Mar 31, 2011
Jon Petersen (North America director of 24-7 Prayer) talks about what role prayer plays in the current situation in Japan, and introduces the Prayer Room at CRASH.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Business Breakfast Series
Crime Prevention Tips for Business Owners
Wednesday, April 20th: 8:00am-10:00pm
North Park Main Street in partnership with GSDBA, City Heights Business Association, Adams Avenue Business Association, and the North Park Lions will be hosting an educational workshop on Crime Prevention Tips for Business Owners. This is a free workshop for business owners.
DATE: Wednesday - April 20, 2011
TIME: 8:00am - 10:00am
LOCATION: North Park Lions Club 3927 Utah Street, San Diego, CA 92104
(Street parking available, please DO NOT park in the Lions Club Parking Lot)
YOUR PRESENTER: City of San Diego Police Department & Crime Prevention Specialists
COST: Free (light refreshments included)
(Each attendee will receive a complimentary binder containing comprehensive crime prevention material and information.)
The story behind Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech from Clarence Jones
Go behind the scenes to the actual writing of the immortal "I have a dream speech" as Clarence Jones, co-writer of the speech and close confidante to Martin Luther King, talks about his time with Dr King and his new book Behind the Dream.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
East County Transitional Living Center (ECTLC)
Wednesday, Mar 30, 2011New religion
El Cajon homeless-services program cuts ties with its problematic past
Sean Oliver went through ECTLC’s rehab program and now serves as the organization’s development director.
Photo by Kelly Davis
Sean Oliver - Director of Development
(619) 442-0457 ext. 1114 Office or
(619) 442-0457 ext. 1114 Office or
In his office, Harold Brown has mug shots of El Cajon’s homeless chronic drinkers posted on a bulletin board. Part of a city program to curb serial inebriation, the photos are handed out to liquor-store owners to stop them from selling to folks on the list. Next to four of the photos, someone’s written “saved.”
The “saved” men are graduates of a one-year program that includes 90 days at a Dulzura ranch and nine months of sober living at a converted El Cajon motel operated by the East County Transitional Living Center (ECTLC). Brown’s the group’s CEO.
On March 19, ECTLC had a grand opening at the motel, a decades-old set of buildings under a rusted, kitschy sign that says “Fab 7,” the motel’s original name. ECTLC’s former incarnation, Set Free Ministries, had occupied the building since 2004, though, making this less a grand opening and more a re-branding.
“New services, new name, new management, new outlook on approaching the community,” says Sean Oliver, ECTLC’s director of development. “Set Free was very closed to working with others, whereas we’re the exact opposite.”
El Cajon’s Set Free had ties to the larger Set Free Ministries, an Orange County faith-based organization that started off as an evangelical biker gang before founder Phil Aguilar grew it into a mega-church with rehab ranches throughout the U.S.
Set Free was always controversial, with Aguilar being compared in news reports to cult leaders like David Koresh and Jim Jones. In 2008, Aguilar was arrested after several of his “Set Free Soldiers” got into a brawl with Hell’s Angels bikers at a Newport Beach bar (Aguilar, video footage showed, sat out the fight). Initially charged with attempted murder, Aguilar and three of his Soldiers ultimately pleaded to lesser weapons charges.
Though Brown says his organization’s affiliation with Set Free was a loose one, he realized it was time to make a split—not only because of what happened in Newport Beach, but also because Set Free’s religion-focused model narrowed the organization’s reach.
“We got help from [Set Free], and it was good for us, but that’s not who we are,” Brown says. “I don’t want any of that to hamper the ability to be able to take people off the street and give them hope, whether or not that’s here or whether that’s by us finding them another program that’s more suitable for them somewhere else.”
Though folks who take advantage of ECTLC’s transitional housing and emergency shelter services aren’t expected to participate in religious activities, the organization’s spiritual leanings are evident throughout the property, from crosses on some motel-room doors to a Bible verse painted in the kids’ play area. Brown’s also the pastor of the adjacent church. But, he says, “we also understand that not everybody’s going to receive the gospel. Not everybody comes here looking for salvation through Christ.”
East County contains less than one-tenth of the region’s homeless population (802 people out of 9,020 countywide, according to a recent count by the Regional Task Force on the Homeless), but it has a high poverty rate and lots of people teetering on the edge of homelessness. In El Cajon, 21 percent of residents live below the poverty line (a $21,834 annual income for a family of four), according to U.S. Census Data, compared with the county average of 12.6 percent.
For now, ECTLC employs only one social worker, Denise Schoolcraft, who estimates her caseload is upwards of 100 people at any given time. The organization’s annual operating budget is $1.1 million, and it provides housing for 300 people, Oliver says. Those limited means manifest themselves in things like white-painted Xs in the parking spaces in front of the women’s transitional-housing portion of the motel.
“No man’s land,” Oliver explains. “Men are not allowed to step inside that box.”
Though Oliver was never homeless, he did go through ECTLC’s rehab program. He wasn’t a religious person before that, he says.
“I had been through other programs, I had been through secular things, I had been through court-mandated things, and none of it stuck until I came here,” he explains. Before, he says, “there was nothing to fill the emptiness that was left.”
Though research has shown that spirituality can help a person kick an addiction and stay sober, there’s a counter argument that religious-based recovery programs simply replace one addiction with another.
“That’s a great addiction to have, then,” Oliver says. “If I’m going to be addicted to something, I’d rather it be my spirituality and my closeness with God.”
Amid ECTLC’s overhaul, the rehab program has stayed grounded in the philosophy that addiction and homelessness are the products of a person’s bad choices. Brown, who was once a homeless alcoholic, explains the approach matter-of-factly.
“Each one of those people that are sitting there, laying on the street… it’s their fault,” he says. “It’s not society’s fault, it’s not the government’s fault and the government doesn’t have a responsibility to fix it…. You choose; it’s as simple as that.
“It’s always the individual’s choice,” he says. “I know—I was on the street; I chose to be there. After awhile, it gets kind of easy.”
Jarring, maybe, but there’s a reason that kind of treatment approach works, says Patricia Leslie, director of Point Loma Nazarene University’s social-work program.
“If you say to the person, ‘Oh, you’re a victim of the system,’ that means that unless you can impact the system, you have no hope. But if the person has choices and options, and their choices and options contribute to them being there or not, it puts some of the power back into the individual’s hands.”
It also jibes with the reigning American ethos of personal responsibility, she says.
“Unfortunately, what it doesn’t take into account is what we learned during the Great Depression, which is that there are also some systemic and structural issues here, like, if you can’t find housing because there is no housing available, or you can’t find affordable housing because all of the affordable housing is [priced] at 80 percent of area-median income and you’ve got 20 percent of area-median income.”
One-fifth of ECTLC’s budget comes from its work program. Program participants staff concessions at 81 Padres games per season, which brings up another piece of his organization’s past that Brown would like to forget. In July 2007, when a Padres hat giveaway marketed to kids coincided with the lesbian-and-gay “Out at the Park” event, Brown decided his crew wouldn’t work concessions that day. But the Gay & Lesbian Times accused the organization of coordinating a game-day protest. Brown says that wasn’t the case.
“We weren’t there protesting,” he says. “We didn’t go to work that day.”
He says he regrets that decision.
“If... on Tuesday, April 5, they declared that to be a floppy-hat giveaway with the gay-and-lesbian choir singing the National Anthem, we’ll be there. That’s just not a fight that I should be involved with. In retrospect, I regret that, and you can print that.”
As for the success rate of his program, Brown says that of the people who enter the first phase—90 days at the ranch—probably half leave. “And of those, about half of them come back.”
Though the rehab program’s faith-based approach prevents ECTLC from tapping into certain sources of funding (its secular programs don’t have similar limitations), being affiliated with a church has given Brown a way to track the long-term success of graduates. “Success is all the way to the end,” he says. He makes sure that people return to their family, or he keeps an eye out for them at church services.
Point Loma’s Leslie says that, in her experience, relationships are what keep people from slipping back into addictions.
“Whether it’s a relationship with the maker, relationship with community, relationship with the case manager. The bottom line is some sort of viable, caring relationship,” she says.
Write to kellyd@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Why Do We Let Them Dress Like That?
Jennifer Moses, author of a recent WSJ article "Why Do We Let Them Dress Like That?" talks with Kelsey Hubbard about the tempest her piece has provoked.
Live Chat
Today's teen and preteen girls are bombarded with images and products that tout the benefits of sexual attraction. But must we as parents, give in to their desire to "dress like everyone else?" asks author Jennifer Moses. She talks with WSJ's Kelsey Hubbard.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Lost Potential in African American Community
Why did the NY billboard go up & come down?»» Read More
60% of African-American babies in New York City never make it out of the womb. In 2009 there where 27,405 live births and 40,798 induced abortions. »» See The Facts
Source: NYC Dept. of Health and Mental HygieneSaturday, March 26, 2011
CRASH Japan and its Three Pronged Strategy
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me."
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me."
March 26, 2011
Dear Praying Friends,
Thank you all for your continuing prayers on our behalf, on behalf of the relief efforts currently underway through CRASHJapan and on behalf of the people of Japan
This past Tuesday/Wednesday (3/22,23) I was up inTokyo
Thank you all for your continuing prayers on our behalf, on behalf of the relief efforts currently underway through CRASH
This past Tuesday/Wednesday (3/22,23) I was up in
Two reflections on my trip up to Tokyo
Reflection #1: One sobering thought.... Since the Kobe of 1995, as our here in Central Japan was predicted to be the next area that would be hit by a major earthquake, as I rode the Bullet Train through our neighboring prefecture at a speed of 260 kph and passing right next to the ocean, I was struck by the fact that should that earthquake have hit where it had been predicted, literally, the entire area we were passing through along with the Bullet Train and it's tracks have been swept away into the ocean and no longer exist.
Reflection #2: One powerful thought.... Upon entering the CRASH Japan Command Center and seeing the 100 or more volunteers focused on the relief effort and led by a large cross-section of the evangelical missionary community, I was impacted in seeing how the Lord was mobilizing his people in bringing the needed physical, emotional and spiritual help to the nearly 1/4 million displaced and suffering people of northeast Japan.
Concerning CRASH
In a recent report just received back from one of the base camps, "While on his assessment trip for CRASH, Ralph and his team found 9000 evacuees who were very low on supplies. They're now working with Samaritan's Purse and the Marines to get supplies like hygiene kits, rice, water & cup-ramen delivered to this huge group of people whose town was obliterated."
So how are we going to get involved? As a home near the CRASH Japan Command Center has been offered to us, Eileen and I plan to drive up to Tokyo in order to join the CRASH JapanEmoCare team in the preparing relief teams to be sent to the disaster area and also to be there to debrief them on there return. Thus, we will appreciate your prayers in the following specific areas:
1. For the Lord's leading in exactly what role He would have us play in terms of pastoral care and relief team preparation.
2. As CRASH
3. And finally, as we will initially be committing to serve at the
Even though we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil, for we know the Lord is with us and the efforts to bring physical, emotional and spiritual help and hope to those tens of thousands who are suffering greatly. Thank you for your continuing prayer support!
In Christ and for His Glory, Jim Nielsen TEAM-Japan
PS: For more up-to-date information concerning the relief efforts of Jim in
Friday, March 25, 2011
D.C. census: Residents see their neighborhoods changing
Washington, D.C. residents describe the changing demographics of their neighborhoods. (Tucker Walsh)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
A KISS BETWEEN GAY YOUNG MEN
March 23, 2011
Former SNL Star Slammed for 'Homophobia'
Victoria Jackson takes 'Glee' to task for airing a kiss between gay young menFormer Saturday Night Live star Victoria Jackson, writing for the hyper-conservative World Net Daily, said that last week's episode of Glee, which featured a kiss between gay characters Kurt and Blaine, was "sickening" and that "besides shoving the gay thing down our throats, they made a mockery of Christians – again! I wonder what their agenda is? Hey, producers of "Glee" – what's your agenda? One-way tolerance?"
The comments came near the end of an article titled "The Muslims Next Door," in which Jackson had ridiculed Muslims on a number of fronts: "Why do liberals embrace Shariah law even though 'beheading your wife' seems to go against the feminist movement's mantra? Why do liberals embrace Islam knowing it frowns on homosexuality? Because they have the same goals. Progressives, communists, liberals, globalists and Muslims want to destroy America. When that goal is reached, they will fight for top billing. It will be bloody."
But it was Jackson's comments about Glee's gay kiss that really stirred the pot on Tuesday. The Huffington Post and E! Online both called it a "homophobic rant." Popeater.com called it an "anti-tolerance crusade." Perez Hilton urges Jackson to "keep your homophobic, narrow-minded, tea-party babble to yourself, 'kay?!"
Showbiz Tonight ostensibly gave Jackson a chance to defend her comments on the air, but the report was hardly objective and was clearly meant to tear Jackson down. The webpage, after all, is titled, "Victoria Jackson blasts 'Glee,' gays while waving Bible," and the video carried such blurbs as "Glee Kiss Outrage!" and "Lip-Lock Lashout!" And while interviewing Jackson, Showbiz Tonight showed the kiss eight times in less than five minutes.
On Showbiz Tonight, Jackson dismissed the accusations of homophobia by saying "that's a cute little buzz word of the liberal agenda," adding, "The Bible says homosexuality is a sin." See the entire video here:
Remembering Archbishop Oscar Romero
A FUTURE NOT OUR OWN
A prayer / poem by Archbishop Oscar Romero
A prayer / poem by Archbishop Oscar Romero
(murdered, 24 March 1980)
It helps, now and then, to step back
and take the long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of
the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is another way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No programme accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
and take the long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of
the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete,
which is another way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No programme accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
OUR FRIENDS REPORT FROM JAPAN
“Well, I'm off on Saturday to Tokyo…….. Pray especially as we seek to build a coordinated prayer strategy in partnership with key ministries, churches and leaders. It won't be easy, but it is paramount for Japan's future.” Jon Petersen, Colorado
“The US has made a huge contribution to the relief effort but gets little coverage, that's ok though.” Tom Nielsen, Guam
"So much going on! The nuclear reactor situation, rebuilding in the devastated area, lack of food and water in many areas, the ongoing search for those missing, the climbing death count, contaminated spinach and milk, etc. Yet in the midst of it God is doing good things!" Darryl Fast, Nagoya
“….meet with the leadership of CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope) on Wednesday. We have been told there is a critical need for us to come and join them in preparing the growing number of relief teams and workers in going out… As one of the staff member said, "The situation is going to get much worse in dealing with people and their hearts before it begins getting any better." Jim Nielsen, Toyoake
“I am experiencing this feeling of desperation like I did when I was a 13-year-old boy and B-29 planes dropped bombs on my home city” said Ozaki, an HCJB Global radio producer who continues to do programming at age 78.”
“Here's why few of us from the Kanto plain north have gotten much sleep the past six days, especially those suffering without heat as a cold snap hit the main islands yesterday” http://www.japanquakemap.com/ Joel Ingulsrud, Tokyo
“Our hearts are heavy for the country & people of Japan. Thanks to all of you for your prayers & showing interest….. I am still considering my own response but as my father has taken a turn for the worse I will be “staying put” to tend to family matters for now.” Paul Gizzi, Orange County
“A Benefit Concert for Japan ~ Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30pm Location: Eastern University” Jamie Nielsen, Pennsylvania
“Thank you so much for the link! I have been watching NHK World in English via the Italian state television channel, simultaneously interpreted into Italian, -- at times very confusing with Japanese at the back of the English narration, with the Italian voice-over, all three audible. But Ustream provides an elegant solution. I had never known its existence.” T. Taneda, San Diego
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
How do you respond when people tell you they are leaving your church?
SOUL & SPIRITMonday Hello
How do you respond when people tell you they are leaving your church for another one nearby?
The email from Karen and Derrick had the subject line "Monday hello." While the actual body of the message felt like a cyber-punch to the stomach, I could not help but laugh at the subject line. If ever there was a Monday hello, this was it.
Karen and Derrick had come to our church from a nearby megachurch. During the Christmas holidays, they sent my wife and me a Christmas card extolling the many virtues of our church and how God, in his providence, had surely led them to us. I felt so encouraged. This well-adjusted young couple had chosen to be a part of what we were doing in Atlanta! They loved the size of the church, the welcoming community, and best of all, they loved the preaching (read: "they liked me").
| Finish this article |
'The Biggest Lie That Was Ever Told'
Never mind what some may have heard about the supposed racial progressiveness of San Diego. It was, says a 91-year-old resident, "the biggest lie that was ever told."
San Diegans still live with the legacy of the segregation of the past, which helped determine the ethnic flavor of the city's inner-city neighborhoods. Adrian Florido examines how this history affects today's residents in San Diego's core, who find themselves facing new challenges and new neighbors.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Relief kits needed for Japan
Japan's relief effort intensifies |
| Japan (MNN) -- Japan's earthquake damages will be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. For many survivors of crises, the most immediate concern is not the future, but the present need for food, shelter, clean water and heat. Asian Access estimates that nearly 300 churches were in the tsunami-impacted areas, and they've set up a relief base to provide help. Other churches are serving as shelters. A2 also has a million dollar matching grant right now, multiplying the impact of donations dollars. We've got more online. |
Disaster-ridden Japan in store for more trauma |
| Japan (MNN) -- The triple threat in Japan of earthquake, tsunami, and radiation will likely have significant psychological effects on the Japanese. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety are all expected to inflict a much greater number of people than if only one of the three had occurred. Rich Blanco with Biblica says fear will last for years. "When people experience a disaster like this, often they're not sleeping well, they're waking up scared, and there's the fear of another tsunami or earthquake." The ministry will help people cope with this emotional stress through three post-disaster booklets. The books allow people to work through their thoughts in their own timing, journal, and ultimately cast their cares on Christ. "People who've lost everything are going to really just be seeking how they rebuild their lives, and that's where Biblica steps in with God's Word in very appropriate formats to bring hope to a hopeless situation." Help with this project at our Web site. |
Japan pushed to the limit with triple threat |
| Japan (MNN) -- The nuclear crisis developing in Japan's quake-damaged Fukushima power complex is complicating relief. Jeff Palmer with Baptist Global Response explains, "We've looked at plans for helping in the earthquake areas. The tsunami areas are fairly well closed to private volunteer organizations. The Japanese government is handling that, and [in addition], those are in the radiation areas." Because of this, Palmer says, "A lot of us are focusing our response on those peripheral earthquake-affected areas which are requiring food, shelter, and help for folks who are being evacuated or have left the area." Although there are limitations to where they can help, they've got a long view. "We will respond and help people where they are hurting. At the same time, we will also offer them a hope that is found in eternal hope: a hope that is here and now, as well as later and beyond -- a hope that is found in Jesus Christ." Read more here…. |
Earthquake stirs emotion |
| Japan (MNN) -- The emotional and spiritual effects of the recent disaster are starting to show in people all over Japan. TEAM doesn't work in the region most affected, but everyone seems to be shaken. Ministry Area Leader Steve Baughn talked to us from Japan: "They need to just talk; they're scared. They don't know when the next big earthquake's going to come in their area; they don't know about the nuclear reactor. This is going to have an ongoing effect throughout the nation which...is going to give Christians opportunities to share the love of Christ with people who are going to feel more needy and more insecure than they ever have, possibly -- no matter where they are in Japan." TEAM will certainly play a role in this, but "for the missions, the key is to continue to try to work with the Japanese and the Japanese church to make them the most effective they can be in reaching their own people." As opportunities arise, "The biggest prayer is that we would just be ready." |
Relief kits needed for Japan |
| Japan (MNN) -- The grim search for survivors continues in Japan as a half-million people are reportedly homeless. The need for food, water, and other essentials continues. In response, Medical Teams International is committed to help. President of the ministry Bas Vanderzalm says the church is meeting the basic needs for shelter, food, and water. Unfortunately, the needs are great. "There are thousands and thousands of people who need help right now with just basic essentials for life. It's those needs that we're looking to meet with local church groups in Japan." They'll need temporary shelter, such as tents. They'll also need blankets, clothing, and other items to protect them in the cold months of the year. Vanderzalm says it doesn't take a lot of investment. "For $30, we're able to provide a disaster kit to people in an emergency situation like this that would be enough to care for them for at least several weeks. So, even a small gift would make a huge difference." Click on the link at our Web site to help. |
Triple threat hangs over response teams in Japan |
| Japan (MNN) -- Experts say Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami will rank among the most costly natural disasters on record. Peter Howard with Food For the Hungry (FH) says, "It's a modern country, so this is unparalleled for the scale of this disaster in a modern country." It's winter now, and millions are without food, water or shelter. Nuclear meltdown looms. The FH team has a plan that flexes with the needs. "For Food for the Hungry, our niche is really working with the local churches and local church partners throughout the region affected and trying to get supplies in through those churches and basically provide support through those churches and ministries." Keep praying as their team moves forward. "We believe that the church is God's vehicle for spreading the Gospel of love and compassion and the message of peace. We're really hopeful that the Japanese church supported by churches all around the world will rise up and truly show what Christians are all about." Read more here…. |
Damaged communication keeps status of churches hidden |
| Japan (MNN) -- It's mostly unknown how Japan's churches have fared in the wake of disaster. Asian Access pastor Hiroshi Kawasaki says, "More than 300 churches are affected." Kawasaki is attempting to contact churches nearly around the clock, but many wireless lines and landlines are down. He has yet to hear from most. Ministry Director for Japan Mary Jo Wilson says unaffected churches are doing all they can to help. "Some other churches have opened up and are supplying some long-term temporary housing. So we see the body of Christ working together." For now, aid and housing are vital for the more than 310,000 people made homeless. Asian Access has set up a relief fund to provide aid. But the church is preparing for another need as well. "Soon after, maybe they need a very, very big spiritual help," says Kawasaki. For now, "Pray that Japan experiences the reality of Christ's love." Read here…. |
Christians called to pray for Japan and USA |
| USA (MNN) -- While the world struggles to come to grips with the devastation in Japan, Ron Hutchcraft says Christians need to pray. He says our prayers need to focus on two areas. First, with only 1% of the population Christian, Japanese people need our prayers. "The millions of gods of Shintoism. The feeling that Christianity is a western religion. All these things have created great barriers, and my prayer now is for the people of God in Japan, that this could be their moment [they share their faith] because of their hope." Hutchcraft says in the United States, newscasters are talking about biblical prophecy. He says when people ask about it, he gives some suggestions on what to say. "You need to make sure you are in the hands of the One who predicted it all, whose coming preceded by it all, and who is the only safe place," which is Jesus. Listen to the full interview on our Web site. |
Japan's quake creates opportunity and obstacles |
| Japan (MNN) -- Japanese seismologists have upgraded Friday's earthquake to a 9.0. The resulting tsunami has caused radiation contamination from damaged nuclear power reactors. We spoke to Howard Plucar with EFCA Reach Global from Tokyo via Skype. He says most of the team is safe, but there is no word from the Furukawa church and their team in Sendai, near the epicenter. "There's going to be immediate need that's going to flow in through churches and through Non-Governmental Organizations, but I think where the church is really going to have its greatest impact is in the long term--helping people rebuild their lives." TouchGlobal Crisis Response is assessing the situation. "As we show the love of Christ, we also declare the meaning of Christ to people whose lives have been turned upside-down and who don't have a lot of hope. So, to weave meaning into the acts of kindness is going to be key for the church." Read here…. |
God's timing prepares team for quake |
| Japan (MNN) -- Asian Access> reports that their team survived the quake safely. However, there are several partners who have likely been severely affected, but communications are limited. The team is confident that God will use the faith of these believers to reach out to the hurting in the community. A note of interest: six days ago, the leaders were part of an all-day training to help Christians in Japan be prepared to respond in case of earthquake. Pray with them as they move to respond. Read here… |
SEND International starts earthquake aid fund |
| Japan (MNN) -- International Director of SEND International Warren Janzen says they have 67 people working in Japan. "We've connected with our people, and everyone is safe--although not everyone is home. There were some people who were stranded in other parts of the city. Others chose to walk four or five hours to get back to their residences. All of our structures are all sound for now." SEND is one of the founding missions of the Japan Evangelical Church Association, and Janzen says they'll be working through that organization. "They are trying, right now, to connect with churches and believers in that affected region. They want to assess what the damage is and then begin strategizing on how to go in an assist." SEND has set up a fund to help. "SEND has created the Japan Earthquake Recovery Project to jump-start our national partners' recovery effort. These gifts are going to go to their immediate needs and the Japan Evangelical Church Association ongoing ministry for both physical and spiritual needs of people in the affected area." Go to www.SEND.org to help. |
TEXAS BEER JOINT SUES CHURCH over LIGHTNING STRIKE !
ONLY IN TEXAS ...
Texas Beer Joint Sues church in Mt.Vernon, Texas . Drummond's Bar began construction on an expansion of their building to increase their business. In response, the local Baptist Church started a campaign to block the bar from expanding with petitions and prayers. Work progressed right up until the week before the grand reopening when lightning struck the bar and it. It burned to the ground!
After the bar burned to the ground as a result of the lightning strike, the church folk were rather smug in their outlook, bragging about "the power of prayer," until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church . . ."was ultimately responsible for the demise of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means."
In its reply to the court, the church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise.
The judge read through the plaintiff's complaint and the defendant's
Reply, and at the opening hearing he commented "I don't know how I'm going to decide this, but it appears from the paperwork that we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation that now does not."
E-Vangel Newsletter
March 21, 2011
Christ United Methodist Church
“Christ in the Heart of San Diego”
3295 Meade Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 284-9205
Pastorgraphs: "A Stranger Came Our Way”
The stunning news that one of our Haitian church members died last Monday night has yet to sink into our minds and hearts. Dieumene Delicieux, age 30, came to us last November, a refugee from Haiti presented to the care of our church and Haitian congregation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security. Rather than having pregnant women and mothers of small children sleeping on concrete floors and eating bread and water in the over-crowded detention centers at Otay Mesa or San Ysidro, ICE seeks out individuals and churches to help sponsor these special case refugees while they work their way through legal asylum appeals. It is a most compassionate and practical policy on behalf of our government.
Dieumene was the mother of a 15-month old daughter, Elena, and was expecting another baby. They were among the first occupants of “The Loft” apartment at Christ Church (a suite in our Sanctuary building that has private entrance, two bathrooms, office, family room, and two rooms that easily convert to bedrooms). She was a faithful member of our Creole-language ministry, and was in worship last Sunday night.
Dieumene had been experiencing seizures, but the exact cause of death is unknown. She apparently died in her sleep. It may be that Dieumene suffered an injury in the January 12, 2010 Haiti earthquake, making her and her unborn child yet more victims of that awful tragedy. We may never know. County officials have taken custody of Elena, and she will soon be joining extended family members in Mexico or France.
I am grateful for Becky Innocent and the members of “Louange a Dieu” (our Haitian Gospel Music Group) who cared for Dieumene and Elena, as they have for dozens of Haitians who have come to us over the past months. Becky, Jean Elise and the musical group have jobs, but unselfishly coordinate trips to doctors, attorneys, English classes and Catholic Charities (who have been our main partner and an immense help in the Haitian ministry).
I am keenly aware that the word “immigration” is one of those words that generate all kinds of emotions. Some think we are running an “underground railroad” at Christ Church. I state again, the US Government brings these refugees to us, and is not only aware of this ministry, but is grateful there are “open hearts, open minds, open doors,” at 33rd and Meade in San Diego.
Come to think of it, I would not mind standing before St. Peter, answering the charges that we took in strangers who needed a helping hand. (“I was a stranger, and you took me in…”)
Isn’t it strange that many despise the larger group until they meet one individual? Maybe there is a lesson here. The way to love a group (a race, a nation and even “those immigrants”) is one person at a time.
Dieumene, your short stay here blessed us. Your leaving us so soon stuns and challenges us. My prayer is that little Elena will someday know how much her mother loved her. As a good mother, you wanted a better life for your child. You risked everything, as mothers often do. May God richly bless you in your heavenly home.
Rest in peace, knowing there are those who care, who will make sure Elena is loved, protected, and on her way to the better life you envisioned for her.
Devotedly, Pastor Bill
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Night Of International Prophetic Intercession
Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.
East County Prayer Center, 737 Main St. El Cajon CA 92020
"An evening of prophetic worship & intercessory prayer led by Carol Kiger-Rice and team on behalf of the situations in Egypt, Libya, Israel & the Mideast, as well as a time of prayer and worship over Japan."
Sponsored by Voice of the Bride Ministries andThird Day Churches, Inc.
Sponsored by Voice of the Bride Ministries andThird Day Churches, Inc.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
NORTH PARK IS A VIOLENT CRIME CENTER
Bike Cop Crime Squad
Guess the San Diego neighborhood with the most violent crime during the first nine months of last year. Nope! It was North Park, of all places, the hipster oasis and nationally recognized poster child for urban renewal.
Now, a new bike team is patrolling the neighborhood, and violent crime has dipped. It's hard to know exactly what role the cops on two wheels have had on the crime rates; they started going down before the team arrived. Still, they may be helping.
In this week's Q&A, we talk to a police sergeant about bike-bound policing, drunken bar fights, the troubles on 30th Street and the possibility that his team could be budgeted out of existence.
Now, a new bike team is patrolling the neighborhood, and violent crime has dipped. It's hard to know exactly what role the cops on two wheels have had on the crime rates; they started going down before the team arrived. Still, they may be helping.
In this week's Q&A, we talk to a police sergeant about bike-bound policing, drunken bar fights, the troubles on 30th Street and the possibility that his team could be budgeted out of existence.
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