3.14.2006
Pictures of the new home
Here are some pictures of the new home "The Point" and a look at Long Beach Airport through a window.
2.05.2006
A NEW HOME!!!
As we decided on our new vision of building a new church in Long Beach - back in January, we knew that the first thing we would need to do was to find a new location to meet. We had been meeting at our homes, a friend's office space, and etc. And, we were now praying for a place we could call home, 24/7.
Yes, we knew it was somewhat unrealistic - a group of few people being able to finance such a place. But, we began to pray and decided we would be willing to do whatever sacrifice we would need to make in order to have a place we could use everyday of the week. No, it wasn't because we wanted the comfort level of having a place of our own. It was because we truly believed that having our own place would not only help bring our somewhat scattered group together but also serve as the "mission post" for all of our future missions.
After several weeks of searching and praying, GOD FINALLY GAVE US THE VERY PERFECT PLACE we could ever ask for. The location was perfect, the layout of the space custom-fit for our purpose, and the owner was a Christian who was actually happy that we were a church coming into the building and gave us a great discount! Of course, this is simply a beginning for us, but we feel pretty good how God is blessing us in a very specific way.
We are definitly taking a big step financially. Somewhat nervous about it... But, God has eased my nervousness as several members of our church have shared with me how they are now able to give more offerings than before. It's like the two fish and five loaves of bread miracle. We give what we can give, and God will multiply it abundantly. May God expand our faith so we may be able to expect more from our God!
Lord, I thank you for all that you have already done for this church. Every single step has been a faith-testing process. And, you show over and over again you are wanting to lead each step. Bigger is not always better, and many is not always your will either. We just want to be faithful to your calling. Lead us, and show us the steps we need to take!
Yes, we knew it was somewhat unrealistic - a group of few people being able to finance such a place. But, we began to pray and decided we would be willing to do whatever sacrifice we would need to make in order to have a place we could use everyday of the week. No, it wasn't because we wanted the comfort level of having a place of our own. It was because we truly believed that having our own place would not only help bring our somewhat scattered group together but also serve as the "mission post" for all of our future missions.
After several weeks of searching and praying, GOD FINALLY GAVE US THE VERY PERFECT PLACE we could ever ask for. The location was perfect, the layout of the space custom-fit for our purpose, and the owner was a Christian who was actually happy that we were a church coming into the building and gave us a great discount! Of course, this is simply a beginning for us, but we feel pretty good how God is blessing us in a very specific way.
We are definitly taking a big step financially. Somewhat nervous about it... But, God has eased my nervousness as several members of our church have shared with me how they are now able to give more offerings than before. It's like the two fish and five loaves of bread miracle. We give what we can give, and God will multiply it abundantly. May God expand our faith so we may be able to expect more from our God!
Lord, I thank you for all that you have already done for this church. Every single step has been a faith-testing process. And, you show over and over again you are wanting to lead each step. Bigger is not always better, and many is not always your will either. We just want to be faithful to your calling. Lead us, and show us the steps we need to take!
1.01.2006
A prayer for Christians in Indonesia
The latest news from Indonesia is that a bomb killed 8 Christians and injured 45 more at a busy market that was selling pork - which, though legal, is seen as unacceptable to some in this heavily Muslim country.
May the Lord bring healing and comfort to this tragedy!
May the Lord of truth shine on this nation!
May the Lord bring healing and comfort to this tragedy!
May the Lord of truth shine on this nation!
12.27.2005
Food on Foot
On Christmas Sunday, Kathy and I went to volunteer at a homeless ministry in Los Angeles (FOOD ON FOOT). We didn't know what to expect, but we came away with a reminder that "consistency breeds confidence".
This group has been feeding homeless people in LA for 10 years - EVERY SUNDAY! And, this Sunday was a special Sunday, where the group was not only feeding the homeless but also giving them free bus tokens and a warm sleeping bag for everyone.
However, the key to this organization was not just to feed the homeless every Sunday but to also find them jobs. As they meet these homeless people week after week they would give them daily jobs first such as collecting garbage (for $10 worth of food coupons), and eventually they would find them part time and even full time jobs – in partnership with some of the nearby businesses.
Kathy and I didn't do much, but we felt grateful to be part of this special ministry. They do it every Sunday, so we can possibly come as a church again, or even regularly. I also thought about some things we possibly could do in the areas where we live. Perhaps for some of the recent immigrants who are having financial hardships??? Lord, open our eyes to see what is needed in our areas. Bring us to where you want us to be. And help us bring Jesus into those areas!
p.s. In these pictures, you see a long line of homeless people who had collected garbage to receive bus tokens and food coupons, a homeless gentleman who is 107 years old (receving a special gift from the organiation - free rent for the rest of life), and my brother and sister's family who came out to join us.
12.20.2005
Christams Party (12.18)
Not everyone could make it, but it was a great time together! Merry Christmas everyone!
12.12.2005
A wonderful evening!
It was a wonderful evening yesterday. A time of worship, sharing, and prayer. Being with people who are beginning to care for one another. Beginning to build a community of God... And, of course, the food was great! (I wish I had my camera with me...)
I feel like we are finally coming together as a community. The number doesn't seem to really matter. In fact the smaller the group, more likely that real relationships happen.
I know that God wants this church to grow, and in order to keep up with God's pace of growth we would need to make some changes along the way. But, for now, is God interested in sheer number of the group, or is He saying that we need to work on how we can serve one another better? Being blessed so we can be a blessing!
May the Lord keep us strong!
I feel like we are finally coming together as a community. The number doesn't seem to really matter. In fact the smaller the group, more likely that real relationships happen.
I know that God wants this church to grow, and in order to keep up with God's pace of growth we would need to make some changes along the way. But, for now, is God interested in sheer number of the group, or is He saying that we need to work on how we can serve one another better? Being blessed so we can be a blessing!
May the Lord keep us strong!
12.10.2005
Now What?
So, now what's next???
This is what we know for now.
We are no longer following the vision we had in the beginning - becoming a church that meets in a shopping mall - in our case, the Block at Orange. In the beginning it was a vision that I was introduced to by the outside organization that was willing to support us, and even though I once thought it was a right match with me and the core group of people who have been gathering around me, now it is apparent now that it was simply a mismatch. To give an example, out of the 20-30 people who have gathered to be part of the church, no one really lived close by the Block at Orange or considered it as their own community. Just looking at the people we now have, it's clear God has brought us for something other than ministering to the community at and around the Block at Orange.
Now the question is, if not for a vision to start a church at the Block, then for what is God bringing us together? Upon much prayer and reflection, the obvious reason seems to be something about our multicultural makeup. You see, we really had 2 major visions for our church. One was to become a "Mall church" and the other was to become a "Multicultural church". In the beginning we thought we could pursue these two visions concurrently, but now it seems clear that God wants us to focus on one over the other. And, the main one for us is to build a multicultural community of God, and if it doesn't happen to be at a mall.
So, we are no longer meeting at the Doubletree Hotel right next to the Block. There really is no reason for that anymore. For the month of December we are meeting at people's home - for more intimate fellowship and prayer. And, we will start meeting at an office space in Santa Fe Spring in January - while continuously looking for a more permanent place. As of now, we aren't completely sure of exactly which city, but it seems like God is moving away from central Orange County to somewhere in South LA county.
And, our overall vision? Becoming a church for many ethnic groups in LA that need churches. The Korean community, which I'm personally part of, has a lot of large and growing churches. But, some other ethnic groups, such as Indonesian, Malaysian, Vietnamese, and many Middle Easterners, do not have healthy growing churches to go to. Whether they are the first generation immigrants from these countries or their second generation children, they are in need of a lot of outreach and ministry. And, our church seeks to minister to them as best as we can. And, I believe the people God has already brought amongst us - from those countries mentioned above - are for this very reason. How wonderful it would be to redeem, equip, and send new followers of Christ from these largely unreached ethnic groups into the ends of the earth!
With this new vision, the numerical growth of our church might be slow. But, now that we are completely on our own - apart from any expectation and goals from outside, we believe all we need to do is simply be faithful to what God has called us to do. As I'm writing this, I'm being blessed by God in my spirit with a new ounce of joy and faith! May the Lord nurture and multiply this mustard-seed faith in us!
Lord, you are my Lord, and the Lord of our church! Be glorified!
This is what we know for now.
We are no longer following the vision we had in the beginning - becoming a church that meets in a shopping mall - in our case, the Block at Orange. In the beginning it was a vision that I was introduced to by the outside organization that was willing to support us, and even though I once thought it was a right match with me and the core group of people who have been gathering around me, now it is apparent now that it was simply a mismatch. To give an example, out of the 20-30 people who have gathered to be part of the church, no one really lived close by the Block at Orange or considered it as their own community. Just looking at the people we now have, it's clear God has brought us for something other than ministering to the community at and around the Block at Orange.
Now the question is, if not for a vision to start a church at the Block, then for what is God bringing us together? Upon much prayer and reflection, the obvious reason seems to be something about our multicultural makeup. You see, we really had 2 major visions for our church. One was to become a "Mall church" and the other was to become a "Multicultural church". In the beginning we thought we could pursue these two visions concurrently, but now it seems clear that God wants us to focus on one over the other. And, the main one for us is to build a multicultural community of God, and if it doesn't happen to be at a mall.
So, we are no longer meeting at the Doubletree Hotel right next to the Block. There really is no reason for that anymore. For the month of December we are meeting at people's home - for more intimate fellowship and prayer. And, we will start meeting at an office space in Santa Fe Spring in January - while continuously looking for a more permanent place. As of now, we aren't completely sure of exactly which city, but it seems like God is moving away from central Orange County to somewhere in South LA county.
And, our overall vision? Becoming a church for many ethnic groups in LA that need churches. The Korean community, which I'm personally part of, has a lot of large and growing churches. But, some other ethnic groups, such as Indonesian, Malaysian, Vietnamese, and many Middle Easterners, do not have healthy growing churches to go to. Whether they are the first generation immigrants from these countries or their second generation children, they are in need of a lot of outreach and ministry. And, our church seeks to minister to them as best as we can. And, I believe the people God has already brought amongst us - from those countries mentioned above - are for this very reason. How wonderful it would be to redeem, equip, and send new followers of Christ from these largely unreached ethnic groups into the ends of the earth!
With this new vision, the numerical growth of our church might be slow. But, now that we are completely on our own - apart from any expectation and goals from outside, we believe all we need to do is simply be faithful to what God has called us to do. As I'm writing this, I'm being blessed by God in my spirit with a new ounce of joy and faith! May the Lord nurture and multiply this mustard-seed faith in us!
Lord, you are my Lord, and the Lord of our church! Be glorified!
A Re-start?
It's been aaaaaaaa while since I last wrote here. Waiting for the right time to summarize, update, and give future plans on what's been happening at the church... But, that perfect time, as often is the case, never came. And, today is as good of day to write as any other previous days.
For the past month, it is true that I have felt a little knocked down. About a month ago from today, the outside organization that has promised to be our financial supporter has decided to back out. And, since this organization was the only major supporter we have had (comprising about 75% of total budget), it was big enough news to reexamine everything we have been pursuing - at least the way we've been doing things.
In the beginning, I only treated it as a "financial" issue. I said to myself... "Alright. We lost our biggest donor. Tough! But, so what? just go out and get some other donors. And, we will be on track again!" However, as the month has passed by, I began to realize that this was more than just a financial matter. God has revealed to us that it was almost a restart for our church. You see, what happened to us financially really gave us an opportunity to look at ourselves in terms of everything from our identity, our mission and vision, and our goals and strategies.
I tell myself and others that the past 6 months was like a paid-internship. We were financially supported to do something we didn't have any previous experience of. And since it was paid by someone else, we were doing things largely based on what we were being told by the one who has hired us as an "intern". I, among others, learned a lot - all good lessons. But, the time finally came upon finishing that paid-internship whether we would continue on the path we were brought into or go out and do something on our own. Both voluntarily and involuntarily, we are now following the latter route. The only upsetting part is that I wish we would have been prepared better for this turn of event. I wish we would have known this to be a temporary paid internship, not as a permanent support system which we had thought...
Oh well, life goes on.
The bottom line: We are no longer dependent on anyone for our finance. Also, we are not following anyone else's suggestion as to what kind of church we should build. Of course, it's God's church and his vision for us. We now simply don't have to hear God via others. For this, we are more scared than ever, yet more freed and motivated than ever also. It is said that whenever there is a crisis there is an opportunity. It is a financial crisis for us, but I believe it also is a new opportunity to build our church on the right foundation - one that is more solid than anything else we have had until now.
Where to go from here? We are currently reassessing everything. We are no longer meeting where we used to meet. We are looking for a new home, even new vision and people. Financially, all of the 3 staff members will go unpaid (we lost one staff member but gained a new one). Perhaps we will all live together and share things together - yea, the way how the original church was in Acts!
May God protect us! May God show us the way. Yes, we already know the true way in Jesus Christ. May we be faithful to the calling God has given to us...
For the past month, it is true that I have felt a little knocked down. About a month ago from today, the outside organization that has promised to be our financial supporter has decided to back out. And, since this organization was the only major supporter we have had (comprising about 75% of total budget), it was big enough news to reexamine everything we have been pursuing - at least the way we've been doing things.
In the beginning, I only treated it as a "financial" issue. I said to myself... "Alright. We lost our biggest donor. Tough! But, so what? just go out and get some other donors. And, we will be on track again!" However, as the month has passed by, I began to realize that this was more than just a financial matter. God has revealed to us that it was almost a restart for our church. You see, what happened to us financially really gave us an opportunity to look at ourselves in terms of everything from our identity, our mission and vision, and our goals and strategies.
I tell myself and others that the past 6 months was like a paid-internship. We were financially supported to do something we didn't have any previous experience of. And since it was paid by someone else, we were doing things largely based on what we were being told by the one who has hired us as an "intern". I, among others, learned a lot - all good lessons. But, the time finally came upon finishing that paid-internship whether we would continue on the path we were brought into or go out and do something on our own. Both voluntarily and involuntarily, we are now following the latter route. The only upsetting part is that I wish we would have been prepared better for this turn of event. I wish we would have known this to be a temporary paid internship, not as a permanent support system which we had thought...
Oh well, life goes on.
The bottom line: We are no longer dependent on anyone for our finance. Also, we are not following anyone else's suggestion as to what kind of church we should build. Of course, it's God's church and his vision for us. We now simply don't have to hear God via others. For this, we are more scared than ever, yet more freed and motivated than ever also. It is said that whenever there is a crisis there is an opportunity. It is a financial crisis for us, but I believe it also is a new opportunity to build our church on the right foundation - one that is more solid than anything else we have had until now.
Where to go from here? We are currently reassessing everything. We are no longer meeting where we used to meet. We are looking for a new home, even new vision and people. Financially, all of the 3 staff members will go unpaid (we lost one staff member but gained a new one). Perhaps we will all live together and share things together - yea, the way how the original church was in Acts!
May God protect us! May God show us the way. Yes, we already know the true way in Jesus Christ. May we be faithful to the calling God has given to us...
11.27.2005
10.25.2005
"New" people
It's always great to see new faces joining our Sunday worship. We had few this past Sunday, and some of them were not just new to our church but new to church, period. The very reason our church, and for that matter, any church exists is to provide a place and time where people can question, seek, and find God. How great it is to be reminded that God is always working on "new" people - new to church, new to God, and eventually a new eternal life. Those of you who came for the first time, we welcome you in God's love and hope! May God bless you as you seek God in your life!
A new partner in Christ
This past Sunday, I had a guest family visiting me for lunch. His name is Joel Harlow, a pastor at Journey Church in San Jose. He's actually their church planter getting ready to begin a "Mall Church." We got connected because of our similar vision, and it was great for me and my wife to hear someone else sharing a similar vision as we do! Joel and his family is still doing the planning work and soon have their first launch team gathering meeting. They hope to gather a good 20-30 people from the mother church - Journey.
Too bad they couldn't stay for the sunday worship at our church (a long drive back home and their kids needed rest). But, may the Lord keep them safe and strong as they begin their new exciting journey. Thanks Joel for your encouragement and prayer!
Too bad they couldn't stay for the sunday worship at our church (a long drive back home and their kids needed rest). But, may the Lord keep them safe and strong as they begin their new exciting journey. Thanks Joel for your encouragement and prayer!
Open to the public!
We have finally begun to "open" our sunday gathering to the general public! We still have a long way to go, but the core group that has gathered feels ready to make ourselves available to the public and begun to make some changes in our overall approach and programs.
1. Sunday gathering (6:30pm) will now be a worship service - a small yet significant move from being focused on developing a core group to a gathering of everyone and anyone to "taste the glory of God" in worship. The current series is called "Who is God Anyway?", and everyone's welcome! This past Sunday, we had some new faces joining us. Welcome to those who came for the first time! And thanks to the worship team and the production team for putting together a great worship service - both musically and visually!
2. Life Groups: a little more intimate gathering than the Sunday worship service... We will meet twice a month (2nd and 4th Friday) for a time of fellowship, bible study, and prayer. This is where we become closer as a people of God, for new people to get connected. Eventually we will break off into smaller groups meeting weekly in their neighborhoods. The first meeting is on 10/28 at Paul and Sharon's house. Call me for direction (714-362-1806).
3. Triangle Business Group: As a part of our community service, we are sponsoring and organizing a monthly business group. Two purposes: 1) to provide local businesses an opportunity to connect with one another and share their "leads", and 2) to promote high ethical standards in business and to participate in community charity work together. It is a way for our church to serve the business community so that they can better serve their communities. The first meeting is on 11/2 (wed. 12pm) at the Block (Dave & Buster). Contact me for more info.
God has been faithful to us in the midst of challenges that come with planting a new church. I've personally learned so much that I wouldn't change this experience with anything else. However, I know God wants our church to be more than a learning experience. And, for that, we will keep asking for God's spirit and his hands. And, we will keep doing our very best to be used by Him. May the Lord find us in his grace.
1. Sunday gathering (6:30pm) will now be a worship service - a small yet significant move from being focused on developing a core group to a gathering of everyone and anyone to "taste the glory of God" in worship. The current series is called "Who is God Anyway?", and everyone's welcome! This past Sunday, we had some new faces joining us. Welcome to those who came for the first time! And thanks to the worship team and the production team for putting together a great worship service - both musically and visually!
2. Life Groups: a little more intimate gathering than the Sunday worship service... We will meet twice a month (2nd and 4th Friday) for a time of fellowship, bible study, and prayer. This is where we become closer as a people of God, for new people to get connected. Eventually we will break off into smaller groups meeting weekly in their neighborhoods. The first meeting is on 10/28 at Paul and Sharon's house. Call me for direction (714-362-1806).
3. Triangle Business Group: As a part of our community service, we are sponsoring and organizing a monthly business group. Two purposes: 1) to provide local businesses an opportunity to connect with one another and share their "leads", and 2) to promote high ethical standards in business and to participate in community charity work together. It is a way for our church to serve the business community so that they can better serve their communities. The first meeting is on 11/2 (wed. 12pm) at the Block (Dave & Buster). Contact me for more info.
God has been faithful to us in the midst of challenges that come with planting a new church. I've personally learned so much that I wouldn't change this experience with anything else. However, I know God wants our church to be more than a learning experience. And, for that, we will keep asking for God's spirit and his hands. And, we will keep doing our very best to be used by Him. May the Lord find us in his grace.
10.18.2005
"BE a LINK"
This past Sunday, we had David Trotter from
Many people I've known (including myself) WANT to share the gospel of Jesus Christ but we just don't know where to begin or how to do it. Yes, the key is to do it with our lives not just in words, but it does require our effort and skills. For this reason, the workshop was great for those who attended. We were motivated, freed, and equipped. Thanks Dave!
Here is an excerpt from his outline:
What does it mean to "be a link?"
1. I have a depth of compassion for those Jesus misses most.
2. I am seeking out opportunities to introduce others to the love of Jesus.
3. I don't have to be the final link - just one of the links.
4. I am equipped to be the final link when God wants to use me.
3 steps:
- Define What's At Stake
- Develop Intentional Relationships
- Discover Their Story
10.07.2005
10.06.2005
9.29.2005
Outreach
This week has been a full-week of meeting people and sharing ideas on how to serve the surrounding communities we belong to. Yes, we live in Orange County, and the common perception others have on this community is that the place is full of affluent people. This is certainly true, but as is true with any other big cities in the world, wherever there are rich and affluent, there always are the poor and the lost living right next to them. The fabrics of social ills in a city are common whether you live in Orange County or some other foreign cities.
Now that we have been gathering as a group for few months, we begin to ask what are the social and spiritual needs that our Lord is having us to see and feel. The homeless, teenagers in trouble, new immigrants, etc... We are not perfect nor able on our own, but because we have the truth and love of Jesus among us we dare to go and become a way of blessings for these people. To serve as we've been served, and to love as we've been loved!
Anticipate hearing more from us soon! We will start bringing God where people are... one person at a time, and one community at a time.
Now that we have been gathering as a group for few months, we begin to ask what are the social and spiritual needs that our Lord is having us to see and feel. The homeless, teenagers in trouble, new immigrants, etc... We are not perfect nor able on our own, but because we have the truth and love of Jesus among us we dare to go and become a way of blessings for these people. To serve as we've been served, and to love as we've been loved!
Anticipate hearing more from us soon! We will start bringing God where people are... one person at a time, and one community at a time.
9.21.2005
A reflection and another push!
It's been a while since I last wrote here. It surely has been crazy the past 2 weeks, including a 3-day trip to Korea for my sister's wedding last week. It was good to see my family (especially my grandma...), but it was good to be back home doing the things I know God has called me to do.
The summer is now gone and a new school year for many students is here... This summer truly has been crazy - to say the least - and I look forward to this harvest season. What kind of surprises would God have for me and our church? I believe I've taken the steps God asked me to take and worked as hard as I could, and I know I need to continue to work hard to reap the benefits of God's blessings and my work. But, I can't help but wonder what kind of harvest God has planned for all these work. Would it be something I can see and touch in near future, or perhaps not for a long time? Will God allow me to see the promise land sometime soon?
I know this is a long journey. I have come afar, but it's only the beginning. Many things have happened but many more things will happen. I finally come to an end and there is a whole new road ahead.
How miserable it would be if it weren't for God my Lord? How sad, I work and work and there is no end in sight! If it weren't for my Lord this all would be nonsense. But, I know it is the most sensible thing I can do. I push for another step, knowing there is no end, because I have what is the end already in my life - that is Jesus. I already have the end of all things, and I'm just enjoying the presence and partnership with Him. Yea, I'm already reaping the harvest of good work - not mine but Thine. All the work I need to do is simply to go out and collect the harvest.
Lord, I'm so glad for what you have done to put me where I am. I take a moment to rest, reflect, and to evaluate. And, yes, I make another push - not because I know exactly where I'm going but because I know who I'm going with. And, that's you. You make it all worth it, and you make it all sensible. Have mercy on me, so I may keep my eyes on you.
The summer is now gone and a new school year for many students is here... This summer truly has been crazy - to say the least - and I look forward to this harvest season. What kind of surprises would God have for me and our church? I believe I've taken the steps God asked me to take and worked as hard as I could, and I know I need to continue to work hard to reap the benefits of God's blessings and my work. But, I can't help but wonder what kind of harvest God has planned for all these work. Would it be something I can see and touch in near future, or perhaps not for a long time? Will God allow me to see the promise land sometime soon?
I know this is a long journey. I have come afar, but it's only the beginning. Many things have happened but many more things will happen. I finally come to an end and there is a whole new road ahead.
How miserable it would be if it weren't for God my Lord? How sad, I work and work and there is no end in sight! If it weren't for my Lord this all would be nonsense. But, I know it is the most sensible thing I can do. I push for another step, knowing there is no end, because I have what is the end already in my life - that is Jesus. I already have the end of all things, and I'm just enjoying the presence and partnership with Him. Yea, I'm already reaping the harvest of good work - not mine but Thine. All the work I need to do is simply to go out and collect the harvest.
Lord, I'm so glad for what you have done to put me where I am. I take a moment to rest, reflect, and to evaluate. And, yes, I make another push - not because I know exactly where I'm going but because I know who I'm going with. And, that's you. You make it all worth it, and you make it all sensible. Have mercy on me, so I may keep my eyes on you.
9.08.2005
9.05.2005
Coming together as a church
Yesterday was the third Sunday of our current 4-week series on "When God Starts Something New". We see from Acts 1-2 that when God starts something new one of the things he normally does is gathering of his people for worship and fellowship. Now for the past few months, we've been gathering together at a hotel meeting room for a time of worship and some fellowship. And, in time for the Labor's Day holiday, it seemed appropriate to meet at a home for a time of worship and, yes, an extended time of meal fellowship!
We had a lot of food (thanks to Rick and Hollie who hosted and to many who brought dishes from home), and a lot of time to simply sit and eat and talk. Many of us are still new to each other, and it was good to see everyone making an effort to get to know each other better. What a great group of people we have! From college students to those who have college-age kids of their own... From Asians to Hispanics to our good old Californians... I sometimes wonder how we can all get along together, but I was reminded again yesterday that it is the name of Jesus who brings us together - and, of course, a lot of food doesn't hurt!
After dinner we played a round of botch ball - declaring Paul and Nadia as the new champions. We then gathered around for a time of worship and prayers. We thanked God for all that He has done for us so far, and lifted our prayers for those members in need, for our vision and future as a church, and also for the Hurricane Katrina victims.
I really want our church to be immersed in prayer. We have just begun the culture of prayer by having our first prayer meeting last Sunday and going through the 2 weeks of individual fasting/prayer. It's still not natural for us to pray together a lot, but I sense that we are coming along and we will get better at this. I sense that as I lead the group as pastor I need more prayers daily and I thank God that he is continually reminding me of this reality and truth.
May our people come together as a church of Jesus Christ! From all walks of life, let us come together in one spirit and one prayer. May we come together in worship and in generosity! May we look to Jesus as our head and extend ourselves to each other as our beloved brothers and sisters!
We had a lot of food (thanks to Rick and Hollie who hosted and to many who brought dishes from home), and a lot of time to simply sit and eat and talk. Many of us are still new to each other, and it was good to see everyone making an effort to get to know each other better. What a great group of people we have! From college students to those who have college-age kids of their own... From Asians to Hispanics to our good old Californians... I sometimes wonder how we can all get along together, but I was reminded again yesterday that it is the name of Jesus who brings us together - and, of course, a lot of food doesn't hurt!
After dinner we played a round of botch ball - declaring Paul and Nadia as the new champions. We then gathered around for a time of worship and prayers. We thanked God for all that He has done for us so far, and lifted our prayers for those members in need, for our vision and future as a church, and also for the Hurricane Katrina victims.
I really want our church to be immersed in prayer. We have just begun the culture of prayer by having our first prayer meeting last Sunday and going through the 2 weeks of individual fasting/prayer. It's still not natural for us to pray together a lot, but I sense that we are coming along and we will get better at this. I sense that as I lead the group as pastor I need more prayers daily and I thank God that he is continually reminding me of this reality and truth.
May our people come together as a church of Jesus Christ! From all walks of life, let us come together in one spirit and one prayer. May we come together in worship and in generosity! May we look to Jesus as our head and extend ourselves to each other as our beloved brothers and sisters!
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