September 2007

Dear Friends:
 
The big news
Today a very handsome and dangerous warrior for God came into the world.  He wasn't due for another few days, but he knew we needed him sooner than later, and that he was sent for this hour. He is healthy and strong.  Things went so smoothly, it felt almost dream-like (maybe like what Peter felt when the angel plucked him out of jail).  Mama is looking good, accompanied by the proud "abuela" from Argentina land (Natalia’s mother).  Meet KOBY JONATHAN THOMPSON.  Koby means “successor” for I believe he is to pick up where I leave off - an important Kingdom battle strategy - we have those who will come behind us, and they will carry the fray further and deeper than we ever could.  God is up to something good!

The birthing of a vision
This month we began to shoot the footage for the coming DVD, “TRACKING WITH TRANSFORMATION.”  Utilizing word pictures linked to local scenery, we are painting the picture of how plausible transformation really is, how each person can and must engage and how crucial partnering as ONE Body is to our success. This material will help the wider Body of Christ catch and track with a united vision of prayer and action bringing the Kingdom of God to our region. Due to the propensity toward INDIVIDUALISM in this land and our addiction to IMMEDIATE RESULTS, it has been hard for many communities to initiate, establish and sustain transformation movements.  So, in 11 bite-size sections, we will artistically present a compelling vision and bring a level-headed, balanced outlook on how to reach our Jerusalems for Christ. Our heart is for the “Transforming Community” (which is the CHURCH) to walk in its birthright with power to see the reality of sustained community transformation come about.  

Going deeper
Our quest to go deeper into definition, relationship and implementation brought about the recent launch of our Transformation 201 monthly gathering. This gives us a chance to expose those who have seen a part of what we do to the overall vision.  This monthly training time will bring a more cohesive understanding and create a tighter bond between the core agents of transformation.  We are strengthening the middle ground, building a foundation for a good structure to be built up.  The September gathering will be the evening of September 20th.

Beyond Redding
Between meetings and filming, many doors of ministry opened up in August.  Christ the Rock Church in Anderson and Open Door Church in Shingletown had me speak in their Sunday morning services and we were also blessed to serve the 9 local fellowships of Anderson with our sound system for their annual outdoor outreach at Anderson River Park.  Our kids were invited to play music at a back-to-school backpack and clothes drive put on by the Church in Red Bluff earlier in the month.  We all got to plunge into the action together!

Our local efforts are furthering the Lord’s work across the country and even overseas.  We were asked to record the Transformation 201 session for people on the east coast to listen in. Another team from South Africa requested to use the “ONE DAY” video vignette in a transformation DVD being prepared for their context.  In Washington State, a coordinator for city reaching there contacted us about implementing prayer tents.  God unexpectedly opened up a door for them at a city fair where they had 15 people come by for prayer, including a city council member and four people with whom they shared the gospel.

To keep in prayer
Friends, we are upside down with the ministry finances.  Please pray for open hearts here. Most of those who have pledged are giving consistently, which is a PRAISE, but the one time and sporadic giving we once saw has all but dried up.  This 2 month dip has caused a $2425 short-fall in salary.  We know God has supplied every need and will continue, so we don't flinch. Meanwhile, some soccer coaching on the side is putting food on the table.  This is not a permanent fix however, so pray for giving to round out the year and for wisdom in fundraising.  

Pray also for the two prayer tent seasons that will roll out this fall: Sept 11, 12, 13 and Oct 30, 31, Nov 1.  Pray also for our many connection events and luncheons later this fall.  We will be ramping up toward a January regional event (where we plan to unveil the WeR1NET DVD, "Tracking with Transformation") by hosting various specialized groups and community leaders over the next few months, strengthening our connectivity and relational bridges.

What it’s all about
Best moment (besides Koby's arrival) this month was standing in a circle in the middle of a print shop in Redding, holding hands with 8 employees and the boss, all praying for God's Kingdom to come there.  Just 10 months before, the spiritual climate was harsh and the morale sagging. Jason and Tom began to pray for God to move in their workplace.  God answered!  The boss began to open up, went back to church, and began to pray more – morale picked up.  They showed up early to pray each week and even threw a BBQ lunch to speak peace and share their heart over food with their coworkers.  People became open to prayer and to the love and warmth of the grace-filled message.  The drudgery disappeared and the Kingdom began to manifest there.  Soon after, Tom got in a boating accident and Jason took over for me full time at Trinity Alliance Church.  Without these 2 shining LIGHTS on site, the brightness began to fade, but, this month, Jason and Tom re-engaged there, and invited me to tag along.  The co-workers weren't all believers, but the boss proclaimed Jesus and the power of prayer, and some of the employees began to spontaneously share how God had touched their lives recently!  PTL for what He is doing and for showing us afresh that we can make a difference in our local workplaces, and the lives of local people.  

Ever increasing in Christ,

Jon Thompson

Redding Transformation Team Leader

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