Dear Friends:
BRIDGE WORK
Redding is known as the home of the famous Sundial Bridge, but God is building a relational bridge for transformation here in Redding which will make all man-made ones pale by comparison! Right now, 2 bridges and a few overpasses are being worked on in this region, a prophetic picture of what God is doing in people’s hearts. Redding Transformation, for the past 5 years, has been connecting and mobilizing - ‘bridge building’ - for Kingdom teamwork. This month we seem to have crested a hill and come into a new place because the scenery is new and beautiful. Let me describe for you some of what we see.
NEW SCENERY
• SafetyNet: a coalition of action-focused people establishing a community clearinghouse where ideas, needs, resources and collaboration can converge in order to emerge. Over 80 community-loving leaders gathered at our luncheon on March 31 to see SafetyNet launch. The presence of God was strong and so was the response! Seven team members shared three desperate areas that need to be targeted on the way to seeing this city better mirror heaven's reality: 1) Safe Transition secondary homes for battered/abused mothers and children. 2) Project 18 for mentoring at-risk, post Juvenile Hall youth, and 3) My Watch which will amp up the neighborhood watch system. Each of these initiatives will place readied Christians in a role of influencing society, healing broken hearts and engaging in practical transformation immediately. (See brochures at www.safetynetcommunity.net and call us to jump in.)
• The NEW Grace In Motion: All along, our heart has been to help activate the grassroots Church to bring transformation to their daily surroundings. Serving needs through Grace in Motion has been a simple way to do this and bridge Christians in the process. This month, though, the project was initiated, assessed and executed by a couple connected to us. What a pleasure to just put the word out, show up and enjoy the day!
• LYNK culminated mid-month with great results. God spoke through each of the speakers and shifted hearts to better align with a transformation mindset in the region. The set of CDs of the 7 nights is available now for $25. Each CD includes the featured speakers, powerful testimonies and practitioner input. We plan to reunite at River City Church on April 23rd for a celebration of the Lord's presence and a 'comparing of notes.’
• South County Transformation held a few meetings this month to plan their more permanent presence in a tough neighborhood in Anderson. Red Bluff believers are emerging, believing and implementing plans on whole new levels as well, offering the Back To School Project families personal financial training.
• NetSound is our new business endeavor that grew out of recognizing a need in the area, seizing the moment and using what we have in our hand – awesome sound gear. We won a 3 year contract to provide quality sound to a local concert series and plan to assist multiple outreaches across the valley. A larger trailer, new speakers, microphones and cabling and more is on the way as we speak. As time goes on and capital funding loans are paid down, this avenue could provide a new income stream for Transformation and a new platform where we can reflect Christ.
• New invites to partner: The LOT youth hang-out is ramping up for season II, and Chico Neighborhood Church has asked me to share on April 19. Pray as potential funding/grant avenues open up to us.
• New teammates and tighter job descriptions: a surprising scenery adjustment that has God’s fingerprints all over it are the new “girders” for a wider and stronger bridge. These girders represent fresh laborers, teammates with clear areas of defined leadership as the support structure undergoes an overhaul. It’s time! With the "Track Record" newspaper, hosting leadership meetings and LYNK-like events, the upcoming LOT at DQ, the WeR1 band, Grace In Motion, the NetSound, business luncheons, broadening out to 1Net region-wide, filming and editing, SafetyNet, plus maintaining sanity, we need the helpers. Pray for grace in this retrofit!
FIZZLE
I didn't realize how much I really use my voice. Whether it's singing in the city, talking to leaders, chatting on the phone or hosting a meeting, I RELY on the Spirit, but I NEED my voice. This month, my throat hurt and my vocal strength fatigued. After receiving much prayer and seeing a specialist, I am feeling stronger. Pray that I recover and am able to use my voice to continue pressing Kingdom purposes forward. My assistant, Karen Shuster, continues to operate at high levels of efficiency, breaking through strongholds and blasting through barriers with incredible competency. This month, though, we started a dialogue about how to best define her role for the future. Up to this point, every detail (and there are many) has landed on her desk. This month she also co-wrote a grant for SafetyNet which MAY net us $10,000 toward implementation costs. PRAY! Remember to uphold me, Karen and the others who have surrendered their all to labor under these super-bridges on a day-to-day basis.
ECONOMICS
Our hearts and minds, daytimers and workloads don't reflect recession. God has provided as we walk in faith. Both LYNK and the Leaders’ Luncheon were done without money in the bank and the Lord brought in just enough to cover the need each time. He is amazing! We have a combined $4500 salary shortfall on salary for Karen and me. Pray that giving increase at this time. Pray that those who observe with favor would be moved to support. Our overhead is minimal. We spend cautiously but move boldly and are currently seeing favorable responses to our leadership. The investment is paying off! Thanks to all of you of have given generously over the years and for the special one-time gifts. May God encourage you with this month's report and the growing seeds of transformation. We are standing firm.
Blooming where we are planted,
Jon & Natalia Thompson, Team Leaders
WeR1 Band calendar: (subject to change)
APRIL 11 – Simpson University, helicopter egg drop, 9am
APRIL 23 – River City LYNK reunited, night of worship 7pm
MAY 30 – Relay for Life at Shasta College, 7pm
JULY 3 – Anderson city fireworks at Fairgrounds, evening
JULY 4 – Redding Fireworks, evening
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