Newfrontiers-USA
Celebration Northeast ’08: Attaining the Impossible
TODAY
Liz Zelie
>>
HARBOR CHURCH
If you have any news briefs such as these and would like to submit them to The Link, please contact us at news@newfrontiers-usa.org. Examples could include unusual or noteworthy. We welcome news from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Food Pantry JUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MO
Treasurer
>>
Newfrontiers-USA
Greetings Everyone,
Bryan Mowrey
Newfrontiers is a family of churches together on a mission. Nowhere is this statement made more evident than in how we use our financial resources. As I have looked over the Newfrontiers-USA finance reports reflecting our income and expenditures for the last twelve months, I am amazed at the ways in which God has allowed us to participate in the great commission: to be his witnesses not only in Jerusalem (locally), but also in all Judea and Samaria (regionally), and to the ends of the earth (internationally). Here are just some of the highlights:
FUSION
CHICAGO, IL
Every pioneering effort faces challenges as it breaks ground in new cities. One of our ongoing prayers at Fusion has been that God would raise-up a team within Newfrontiers to join us over the long term as we reach America’s third largest city. His timing is perfect and despite our continued wait (please keep praying), we celebrate the interim support we have received through our extended Newfrontiers family of churches. We have enjoyed regular video teachings from Jubilee Church (St Louis, MO) which are pre-recorded and mailed to us on a weekly basis. This is an honor and a breakthrough for us as we expose our people to the likes of Bryan Mowrey, John Lanferman, Terry Virgo, Sam Poe, Rick Hein and others. Also, we have tremendously benefited from the weekend visits made by Dan & Cuquita Evans (Lee’s Summit, MO), Matt & Heather Sweetman, and Bryan & Rachel Mowrey (St Louis, MO). In early June we were able to fly two young men to Celebration Midwest ’08 (Warrensburg, MO). In mid-July we received an energetic and faith-filled outreach team from Living Hope Church (St Joseph, MO). This motivated team drove twelve hours to camp in our homes overnight before serving relentlessly in the heat of the summer at Clark Street Festival, the local community festival where thousands passed through our “free photo” booth. We also had summer visitors from the UK. David & Emma Hosier (New Community Church–Sidcup, UK) and their three kids Isabel, Ethan, and Maddy, spent four months with us in Chicago while David completed a work contract here. These have been tremendous times of refreshing that have us looking expectantly to what God is going to do in the future. Besides receiving input and encouragement, we are also experiencing breakthrough in two areas, namely in giving and student work. After praying for two years that God would provide access to nearby Loyola University, we were finally invited to attend the student Christian organization called Capture just before the student year ended. Through this introduction we have experienced spontaneous visits from students. We are full of faith that we will continue to build relationships in the fall with students on the Loyola campus, as well as with those at other neighboring universities: Northwestern, De Paul, and North Park. We have also seen three people in Fusion unexpectedly blessed with cars!
funded a new Jubilee Church location in Wentzville, MO (northwest of the City of St. Louis) published hard-to-get books from Newfrontiers in the UK as a resource for local churches allowed John Lanferman and his apostolic team to travel and strengthen both local churches and regions as well completed the second cycle of the Trilogy leadership training program launched the new Church Planting Internship (CPI) training program sent Sam Poe to participate with Dave Devenish in both establishing Newfrontiers churches in Russia and developing an oral method of sharing the gospel for illiterate cultures in Africa funded mission into Islamic nations provided famine relief for those in Kenya with more than $32,000 in funds ($21,000 of which came from our young people at Clearvision ’08!) given more than $21,000 to Newfrontiers’ international mission offering at Brighton distributed more than $22,000 to help efforts in local Newfrontiers churches outside of the U.S.
OF THE LORD (THE
A N E W F R O N T I E R S - U S A P U B L I C AT I O N
CHURCH) COVER THE EARTH.
ST. LOUIS, MO
2007–2008
2007–2008
INTERNATIONAL OFFERINGS 12%
>>
The most exciting development in this partnership is that they have allowed us to use their 1,000-seat auditorium FREE of charge for next year’s Mobilise-USA conference (formerly called ClearVision). That a public school would do this is unheard of. When asked “Why?”, the principal explained that the city told them to start working with local churches! Wow! It’s amazing how God speaks to us and directs us!
As I write this I am already stirred by the Spirit of God, wondering what He might have in store for us in the upcoming year as we endeavor to be faithful stewards with that which God has provided.
[ $688,737 ]
JUBILEE CHURCH
A Closer Look:
Acts records the Antioch church coming together for a special time of prayer and fasting. God spoke in a dynamic way that brought new direction and a new level of fruitfulness for this robust church. We wanted this same stimulus for Jubilee Church, so last year we held the Acts 13 meetings. During these meetings we received a word from a highly prophetic man named Keith Hazel: “The Holy Spirit is going to give you a special doorway and a special relationship into a local high school… that doorway is going to come through music… God is going to put us in partnership with this high school.” We then prayed about this doorway and have found favor with a performing arts high school about a mile away from us. They have performed at our building, giving Jubilee great exposure to the community and creating opportunities to serve them.
On behalf of John and the rest of the apostolic team, I want to thank you and the churches not only for the trust you have shown through your financial support, but also for your attitude of generosity. It is a privilege to be on a mission with you all.
INCOME
>>
MISSIONS OFFERINGS 27% CONFERENCES 22% TRAINING 3% OTHER 2%
EXPENSES [ $696,719 ] ADMINISTRATION 15% TRAINING 8% APOSTOLIC EXTENSION 21%
IN THIS ISSUE Newfrontiers-USA churches, church plants and pioneering efforts are currently working in 13 states.
HIGH SCHOOL”
It may seem a bit cliché to say that through your financial support you have participated in mission around the world, but it is really true! We can do much more together than we ever could apart—that is a joy of being part of the Newfrontiers family.
CHURCH GIVING 34% Copyright Newfrontiers-USA | August, 2008
training leaders and planting churches.
SEE THE TEMPLE
Prophecy in the church should be more than encouraging words that help worship. It should impart meaty, shaping words that impact the church. This is not to diminish the need for uplifting words; it is true that we need to be reminded of God’s love, His nearness, and encouragement in times of fear. I believe, how“THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ever, that God has more in GOING TO GIVE YOU A mind for the prophetic gifts; SPECIAL DOORWAY AND He wants to use the proA SPECIAL RELATIONphetic to push us forward in our mission. SHIP INTO A LOCAL
Through Your Financial Support We Have …
>>
to establish the kingdom of God by restoring the church, making disciples,
OUR MISSION IS TO
Prophecy in the Local Church
Newfrontiers-USA Financial Update Mike Lawson
Fusion Update
Newfrontiers is a worldwide family of churches together on a mission
Through teaching given by Ian Ashby, Dave Devenish and John Lanferman, God challenged us about gathering in order for future scattering. The church, like the Trinity, is a community on a mission. Our mission is to see the temple of the Lord (the church) cover the earth. We in the Northeast are encouraged and excited about the future of our churches. John Lanferman reminded us that “God makes provision in advance for anything He asks us to do.” Essentially, God makes the impossible attainable, and God’s sovereignty ensures that His plans will come to pass.
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08
PORTSMOUTH, NH
The Newfrontiers-USA Northeast churches (plus friends from Pennsylvania) cheerfully weathered lightning storms, humidity, and cafeteria food in order to treasure time with God and one another, and to receive His word. The worship team, led by Tommy Stanley, blessed us greatly. Singing the song “O For A Thousand Tongues” took on new significance as Dave Devenish spoke of 3,000-4,000 Turkish believers in a land of seventy million. The line “leap, ye lame, for joy” came true as God healed Cheryl Borek, (Harbor Church) from eight years of hip pain. And everything, from the ground-breaking $100,000 offering, the prophecies in the ONEBLAZE meeting, the impassioned prayer for the Fenway Church plant, to Christ the King Church losing the volleyball tournament, spoke of God doing the impossible!
miraculous healings, successful outreaches, church initiatives or anything
FOOD PANTRY IN ACTION
>>
“Christ does not want nibblers of the possible, but grabbers of the impossible” declared C.T. Studd, cricket-player-turned-missionary to China, India, and Africa. Studd would certainly have identified with the 300 who gathered at Gordon College (Wenham, MA) for Celebration Northeast ’08.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Jubilee Church has seen God working in some amazing ways over the last couple of months. We are excited to be involved with many new community initiatives both in St. Louis City and Wentzville. One of these initiatives is a Bosnian food pantry. In early May we partnered with other local churches to host a food pantry which serves a diverse group of 55-70 families throughout the South City area. Aside from being a place to come and receive groceries, the food pantry enables participants to connect with people from Jubilee and each other. It has been a great way for us to build a bridge into the Bosnian, African and poor cultures around us.
JUN AUG
CONFERENCES 25% INSURANCE 4% WORLDWIDE MISSION 19% CHURCH PLANTS (USA) 8%
New Community Church
>> Tacoma,
WA
Together On A Mission ’08 Oneblaze In St. Louis
Soundbite from John Lanferman
Mobilise Life Change Team
Team Leader >> Newfrontiers-USA
Celebration NE ’08
PRAYER SHAPES HISTORY
Newfrontiers-USA Financial Update
It was May, 1940 and 198,000 English troops, along with 140,000 additional allied troops, were trapped in Northern France by Germany’s most feared fighting divisions, the Panzers. Hitler’s Air Force stood ready to destroy England’s troops as they sat helpless on the beaches of Dunkirk, far from their home across the English Channel. On Sunday, May 26th, England’s church bells rang out calling the nation to prayer for their sons and their future. Winston Churchill was one of those who responded to the call. He once recounted that, while sitting in his stall in the choir of Westminster Abbey, he could feel the pent-up emotion and fear of the congregation as they confronted the fact that Britain’s ruin was a real possibility.
Prophecy in the Local Church NewfrontiersUSA Today
history comes as a result of our prayers. It would seem that a strong conviction of the power of prayer would lead us to a greater intensity and commitment to it. We’re convinced that as we pray according to God’s revealed purpose, He hears our prayers and they reach a tipping point which releases amazing divine activity.
Notice an awesome thing takes place in Revelation 8. Heaven’s hosts are absolutely dumbstruck by the utter importance and place of our prayers. After that Sunday of national prayer, several things happened. First, Hitler’s Heaven is filled with awe about the church’s role in the happenings of Panzers stopped short due to a strange order to pull back and let the Air history; yet, the church appears insignificant to men. Our little prayer meetForce attack the British Army. Second, 860 English boats (mostly small crafts) crossed the channel to rescue their soldiers. ings seem impotent and optional to many, but Third, the wind ceased and the sea became very note that heaven’s hosts are mute when they OUR LITTLE PRAYER MEETINGS SEEM calm for an entire week. Finally, a thick fog and witness our prayers being heard by the Father. cloud cover settled in, shielding the troops and their The great angelic noise and praise is restrained in IMPOTENT AND OPTIONAL TO MANY, BUT rescuers. When the skies cleared, all 338,000 silence in order that the church may be heard. NOTE THAT HEAVEN’S HOSTS ARE MUTE troops had disappeared from Dunkirk and were “More powerful than all demonic and human saved from potential destruction. WHEN THEY WITNESS OUR PRAYERS powers working in this world is the power of BEING HEARD BY THE FATHER. In Revelation 8:1–5, we have an amazing picture of prayer set ablaze by the fire of God and cast upon the church as the key instrument God uses to see the earth” (Thomas Torrance). divine movement upon the earth. The church prays Here are some conclusions: and things happen! Our prayers are a vital component for God releasing His 1. We ought always to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). divine activity upon the earth. Some people however, think that prayer is of 2. The prayers we pray about ourselves and others apply to our world no consequence other than possibly possessing some therapeutic value. here and now. On the contrary, prayer is the major factor in God’s purpose being actual3. As a church, we are to be unified and consistent in our prayers for the ized on earth. mission and vision God has given us together. 4. We are to uphold the absolute importance of gathering for corporate The picture in Revelation 8 seems to portray the amazing effectiveness of our prayers, which are accumulating around the throne of God. In this prayer. picture, the reality described is that our prayers are taken and thrown upon If we truly believe these things about prayer, then we will demonstrate it by the earth like fire to bring about the completion of God’s kingdom. It was our enthusiastic and consistent presence when called upon to gather and Jesus who taught us to pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on pray. Personal prayer and corporate prayer meetings are removed from our earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). Throughout the 2,000 years since optional list. Our prayers are a response to an invitation by God himself to Jesus gave us this mandate, these prayers have accumulated and are partner with Him in changing our world. being released to bring the completion of God’s kingdom upon the earth. All that happens on this earth is the result of the prayers of the church. Within God’s timing, these accumulated prayers will change the spiritual and cultural geography of the world. This means that the consummation of
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
>>
www.newfrontiers-usa.org
a CLOSERLOOK TACOMA, WA
>>
Bo Noonan
in St. Louis
www.ncctacoma.org It wasn’t long ago that eight adults and four kids gathered together in our rented home in Tacoma for our first team gathering. We sat there looking at each other with a sense of destiny. However, if we’re honest, we also sat there wondering, “How on earth is this group of outsiders going to reach a gritty, blue collar city?” Eighteen months later, we really feel like God is making an impact in the community through us. >>
On our journey, we have met in people‘s homes, an office suite above a Taco Time, and currently in an old downtown building previously used as a yoga studio. We’ve gone from knowing everyone who would show up on a Sunday morning to having first time visitors almost every week. We’ve also grown from having some pretty painful Sunday meetings where I wanted to cry (in a bad way), to meetings where both men and women visitors say, “I just wanted to cry (in a good way) during the worship”!
MANY MONTHS AGO, GOD SPOKE TO US ABOUT MAKING A BIG NOISE IN THE CITY. AT THAT TIME WE WERE JUST A PIN DROP, BUT WE SEEM TO BE BUILDING TOWARD AN EXPLOSIVE CANNON.
We’ve certainly had those “Abraham moments” where we were holding on to a great promise, yet the divide seemed even greater. By God’s grace we’ve recently seen some exciting breakthroughs. Our kids' room is filling up with future disciples, and our meeting space is a constant mix of believers and unbelievers. We have students from four different colleges, singles, young married couples, couples with kids, and even some mature married couples with grandchildren joining the mission. Please continue to pray for us as we hope to keep pressing into the heart of the city.
Levi Self ABUNDANT GRACE CHURCH
This summer we held a booth for four days at a very popular downtown Farmer’s Market. This booth enabled us to hand out free water, make jewelry with kids, and on one occasion, take people's blood pressure. We also held an overnight camping trip for the church and attended Celebration Northwest ’08. It’s a very exciting time here in Tacoma, and we are asking Jesus to continue to build His church. Many months ago God spoke to us about making a big noise in the city. At that time we were just a pin drop, but we seem to be building toward an explosive cannon. Our social networks are expanding, our connections with key people in the city are developing, and most importantly, the activity of the Holy Spirit is increasing! I am often asked if the church is where we thought we would be at this point. That’s a hard question to answer, but what I can say is this: we feel very confident that we are where God wants us to be. Our sense of destiny is growing and growing, and we eagerly long to see the fruits of our labor!
>>
FORT SCOTT, KS
This summer, youth from all over the United States gathered at Jubilee Church (St. Louis, MO). The theme of ONEBLAZE, raising up a new generation of church pioneers, was evident throughout the week as we were trained and sent out into the community.
Life Change Team Rachel Bressoud CHRIST THE KING CHURCH
Crane, and John Lanferman. Our group During the week, we were divided up into witnessed 27 baptized in the Holy Spirit, twenty-five service project groups. We eight healings, and four committing their life spent three days running a free kids' camp, to Christ. Praise God! picking up trash in the community, collecting food for the Bevo Community Center The week ended with John Lanferman’s and inviting people to Jubilee Church’s teaching which exhorted us to remember Family Fun Day. On Saturday, we all worked who we are in Christ. He challenged each together to set up activities, inflatable person to make up their games and food for the mind and take a stand. Family Fun Day, which OUR GROUP WITNESSED served approximately 200 Look out! God is doing 27 BAPTIZED IN THE people. amazing things through We were blessed to have many different people teach throughout the week, including Matt Sweetman, Seth Hein, Rick Hein, Euan
HOLY SPIRIT, EIGHT HEALINGS, AND FOUR COMMITTING THEIR LIFE
young people. This is the beginning of raising up young leaders to become church pioneers!
TO CHRIST.
WE EAT, AND HOW WE TALK MAY BE DIFFERENT, a review by Tim Chambers
CHRIST’S CHURCH OF JOPLIN
>>
BUT WHO WE ARE AND JOPLIN, MO
Together On A Mission is a Newfrontiers conference occurring every summer in Brighton, England. It includes Leadership International and Mobilise for students and twenties. In this international event, six continents and over fifty countries were represented this year. Just over a hundred delegates from the United States were included in the record attendance of nearly 5,000. The preaching in the main sessions carried a prophetic punch! Mark Driscoll, from Seattle, WA, was at the center of the program. He was clear, relevant, and bold as a lion. Terry Virgo typically brings diverse leaders to this conference, and his willingness to give platform time without restrictions to leaders like Driscoll is uncommon and highly commendable. Terry’s humility and faith in such things is one reason Newfrontiers remains a vibrant movement. Alongside Driscoll’s talks were challenges from international leaders bringing clear vision in main sessions and practical help in seminars. Recurrent themes were the centrality of Christ, the sufficiency and relevance of the gospel to every situation, the need for bigger vision for our cities, and an almost ruthless seriousness about our mission. A major draw of this event is the opportunity for genuine relationship with a global family. John Lanferman said, “It’s a family coming together from all over the world. Our hearts all beat the same. We’ve been praying for these guys in Zimbabwe and your heart leaps, seeing these heroes in a way, working in their part of the world. You realize we are actually touching the world.” Many of us had personal conversations with old and new friends from Latin America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Worship in such a large and diverse group is heavenly. There is nothing like fervent worship with family from around the globe to refresh the soul and open the heart to fresh infusions of faith. We may look back at this week as a pivotal point in our history. Many of us were affected in ways that are already bearing fruit in our churches. Those unable to attend can still benefit from the conference. Talks are available for download at newfrontiers.xtn.org. For excellent reviews, check out blogs by John Lanferman >> johnlanferman.blogspot.com, Terry Virgo >> terryvirgo.org, or Adrian Warnock >> adrianwarnock.com.
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
Frankie Jarrett
>>
LIVING HOPE CHURCH
>>
ST. JOSEPH, MO
This July, several people from our Newfrontiers-USA family attended Mobilise ’08 in Brighton, England. The Mobilise event is specifically designed for students and people in their twenties to receive solid teaching, and to benefit from time spent with leaders from around the world as delegates join with Together on a Misson. BEING AT THIS CONFERENCE REINFORCED IN MY HEART HOW BENEFICIAL IT IS TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN MYSELF AS A LEADER AND IN THOSE I WILL LEAD.
This year’s guest speaker, Mark Driscoll, genuinely and affectionately shed light on what he considered to be the “gray areas” of our mission strategy. He sparked in us a renewed passion to see churches planted more rapidly and imparted wisdom to ensure our movement is one that lasts for generations to come. At the heart of it all, Mark sincerely expressed his love and respect for Terry Virgo and his apostolic work in leading our Newfrontiers family.
ROCHESTER, NH
Last May, a team of twelve gathered for a journey to an Islamic, North African Country. Each of us had our reasons for going, and I think we all expected to do more while we were there. Many had been on mission trips and were expecting a similar experience. However, on this trip, we were not there to do, but rather to be in the culture, learn some of the language, and encourage other believers. We learned to eat out of a common dish with our hands and to build relationships across languages. Our sight-seeing was paired with prayer requests from believers and prayer times. The city we were in has a population around three million with approximately only about fifty believers. We went to a town of sixty-thousand where there are no known believers. WHAT WE WEAR, HOW
>>
>>
WHAT WE NEED IS NOT: WE ARE ALL BORN SINFUL AND IN DESPER-
The highlight of our trip was the two nights we stayed with Muslim host-families. This gave us a glimpse of normal life and a taste of some amazing, home-cooked food. It reminded us that what we wear, how we eat, and how we talk may be different, but who we are and what we need is not: we are all born sinful and in desperate need of Jesus.
Something eye-opening occurred after I arrived home. I flew in Sunday morning and went to my home church where worship was in full swing. Looking around at the people I couldn’t forget about our brothers and sisters in North Africa who have never been able to worship with more than a few believers. Their churches are only 12-15 adults because any more would draw attention. We take for granted our gatherings of a hundred or more. We are blessed!
ATE NEED OF JESUS.
On the whole, this trip gave us a perspective on our lives and the world that we didn’t have before. To quote Katie Tipton, “I am so glad I got this opportunity to see what brothers and sisters go through everyday in North Africa, and to put my life and goals in perspective”.
Being at this conference reinforced in my heart how beneficial it is to make the investment in myself as a leader, and in those I will lead. Being with God's multi-ethnic, mission-oriented people is absolutely refreshing. Amie Fox (St. Louis, MO) agrees, “Mobilise ’08 rocked my worldview and dilated my understanding of Jesus and His Church. In a very macro + micro way, I was deeply reassured of God’s promises and could see even clearer His passion for the people in our cities, our country, and every continent of this God-desired world.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE CHANGE TEAMS, VISIT >>
www.nations.xtn.org
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
It has come to our attention that there were mistakes in our last issue concerning the “Church Planting in the Top 100 Cities” article. Please note the following corrections: # # # # #
4: 21: 31: 83: 91:
Philadelphia, PA (not PE) Pittsburgh, PA (not PE) Milwaukee, WI (not MN) Huntsville, AL (not FL) Davenport, IA (not NY)
We apologize for the oversight. Sincerely, The Link Editors and Staff
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR SUBMISSIONS Newfrontiers-USA >> P.O. Box 2626 >> St. Louis, MO 63116 phone
314.832.9042
fax
314.832.9044
thelink@newfrontiers-usa.org
web
www.newfrontiers-usa.org
READ the Link www.newfrontiers-usa.org www.newfrontiers-usa.org >>
a CLOSERLOOK TACOMA, WA
>>
Bo Noonan
in St. Louis
www.ncctacoma.org It wasn’t long ago that eight adults and four kids gathered together in our rented home in Tacoma for our first team gathering. We sat there looking at each other with a sense of destiny. However, if we’re honest, we also sat there wondering, “How on earth is this group of outsiders going to reach a gritty, blue collar city?” Eighteen months later, we really feel like God is making an impact in the community through us. >>
On our journey, we have met in people‘s homes, an office suite above a Taco Time, and currently in an old downtown building previously used as a yoga studio. We’ve gone from knowing everyone who would show up on a Sunday morning to having first time visitors almost every week. We’ve also grown from having some pretty painful Sunday meetings where I wanted to cry (in a bad way), to meetings where both men and women visitors say, “I just wanted to cry (in a good way) during the worship”!
MANY MONTHS AGO, GOD SPOKE TO US ABOUT MAKING A BIG NOISE IN THE CITY. AT THAT TIME WE WERE JUST A PIN DROP, BUT WE SEEM TO BE BUILDING TOWARD AN EXPLOSIVE CANNON.
We’ve certainly had those “Abraham moments” where we were holding on to a great promise, yet the divide seemed even greater. By God’s grace we’ve recently seen some exciting breakthroughs. Our kids' room is filling up with future disciples, and our meeting space is a constant mix of believers and unbelievers. We have students from four different colleges, singles, young married couples, couples with kids, and even some mature married couples with grandchildren joining the mission. Please continue to pray for us as we hope to keep pressing into the heart of the city.
Levi Self ABUNDANT GRACE CHURCH
This summer we held a booth for four days at a very popular downtown Farmer’s Market. This booth enabled us to hand out free water, make jewelry with kids, and on one occasion, take people's blood pressure. We also held an overnight camping trip for the church and attended Celebration Northwest ’08. It’s a very exciting time here in Tacoma, and we are asking Jesus to continue to build His church. Many months ago God spoke to us about making a big noise in the city. At that time we were just a pin drop, but we seem to be building toward an explosive cannon. Our social networks are expanding, our connections with key people in the city are developing, and most importantly, the activity of the Holy Spirit is increasing! I am often asked if the church is where we thought we would be at this point. That’s a hard question to answer, but what I can say is this: we feel very confident that we are where God wants us to be. Our sense of destiny is growing and growing, and we eagerly long to see the fruits of our labor!
>>
FORT SCOTT, KS
This summer, youth from all over the United States gathered at Jubilee Church (St. Louis, MO). The theme of ONEBLAZE, raising up a new generation of church pioneers, was evident throughout the week as we were trained and sent out into the community.
Life Change Team Rachel Bressoud CHRIST THE KING CHURCH
Crane, and John Lanferman. Our group During the week, we were divided up into witnessed 27 baptized in the Holy Spirit, twenty-five service project groups. We eight healings, and four committing their life spent three days running a free kids' camp, to Christ. Praise God! picking up trash in the community, collecting food for the Bevo Community Center The week ended with John Lanferman’s and inviting people to Jubilee Church’s teaching which exhorted us to remember Family Fun Day. On Saturday, we all worked who we are in Christ. He challenged each together to set up activities, inflatable person to make up their games and food for the mind and take a stand. Family Fun Day, which OUR GROUP WITNESSED served approximately 200 Look out! God is doing 27 BAPTIZED IN THE people. amazing things through We were blessed to have many different people teach throughout the week, including Matt Sweetman, Seth Hein, Rick Hein, Euan
HOLY SPIRIT, EIGHT HEALINGS, AND FOUR COMMITTING THEIR LIFE
young people. This is the beginning of raising up young leaders to become church pioneers!
TO CHRIST.
WE EAT, AND HOW WE TALK MAY BE DIFFERENT, a review by Tim Chambers
CHRIST’S CHURCH OF JOPLIN
>>
BUT WHO WE ARE AND JOPLIN, MO
Together On A Mission is a Newfrontiers conference occurring every summer in Brighton, England. It includes Leadership International and Mobilise for students and twenties. In this international event, six continents and over fifty countries were represented this year. Just over a hundred delegates from the United States were included in the record attendance of nearly 5,000. The preaching in the main sessions carried a prophetic punch! Mark Driscoll, from Seattle, WA, was at the center of the program. He was clear, relevant, and bold as a lion. Terry Virgo typically brings diverse leaders to this conference, and his willingness to give platform time without restrictions to leaders like Driscoll is uncommon and highly commendable. Terry’s humility and faith in such things is one reason Newfrontiers remains a vibrant movement. Alongside Driscoll’s talks were challenges from international leaders bringing clear vision in main sessions and practical help in seminars. Recurrent themes were the centrality of Christ, the sufficiency and relevance of the gospel to every situation, the need for bigger vision for our cities, and an almost ruthless seriousness about our mission. A major draw of this event is the opportunity for genuine relationship with a global family. John Lanferman said, “It’s a family coming together from all over the world. Our hearts all beat the same. We’ve been praying for these guys in Zimbabwe and your heart leaps, seeing these heroes in a way, working in their part of the world. You realize we are actually touching the world.” Many of us had personal conversations with old and new friends from Latin America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Worship in such a large and diverse group is heavenly. There is nothing like fervent worship with family from around the globe to refresh the soul and open the heart to fresh infusions of faith. We may look back at this week as a pivotal point in our history. Many of us were affected in ways that are already bearing fruit in our churches. Those unable to attend can still benefit from the conference. Talks are available for download at newfrontiers.xtn.org. For excellent reviews, check out blogs by John Lanferman >> johnlanferman.blogspot.com, Terry Virgo >> terryvirgo.org, or Adrian Warnock >> adrianwarnock.com.
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
Frankie Jarrett
>>
LIVING HOPE CHURCH
>>
ST. JOSEPH, MO
This July, several people from our Newfrontiers-USA family attended Mobilise ’08 in Brighton, England. The Mobilise event is specifically designed for students and people in their twenties to receive solid teaching, and to benefit from time spent with leaders from around the world as delegates join with Together on a Misson. BEING AT THIS CONFERENCE REINFORCED IN MY HEART HOW BENEFICIAL IT IS TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN MYSELF AS A LEADER AND IN THOSE I WILL LEAD.
This year’s guest speaker, Mark Driscoll, genuinely and affectionately shed light on what he considered to be the “gray areas” of our mission strategy. He sparked in us a renewed passion to see churches planted more rapidly and imparted wisdom to ensure our movement is one that lasts for generations to come. At the heart of it all, Mark sincerely expressed his love and respect for Terry Virgo and his apostolic work in leading our Newfrontiers family.
ROCHESTER, NH
Last May, a team of twelve gathered for a journey to an Islamic, North African Country. Each of us had our reasons for going, and I think we all expected to do more while we were there. Many had been on mission trips and were expecting a similar experience. However, on this trip, we were not there to do, but rather to be in the culture, learn some of the language, and encourage other believers. We learned to eat out of a common dish with our hands and to build relationships across languages. Our sight-seeing was paired with prayer requests from believers and prayer times. The city we were in has a population around three million with approximately only about fifty believers. We went to a town of sixty-thousand where there are no known believers. WHAT WE WEAR, HOW
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WHAT WE NEED IS NOT: WE ARE ALL BORN SINFUL AND IN DESPER-
The highlight of our trip was the two nights we stayed with Muslim host-families. This gave us a glimpse of normal life and a taste of some amazing, home-cooked food. It reminded us that what we wear, how we eat, and how we talk may be different, but who we are and what we need is not: we are all born sinful and in desperate need of Jesus.
Something eye-opening occurred after I arrived home. I flew in Sunday morning and went to my home church where worship was in full swing. Looking around at the people I couldn’t forget about our brothers and sisters in North Africa who have never been able to worship with more than a few believers. Their churches are only 12-15 adults because any more would draw attention. We take for granted our gatherings of a hundred or more. We are blessed!
ATE NEED OF JESUS.
On the whole, this trip gave us a perspective on our lives and the world that we didn’t have before. To quote Katie Tipton, “I am so glad I got this opportunity to see what brothers and sisters go through everyday in North Africa, and to put my life and goals in perspective”.
Being at this conference reinforced in my heart how beneficial it is to make the investment in myself as a leader, and in those I will lead. Being with God's multi-ethnic, mission-oriented people is absolutely refreshing. Amie Fox (St. Louis, MO) agrees, “Mobilise ’08 rocked my worldview and dilated my understanding of Jesus and His Church. In a very macro + micro way, I was deeply reassured of God’s promises and could see even clearer His passion for the people in our cities, our country, and every continent of this God-desired world.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE CHANGE TEAMS, VISIT >>
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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
It has come to our attention that there were mistakes in our last issue concerning the “Church Planting in the Top 100 Cities” article. Please note the following corrections: # # # # #
4: 21: 31: 83: 91:
Philadelphia, PA (not PE) Pittsburgh, PA (not PE) Milwaukee, WI (not MN) Huntsville, AL (not FL) Davenport, IA (not NY)
We apologize for the oversight. Sincerely, The Link Editors and Staff
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR SUBMISSIONS Newfrontiers-USA >> P.O. Box 2626 >> St. Louis, MO 63116 phone
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Newfrontiers-USA
Celebration Northeast ’08: Attaining the Impossible
TODAY
Liz Zelie
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HARBOR CHURCH
If you have any news briefs such as these and would like to submit them to The Link, please contact us at news@newfrontiers-usa.org. Examples could include unusual or noteworthy. We welcome news from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Food Pantry JUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MO
Treasurer
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Newfrontiers-USA
Greetings Everyone,
Bryan Mowrey
Newfrontiers is a family of churches together on a mission. Nowhere is this statement made more evident than in how we use our financial resources. As I have looked over the Newfrontiers-USA finance reports reflecting our income and expenditures for the last twelve months, I am amazed at the ways in which God has allowed us to participate in the great commission: to be his witnesses not only in Jerusalem (locally), but also in all Judea and Samaria (regionally), and to the ends of the earth (internationally). Here are just some of the highlights:
FUSION
CHICAGO, IL
Every pioneering effort faces challenges as it breaks ground in new cities. One of our ongoing prayers at Fusion has been that God would raise-up a team within Newfrontiers to join us over the long term as we reach America’s third largest city. His timing is perfect and despite our continued wait (please keep praying), we celebrate the interim support we have received through our extended Newfrontiers family of churches. We have enjoyed regular video teachings from Jubilee Church (St Louis, MO) which are pre-recorded and mailed to us on a weekly basis. This is an honor and a breakthrough for us as we expose our people to the likes of Bryan Mowrey, John Lanferman, Terry Virgo, Sam Poe, Rick Hein and others. Also, we have tremendously benefited from the weekend visits made by Dan & Cuquita Evans (Lee’s Summit, MO), Matt & Heather Sweetman, and Bryan & Rachel Mowrey (St Louis, MO). In early June we were able to fly two young men to Celebration Midwest ’08 (Warrensburg, MO). In mid-July we received an energetic and faith-filled outreach team from Living Hope Church (St Joseph, MO). This motivated team drove twelve hours to camp in our homes overnight before serving relentlessly in the heat of the summer at Clark Street Festival, the local community festival where thousands passed through our “free photo” booth. We also had summer visitors from the UK. David & Emma Hosier (New Community Church–Sidcup, UK) and their three kids Isabel, Ethan, and Maddy, spent four months with us in Chicago while David completed a work contract here. These have been tremendous times of refreshing that have us looking expectantly to what God is going to do in the future. Besides receiving input and encouragement, we are also experiencing breakthrough in two areas, namely in giving and student work. After praying for two years that God would provide access to nearby Loyola University, we were finally invited to attend the student Christian organization called Capture just before the student year ended. Through this introduction we have experienced spontaneous visits from students. We are full of faith that we will continue to build relationships in the fall with students on the Loyola campus, as well as with those at other neighboring universities: Northwestern, De Paul, and North Park. We have also seen three people in Fusion unexpectedly blessed with cars!
funded a new Jubilee Church location in Wentzville, MO (northwest of the City of St. Louis) published hard-to-get books from Newfrontiers in the UK as a resource for local churches allowed John Lanferman and his apostolic team to travel and strengthen both local churches and regions as well completed the second cycle of the Trilogy leadership training program launched the new Church Planting Internship (CPI) training program sent Sam Poe to participate with Dave Devenish in both establishing Newfrontiers churches in Russia and developing an oral method of sharing the gospel for illiterate cultures in Africa funded mission into Islamic nations provided famine relief for those in Kenya with more than $32,000 in funds ($21,000 of which came from our young people at Clearvision ’08!) given more than $21,000 to Newfrontiers’ international mission offering at Brighton distributed more than $22,000 to help efforts in local Newfrontiers churches outside of the U.S.
OF THE LORD (THE
A N E W F R O N T I E R S - U S A P U B L I C AT I O N
CHURCH) COVER THE EARTH.
ST. LOUIS, MO
2007–2008
2007–2008
INTERNATIONAL OFFERINGS 12%
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The most exciting development in this partnership is that they have allowed us to use their 1,000-seat auditorium FREE of charge for next year’s Mobilise-USA conference (formerly called ClearVision). That a public school would do this is unheard of. When asked “Why?”, the principal explained that the city told them to start working with local churches! Wow! It’s amazing how God speaks to us and directs us!
As I write this I am already stirred by the Spirit of God, wondering what He might have in store for us in the upcoming year as we endeavor to be faithful stewards with that which God has provided.
[ $688,737 ]
JUBILEE CHURCH
A Closer Look:
Acts records the Antioch church coming together for a special time of prayer and fasting. God spoke in a dynamic way that brought new direction and a new level of fruitfulness for this robust church. We wanted this same stimulus for Jubilee Church, so last year we held the Acts 13 meetings. During these meetings we received a word from a highly prophetic man named Keith Hazel: “The Holy Spirit is going to give you a special doorway and a special relationship into a local high school… that doorway is going to come through music… God is going to put us in partnership with this high school.” We then prayed about this doorway and have found favor with a performing arts high school about a mile away from us. They have performed at our building, giving Jubilee great exposure to the community and creating opportunities to serve them.
On behalf of John and the rest of the apostolic team, I want to thank you and the churches not only for the trust you have shown through your financial support, but also for your attitude of generosity. It is a privilege to be on a mission with you all.
INCOME
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MISSIONS OFFERINGS 27% CONFERENCES 22% TRAINING 3% OTHER 2%
EXPENSES [ $696,719 ] ADMINISTRATION 15% TRAINING 8% APOSTOLIC EXTENSION 21%
IN THIS ISSUE Newfrontiers-USA churches, church plants and pioneering efforts are currently working in 13 states.
HIGH SCHOOL”
It may seem a bit cliché to say that through your financial support you have participated in mission around the world, but it is really true! We can do much more together than we ever could apart—that is a joy of being part of the Newfrontiers family.
CHURCH GIVING 34% Copyright Newfrontiers-USA | August, 2008
training leaders and planting churches.
SEE THE TEMPLE
Prophecy in the church should be more than encouraging words that help worship. It should impart meaty, shaping words that impact the church. This is not to diminish the need for uplifting words; it is true that we need to be reminded of God’s love, His nearness, and encouragement in times of fear. I believe, how“THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ever, that God has more in GOING TO GIVE YOU A mind for the prophetic gifts; SPECIAL DOORWAY AND He wants to use the proA SPECIAL RELATIONphetic to push us forward in our mission. SHIP INTO A LOCAL
Through Your Financial Support We Have …
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to establish the kingdom of God by restoring the church, making disciples,
OUR MISSION IS TO
Prophecy in the Local Church
Newfrontiers-USA Financial Update Mike Lawson
Fusion Update
Newfrontiers is a worldwide family of churches together on a mission
Through teaching given by Ian Ashby, Dave Devenish and John Lanferman, God challenged us about gathering in order for future scattering. The church, like the Trinity, is a community on a mission. Our mission is to see the temple of the Lord (the church) cover the earth. We in the Northeast are encouraged and excited about the future of our churches. John Lanferman reminded us that “God makes provision in advance for anything He asks us to do.” Essentially, God makes the impossible attainable, and God’s sovereignty ensures that His plans will come to pass.
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08
PORTSMOUTH, NH
The Newfrontiers-USA Northeast churches (plus friends from Pennsylvania) cheerfully weathered lightning storms, humidity, and cafeteria food in order to treasure time with God and one another, and to receive His word. The worship team, led by Tommy Stanley, blessed us greatly. Singing the song “O For A Thousand Tongues” took on new significance as Dave Devenish spoke of 3,000-4,000 Turkish believers in a land of seventy million. The line “leap, ye lame, for joy” came true as God healed Cheryl Borek, (Harbor Church) from eight years of hip pain. And everything, from the ground-breaking $100,000 offering, the prophecies in the ONEBLAZE meeting, the impassioned prayer for the Fenway Church plant, to Christ the King Church losing the volleyball tournament, spoke of God doing the impossible!
miraculous healings, successful outreaches, church initiatives or anything
FOOD PANTRY IN ACTION
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“Christ does not want nibblers of the possible, but grabbers of the impossible” declared C.T. Studd, cricket-player-turned-missionary to China, India, and Africa. Studd would certainly have identified with the 300 who gathered at Gordon College (Wenham, MA) for Celebration Northeast ’08.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Jubilee Church has seen God working in some amazing ways over the last couple of months. We are excited to be involved with many new community initiatives both in St. Louis City and Wentzville. One of these initiatives is a Bosnian food pantry. In early May we partnered with other local churches to host a food pantry which serves a diverse group of 55-70 families throughout the South City area. Aside from being a place to come and receive groceries, the food pantry enables participants to connect with people from Jubilee and each other. It has been a great way for us to build a bridge into the Bosnian, African and poor cultures around us.
JUN AUG
CONFERENCES 25% INSURANCE 4% WORLDWIDE MISSION 19% CHURCH PLANTS (USA) 8%
New Community Church
>> Tacoma,
WA
Together On A Mission ’08 Oneblaze In St. Louis
Soundbite from John Lanferman
Mobilise Life Change Team
Team Leader >> Newfrontiers-USA
Celebration NE ’08
PRAYER SHAPES HISTORY
Newfrontiers-USA Financial Update
It was May, 1940 and 198,000 English troops, along with 140,000 additional allied troops, were trapped in Northern France by Germany’s most feared fighting divisions, the Panzers. Hitler’s Air Force stood ready to destroy England’s troops as they sat helpless on the beaches of Dunkirk, far from their home across the English Channel. On Sunday, May 26th, England’s church bells rang out calling the nation to prayer for their sons and their future. Winston Churchill was one of those who responded to the call. He once recounted that, while sitting in his stall in the choir of Westminster Abbey, he could feel the pent-up emotion and fear of the congregation as they confronted the fact that Britain’s ruin was a real possibility.
Prophecy in the Local Church NewfrontiersUSA Today
history comes as a result of our prayers. It would seem that a strong conviction of the power of prayer would lead us to a greater intensity and commitment to it. We’re convinced that as we pray according to God’s revealed purpose, He hears our prayers and they reach a tipping point which releases amazing divine activity.
Notice an awesome thing takes place in Revelation 8. Heaven’s hosts are absolutely dumbstruck by the utter importance and place of our prayers. After that Sunday of national prayer, several things happened. First, Hitler’s Heaven is filled with awe about the church’s role in the happenings of Panzers stopped short due to a strange order to pull back and let the Air history; yet, the church appears insignificant to men. Our little prayer meetForce attack the British Army. Second, 860 English boats (mostly small crafts) crossed the channel to rescue their soldiers. ings seem impotent and optional to many, but Third, the wind ceased and the sea became very note that heaven’s hosts are mute when they OUR LITTLE PRAYER MEETINGS SEEM calm for an entire week. Finally, a thick fog and witness our prayers being heard by the Father. cloud cover settled in, shielding the troops and their The great angelic noise and praise is restrained in IMPOTENT AND OPTIONAL TO MANY, BUT rescuers. When the skies cleared, all 338,000 silence in order that the church may be heard. NOTE THAT HEAVEN’S HOSTS ARE MUTE troops had disappeared from Dunkirk and were “More powerful than all demonic and human saved from potential destruction. WHEN THEY WITNESS OUR PRAYERS powers working in this world is the power of BEING HEARD BY THE FATHER. In Revelation 8:1–5, we have an amazing picture of prayer set ablaze by the fire of God and cast upon the church as the key instrument God uses to see the earth” (Thomas Torrance). divine movement upon the earth. The church prays Here are some conclusions: and things happen! Our prayers are a vital component for God releasing His 1. We ought always to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). divine activity upon the earth. Some people however, think that prayer is of 2. The prayers we pray about ourselves and others apply to our world no consequence other than possibly possessing some therapeutic value. here and now. On the contrary, prayer is the major factor in God’s purpose being actual3. As a church, we are to be unified and consistent in our prayers for the ized on earth. mission and vision God has given us together. 4. We are to uphold the absolute importance of gathering for corporate The picture in Revelation 8 seems to portray the amazing effectiveness of our prayers, which are accumulating around the throne of God. In this prayer. picture, the reality described is that our prayers are taken and thrown upon If we truly believe these things about prayer, then we will demonstrate it by the earth like fire to bring about the completion of God’s kingdom. It was our enthusiastic and consistent presence when called upon to gather and Jesus who taught us to pray “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on pray. Personal prayer and corporate prayer meetings are removed from our earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). Throughout the 2,000 years since optional list. Our prayers are a response to an invitation by God himself to Jesus gave us this mandate, these prayers have accumulated and are partner with Him in changing our world. being released to bring the completion of God’s kingdom upon the earth. All that happens on this earth is the result of the prayers of the church. Within God’s timing, these accumulated prayers will change the spiritual and cultural geography of the world. This means that the consummation of
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
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