersfield
praybakersfield.com
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FINDING HOPE HOW A LIFELONG STRUGGLE BECAME A CATALYST FOR THE CALLING OF A LIFETIME by Brooke Lawrence It’s time to break the silence about mental health in the church. Stigmas and stereotypes are plenty, but there is an ongoing shortage of education and understanding when it comes to mental health. Mental health is a category that is often treated differently from other areas of health. In many instances of physical illness, church families and communities rally together to pray, raise support and awareness, and to stand in unity with the victims. When a couple is struggling to find relational health within their marriage, or an individual suffers the loss of a loved one, there is a clear path for healing through counseling, a community of accountability and support, and even mentors who have walked that road before. Yet the response to a person with a mood disorder, or mental illness, can often be ambiguous, fearful, and minimal. According to the World Health Organization, one in four people suffer from mental illness also referred to as mood disorders. Amongst other things, mood disorders include PTSD, depression, anxiety, bipolar, and schizophrenia. For the three in four people who do not struggle with mental illness, it’s easy to ask the questions like, “Why can’t you just snap out of it?”, or “What did you do that caused this to happen?”. For Pastor Dale and Martha Rose, these questions became painfully familiar after their son, Stephen, was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
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Stephen had graduated with a degree in Biblical Studies from Southern California College (now Vanguard University) and accepted a youth pastoring job in Hawaii. His diagnosis came about 9 months after graduation and it turned his life upside down. Stephen became paranoid to the point of psychosis, eventually believing that people were out to kill him.
that God had prepared them for and called them to this ministry. In the months following Stephen’s death, Pastor Dale and Martha began the first Fresh Hope chapter in California. They consider Fresh Hope to be Stephen’s legacy. It was his greatest desire to see people find hope and healing in the word of God and through community in the Body of Christ.
“What he believed was truth to him,” Pastor Dale commented on his son’s struggle. “Many times, mental illness can take on a spiritual pronouncement when the person is a Christian. One night he came to us, completely devastated, and he said, ‘God told me that He’s through with me.’ He crawled into our bed and just laid in the fetal position.” Despite a lifetime of guidance, Christian education, and personal experiences that affirmed the truth of God’s love for him, Stephen’s reality had been shattered and reshaped by his illness. While medication helped stabilize him for the most part, his sickness was an ongoing battle. Because of his sustained state of distress and anxiety, Stephen unknowingly suffered from hypertension and heart disease. Ultimately, this culminated to the point of a heart attack which resulted in Stephen’s death at the age of 44.
Everyone has the freedom and right to fullness of life when they are in Christ. A full and rich life is provided for in Jesus regardless of who you are, what your social standing is, or what your diagnosis may be. Some time before Stephen’s death, Pastor Dale and Martha Rose were invited to a seminar, “Mental Health and the Church”, at Saddleback Church. It was at this seminar that they learned about a ministry called Fresh Hope. Fresh Hope is a Bible-based, peer support group that ministers to people who have been diagnosed with a mood disorder. It also serves as a support system for family members and loved ones of those who have been affected by mood disorders. Upon hearing the testimony of the ministry’s founding pastor, Brad Hoefs, who himself had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the Roses knew
Mental health issues know no boundaries and affect people in all walks of life. Those who attend the weekly meetings at the Main Campus, include professionals, students, homemakers and blue collar workers. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Everyone has the freedom and right to fullness of life when they are in Christ. A full and rich life is provided for in Jesus regardless of who you are, what your social standing is, or what your diagnosis may be. Fresh Hope exists to give biblical support to families and individuals affected by mood disorders, to end the stigma attached to mental health issues, and to get more churches, locally and globally, involved. There is a need for the body of Christ to speak healing and life to such a large part of the Church. It is time to end the silence. If you or someone you love struggles with a mental health disorder including bipolar, anxiety, depression or other diagnosis, you are not alone. Visit our app to find more information about our weekly Fresh Hope group meetings. Learn more about Fresh Hope at freshhope.us.
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