Children's Pastor's Conference

CPC which takes place in San Diego on February 4-6 is a wonderful learning experience for children’s ministry specialists! This year, it will cost $600 (including room and board) to attend. This would be a special time for me to hear from God and renew my vision for ministry. If you would like to help me attend, make your check out to CEF and write “Project N-CPC” in the memo. You could also pray for me during this time, that I would be refreshed and I will know God’s direction for the future. Thank you.-Nancy

Weathering the Storms

Some people enjoy winter and the brisk cold that it brings. Being a southern California girl, however, I much prefer the warmth of the sun. The Good News Club at Prisk Elementary School in Long Beach began on October 2, 2008, but not without being introduced to some stormy weather early on. The week before the club began, permission slip forms were distributed. The Principal quickly heard that some parents and teachers were not in favor of having a CEF Good News Club at their school. You could say we got a “cold reception.” Before a formal meeting was held to address their concerns, an urgent prayer request email was sent out. It seemed that the many prayers warmed up the climate of the imminent meeting.
The Principal initiated her own research and was completely prepared. She gave a professional, unbiased presentation about the laws regarding CEF’s right to have a club on campus. It was decided to allow the club to continue as scheduled, even though some were not pleased. Like storm clouds of opposition, threats of having to cancel the club loomed in front of us. But God allowed us to persevere and three weeks later, 20 children were enjoying their new club.

Heart-Home Improvement

My Aunt has a magnet on her refrigerator which says, “If you are coming to see me; come anytime. But if you are coming to see my house, please make an appointment.” I guess we all like to get our places cleaned up before guests come over. I wonder, is the same for the heart? If Jesus suddenly dropped by (into my heart) would I be embarrassed? Would I scurry around trying to clean up thoughts, words or actions before He saw them? What would He find, at the bottom of a heap, on the floor of my heart? What would be stashed under the bed so no one could see?

These were the thoughts that ran through my head as I was preparing for our CEF Valentine Outreach Party called My Heart Home. The story is modeled after the old devotional written by Robert Boyd Munger, called My Heart, Christ’s Home. I highly recommend this wonderfully thought provoking booklet.

Most of us probably try to clean ourselves up before we come to God. We don’t realize that the same grace that allowed us to come to the cross to receive Christ as Savior, is the same grace that we rely on as we come before Him each day. Jesus is not just a Guest in my heart, staying only for a week’s vacation, but He actually moved in just like He promised in his word. John 14:23CEV says “Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them.” Once I asked Him to be Lord of my life, He not only took up permanent residency, but I handed Him the deed to the entire estate.

My goal is now to please Him in every room (area) of my life. Sometimes it just takes some minor dusting and vacuuming. Other times, he is ready to knock down old barriers and begin major reconstruction. Maybe you didn’t know the Holy Spirit was into power tools? This renovation is not complete yet and I am certainly not ready for an Open House, but it is definitely underway. Now there is no need for Jesus to make an appointment. I guess you could say, we are on our way to some Heart-Home Improvement.

P.S. BTW, you all gotta see this funny U-tube video!

It has a great message! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYI_aOyCn9Y

A Season of Learning

Every year I determine to join a small group of likeminded Christians for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. Most of the small group opportunities come through my church.
This year, I was invited to join a Learning Community through Urban Youth Workers Institute (UYWI). UYWI is an evangelical, nation wide para-church organization that seeks to develop leaders who minister to children and youth in urban areas. Since I minister to children in urban areas of Long Beach and have been seeking to better understand their needs. This was a perfect fit.
My Learning Community is made up of women, most of whom minister in the L.A. Area. One of my co-workers at CEF, Paulette Williams, joined as well. This is giving me a chance to get to know her outside of the work context. We meet monthly for 4-6 hours and sometimes go out to experience life together. We read one book a month and come together to discuss what it means in the context of our life and ministry. We have read Captivating by John and Stacy Eldridge, Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels and The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. I see this as a blessed season of learning from other women of God who are just as committed to care for young people as I am.