AUG OCT
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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
Getting the Word Out
Blessing Agape House
CHRIST THE KING CHURCH >> ROCHESTER, NH
LIFE CHURCH >> UNION, MO
CKC is Getting the Word Out! Since May of this year, Christ the King Church has taken out unique weekly ads in a local newspaper that reaches over 20,000 homes a week. The GodSpot, as it has been dubbed internally, also appears monthly in two smaller community newspapers, reaching an additonal 12,000 homes.
Agape House, a local Christian outreach ministry, operates one of the only food pantries along the I-44 corridor between St. Louis and Springfield, MO. After learning of their $10,600 budget shortfall due to rising fuel cost, the leadership team at Life Church heard God call the church to take action. A special offering was taken up, and a rummage sale and BBQ were planned. After many hours of organization and physical labor, all the efforts were rewarded as the sale was a huge success. Church members engaged with people they otherwise never would have spoken to, and Life Church was able to bless Agape House with a check for $5,000.
Newfrontiers-USA churches, church plants and pioneering efforts are currently working in 13 states.
A church member recently spoke with a local homeless shelter volunteer who, upon learning that the member was from Christ the King Church, eagerly asked “Are you the ones who publish the weekly articles in the newspaper?” When it was confirmed that we did, she continued, “I have just had the worst two months of my life. I look for your article every week and am greatly encouraged by them. I even cut out and save each article.”
BAPTISM
The summer was not all work. We enjoyed gathering as a community by doing Summer Fun events. Our final event was a party to send off two young ladies to serve on the Frontier Year Team. This event was capped off by baptizing two new believers! What a summer!
calendar
mark your
NORTHWEST MEN’S CONFERENCE
January 30–31 Silverton, OR
MIDWEST ONEBLAZE WEEKEND February 13–15 Joplin, MO
EQUIPPED FOR MISSION LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE March 5–7 St. Louis, MO
Newfrontiers-USA Student Work Celebration Northwest ’08
Reason to Celebrate
The school now wants Journey Church to be involved in the life of the school. Previously the school was hostile to the idea of a church using the facility. Everything changed by showing Christ's Love in a practical way. We have our sights set on the local fire station next!
Newfrontiers-USA Today
LIVING HOPE CHURCH >> ST. JOSEPH, MO On Sunday September 14th, we celebrated in Joetown. We had six baptisms that day and were filled with guests there to praise God and watch as people committed themselves in obedience to Christ. I (Mike Sandusky) had the privilege of being baptized on that day (about time!). I also had the privilege of baptizing my good friend Dillon whose life has been changed by Jesus in the last year. Stephanie, a young girl who just happened to come with Dillon to our Maryville campus two months ago, was also baptized that day and her family has been coming to Living Hope regularly ever since! God is good, and He is capturing hearts and families. There is plenty to celebrate in St. Joe!
ONE OF SIX BAPTISMS ON SEPTEMBER 14TH
However, when Jesus and the disciples get away, they are confronted with a large crowd of people who seem to have discovered their vacation destination.
One Church, Two Locations JUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MO Things have been in full swing in St. Louis with Jubilee’s Wentzville location launching regular Sunday services in September. There is a real sense that we are one church meeting in two locations. God’s faithfulness to multiply our efforts is amazing. Literally, as seats from our Wentzville families opened up in the City, they were filled more than double what was sent. Our attendance with the two locations has grown from around the 180 range to nearly 300 in the last twelve months! These new faces joining the community have created a buzz of excitement. Along with growth we are experiencing an increase in physical healings, as well as new conversions. In both locations God is giving Jubilee a reputation for having a positive impact in our surrounding communities. In the near future God will unlock more opportunities to serve those around us.
Copyright Newfrontiers-USA | November, 2008
must confess that I identify with the father of this child: I believe; help my unbelief!
Sometimes we enter the story at this place: “I do believe! …Help my unbelief!” It seems that both faith and doubt circle the heart in an Jesus feels compassion because the people are hungry. He shocks the disciples by saying “You yourselves give them something to eat” (Mark internal struggle. This father battles. He wants faith to win the struggle, but his faith seems to lose when facing his reality-induced doubts. “I do 6:37). Jesus invites the disciples to get involved in feeding the 5,000. Howbelieve!” he cries and then, “Help my unbelief.” ever, their physical resources are not even remotely adequate for the great need. Jesus already knew that they did not have the resources. He told the Jesus accepts his statement because above all else, God doesn’t want our disciples to feed the 5,000 in order that they might know Him as the God pretense; He wants our honesty. He listens to honesty because doubts are who works with us supernaturally when we present not the same as refusing to believe. the little we have to Him in faith. It would be a WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR LITTLE lesson on the power of faith. That day when the father of a demon-possessed When we look at our little resources (gifts, money, talents, age), we are sometimes paralyzed with the apparent realities before us. Doubt seems to overwhelm faith. It brings a sense of hopeless weakness; yet faith is an action word. Faith leads to energy and movement, and is evidenced by obedience to Jesus’ commands.
It's amazing that we are passing the one-year mark of Journey Church’s launch. We started with a small team and have grown to an average attendance of 65. Journey has been consistently feeding the homeless and reaching out to needy families. During a prayer time, Jesus dropped the idea of reaching out to the staff of the school we meet in. Margi Tipton prepared two baskets of goodies weighing over 75 pounds each to give to the teachers and staff. They were flabbergasted! No one had ever done anything like that for them. We then approached the head custodian and asked who at the school needed help. He introduced us to the library staff who needed assistance numbering and stamping new textbooks. We gathered several Journey team members who stamped and numbered a thousand books for the library in just five hours. The library coordinator was near tears as she surveyed all that was done.
Oneblaze Northwest
John the Baptist has been executed. Jesus is in need of a rest. It is time for a break, fresh thought, and prayer. Jesus takes his disciples away for a short vacation.
JOURNEY CHURCH >> SALEM, OR
January 16–18 St. Louis, MO
Newfrontiers-USA Acts 13 Leadership Meetings
Team Leader >> Newfrontiers-USA
Impact in Unexpected Places
MOBILISE USA
Fenway Church >> Boston, MA Clark Fork City Church >> Missoula, MT
I BELIEVE, HELP MY UNBELIEF
Abundant Grace Church is a family of transformed people helping to change our world. Over the summer we put legs to these words by engaging in building our church community and serving our city.
2009 CONFERENCES
A Closer Look:
Soundbite from John Lanferman
Please pray that the seed of God's Word will hit fertile soil and ripen into fruit!
Throughout the summer we were involved in picking up trash in the neighborhood, baking cookies and serving Fort Scott Community College students by helping them move into the dorms. We also helped low income families bring their property up to code by joining area churches in a Neighborhood Blitz.
IN THIS ISSUE
RUMMAGE SALE TO BENEFIT AGAPE HOUSE
ABUNDANT GRACE >> FORT SCOTT, KS
newfrontiers-usa.org >> training
training leaders and planting churches.
or anything unusual or noteworthy. We welcome news from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Serving the Community
For more information visit
to establish the kingdom of God by restoring the church, making disciples,
news@newfrontiers-usa.org. Examples could include miraculous healings, successful outreaches, church initiatives
Attention-getting headlines such as The Best Credit Card in the World, Can I Just Buy a Simple Cell Phone?, and The Flashing Blue Lights are designed to reach an audience unaware of spiritual matters in the least. The basic concept is to draw readers in with a real life experience they can relate to, communicate that God cares and understands, and then leave them with a seed of God’s truth to think about.
08
RESOURCES (GIFTS, MONEY, TALENTS, AGE), WE ARE SOMETIMES PARALYZED WITH THE APPARENT REALITIES BEFORE US. DOUBT SEEMS TO OVERWHELM FAITH. IT BRINGS A
boy feels helpless and hopeless, he turns to Jesus and says, “The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can” (vs. 22).
Jesus responds with, “What do you mean if?” “I do believe!” cries the man, “Help me overcome FAITH IS AN ACTION WORD. FAITH LEADS my doubts!” The man is not refusing to believe or Everything seemed impossible in light of Jesus’ resisting Jesus, and because of this, Jesus command to feed the hungry crowd. The place was TO ENERGY AND MOVEMENT... doesn’t rebuke him. He helps him in a miraculous desolate and it was late. Two major issues arose: fashion. He frees the man’s son from the terrible time was not adequate and resources did not exist. evil forces that are destroying him. It is the issue we all face: great needs and inadequate resources. Faith is required when faced with such a dilemma. Jesus’ command was clear: When we are faced with great personal challenges, we are all too aware of “You yourselves give them something to eat.” By looking at the disciples’ our lack of resources. However, this really isn’t the issue. The issue is who response, it is evident that a battle of faith and doubt was taking place, with or what has our attention. We don’t deny the obvious or pretend. We do doubt seeming to carry the day. what this father did, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our
SENSE OF HOPELESS WEAKNESS; YET
Mark 9:14-29 describes another situation of equal desperation. It’s a story about a dad and his demon-possessed son. When asked for help, Jesus said to the desperate father “all things are possible for one who believes” (vs. 23). Immediately the father said, “I believe; help my unbelief” (vs. 24). I
faith” (Heb 12:2). Such a view will dissolve doubts and bring us into the realm where “all things are possible” (Mark 9:23). Now let’s go and give our needy world “something to eat”!
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
>>
www.newfrontiers-usa.org
a CLOSERLOOK FENWAY CHURCH
Newfrontiers-USA Acts 13 Leadership Meetings Steve Miles
BOSTON, MA >> Kelsey Shelton
In Boston’s recent past, God spoke to his people about a coming spiritual awakening for this beacon city, a city literally built upon a hill. Many of us in Fenway Church have not been in Boston for long. We are a small community of students and young professionals that simply believe the good things that God has promised for this city. We are interested in returning to the true meaning of the word Church: not a place to go on Sunday morning, but a consistent and relevant body of believers that love each other and the dying world around us throughout the week. On Monday nights, we gather together as a community to worship and build each other up. Often on early mornings we seek God together in prayer. This foundation of prayer and then responding in obedience has prepared us for the new season of harvesting soon to take place. We are blessed to be able to meet in a local bar and nightclub called Church. Although it has proven to be a controversial venue for Christians to meet, we believe God is moving us to take bold steps for His kingdom. He is lovingly jealous for the people of this neighborhood, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The neighborhood surrounding the bar and nearby campuses is a spiritually dark place. Only God’s love and grace through Jesus can transform it!
CLARK FORK CITY CHURCH
WE ARE A SMALL COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS THAT SIMPLY BELIEVE THE GOOD THINGS THAT GOD HAS PROMISED FOR THIS CITY.
MISSOULA, MT >> Lee Yarbrough
They call it Big Sky country here, and I believe that God is up to some Big Things in Montana, the Northwest, and the regions beyond!
After spending the last twenty-two years of our lives living in Mexico, my wife Stacey, our thirteen year old son Matthew, and I moved to Missoula a little over a year ago to help the church after it suffered the sad passing of its founding leader, Steve Valentine.
WORK AND HIS PRESENCE WITH US DURING A VERY IMPORTANT TIME OF TRANSITION FOR THE CHURCH. WE ARE AWARE OF THE LASTING IMPACT THAT A GOOD TRANSITION COULD BRING TO THIS REGION.
ABUNDANT GRACE
Clark Fork City Church was founded in 1977 by Steve, a long time friend, and a small team initially sent out from Alaska. Currently about 450 people call Clark Fork their church home.
Though there was only a single guitar, the worship sessions were filled with the awe of God. Worship was mingled with times of prayer for Mobilise student ministry, churches and leaders, as well as Sam Poe’s work in Zimbabwe. We also had the opportunity to pray for healing. Teresa Lawson was suffering in the hospital with colitis and was wonderfully healed. After being released that Friday morning, she came straight to the prayer meeting! Julian, Jeremy, and Ann brought a fresh dimension to our meetings. This trio worked together with discernment and cooperation, making room for each other’s gifts and the gifts of other leaders present. The prophetic words were fun, edgy and powerful. It was mind blowing to hear them describe personalities of people they didn’t know and then speak with authority right into their specific situations. BEING FILLED WITH
Celebration Northwest ’08
Not only has this been true on the local scene, but we also see God on the move in the Northwest with other churches in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Friends whom we’ve had longstanding relationships with for as many as twenty-five years are equally excited about linking with us and embarking on a new journey together, sharing the same prophetic burden of being able “to accomplish more together, than we can apart.”
In August, 340 people from 14 churches gathered in Silverton, OR for the first ever Celebration Northwest! The participation was amazing considering there was only one Newfrontiers church in the Northwest until 2003. We couldn’t help but ask “Where did all these people come from?” and more importantly, “What is God going to do in our region?”
Regarding our vision for North, Central, and South America, God is saying to us as He did in Isaiah 54:2, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, DO NOT HOLD BACK; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” Let’s not hold back as we look ahead and move forward with faith into all that God has planned for us to do together!
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
FORT SCOTT, KS
In September, Jubilee Church (St. Louis, MO) hosted the Acts 13 Leadership Meetings; a time of worship, prayer, prophecy, and teaching for Newfrontiers-USA church leaders. There were approximately 75 leaders and wives present from each of the Midwest churches, with some from the Northeast and Southeast regions. Jeremy and Ann Simpkins along with Julian Adams (Teeside, England) brought apostolic and prophetic ministry that served us well for those three days.
We have sensed God at work and His presence with us during a very important time of transition for the church. We are aware of the lasting impact that a good transition could bring to this region.
Not only do we believe this to be true on the state, regional, and national levels, but on the international scene as well. We continue to see growth south of the border in Mexico, with several new church plants underway, a Newfrontiers church in Bolivia, and the formation of a team looking to plant into Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the not too distant future.
>>
The event was punctuated with a THE SPIRIT “...IS AN time for leaders and wives to be ADDRESS WHERE personally refreshed by the Holy Spirit. Thursday evening Jeremy WE LIVE.” spoke into our need to be continually filled, reminding us that being filled with the Spirit is “not a doctrine to merely subscribe to, it is not an experience to refer back to, it is an address where we live.” We then had the awesome opportunity to receive prayer to be filled with the Holy Spirit again. We were all refreshed and ready to continue the mission of making disciples and planting churches!
Clark Fork City Church was welcomed into the Newfrontiers family of churches this past August by Terry Virgo during his visit to the Northwest.
WE HAVE SENSED GOD AT
>>
Bo Noonan
>>
NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH
>>
TACOMA, WA
Northwest Cory Walz SILVER CREEK FELLOWSHIP SILVERTON, OR
Newfrontiers-USA Student Work Bryan Mowrey
>>
JUBILEE CHURCH
>>
ST. LOUIS, MO
God is doing exciting work among college students these days! I hear report after report about Newfrontiers-USA churches having a growing influence on our campuses. In St. Joseph, MO, we have seen a small group of students at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville grow to around forty people. In Joplin, MO, we continue to draw numerous students from Missouri Southern State University and a local bible college. In Atlanta, GA, and Fayetteville, AK, we are being very aggressive in making contacts in AROUND 75 STUDENTS the hundreds. Here in St. Louis, we have started a college group DISPLAYED THE LOVE OF called Latitude that gathers students from the University of CHRIST TO THIS COM- Missouri—St. Louis, St. Louis Univeristy and Webster University. StuMUNITY WHERE AN F4 dents now make up half the church in Nashville, TN, and with repreTORNADO RIPPED sentation from six different universities, many of their ministries are THROUGH LAST MAY. now student-led. Numerous other churches, like Fenway Church in Boston, MA, have official ministries on their local campuses. Because we are seeing an increase in our student population, we have ramped up the opportunities for students to minister and be ministered to. In October, students participated in the Newfrontiers-USA Social Action Weekend in Joplin. Around 75 students displayed the love of Christ to this community where an F4 tornado ripped through last May. The students were split into teams for a day of labor. They impacted the community by building fences, clearing fallen trees, and cleaning up debris. Renee Scott, one of the participants, noted that, “Even though it was hard work, I heard nothing but excitement from the teams as they returned. Many of the homeowners we helped had amazing stories to share about the day the storm hit. It was clear that God was in their midst.” College ministry will continue to have a bright future. With great anticipation, we look forward to Mobilise USA 2009 (formerly ClearVision) coming to St. Louis in January. Two leaders from England will join us: Tom Shaw will return this year as our main speaker, along with Simon Brading who will lead worship.
Silver Creek Fellowship (Silverton, OR) did a wonderful job hosting the conference. People stayed in homes, camped on the church grounds, or stayed in local hotels. Under a large circus tent, we enjoyed volleyball, cotton candy, slushies, bouncy castles, and amazing food. The atmosphere was great! Before the conference, teenagers gathered for ONEBLAZE Northwest. 44 youth came ready to meet with God, hear His word, and work. Despite blazing temperatures, the youth did some landscaping for a homeless shelter and helped set up for an outdoor art festival. The teens also served in the kid’s rooms during the Celebration weekend. This emerging generation is ready to be a blessing!
sage on giving to the mission, which led to a very generous offering. Sunday morning, John’s message on prayer was extremely provoking. Many left desiring to see their churches more engaged in prayer.
TERRY VIRGO KICKED OFF THE CONFERENCE
The conference was a historic time and many feel like it’s just the tip of the iceberg for the Northwest!
REGISTER ONLINE! www.mobiliseusa.org
>>
What can 60 students do to change the world? While that question will be answered in 60 different ways throughout their lives, there was no doubt it was also answered in Silverton, OR, as they gathered for ONEBLAZE Northwest in August. In our times of worship and prayer, there was a definite sense that God was among us. It was a joy to see increased participation in the meetings as the week progressed. God was obviously stirring hearts and depositing truth into many students’ lives. Our service projects were well received as we cared for long neglected landscaping at a local homeless shelter and helped to set up a local arts festival. Sam Poe and Bo Noonan brought practical teaching about service, praying for the sick, and life in the GOD WAS OBVIOUSLY Church. The truths they shared were STIRRING HEARTS timeless but AND DEPOSITING presented with an urgency to see a TRUTH INTO MANY lost world brought STUDENTS’ LIVES. to faith in Christ. Indeed, 60 students began to change the world as they served in Silverton. May God’s mission continue to grow as this generation pursues Him!
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
WITH A REMINDER THAT THE GOSPEL CREATES THE CHURCH, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
Terry Virgo kicked off the conference with a reminder that the gospel creates the church, not the other way around. On Saturday morning he spoke on how the church spreads the gospel. John Lanferman then gave a faith-stirring mes-
READ the Link www.newfrontiers-usa.org
a CLOSERLOOK FENWAY CHURCH
Newfrontiers-USA Acts 13 Leadership Meetings Steve Miles
BOSTON, MA >> Kelsey Shelton
In Boston’s recent past, God spoke to his people about a coming spiritual awakening for this beacon city, a city literally built upon a hill. Many of us in Fenway Church have not been in Boston for long. We are a small community of students and young professionals that simply believe the good things that God has promised for this city. We are interested in returning to the true meaning of the word Church: not a place to go on Sunday morning, but a consistent and relevant body of believers that love each other and the dying world around us throughout the week. On Monday nights, we gather together as a community to worship and build each other up. Often on early mornings we seek God together in prayer. This foundation of prayer and then responding in obedience has prepared us for the new season of harvesting soon to take place. We are blessed to be able to meet in a local bar and nightclub called Church. Although it has proven to be a controversial venue for Christians to meet, we believe God is moving us to take bold steps for His kingdom. He is lovingly jealous for the people of this neighborhood, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The neighborhood surrounding the bar and nearby campuses is a spiritually dark place. Only God’s love and grace through Jesus can transform it!
CLARK FORK CITY CHURCH
WE ARE A SMALL COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS THAT SIMPLY BELIEVE THE GOOD THINGS THAT GOD HAS PROMISED FOR THIS CITY.
MISSOULA, MT >> Lee Yarbrough
They call it Big Sky country here, and I believe that God is up to some Big Things in Montana, the Northwest, and the regions beyond!
After spending the last twenty-two years of our lives living in Mexico, my wife Stacey, our thirteen year old son Matthew, and I moved to Missoula a little over a year ago to help the church after it suffered the sad passing of its founding leader, Steve Valentine.
WORK AND HIS PRESENCE WITH US DURING A VERY IMPORTANT TIME OF TRANSITION FOR THE CHURCH. WE ARE AWARE OF THE LASTING IMPACT THAT A GOOD TRANSITION COULD BRING TO THIS REGION.
ABUNDANT GRACE
Clark Fork City Church was founded in 1977 by Steve, a long time friend, and a small team initially sent out from Alaska. Currently about 450 people call Clark Fork their church home.
Though there was only a single guitar, the worship sessions were filled with the awe of God. Worship was mingled with times of prayer for Mobilise student ministry, churches and leaders, as well as Sam Poe’s work in Zimbabwe. We also had the opportunity to pray for healing. Teresa Lawson was suffering in the hospital with colitis and was wonderfully healed. After being released that Friday morning, she came straight to the prayer meeting! Julian, Jeremy, and Ann brought a fresh dimension to our meetings. This trio worked together with discernment and cooperation, making room for each other’s gifts and the gifts of other leaders present. The prophetic words were fun, edgy and powerful. It was mind blowing to hear them describe personalities of people they didn’t know and then speak with authority right into their specific situations. BEING FILLED WITH
Celebration Northwest ’08
Not only has this been true on the local scene, but we also see God on the move in the Northwest with other churches in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Friends whom we’ve had longstanding relationships with for as many as twenty-five years are equally excited about linking with us and embarking on a new journey together, sharing the same prophetic burden of being able “to accomplish more together, than we can apart.”
In August, 340 people from 14 churches gathered in Silverton, OR for the first ever Celebration Northwest! The participation was amazing considering there was only one Newfrontiers church in the Northwest until 2003. We couldn’t help but ask “Where did all these people come from?” and more importantly, “What is God going to do in our region?”
Regarding our vision for North, Central, and South America, God is saying to us as He did in Isaiah 54:2, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, DO NOT HOLD BACK; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” Let’s not hold back as we look ahead and move forward with faith into all that God has planned for us to do together!
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
FORT SCOTT, KS
In September, Jubilee Church (St. Louis, MO) hosted the Acts 13 Leadership Meetings; a time of worship, prayer, prophecy, and teaching for Newfrontiers-USA church leaders. There were approximately 75 leaders and wives present from each of the Midwest churches, with some from the Northeast and Southeast regions. Jeremy and Ann Simpkins along with Julian Adams (Teeside, England) brought apostolic and prophetic ministry that served us well for those three days.
We have sensed God at work and His presence with us during a very important time of transition for the church. We are aware of the lasting impact that a good transition could bring to this region.
Not only do we believe this to be true on the state, regional, and national levels, but on the international scene as well. We continue to see growth south of the border in Mexico, with several new church plants underway, a Newfrontiers church in Bolivia, and the formation of a team looking to plant into Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the not too distant future.
>>
The event was punctuated with a THE SPIRIT “...IS AN time for leaders and wives to be ADDRESS WHERE personally refreshed by the Holy Spirit. Thursday evening Jeremy WE LIVE.” spoke into our need to be continually filled, reminding us that being filled with the Spirit is “not a doctrine to merely subscribe to, it is not an experience to refer back to, it is an address where we live.” We then had the awesome opportunity to receive prayer to be filled with the Holy Spirit again. We were all refreshed and ready to continue the mission of making disciples and planting churches!
Clark Fork City Church was welcomed into the Newfrontiers family of churches this past August by Terry Virgo during his visit to the Northwest.
WE HAVE SENSED GOD AT
>>
Bo Noonan
>>
NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH
>>
TACOMA, WA
Northwest Cory Walz SILVER CREEK FELLOWSHIP SILVERTON, OR
Newfrontiers-USA Student Work Bryan Mowrey
>>
JUBILEE CHURCH
>>
ST. LOUIS, MO
God is doing exciting work among college students these days! I hear report after report about Newfrontiers-USA churches having a growing influence on our campuses. In St. Joseph, MO, we have seen a small group of students at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville grow to around forty people. In Joplin, MO, we continue to draw numerous students from Missouri Southern State University and a local bible college. In Atlanta, GA, and Fayetteville, AR, we are being very aggressive in making contacts in AROUND 75 STUDENTS the hundreds. Here in St. Louis, we have started a college group DISPLAYED THE LOVE OF called Latitude that gathers students from the University of CHRIST TO THIS COM- Missouri—St. Louis, St. Louis Univeristy and Webster University. StuMUNITY WHERE AN F4 dents now make up half the church in Nashville, TN, and with repreTORNADO RIPPED sentation from six different universities, many of their ministries are THROUGH LAST MAY. now student-led. Numerous other churches, like Fenway Church in Boston, MA, have official ministries on their local campuses. Because we are seeing an increase in our student population, we have ramped up the opportunities for students to minister and be ministered to. In October, students participated in the Newfrontiers-USA Social Action Weekend in Joplin. Around 75 students displayed the love of Christ to this community where an F4 tornado ripped through last May. The students were split into teams for a day of labor. They impacted the community by building fences, clearing fallen trees, and cleaning up debris. Renee Scott, one of the participants, noted that, “Even though it was hard work, I heard nothing but excitement from the teams as they returned. Many of the homeowners we helped had amazing stories to share about the day the storm hit. It was clear that God was in their midst.” College ministry will continue to have a bright future. With great anticipation, we look forward to Mobilise USA 2009 (formerly ClearVision) coming to St. Louis in January. Two leaders from England will join us: Tom Shaw will return this year as our main speaker, along with Simon Brading who will lead worship.
Silver Creek Fellowship (Silverton, OR) did a wonderful job hosting the conference. People stayed in homes, camped on the church grounds, or stayed in local hotels. Under a large circus tent, we enjoyed volleyball, cotton candy, slushies, bouncy castles, and amazing food. The atmosphere was great! Before the conference, teenagers gathered for ONEBLAZE Northwest. Youth came ready to meet with God, hear His word, and work. Despite blazing temperatures, the youth did some landscaping for a homeless shelter and helped set up for an outdoor art festival. The teens also served in the kid’s rooms during the Celebration weekend. This emerging generation is ready to be a blessing!
sage on giving to the mission, which led to a very generous offering. Sunday morning, John’s message on prayer was extremely provoking. Many left desiring to see their churches more engaged in prayer.
TERRY VIRGO KICKED OFF THE CONFERENCE
The conference was a historic time and many feel like it’s just the tip of the iceberg for the Northwest!
REGISTER ONLINE! www.mobiliseusa.org
>>
What can 60 students do to change the world? While that question will be answered in 60 different ways throughout their lives, there was no doubt it was also answered in Silverton, OR, as they gathered for ONEBLAZE Northwest in August. In our times of worship and prayer, there was a definite sense that God was among us. It was a joy to see increased participation in the meetings as the week progressed. God was obviously stirring hearts and depositing truth into many students’ lives. Our service projects were well received as we cared for long neglected landscaping at a local homeless shelter and helped to set up a local arts festival. Sam Poe and Bo Noonan brought practical teaching about service, praying for the sick, and life in the GOD WAS OBVIOUSLY Church. The truths they shared were STIRRING HEARTS timeless but AND DEPOSITING presented with an urgency to see a TRUTH INTO MANY lost world brought STUDENTS’ LIVES. to faith in Christ. Indeed, 60 students began to change the world as they served in Silverton. May God’s mission continue to grow as this generation pursues Him!
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WITH A REMINDER THAT THE GOSPEL CREATES THE CHURCH, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
Terry Virgo kicked off the conference with a reminder that the gospel creates the church, not the other way around. On Saturday morning he spoke on how the church spreads the gospel. John Lanferman then gave a faith-stirring mes-
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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
Getting the Word Out
Blessing Agape House
CHRIST THE KING CHURCH >> ROCHESTER, NH
LIFE CHURCH >> UNION, MO
CKC is Getting the Word Out! Since May of this year, Christ the King Church has taken out unique weekly ads in a local newspaper that reaches over 20,000 homes a week. The GodSpot, as it has been dubbed internally, also appears monthly in two smaller community newspapers, reaching an additonal 12,000 homes.
Agape House, a local Christian outreach ministry, operates one of the only food pantries along the I-44 corridor between St. Louis and Springfield, MO. After learning of their $10,600 budget shortfall due to rising fuel cost, the leadership team at Life Church heard God call the church to take action. A special offering was taken up, and a rummage sale and BBQ were planned. After many hours of organization and physical labor, all the efforts were rewarded as the sale was a huge success. Church members engaged with people they otherwise never would have spoken to, and Life Church was able to bless Agape House with a check for $5,000.
Newfrontiers-USA churches, church plants and pioneering efforts are currently working in 13 states.
A church member recently spoke with a local homeless shelter volunteer who, upon learning that the member was from Christ the King Church, eagerly asked “Are you the ones who publish the weekly articles in the newspaper?” When it was confirmed that we did, she continued, “I have just had the worst two months of my life. I look for your article every week and am greatly encouraged by them. I even cut out and save each article.”
BAPTISM
The summer was not all work. We enjoyed gathering as a community by doing Summer Fun events. Our final event was a party to send off two young ladies to serve on the Frontier Year Team. This event was capped off by baptizing two new believers! What a summer!
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NORTHWEST MEN’S CONFERENCE
January 30–31 Silverton, OR
MIDWEST ONEBLAZE WEEKEND February 13–15 Joplin, MO
EQUIPPED FOR MISSION LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE March 5–7 St. Louis, MO
Newfrontiers-USA Student Work Celebration Northwest ’08
Reason to Celebrate
The school now wants Journey Church to be involved in the life of the school. Previously the school was hostile to the idea of a church using the facility. Everything changed by showing Christ’s love in a practical way. We have our sights set on the local fire station next!
Newfrontiers-USA Today
LIVING HOPE CHURCH >> ST. JOSEPH, MO On Sunday September 14th, we celebrated in Joetown. We had six baptisms that day and were filled with guests there to praise God and watch as people committed themselves in obedience to Christ. I (Mike Sandusky) had the privilege of being baptized on that day (about time!). I also had the privilege of baptizing my good friend Dillon whose life has been changed by Jesus in the last year. Stephanie, a young girl who just happened to come with Dillon to our Maryville campus two months ago, was also baptized that day and her family has been coming to Living Hope regularly ever since! God is good, and He is capturing hearts and families. There is plenty to celebrate in St. Joe!
ONE OF SIX BAPTISMS ON SEPTEMBER 14TH
However, when Jesus and the disciples get away, they are confronted with a large crowd of people who seem to have discovered their vacation destination.
One Church, Two Locations JUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MO Things have been in full swing in St. Louis with Jubilee’s Wentzville location launching regular Sunday services in September. There is a real sense that we are one church meeting in two locations. God’s faithfulness to multiply our efforts is amazing. Literally, as seats from our Wentzville families opened up in the City, they were filled more than double what was sent. Our attendance with the two locations has grown from around the 180 range to nearly 300 in the last twelve months! These new faces joining the community have created a buzz of excitement. Along with growth we are experiencing an increase in physical healings, as well as new conversions. In both locations God is giving Jubilee a reputation for having a positive impact in our surrounding communities. In the near future God will unlock more opportunities to serve those around us.
Copyright Newfrontiers-USA | November, 2008
must confess that I identify with the father of this child: I believe; help my unbelief!
Sometimes we enter the story at this place: “I do believe! …Help my unbelief!” It seems that both faith and doubt circle the heart in an Jesus feels compassion because the people are hungry. He shocks the disciples by saying “You yourselves give them something to eat” (Mark internal struggle. This father battles. He wants faith to win the struggle, but his faith seems to lose when facing his reality-induced doubts. “I do 6:37). Jesus invites the disciples to get involved in feeding the 5,000. Howbelieve!” he cries and then, “Help my unbelief.” ever, their physical resources are not even remotely adequate for the great need. Jesus already knew that they did not have the resources. He told the Jesus accepts his statement because above all else, God doesn’t want our disciples to feed the 5,000 in order that they might know Him as the God pretense; He wants our honesty. He listens to honesty because doubts are who works with us supernaturally when we present not the same as refusing to believe. the little we have to Him in faith. It would be a WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR LITTLE lesson on the power of faith. That day when the father of a demon-possessed When we look at our little resources (gifts, money, talents, age), we are sometimes paralyzed with the apparent realities before us. Doubt seems to overwhelm faith. It brings a sense of hopeless weakness; yet faith is an action word. Faith leads to energy and movement, and is evidenced by obedience to Jesus’ commands.
It’s amazing that we are passing the one-year mark of Journey Church’s launch. We started with a small team and have grown to an average attendance of 65. Journey has been consistently feeding the homeless and reaching out to needy families. During a prayer time, Jesus dropped the idea of reaching out to the staff of the school we meet in. Margi Tipton prepared two baskets of goodies weighing over 75 pounds each to give to the teachers and staff. They were flabbergasted! No one had ever done anything like that for them. We then approached the head custodian and asked who at the school needed help. He introduced us to the library staff who needed assistance numbering and stamping new textbooks. We gathered several Journey team members who stamped and numbered a thousand books for the library in just five hours. The library coordinator was near tears as she surveyed all that was done.
Oneblaze Northwest
John the Baptist has been executed. Jesus is in need of a rest. It is time for a break, fresh thought, and prayer. Jesus takes his disciples away for a short vacation.
JOURNEY CHURCH >> SALEM, OR
January 16–18 St. Louis, MO
Newfrontiers-USA Acts 13 Leadership Meetings
Team Leader >> Newfrontiers-USA
Impact in Unexpected Places
MOBILISE USA
Fenway Church >> Boston, MA Clark Fork City Church >> Missoula, MT
I BELIEVE, HELP MY UNBELIEF
Abundant Grace Church is a family of transformed people helping to change our world. Over the summer we put legs to these words by engaging in building our church community and serving our city.
2009 CONFERENCES
A Closer Look:
Soundbite from John Lanferman
Please pray that the seed of God’s Word will hit fertile soil and ripen into fruit!
Throughout the summer we were involved in picking up trash in the neighborhood, baking cookies and serving Fort Scott Community College students by helping them move into the dorms. We also helped low income families bring their property up to code by joining area churches in a Neighborhood Blitz.
IN THIS ISSUE
RUMMAGE SALE TO BENEFIT AGAPE HOUSE
ABUNDANT GRACE >> FORT SCOTT, KS
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or anything unusual or noteworthy. We welcome news from all over the U.S. and Canada.
Serving the Community
For more information visit
to establish the kingdom of God by restoring the church, making disciples,
news@newfrontiers-usa.org. Examples could include miraculous healings, successful outreaches, church initiatives
Attention-getting headlines such as The Best Credit Card in the World, Can I Just Buy a Simple Cell Phone?, and The Flashing Blue Lights are designed to reach an audience unaware of spiritual matters in the least. The basic concept is to draw readers in with a real life experience they can relate to, communicate that God cares and understands, and then leave them with a seed of God’s truth to think about.
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RESOURCES (GIFTS, MONEY, TALENTS, AGE), WE ARE SOMETIMES PARALYZED WITH THE APPARENT REALITIES BEFORE US. DOUBT SEEMS TO OVERWHELM FAITH. IT BRINGS A
boy feels helpless and hopeless, he turns to Jesus and says, “The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can” (vs. 22).
Jesus responds with, “What do you mean if?” “I do believe!” cries the man, “Help me overcome FAITH IS AN ACTION WORD. FAITH LEADS my doubts!” The man is not refusing to believe or Everything seemed impossible in light of Jesus’ resisting Jesus, and because of this, Jesus command to feed the hungry crowd. The place was TO ENERGY AND MOVEMENT... doesn’t rebuke him. He helps him in a miraculous desolate and it was late. Two major issues arose: fashion. He frees the man’s son from the terrible time was not adequate and resources did not exist. evil forces that are destroying him. It is the issue we all face: great needs and inadequate resources. Faith is required when faced with such a dilemma. Jesus’ command was clear: When we are faced with great personal challenges, we are all too aware of “You yourselves give them something to eat.” By looking at the disciples’ our lack of resources. However, this really isn’t the issue. The issue is who response, it is evident that a battle of faith and doubt was taking place, with or what has our attention. We don’t deny the obvious or pretend. We do doubt seeming to carry the day. what this father did, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our
SENSE OF HOPELESS WEAKNESS; YET
Mark 9:14-29 describes another situation of equal desperation. It’s a story about a dad and his demon-possessed son. When asked for help, Jesus said to the desperate father “all things are possible for one who believes” (vs. 23). Immediately the father said, “I believe; help my unbelief” (vs. 24). I
faith” (Heb 12:2). Such a view will dissolve doubts and bring us into the realm where “all things are possible” (Mark 9:23). Now let’s go and give our needy world “something to eat”!
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