Allison Gibson Missions Update
Well everyone, this is the last KidZ at Heart monthly prayer letter that I will be writing to you. If you had asked me six months ago, in October of 2023 when I first moved to Albania what I thought the future would look like, I would have told you that it stretched out straight ahead, but that after awhile, the path became shrouded in fog. I remember at that time saying things like, “Well, I’ll be in Albania for the next ten months, but after that I have no idea.”
With that uncertain forecast ever in the back of my mind, I began praying a lot, asking God for wisdom about what I should do next. Should I try to stay in Albania permanently? Should I go back to the States? Should I try for another country like Spain? Should I stay with my current job, or take a look to see what other possibilities might be out there? As I asked these questions, I kept my eyes open to see what opportunities might present themselves.
Then, just a few weeks ago, a job opportunity at a different ministry came unexpectedly across my inbox. It seemed like it might be a good fit, so I applied for it, just to see what would happen. Less than two weeks later, I received a job offer. Suddenly the road in front of me was no longer foggy, but it now had a decided, unforeseen bend.
All this is to announce that I have accepted the position of Media Production Coordinator at a California-based ministry called Children’s Hunger Fund, which focuses on sharing the Gospel while equipping local churches with resources to help people struggling with poverty in their own communities. I’ll be part of their communications team with the focus of creating video content. And yes, as you have probably already deduced, this means that I’m moving back to California, and I’ll be located in the northern L.A. county area.
While I am super excited for this new chapter, I am also incredibly thankful for my time at KidZ at Heart, the community among the staff here, and all the opportunities I’ve had to learn and grow during the past five years since this journey began. This is definitely not a goodbye to KidZ, as I hope to keep in touch, and possibly travel with a training team or two or help with volunteer tasks in the future. I also can’t say enough thank-yous to all of you who have supported me financially and prayerfully over the years, you have blessed me more than you could ever know.
I’m happy to share more of the story or answer any questions you might have, and you can feel free to contact me in any of the usual ways. For those of you who donate financially, if you’ve resonated with KidZ at Heart’s ministry, I’d encourage you to prayerfully consider shifting your donation to our general fund, or to another staff member. Thank you all for traveling down this road with me, and I hope to stay in touch with all of you as I find out what’s around this next bend.
Life Groups Update
Greetings church family!
Jesus once said, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” This abundance Jesus spoke of is not abundant wealth or abundant possessions, it’s abundant fruitfulness! Jesus has come that we might bear abundant fruit for God’s glory (John 15:8). And just like any fruit bearing tree, in order to bear abundant fruit we need to be planted in the right soil containing the right nutrients and the right amount of exposure.
This is precisely what a Life Group is designed to offer, the goal being that we would all bear abundant spiritual fruit for God’s glory!
May God bless our individual and collective efforts to BE DISCIPLES and MAKE DISCIPLES!
Pastor Dan Patterson
Life Group Info & Sign-Ups
Announcements
THIS WEEK
- Moms in Prayer. Mondays, 10am, in the Youth Ministry Room
We’ve added a second meeting time. Mondays at 5:15pm. Click here for location info - Women’s Group Study in the Book of Esther. Tuesday, 6:30pm. There is a study journal to purchase. Cost is $17
- Men’s Group Study in the Book of Mark. Tuesday, 6:30pm
- Biblical Peer Counseling, Wednesday, 1pm-4pm. If you are struggling with an issue, or just need someone to talk to, and desire Christ-centered counsel, contact Kathy Gulley below to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available on Wednesday afternoons. Click here for more info
- Roots Young Adult Ministry, Wednesday, April 3, 7pm. This ministry is for 18-25 year old’s and meets every Wednesday for a time of fellowship, worship, and study in God’s word. Click here for more info
- Youth Ministry, Thursday, April 4, 6:30pm. The High School and Junior High ministry invites all 6th through 12th grade students to fellowship with us. This ministry builds relationships with God and people through discipleship, serving, studying the bible, and worshiping Jesus! Our mission is TO KNOW JESUS AND MAKE HIM KNOWN! Click here for more info
MISSIONS/OUTREACH
- Tecate Mission Trip – May 17 – 19
- Honduras Mission Trip – August 2 -9
Calvary Times Outreach, Friday, April 26, 9pm. In Christ we are empowered by the Holy spirit and are equipped by His word to obey the Father in sharing the good news of the gospel of reconciliation. We meet every other Friday night at 9pm in the Church Youth Room and then head Downtown at 10pm to share the love of Christ. See Jasen Juarez for more information.
LIFE GROUPS
Jesus said, “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” This abundance Jesus spoke of is not abundant wealth or abundant possessions, it’s abundant fruitfulness! Jesus has come that we might bear abundant fruit for God’s glory (John 15:8). And just like any fruit bearing tree, in order to bear abundant fruit we need to be planted in the right soil containing the right nutrients and the right amount of exposure. This is precisely what a Life Group is designed to offer, the goal being that we would all bear abundant spiritual fruit for God’s glory! Click here for more info
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
- Children’s Ministry. Our Children’s Ministry is growing and with that grows our need for teachers, assistants, and toddler care. Contact Jesus Martinez for info or click here
- Church Cleaning Ministry. For more information see Pastor DanO or click here.
- Broadcast/Soundbooth. We are in need three teams of 3-4 people to be trained up and serve in the broadcast, sound and/or Proclaim (worship lyrics) parts of our ministry. For more information see Sean in the soundbooth or click here.
- Other opportunities to serve
Allison Gibson Missions Update
So, What Will You Be Doing in Tanzania?
Well, I’m glad you asked!
As you’ll recall from my recent updates, I’m preparing to travel with one of KidZ at Heart’s short-term training teams to Tanzania in June. Since that time is fast approaching, I thought you all might like to learn a little bit more about what we’ll be doing when we get there.
Our main thing we do on KidZ at Heart short-term trips is to present our Transforming KidZ Ministry training program (an 8-module, seminar-style presentation where each module takes about a full day to complete). It is designed to equip the leaders, teachers, parents, grandparents, and church volunteers of the region with tools and techniques that they can easily implement in their churches, homes and classrooms to help both them and the children they impact develop a deep, personal relationship with Jesus.
Another main element of our training trips is the process of developing a local training network. This involves helping to identify and build up local leaders and put together a team in that region that can continue training people in a more ongoing way. Part of this process is encouraging and building relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the area.
In Tanzania, we will be doing a lot of both of these things. We look forward to re-connecting with contacts in the country (who we have been unable to visit for the past two years due to Covid restrictions). We also plan to present modules 3 and 4 of the training with one group, and modules 7 and 8 with another. It’s always exciting to see participants complete module 8, since that is when they get the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in all the previous sessions, as well as receive their certificates and “graduate” the program.
For me specifically, like I was able to do in El Salvador last November, my main job will be to run around with a camera the whole time. One of my goals at KidZ at Heart is to expand our media library so that we are better able to share with people what we do, as well as what God is doing through these amazing training networks all over the world. I am always amazed and blessed by the stories I hear on these trips from the participants about the way the training has impacted their lives and ministries, and it is an honor and a joy for me to be able to capture them and share them with a wider audience.
I am still looking to raise some money to cover my travel expenses, so if the Lord lays it on your heart do do so, feel free to donate online at the link below, and select Staff – Allison Gibson under the Project Designation.
And as always, I am so grateful for your prayers as well!
A Global Look at the Ministry of KidZ at Heart International
Allison and I want to announce the start of our annual spring fundraising campaign. If you have financially supported Allison, watch for a letter in the mail late next week. Inside, you will find a note from me describing several exciting developments within KidZ at Heart International in our 20th year of ministry.
Our campaign, Serving the Under-Served Church…to Reach the Unreached Child, encapsulates the ministry of KidZ. Whether in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, or our own urban, rural, and suburban settings in the U.S. and Canada, KidZ trains local leaders to help kids fall deeply in love with Jesus.
What’s an under-served church? The vast majority of churches have less than 80 members. Smaller churches are wonderful places to fellowship and worship, but often have limited resources and are frequently overlooked by those who provide children’s ministry training and tools.
Your generous gifts make it possible for KidZ at Heart to provide top quality training for churches who might otherwise not be able to afford it. We serve all churches, but especially the under-served church, so that leaders around the world will be equipped to reach unreached children of their own communities.
I appreciate your loving support of Allison, and I would never want you to reduce those gifts. However, if you are one who can manage a special gift and the Lord lays it upon your heart to do so, we would appreciate you prayerfully considering being part of this campaign.
– Gordon West, President/CEO
A Personal Update
If you’re looking for me next week, you’ll find me in Arizona for KidZ at Heart’s Spring Staff Retreat. This is one of the main times during the year that we get together as a staff in person to pray, seek the Lord, make plans, and fellowship together. It’s always refreshing, after interacting with each other exclusively over email and Zoom to actually be face to face and develop relationships as a staff outside of virtual meetings. I will be driving to Arizona from my home here in Orange County, CA, so I would welcome any podcast recommendations you’d like to send my way!
Prayer Requests
- Pray for God’s provision and protection as we prepare to travel to Tanzania
- Pray for our staff as we meet together for our retreat in Arizona next week
- Pray that God would bring the right people to join our team as we continue to expand the ministry
Financial Support Update
Monthly Support
- 98% currently covered by supporters (Thank You!)
- 2% still needed
One-Time Gifts
- $3,000 needed above monthly support for travel to Tanzania!
Special Note: If you are already donating monthly, and have not yet switched over your information into our new giving platform, please do so as soon as you can! You should have received an email from me last week with instructions on how to do that. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions about the process.
Join My Support Team
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