Dear All,
Greetings from Los Angeles! With the City of Angels Church's six baptisms, two restorations and one place membership this week, in the first 155 days of 2012, the Lord has blessed us with 191 additions: 129 baptisms, 21 restorations and 41 place memberships – most of whom have joined us from our former fellowship looking for revival! Also, excitingly in the South Central Region, Miguel Mendez was reinstated as an intern! Lastly, congratulations to Derion Onekea (Rob & Burgandie's son) & Dena Renner on their engagement!
Following are more detailed reports from around the City of Angels Church…
Joel Parlour – Leader of the IE Region: "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." (Romans 12:9-13) This Scripture sums up the hearts of the disciples here in the Inland Empire Region! Six weeks ago, Kip preached a lesson at Staff, which called the regions that were "struggling," to fast and then to pray for miracles. So we took up that challenge! Today, we had three baptisms – Kaletchi, Monique and Daniel, which gave us six baptisms in the last six weeks since we started the fast!
The first baptism was Kaletchi. She was met by Rebecca, a young disciple, after a group quiet time one morning on the University California Riverside (UCR) campus. Kaletchi's mother, Grace, came to church today and recognized several of the campus disciples. Come to find out, she was a visitor at a Bible Talk last summer! A disciple remembered her saying, which she confirmed, "When my daughter goes to school at UCR next quarter as a freshman, she will definitely join your Campus Ministry!" God heard her and liked that plan! We now have at least one disciple in all three of the UCR dorms!
Several months ago, Courtney & I talked to Rebecca Rico about moving to the South Region to be with her incredible boyfriend Steve Morici, but not without challenging her to baptize a "replacement" for herself before leaving! Shortly after our conversation, one of her friends and co-workers was in a fatal car accident. It hurt Rebecca's faith, because she had not invited her to church. So she decided to repent. Rebecca resolved to "make the most of every opportunity" at her job and that's when she met Monique. (Colossians 4:5) So today, being her last Sunday with us, she baptized this incredible young woman who like Rebecca owns a car, took Rebecca's room in the sister's household, and even matches Rebecca's vibrant personality – a "true replacement!"
Our third baptism Daniel is extremely evangelistic and brought out six of his friends to his baptism today! In fact, since we met him several weeks ago, he has yet to show up to a "meeting of the body" without a visitor! Daniel and Monique are both students at Riverside City College. Today at service, we had 33 disciples bring 29 visitors and 3 kids giving us 65 at church! Praise God for these awesome miracles!
Sarah Dimitry of the South Region: This weekend all the South Region Leaders got together for a camping retreat at Table Mountain in the Angeles National Forest. It was a life-changing time that inspired us all as we confessed our sin, shared our dreams over the campfire, and forged even deeper bonds. On Sunday morning, many came down from their "mountain-top quiet times," which must have been pretty powerful, since they brought with them to service 10 visitors including the Camp Ground Supervisor! I was especially moved and proud of my husband Jason after hearing him preach one of his best sermons ever entitled, The Turning Point. He preached from Judges 1-3 and talked about how God raised up a new era of heroes to lead the charge for God's people and how that's exactly what we need today especially in the South Region, since we are losing the Kernans, who are leaving to plant the Paris Church this summer.
We ended the retreat in the best way possible with the moving baptism of Sheila. She is the mother of Erika, who was baptized only a month ago in Orange County! Also, please be praying for us here in the South as we continue to gather disciples from all over for the Paris Mission Team. Thank you New York City for sending us Krista Cameron and thank you Chicago for sending us Tina Nwachukwu, who will be arriving here this week!
Matt Sullivan of the Central Region: God blessed our efforts for MERCYworldwide this weekend, because as a church we had a goal of $8,000 to send supplies to all the churches in the movement for our International Day of MERCY. Each region worked with all their heart and the LORD blessed us with a total of $10,134! Excellent job by all the region leaders as everyone led their group to surpass the goal given! Thanks brothers!
Chris Broom – Region Leader for the OC Region: Today at service, we saw two dear brothers, Omar and Nate, restored to God and His Kingdom! Having said that, Friday night was a memory that will not soon fade from my mind! When my family arrived in Orange County almost 11 months ago, the entire City of Angels Campus and Teen Devotional fit in the theater at Cal State Fullerton. Friday night, we were close to filling it with just the OC and IE Campus and Teen Ministries!
At the devo, the singing and good news sharing was inspiring! Joel Parlour preached a great lesson, and Christian, a former leader of Campus Crusade at Fullerton Junior College, was baptized! After the baptism, we all went to IN-N-OUT where we enjoyed some wonderful "Animal Style" fellowship until midnight when we circled up with "The Portland Five!" Ricky Challinor prayed and many tears were shed by the disciples as we said goodbye and witnessed the Holy Spirit send-off Ricky, Coleen, Gabby, Gordo and Aaron. (Acts 21:1-6) Special thanks to Vic Gonzalez Jr. for traveling with them to Portland to support them during the first days of their leadership there.
Finally, Ryan Lomeli put a video together that we played at the end of devotional. It is a spoof of the Denzel Washington movie Remember The Titans called Remember The Disciples starring Ricky Challinor! Just click here to see it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITzIYUAoQ4s. I know you are going to love it!
And now more good news from around the globe…
Tyler Sears of Sao Paulo: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9) The Bible teaches we can be tempted to become weary, but that if we do not give up God will bless us! This last month in São Paulo, we set individual goals for evangelism and fasted from something of our choice. God blessed it, as today João became our brother in the Lord! João is the second baptism at the University of São Paulo – ranked as the number one college of all Central & South America! João is also studying Engineering, just like his fellow USP brother, Danilo.
Malcolm "accidentally" met João when he went to his professor's office and the professor forgot to show up. (Acts 17:26-27) While walking back to his car, Malcolm shared his faith with him and João starting studying the Bible! Also, God continues to literally open doors for us as Joey secured a chapel for our Friday Night Devotionals at a "Christian university" (Mackenzie), which is another top university in Brazil!
On Monday, Hector (who just moved to São Paulo from the South Region of Los Angeles) was able to be properly introduced to the foreign mission field as we had a Bible Talk next to a store inside of a mall that was being robbed at gunpoint! Everyone is fine, but there is certainly an urgency that God is impressing on our hearts to preach the Word to "as many as possible!" I have been incredibly proud of my wife Shay who has been faithfully leading the women on campus. They now have 12 women from one campus who have studied Discipleship or further. We believe there will be a "harvest" very soon!
Lastly, I just want to lift up Raul & Lynda as they have been laying down their lives for the church. We are constantly called higher as they continue to fight the weariness of the challenges on the mission field and rise up to forcefully advance the gospel and breathe great faith into the disciples down here in São Paulo! Nós te amamos com o amor do Senhor! (We love you with the love of the Lord!)
Bill Hamilton of Charlotte: Greetings from the Queen City of the South! "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) The remnant church began here in Charlotte with just nine older married disciples – in their 40's and 50's – no singles and no campus. The Lord has blessed us with five awesome young single disciples and two incredible campus disciples! The Charlotte Church is gaining more momentum, as God has blessed us this week with the baptism of Shavaugh, a junior at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte! So encouraging is that our Bible Talk at UNC had 22 in attendance this past week! Thanks again for all of the love and support!
Alfredo & Alejandra Anuch of Santiago: Today we had an incredible service! Through the efforts of all of the disciples, God blessed us with an attendance of 102! Our congregational band was amazing and the church sang with all of their hearts! God also encouraged the soul of the church with a new baptism, Bernarda! On another note Abelardo & Elida Flores (Lucy Mejia's aunt and uncle, both in their sixties) arrived this week sent from the City of Angels Church and have quickly encouraged the church by their sacrifice and by their example of putting the Kingdom first in their "retirement" years. God is moving powerfully in Santiago de Chile as we have 24 studies that are advancing for His glory! Please continue to pray for us!!!
Ricky Challinor: Greetings from Portland, Oregon! After a joyful 17 hour drive (2AM – 7PM), we arrived on Saturday evening at the Hardings' house to be greeted by many in our new ministry! On Sunday, I had the honor to be in the midst of a congregation of SOLD-OUT disciples!!! The singing was breath-taking, as I saw the song-leaders giving their hearts and the people singing with all their hearts! Ron preached an amazing farewell lesson entitled, In Jesus' Name – Amen! The great Portland Church was moved, as one of her sons Vic Gonzalez Jr. shared an excellent communion! But perhaps the highlight of the day for me was walking by the ballroom (1,000 seating) and getting a vision for what this church will become! I consider Coleen & myself the most blessed couple on earth, as we are now able to go after saving our families and friends who live in Portland. Pray for Coleen & me in our first opportunity to lead a congregation, which is in the City of Roses, the birthplace of God's new movement!
Michael Williamson of London: This weekend, the entire city of London celebrated with true British patriotism, the historic 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's coronation. The Queen came to the throne on February 6, 1952, but her coronation took place on June 2, 1952. For this weekend's festivities, the entire city of London is beautifully decorated with parades, floats and joyous Londoners bustling through the streets!
It was so encouraging for the church to also have many visiting from out of town! Prisca Scheidecker, a sister in the Paris Remnant Group, is visiting till Tuesday. It has been such a joy for Michele to build an incredible friendship with her. Also visiting is a dear sister to my wife Annie Medina and her daughter Jackie visiting from LA. (Michele reached out and baptized Annie two years ago, as they were co-workers). Also visiting again is our dear remnant brother Martin Scott, who is planning to move to London from Ireland with his wife Theresa and their two children!
Sunday, we witnessed a true miracle as Angelo was baptized! Angelo is the son of our sister Leah who shared publically that she hopes her two other children will imitate Angelo's faith and heart. Keep us in your prayers!
Carlos Mejia of Washington DC: We have had a phenomenal week here in our nation's capital! We started it off on Monday with a Memorial Day Goodbye Party for the five disciples that DC is sending on the Orlando Mission Team. We had an international theme to our Memorial Day Picnic, so we had food from the 33 countries represented in the DC Church!
Then on Saturday morning, we had the amazing wedding of Job & Erin Sterling! Disciples and family came from many states and as far away as Haiti to witness the marriage of these two awesome disciples. Job & Erin were an example of love and purity throughout their dating relationship, and their wedding was an incredible celebration. Later this month, Job & Erin fly to Chile as part of the "Supplemental Mission Team" to Santiago.
This morning, John Meganson was restored to God. Baptized in Portland in 2006, he fell away when he moved with his wife and five children to Tennessee because he had lost his job in Portland. About a month ago, he brought his family to DC searching for the Kingdom of God. Satan has been on the attack since he and his family decided to move. He had a house that he planned to lease before he moved up here, but it fell through days before he and his family arrived. For the last month, they have been living with Chuck & Elizabeth Hess in the living room of the Hess' one bedroom apartment. He shared vulnerably about how God has taught him complete reliance on Him through this time. Had he been able to move to DC, find a house and job, he would have continued to rely on himself, which is the sin that led him to fall away years ago.
We saw another miracle of God this afternoon as Wayne was baptized into Christ! Our Shepherd Jack McGee led him through all the studies to his baptism today! Jack & his awesome wife Jeannie will be greatly missed by Lucy & myself when we leave for Santiago!
Finally, our dear sister, Tromila Wheat will be moving to Los Angeles in order to join the South Central Region and train for the Cairo Mission Team! This is a truly amazing example of God's sovereignty and the plans He has for our lives as living in the Middle East has been a dream of Tromila's for most of her life. At one point, she had surrendered this dream to God, and now He has given it back to her in an incredible way! To God be the glory!
Andrew Smellie of New York City: Last Thursday night a small group of disciples gathered at the Tian Restaurant at Riverbank State Park, which overlooks the Hudson River and the beautifully lit George Washington Bridge. We waited with anticipation, eating and enjoying the music of one of the month's biggest events, a Recording Artists Party hosted by the former Editor of Flava Magazine, Bob Tate! This was an influential music industry party, complete with performances from several notable artists. Around 9PM, the DJ announced that we would have one more singer come up to perform – a brother in NYC Church – Victor Ortiz! He overcame his fears and decided to ask Sue-Ann Herrera to marry him by singing a verse and chorus to a song first performed by the musical group Jagged Edge entitled, Meet Me At the Altar! The entire establishment roared with encouragement as Victor brought out a chair for Sue-Ann to sit on the dance floor as the DJ began the soundtrack! The Spirit of the Lord was upon Vic, as he nailed the song on key and with confidence! Sue-Ann was blown away and eagerly proclaimed, "Yes!"
Mike Underhill of Chicago: Two Wednesdays ago, Will was baptized! Last Sunday, Nikkie, a cousin of our sister, Lataesha, was baptized! And finally today, Josue from Mexico was baptized and a disabled man, Anthony, was baptized! Josue wept as he was open with the church about his unfaithfulness in his previous marriage and apologized to God and to his ex-wife, who was there in the fellowship. Then Anthony shared about trying to commit suicide three times, because he felt he had no value. He read Matthew 6:26, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Anthony now has found value in Christ and discipleship and was added to our number. We're so grateful for what God has been doing in Chicago!
Argo Arneson of Stockholm: Yesterday, a great young man Fabio was baptized into the Stockholm International Christian Church! Fabio was born and grew up in Zurich, Switzerland and came to Sweden to work as a contracted professional "unihockey player" (floorball). This is one of the most popular indoor team sports in Sweden. Fabio was met in the Stockholm Subway by our dear brother Kaspar Tambaur. It was great to witness how Fabio, who is a dedicated sportsman, became a dedicated sold-out disciple of Christ by studying the Word of God with brothers. "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8) And to God be the glory!
Luke Speckman of Phoenix: Today, we had an incredible House Church Sunday! Of the five house churches in Phoenix, only two of them have the same House Church Leader as they did last month! In an effort to have a smooth transition, as 17 disciples leave for LA this summer, we had to raise-up and reposition our House Church Leaders! Today, Angelo & Angela Myers led their first House Church Service as new House Church Leaders and they handled the task with ease, even though their daughter was born this week!
In the campus, Junior Onyeali preached a powerful lesson entitled, How Bad Do You Want It? Junior was baptized just three months ago and is the starting defensive end for the ASU Football Team! I look forward to the amazing things that he will do for God even after we leave for Ventura!
Most of the good news that all of us share has to do with growth and additions. However, I would like to share some good news about what I "lost!" In January, I saw Kyle Bartholomew and was inspired that he had lost 50 pounds, although I took no action at the time. In February, I preached a series on the book of Acts. In one of the lessons, I read this verse, "As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'" (Acts 24:25) I was so convicted by the Scripture that I finally decided to have self-control in my eating! By simply changing my eating habits and having self-control, I have lost 60 pounds! One of the most incredible things about it is how many more from our church have also been dealing with their over-eating issues! In fact, Pat Nebeker has lost over 40 pounds himself by being self-controlled! Please keep our church in your prayers as we get ready for Jeremy & Amy Ciaramella to move here to lead the church in only a few short weeks!
Blaise Feumba of London – the overseeing Evangelist of the 14 nations of French-speaking Africa: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1) Last Sunday in London, after a great service and an inspiring Leaders Meeting, my wife Patricia & I headed to a nearby train station around 7PM, but noticed a large crowd of around 50 people with Muslim priests in the middle confronting a "Christian" pastor. These false prophets were "refuting" the foundation of our Christian faith attempting to prove that Jesus is NOT the Son of God. Hosea 4:6 could not have been truer in this setting, as "because of a lack of knowledge," the pastor was ridiculed and our faith mocked.
I couldn't help but jumping in the middle of the public debate to defend the truth! For about three hours, God helped me to dismantle the Muslim faith by proving from the Qu'ran in five points that Jesus IS indeed the Son of the living God and the Savior of all men! The crowd was so convicted as the Muslim priests walked away confused. Many in the crowd now came to me expressing their desire to know the Bible more. Patricia & I received 10 contacts! Please be praying for their hearts to be opened to the true gospel!
Yesterday in Abidjan, the Lord blessed the church with 136 in attendance and the baptism of our new sister Elise! Finally, a deacon named Paul Bekoin who has been praying to see a new church start in his hometown, took with him a group of 12 disciples from Abidjan to do a special service in his home town just hours away! The Lord blessed their effort with 60 people in attendance! Let's pray for the boldness of all our fellow "partners in the gospel" in the SoldOut Movement around the world!
Dearest brothers and sisters around the world, just two reminders: 1) In less than two weeks, every disciple in every congregation of the SoldOut Movement is being called to fast together on Friday June 15th, for our International Day of MERCY the next day! 2) Registration has begun for the 2012 Global Leadership Conference on August 5-7, 2012. All the details for the program, for registration ($150) and for securing room nights ($109) at the Garden Grove Hyatt Regency – where all the events of the GLC will be held – are on our CAICC.net website. Presently, we have 60 registered from the United States and 3 internationally. Let's register this week as we have had many expenses associated with the seminar. May God be glorified in all nations with all your labors to win souls.
Much love,
Kip
