FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE NATIONS
RECLAIM Season Three | 2019
GROWING IN INFLUENCE A Scared World Needs a Fearless Church
INFLUENCE STARTS AT HOME Influencing Our Children to Become Fully Devoted Followers of Christ
BEING THE CHURCH
How One Mom is Influencing a Local Elementary School Campus
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RECLAIM
FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE NATIONS SENIOR PASTORS | Wendell & Lynda Vinson EDITOR | Jenifer Watts ASSISTANT EDITORS | Erika Ramirez, Salomon Servin, Richard Shepherd CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jonathan Allbaugh, Kaleb Amos, Crissy Cochran, Tamara Gutel, Jacob Hargestam, Dr. Susan Rowe, Rich Shepherd, Fern Segura, Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner, Wendell Vinson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jacob Barefield, Mary Davis, Joy Kamel, Joshua Mendoza, Heidi Parra, Armando Perez, Salomon Servin 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 Cover Photo: Mission One Eleven team in Indonesia
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IN THIS ISSUE 4 | GROWING IN INFLUENCE 8 | MUDDY HANDS & WET SNEAKERS 10 | INFLUENCE STARTS AT HOME 12 | THIS IS HOW WE CHANGE THE WORLD 18 | GOD WITH US, GOD FOR US 21 | INFLUENCING OUR WORLD THROUGH PRAYER 22 | HURTS, HANG-UPS, HABITS 25 | THE ABORE TRIBE 30 | TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH 34 | BEING THE CHURCH
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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GROWING IN INFLUENCE It’s easy to look at the condition of the world around us and feel helpless. I’ve heard people despairingly say “I feel like the world is falling apart and there’s nothing that I can do about it.” Well, that’s exactly what the enemy of your soul would like for you to think. The truth is some of history’s greatest revivals have come out of some of the most turbulent of times. God is at work and we are His people. There is absolutely nothing too difficult for God! As we move into the fall season we’re turning our attention to the importance of each of us as believers being influencers in our world. That word influence can be a tricky word because influence is often used for very self-centered purposes. The sacred influence our church’s mission statement proposes is about our refusing to acquiesce to the status quo. It’s about walking through the doors that God is opening for good to be done and the Good News to be proclaimed in our neighborhood and in the nations. Jesus says to us in Matthew 5:13-16, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Think about a missionary going to proclaim the gospel in a foreign land that worships false Gods. If that missionary didn’t fully believe in his heart that he or she could be an influence for Christ in that dark place, he would be defeated before he ever stepped foot off of the plane. He has to trust in the Holy Spirit at work in him and in the power of the gospel. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. Romans 1:16 You and I can know with confidence that the Holy Spirt is within us and the gospel is powerful to save. But I want to highlight some very practical aspects of influence in your everyday world that sometimes don’t get enough attention.
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Influence requires competence and character It may surprise you that I would bring up competence in the context of spiritual influence but if you’re serious about influence, then you need to be serious about being the best you can be in whatever you do. Colossians 3:23 tells us to work “with all your heart.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 tells us, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might.” Proverbs 22:29 states, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.” Whatever we do, if we want to be people of influence, we should do with excellence. Think of the Old Testament character Daniel. Had he performed in a mediocre manner, I doubt that we would even know of him today, no matter how godly he might have been. Daniel so distinguished himself in terms of competence and character that his influence grew and he had significant social and spiritual impact in the world. Here is the fundamental principle: If we want people to pay attention to our faith, we must first pay attention to our work. Before we introduce our co-workers to God, we must introduce God into our work. Possessing the character to, with God’s help be the best that we can be in our family, work, school, community will capture the attention of those around you. It will be a testimony that God is at work in you. Shake off mediocre! Influence requires care and communication How you treat people is a big deal to God! You’ve heard it a lot but as it relates to influence it bears repeating, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care." And you can’t just care internally, you have to express it outwardly. Your kindness and compassion, attentiveness and willingness to listen, your advocating for those who can’t speak for themselves all matters and it positions you as an influencer for God and for good. This is really the heart of what The Apostle Paul is writing to the Philippians, "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:1-4 In the same way that genuine care and encouraging communication toward those around you positions you for greater influence negative communication does just the opposite. If you gossip about people, disparage, ridicule or belittle others you will lose influence. Your care and your communication will either engender trust or undermine trust.
Without trust you will have little true influence. This is why Paul leaves little wiggle room in his admonishment regarding our words in Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Influence requires conviction and courage Following Jesus and influencing others to follow him will ultimately take you out of your comfort zone. You will have opportunities and face obstacles that will challenge you to the edge of your faith. A close walk with Jesus is the only antidote to fear. The Lord commanded Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 And as Joshua prepared to influence and lead Israel into Canaan, God said, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart out of your mouth; mediate on it day and night.” Joshua 1:8 God wanted Joshua to influence with conviction that He had spoken and that He was taking them into their promise. In the New Testament Book of Acts when the early church was first taking the gospel to the world, they needed a supernatural boldness that could only come from the indwelling Holy Spirit. That courage from heaven enabled them to influence their world for Christ in spite of unbelievable odds, opposition and even persecution. If we are to influence our world, we must also have conviction and courage. AW Tozer wrote, “A scared world needs a fearless church.” This is your season to grow in influence, so make it your goal to grow in competence and character, care and communication and conviction and courage. If you will grow in these areas God will increasingly use you to influence others. As a church this fall we are together boldly walking through new doors that God is opening here in our city, our state and around the globe. We are leveraging every possible resource that God has entrusted into our care to take the Good News of Jesus Christ from the neighborhood to the nations. Join us and lets change the world!
Wendell & Lynda Vinson, Pastors 5
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MUDDY HANDS & WET SNEAKERS by Jonathan Allbaugh Muddy hands and wet sneakers. Little boys find all kinds of trouble during the lazy days of summer when school is out and parents are at work. 45 years ago, the type of troubles that kids could find were significantly tamer than they are today! Back in those days, the winding creeks of Kansas presented a wonderful play land full of life, mosquitos, critters and discovery. Looking at the flow of water, I recall the monumental challenge of taking control of the waterways moving through the property. Surveying the land, I identified several large boulders that lay along the dirt bank serving no particular use in the location where they rested. With all my boy-power, I leveraged, pulled, pushed and rolled these boulders into the waterway with triumphant splashes that got me muddy… well, muddier! Standing with a feeling of deep pride welling up within my soul, I marveled at how my exploits effectively blocked the creeks’ normal flow, causing a redirection around the boulder’s edge. It is amazing how these meandering lessons from childhood have informed my pursuit of making a difference in the Kingdom of God. The creeks of yesteryear have been replaced by a constant barrage of challenges in life that seem to relentlessly press away from the plan of God. Little of this life can be managed or controlled. As a young man, I sought to aggressively work toward reformation of culture by, preaching sermons, conducting missions trips, and “taking on” the other two young men standing at my door with black name-badges. After several years, I realized that no one sermon changed lives. As a matter of fact, people couldn’t remember what I had preached the week before. Likewise, I wondered whether the missions trips or witnessing to the missionaries had any lasting impact. Was it meaningless?
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This issue of Reclaim addresses the idea of our influence in the world. As the master influencer, Jesus spoke to his disciples saying, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:3233).” Looking toward the cross, Jesus perceived how his apparent defeat was actually the pathway toward victory. A moment in time where the witness of his action would redirect a seemingly unstoppable movement of sin and destruction. Ankle deep in the creeks of Kansas, I marveled at how a few boulders redirected the flow of water. As a middleaged man, I reflected upon this boyish encounter and realized that my life was not about one sermon, one missions trip, or one encounter with the Mormon missionaries. Rather, it was about dropping rocks in the stream where God placed me. It was about being a boulder, firmly planted in the waterway. A witness of presence. A witness that is not surprised by resistance. Together, God is calling us to be witnesses rolled into our cultural flow.
Jonathan Allbaugh, Dean of Missional Effectiveness at Vanguard University of Southern California
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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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INFLUENCE STARTS AT HOME INFLUENCING OUR CHILDREN TO BECOME FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST by Sheryl Giesbrecht Turner Canyon Moms is designed to encourage, inspire, and equip moms to be the best version of themselves through Christcentered inspirational speakers, fellowship, and real life skills that can help a mom of young children. Cortney Vaughan, Coordinator of Canyon Moms says, “Canyon Moms has helped in my mothering in so many ways! It can be nerve-racking deciphering the “best” way to raise your child with so many different views on parenting in the world today. What I love about Canyon Moms is that the leadership and speakers point you back to Jesus for the answers and remind you He is the answer. The truth in that gives you a peace despite the overload of information out there on how to raise children. The women at Canyon Moms are so real. There’s no pretending to be perfect or judging of others. We just come as a group of women wanting to be better people, moms, and spouses whose lives point others to Jesus. It’s refreshing and rejuvenating to have people in the same life stage who are supportive and uplifting. I can’t imagine my life without these amazing friends and I’m so grateful we get to do life together!!” Valerie Enriquez, Canyon Moms Publicity Coordinator says, “Canyon Moms has helped me in mothering by realizing that I’m not alone in this walk of life. I love being surrounded by women who are in the same season of life as me and having the opportunity to share and relate with them about all things motherhood is so refreshing. By being part of Canyon Moms not only do I serve the kingdom of God, I have made such great friends by doing so. Real friends who are genuinely concerned about you and your kids, friends who are constantly praying for you and friends who continue to encourage you. I look forward to every single meeting because I know I’ll get fed with not only God’s Word, but also the opportunity to hang out with my friends!”
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Crystal Williams found Canyon Hills That first service was a bit of a blur. and then joined Canyon Moms. This This church was so different from what is her story. I knew. It was loud, they played music with passion, there were so many people, and then they encouraged me to turn and say hi to someone new. After I picked my kids up, I decided it wasn’t the place for me. I was too set in my ways and Catholic services were worlds apart from Canyon Hills. I simply wasn’t going to come back. And then my children asked me “When do we get to go to church again?” They had a blast and absolutely loved it.
“Around a year ago I made a decision to check out this church that’s right up the street from my house. I grew up attending church and throughout my whole life, I’ve never felt anything. It was always just something we were supposed to do. Even after I moved out on my own, I would attend church and constantly remind myself, “It’s a holy obligation.” Once I had my little ones, I had to take a break from attending church. As a Catholic, our churches didn’t have any form of kid care, or even a cry room. Catholic services tend to be very quiet at times and I could just imagine the struggles of getting two babies to sit perfectly still and not cry for a whole hour. I knew Canyon Hills had kid care because of that giant logo on the side of the Canyon Kids building. A year ago I randomly showed up. I enrolled my kids, and showed up for service. That first day was very overwhelming. Such a large campus made me feel lost and intimidated. I knew absolutely no one. After seeing Elexa on the screen saying, “If this is your first time, we’d like to welcome you...” I thought, “Hey! That’s me!”
I simply wasn’t going to come back. And then my children asked me, “When do we get to go to church again?”
matter, and God loves them. Canyon Moms are mothers of kindergarteners and younger who meet the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month beginning in September and ending May. In addition to tips about drawing closer to God, being a better wife and mother, you’ll enjoy a sumptuous breakfast to eat every time we meet without your children trying to eat your food. Dixie Hernandez and her CM Kids team will make sure your children are cared for and learning about the love of the Lord during our meetings, so we can relax and enjoy the programming. We have play dates and Moms Night Out events throughout the year and summer. We are waiting for you!
Knowing they wanted to come back, I returned that next Sunday, and knowing what to expect, I was finally able to put my guard down. Different is okay. I found myself clapping along and reading the words on the screen. I was able to sit and really listen, and a spark was ignited. Shortly after getting into the swing of things, I stumbled upon Canyon Moms. I remember thinking, “this is exactly what I need.” I have finally, finally, finally found God. I feel the presence of Jesus in a way I have never experienced in my whole life. It is amazing and indescribable. This is my new home. This is my church. This is my journey. One year ago I was struggling with depression and loneliness, and then God put me right where He wanted me. He knew my needs and He delivered." Crystal Willams’ story is is the whole reason Canyon Moms exists. We exist so that people know they belong, they
To find out more about Canyon Moms, visit the Canyon Hills App or email canyonmoms@canyonhills.com
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
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THIS IS HOW WE CHANGE THE WORLD by Fern Segura
When I first started in youth ministry, I always seemed to preach out of the book of James. Perhaps it was the style of James’ writing that made it easy for a young preacher, prior to Bible college, to comprehend what I was reading. James had a form of writing that made it simple to understand what it meant to follow Jesus and to be devoted to him! It was his use of metaphors, like a doubter being a wave tossed in the ocean by the wind (James 1:6), that challenged me to really to believe with faith what I prayed for. I am older now, but the book of James still speaks to my life so loudly. The book of James challenges its readers to become devoted followers of Christ. Some theologians believe that the book of James is a how-to manual for the Christian life. James gives us a heavenly perspective to understand that pain and heartache are part of the Christian life. I am certain that you have faced obstacles during your lifetime. I know I have. It is a difficult task to understand why life seems to become a couple of levels more difficult when following Jesus. James, however, in his practical and simple way of writing, full of metaphors and similes, tell us to consider it pure joy when facing various trials. Why, you may ask? Because the testing of our faith produces perseverance (James 1:1-3). It is insights like these that are simple to understand yet ground breaking when you face the trials of daily life. The words of James seem to tear through time to speak into the rhythms of the modern world. During this upcoming series you will find that James exhorts, challenges, convicts, revives, and drives a follower to a life of faith that works. As we turn our attention during this season to becoming believers that lead a life of influence, James will give us clear guidelines on how we are to walk it out. As we study together we will learn how we can change the world! I am certain that this series will be a blessing to all of our campuses! I always find it intriguing that our campuses are comprised of different demographics but each series always speaks intentionally to all of the Canyon Hills community. I cannot wait to go on this journey in the book of James with you!
Fern and Cecia Segura, Canyon Hills Wasco Campus Pastors
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GOD WITH US, GOD FOR US by Rich Shepherd Without a doubt, Christmas is a special time of the year. I’m sure many of us have memories that stand out from others. It could have to do with a toy that you saw on the shelves every time you went to the mall with your parents. I know for me it was always about sports items so we could start the year out with friends on the block playing till the sun went down. For some, it could be the food or treats that only came out at this time of the year. Growing up, there was a precious elderly lady who used to turn her front living room into a candy & bakery store. She would make most things from scratch and what she couldn’t, she bought. Upon entering the house, she’d hand each of us a zip lock plastic bag and instruct us that as much as we could stuff in the bag, it was ours and ours alone. Which was really cool for me because I had two brothers and when you’re young, you don’t want to share. For others, Christmas time was special because everyone just seemed to get along. As a dad of two boys, I see something special in my boys at Christmas time. Of course I know they’re excited to get gifts, but they also enjoy the memories we make with the traditions of cutting our tree down by hand, hanging the lights, watching Christmas classics leading up to the big day, and just like me when I was young, they look forward to feasting on food and desserts. Christmas, there’s nothing like it! Now, while all of that sounds good, there is another side of Christmas that isn’t as bright. For many, it’s a time of loneliness, hurt, depression and anxiety.
For some, Christmas brings back pain from their childhood of divorced parents, empty trees, family tension, and no hope. It can be a time when it’s really hard and you feel alone. And while Christmas time can be hard, there is a truth for us . . . God is with us and God is for us! In every moment, He is there. We may feel that we are deep in a valley, or alone in a desert. We might be on top of the mountain looking for direction, or just waiting to see if our prayers will be answered. No matter our circumstances, we can celebrate that God is with us. In this Christmas season, God can redeem the hurt of years past and walk with you on a new journey full of hope and joy in a way you’ve never experienced before. This Christmas season, things can change! Join us on December 1st at all of our campuses as we start a brand new teaching series, God with us, God for us! In this series you’ll discover that you’re not alone, God is with you through the pain. He comforts you in the waiting. When you’re anxious about your future, He gives you courage.
Rich & Vanessa Shepherd, Canyon Hills SLO Campus Pastors
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INFLUENCE IN OUR WORLD THROUGH PRAYER by Susan Rowe, M.D. On the morning of July 4, 2019, our son was working in his garage when he stood up to reach out for a tool and suddenly felt very dizzy. It took a while for him to get his bearings. At the same time, a friend in Los Angeles was traveling and suddenly felt like the world was spinning. It took a while for them to get their bearings, but when they did, they realized they had just been in an earthquake. Reports soon sent the alert that a 6.4 magnitude earthquake had struck a remote part of our county. The following day, July 5th, an even stronger aftershock of 7.1 hit the area. News reports the next week relayed the fact that the July 5th earthquake carried the power of 45 nuclear bombs. Would the fact that such a powerful earthquake on our national Independence Day and its aftershock catch your attention? It did ours. What if that earthquake had hit a largely populated area? What would happen? The plot thickens. Two days later, we connected with friends who are full-time missionaries in Muslim stronghold. At the same time the earthquake struck California, their home was invaded by robbers. It was middle of the night their time and robbers took many of their belongings and covered their little girl’s head with plastic. Waking up just in time, the robbers escaped, and they saved their child’s life by getting the plastic off her face. We realized the incidents were no accident and that God was issuing a “wake-up call.” The timing was too precise to brush off as accidental. We began to fervently pray for their situation. We all sensed the call of God. Within a week, they received donations and support enough to cover all their losses and then some. The children, though traumatized, were recovering. We joined in prayer, and God responded in powerful ways. What is the message in this? Prayer is not only a means to develop our personal journey and walk with the Lord,
but it is also the key to catalyze Kingdom advance in an increasingly lost and disenfranchised world. If God is stirring your hearts, it is now to wake up and engage in the concerns that we see around us. Was our contact and prayer with this unknown couple in a significant stronghold of Islam just a great testimony? What if God is about to break loose and change an entire region for the glory of God. We are taking on that task and joining with our friends for that express purpose. What inspires your heart? Is there an issue, a person, a desire within you that when you think about it, your spirit is quickened? We would urge you to use this internal signal to take steps forward and engage with the community and contacts you have to make a difference. God will give a specific strategy. He will grant you favor. The earthquake sent a signal to “wakeup.” We are in an hour much like it was in Joshua’s time to, “Be strong and of good courage,” Joshua 1:9. If you are stirred, step out, put your foot in the Jordan, and watch the waters part. God has plans to, “Prosper you, not to harm you, but to give you a hope and a future,” Jeremiah 29:11. How do we know that? It is His Word and it will not return to Him void, but it shall accomplish what He pleases, and it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it, Isaiah 55:11! In the shakings around us, He desires to send you.
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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HURTS, HANG-UPS & HABITS FINDING FREEDOM ON FRIDAY NIGHTS by Kaleb Amos
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” A wonderfully provoking story is found in the seventh chapter of the gospel of Luke. Here’s the scene: Jesus gets invited to eat at the home of a member of the Pharisees. This was a group of people who practiced strict observance of the Law found in the Torah, a.k.a. the first five books of the Old Testament. Needless to say, these were some pretty uptight and fairly self-important religious folks. People never scared Jesus, though, so He enters the home and sits down to spend some time with them and talk over a good meal. All of a sudden, a woman with a really bad reputation shows up. She’d made some awful life choices that hurt herself and others. Despite all of this, she knows Jesus has something she needs, and when she hears Jesus is in town, she walks into the home of the Pharisee. In an incredibly scandalous moment, she pours a vial of expensive ointment on Jesus’ feet while she weeps and dries his feet with her hair. This was a symbolic and repentant act of love that the Pharisee, whose name is Simon, just can’t understand or deal with; he is floored Jesus would allow this.
moneylender forgives both of their debts, which Jesus uses to show Simon that people who are forgiven of a whole lot tend to love the one who forgives them a whole lot. The encounter closes with Jesus offering some words for those watching, and most beautifully, some liberating words for the woman. “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little”... And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:47, 50) What’s so awesome is Jesus hasn’t stopped restoring like this. He’s doing it today. We all have struggles we’re facing. A few of us are just really good at hiding them. For some, those struggles could be things like impatience, anxiety, anger, or bitterness that are dominating the way they live. Maybe for others, bad habits or substances could be the things bringing life to a complete standstill. In the moments where people are desperate for understanding, love and support, Celebrate Recovery steps in.
Sensing the disgust of the Pharisee, Jesus tells him a story Celebrate Recovery describes themselves as “a Christof two people: one who owed someone a lot of money, centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling and a second person who only owed him a little bit. The with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.” Since 1991,
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it has been instrumental in helping people overcome their hurts, hang-ups, and habits. The program has grown to include over 35,000 churches globally and is affecting transformation in prisons, universities, missions, and more. Based on the words and person of Jesus rather than psychological theory, Celebrate Recovery is “a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our lives.”
Bernie's Story Bernie Maestas is the ministry leader at CR Canyon Hills, where it’s affectionately known as “the best place to be on a Friday night.” Bernie is passionate about seeing people step out of the shadows of shame and step into the light of recovery. Originally coming to CR for his wife, he soon realized it wasn’t just for people with substance or chemical issues, but was a place for him to find healing as well. “I realized I had many character defects and one was being co-dependent, which enhanced the problems my wife was going through,” he recalls. “I stayed in CR after my wife stopped going because I had to deal with my own hurts.” Bernie insists that what people receive when they enter Celebrate Recovery is special. “We have a saying ‘once you enter through the door, you are family.’ That is exactly what we are. There is such freedom every Friday night. I’ve been a part of this ministry for over seven years, and it’s been going every Friday night regardless of holidays, events, or even earthquakes. It’s hard to explain the feeling when you come and fellowship with family and worship together with other true seekers of freedom.” Going to a Celebrate Recovery meeting is probably one of the most real experiences one can have. Looking over a room filled with people who truly feel the worth of God’s redemption in their lives makes me want to live with more conviction. Listening to the stories of some of the ugliness others have been brought out of makes me more thankful. As a worship leader, just hearing the way people in that room sing and worship God with so much passion and abandon reminds me how worthy He really is — worthy of a never-ending lifestyle of praise. (Continued on page 24
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Rus's Story It goes without saying that God brought Rus out of some difficult life experiences. As a young child, he was raised in an unpredictable environment where his parents abused substances, with a marriage sadly ending in divorce. Being exposed to drugs like speed and hallucinogens for the first time in junior high, Rus remembers during that time “any drugs were fairly easy to get.” Come high school, blackout drinking was a normal practice, and he was introduced to cocaine. For times when he got too high, he would drink to take the edge off, but after getting drunk, would simply use more cocaine in a vicious cycle of addiction. In desperation, Rus wondered if God was even real as he longed for freedom from the maze he found himself in. Things weren’t looking good. "My attitude toward others, anyone, was bitter, hatred at times," he remembers. "I was extremely physical, violent, loud, and usually the one in the room to want to be provoked." Finally landing in AA, Rus began a journey toward sobriety. But he wasn’t alone — God was doing something in his life. A series of questions and encounters led him to a place of surrender. The same place of surrender the woman in Luke 7 found herself in. Rus found himself at the feet of Jesus and was baptized, starting a brand new life.
After getting clean and overcoming his addictions, the Lord led Rus down a new path of helping others needing recovery from life-controlling issues. Now, Rus and his wife Kerri are key leaders in CR and watching Jesus bring restoration to those in Bakersfield who are willing to leave their shame behind and come to Jesus. Seeing people like the Nelsons sing their guts out in praise to God is contagious and stands as a testament to how good God is. Rus agrees. “If He can save a hopeless dope fiend like I was, wreck me, and convert me to a dopeless hope fiend,” he muses. “He can and will do it for anybody.”
If He can save a hopeless dope fiend like I was, wreck me and convert me to a dopeless hope fiend, He can and will do it for anybody.
The flaw of thinking “other” people are the ones who need freedom from their hang-ups, while we’re doing fine because we’re merely gossiping a little bit or get a little too angry at times, can be a devastating mistake. Often, the method for the enemy to bring destruction to your life doesn’t start out as alcohol or pornogaphy or methamphetamines. The little things and small details of life can be crucial to who we become. The apostle Paul warns us to be careful even when we’re angry, admonishing us to “not give the devil an opportunity” (Ephesians 4:27). The point? No one is above coming to Jesus. Simon the Pharisee wasn't, and neither are we.
“If you are depressed, angry, codependent, a compulsive overeater, judgmental, dealing with sexual addiction or any other character defect you can think of, there is so Rus just celebrated 27 years of being much to CR that it literally is for clean and sober. “Because of Celebrate everyone,” Bernie says. Recovery, and the path God uses in this program, my relationship with No matter what is holding you back God has grown leaps and bounds,” he from living the full life God always says. intended for you, CR is a place to grow and experience Biblical restoration. All through Scripture, God has a habit CR meets at Canyon Hills every of restoring people and places that Friday night at 6:30pm and would have experienced brokenness. It’s an love to partner with you so you can essential part of what He’s about, and “go in peace” the way Jesus has won so it should also be something you and for you. I are about. A struggle for some Christians is the same issue Simon the Pharisee had: he thought he was more worthy of God’s forgiveness than the woman. His life was more clean, more put together. There weren’t as many pitfalls or mistakes on his record. Many in the Church are fighting a secluded battle
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because they fear the stigma of being judged by the people who should support them the most. The truth is, regardless of what kind of battles we’re facing, we’re not that different.
For more information on Celebrate Recovery, visit the Canyon Hills App. Kaleb Amos is a husband, a father and is a worship leader at Canyon Hills.
THE STORYSHARE APP Mission One Eleven wants people to be able to share the Good News with the right tools, so with the help of a tech team from Basil Technologies in silicon valley, MOE created Storyshare! Storyshare is currently available in six languages: English, Swedish, Romanian, Turkish, Arabic, and Persian, with additional languages being translated and prepared. The dual screen in the app allows you to read the story in your language on one side of the phone, while the story is shown in the same or a different language on the other side. The Storyshare app is used for evangelism training through the MOE Training Centers, CityServe, and any local believer or church that needs a tool to share the gospel cross languages and in a mission context. This year MOE will be sending additional teams out to train and share the Gospel with refugees We believe that anyone can share the Gospel whether they are new in their faith or a seasoned veteran, overseas or in their hometown. Available to download now!
Split Screen: Share the Gospel in multiple languages.
THE ABORE TRIBE by Jacob Hargestam Opposition, trials, hardship, but most of all, favor. This journey had everything including government shutdowns, carrying motorbikes and gear over a crocodile-infested river, and hiking into the unknown. After three days of travel, we made it into Bilbilo Arbore. Bilbilo is used as a meeting place for elders to discuss tribal matters and is extremely influential in the Arbore tribe. Our team used multiple approaches to reach the people including chronological storytelling and sharing the short-hand gospel in people's homes. As we discussed God's story with the elders of Bilbilo, we told them of our plans to build a church in the village. I was amazed by the power of compassion. A witch doctor in the village cursed us and told us to leave multiple times! One evening as we were visiting with the people we stopped at his hut, greeted him, and asked how he was. He said he was fine but his daughter had malaria and was very sick. We offered them medicine and she got well within a few days. This small act of compassion opened his heart to hear the good news. We built a strong relationship with him and his family and continued to share God's story with them. Our overall mission was to plant the first indigenous church of the Arbore tribe. We have trained Bala Arboro in evangelizing, storytelling, and discipling. The growth in Bala has been supernatural! He has a God-given anointing and a spirit of a pastor. Bala Arbore wants to be baptized before he starts his ministry just as Jesus modeled.
Swipe left to continue the story. Multiple languages available.
There were also multiple people who came forward wanting to take the next step and be baptized. God's timing is perfect! It's a privilege to be a part of laying the foundations of His church.
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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
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“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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TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH
THREE YOUNG ADULTS THAT HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND HAVE BECOME WORLD CHANGERS by Tamara Gutel
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Garin's Story
and truth of the Word of God. Lives were changed as people came to know and follow Christ, but even more so, his life was changed as he found his life calling and Garin was born in Indonesia to a devout Muslim family. passion: to share Jesus to the unreached of our world. He was raised to follow his prayers and the teachings of Muhammad. When Garin was 10 years old, his mother Since his first trip back to Indonesia, Garin has travelled found Jesus through the influence of some friends in with Mission One Eleven to Indonesia again as well as her life. While she followed Jesus, it was the custom and Nepal. He serves on staff at his church in LA and leads rule in her household for her sons to follow Allah. So to teams of young adults into unreached people groups. protect her sons and give them a new chance to learn Garin is also getting his business degree so that he of Jesus, she left her husband behind in Indonesia and can become a full-time tent making missionary to the immigrated to the United States with her two young unreached. boys. Garin’s family joined a church in San Bernardino and for several years Garin continued to follow Allah while attending a Pentecostal church in California. Through high school and part of college, Garin lived two lives: one at church on Sunday’s leading worship and one trying to make it in Hollywood with all the world’s temptations. While He knew Jesus, he followed Hollywood and all it had to offer. But one day he was challenged to live out what he said he believed. He had to make a choice to truly follow Jesus or to follow himself. In reading the Gospels, he felt a clear call that his life meant more than following Hollywood, that God had something for him. He heard about Mission One Eleven, a missions organization that lived and taught the Gospel with unreached people groups. His church had a training center and that fall were going to travel to Indonesia to work with broken and lost lives in the far eastern area of his home country. He felt the tug to ‘jump off the ledge’ and go home to share Jesus with broken people, people just like who he was not that long ago. There was one dilemna, as a DACA kid, Garin didn’t have clearance to leave the States. If he left, there was a chance he couldn’t come back home to California. He had to make a choice, follow the opportunity to the unreached with a chance at getting stuck far from home, or stay and forsake the speaking of God on his life. It was a hard decision; should he stay with security, or risk it all for Jesus. Garin chose Jesus and left with his team to Indonesia. His life was changed as he met Muslims and witch doctors who followed a false religion, and being able to speak the language, he was able to share the love 31
abusing alcohol and drugs. Sha’Nya heard about and joined Upper Room where she met people who lived out the love of Jesus. In joining a Bible study she learned who Jesus really isand the person He has called her to be. When presented the opportunity to join a missions trip to Sierra Leone with Mission One Eleven, Sha’Nya gave her hopes and dreams to God and her life was changed. A year later, on a trip with Mission One Eleven to Greece, she met brokenness and heartbreak amongst the refugees pouring into Europe. Her heart was moved and broken for these people who so desperately needed Jesus. She found compassion and love for broken people that has moved her to give her life and her career to bring life to the dark places. She found that no matter the struggles she faces, there is a hope she can bring to others in their brokenness. Sha’Nya is now a student with Vanguard while living in Egypt working with Muslims. Her heart is to graduate and move overseas, giving her life to bring the hope of Jesus to the unreached places in our world.
Heidi's Story
Sha’Nya's Story Sha’Nya was born into a Christian home to an African American father and a Native American mother. While her parents loved Jesus, they also had a family culture of witchcraft from her mother’s Native American roots. This brought spiritual oppression into their family and brokenness into their lives. Her parents divorced and her mother remarried an alcoholic man who abused Sha’Nya and her siblings. She spent the rest of her childhood protecting her siblings from the pain and abuse of her step-father. Living through the brokenness and trauma of her family, Sha’Nya found herself in a place of depression and a loss of her identity. She didn’t know who she was or her life’s purpose. To numb the pain, she started 32
Heidi was born in a religious ‘Apostlolic’ family and while she was born knowing the name of Jesus, it wasn’t until she moved out of her family home and joined Canyon Hills that she learned what it truly meant to follow Jesus. By sharing a community with ordinary followers she learned what it meant to have a relationship with God. She heard about unreached people, people lost without the chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus and Heidi made the choice to join Mission One Eleven to be the hands and feet of Jesus in Indonesia. Her team travelled to the Abun people where they walked for 3 days to get into the village. While hiking in, a member of her team sprained their ankle and could no longer walk. The tribal members bringing them into the village, gathered and built a stretcher out of bamboo and carried her through the jungle. After a few hours, they stopped to rest their shoulders
and it started to rain. Rain poured down and everyone soon got wet. The people showed them how to use the jungle leaves as an umbrella to cover their faces from the downpour. Heidi sat and watched as her friend laid on the jungle floor hurting while rain poured down on her. One of the tribal members took his own leaf and hunched down beside her friend and held the leaf so that her face would not get wet. Heidi was touched by the love and friendship of these village members. She felt God speak to her, that here are people who have a heart to love like Jesus but are still lost because they don’t know him. She felt the call from God to spend her life to find unreached people around the world to share the love of Jesus. During the last 5 years she has travelled to Ethiopia, Indonesia, Sweden, Greece, and Turkey. Currently she is living in Egypt to raise up young missionaries who will join the call to reach unreached people in the Middle East. She is a current student of Vanguard University and uses her talent in photography to support herself as a missionary so that she can reach lost and broken lives in the most unreached places in the world. To learn more about Mission One Eleven including their pioneer mission expeditions, aviation program, technology program and more, visit missiononeeleven.com
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BEING THE CHURCH
A WELCOME INFLUENCE ON A LOCAL SCHOOL CAMPUS by Crissy Cochran In 2016, my oldest child started kindergarten in the public school system. I was terrified. The anti-christian teachings that are being implemented had left me stricken with fear of what my child would be exposed to. I sought counsel from other women in our church and was quickly reminded the One who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world. It was then that God opened my eyes to the spiritual influence my child and our family could have at his school. I had a revelation of how much the public schools need our Christian children to show the love of God and I asked God how we could be used to further His kingdom. He answered quickly.
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Soon after, I learned about Good News Clubs from a lady, now friend, who shared about them at our women’s Bible study. Good News Clubs are a program of Child Evangelism Fellowship. GNCs are after school Bible clubs that meet for an hour once a week and are structured much like a Sunday School class with worship songs, a Bible lesson, games and snacks. I quickly signed up. It took a few months of prayer and guidance but God paved the way. Not only did we receive the district’s approval, but we also had use of a teacher’s classroom, accommodations made by the principal, snacks and donations were given by family members, and over 30 kids showed up on the first day with parent permission slips in hand. Hallelujah! In our second year of Good News Club our membership rose to over 50 kids and 37 of them accepted Jesus as their Savior. Can I get an Amen? I thought to myself what Jacob said, Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it. Last fall I took a casual inventory in club to see who goes to church regularly. “Ok kids! How many of you are going to church this Sunday?” Only a few kids raised their hands and enthusiastically shouted out their church names.The reality is most kids in GNC’s don’t attend church on a regular basis, and half of those non-attenders only go on Christmas and Easter. “This is my church!” One little boy proclaimed proudly. “Good News Club is my church!” My heart rejoiced and ached simultaneously. I know this little guy and his family personally. I know the struggles of life circumstances that his family goes
through--double work shifts on the weekends to make ends meet hardly allows for a sabbath. Their reality considers a church routine a luxury they can’t afford. His proclamation to name Good News Club his church, which would make me his pastor, tells me how vital my role is in his life and other children like him. Our Good News Club is the only regular spiritual feeding most kids will get. We have 1 hour once a week to share the Word and make it applicable to their little lives--praying each word is planted and taking root in their young hearts. I have to remember that my time with these kids is precious with extreme eternal significance. My anxiety of what the school would teach my children had changed to a heart passion of how we can be an influence at the school. Many are needed to make Good News Clubs happen at our public schools; however, few are able and willing. God has commissioned some of us to be the church on school campuses and I’m up for the task. Are you? If you would like to connect with a Good News Club and show the love of God on a Bakersfield school campus, contact Crissy at goodnewsclub@canyonhills.com
Crissy Cochran is a wife and mother of 3 school age children. She is the Good News Club coordinator at a local elementary school and has been attending Canyon Hills since 2003.
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