Happy Thanksgiving from San Diego!
Author: Mark
Hubby to the greatest gal, Pastor of an amazing community, brother to a bunch of people called my family, lover of God, follower of Jesus.
This Week @ Grace
Last Sunday I began teaching through the New Testament book of Philippians. Wow! What a letter for the church today. How revolutionary in our thinking that we too are “servants of Christ Jesus” and “saints in Christ Jesus”. And! He’s not done working on us yet.
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” 1:6
This coming Sunday we’ll discover what I believe to be one the biggest keys in the entire Bible on ‘how to live for God’.
This Sunday also provides an opportunity to learn about our awesome Children’s Ministry and how you can be a part of a great team doing an amazing work. Right after our service there is an informational lunch just for you. Whether you have experience or are just curious, please plan on joining the team downstairs in the Commons for lunch and a brief meeting.
To my fellow Servants and Saints: wherever you go to church, go this week expecting. Go prepared to worship with the other saints, be ready to bless someone else and be ready to hear from God.
Two ways to help those in the Philippines
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:35-40
Pray. Whether you can give or not, the best thing we have going for us is to pray earnestly. So, let’s do that.
Give. There are many opportunities to help those suffering in the Philippines. At Grace we’ve primarily used Samaritan’s Purse in the past. So we will again this time. If you’d like to go online and give directly through their site, you can do so here.
If you’d like to give through our church, you can do so these next few weeks. Whether you give at church or online we’ll send whatever comes in to Samaritan’s Purse. We love what they do and how they do it.
For God’s Glory
Nineteen years ago today it was a Sunday. This would be our first Sunday meeting as Grace Community at Sinagua High School. We advertised in the paper. We had dorky little cards made up. We called it a new beginning. And it was.
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Eph 5:25-27
Thank you, Jesus, for the sacrifice that cleanses us and makes us new and for the assembly of those with whom we share this new life. For Your glory!
Headed Home
It’s been a great few days in Bangkok. We were able to worship with Molly on Sunday morning; then spent time with her at the school on Monday. Molly is doing great with language school and working in the ministry at Word Made Flesh as she’s able. We met her kids and coworkers as we got to tour the Community Center. It was so nice to have lots of time to visit and catch up. I think we were all mutually encouraged. One of the highlights was presenting the kids with the supplies that Grace sent over, including ipads for the classroom! Great job Grace! Your generosity is a huge blessing.
Great to be with Molly at her church in Bangkok on Sunday morning.
We are getting ready to go to bed. Tomorrow morning we leave early for the airport and the beginning of our long journey home. Thanks again for your prayers.
Teaching in Thailand
What a great few days so far. Tonight was a great end to a wonderful day. There was a lot of teaching and worship. My cup is full. Tomorrow we will conclude our part of the Pastor’s Conference. Here are just a few pictures of our teachers and the beautiful Hmong people.
I think we’re all doing well, but feeling spent. Pray for a good night’s rest and a very effective closing day tomorrow. This has been great! I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing us a small part of an amazing movement.
We’ve enjoyed a couple of days getting acclimated to the time zone and visiting some of the local ministries. I was so blessed to hear things went well back home with our Men’s Advance and at Grace on Sunday morning. I sure love our team.
Today, we’ll travel north to the city where we will meet up with the Hmong pastor’s and their wives where conference starts this evening. Pray for all the guys to get there safely. I know some were held up yesterday at the Laos border. Many of these guys travel for days. I’m really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces from last year as well as meet many new guys.
Thanks for your prayers.
Arrived and Welcomed!
Now, THAT was a long trip! Laurie and I left Flagstaff about 3:30 in the afternoon on Wednesday, and arrived here in Chiang Rai 2:30pm Friday local time, which was 12:30 am Friday in Flagstaff. Yep, crazy.
Our friend and host, Ron from Baan Immanuel welcomed us at the airport and after a time to clean up at the hotel, they welcomed us with a traditional feast. That day they slaughtered the pig, and invited us to sit on the floor in small groups gathered around a charcoal lit grill to cook our pork and veggies, with rice and noodles. Gotta tell you, it was awesome.
Well rested and out today for some adventure and meeting some of the ministries here in Chaing Rai. Thanks for your prayers.
Thailand!
This will be brief. I’ve been meaning for the past couple of days to let you know we’re headed to Thailand once again. Well, now it’s just an hour or so away. I was blessed to go in March last year with two pastors from Calvary Community in Phoenix, Dan Holgate and Paul Hayes. This year, they invited me back as well as Laurie! I am so glad the wives are coming along to round out the team. Last year we noticed how many of the Hmong pastors from the neighboring countries came and brought their wives, so this became a priority for us too. A bonus is that we will get to see Molly Evans, a young lady from Grace who is serving in Bangkok.
As you think of us, please pray for the ministry. Safety and health are bonuses, but the effective work of ministering to these men and women is of utmost priority!
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ . . . Colossians 4:2-3
Standing Together
No one stands alone. Grace Community is a pretty awesome church with a great history and an even greater future.
Today, is August 1st and serves to remind me that Pastor Jason Goodman and his awesome family joined us one year ago today. We are blessed to have a Worship Pastor and the many things he does to help the team. I was reminded also that in just a few days Pastor Bob and Tami celebrate 10 years at Grace. Pastor Bob started GSM while also giving pastoral oversight to our Children’s ministry. Along with being a close Associate for me, he most recently has developed and implemented our Discipleship ministry. Tim Serrano joined our team as an intern 4 years ago this month. He now is the Director for all our Student Ministries, and doing an amazing job! So, it looks like August is a good month to celebrate this beautiful team I get to work with in serving Grace.
Tami serves us in the front office and oversees most office needs. Paula is our newest addition, she serves as our Children’s Ministry Director and Ministry Assistant for me.
So, you can see none of us stands alone. You that are a part of the Grace Community family, pray for your staff and go ahead and encourage them when you get a chance. I know I will!
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