GOD IS ACTIVE IN CUBA

I just returned from investing seven days in the country of Cuba. I was part of a team of seven. Three of us were from the PSW Movement. Along with myself there was Jim Heidrick (Assistant Pastor, Encinitas Beach Chapel) and Mike Mullert (Lay person, Skyline Church). It was an incredible experience. We trained pastors in leadership and healing ministry. We participated in worship services and had the opportunity to be present when four churches gathered to baptize twenty people. They were baptized very close to the infamous "Bay of Pigs." It was amazing to both our team an the Cuban Pastors that we (Americans & Cubans) could worship and celebrate new life together in proximity to the location that became the key mark of the rift between our two nations.

Jim and Mike have tremendous blessing in the gifts of discernment and healing. Through their ministry a woman's back was healed and another was delivered from tremors. Many more were prayed over and we believe we will hear of progressive healings. God still heals. We also prayed a blessing over a pastoral couple who lead a house church movement in Havana. Tears poured from their eyes and they sobbed as the presence of the Holy Spirit fell upon them.

This is a small sampling of the ministry there. I will be sharing more over the weeks to come. Just be assured GOD IS ACTIVE IN CUBA!

Phil Stevenson

The people are coming!

We have been at New Beginnings Wesleyan in Marysville,CA for about 4 months now. The week before we arrived they had 18 in attendance and had seriously contemplated closing the doors after the previous pastor retired. Two sundays ago we finally topped the 50 mark and had 51 people in attendance. This last sunday we topped the 60 mark and had 61 in attendance!!(helped having a potluck thanksgiving celebration after I think!!). At the potluck we had over 10 kids 5th grade and under running around like crazy and the parents had a great time as well! God is drawing folks to our church and new families too, its and exciting time and we just want to say Praise God for renewal and thank you for all your prayers and support!!

- Johnny and Chelsea Burke

Northern CA Camp

This past year at our summer camp....

Our camp is for middle and high school students and each year we seem to watch God move in incredible ways, but this year was one I'll never forget. 

Every morning we meet with all staff and counselors to talk, pray, encourage and simply check in to see how their camp is going and how their night talks are going with their students.  One person had asked for prayer as two boys had spoken out in their night talk and told everyone they were atheists. How they made it to our camp, must have been a total God move. 

So we prayed that God would soften their hearts. 

That night our speaker Clint Dupin was offering an opportunity to stay after, be prayed for and accept Christ.  As he was giving the invitation, I felt and overwhelming sense from God to pray for these two boys.  I grabbed a few adults around me and we just started laying their names powerfully before God, begging Him to open their hearts to His love. 

After the invitation was over one boy bolted for the back door and one of the men who prayed with me went after him to see if they could connect.  The other boy who we prayed for stayed behind.  I thought to myself "Yes, so excited you moved God, let's do this!" As I approached his seat he ended up standing up and at that moment as he stood my heart sank. He walked by me.  I asked him if everything was ok and he simply shrugged and headed for the back door.

My thoughts now towards God were upset, let down, disappointed since we prayed with such a high level of expectancy.  Our prayer time ended and even though those two boys walked out I was still encouraged by the multitude of others accepting Jesus for the first time and asking for prayer. The man who chased the boy out of the room came back to talk to me after everyone had left. 

He said he lost the boy as soon as he headed outside so just came back to hang outside to see if anyone needed prayer. He then described to me a boy who looked upset and went up to him and said "Buddy, you ok? You need to talk?" 

The boy simply replied I am fine. 

The man walked away, but had a stirring that everything wasn't ok.  He turned around, approached the boy and said "Listen, I'm nobody and I can assure you whatever is bothering you, whatever you've done, I've done worse and it's ok." 

To this the boy began to break down in tears and started sharing all he felt he had done wrong, to which the man simply smiled and said God loves you buddy. Then he lead the boy in a prayer that would change his life forever.  A prayer to accept Jesus as his personal savior. 

The boy then came in and signed up to be baptized the next night.

I interrupted Brian and asked the boys name.  He said it was Saiso.  I said to the man who I had prayed with earlier who didn't know the boy that Saiso was one of the atheist boys we had been praying desperately that God would soften his heart. 

The next night we all watched 42 students get baptized in a beautiful lake tucked in the woods near lake Tahoe and along with those 42 students I had the privilege to baptize a young boy named Saiso.  God is so good!

Youth Pastor 

Faith Legacy Church

Brennan McCurdy

FLC

Two years ago, God brought a struggling single mom with two school-aged kids to Faith Legacy.  She moved into a house a half mile down the street and chose our church because she and her kids were close enough to walk on Sundays.  She is funny, resourceful, and not afraid of hard work.  She is also a former alcoholic with a troubled past and an uncertain future.  Over the past two years, we helped her get a washer and dryer, met with her often to encourage her faith, and provided  food or financial assistance when there was nowhere  else for her to go.  It has been amazing to see God work in her life and in the lives of her children!  Anytime we have an opportunity to serve, she is there.  She will do dishes, mop floors, put together food baskets — whatever needs to be done.  She has been instrumental in establishing a chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous at our church on Monday nights.  She invites her friends to anything and everything we do.  She is active in our Women’s Bible Study, and truly cares for each lady who attends.  She brings others’ needs to my attention that I would never hear about.  She’s eager to learn, eager to help, eager to pass on the love of Christ that has turned her life around. 

Even though continually investing in people is what we are called to do, it’s easy to get cynical or discouraged because we don’t always get the results we hope for.  However, when we are able to witness someone blossoming into who she is called to be, it’s like being part of a miracle!  He really does make beauty from ashes, He really does restore souls!  He really is bringing dead things to life and making all things new!  When I see this woman, I see all of that and more… I see Jesus.  

Laurie Jennings

Co-Pastor FLC