Newsletter

Pray Without Ceasing

We've often heard it quoted that we are to pray without ceasing. Yet in the polls on the subject, the average church goer prays less than five minutes each day. More shocking still is that the average pastor prays just more than ten minutes each day.

Having just returned from the International Mission Board, it came to me that what some of us may need to pray without ceasing is an intentional prayer tool. Below are a few that will get your mind off the price of gas and get it back on the God whom many of us are ignoring.

http://www.imb.org/compassionnet (subscribe for any of these)

Today's Prayer: A comprehensive daily prayer guide with specific requests and answers from the mission field via email.

PrayerLine: The latest prayer needs and answers by phone 24/7...messages changed each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 800.395.PRAY (7729)

Urgent Prayer Items: Pray for emergency and critical needs.

Wednesday Window on the World: Share current, strategic prayer requests and answers from the field during midweek prayer services.

800.999.3113 (order the following free at this number)

Prayer Points: A monthly prayer calendar designed to deepen your passion for world missions

Loving the Lost 30-Day Prayer Guide: Pray for people groups who do not know the truth of Jesus.

Prayerwalking Resource Packet: Take prayer to the streets of your neighborhood and the neighborhoods of the world. (press option 2)

KOMpray: Kids on Mission Pray!

View prayer items and encourage the children in your life to pray for missions through this new weekly electronic newsletter. Subscribe now at www.kompray.imb.org.

PRAYERplus Partnership

Your church can take the first step in reaching a people group that has no known access to the Gospel. To learn about committing to long-term prayer for an unengaged, unreached people group, email prayerplus@imb.org or call (888.462.7729)

Does which of these or other biblically based tools we use really matter? It does matter that we are obedient to pray as our Father has commanded us. Come on... get on your knees and fight like a man!

PRAY!

God Bless

Bro. Jerry

Tactical Church

It was the late summer of 1973, I had loaded the cumulative possessions of my life into my 1965 Plymouth. And there was still plenty of room. I was headed out to college. I don't particularly remember the expressions on my parent's faces, their last words of wisdom to me, or any of the stuff that leads to great drama. However, I do remember one thing. As I drove away from the only home I had ever known a sense of excitement overcame me. I was headed out for a new adventure in my life.

Less than two miles from home I crossed the river. Like Israel crossing the Jordon, something significant hit me like a ton of bricks. Driving over the Cottonwood Creek I realized how smart my parents were. I knew I had been living in rebellion to their authority. Not an overt, in your face, speak badly, oppose you at every turn kind of rebellion, but an "I think I know better than you" attitude. I realized all at once how dependant I had been on my family. Suddenly I was brought to thankful tears for having such a loving, giving, patient, intelligent, wise set of parents. Even while away at college I would write checks for my books, tuition, and housing, from my own account. Other than a few scholarship dollars, it would be my Mom and Dad's hard earned money that would afford me the opportunity to attend university.

We too, as Churchmen, get to thinking we can do it. And by many people's standards we can. But have we forgotten where we came from, or where we are going? Can we actually be "people of the word" and ignore the basic truths of scripture concerning the body of Christ? What will we do with scriptures like John 15:5 which says, "I am the vine you are the branches, he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me you can do nothing." Or "Be still and know I am God" Psalms 46:10

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." Psalms 127:1 (NIV)

Many times we yearn so much for results to give us a sense of accomplishment and gratification we pass on the important character traits. Love God, Love Others, Lay down your life. Can we have a successful church planting movement without the hand of God? Of course not! Can we crank out spiritual growth and maturity while shortcutting the process of following Jesus? No!

We must surrender our plans to God's wisdom, will, and plans. We must move back and see where He is already working and join him. We should move toward greater dependency on Him. We need God showing up to accomplish his will rather than our efforts to manufacture something that looks like it could be from Him.

He is the wise parent who cares more about us and His kingdom than you or I could imagine. Our only car is filled with a few meager things which matter little in the scope of the whole kingdom. But our Father desires us. That's right, you are His treasure, you are His investment, you are the future of His cause. Will you be dependent upon Him and see a movement of God, or independent trying to do it in your own efforts and perhaps receive the applause of men. I think I would rather have the approval of my Father. The "Glory Factor" is simple. The more impossible the task for men, the greater glory God will receive.

Take time and push back from your busyness to see what God wants you to become. Work on you, pray, be still, abide, be available, then when He is ready you will be the first tool He reaches for.

Louis Spears

Casa De Amor

819 S. Macdonald Mesa, AZ 85210 Phone: (480) 464-2877 FAX:(480) 464-7507

Sharing the Good News

A Monday night Bible study for residents of halfway houses has grown. One night 24 people attended. More importantly, they are growing in understanding of His Word and knowledge of Jesus' love for them.

Back to School Bash

Each year, CDA selects an elementary school to furnish uniforms, new socks an underwear, $15 shoe certificates, backpacks, school supplies and hygiene items. This year Lincoln Elementary was chosen because 92% of the 720 students are in families living at or below the poverty level. CDA buys the clothing and backpacks in bulk to get better prices. It costs about $45 to outfit a child. CDA will provide a list of the school supplies and hygiene items needed. Please pray about what part your church, your family, your Sunday School Class or you may have in this ministry.

Reminder... Casa De Amor will be CLOSED May 8-May 27 for Spring break.

To learn more about CDA and its ministries or to schedule a tour, please call June at CDA. God bless!

Storm Chasers

Valley Rim Association Children's Choices Camp

"Pursuing & Being Pursued By God" at Mountain Meadows Camp in Christopher Creek

June 22-27, 2008
Completed 1st - 6th grade

Cost: Campers $195, Sponsors $150

Wyoming Mission Trip 2008

When: June 22-28
Where: Faith Southern Baptist Church, Lovell, Wyoming
What: Sports Camp during the day and Mustang Days events during the evenings
Travel: Meet us in Lovell on Sunday, June 22
Lodging: Approximately $100.00 per night (Book your own . . . or park in free RV Park)
Extras: Go early or stay longer and visit Yellowstone National Park (free lodging in West Yellowstone)* Or spend time in Cody's old west museum and daily Rodeos (lodging on your own)

HISTORY:

In 2006 a team from Valley Rim deconstructed a condemned building on Faith's property. This provided a parking lot for the church.

In 2007 the team helped the church do a VBS in which 26 children and preschoolers took part. Six accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord.

In 2008 the church has opted to do a sports camp to reach the community. Mustang Days is the largest community event of the year in Lovell. It culminates with their Parade and Rodeo on the last weekend. We become volunteers for anything the church and/or community needs us to do. We manned water stations for the Stretcher Race. We held an Ice Cream drawing at the family concert. We built a float for the parade. We passed out tracks and candy during the parade. Whatever is needed is what we'll end up doing. Will you answer the call to Wyoming?

*(Free lodging in West Yellowstone must be arranged in advance. Sign up and attend an upcoming informational meeting.) Contact Jerry Martin for more information on how to sign up at 480-835-9706

Hispanic Leadership Conference
May 3, 2008

Leadership training for Hispanic Pastors and Hispanic church leadership. Avondale, AZ

Contact: Fernando Amaro or Alma Perez for more information at
480.945.0880 or 800.687.2431

Church Planning & Building Facilities Conference
May 15, 2008

Information for churches in building programs.

Contact: Ken Belflower or Alma Perez for more information at
480.945.0880 or 800.687.2431

VBS Clinic Dates for 2008

VBS, 2008

Now is the time to start making plans to attend and get some valuable training.

Valley Rim Training Dates:

Summer Missionaries Orientation
May 28-30, 2008

Orientation for summer missionaries. Tempe, AZ

Contact: Keith Henry or
Lauren Anderson at
480.945.0880 or 800.687.2431

SBC Annual Meeting

June 10-11, 2008
Indianapolis, IN

For more information contact Amy Medley at 480.945.0880 or 800.687.2431

Power Plant
June 7-13, 2008

Mission Project. Phoenix

For more information contact:

Phil McConnell at 623.694.4328
or
Ken Belflower at 480.945.0880

reDiscover Sunday School

July 21 - 25, 2008
Glorieta, New Mexico

"Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:13, HCSB").

For more information and to register, visit http://www.lifeway.com/glorieta or call 800.797.4222

Zona Yuth Kamp

July 6-12, 2008

It is time to begin planning and registering for Zona Yuth Kamp 2008.

Starting now you have the opportunity to register for Zona Yuth Kamp. You must register the number of students and leaders you plan to bring to camp before March 14, 2008. Registration is not confirmed until we receive the number of campers coming along with $100.00 per person deposit.

This years theme is "Wired" and the camp pastor will be Chad Childress. Chad is a nationally know camp and conference speaker. We are very excited to bring Arizona's own David Ellis to lead in worship.

The first 15 youth pastors that registar (with deposits) will receive a free backpack filled with some great stuff valued at way over a gazillion dollars so get it done soon!

For more information and forms, please go to www.zonayuthkamp.com and download the forms . If you have questions please call Tracy at 480-945-0880, 800-687-2431 or tlbaker@azsobaptist.org.

SAM Summit

SAM SUMMIT

Nov. 21-22, 2008
First Baptist Church Sun Lakes

What is a Missions SUMMIT?

The purpose of a Summit is to link churches with a region of the world in order to nurture partnerships between churches and missionaries, adding value to field strategies to reach the lost for Christ and the mission and ministry of local churches.

The International mission Board enlists missionaries to interact face-to-face with pastors and key church leaders to share needs and opportunities. Churches are encouraged to make commitments to send mission teams to participate in a one-time project or to covenant with a missionary to become partners, "virtual missionaries," sending multiple teams for 2-5 years or to adopt a people group with no witness and take the lead in proclaiming Christ and starting churches among that group.

In order to conduct this significant event, we are forming the following teams:

Update!

Valley Rim Music Festival...

Has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

Wanted...Summer Missionaries for the Valley Rim Association...

Wanted...Summer Missionaries, 2008
Summer of 2008

Do you know of a college or Sr. High student that you would recommend to be an Arizona Summer Missionary ? If you do or for more information on this great opportunity to come and serve as a summer missionary. please call Debra Wolfrey at 480-835-9706.

2008 Mission Trips

Thailand

September 18-28, 2008
Cost: $1500

We will join Dr. Doug Derbyshire, IMB missionary, to conduct mobile medical clinics in remote villages of northeastern Thailand. Half the team will help staff the clinic and the other half will travel to nearby schools to teach sports clinics, craft classes and English classes. The gospel will be shared in all settings.

Change the Weave! It'll Change Your Life!

It was hot and humid on the bus traveling around Santo Domingo, Ecuador because the air conditioning had broken. Ron Sutton, one of our missionaries, was balancing in the aisle, seeking relief under the roof vent, and apologizing for his profuse sweating. Ron lives in Quito, cool due to high elevation and was as unused to the tropical heat as the rest of us. A team member commented that his shirt was the wrong blend for this sweltering climate. An expert on fabrics, she suggested a more optimal blend of cloth. Over the traffic she shouted out her final suggestion, "Change the Weave! It'll Change Your Life!" We all laughed at the overstatement but then you could see a spiritual aha appear on a bunch of faces at the same time. God had given us a spiritual battle cry. "Change the Weave! It'll change Your Life!"

God meets each of us where we are and desires to change our weave! In Ecuador I saw God's movement and transformation over and over again. It was in the face of a woman, struggling to decide if my words were truth. As she decided God is what I declared Him to be, joy replaced her struggled expressions. It was in the tear filled eyes of a man who had given his life and resources to help street kids in Pueblo Comite in Quito. He rose from his knees as the men in our group ordained him to be a Pastor and his face showed transformation. It was in the prayer of a new believer as he admitted to God that he had attempted to pray for more than four years and begged for reconciliation. He looked up showing reconciliation with the Father and walked across the room to reconcile with his estranged earthly father. When father and son hugged I knew the weave had been changed. It was in the face of a deacon who had just gotten saved as he admitted, "I came to Ecuador to share Jesus, and ....I found Him." It was on the face of all 56 of the new believers from our Ecuador work.

Sometimes it just takes getting in a different place for God to get our attention enough to change our weaves. For me, it's been happening in my seminary classrooms and on the mission field. God doesn't usually force a weave change, we have to be open to it. That is why training is so important. We are asking God to teach us. That is why mission work is so powerful. We are asking God to walk with us every step of the way and expecting to see His miracles.
Change Your Weave! It'll Change Your Life!

Debra Wolfrey

Gospel Music Concert

Saturday, 6:00pm on July 19th, 2008

CrossWalk,
2007 Vocal Group of the Year CGMA Western Division

First Southern Baptist Church
851 N. Stapley Dr.
Mesa, AZ
480-964-7335

Arizona Baptist Children's Services Mother's Day Offering
May 11, 2008

God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Cor. 1:9 NLT

Please consider partnering with Arizona Baptist Children's Services this year to meet the needs of Arizona's hurting children and families.

The 2008 Mother's Day Offering for ABCS benefits:

As always, gifts benifitting hurting children and families will be used in your local region.

Arizona Baptist Children's Services
P.O. Box 35637
Phoenix, AZ 85069
Phone: 602-346-2300
http://www.abcs.org

ACE: Arizona Church Equipping Conference

August 23, 2008
8:30am - 4:00pm
North Phoenix Baptist Church
Mark your calendar!

Reminder: ON PURPOSE Newsletter deadline is the 5th of the month!