We can’t underestimate the impact mom’s have on our hearts. I know growing up there were many things that my mother instilled in me and that have stuck with me all of my life. I am so grateful that she insisted on truth and transparency in our relationship, this conviction has guided me to this very day. We are very blessed when we have mothers who are still with us here and who believe in us, who have sacrificed so much for us, and who have sincerely loved us. Sometimes God puts a sister in the church family into our lives and they provide that motherly shelter and guidance for our hearts. (Mark 10:30) Where ever God has provided that kindness, we need to make sure that today we thank these women for their tenderness and their council, and remind them of how much we love them today!
“…Excel In This Grace Of Giving.” – 2 Cor 8:7
11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 2 Cor 8:11-12
One thing that many of us in the CTYS (Campus, Teens, and Young Singles) ministry have is time on Saturdays! We love spending that time together “tagging” for special missions and we raised almost $1,400 doing it for three weeks prior to missions! Many brothers and sisters have given their best effort and some have even gone beyond and given over 200% their 15x goal! Our goal as a church is $51530 and we have given $42527 thus far meaning we are only $4983 shy of our goal. In the spirit of “Now finish[ing] the work” Mark and Keri Garrido have spearheaded another tagging effort for those who were not able to make their missions goal. They went tagging this past weekend (5/10 and 5/11) and the plan is to go once more this coming Saturday (5/18) from 8AM until noon on the corner of Rural and University. The whole church is encouraged to come together for this final event to close the gap! It is going to be an incredible time of evangelism and encouragement!
The Campus, Teens, & Young Singles Zealously Tagging!
“…All Things To All Men” – 1 Cor 9:19-21
This past Thursday evening there was a meeting with several teen parents with Amy and I and our new Campus/Teen Volunteer Interns, Rico and Janelle. I had recently reached out to Joel Parlour of the LA church and sought his advice on investing in our teen ministry here in Phoenix. We are excited to announce that there will now be new Campus, Teen, and Young Singles (CTYS) Friday Devotionals. This will give our teens and their friends a chance to build relationships with the Campus and Young Singles in an effort to encourage spiritual friendship and mentorship. We are also planning to have a teen segment in our services at least once a month.
Our Dear Brother Rico Is Begging For Change!
“…Every Part Rejoices With It” – 1 Cor 12:26
Congrats to our dear sister Britanny Bulerin who graduated from ASU this week! In addition, we are rejoicing that God brought to us Richie and Elizabeth McDonald today (5/12/2013) to preach and share for communion! Richie is in town as he has graduated from ASU as well! Let’s be sure to congratulate our dear brother and sister for this life achievement! We also are greatly encouraged that Santana DeJesus has graduated from the Chemical Recovery ministry! We were all moved to see the restoration of both our brother Jamal Ellis (now known as Donterrius—signifying a deep change in his life) and Vanessa Garcia, an amazing single mom with a renewed heart for God!
Santana & Sandy rejoice that Santana has graduated CR!
“…Sent On Their Way By The Holy Spirit” – Acts 13:4
It is awesome to have Richie and Elizabeth here as the Corrals (Jose and Liz and their two children; Diego and Alexia) are going to move to Santa Barbara in support of the new region planting there led by the McDonalds. The Corrals will be moving at the end of May to embark on this journey. They have many friends and family in the Santa Barbara area and we are praying God uses these relationships to help many to return to God and other become disciples. There is a farewell gathering on Friday, May 17th at 7:30 at the Corral’s home – Tacos and Open Mic!
Mark, Donterrius, and Jeremy rejoice in Donterrius’ restoration!
Vanessa (center, right) with the sisters who studied with her!
Jeremiah and Julie Clark have contacted Chris Chloupek and I so as to formally invite Chad and Rae Lynn Wilson to join the Denver Church Planting! Our dear brother and sister have answered the call to “give up everything” and to “dream dreams” and have taken on this “new adventure” – as it was put by Hunter, their twelve-year-old daughter! The Wilsons were out of town last week looking for a place near the “center” of Denver and they are very excited to be building a new church! Please be praying that their house rents soon and that God will use them powerfully in Denver as He has here! Their last day in Arizona will likely be June 1st, stay tuned for details on a farewell gathering!
Phoenix Welcomes Richie & Elizabeth McDonald, the leaders of the Santa Barbara regional planting!
God is also moving in the Islands, for “in [Jesus’s] law, the Islands will put their hope” (Isaiah 42:4) and he is preparing his messengers for the task of seeking and saving the lost there! The Garrido’s have been an amazing couple here in Phoenix and instrumental to so much of the work – God has been preparing them for even greater things in His name, leading the church in Guam. Mark and Kerri and their two children (Keoni and Miaha) will be moving mid-June to Los Angeles to be a part of the Central Region led by Kyle and Joan Bartholomew. There they will train and prepare for the official planting of the church in Guam (which already has a devoted remnant group led by John and Bernie Pereda.) To God be the Glory that we can see so much impact from the planting and watering of the Phoenix Church! He makes it grow!
“…Preparing God’s People For Works of Service” – Eph 4:12
We have an amazing leadership group! The Bible Talk leaders and the House Church leaders are such an encouragement to Amy and I personally, much less the church family! In addition, there are some leaders who go over and above and make it a point to be at the Tuesday staff meetings for further training and support in building the church. We would like to recognize the disciples who have shown this kind of devotion and zeal for God’s house and for saving the lost. The following brothers and sisters are recognized as our volunteer staff – Michelle Hunt, Yvonne Namungoma, Brittany Bulerin, Marvell Holder, Rick Romney, Chris Schultz (our church Administrator) and Scott Lunde (over the summer).
Josiah & Kristen Smith, Singles Ministry Leaders!
We also are excited announce that Josiah and Kristen Smith (our most recent married couple) are now taking on the role of leading the singles ministry and will provide a great support in building special events and encouraging the ministry to mature in its Christian dating!
To God Be The Glory!
Jeremy Ciaramella
(DOWNLOAD PDF: 20130512-JeremyCiaramella-HappyMothersDay)
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