November 2007

Dear Friends:

Revival
The question came suddenly: “What is a typical day like for you?” The question isn’t so bad if you are in a home group or just conversing over dinner, but try answering this live on the radio! As story after story poured out of all God’s been doing in the past month, I quickly realized how blessed I am. “I don’t have a typical day....!” Since our heart is to bring LIGHT and hope to all, right where they’re at, and see to it no one misses the grace of God, (essentially pastoring every soul in the city) we are compelled to seek God’s ways of accomplishing this mission.

Has anyone ever spoken over your life? Someone spoke ov er me and hit the BULLSEYE of my heart’s desire. They said, “God will place you in the middle of revival.” Where else would any of us rather be? Whether that’s my own personal revival or a nationwide awakening, I just don’t want to be on the outskirts of a move of God. I was made to play a role in it. You were too!

Connection
Last month, one of our core team members had a dream. A web-like electrical ‘flickering grid’ appeared. Actually, there were many flickering grids. They would flash and then go out. Then she saw them being plugged into a transformer, beginning to power up and stay lit. VERY INTERESTING word picture! In our area, there are many networks of Christians, and various ones flicker here and there at various times. But there is a need for an active connection to be built into the grid.

We’ve had opportunities to interact with some of these networks in the past several weeks. We hosted a lunch gathering of senior pastors last month. Our time culminated with the more tenured pastors praying for the more newly appointed ones. The youth pastors also came together for the first time in over a year this month. Shasta County Contractors for Christ came together for the first time ever last week. Roy and I shared our hearts and discussed regional transformation with them. Local Christian doctors and dentists formed a Christian medical association and hosted a symposium on ethical issues this fall. In the works is a new Business NET geared toward helping all Christian professionals focus on and walk powerfully in Kingdom advancement through their workplace. Next week, we will host a dynamic cross-section of the 45 top community leaders in this area to strengthen relational bridges and foster connectivity for the road ahead. Now, more than ever, the “connective tissue” in the Body is needed. All of these groups can easily form a powerful part of the WER1NET in this area. Pray for us to be effective as we follow God’s call to connect and mobilize for transformation.

On the streets
Going public with our faith and making prayer available right on the streets has been so FUN this month! The prayer tents were up for 3 days and many stories of lives touched continue to come in. I enjoyed praying in the courthouse tent. Someone we prayed for saw a miracle breakthrough in court, and contacted me the day after to share the good news!

Halloween night, a few of our teammates sang to the Lord in a busy neighborhood. As we sang over people, they danced and smiled. Some neighbors who watched us (from behind the hedge) showed up to our Night of Worship which was held on a campus nearby and were really touched. God moved us out into the open air and gave us some unseasonably beautiful weather, so many more heard the sounds.

Fashioning tools
Our DVD, “Tracking with Transformation” will further this work and clearly communicate the vision to all! This piece will share the BIG picture as well as the practical “how to’s.” All the tracks are in the can, we only need to add in the music and some screenshots. Pray for the development of the accompanying study guide and for the funds necessary to pay for the production. Pray also for the virtues card being developed. These 2 items will give voice, momentum and fuel to the movement.

Meeting needs
A recent grace-in-motion day turned into a salvation experience for 2 people. Roy and team were delivering wood to an elderly couple who were homebound. The woman shared about their daughter recently attempting to commit suicide. The man was emotionless. Pastor Richard picked up on God’s cues to speak to this man who promptly received Jesus and repented. The next day Pastor Richard went to visit the young lady in the hospital and heard the good news that the father had been by, had reconciled with her, and now she was ready to receive Jesus. The story gets better, but you’ll have to get it from Roy at the next gathering.

Our needs
Many of you have said, “Make your needs known, Jon.” So, here goes; we are behind by $2143 on the Thompson salary to date. We need another $4000 beyond our pledges for the next 2 months to clear our operational expenses and catch up by the end of the year. If you are able, please give or add a little extra as you are able. Donations can be made online at, www.reddingtransformation.com

Upcoming
Nov. 10, 8:30 am – noon, Grace in Motion service teams meet at Kragen on Hartnell.
Nov. 11, 6 pm Open Door Church in Shingletown, WER1 band ministers a night of worship & outreach.
Nov. 15, noon - pray as we host community leadership
Dec. 6, 7 pm Transformation 201 meeting – come and hear testimonies and the principles behind the transformation movement.
Dec. 14, 7 pm NIGHT OF WORSHIP in our local ‘state of the art’ Rescue Mission (corner of Veda and Grange – take S. Market to Grange, turn right, new building is on the right behind old building).
Every Monday (except holidays), 7- 7:45 am, prayer for the region, Mt. Shasta Mall food court.

Transformation is possible; here’s how
The Body of Christ actively partnering together to make these 5 components an ongoing, tangible reality:

• EVERYONE PRAYED FOR
• EACH ENVIRONMENT ADOPTED
• CHRIST IS CENTRAL
• NEEDS ARE OPPORTUNITIES
• FAITH GOES PUBLIC

Any ONE of these as a ‘stand-alone’ would be insufficient, but together they form a grace-filled LIVING NET that touches everyone. It also gives everyone a proactive way to engage in transformation personally. This is happening now, it’s expanding, and all are needed in this journey. Thank you for traveling with us!

Going with God,
Jon and Natalia Thompson

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