January 2008

Dear Friends:

Ministry at the Mission
"Jon, I have been telling everyone about that recent transformative night of worship." This quote is from our sound guy, Dave, who’s been hanging around us since September ‘06. We have enjoyed his professionalism and he has liked the grace in our team. “The music industry is one that could use more of this grace stuff,” he has said. Dave experienced God's grace flowing through him during our December 14th Night of Worship at the Good News Rescue Mission. Here’s how it happened: The place was packed and people had become so engaged in the worship time that they’d forgotten about the food. There was a young man there who wanted to “help” Dave run the sound. “It’s kinda a ‘one-man-job,’” Dave told him. But he noticed that the guy really had a heart to do this. What happened next is a snapshot of grace in action. Dave gave the guy a quick lesson on the soundboard, spoke encouragement over him, “You can do this,” and let him man the controls for a few songs. The guy’s eyes were wide with wonder, like a kid who’d opened a cool present with lots of buttons and lights. He DID an excellent job! This simple experience was chock full of meaning for both men, maybe because God was present in the transaction. One guy received affirmation and a desire realized, the other found peace in relinquishing control and obeying God’s prompting to bless another human being. This is no small thing, because when hearts come alive to God, they become dangerous to the kingdom of darkness. “Oh what fun - when we abide - in the Holy Spirit’s way.”

THE DVD
TRACKING WITH TRANSFORMATION will be done by the time you receive this letter. Karen has been editing almost non-stop for the last month as I have been tying up some of the loose video and music ends. The product being created is, in one person’s words, “better than our best effort.” Many voices have contributed, counseled, and combined to make this material as relevant and practical as possible. Basically, home groups, Sunday school classes, business peoples’ groups, etc, will be able to pop in this DVD and share 8 weeks with us discussing transformation. By the time the study is over, people will see the vision clearly, have a strong Biblical foundation to stand on, know how to get started right where they’re at, and they’ll have tools as well as teammates in the journey. We trust this tool will be helpful in putting the region-wide Body of Christ on the same page for the same purpose. The accompanying study guide will provide extra insight and lively discussion points so people can go deeper right away.

Pastors gathering to GROW!
Pastor Mike Kerns and his team at Vineyard City church have taken it upon themselves to host the monthly pastoral prayer and luncheon. This is a HUGE answer to prayer for us and a necessary component to the overall picture of a healthy community transformation movement! Mike spoke in faith at the December gathering, “This room will be TOO SMALL by next December!” I believe it. Every 1st Thursday at 11am the pastors will gather for prayer time at Yaks coffee shop, then share a meal there from 12 to 1pm. Yes, Lord!! Thank you for Your provision, Your timing, and for how You’re building the team.

Christians in Commerce to GROW also!
There is growing excitement and legwork happening for the emerging marketplace coalition here in Redding. This group is being led by the Spirit as Scott Schumacher (yes, the same insurance man who has graciously opened an office for us to work out of) obediently follows the Lord’s leading. We both want to see business people affirmed, empowered, envisioned and actively bringing Christ into their Monday to Friday world and be commissioned, accompanied and emboldened by testimony of others who are likeminded with callings to the workplace. Pray for Scott and the others who form the steering team for this movement here in our area.

The supply lines
In order to catch up financially by the end of year, we needed a miracle. If all regular pledges came in, we would still need an additional $4,000 to come in. So, we PRAYED. During our December board meeting, we lifted this request up to God. Just after the meeting, a local church called saying they had something for me. They had been trying to call me for 3 weeks and apparently had the wrong number, but this "something" turned out to be 1/4 of the needed 'extra.' As I came home and reported this to our family, the kids eyes got big, "Really dad? Now how much is needed?" And we kept praying. Checks came in from multiple directions, and we end the year not only all caught up, but going into the new year with a cushion. Praise the Lord! He has provided exceedingly abundantly!

I share this to encourage you and also to thank you. Thanks for praying for us and giving as the Lord leads. It’s a sign of healthy, Spirit-led giving, when mature people of wisdom give as the Lord leads and the need gets met. It’s humbling too because, when God provides in this miraculous way, it’s His way of placing the stamp of approval on the ministry and giving us a green light to continue forward.

UPCOMING
Please pray for:
· our 2 new tools, the HEALTHY CARD and its accompanying materials, and the DVD and its study guide, that they would come together quickly and for funding.
· my mid-month trip to the International Transformation Network summit that meets in Hawaii Jan 20-22 (just in time for my 37th birthday).
· the upcoming leaders lunch forum on Jan 31 where we will host a room filled with local business, education, government and pastoral leaders, unveiling the new tools as well as welcoming the Light of Christ into our community this year.

Celebrate the new beginning
Our family is well, healthy and happy. The kids had a wonderful Christmas break as family visited and gifts were opened. (The kids all got musical instruments for Christmas so watch for our new ‘up-and-coming-kid-band’ to hit the streets this year!) We know God is with us, we see the testimony all around and sense His favor. Community leaders and pastors are counted among our friends, as well as the local Body of believers in general. We are in a solid place and poised for breakthrough! One board member spoke that, “These last few months are like the quiet before a GOOD storm.” I believe he is right, and we ought to all prepare for action!

A blessed new year full of NEW HOPE and direction to you and yours!

On board with the King,

Jon Thompson, Team Leader
Redding Transformation and the WeR1net

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