Connections and Reflections

On August 30th it was my privilege to speak at West AG in Fowler, CO for Pastor Darryl Johnson. The church secured an historic and beautiful school building which provides a wonderful facility for ministry to the community. The church is flourishing and Darryl also serves as Presbyter to the Southeast Section.

On September 1st I was honored to speak at Pastor John Stapleton’s funeral in Lamar, CO. John pastored the Holly, CO church for 35 years before retiring earlier this year. He also served as Presbyter for the SE Section for several years. He will be missed.

On September 3rd I chaired a meeting in Grand Junction for the Northwest Section to elect a new Presbyter to take Joe Berry’s place. Joe and Sharilyn are now pastoring Bethel AG in Burlington, CO after pastoring First AG in Rifle, CO for 10 years. Thanks Joe and Sherilyn for your service in the kingdom of God. The NW Section chose Travis Lowell, Pastor of Summit Bound Church in Glenwood, CO to serve as Presbyter and Marla Ross, Staff Pastor at Church on the Rock in Grand Junction, CO to replace Travis as a Sectional Committee Person. Congratulations Travis and Marla.

On September 6th I was honored to install Josh Richardson as the Senior Pastor of Pueblo Christian Center, Pueblo, CO. Congratulations to Josh and Audra. The service was very meaningful with a video depiction of the history of the church, the presence of two pastors who impacted Josh’s life, and the presence of several past pastors of PCC. The church is looking to the future with great excitement. I love doing installment services because it gives me an opportunity to teach the biblical relationship between a pastor and the congregation.

During the week of September 7th our Church Multiplication Team and Presbyters considered a plan to close our church in Monument, CO and start a new church a year from now under the leadership of Jerry Cassell with Church at Briargate, pastored by Randy Popineau serving as a parent church. Remaining congregants will be invited into the fellowship of Church at Briargate while a core team is developed and plans are implemented in the coming year. We thank God for the ministry of this church through the years and pray for God’s direction and blessing going forward.

I was reflecting on the nature of the church recently and was reminded of the importance of releasing the body of Christ to carry out His work. As a pastor I would, together with other leaders in the church, determine the vision of the church and then encourage the body to engage in ministry within the boundaries of that vision. Many ministries were part of the basic template of the church, but many others were created by the body as individuals discerned their gifts and calling, and created ministry in accord with what God was saying to them.

As a result, at Radiant Church and Bethel church ministries to single moms, chronically ill women, abused children, the homeless, skateboarders, neighborhood children, unreached people groups, etc. emerged. It was necessary that the ministries fit the vision of the church and be implemented with accountability and respect for other ministries of the church. Our district has many similarities. There is a basic template of ministry established, but so many unique and creative things happen as the body is released to pursue the call of God throughout Colorado and Utah.

Sunday evening, September 13th I attended an extraordinary event. A coalition of churches, including many of our AG churches, sponsored an event which the LDS agreed to host at the Mormon Tabernacle in Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Pastor Jim Ayers opened the event in prayer, worshipful music followed, and Nick Vujicic of “Life Without Limits” brought the message. Half of the tickets for the event were given to churches and half to Mormons. Several thousand people attended. The Tabernacle was packed with many viewing the service from nearby venues. A clear presentation of the gospel was given with an altar call that produced hundreds of people standing to pray a prayer of surrender to Jesus Christ. The only evangelicals to ever speak at the Tabernacle are D. L. Moody, Ravi Zacharias, and now Nick Vujicic. This event was preceded by evangelistic services in the Salt Palace Convention Center attended by several thousand people. Also, Nick Vujicic spoke in the Sunday morning services at Life Church, pastored by Jim Ayers with over 1700 in attendance. Hundreds of people gave their hearts to the Lord on this weekend.

The Utah women’s retreat, September 11-12 was a wonderful success with 201 ladies receiving effective ministry and being strengthened through fellowship. Loretta spoke in one workshop and in a session for pastor’s wives and credentialed women. Thank you Peggy Vawter and our WM team for your leadership.

I had the privilege of speaking at Pastor Lonnie Campbell’s 6th anniversary at Lakeside Community AG in Sunset, UT Sunday a.m., September 13th. The Campbells are the founding pastors and after six years of ministry Lakeside is a fine church having a significant impact on their community through compassion ministry.

The Utah men’s retreat, September 18-19 met at Canyon Road AG, Pastored by Ray Wead in Ogden. The ministry was excellent and the fellowship great fun. Thank you Dave Argue, and our Men’s Ministry team, for your leadership. Thank you Pastor Ray Wead for your generous hospitality.

On Sunday, September 20th I had the privilege of ministering at Roosevelt Christian Assembly, Roosevelt, UT pastored by Dario (Dee) and Brenda Cairoli. The church is doing very well and I thank God for the faithful and effective ministry of the Cairolis.

God is doing great things through our pastors and churches in Utah!

NEW CHURCHES LAUNCHED:

On Sunday, September 13th Discovery Church, Pastored by Jon Hamp launched in the Parker, CO area with 179 in attendance and 8 giving their hearts to the Lord.

On the same Sunday Radiant Church, pastored by Todd Hudnall in Colorado Springs, CO launched a second campus in NE Colorado Springs with 179 present (same as Discovery), half of which were first time visitors.

Grace Community Church, pastored by Jim Ladd planted a satellite church in North Denver this year under the leadership of Pastor Fran Vernaza. This church is making an impact on North Denver through various outreaches and now has 10 families committed to their congregation.

Life Church in Salt Lake City, UT, pastored by Jm Ayers is launching Iglesia Vida, a Spanish speaking satellite congregtion in October.

May God multiply His work through all of us!