July 2013

Independence!

As we celebrate our country's 237th birthday this month, it is interesting to see where this country has gone since becoming independent. Among the first colonies to become independent, the USA has developed quite well after 1776. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India and Palestine all have a history of being under British control. In fact, in 1922 the British Empire held sway over about 458 million people, one-fifth of the world's population at the time. The empire covered more than 33,700,000 km2 (13,012,000 sq mi), almost a quarter of the Earth's total land area. The USA did grow so well that they could help their former mother county. It was after World War 2, Britain was left essentially bankrupt, with insolvency only averted in 1946 after the negotiation of a $US 4.33 billion loan (US$56 billion in 2012) from the United States, the last installment of which was repaid in 2006.  
 
Now that Vicki and I are empty nesters, it is fun to see our children develop, not that we will need a loan from them in our later years, but you never know. I had the chance this past month to visit my son, Andy, in Mammoth Lakes, where he is the summer intern pastor at Grace Community Church. He is filling in for the senior pastor of this small congregation of 30 plus people, while the pastor takes a summer break. My son-in-laws are all involved in ministry. One plays in the praise band at Saddleback Church, another is the Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church in Big Bear and another is the Youth Pastor at Grace Brethren Church in Simi Valley. I am excited to see the direction my kids have taken as they have become independent.
 
Of course, we are never totally independent. Steven Curtis Chapman years ago penned a song called "Declaration of Dependence." He wrote, "This is my declaration of dependence, This is my declaration of my need. This is my declaration of dependence On the one who gave His life to me." As Christians, although we leave our father and mother, we must always remember to depend on the Lord as Paul wrote, "That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me." Col 1:29 NLT.
 
Have a Happy 4th of July!
 
jim Jim Smith
 
Executive Director
CB Southern California

 
Church Plant Baptisms
CB church plant, Mission 316 in San Marcos, recently had 7 baptisms in one day! One mom saw both of her adult children accept Christ and be baptized. Another young man who had been in a car accident and not expected to walk or talk again did both as he confessed Christ as Lord--and with multiple people assisting, was baptized also. Great day of rejoicing for all. They currently meet at the Senior Center in San Marcos. 
mission316

Guam Says Goodbye
Bayview Baptist Church on Guam held a farewell pig roast for Pastor Greg and his family last month as they prepared to leave Guam to move back to the Northwest. The Guam Sports Network wrote a positive article on Pastor Greg Atkinson's family. Greg was quoted in the article, "It's been a rich and full adventure for each one of us in different ways," Pastor Greg said. "I think being here 11 years, after inserting ourselves into the culture and the heart and soul into the people, it's made us better and shaped us." Greg's family did touch many peoples lives, inside and outside of the church. It is encouraging that our lives can make a difference in people outside of the church. Well done Greg. 
Community Involvement in Independence 
Jim and Vicki visited Perry and Sally White in Independence, CA recently. Independence is a quiet little town in the heart of the Owens Valley and has been the County seat of sprawling Inyo County since 1866. It takes its name from Camp Independence, which was a military outpost established on Oak Creek, July 4, 1862, about 45 miles south of Bishop, CA. In the 2010 census, they reported that 669 people lived in this town. About 7% of the town goes to Sierra Baptist Church where Perry is the pastor. Pastor Perry and his wife have established a good relationship with the town. Perry is the PA announcer at the town's all-day 4th of July celebration, president of the city's Lions club, backpacks supplies into the eastern Sierra mountains for hikers and most recently qualified to be a life guard at the city's pool, to help keep it open when the college lifeguard has to return to school. With a staff of one, there are many facility issues that Perry needs help with, and in September, we will be sending a group up to assist them in some building needs they have not been able to finish. If you would like to join us on this local mission trip, please contact CB Southern California at 909-944-5900 or info@cbasc.com 
Free Luncheon for Lead Pastors

No strings attached... a free, delicious lunch in a lovely private club. California pastors will leave informed, (even amazed!), encouraged, and with an arm full of free resources. That's it! On Tuesday, July 23, from 11:45 to 1:15, Gateways to Better Education is sponsoring a free luncheon at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach to inform pastors about how the confusion over Separation of Church and State is affecting your congregation. While you eat lunch you will hear why, as a pastor, it is vital you know the facts on just how much the Bible and Christianity can be taught in public school classrooms. You will be encouraged to know what you teach on Sunday CAN be lived out on Monday! Plan on attending! Seating is limited to 40 pastors. You must RSVP, please email Kim@gtbe.org or call 949.586.5437.

 

Here are quotes from pastors who attended our luncheon in April: 

"What I learned truly blew me away..."  -- Howard, Irvine 

"I get a ton of invites and I tend to reject most because 'there is no such thing as a free lunch.' And yet, you didn't have any strings attached. That was pretty incredible! I have been sharing what I learned." - Pastor Andy, Santa Ana 

"We pastors have many 'let me at your congregation' opportunities. It was refreshing that Gateways did not want at my congregation but served me and our congregation. Finding credible partners in the community like Gateways is a gift not a tax." - Pastor Doug, Irvine 

Read More

 

Interim Pastor in Upland

As San Antonio Heights Community Church begins their search for a new pastor, CB Southern California has assisted them in finding an interim pastor. Starting on August 11, Jon Uyboco will be the interim pastor at SAHCC in Upland for the fall. Jon has recently served at Grace Church of Glendora as the pastor of small groups and plans to go back to the Navy, where he previously served for many years as a chaplain, once he has finished his Masters of Divinity courses this December at Talbot.   

Bayview's Smooth Transition
On Sunday, June 17, Bayview Baptist Church on the island of Guam voted to have their associate Pastor, Kevin Elwell, assume the role of Lead Pastor after Pastor Greg returned to the mainland. The transitional time was immediate, with the vote to approve Kevin as the senior pastor taking place the week following Pastor Greg's farewell. Kevin and Greg had worked together for 1 1/2 years prior to this summer. Kevin and his wife, Melissa, are familiar with Guam. Melissa grew up in Guam during high school and graduated from Trinity Christian School in Yigo, Guam. They were married in 1996 and returned to Guam where Kevin served as the Athletic Director at Trinity Christian School and then G.I.C.A. They moved back to CA where Kevin served as the head men's and women's soccer coach at San Diego Christian College while finishing up his Master's of Divinity. God then moved them to West Los Angeles where Kevin served at First Baptist Church of West Los Angeles.  
Soul Care
Greg Rhodes, former pastor of Bethany Church in Long Beach, has accepted a new opportunity of influence with FishBowl Ministries. He will be involved in shepherding, encouraging and caring for pastors going through times of transition, loss and the daily demand of ministry. Surveys have found that the demands on pastors is heavy at times, and Greg will be a perfect fit in this new role. If you would like to get in touch with Greg, you may contact him at gmcrhodes@gmail.com.

Bustos Family
Pastor Bustos & Family
Installation Service at IBF, Los Angeles
On June 2, 2013, our CBSC affiliated church, Iglesia Bautista Fundamental of Los Angeles, installed Pastor Marcelo Bustos as their new Senior Pastor. This event was bitter sweet as the church was sad to see their former pastor, Martin Medina, retire, but also very excited to receive their new one. IBF's Deacon & Pulpit Committee member Jorge E. Ramirez told the Congregation that "having our Lord answer our prayer for a new Pastor so quickly shows us that no doubt this ministry belongs to the Lord, not to one man." In their special service, they were blessed to have Dr. Rodelo Wilson (President of Seminario de las Americas) and Pastor Jesus Rubio (Chairman of the Hispanic Ministries), both CBA members, bring the preaching and worship. If you would like to congratulate Pastor Marcelo Bustos, he can be reached at (323)268-8152.

El día 2 de Junio del 2013, la Iglesia Bautista Fundamental de Los Ángeles ha instalado a Marcelo Bustos como su nuevo Pastor principal. El evento ha tenido su lado grato en la instalación del nuevo Pastor y también triste ya que se retiró el Pastor Martín Medina en la misma jornada. El diacono Jorge E. Ramirez dijo a la congregación que "el Señor ha contestado nuestras oraciones de inmediato y que el ministerio pertenece al Señor y no a los hombres." El servicio especial fue bendecido con la presencia del Dr. Rodelo Wilson (presidente del Seminario de las Américas) y el Pastor Jesús Rubio (presidente de los Ministerios. Hispanos), ambos miembros de la CBA. Por ellos fue traída la Palabra y la adoración. Si usted quiere comunicarse con el Pastor Marcelo Bustos, el teléfono de la iglesia es 323-268-8152.

CB Church Planting
We are in the process of raising funds for our church planting efforts. In 2014, we will plant four new churches. Our Church Multiplication Director, Brian Howard, has been very busy meeting leaders who are interested in hearing about our vision to plant 76 new churches by 2026. Our new church plants will be supported by CB at their inception, but from the start, they will give 5% of their income back to us to help plant more churches. We are asking all of our existing churches to consider giving at least 1% of your budget to support CB Southern Cal. GIVE
Apologetics for the Relevant Church

Reaching those in your community is a vital part of the great commission, but knowing how to accomplish that mission sometimes leaves people at a loss. CB is offering our supporting churches free seminars on a variety of apologetic topics that will help you reach your community for Christ. Dr. Brent Strawsburg, long-time pastor within our association (Bethany Church & ShoreLife Church), has joined CBSC to work as an "Equipping & Outreach Consultant: Apologetics for the Relevant Church." Brent is assembling his own financial support team and he will be able to assist in training leaders, assisting young Christians and providing tools to parents who want to prepare their children for life in a secular world. 

 

Some Seminar titles include:   

-Inside the Mind of Your Catholic Friends

-Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering?
-Islam vs. Christianity: Does it Matter Who is Right?

-Counterfeit Christianity (Mormons / Jehovah's Witnesses)

-Resurrection: Myth or Miracle?   

  

Some Sermon topics include:

-Christianity vs. the Skeptics (The Problem of Evil & Suffering, the Problem of Miracles, the Problem of Claiming Jesus is the Only Way & the Problem of Hell)

-How Do You Deal with Doubt in the Life of the Christian?


For more information you can contact the CB office or contact Brent directly on his cell phone: 714-393-1823 or 
brent.strawsburg@gmail.com. 

Heading to Costa Rica
Many of you may remember Dr. Tony Pezzotta, who was our CB Director of Ethnic Ministries for many years. We are excited to inform you that Tony and Zita's daughter, Marie (Pezzotta) Foote, and her family are preparing to launch this summer into full-time Business as Missions work in San Jose, Costa Rica. Marie, her husband Jordan, and kids dropped by the CB office recently to talk about Tony's health (which is not good), republishing Tony's book on Roman Catholicism (Truth Encounter), and their plans to travel this summer to Costa Rica as WorldVenture missionaries. 

Foote Family
Jordan, Micah 6, Megan 9, Marie
Project Ripple Effect, their Business as Missions training, internship & mentoring program, will equip Latino missionaries to be effective in establishing their own viable, sustainable, small businesses overseas, so they can enter restricted access countries legitimately, with business visas, and remain long-term to do the work of the Gospel. 
 
If you are interested in supporting Tony's daugther and her husband in this new ministry, contact them at footetraffic@worldventure.netYou can check out Marie's youtube video for an explanation of their ministry and their WorldVenture page.

Monthly support needed: $680/mo. Commit Now

One-time, set-up expenses needed: $50,000 Give Now.

 

Traducir en Espanol
China to Middle East

Did you know that under the hot Sahara desert sun to the remote rain forest of Africa, there are many Missionaries from China carrying the Great News of Jesus back to Jerusalem? They are modern day David Livingstones and Hudson Taylors with no names; they have already carried the good news of the Gospel deep into the heart of old Muslim countries. CB has met these leaders and are impressed with their efforts and evangelistic focus. If you are interested in knowing more about this group, you are cordially invited to attend the China to Jerusalem Mission Conference:

When: 2:30 - 4:30 PM, June 29, 2013
Where: EVANGELICAL FORMOSAN CHURCH OF ROWLAND HEIGHTS
18555 Farjardo St. Rowland Heights, CA 91748
Church Tel: 626-722-5061
Sowing for Harvest  | Action Missions
Peter  Liu | Christine Wong
P.S. Q & A session will be held after the meeting and a light dinner will be served during the session. Meeting will be conducted in Chinese, English translation will be provided.Questions may be directed to petertwliu@gmail.com. 

Time to sign up for our Retreats

This year's retreats at Pine Summit are all set and ready for registrations. As usual, the women have almost sold out. We have a new Hispanic youth retreat coming up in August. Check out our webpage for more info and to register.

 

Hispanic Summer Youth Retreat  

August 16-18

 

Women's Retreats

Spanish: September 20 - 22
English:  September 27-29 Vicki Smith, guest speaker  

 

Men's Retreat

Spanish: October 11-13 

English:  October 11-13 Brian Howard, guest speaker
Thanks for reading our newsletter. Did you know that Next Generation Churches (CB Northern Cal), Southwest Church Connection (Southwest CBA), Rocky Mountain Church Network and Mission Mid-Atlantic are all CB regions? Many have changed their names. We have been waiting until we had a good reason to change our name, and with our new focus on church planting, now may be the time. Stay tuned.

Sincerely,

Jim Smith
CB Southern California
Exponential West
On the heels of Exponential '13 in Orlando selling out and drawing 5,300 leaders on site
and 40,000 to the live Exponential '13 Webcast, Exponential has announced plans for
an Exponential West 2013 this October. The conference will be hosted by Rick Warren and
Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, Oct. 7-10, and will focus on discipleship.

Register before July 1 when prices go up.
Fun Facts
fireworks
The Fourth of July 2013

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

 

2.5 Million
In July 1776, this was the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.
Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970

 

316.2 Million
The nation's estimated population on this July Fourth.

Source: U.S. and World Population Clock

 

Who Knew?

Our Executive Director indeed has a common name. Jim Smith is regarded as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was a delegate from Pennsylvania.
James Smith was a Presbyterian.
We won't hold that against him 


Choose from 5 upcoming CBSC Retreats at PineSummit




 

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909-944-5900

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