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April... a great month for new things and their introductions so here goes . . . welcome to the Spotlight! Let me introduce you to your stories. That's right . . . your stories. The aim of the Spotlight is to surface and tell some of the great things that our regional churches and ministries are accomplishing. By the way, to do that, we need to hear from you. Tell us your story - get in the Spotlight. You'll be glad you did and our readers will be delighted.
I want you to meet Sandra Maki as well. Actually, many of you may have already met her at Prescott Pines where she and her husband are on the camp team. Sandra is bringing her considerable communication skills to our Southwest Church Connection team as well. She'll be putting together the Spotlight, writing other communication pieces and working on some specific training projects as time allows. You're going to love her . . . when she calls, give her a good story . . . okay?
We're excited about our congregations, their leaders and the amazing things that so many are doing in service to the Lord and their "neighbors." Hope we can tell your story soon. Until then, enjoy this month's Spotlight! And happy Easter from all of us here at SWCC!
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Stories of Grace from Grace Bible Fellowship
Each week various small groups from Grace Bible Fellowship meet around the city of Yuma on the California side of the Colorado River . One such group is led by Mr. Tom Moore a tribal native. They meet on the reservation of the Quechan Indians. Over the past few months this group has been steadily growing in fellowship, study and outreach. Each week, ten to fourteen people gather together in a home on the reservation. Recently, they decided that once a month they would host a potluck and movie night. On March 27th, they decided to show the Passion of the Christ. To the praise and glory of God, close to forty people came. Most of them from the reservation and most of them unsaved. Since then some have started coming to the church and the small group, expressing more desire to understand the truth of God's word. Please pray for Tom and the believers on the reservation and their continual outreach to these new seekers. God is stirring a new wind of Grace among the Quechan people.
Grace Bible Fellowship |
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The Old and the New at Compass
Youngtown. What images of such a town's population pop into your mind? It is more than ironic that in this place we find the beautiful blend of two very distinct congregations- one pews filled with the elderly and the other seats taken by young families. This Spotlight is on the merge that took place back in 2007. It was then that First Baptist Church extended an invitation to Compass Christian Fellowship to become one body of believers. Thus Compass Bible Church of Youngtown was established. It is a marriage of the elderly with younger families, retirees and children, traditional music with the contemporary, a praise band and church choir. The Lord is blessing this union and they are very thankful for such a congregation led by senior pastor Joe Oswald.
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Taking the "Next Step" at North Mountain Church
North Mountain Church has launched a new and different approach to adult Sunday School. Combining the concept of Small Groups and the old "Sunday School" model into one ministry entitled "Next Step" Groups.
Worship service begins an hour earlier at 9:30 am and the Next Step Groups meet after the worship service at 10:45 am. The Children's Program runs until 11:30 am.
So, what i s a Next Step Group? Basically, they are designed to take the next step...
The next step in spiritual growth
The next step in fellowship
The next step in assimilation of guests
Pastor Dan writes a discussion guide each week to follow-up the message. The various age-groups then discuss application, pray for one another, and get to know each other better.
And here's the good news - the Next Step Groups have been pretty successful so far as they really help to foster fellowship. People get to know others beyond their own circle of family and friends. The groups also have been helpful in getting acquainted with guests and assimilating them into the life of the church. Seventy-five percent of the church family is plugged into a Next Step Group every Sunday. Praise the Lord!
North Mountain Church
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Palmcroft Counts 109,000
Palmcroft just concluded its 2012 Missions Conference. Nine Palmcroft missionaries from all over the world joined the Wednesday through Sunday conference. Highlights included a Missions Fair on Sunday morning which ran concurrent with Palmcroft's three morning services. Saturday saw 455 volunteers join together to package individual meals for Feed My Starving Children. The all-day event resulted in the packaging of over 109,000 meals ready to be shipped.
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Spotlight on Events at Prescott Pines Camp
Men's Retreat April 20-22
One last reminder! Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity to connect with leadership and hear inspiring and challenging insights from guest speaker Tom Mercer. Take the time to relax and play as well! Click on the picture to find out more about registration and the annual golf tournament.
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Summer Youth Camp 2011
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Check it out - Youth Summer Camp!
The X-Men theme from Winter Camp will continue this summer although the situation for our characters Oracle and Pneuma has become more dire. Titled, "X-Men Avengers - Fighting to Save the World that Hates us," Youth Camp 2012 will tackle the issue of persecution and the Great Commission. How should we, as followers of Christ, approach a world that wants to see our downfall and destruction? How do we show them Christ? Speakers Craig Barrack and Stephen Tunnicliff will lead the discussion each night, then we will split into church groups for youth pastors and leaders to go deeper with their campers. It will be awesome! Besides the teaching, we'll have spectacular games, live-action skits, and the annual Summer Camp Great Race! Click to also see our Frontier Village video!
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Where the Spotlight Should Always be- On Christ
 Easter prayer.One of the most powerful gospel/outreach Sundays is just a few days away. Even in this crazy culture, Easter invariably gives us remarkable opportunities to introduce men and women to the good news and to Jesus, the center of the good news. So how about praying specifically for the Easter ministry of our family of churches, church-by-church? Two weeks ago we challenged the senior leaders of our congregations to be praying for one another as Easter approaches. Now we'd like to invite you to join this important opportunity life up every pastor and congregation in our network . . . to ask God's blessing on our Easter ministries. Just click here for an updated list of churches for which to pray. Then find some focused time to make a difference for the entire region. It's going to be a great Easter!
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To put the Spotlight on your ministry or event,
email us with your news.
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Southwest Church Connection is the church ministry of Southwest CBA
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