2nd Wednesday update

I had a call from Kevin tonight (Thursday morning in Sudan). They are getting ready to start the training. Along with the Sudanese pastors, several other people have arrived for the training. The team is doing well. Kevin has not been sleeping well and asked prayer for rest. Dale asked for prayer for problems with his leg. AJ said, "All is well. I have interacted with several children and will go to the school later today. I am not the camping type, and this is no lake Tahoe, so I am a little overwhelmed and challenged." Over all things seem to be going smoothly and as planned, praise God. Thanks for your prayers!

Wednesday update from Sudan

This is an email I received today from Amy Rogers, Don's wife:

Hi friends,

A message was left on my cell this morning with an update for you. The team had a great flight from Nairobi to Eldoret today. They had a brief stop in Eldoret to pick up food items, water and Stephen Reech's wife who was able to travel to Sudan with the team.

They have had a great flight into Sudan and when they landed Stephen Reech was waiting for them with a truck and also a car that was hired to transport the team and their luggage. The temperature today was around 95 and it is very dry. Everyone is in good spirits and will sleep good and be ready for the busy day tomorrow. All the tents are set up and the team was eating dinner outside by the moonlight when Don called.

School is in session tomorrow so there will be lots of activity around where the team is staying. Many opportunities ahead to continue to build relationships with the students and friends in the community. The schedule for the next few days looks a bit like this:

THURSDAY
AJ - will be teaching in the morning about Salvation
Jim - will be sharing about the Old Testament
Lunch
Dale - will be teaching about a Sheperd's Heart
Samuel Teimuge one of our Directors from Kenya will be finishing the sessions out on Thursday.

FRIDAY
Kevin - teaching on leadership
Jim - Old Testament
Dale - church structure
Don will have the wrap up for Friday

SATURDAY
The team will be taking a trip to visit one of the local cattle camps in the morning.
Samuel & Julius will be spending the morning sharing about community development

SUNDAY
The team will be divided and will share in three different local church services and then in the afternoon will participate in an open air crusade

MONDAY
The team will drive to Bor and see more of the surrounding area, the River Nile

Diana and AJ will have the opportunity to share with the students at the school through the week and collect stories for our student sponsorship program.

TUESDAY
The team will depart for Nairobi, Kenya

WEDNESDAY
The team will have the day in Nairobi to rest and debrief and prepare for the journey home the next day

THURSDAY
International Flights home

Thank you so much for praying for the team. God is faithful and we look forward with excitement to all that God is going to do in the coming days in and through each one of the team and the community.

Tuesday update

Kevin called from Nairobi Tuesday night. It was Wednesday morning there and they were loading the truck to head to the airport for the MAF flight to Sudan. Jim was doing much better with his allergies and most of the team had a good night's sleep. They are thankful for your prayers!

Arrived in Kenya

The team left from LAX on Sunday afternoon. They arrived in London about an hour late and then had to sit on the runway for an hour. The airport had just re-opened after being closed for a snowstorm. Their connecting flight to Kenya was one of only 20 flights that were able to depart from their terminal. They arrived in Kenya a little later than planned, but they were able to rest at the missionary house and prepare for the flight to Sudan Wednesday morning at 6:00. They requested prayer for Jim who was having problems with allergies and nose bleeds.

February 2009 Sudan Team

1	Sunday	6pm Depart LAX to Nairobi, Kenya
2	Mon	12:30 arr London - 7:25pm depart London
3	Tues	7:10am arrive Nairobi -
		Overnight in Nairobi
4	Wed	MAF from Nairobi to Padak, Sudan
		Truck Ride from Padak to Kolmarek (one hour)
5	Thurs	Kolmarek
6	Fri	Kolmarek
7	Sat	Kolmarek
8	Sunday	Kolmarek
9	Mon	Kolmarek
10	Tues	MAF from Padak, Sudan to Nairobi
11	Wed	Team in Nairobi Nairobi
		Overnight in Nairobi
12	Thurs	9:50am Depart Nairobi - 4:05pm arr London (overnight)
13	Friday	11:15AM Depart London - 2:45pm arrive LAX

The challenge

The STUDY
Read the parable of the lost son from Luke 15:11-32 and then reflect on or discuss the following:

1. Why did the younger son experience all of the trouble?
By exercising his freedom he chose to flee the “kingdom” of the father where all his needs were met and he was protected from harm. When we leave God’s kingdom(rules and laws) we place ourselves outside of his covering.

2. When did all of the trouble end for the younger son? What do you conclude from this?
The ‘wrath’ or trouble ends when the boy repents and returns. The purpose of wrath is to bring about repentance, once a person repents and turns there is no longer a need for wrath. What we see is that even troubles are a gift of God to bring us back home.

3. Who is this story really about? What does it show you or teach you about the main character?
The story is really about the father. Through the story we see the heart of the father. His concern all the time was for the life of his son. And with joy and open arms he awaits the son to return from death unto life. And so with God he awaits for us to repent and turn from our sin and enter into a life full of hope and joy.

4. Why do you suppose God allows us to experience “wrath”?
Continuing the theme from above God uses wrath as a means to bring about repentance. He is not “getting even” or “letting us have it”, in fact most of the time the wrath we experience is simply the consequences of our own sin.

5. Are you in a place where you need to return to the father? What is preventing you from doing that?
Application and response question.

The Life Challenge

Personal and Small Group Guide
for the week of July 1st, 2007

the PASSAGE
Romans 1:8-15
the LIFE lab
Does your passion in life have anything to do with sharing God’s love with others?
If not, your challenge is pray about this. Ask God to give you His “heart” and that you will begin to see this world the way He sees it. Share with someone or your small group and have them pray for you as well.
Do you truly feel you understand ALL that God has done for you? Are you driven completely by your own goals or out of gratitude for His grace in your life?
If you struggle with perfection and trying to measure up, your challenge is to be honest before the Lord. Spend time with the Lord being completely honest about your shortcomings. Allow God’s grace to “be enough.” Share with a trusted friend or your small group areas where you struggle. Allow them to pray for you and minister God’s grace into your life. It is hard to share God’s love and grace until you have experienced it for yourself.
Do you hold prejudices that hinder your ability to share God’s love? Is there a person you have “written off?” Are there groups of people you don’t like to associate with?
If so, prayerfully take a step out of your comfort zone. Take time to set aside pre-conceived notions and seek to get to know someone who is “different” and frankly makes you a bit uncomfortable. Try to focus on what you have in common rather than on differences.

As you accept these challenges, keep track of what happens! You will be given opportunities to report.

Flip the SCRIPT ¯
The STUDY
Read the parable of the Good Samaritan as found in Luke 10:25-37 and then reflect on or discuss the following:

1. What was motivating the Samaritan man to act the way he did?

2. Why does Jesus use a Samaritan as the example in the story?

3. From reading the text, is it possible to “love God” and yet carry a dislike or bias against certain groups of people?

4. Again from the text, what do you think God values more, right beliefs or right actions, or both? Why do you think this?

5. At the end of the passage Jesus gives a command, “go and do likewise”. What does he mean? How can you keep this command?

The CONNECTION (Into Next Week)
1. Where does faith come from?

2. Do you ever feel like you have to do good things so that God can be happy with you? What is the problem with trying to earn God’s favor?

3. Would you say that your faith is evident to others by the way you live?

We encourage you to “blog-back” your responses at www.kevinrobertson.blogspot.com OR email to pastorkevin@marinachristian.org.

Monday small roup

Life Lab

The Monday night small group (which is now meeting for the summer at 1:00 PM on Sundays in Room 1) had a very good follow-up discussion on “the Life Lab” questions. No one seemed to be struggling with belief. Most people struggle with “calling.” A lot of the discussion centered around, “What is a calling?” and “What obstacles keep us from following our call?” We pretty much came to the conclusion that our general “calling” as Christians is pretty clear; Be disciples who go and make disciples. A couple of brave souls took up the challenge. One person shared that she used to have a calling when she was younger to help people. She shared that her friends in need always sought her out for support and prayer. However, she felt that as she got older she walked away from her calling and God eventually “lost her number.” Two or three people in the group encouraged her to take one simple step to go back and find that calling again. Another person in the group said that his one step toward walking more in his calling was to find local “non-Christian” open mic nights where he could get involved and get to know people. The group promised to hold him accountable for taking that step.

Called Out

the LIFE lab

Do I believe the gospel? (In other words do you believe that Jesus is God’s Son, He came in the flesh, died and rose again, and that only through Him can we receive grace and reconciliation)
If you struggle with belief, your challenge is to discuss it this week with a pastor or in your small group.

What is my calling? Am I doing it? How does my calling relate to my faith in Jesus Christ?
If you are not in step with your calling, your challenge is to share with someone or your small group one thing you will do this week to bring yourself more in line with what God has called you to do. Ask that person or your group to hold you accountable.

Do I see myself as “set-apart” for God’s “big picture?” Am I serving His purposes or my own?
If you feel like you are more interested in serving your own purposes, the challenge is to repent. That means to ask God to forgive you for being “out of step” and to turn around and go God’s way. What specifically do you need to stop doing? What specifically do you need to start doing?
As you accept these challenges, keep track of what happens! You will be given opportunities to report

The CONNECTION (Into Next Week)

1. What percentage of your time do you spend with people who would identify themselves as church going Christians? What percentage of your time do you spend with people who do not attend church regularly and who would not identify themselves as Christian?

2. How does that balance of time fit with our calling as believers?

3. Would you say that “the gospel” is evident in your life to those who would not identify themselves as Christian? Would they see it as attractive or as a “turn off.”

We encourage you to “blog-back” your responses at www.kevinrobertson.blogspot.com OR email to pastorkevin@marinachristian.org.

In November I stepped on the scale, took a deep breath, looked down, and the numbers shocked me “214.” You have to be kidding! I have been wanting to weigh less than 200 for three years and it’s not happening. Why? I’m not fully committed. I eat less once in a while, I’ll walk periodically, but I'm not fully committed. In January, I decided "what ever it takes." As of today, I weigh 186. I became FULLY committed and the results showed. As a pastor I put a lot of prayer and energy into putting the messages together. I have 30 to 40 minutes each Sunday to share with you what I believe the Lord has put on my heart. But the question I have to ask myself is “Is the church fully committed in becoming Christ-like?” Do we have the attitude of “what ever it takes” when it comes to our walk with the Lord?

That is why today we started a our summer series called "The LIFE challenge." My goal is for the series to be more participatory. That we as individuals will take the responsibility of our spiritual lives and take the steps towards where God wants us to be. This summer I want to challenge you to participate in the services, interact in the small groups, and to encourage you to “blog back” your honest thoughts. My prayer is that all of us will continue to grow in our walk with the Lord and that we can lift one another in prayer.

Sam Thomas

Sam Thomas and his family are requesting prayer for his younger
brother, Mitch, who has just been diagnosed with acute leukemia.
Mitch has been helping out at Pasadena Corridors and hasn't been feeling well recently. When he went to the doctor last week to find out what was wrong he received the diagnosis of leukemia. He has been admitted to LA County/USC Hospital and he started chemotherapy yesterday.
Many people have asked how they can help, and what they really need right now is a car for Marlene (Sam & Mitch's mother) to use while she is in town. Her plan is to stay in town for at least a month while Mitch is in the hospital. She is staying with Sam and Christy in Pasadena, but they only have one car between them, so getting to
the hospital is a challenge. Does anyone in your congregation have
an extra car that they could lend to Marlene for the next month or
so? Please let us know and we will put you in touch with her. (FYI
- Matt & Marlene Thomas are from the Columbia River Conference where Matt is a Senior Pastor and Superintendent

Prayer

The FMCSC family is faced with some rather serious challenges that call upon us to unify ourselves in prayer. Please join with me as we seek the Lord for the following:

Mitch Thomas (Sam's brother. Sam is pictured above) moved to Pasadena about nine months ago to work with Sam and Christi at Corridors church. Mitch has been a great blessing to the ministry. Yesterday Mitch was diagnosed with a rather severe form of leukemia. Mitch is still in his 20's and has trust and peace in the Lord. He begins chemotherapy on Tuesday. Sam is pretty shaken up over the news. Matt and Marlene are on their way down to be with Mitch.

Pastor Wes Keller has suffered a stroke earlier this week. On Saturday evening the family will determine if life support systems will continue. Pastor Keller has served the FMCSC for decades as local church pastor and interim superintendent. Please lift the Keller family up in prayer.

Pastor Melaku is facing some challenges within the Ethiopian congregation. It seems that Badeg is back in the US and demanding to preach at the church. Pastor Melaku has refused to surrender the pulpit as a result of church disciplinary action. Badeg is doing everything he can to divide the church and is attacking Melaku. Tomorrow after the morning service the church leaders are holding a special meeting with Badeg to try and resolve the problem.

Thanks for being family. I pray that "it is good to belong" is not just cliche.

Blessings,

Building Walls

Here is a report that we just received from The Lamb's Fellowship in
Murrieta:

At Annual Conference, Don Rogers spoke about Empower Lives International - and he showed some buildings they had built without completing the walls. Don spoke at Lamb's, Murrieta at both services this past Sunday. I felt the Lord speaking to me about those walls. I challenged the Body to make a special offering, even to give their tithe if they felt led, to ELI to get those walls built. At 12:30 we were able to hand Don a stack of checks for ELI and the walls on those buildings for $12,981 !!! We feel it was truly a move of God, a miracle.

John Hansen

Harley Davidson for Christ

Last week we were at our annual conference and had many great reports on different ministries that do not fit in the traditional ministries of the church. One of the reports was from Marty Edwards from Black sheep which he started a few years ago.

Black Sheep Harley-Davidsons for Christ is more than just a motorcycle club. It’s a motorcycle ministry of men and women that ride for Jesus: helping and serving H.O.G. members and chapters across the country.

The ministry exists “To introduce Jesus Christ to the world of motorcycle riders, for the purpose of making more and better disciples through the ministry of the local church."

While remaining involved in a local church, we get to ride with other believers, meet new friends that ride, support people, share God’s love and how to become saved if they so choose.

What Black Sheep Does:

1. Bring the Gospel to those who ride.
2. Help those who are in H.O.G.
3. Support a local church.

How Black Sheep Does it:

1. Ride and develop relationships with H.O.G. Members.
2. Encourage and support other Black Sheep Members.
3. Support the Church and the Black Sheep ministry
(Financially and prayerfully that it may grow and be effective.)

Why Black Sheep Does it:

1. God said to do it.
2. We are uniquely qualified by proximity, demographic profile, and Harley Ownership.
3. No other ministry group exists specifically for the 800,000 H.O.G. Members.

• They really need our prayer!! The spiritual warfare is tremendous. Click here if you want more information about Black Sheep.
• If you want to see Marty Edwards, the founder of Blacksheep, roasting our Bishop Haskins please click here . This will be his last year as our Bishop as he will be going back to pastoring a church.

Happy Mother' Day

I want to wish all the mothers a “Happy Mother’s Day” as this day should be a time of happiness and appreciation of our mothers. It can be a difficult day for many. Today Gina Robertson shared in our 2^nd service on grieving the loss of her mother. (Gina is pictured on the right.) If you're interested in hearing her testimony please click on "Gina’s Story."

Baptism

Angela at Kosovo

This morning Angela shared about her trip to Kosovo during Easter break. During her sharing she is referring to a few pictures so you can go to the photo album (the link is to the right called M.C.F. photo album) then click on the album called The Average Church band, then click on the slideshow.

God's Will

Beginning this Sunday I’m going to start a new series: "What Is God's Will For My Life?" Why? I’m asked that a lot. It's an important question because there's nothing more important than knowing and doing God's will. Success is knowing the will of God and being right in the center of it. He wants us to know His will.

Ephesians 5:15-17 "Be very careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord's will is."

God wants you to understand what His will is. Why is it so difficult? Why is it so hard to figure out "God, what is Your will for my life?" How come it's so confusing? Why do we have a fog so much of the time?

I think the reason is that there are some basic misconceptions about God's will. We will look at those starting this Sunday, and what God has to say about it. This is will be an introductory message. Please begin to pray today for this coming Sunday and my prayer for this series will be that everyone will have the resources to seek His will for their lives.

Ellie sharing in the first service

Ellie sharing in the second service