“All of the Southwest church leaders are excited for 2019 and this “Year of Boldness.” We truly stand in awe of God as we look back on 2018 and see the powerful works his arm has done through our humble churches. We’ve seen a new church born in Albuquerque, New Mexico that makes our dream of evangelizing the world become even more real led heroically by the Esparzas. Las Vegas, led by the Georges, has marched forward in a triumphant way in missions and in growth, and of course, Phoenix, powerfully led by the Ciaramellas, has continued to give on a sacrificial level that has inspired many throughout the United States. In the spirit of unity for the Tribe World Sector, we have reprinted Dr. Tim Kernan‘s well thought out article to prepare us for this year. Please read, enjoy and share with all in your Bible talks so that we can start this year with even greater unity! For His Glory” – Mike Underhill
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:4-8)
Welcome to the City Of Angels International Christian Church (CAICC) 2019 Winter Workshop!
As a church, God has used the CAICC powerfully in the past three years to raise up leadership for the harvest field! We have been blessed to send nearly 300 disciples out of LA! This includes over 30 Evangelists and Women’s Ministry Leaders, including 12 who served as Super Region Leaders, including the NYC, Chicago and D.C. Supplemental Mission Teams, the Lagos and Dubai Crown of Thorns Teams, the Albuquerque New Mexico, Columbus Ohio and most recently the Atlanta Georgia Operation Eagle Mission Teams! It was also a joy to see God reward the Bordieris for their faithfulness and loyalty by sending them to lead the wonderful MERCY worldwide Orphanage in Phnom Penh Cambodia!
This week we had the honor of sending the Challinors to lead the mighty Metro Manila International Christian Church and we are so excited to welcome the McDonnells to lead the West Region and the Coastal Cities Super Region! Moreover, at this year’s CAICC “Super Service” on August 18th we will be sending out our beloved Blaise and Patricia Feumba to lead french speaking Africa from the mighty Abidjan International Christian Church in Ivory Coast! City of Angels Church, I want you to know that you have helped the movement to grow in a powerful way!
At the CAICC Christmas Service, the whole church rejoiced as Michael and Sharon Kirchner were appointed Congregational Shepherds! God has used us as a church to raise up well over 100 interns including 17 who have been appointed Evangelist and Women’s Ministry Leaders and 12 more who could be appointed in the next year or two! We raise up leaders because every member of our church takes personal responsibility for encouraging one another and breathing faith into one another. Our Super Region Leaders the Causeys, the Feumbas, the McDonnells and Lianne and I are constantly searching for disciples who have the faith to serve in the ministry. We then raise them up by using Bible Talks to train them for effective and fruitful leadership. What can we say but discipling works!
We must also commend the CAICC for your incredible hearts, not only to send out leaders but to support them when they are on the mission field with their families. I have never heard a single complaint about raising special missions contribution to support those on the mission field. I am equally confident that we will have an “unprecedented” increase in our weekly pledge starting this week as everyone should by now have finished reading Joe’s book! Again, when it comes to missions and weekly pledges, every Region Leader couple and Shepherding couple take personal responsibility for discipling and training each member to understand the “why” and the “how” of giving! Your generosity will be richly rewarded by our Lord. (Colossians 3:23-24) This May 19th we will be collecting our Spring Missions contribution and I am absolutely certain we will blow it out of the water! Again, discipling works!
Historically, Satan has always taken down Restoration Movement churches from the “inside” through pride, bitterness, contempt, and resentment. Together as a family, we have unearthed so many incredible Scriptures that have taught us that we: “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because (we) know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” (2 Timothy 2:23-25). Our church is a church where we bring up our concerns in a respectful and godly way using Scriptures like Matthew 18:15-17. Our Shepherds and Home Guards are Titus 1:5-13 people who put things in order when Satan sows discord. We always protect one another’s dignity and we have loyalty (Judges 8:35, 1 Chronicles 12:33) and respect (1 Peter 2:17) for one another as brothers and sisters. These Scriptures have been taught to every member and we have seen the peace and unity that has resulted! Once again, discipling works!
In the midst of all the exciting transitions, mission teams, and send-offs, many disciples have fallen through the cracks of discipling and have been orphaned evangelistically. While discipling has worked in raising up leaders, generously giving funds for missions, and building unity, I have failed to ensure that every member is lovingly and faithfully discipled to be personally fruitful. In speaking to so many disciples I have found that we have lost our once thriving family “culture” of evangelism. Too many disciples do not know the basics of personal fruitfulness – through baptisms or restoration – and I take responsibility. They need to be brought into the family in this respect. This is the example that I clearly see I have failed to imitate in the incredible leadership of Kip and Elena, my father and mother in the faith. They were personally fruitful in the East Region last week with Araceli the mother of Karen Maciel!
I have but one prayer goal for this year, and more specifically for this winter. I pray that we all go back to our first love for God and His mission! The question we must ask ourselves is this: what is a culture of evangelism or fruitfulness?
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (Colossians 4:2-5)
1: It is the standard that every disciple prays to the Lord Of The Harvest – Jesus Christ – every single day to be fruitful – through baptism or restoration. Fruitfulness was God’s will for man from the first chapter of the Bible. (Genesis 1:28) God has worked through group prayer and individual prayer at many critical moments to bring growth. (Acts 1:14, Acts 2:42, Acts 4:24, Acts 6:4, Acts 16:13, John 15:1-8, Matthew 18:19-20) This is the most important change every disciple needs to make.
2: That every disciple sees how God perfectly “lines us up” to share with so many people every day and that we do not miss any opportunities! (Acts 17:27)
3: That every disciple is in multiple studies weekly and masters their “First Principles.” (Hebrews 5:11-14)
4: That every disciple strives to have visitors weekly at worship service and Bible Talk. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)
5: That every disciple is fruitful every year at the very least! (Matthew 28: 16-20)
6: That we help one another to be fruitful through prayer, cooperation, and encouragement. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
7: That we ensure that every disciple, even those who are not yet baptized, fully understand that this is our culture and God’s expectation. If we fail to ensure this, then we have begun to teach “a different Gospel.” (2 Corinthians 11:4)
While our disciples have wonderful hearts, many of us are in danger of “lukewarmness” if we do not become completely committed to Jesus’ mission of seeking and saving the lost this winter! We must ensure that we disciple everyone in our charge to have the “heart,” “priorities,” and “schedule” of fruitfulness and that we keep one another encouraged all the way to victory! Remember, discipling works!
I believe, from the bottom of my heart, that if every disciple makes God’s business their business: in turn, God will make your business His business. So many disciples will thrive in every area of their whole life as we boldly restore our culture of evangelism. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)
Through Jesus’ mission, we can experience God’s joy! As we all grow and repent and disciple each other to repent in this area so many disciples, marriages, families, and ministries will experience God’s joy in 2019!
The City of Angels International Christian Church must lead the movement and set the standard for evangelism worldwide. I believe that with God we can do that in 2019. In the words of Michael Williamson of London: “We can, we will, we must.”
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:29-37)
Kip And Elena McKean
If you remember one thing from this article let it be this: Start praying to God every day to share your faith boldly and effectively this winter! Begin now and see what God will do!
Much love,
Tim & Lianne Kernan
2019 City of Angels International Christian Church Winter Workshop Youtube Playlist
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