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. 

Got Questions?

Got Questions?

Greetings church family!

We, the Calvary Ventura discipleship group, are planning a Sunday service designed to address some of your most burning questions about the faith.

On April 14th, in place of a Sunday message, a panel of our pastors will spend time addressing questions from the congregation. To make sure we’re prepared to give a prayerful and Biblically-grounded response to each chosen question, we’re asking that you submit your questions by Monday, April 5.

Afterwards plan on joining us for a special taco fellowship!

We pray that you’re blessed, the congregation is built up and God is glorified through this service.

Got Questions?
One great way for non-believers to come to know the Lord is to allow them the opportunity to ask tough questions, but have you ever been asked something you're unsure how to answer? Do you have unanswered questions about your faith, the church, the Bible or Jesus? This is your opportunity to ask!

The Calvary Ventura discipleship group is planning a Sunday service on April 14th designed to address some of your most burning questions. Use this form to submit your questions by Friday, April 5th, letting us know what you'd like us to answer...

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Personal Info (optional)
We probably won't be able to get to every question, but telling us a bit about yourself can help us make sure we're addressing questions from people of all ages and stages.

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Life Groups

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

Friday, March 29Good Friday Service in the Main Sanctuary at 6:30pm. This will be a family service, there will be no Children’s Ministry for this service.

Sunday, March 31 – Join us in the Main Sanctuary for our 7:30am Sunrise service or our 9:30am Service. Children’s Ministry will be available at our 9:30am service.


NEXT 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, April 2, 6:30pm.  There is a study journal to purchase. Cost is $17
  • Men’s Group Study in the Book of Mark. Tuesday, April 2, 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

Calvary Times Outreach, Friday, April 12, 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

Childrens Ministry Servant Interest