December 2007

Dear Friends,

NOW IS THE TIME
There can be no doubt about it, God’s Spirit is moving on this region. The level of expectation and preparation is beyond what any human or organization can accomplish. The ‘cloud the size of a man’s fist’ is on the horizon. More and more people are reporting that the message of citywide transformation is being proclaimed from pulpits and fresh testimony is all over town. Pastors are coming together, more and more. The grassroots are awakening to their role in transformation and the momentum is unmistakable. The relational connectivity is deepening and the message of ‘connect and mobilize’ is broadening.

We invited 53 top community area leaders to come together Nov. 15th leader’s gathering and 35 representatives of media, business, law enforcement, medical, governmental, educational, pastoral, and intercessory leaders and networkers gathered. Just days prior to this forum, one of our core team members had been praying and seeking God, believing Psalm 25, “The Lord confides in those who fear Him.” As she listened for what He was confiding, quickly came the response about the demise of the drug industry: I want to completely destroy the illegal drug industry in Shasta County. At the Nov. 15th meeting, she shared her heart and God’s word about this to the leaders gathered there. One of our county supervisor shared how millions are being spent on fighting drugs and the related criminal activity. This is a ‘make it or break it’ issue, he said. Sheriff Tom Bosenko also addressed the drug issues in our county and, after he spoke, we laid hands on him and agreed that God would overrule the power of darkness in the heavenly places and break the power behind the drug industry. It was a potent moment. We all sensed that this region’s transformation will include the collapse of the drug culture. We don’t know how God will do it, but we don’t have to!

LEADERS FORUM FOLLOW-UP
Pray for our Jan 17 follow up LEADER’S FORUM date. The Lord has provided a beautiful hall and a world class chef to cook as we host 120 men and women of authority in our county. At this meeting, we plan to follow up on the drug issue at hand, and unveil our Tracking with Transformation DVD and TODAY card tools. These tools will be widely distributed amongst the local population, believers and pre-believers, as a way bring them into greater and more permanent identification with the Lord’s ways and plans for our county. Both these tools are sharp and fitting. PRAY they be effective in discipling this people group of Shasta County and beyond.

SHARP TOOLS
The DVD is in final stages of editing now and the TODAY card is getting ready to go to print. Pray for the final touches to come together. Pray for the finances (roughly $20,000) for production of both tools to be covered through sponsors and donors whose name and logos will appear on the materials.

GRACE IN MOTION
This month, we were able to replace some rotten fences in a single-mom’s yard with help that bridged denominational and generational lines. We were blessed to pray with each of the 3 families we ministered to this month and share the love of God with them through tangible works. Follow up is happening there too! One family in need of firewood was the daughter of the man who received Jesus last month through the Grace-in-Motion work day. She was blessed and I was able to share the gospel with her partner. They welcomed prayer and the door remains wide open there!

ALL IS WELL AT HOME
On the home-front, the family is healthy and well. We are really enjoying life with a newborn. It’s been feeling like Christmas since September around here, we are so blessed. The backyard tree-house is slowly becoming a tree-ship as days off turn into wood-working projects with the kids. Natalia’s sleep has been hit and miss, but you’d never know it. She is even more beautiful than ever!

WORSHIP THE LORD
Our WER1 band was blessed to minister in Shingletown this month, where we sensed a definite FREEDOM breakthrough. We also began the month by playing a night of worship on a local middle school campus where God is at work. Join us on Dec. 14th as we lead a special Night of Worship in the NEW auditorium of the Good News Rescue Mission (corner of Veda and Grange, 5:30 pm), and pray as doors to Etna and Red Bluff are opening up again to us. Come hang out as we share TRANSFORMATION 201 in YAKS, our local coffeehouse, at 7pm on Dec 6th. Hear more of the story!

STAND WITH US in prayer, and support. At this point, we have pushed ahead faithfully for 42 months. The fruit is evident. God is giving us strength to continue, PTL. We are fast approaching 50 months (Jubilee) and we expect some major breakthroughs! There is more and more confirmation, more and more joining in the chorus, more and more open doors of opportunity, and more and more people around us catching their stride and running alongside.

THANKS+GIVING

We are grateful for the many of you who responded to our request for extra $$ donations. We were able to meet our expenses for November and catch up $215 of the $2143 back wages. Thanks for praying over this and giving from your hearts during this season. My heart’s desire is to finish the year with nothing to carry over and enough to pay a bonus to my hard-working staff, they deserve it!

Anticipating a great month, and an awesome new year!

Jon & Natalia Thompson

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