N e w s G o o d N e w s g o o d n e w s G o o d N e w s G o o d Community Hears of Christ through Free Concert Series Using the Arts to Present the Gospel Story by Carol Savage Photos by Jon Duran

Dancers perform in a ballet at North Coast CC in Carlsbad, CA. Steve French counsels a young man This dance troupe was one of nine groups who performed who accepted Christ at the outreach. Gospel‑themed pieces at the July 2008 event. Story by Carol Savage Photo by Orv Salisbury For four years now, North Coast Calvary Chapel (NCCC) in Carlsbad, CA, has been building bridges, through the arts, to the residents of this coastal community. Believers and unbelievers enjoy NCCC’s fine art exhibits and performances. After being impacted by original artwork and stage events, attendees often return with others for worship ser- vices where the Word of God is presented.

Chuck Butler, an associate pastor at NCCC, explained how some believers stay confined to the walls of the church. He said, “There’s a need for us to mingle with people from outside the church so they can ‘taste and see that the Lord is good.’” The events and exhibits offered by NCCC are intended as “an entry point for those who may have said People pray with a man at one of three open-air outreach concerts held by Calvary Chapel Pasadena, CA. ‘no’ to church, but may be willing to say ‘yes’ to Jesus.”

“This was true in 1969,” Chuck reflected, “when as a young musician, I said ‘yes’ to Jesus Listeners enjoy the musical through an artistic entry point that Pastor Chuck Smith provided: my generation’s music.” performances from their lawn chairs. During the summer of 2008, Calvary Chapel coming forward to make public professions times. August’s event featured a band called of Pasadena shared the Gospel with many of faith in Christ. Lovelite, preceding Henry’s message, during NCCC places their creative endeavors into two categories: “the art group” (literary and through music. Their free, open-air con- which he asked the crowd, “Are you thirsty?” visual arts) and “ministering arts” (theatre, music, and dance). They host exhibits, pro- cert series featured contemporary Christian The crowds consisted of a variety of people in reference to Isaiah 55:1-3. ductions, and musical events in their new facility. It’s periodically transformed into a bands, free food, and messages by Pastors of all ages. Some were from CC Pasadena gallery, showcasing works of many local artists. Artists from outside the fellowship are Xavier Ries and Henry Duran. Each of and others had either heard about the event In one case, a man on his way to a nearby welcomed. Submitted works are screened to meet criteria of good taste. Participating the three concerts, held in Central Park, through advance publicity or were drawn fast-food restaurant heard music playing Christian artists mingle with professional and amateur artists, as well as patrons at the Pasadena, CA, was attended by approxi- to the site by the music. A number of during one of the concerts and, drawn by events, to convey what inspires their work: their faith in Jesus Christ. mately 200 people and resulted in numerous homeless people in the park also attended the promise of free entertainment, came to professions of faith in Jesus. the concerts. listen. Once there, he stayed to hear the Bible Founded two years ago, the “ministering art” group’s July '08 event included perfor- teaching and ended up receiving Christ. mances by several musicians. One woman, a rededicated believer, sang an original song. According to Assistant Pastor Henry Duran, The Kry, Christian music veterans, head- “Her voice was beautiful and her heart was broken with love for Jesus,” Chuck added. Her the intention of the series was to “get out to lined June’s concert, and Senior Pastor This recent series restarted a ministry that family members filled two front tables at the event to cheer her on. Moved by the whole the community and proclaim the Gospel of Xavier Ries shared about Jesus’ love for sin- had been on hiatus since 2004. Its organiz- event, several of the relatives returned to attend worship services and were presented Jesus Christ.” He stated that the success of an ners as demonstrated in Luke 7:36-50. In ers plan to host a similar series in the future. with the Gospel. outreach is not measured “by numbers, but July, contemporary Christian band Two or Henry Duran, assistant pastor at CC in the fact that the Gospel was preached … More took the stage before Xavier’s pro- CC Pasadena, CA North Coast Calvary Chapel Pasadena, CA, asks the crowd, “Are you God does the rest.” He shared that there was nouncement that “the time is truly short,” www.calvarychapelpasadena.com www.northcoastcalvary.org thirsty?” in his message. a good response to the messages, with many based on various Scriptures about the end [email protected] [email protected] 626-584-9992 760-929-0029

54 55 N e w s G o o d N e w s g o o d n e w s G o o d N e w s G o o d Southwestern CCs Reach Out to the Navajo Nation Spiritual Harvest in Little Saigon Story by Carol Savage Story by Luis Baez and Carol Savage Photos courtesy of CC Costa Mesa Photos by CC Bible Fellowship Temecula

Sixteen believers from CC Snowflake, AZ, studies to minister to adults. Over 70 chil- outreach as a minister of reconciliation,” answered, “Food … good food.” In Pinon, and 15 volunteers from CC Bible Fellowship dren attended the VBS each day. Six chil- and that he and his team were able to do so the people were hungry for the Gospel as in Temecula, CA, brought the Gospel to dren and two adults professed their faith in in a place where “the spiritual and physi- well as better physical sustenance. Navajo tribe members in Pinon, Arizona, Christ during the week of the outreach. cal poverty are great.” On the reservation, located in the middle of a Navajo Nation many closed church buildings line the roads The VBS included Bible games, snacks, reservation. Last July, the two fellowships Art Lemos, one of the leaders of the team due to failed church-plant attempts. Some Scripture lessons, and a “store” in which provided a week-long vacation Bible school from CC Snowflake, said that God had given Navajo children, asked what they would get kids could trade tickets they had earned to reach children for Jesus, and nightly Bible him a “desire to be involved in a missions if they could afford anything they wanted, through participation for donated toys and other items. According to Jenni Pymm, another leader of the CC Snowflake group, the store was a catalyst for the salvation of a Young Vietnamese listen to the music of Moi at Bolsa Grande young man named Ricky. High School in Westminster, CA.

In Jenni’s words, “Ricky stood out in my Last summer, the Vietnamese/Asian Fellowship of CC Costa Mesa sponsored a mind. One day, as everyone gathered to the youth concert in Little Saigon, a largely Vietnamese-American community located church for closing songs and prayer before in Orange County, CA. The event was the first of its kind in the area and nearly lunch, Ricky sat outside on a bench by him- 1,200 people attended. self. I sat next to him and asked if he’d gotten anything at the store yet. Then I asked him if The concert, held at Bolsa Grande High School in Garden Grove, CA, featured he had a Bible. ‘No,’ he replied. ‘Would you performances by three Christian acts: Moi, Evan Wickham, and the House. Garid like one?’ I asked. ‘Yes,’ he replied. I handed Beeler, a college-age pastor and evangelist from CC Costa Mesa, gave a Scripture Ricky a Bible and shared, ‘This is more valu- message from the Book of Romans in which he described mankind’s sinful nature able than anything in that store.’” and the need for redemption through faith in Christ.

After briefly explaining the Gospel to Ricky, According to Bob Bruley, pastor of CC Costa Mesa’s Vietnamese/Asian Fellowship Jenni led him to receive the Lord. and supervisor of the event, the concertgoers were mostly young adults who seemed captivated by the outreach. He said, “The Lord showed us through this that there is Calvary Chapel Snowflake, AZ a tremendous need for more outreaches in Little Saigon. People were very hungry to www.calvarychapelsnowflake.com hear God’s Word.” [email protected] 928-536-4479 During Garid’s message, the audience was “totally silent—glued to their seats,” according to Bob. When the invitation to receive Jesus was given, over 125 people accepted. Some people on the sidelines, as well as those who walked to the stage, made professions of faith.

Those saved included a woman who was collecting used water bottles, a man who was there to help deliver chairs, and some people who had asked Bob’s wife, Minh, Navajo children display their drawings about Jesus healing the blind man. CC Snowflake, AZ, how to receive Christ as she manned a table serving free water and snacks to guests. and CC Bible Fellowship, Temecula, CA, combined their efforts for a VBS to the Navajo Nation. She led them to a tent in which counseling, Bibles, and packets of materials for new believers were provided. There, volunteers led them to the Lord.

The Little Saigon section of Orange County, comprising parts of three cities, contains the largest Vietnamese popu- lation outside of Vietnam. Many settled there after fleeing oppression in their native land. The ministry leaders plan to present another concert outreach there next year. Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa A man receives a new believer’s www.calvarychapelcostamesa.com Jenni Pymm encourages a young girl as Dezare Pymm and Ina Amaro share the Good Children listen to a Bible lesson. The VBS outreach was conducted by CC packet after receiving counseling. [email protected] she reads a Bible story. News with a VBS student through a game. Snowflake and CCBF Temecula in Pinon, AZ, where Native Americans reside. 714-979-4422

56 57 N e w s G o o d N e w s g o o d n e w s G o o d N e w s G o o d CC Philly Ministers to Children of Divorced Parents CC Chino Valley Family Day in the Park Story by Carol Savage Story by Tammy Patrignani Photos by Adrian Rodriguez Photo by Natalie Austin Good News Excitement showed on the children’s faces as they received needed school supplies and other prizes during CC Chino Valley’s first annual outreach at Monte Vista Park in Chino, CA. The desire of the missions min- istry of the church was to reach their local community with the love of Jesus.

“Our mission to reach the local community in the name of Christ is just as important as our overseas mission trips,” said David Bustamante, missions pastor at CC Chino Valley. Church volunteers distributed over 650 personal invitations the week before the event. “Our heart is to reach our own diver- sified community,” said David.

Hundreds of people responded. On the day of the outreach this past September, over Participants in CC Chino Valley’s Family Day enjoy many games and activities. 140 children and their families from the neighborhood came to the park to enjoy free food, games, and school supplies. The surprised by all the different activities as David concluded, “It’s our prayer for the park children’s ministry provided worship music. well as the complimentary refreshments. outreach to help point people toward Christ, A message on obedience was given by the giving God the credit for the outcome.” The puppet ministry. The program concluded “One woman was especially touched by the church plans another park outreach in a dif- with prayer and the opportunity for those park outreach,” said David. “She started ferent neighborhood during the winter. attending to receive Christ. Participants coming to church every Sunday, bringing commented that they were pleasantly her neighbors and friends. CC Chino Valley, CA www.calvaryccv.org 909-464-8255 CC Philadelphia DC4K facilitator Larry Ritter leads discussion time for young attendees who have been impacted by divorce. Sharing the Hope of Christ with Kids Story by Carol Savage Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia (CC Philly), have both gone through the trial of divorce. learn Bible verses to help them in their rela- Disadvantaged students who attend John Chris Gerts, ministry leader of KHUSA at culminated with a Gospel presentation by PA, offers a ministry, Divorce Care for Kids They learned about DC4K at a seminar, tionships with the Lord. Muir Literacy Academy, an elementary CC Elk Grove Village, stated, “The festival Assistant Pastor Tony Salerno. (DC4K), to help children of divorced par- then brought the ministry to CC Philly in school in Hoffman Estates, IL, are being was a chance for us to invite those families ents find solace in Jesus’ unchanging love. 2007, inspired to help children who have According to Larry, most of the children shown the constancy and care of Christ in the program whose children we mentor. Chris added, “With each passing year there been affected by their parents breaking up. involved in the ministry had professed through Kids Hope USA (KHUSA), a min- Since we cannot witness to them at school, is more interest in our church by the par- Through the ministry, many children have Christ as Savior prior to joining DC4K; istry of CC Elk Grove Village, IL, under the this is the time when we can really talk to ents of these students because they see the been comforted by others in like situations “I always felt that the children were the however, at least one child has come to direction of Senior Pastor Phil Ballmaier. the families and our students about how church in action and the love we have for and have been reassured of God’s love for ones who were hurt the most,” said Larry, know Christ through the ministry. The ministry focuses on mentoring children much Jesus loves them … and wants to be them and for each other.” them. At least one child has found salvation whose child was four at the time his own from troubled backgrounds. Lord of their lives.” in Jesus as a result of the program. marriage dissolved. He said: “An 11-year-old girl told her mom KHUSA was started in Michigan in 1995. she wanted to go forward after a Sunday ser- Eight believers each meet with a student at CC Elk Grove Village has been holding its It was designed to help at-risk children The ministry serves children between the “The DC4K program utilizes a prayer jour- vice. The girl and one of her friends repeated the school during weekly one-hour time yearly “Harvest Fests” since 1990. Since the receive the benefits of individual atten- ages of five and 12 at weekly meetings, held nal that allows the children to write prayer the sinner’s prayer with our pastor and both slots. These appointments open the door church began its KHUSA outreach nine tion from church attendees within the while their parents attend a similar fellow- requests throughout each evening session. gave their lives to Jesus. The girl’s mom … to invite the children to events at CC Elk years ago, the festivals have become a key setting of the children’s schools. Its pro- ship in a different room. Between 12 and We lift up each request as we close the ses- shared that her daughter was led to go for- Grove Village, where they can be told about part of sharing the Good News of Jesus with gram is currently used by 463 Christian 14 children, mostly younger than nine, cur- sion. About midway through the program, ward after attending the DC4K program.” the love of Jesus. The most recent event, the first- through sixth-graders who partici- churches, according to the KHUSA website, rently attend each week. the requests are about praying for their held last November, was a harvest festival pate in the KHUSA ministry. www.kidshopeusa.org. unsaved parents,” stated Larry. CC Philadelphia, PA at which 20 children from John Muir and Larry Ritter, a leader of the DC4K pro- www.ccphilly.org their guardians, along with nearly 100 other This year, the festival organizers provided CC Elk Grove Village, IL gram at CC Philly, explained that he and In addition to journaling, attendees partici- [email protected] attendees, were presented with the Gospel. free food, games with prizes for all www.calvarychapelelkgrove.org Jon Kennedy, the ministry’s coordinator, pate in games, crafts, and discussions, and 215-969-1520 who played, and a Bible skit. The event [email protected] 847-895-3545

58 59 N e w s G o o d N e w s g o o d Mary Barrett I will never cease.’ That was her life. She was ‘I am going to Nashville to sing my songs CC Merritt Island Managua Outreach a wonderful worship leader because she was and then I am going to heaven,’ she reached Well-known Calvary a worshiper. She was here for a season to for the finish line. She sang her songs, then Story by Carol Savage Photos courtesy of CC Merritt Island Chapel musician Mary lead us all to the throne of God. That was less than two weeks later, she was in heaven. Mary Barrett Barrett went home to her reason for living. That was her mission. Mary relied upon the Lord for her strength be with the Lord on To this end she was born, to this call she was each time she stood up to minister, and it November 10, 2008, after faithful ... faithful to the end. was His strength and power that enabled her being diagnosed with to see it through to the very end. carcinosarcoma less than “Because of her determined commitment to a year before. Longtime friend and fel- that calling, when given the choice of what “Mary was in the habit of thanking God, and low musician Malcolm Wild, senior pastor to do with the final weeks of her life, she when the wheels of the aircraft touched the of CC Merritt Island, FL, shared this from chose to leave us a legacy—an amazing col- ground, she always said, ‘mission accom- his heart. “Mary Barrett was a woman on a lection of songs on a farewell album entitled, plished,’ after returning from a conference. mission. Of all the people I have ever met, The Vanishing Point. Recorded during the Write that on her life. She wanted nothing none have had a greater commitment to the final stages of her illness, often in pain and more than to bless the heart of God and call of God on their life than Mary. One of suffering, she pressed on to finish her race. serve His people. She is gone to glory, but Team member Jay Heavner talks to the first songs she ever wrote, ‘Worshiper,’ Literally from a hospital bed to a Nashville her fragrance lingers.” some children and a parent at the begins with these words; ‘I am Your wor- studio, she ignored the advice of doctors and Calvary Chapel Primary School. shiper for life, my Lord, forever praising You, the pleas of loved ones, and with the words, www.marybarrett.com

to share were presented. Jessica commented, “The team passed out toys, hygiene items, and Christian coloring books. We also Calvary Calendar 2009 Share your prayed with the families, who were often Month Dates Event/Church Good news: Pastor Howard Davies tells a dramatic story at an orphanage in Jinotepe with the grateful to the point of tears.” March 9-11 Southwest Conference Story guidelines aid of translator David DelBuono. CC Tucson, AZ Send us a summary of your local outreach, Another team member, Cindy Dean, stated, mission trip, or other fruitful ministry in “One young mother was alone with her 23-25 High Sierra Conference Microsoft Word format, 300 words or less. Last July, Calvary Chapel Merritt Island, infant daughter who was facing surgery. I CC Carson Valley, NV Photo guidelines FL, sent a team of seven believers to CC had a companion along who could speak April 2-4 Pastor and Leadership Conference Email or send original JPEG or TIFF files Managua, a fellowship their church planted Spanish, so I was able to ask the woman if I CC Dallas, TX at least 2.0 megabytes in size. in 2000. It is located in the capital of could pray for her and her baby. Although Next issue deadline is June 17, 2008. 23-25 Great Lakes Conference Please email your submission or send Nicaragua, the largest country in Central I told the young mother that I could not CC Appleton, WI it to: America. Mission teams from various speak Spanish, and my prayers would be Calvary Chapels around the world have vis- in English, she gladly accepted and replied 27-28 Rocky Mountains/Plains Conference CC Magazine ited yearly. that our God does not need a translator.” Crossroads CC, CO 1103 Potomac Avenue 29-May 1 Deep South Conference Fredericksburg, VA 22405 This team, led by Howard Davies, an assis- CC Managua also runs a Christian school CC Stone Mountain, GA [email protected] tant pastor at CC Merritt Island, made a for local children in kindergarten through May 18-20 East Coast Conference Submitted items will not be returned. week-long trip to the fellowship to assist sixth grade to provide for young people to Please view our submission guidelines at: CC Philadelphia, PA with work projects and evangelism. The mis- become educated and learn about Jesus. www.calvarymagazine.org sionaries’ destinations included an impover- These children would otherwise be on the June 1-4 Senior Pastors Conference /submissions.htm ished community called Manchester and a streets because their parents cannot afford Murrieta Conference Center, CA local hospital. to send them to local secular schools.

Jessica Mentzer, a member of the CC Merritt Additionally, CC Managua owns a bakery, Island team, described the outreach to the the purpose of which is to provide employ- Subscriptions: 1-888-257-2714 Or send this form or a copy to: children: We ministered in an extremely ment and work skills for people in the area. Spring 2009 www.calvarymagazine.org CCM poor neighborhood called Manchester, Name:[email protected] 1103 Potomac Avenue which no longer exists due to flooding [in CC Merritt Island Fredericksburg, VA 22405 fall 2008]. We led them in songs, told Bible www.calvarymerrittisland.org Address:______Gift subscription stories, and played with them. We have [email protected] City:______State:_____Zip:______taken quite a few teams to this particular 321-453-6779 area, but I think this group of children felt Phone: [___]______E-mail:______Friend’s Name:______the love of Jesus more than any other time CC Managua [ ] 1 yr (4 issues) $15 in US/$20 Foreign Address:______Pastors Cal Stuebner, left, and Howard I’ve gone there.” www.calvarymanagua.org [ ] 2 yr (8 issues) $28 in US/$40 Foreign Davies, middle, pray for a child at La [email protected] City:______State:______Zip:______[ ] Gift ______Mascota, the children’s cancer hospital. When the team visited La Mascota, a chil- 305-767-1646 Phone: [____]______E-mail:______dren’s cancer hospital, more opportunities This is a subscription: [ ] for me [ ] my friend [ ] myself and my friend Please send renewal notice to [ ] me [ ] my friend This subscription is a: [ ] new subscription [ ] renewal

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