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November Newsletter 2013
Thankful for Salvation
Thanksgiving is coming up this month. As I was writing this, my daughter texted me that my oldest grandson prayed to ask Jesus into his heart to take away his sins. I was excited!! I can't think of anything else that I can be more thankful for than my salvation and others who accept Jesus as Lord. I continue to pray for my other grandkids' salvation and for other family members and friends to get saved. My grandson's little prayer is an answer to prayer, and we hope he grows in his faith. We could get lost in the theology of that prayer, but I will lean on what Jesus said; "I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Mark 15:10.
Our new church plant in Costa Mesa already has one person who wants to get baptized. Mission 316 Church has already baptized over a dozen since they started. That is what it is all about, sharing the good news of Jesus so people get saved. It saddens me when I hear of churches arguing over what evangelistic method or Bible version should be used. Really? We have so much to be thankful for... that God loves us, that Jesus died for our sins, that we have the Spirit of God living in us and that we are going to spend eternity with God. We need to continually remember to share this good news with others, to live in harmony with one another, especially with those who are part of God's family. Stay focused on the reason God has put us on this planet. This is why we plant churches, so people get saved, and that unbelievers will see that saved people forgive, are thankful and live in harmony with one another.
Have a great month and a happy Thanksgiving,
 Jim Smith
Executive Director
Pacific Church Network / CB Southern California
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Vision Luncheon - SOLD OUT
 We are looking forward to meeting with the pastors and church leaders of our association at our Vision Luncheon on November 6 at Maggiano's in Costa Mesa. If you weren't able to make this event, please be sure to plan to attend our Annual Meeting coming up on January 26, 3:45 - 8:30 pm at Bethany Church in Long Beach. Find out about our new vision and plans for our new network. As Pacific Church Network, we are trusting God to help us as we implement a stronger focus on church planting, training, church financial commitments, and church involvement. We still have our three main pillars: Establish, Equip and Encourage. Our doctrine and message have not changed with our name, but our methods have. We are excited to meet, share and answer questions. |
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2014 Annual Meeting in Long Beach in January
 Our 60th annual meeting will be at Bethany Church in Long Beach. The event will be on Sunday afternoon and evening, January 26, from 3:45 - 8:30 pm. Our goal is to make you and those from your churches feel appreciated, loved, encouraged and motivated. Enjoy one of our breakout sessions in the afternoon, connect with people during our free dinner and be encouraged at our general evening session. Plan now to attend and bring a ton of people from your church. |
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Church Plants
Coming in 2014, we are planting four new churches. In the past two years we have helped plant three churches, Mission316 in San Marcos, Seed in Ventura and Uptown Campus of WHBC. Many of our newest plants have already begun meeting. You will get a chance to meet many of our church planters at our Vision Luncheon, but for those who can't make it, here is a look at our new churches for next year:
Cross of Christ - Costa Mesa, California
 Pastor Nick B ogardus has seen God grow their bible study from eight people in August to an average of 25 adults on Sundays. They are praying and working towards 75 adults at launch in January, and Nick's two daughters still constitute the kids ministry. Great news is that they already need to have their first baptism.
Tradewinds Communities - Kailua, Hawaii 
Pastor Sean Palmer, his wife Jessica, and their three kids moved out to Oahu 8 years ago to work at a church. Feeling a desire to plant a church to reach more people for Christ, he approached his pastor with his idea. With his church's blessing, Sean began a ministry in his home and has already grown too big for his house, with 50 adults and about 35 kids now meeting in a rented church on Sundays.
CityLights - Fountain Valley, California
 Pastor Thien Doan writes, "We are a new church that is meeting in the Fountain Valley Rec Center at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM. We are made up of a diverse group of people from different ethnic and faith backgrounds gathered together to seek Jesus." Their mission is to: Love God, Love Each Other, Make a Difference. Soma -Santa Clarita 
Pastor Sam Ticas, who grew up right down the road in the San Fernando Valley, is just getting started planting in the Santa Clarita Valley. Sam is currently gathering with 30 adults and many children in a rented church facility on Sunday afternoons and is looking forward to a January launch. |
Fun Walk /Run for Hope Again
 A Fundraiser Event to Help Give Hope to the Homeless in Hollywood SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2013 From 1pm to 4pm
Silver Lake Reservoir
For runners, walkers, strollers, dog-walkers, and people of all ages. You may also participate by being a sponsor, walking/running off-site, donating directly--either in person, by postal mail, or online. If you don't know anyone to sponsor, sponsor Ross and Vicki or Hope Again! Mail checks to: Hope Again, 5121 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER ONLINE, GO TO: www.hopeagain.org |
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CB Hong Kong Celebrates 50 years
 On the weekend of October 18-20, churches in the Hong Kong area honored the 50 years of work of the WorldVenture missionaries (formerly Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society) that carved out an evangelical presence in Hong Kong through sacrifice, dedication and hard work. Now, 50 years later, 14 gospel centered churches have formed the CB Hong Kong network--working on their own to reach more people for Christ. Over 1,000 people gathered at a CB school on Sunday, October 20 to celebrate their 50-year history. Current and former missionaries, along with representatives from other CBGlobal countries, traveled to participate in the weekend events, including Jim and Vicki Smith. |
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Turn Your Clocks Back
 Time to "fall back" this weekend, officially at 2am Sunday, Novmeber 3. We suggest doing it Saturday. Most phones will automatically change, so getting to church early will not be an issue for those who depend on your phones. However, those clocks around the home, in the car and even church clocks should be moved backwards 1 hour before Sunday morning. Why do we do this? Read more. |
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Bayview Church in Guam
 Bayview Church has seen significant growth and has been averaging 300 people in their worship service on Sundays for the past several months. Pastor Kevin Elwell says they are seeing many new faces every Sunday, including military families that have been relocated to Guam, which has a strong military presence. The church has been focusing on what they call "Old Testament Theatre" on Sundays, which is a kind of children's worship time that has really attracted young families. Guam is 6,000 miles away from SoCal, but after meeting with Jim Smith and hearing about our new church planting focus and new name, they are "all in." They couldn't all come to the vision luncheon, but when Jim 'stopped by,' he was able to meet with several of the Elders and give them their own "Vision Luncheon." |
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257 at Men's Retreat
 This year we combined our Spanish and English men for a great weekend at Pine Summit. We had two services, the early service in English and the second--and larger--service, in Spanish. We even had a little snow left over from a storm a few days earlier. The weekend was filled with good Bible teaching, good food, and good times--taking a break from the routines of life. At least 11 made professions of faith and many other spiritual decisions were made to strengthen their walk with God. You can check out more pictures of the retreat at our CBSC/Pacific Church Network facebook page. |
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K-Club Meets
 Pacific Church Network / CB Southern California hosts a meeting twice a year for staff members of our churches that are near 1,000 or more in attendance. The lunch gathering allows time for interaction between church staff and key leaders in Christian ministry. On October 28, Pastor John Collins joined our K-Club meeting. John is the Executive Pastor from Harvest Christian Fellowship and has worked with Greg Laurie for over 30 years. We focused on Evangelism and Small Groups, but discussed other subjects as well. We thank John for spending a day with us. Thanks also to the Evangelical Christian Credit Union which has allowed us use of their spectacular Gilead Retreat Center for our meetings. |
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Israel Trip
 Whittier Hills Baptist is inviting all those interested in taking a Biblical Turkey trip from May 31 to June 14, 2014 to join them. The trip will visit Ephesus, Colossae, Troas, 6 of the 7 churches of Revelation, Nicaea, Istanbul (Constantinople)...
Robert Bishop and Dr. Clint Arnold (Dean of Talbot and major Ephesians/Colossians scholar) will be hosting the tour. They will have access to sites the general public does not get and will have lectures from people the general public doesn't get to meet (e.g. key archaeologists excavating sites, etc.). Price is about $4,000 per person which includes flights, hotels, tips, entrance fees, most meals and more.
Click here for more information.
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Brunch for our Spanish-speaking Churches
 On Saturday, October 5, CB Southern California / Pacific Church Network had a brunch to introduce our new name, vision and administrative assistant, Hector Alas, to our Spanish-speaking congregations. Hector is a graduate of the Central America Theological Seminary and pastored a large church in El Salvador and also here in SoCal. We also recognized Pastor Jesus Rubio (Iglesia Hispana Maranatha, Long Beach) for his decade of volunteer service as the chairman of the CB Hispanic Committee. Pastor Jesus will stay active in the association, but will gladly turn some of the responsibilities to Hector. |
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Apologetics Conference
 High Desert Church in Victorville is inviting all those interested in apologetics to their campus as Lee Strobel, J. P. Moreland, Craig Hazen, Clay Jones, Sean McDowell, and more tackle some of today's most commonly asked questions. Questions like: Why does God allow evil? Is there evidence for the resurrection? Does God Exist? Are the Scriptures reliable? This is a Biola University sponsored event called "Reasonable Faith in an Uncertain World." Friday, November 15 - Saturday, November 16. Cost is $35, only $25 if you register before November 3. For more information and to register, click here. |
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Free Apologetics Seminar at Your Church
 For 30 years, Dr. Brent Strawsburg has specialized in Making Apologetics Relevant. All too often, Christians are turned off and/or over-whelmed by the topic of apologetics. Brent has the ability to relate these issues in a way that gives hope to the Christian and helps them understand the issues-clear, concise & practical! He is an Equipping and Outreach Consultant with the Pacific Church Network and is available to come to your church for free.
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?
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.
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So, since you have read our newsletter to the very end, here is a link to one of the best pre-flight safety videos. If you fly, it's one of those necessary instructions that many don't pay attention to. Virgin Airlines has tried to change this. See it.
Sincerely,
Jim Smith
CB Southern California
909-944-5900
info@cbasc.com
cbasc.com |
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