Two ways to help those in the Philippines

On By MarkIn GraceGives, Pray1 Comment

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

On By MarkIn God's Glory, GRACE, Jesus!Leave a comment

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

On By MarkIn Pray, Thailand, TravelLeave a comment

 

 

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.Newspring BangkokGreat to be with Molly at her church in Bangkok on Sunday morning.

BangkokWe 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

On By MarkIn Missions, Thailand2 Comments

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.

This is Ron Miller teaching the first night. Ron leads the Baan Immanuel ministries
This is Ron Miller teaching the first night. Ron leads the Baan Immanuel ministries
Here's Linda Holgate teaching the women
Here’s Linda Holgate teaching the women

 

Here's Dan Holgate teaching with our interpreter
Here’s Dan Holgate teaching with our interpreter

 

Paul teaching
Paul teaching

Ladies SessionHmong ConferenceI 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.

 

On By MarkIn Pray, Thailand, Thanks1 Comment

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.

This is our team. Great people!
This is our team. Great people!
Enjoying beautiful gardens
Enjoying beautiful gardens

Arrived and Welcomed!

On By MarkIn ThailandLeave a comment

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.

photo

Thailand!

On By MarkIn Missions, Pray, ThailandLeave a comment

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

On By MarkIn church, GRACE, StaffLeave a comment

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!

Hume Lake!

On By MarkIn Gospel, GRACE, PrayLeave a comment

One of the highlights for Grace Community each year is when our students get to go to Hume Lake.  A few years ago, I was privileged to pop in for a brief visit.  Here are just 4 reasons why I love that we make this a big deal:

1. Our students bring friends who LOVE it. This is an amazing atmosphere to have a blast, see what Christianity can look like and learn some serious stuff about God and the love He has for each one. Kids that don’t know Jesus, maybe have never even been to church are welcomed and impacted.

2. It’s about the gospel of grace. Without apology or hesitation, Tuesday night is set up as the night when Jesus is preached and students are given a clear opportunity to respond.  Kids get saved throughout the week, but there’s a clear emphasis on this one night.  This is awesome.

3. Our students are impacted. This isn’t just a “camp experience” that is an emotional high and ‘wears off’. No, this is different. Our leaders and students talk about this all year long. It’s a big deal because it’s a blast and it’s about Jesus.

4. The teaching is amazing. This isn’t “Christianity-Lite”, this is “hard-core, live your life for Jesus, get serious about His Word and live in the love He has for you” kind of stuff.

Our students leave this Saturday.

This Sunday, we’ll have a “prayer list” with all the names of those at Hume.  I’m asking you to join all of Grace in praying for our students and leaders, starting NOW.  If history teaches us anything, we know that when God works, Satan comes out swinging. The enemy will do whatever he can to distract and discourage. But we’re not about the enemy. We belong to Jesus and we are putting our trust and confidence in Him. He is the Victor. So, let’s ban together and pray for God to have His way as the kids pack up, load up and enjoy an amazing week at Hume Lake.