Home Fellowships Update
Greetings church family!
Now that our Home Fellowship Ministry is moving from vision to reality, there are 3 important things I want to make you aware of:
- We are giving this ministry a new name that better captures the essence of what it offers us as disciples of Jesus. That new name is:
The Life Group Ministry
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!
So from here forward, we will refer to this important discipleship ministry as the Life Group Ministry - If you’re interested in learning more about Calvary Ventura’s Life Group Ministry, contact me at dpatterson@calvaryventura.org
- If you’re ready to become part of a Life Group, contact me at: dpatterson@calvaryventura.org, and I’ll gladly help you get plugged in!
May God bless our individual and collective efforts to BE DISCIPLES and MAKE DISCIPLES!
Pastor Dan Patterson
Life Group Sign-Ups
Allison Gibson Missions Update
It’s Happening!
So much has happened since last month’s video blurb detailing my international plans. Dates have been set, airplane tickets have been bought, lodging has been booked, and stuff has begun to be packed. I am ridiculously excited.
For those of you who are curious about the specifics, it is looking like I will be spending one month staying near Barcelona, Spain, three weeks in Lisbon, Portugal, and then a month in the London vicinity. I am looking forward to the opportunity to explore these different places, meet other believers, visit churches, and see where the Lord leads.
During the next few months, I would very much appreciate your prayers for safety, provision, and guidance as I work through the logistics of where God would have me put down roots next.
I am mostly excited by the possibilities of being able to be physically present in so many more of KidZ at Heart’s training locations so that we can do a better job of communicating to our supporters, prayer warriors, and donors all of the amazing things that God is doing.
I am so thankful that so many of you have joined me on this journey through your prayers and financial support! If you are interested in getting involved, you can donate online using the link at the bottom of this email, or feel free to reach out and contact me if you have any questions, or if there’s any way I can be praying for you.
Stay tuned for more updates along the way!
A Personal Update
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to travel with a few of our KidZ at Heart staff to Orlando, Florida for CPC, a nationwide conference for children’s ministry leaders. It was a great learning experience, and I really enjoyed networking, gathering new ideas for our communications strategy, trying out some experiments with our social media, and spending in-person time with co-workers that I normally only see over Zoom meetings. I am so thankful for the ways God continues to challenge me and help me grow in the VP of Communications position, and I am excited to continue using what I’ve learned!
Prayer Requests
- Praise God for a fruitful time at the CPC conference in Orlando this past month.
- Pray for guidance as I travel to Europe, that God would put me in the path of the right people and provide open doors and clarity for a more permanent living situation in that part of the world.
- Pray for God’s financial provision, that all of my needs would continue to be covered.
Financial Support Update
Monthly Support
- 77% currently covered by supporters (Thank You!)
- 23% still needed. As I’m preparing for my international move, I’m looking to raise an additional $700 per month. I’d love to meet with you to share more about it, or answer any questions you might have. I’d ask that you prayerfully consider joining my team!
Join My Support Team
Updates and Prayer – Are there others you know who would like to receive my monthly updates? Please contact me with details so I can verify contact information and their desire to be connected. You may view my blog, connect with my personal Facebook page, and email me using the icons below.
Finances – Would you prayerfully consider giving to KidZ at Heart as we help children fall deeply in love with Jesus? Donations are received securely online or by check.
- Checks – payable to KidZ at Heart and noted for Allison Gibson; mail to:
KidZ at Heart International
P.O. Box 21148
Mesa, AZ 85277
- Online – GIVE HERE Select “Staff – Allison Gibson” under Project Designation.
Announcements
THIS WEEK
- Moms in Prayer, Monday, 10am, Youth Ministry Room. Find community. Find purpose. We are mothers who, together, bring all our concerns before our Heavenly Father. We meet each Monday morning. In prayer, we know that we are not alone and this gives us reassurance and hope. Let us stand with you in prayer for your children and their schools. Click here for more info
- Men’s Group Study, Tuesday, 6:30pm. Join us for a study through 1 Peter each Tuesday night at 6:30pm in the Children’s Sanctuary. There will not be an accompanying book to purchase for this session but bring your Bibles! This week we will be discussing 1 Peter 3:1-12. Click here for more info
- Biblical Peer Counseling, will return on Wednesday, April 5. 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, Wednesdays, 7pm. This ministry is for 18-30 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, Thursdays, 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
COMING UP
- Tecate Mission Team Meeting, April 2 after service. The trip will be Friday, April 14—Sunday, April 16. $260 per person.
- Resurrection Sunday Services
- Good Friday, April 7, 6:30pm in the Main Sanctuary
- Sunrise Service, April 9, 7am at the Outdoor Stage (weather permitting)
- Resurrection Sunday, April 9, 9am at the Outdoor Stage (weather permitting)
- Women’s Group Study, Tuesday, April 11, 6:30pm. Join us in the Main Sanctuary for the winter session of our Women’s Group Study. We’ll be meeting every other Tuesday night. There will not be an accompanying book to purchase for this session. But bring your Bibles! Childcare may be available as needed by request ahead of time. Please contact Arly no later than the Sunday prior to make arrangements. 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
CA Abortion Bills
As we continue to converse and pray regarding the abortion-related bills making their way through our State Legislature we cannot be quiet on this issue. We are to be salt and light as the church of Jesus Christ. We need to pray and reach out to those in office. Below is information for us to be informed, active and prayerful going forward.
AB 2223
The author of AB 2223, Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, uses the word “perinatal” in the text of the bill:
AB 2223 text: SEC. 7. 123467. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a person shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability or penalty, or otherwise deprived of their rights under this article, based on their actions or omissions with respect to their pregnancy or actual, potential, or alleged pregnancy outcome, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion, or perinatal death due to a pregnancy-related cause.”
California Code defines “Perinatal” as:
(b) “Perinatal” means the period from the establishment of pregnancy to one month (30 days) after birth, following delivery.
AB 2223 has passed in 2 CA assembly committees…and it will proceed to the CA Appropriations Committee & then to the CA Assembly floor – to be voted on.
For more information
California Family Council: https://www.californiafamily.org/ab2223/
Real Impact Ministry: https://realimpact.us/legislation
Ventura County Pregnancy Center: http://venturacpc.org/
To contact our California State representatives for Ventura:
State Assembly (District 37): Assembly Member Steve Bennett
State Senate (District 19): Senator Monique Limón
Other Bills
There are another dozen abortion-related bills coming out of Sacramento this legislative term. Please join us in urgent prayer for the following:
AB 2586 Establishes a working group to address inequities in abortion access. Declares that profile health clinics are “fake” clinics that create a harmful barrier to reproductive health care access.
AB 1918 Establishes a Reproductive Health Service Corporation and scholarship fund to recruit and train abortion providers in underserved area.
AB 2134 Establishes the Reproductive Health Equity Program to ensure abortion and contraceptive access for all regardless of their ability to pay.
SB 1142 Establishes an informational website and the Abortion Practical Support Fund to provide grants to abortion providers for support services such as airfare, lodging, ground transportation, gas money, meals, dependent child care, etc. to help a person access and obtain an abortion.
SB 1375 Seeks to expand the number of clinicians who perform aspiration abortions by allowing Nurse Practitioners to function WITHOUT an attending physician. Allow NP’s and Physicians Assistants to determine health of mother and viability of fetus.
These bills are threatening the existence of Pregnancy centers and the lives of babies. If SB 1142 is passed, your tax dollars will be used for an all-expense paid abortion to women coming in from other states.
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
Updates and Prayer – Are there others you know who would like to receive my monthly updates? Please contact me with details so I can verify contact information and their desire to be connected. You may view my blog, connect with my personal Facebook page, and email me using the icons below.
Finances – Would you prayerfully consider giving to KidZ at Heart as we help children fall deeply in love with Jesus? Donations are received securely online or by check.
- Checks – payable to KidZ at Heart and noted for Allison Gibson; mail to address below
- Online – GIVE HERE
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