February 26, 2010
Editor’s note: Community Church by the Lake’s ministries are made possible, in part, by the Alliance Development Fund (ADF), which has helped the church through tough financial times. “ADF is about helping churches,” says Pastor Don Foor. “Without ADF, we wouldn’t have the following stories.”
“We don’t want ‘that element’ hanging around our church,” said a handful of church members at Community Church by the Lake in Big Bear Lake, California. High in the San Bernadino Mountains, the Alliance church has played a key role in the community’s outreach to teens, specifically skateboarders. But some believers weren’t on board.
Already, the church had collaborated with the Parks and Recreation Department (Park and Rec) as well as a group of civic leaders and private donors to transform an old building on the church property into a teen center. Church member Reese Troublefield, who is the general manager for Park and Rec, approached Don Foor, who has pastored the church for nearly six years, with the idea of using the old building for a teen recreation center. “Through his job, Reese had been trying for eight years to find land to fulfill his vision for the city’s youth but to no avail,” says Don. “Land is too expensive.”
A Unified Effort
Reese suggested remodeling the empty church building. “He told me he could get the money but needed the church’s consent to use the building,” Don says. “With unity and funding from the county, local businesses, and Soroptimist International Women’s Club, the vision of a teen center at Community Church by the Lake became a reality in 2007.”
The center is staffed by Park and Rec employees from 2-5:30 p.m. daily and used by the church for its youth group meetings in the evenings. “The center is equipped with video, TV, games, billiards, and a small kitchen,” Don says. “It’s a fabulous place where all kids are welcome. When our kids invite their friends to stay for youth group, their parents readily approve, appreciating a safe place for their children.”
The Forbidden Element
But the center did not solve the problem of skateboarders with no place to skate. “Six months of the year, we are under three feet of snow,” says Don “When the kids aren’t snowboarding, they are skateboarding.”
The distance of Big Bear Lake’s only skate park, located at the opposite end of the city, kept the kids in the church neighborhood from utilizing the facility. So Don invited the teens to skate in the church parking lot. Word got around quickly, bringing skateboarders and their homemade equipment for jumps and stunts.
Residents had been complaining about skateboarders being a nuisance, skating recklessly past businesses and homes. Skateboarding was outlawed and signs went up, forbidding the favorite teen pastime. Don attended a public hearing where the problem was discussed. “We need another skate park,” he told Reese, who also was at the meeting. A councilman heard Don’s remark and asked, “What’s he willing to do about it?”
Walking With Jesus
Community Church’s property included a piece of land next to the teen center that had only a few shrubs on it when it wasn’t covered by snow. “I went to the church board with the idea to build a skate park on church property,” Don says. “The board agreed. Reese approached the county supervisors and again, funding was approved for the $100,000 project.”
But when Don announced the plan to his congregation, he was met with some opposition. “Some members were against it,” he says. “‘We don’t want that element here,’ they told me. They were afraid that the youth would vandalize the church.”
Don, who spent five years with his wife as pastoral couple at Simpson University, would not stand for such discrimination toward the young people of Big Bear Lake. “I remember as a kid, bolting silver wheels to a board and skateboarding down my street,” he says. “I wanted to do something for the kids here to let them know that they are valued.”
Don preached a sermon the following Sunday entitled “That Element.” “‘Jesus came and sat in the middle of that element,’ I told them. ‘We can’t demonize people because they put wheels under their feet. We’re a C&MA church, a missionary church. We don’t take the gospel to some and not others. We won’t do that.’” When he admonished the congregation not to use the term again, disgruntled members left the church.
A Safe Place
The Community Skate Park was launched in 2008. “It’s been an incredible collective message to the teens, who are very protective of their new turf,” says Don.
Recently, a boy who wasn’t a “boarder” broke a church window. Skateboarders called the sheriff, who later brought the boy and his father to meet with Don. The sheriff wanted Don to press charges, but the Alliance pastor had a better idea. “The father and son, both remorseful, agreed to my plan. The father paid for the window, and his son is working with the church janitor.”
For insurance liability reasons, skating is not allowed after dark “But one night I found a few kids skating and reminded them of the rules,” Don says. “One of the boys challenged me, ‘Who are you to tell me I can’t skate?’
“The other two boys stepped up. ‘We’ll tell you who this guy is. When no one else would let us skate, he made it happen.’”
Local police have thanked Don for the church’s contribution to the community. “It’s easy to monitor,” they say. “We can see the park clearly. It’s the best thing you could have done for the kids and for us.”
“Kids have been always been skating and will keep on skating,” Don says. “And today, they are so athletic and so brave. Most important, their overall attitude about church has changed. Close to a dozen kids from ‘that element’ have accepted the Lord.”
Learn More
Read about other Alliance churches that are using community outreaches to shine the light of Christ.
What You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to ensure the continuance of church planting at home and abroad.
Editor’s Note: Alliance international workers are pushing back the darkness in some of the hardest places on earth. Where religious and cultural practices typically prohibit traditional Alliance work and hinder nationals from seeking Jesus, God is revealing Himself through dreams and visions. One man was so troubled by his dream that he sought help from Alliance church leaders.
John* first heard about the international church while he was studying English at an Alliance multipurpose center located in a Middle Eastern city of 1 million people. The church, which was launched in September 2008, has seen steady growth with about 50 in attendance every week. For John and most of the local people who attend, it is the first time they have ever entered a church or experienced the joy of Christian fellowship.
John, a successful 30-year-old who owns several stores, began attending church on a regular basis. Then a disturbing a dream compelled him to seek help from church leaders. When an angel in his dream told him he was going to hell, John asked the angel, “Why? I’m a good person, and I own my own business.”
“You are going there because you do not believe in this,” the angel said, holding up a cross.
John was deeply troubled and agreed to participate in a weekly Bible study. During the first session, he prayed to receive Jesus into his life. Since that time, he continues to attend the services and is being discipled.
One leader says, “Starting from zero, with no knowledge of Jesus Christ or the Spirit-filled life, John has a long way to go. But all of us are encouraged by John, the first fruit of this international church.”
*Name changed
August 21, 2009
Whether taking out garbage, setting up tables, or moving equipment for church events, self-proclaimed surf bum and Alliance layperson Jim McCleary was always looking for ways to serve God at Deltona Alliance Church in Florida. But when he met an Alliance missionary to Indonesia, Jim learned that God’s call on his life was tailor made just for him.
“In 1996, George Hobbs (now retired) was speaking at our weeklong Missions Conference, and I was asked to pick him up at the airport,” Jim says. The two stopped at a restaurant on the way back to the church, and Jim asked George about the surfing in Indonesia. George’s answer ignited in Jim a passion for a unique ministry.
“Surfers are like Indonesians,” George told Jim. “They wear funny clothes, have crazy hair styles, and speak a language all their own. They may have strange customs, but the main thing about surfers and Indonesians is that they are both going to hell if they don’t know Jesus.”
The Challenge
“When I went to Indonesia,” George continued, “I had to dress and look like the Indonesians. I had to learn their language and their customs. Basically, I had to become one of them to gain their trust.
“But you see, Jim, God created you to look like a surfer, talk like a surfer, dress like a surfer, and actually go out and ride the waves. No surfers are going to listen to me, but God can use you to get through to them. Why don’t you take a few kids to the beach, teach them how to surf, and share God’s Word with them. Do you think you could do that?”
Crosswaves
Jim’s first ministry outing a couple months later involved a few boys. “I taught them to surf and told them about Jesus walking on water,” says Jim. “And Crosswaves was born.”
Crosswaves is a Christian surfing ministry designed for all family members. Crosswaves leaders are believers, using the gifts God equipped them with to reach out and serve those in their local communities. Outreaches include beach activities and Bible studies, as well as supporting other ministries in their efforts, including those outside the United States. Crosswaves seeks to create an environment in which everyone will feel welcome and where the love of Jesus will be revealed.
Phil Risoldi and his family experienced the Crosswaves welcome firsthand. “My two sons and I met Jim at a Christian skateboarding event,” says Phil. “He had a tent there, representing his surfing ministry.” The meeting came just five days after the third surgery on Phil’s right arm, which was left completely disabled. “The doctors said I would never use my arm again.”
But Phil sensed God’s call to join Jim in ministry. “Crosswaves has fortified our family’s faith,” he says. “I thought, I can teach those kids to surf.” Though one arm is disabled, Phil ventures out on his surfboard to give surfing lessons, and “God enables me to stay in the water all day.”
Crosswaves outreach events—including surf lessons, lunch, and drinks for the day—are free. “All you have to do is listen to Jim talk about Jesus,” Phil says. “It is such a dynamic ministry; if you weren’t a Christian when you got there, you will be when you leave.” Currently, 1,250 workers facilitate Crosswaves chapters in three Florida cities as well as in Puerto Rico and Nicaragua.”We’re looking forward to the next town where God will start another Crosswaves chapter,” Jim says. “Is God calling you? Pray about it, let us know, and we will do anything we can to help you get started.”
A spinoff of Crosswaves is a youth basketball outreach called Crossover. Both Deltona Alliance Church ministries represent the heartbeat of The Alliance-mobilizing fully devoted disciples to reach lost people who matter to God. He wants them found, and Crosswaves is finding them on the beaches of Florida.
What You Can Do
Pray for safety and good health for Jim and his team as they ride the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Pray that God will prepare hearts to receive the truth.
Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries.
Learn More
Visit www.crosswavesweb.com and www.deltonaalliancechurch.org
By Bruce and Stephanie Beers, serving in Ecuador
Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you show to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed (Mark 1:17-18, The Message).
One day while walking along the beach, we came upon a group of fishermen who were pulling in their nets. They had fished all night, and their muscles strained as they toiled to haul their catch onto dry land. With each heave of the net, more birds circled overhead until the large black cloud of screeching birds nearly blotted out the sun. They dove and picked at the nets, trying to extricate any particle of food they could get their beaks on.
A Messy Business
This reminded us of what we are doing here as fishers of men. All the while, the devil is flying around, diving and picking at new and soon-to-be believers in order to discourage them or dislodge them from their newfound faith. We are going after some pretty “big fish” and praying for wisdom about the right kind of “bait” to use.
We read an interesting quote from Rick Warren the other day: “If your church is serious about reaching the unchurched, you must be willing to put up with people who have a lot of problems. Fishing is often messy and smelly. Many churches want the fish they catch to be already scaled, gutted, cleaned, and cooked. That is why they never reach anyone.”
Miraculous Catch
On one particular Sunday, our church had a pretty big catch when we baptized eight new believers, who ranged in age from 12 to 90. We’d like to share some of their testimonies.
Luis, age 12, had many fears. He was especially afraid to stay alone. After asking Jesus to take control of his life, he felt at peace.
Daniela, a recent high school graduate, realizes the difference that God has made in her life, especially when it comes to the usual party activities in which most of her friends are involved. She wanted to get baptized to show her commitment to being a woman of integrity.
Ricardo said that before he became a Christian, he didn’t have any friends and people made fun of him at school. When Ricardo prayed to receive Christ, God changed his heart. He began to make friends, and his grades improved dramatically.
Norma, a widowed mother of four, said that she felt empty and cried constantly before she committed her life to Jesus. After placing her faith in Christ, an indescribable peace came over her. She knows that she will never be alone.
Patti trusted in men instead of God and was always disappointed. Now that Jesus is Lord of her life, she has been freed from bitterness, addictions, and false beliefs. He has given her freedom and a reason to live.
Magdalena, who turns 90 this year, thought she was going to get to heaven as a result of her good works and church attendance. Now she is sure that she is a child of God and that He will never leave or forsake her.
Please pray for us as we continue to fish, casting our nets and trusting God for a miraculous catch.
What You Can Do
Praise God for His life-changing work among these new believers. Pray that they will continue to be vibrant witnesses to those around them. And pray for Bruce and Stephanie as they reach out to people who need the Savior.
Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to support Alliance workers around the world.
Learn More
Check out our Alliance work in Ecuador.
May 7, 2009
Sensitive to Chinese university students involved in their ministry, Ron and Wilma Priest (link), who serve with The Alliance in Russia, offered to rent a room so they could celebrate the Chinese New Year on January 25. “Since that’s their biggest holiday,” said Ron, “we told them they could invite friends, and we could spend the evening together.”
The students explained that Chinese tradition was to spend the evening at home, fixing Chinese dumplings with their families. “They preferred a ‘home’ atmosphere with us and asked if just our Bible study group could come,” Ron said. “Because some had gone to China for the New Year, only 18 students joined the celebration.”
Home Away From Home
A local TV station contacted one of the students about airing a feature highlighting university students and the Chinese New Year. The film crew was invited to the Priests’ home.
During the evening, the crew interviewed several of the students and asked why they chose to celebrate their Chinese holiday with Americans. One student responded, “Ron and Wilma’s home is our home away from home. They teach us about God and the Bible.”
As the students prepared the Chinese dumplings, they were asked what the differences are between the Russian New Year and what they are doing. The students replied that Russians drink a lot, but they would not be drinking any alcohol, because they are Christians.
The TV crew filmed the entire process of making the dumplings-all 400 of them-and were rewarded with an invitation to sample the Chinese delicacy.
Learn More
Read about the Priests’ ministry to Chinese university students in alife.
What You Can Do
Pray for God’s provision for Ron and Wilma’s ministry. Also, pray that students who return to their homes will connect with believers and remain grounded in their faith.
Donate to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to support workers like the Priests.
April 7, 2009
Editor’s note: The following testimony of healing comes from Dan Kidd, a member of Glenview Alliance Church in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. Dan, 46, had a stroke five years ago that took away his speech function. But all that changed recently when God miraculously intervened with His divine touch.
Five years ago, I suffered a stroke and lost my ability to speak, forcing me to communicate with a dry-erase board. Sunday, March 29, marked almost five years of praying for God’s divine healing in my life. As the youth worship band sang “How Great is Our God,” I struggled to think through the words in my head. Suddenly, I felt a “presence” or wave flow through me. I starting mouthing the words, then verbalizing them, and sound was coming out of my mouth. The first words I audibly sang were “How Great is Our God.” I began crying and walked outside, knowing my speech was returning at that very moment.
Some family and friends followed me out and asked what was wrong. I told them on my dry erase board that something just happened during the service, and my speech was coming back. I asked them to sing something-I wanted to see if I could follow along. With each song they sang, my words became clearer. I knew at that moment God had healed me.
We went back inside the church, and during the closing song, I walked up to the front and asked the pastor if I could say something from the pulpit. I said, “Hi, this is Dan. I am back.” I shared with everyone what had just happened and thanked them for praying for me for so long. As I told them that this is truly a miracle, I held up my dry erase board and said, “One more thing.” Then I broke the board in half.
Since then, I have been to three doctors, including a neurosurgeon, all of whom said that my healing is a true miracle. They have never seen anything like this before.
Many times I cried to the Lord, vowing that if He ever returned my speech, I would tell everyone and give Him the glory. I thank all who prayed and never gave up on me, and I give praise to God for what He has done. How great is our God!
Read more stories of divine healing in the February 2009 issue of alife. Also, look for “God’s Healing Arsenal” by Paul King, to be published in the July issue of alife.
December 27, 2006
Excerpted from Religion News Service
In a movie that some are calling a powerful allegory of faith, Sylvester Stallone returns as Rocky Balboa for the sixth and final episode of the “Rocky” series, telling the uncompromising story of victory and “fighting the good fight.” The wholesome, family-friendly film (rated PG) was released December 21 in theaters nationwide. “As someone who [did] not expect ‘Rocky Balboa’ to be heralded as a Christian film, I have to confess I was won over by the real-life story of redemption I heard,” said Stuart Shepard, managing editor of Focus on the Family’s Citizenlink.com
Like its predecessors, “Rocky Balboa” is a story of impossible odds, self sacrifice, integrity and hard work as the [title character] fights to let go of the past and believe in those who believe in him. Although Hollywood has recently taken note of values-based films that include elements of faith, the 30-year-old “Rocky” story displayed these concepts long before the media was paying attention. Today, Stallone brings back what has long been there in the heart of Rocky. “This one will hopefully bring forward Rocky’s more spiritual side,” Stallone says. “I really love this character, he’s a part of me, and I’m longing to bring him back.”
With faith and values being a rarity in Hollywood’s action films, “Rocky Balboa” breaks the mold as an inspirational, family-friendly experience that depicts a man who honorably answers the call on his life. As the retired Rocky returns to the ring with “something left to give” despite his aging body, [viewers] are urged to find the courage to fight [their] own personal struggles through perseverance, support and prayer.
Motive Entertainment, which has spearheaded the most significant faith-based marketing initiatives for Hollywood blockbusters, including “The Passion” and “The Chronicles of Narnia,” has turned its attention to “Rocky.” “As longstanding ‘Rocky’ fans, we thought it would be great to put together a selection of resources that faith and family leaders can use as preaching and teaching tools,” said Paul Lauer, president of Motive Entertainment. “‘Rocky Balboa’ is a beautiful film—one that all ‘Rocky’ fans should see, especially people of faith, because it’s a powerful parable of our spiritual lives—our victories, our falls and the importance of getting back up and persevering to the end.”
December 15, 2006
Beliefnet.com, an online community for inspiration and spirituality, named the Amish of Nickel Mines as the Most Inspiring People of the Year 2006. Traditionally, this honor is bestowed upon one person who is deemed by Beliefnet readers and editors to have risen above expectations, countered stereotypes and demonstrated courage, forgiveness, self-sacrifice and love under challenging circumstances. This year’s acknowledgement goes to the entire Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, for their remarkable spirit of forgiveness in response to the murder of five young girls this past October.
“The Amish showed superhuman qualities of forgiveness,” said Steven Waldman, editor-in-chief of Beliefnet.com. “We all watched what they did and thought, ‘Wow—I doubt I would have the strength to practice such radical forgiveness. They taught [us] how to live our faith and values in a vivid way.”
This is the seventh year that Beliefnet has honored the Most Inspiring Person. To assemble this year’s contenders, editors conducted a year-long search for 12 extraordinary candidates who were nominated for the honor. The three finalists were the Amish of Nickel Mines; Immaculee Ilibagiza, author of Left to Tell, who, after spending three months in hiding, discovered her parents, grandparents and three brothers had been murdered in the Rwandan genocide and forgave the murderers; and Lance Corporal Todd Corbin, a U.S. Marine fighting in Iraq, whose bravery, selflessness and extraordinary grace under pressure saved the lives of many men in his unit as he single-handedly carried them off the battlefield under heavy fire into safety.
November 9, 2006
“In the election aftermath, one thing is clear: the mandate for marriage continues,” said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. On Election Day seven states passed amendments that define marriage as a union of one man and one woman. In Tennessee, voters approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage by nearly 1 million votes. Only in Arizona did voters narrowly defeat the marriage protection amendment.
November 6, 2006
My Dear New Life Church Family,
I am so sorry. I am sorry for the disappointment, the betrayal, and the hurt. I am sorry for the horrible example I have set for you.
I have an overwhelming, all-consuming sadness in my heart for the pain that you and I and my family have experienced over the past few days. I am so sorry for the circumstances that have caused shame and embarrassment to all of you.
I asked that this note be read to you this morning so I could clarify my heart’s condition to you. The last four days have been so difficult for me, my family and all of you, and I have further confused the situation with some of the things I’ve said during interviews with reporters who would catch me coming or going from my home. But I alone am responsible for the confusion caused by my inconsistent statements. The fact is, I am guilty of sexual immorality, and I take responsibility for the entire problem.
I am a deceiver and a liar. There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I’ve been warring against it all of my adult life. For extended periods of time, I would enjoy victory and rejoice in freedom. Then, from time to time, the dirt that I thought was gone would resurface, and I would find myself thinking thoughts and experiencing desires that were contrary to everything I believe and teach. Through the years, I’ve sought assistance in a variety of ways, with none of them proving to be effective in me. Then, because of pride, I began deceiving those I love the most because I didn’t want to hurt or disappoint them.
The public person I was wasn’t a lie; it was just incomplete. When I stopped communicating about my problems, the darkness increased and finally dominated me. As a result, I did things that were contrary to everything I believe. The accusations that have been leveled against me are not all true, but enough of them are true that I have been appropriately and lovingly removed from ministry. Our church’s overseers have required me to submit to the oversight of Dr. James Dobson, Pastor Jack Hayford, and Pastor Tommy Barnett. Those men will perform a thorough analysis of my mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical life. They will guide me through a program with the goal of healing and restoration for my life, my marriage, and my family.
I created this entire situation. The things that I did opened the door for additional allegations. But I am responsible; I alone need to be disciplined and corrected. An example must be set.
It is important that you know how much I love and appreciate my wife, Gayle. What I did should never reflect in a negative way on her relationship with me. She has been and continues to be incredible. The problem was not with her, my children, or any of you. It was created 100% by me.
I have been permanently removed from the office of Senior Pastor of New Life Church.
Until a new senior pastor is chosen, our Associate Senior Pastor, Ross Parsley, will assume all of the responsibilities of the office. On the day he accepted this new role, he and his wife, Aimee, had a new baby boy. A new life in the midst of this circumstance—I consider that confluence of events to be prophetic. Please commit to join with Pastor Ross and the others in church leadership to make their service to you easy and without burden. They are fine leaders. You are blessed.
I appreciate your loving and forgiving nature, and I humbly ask you to do a few things:
- Please stay faithful to God through service and giving.
- Please forgive me. I am so embarrassed and ashamed. I caused this and I have no excuse. I am a sinner. I have fallen. I desperately need to be forgiven and healed.
- Please forgive my accuser. He is revealing the deception and sensuality that was in my life. Those sins, and others, need to be dealt with harshly. So, forgive him and, actually, thank God for him. I am trusting that his actions will make me, my wife and family, and ultimately all of you, stronger. He didn’t violate you; I did.
- Please stay faithful to each other. Perform your functions well. Encourage each other and rejoice in God’s faithfulness. Our church body is a beautiful body, and like every family, our strength is tested and proven in the midst of adversity.
Because of the negative publicity I’ve created with my foolishness, we can now demonstrate to the world how our sick and wounded can be healed, and how even disappointed and betrayed church bodies can prosper and rejoice. Gayle and I need to be gone for a while. We will never return to a leadership role at New Life Church. In our hearts, we will always be members of this body. We love you as our family. I know this situation will put you to the test. I’m sorry I’ve created the test, but please rise to this challenge and demonstrate the incredible grace that is available to all of us.
—Ted Haggard
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