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Rocky Mountain District, Christian and Missionary Alliance
Rocky
Mountain District
Christian & Missionary Alliance
News 2008
July 1, 2008
Bring Back the King
Gary
Burdick, Church Planting Director
Prayer Letter July 2008
Dear
Partners,
In Deuteronomy 31:7-8 we read “Then Moses summoned Joshua and
said to him in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and
courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that
the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must
divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes
before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor
forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’" We
desire to go forth without fear as we seek to expand the numbers
and health of our churches here in the Rocky Mountain District.
Thanks so much for praying that God will move in us.
Praises:
· Recent travels have taken us to Fortine, MT to conduct
an Ordination service and to Chester, MT to preach. Both were
enjoyable and beneficial trips. We do log a lot of miles (1000+
& 550+).
Our small group continues through the summer. We are
doing a Crown Financial Ministries study. We are also doing a
4th of July weekend backpack with one of the couples.
· DEXCOM voted to provide additional funding for the
coffee shop concept plant in Missoula.
· We have a date set with some neighbors for
coordinating a block party - August 23!
· We continue to make good progress and have fun with
our home improvement projects.
Prayer Requests:
1.
Zootown Brew / Missoula Downtown Alliance is currently
renovating the building we have rented. We have run into a water
supply problem. Please pray for favorable decision about the
supply by the city officials. If we have to dig up the street
for a new supply it is estimated to cost $30,000. Obviously, the
landlord won’t want to spend that without passing on some of the
cost. It’s a complicated matter but there ARE code appropriate
options – if the city will approve them.
2. Gary’s Boise trip was very busy with lots of
appointments. We continue to make progress there in our largest
population area. We continue to look at the possibility of
another Meridian plant. Please pray for wisdom in deciding about
this opportunity. At this point it is still not clearly a ‘go’
or ‘no go’.
3. On the way back from Fortine last week we did a tour of
the Four Corners (MT) area. We are looking at this area rather
than Three Forks as a possibility of planting via the Belgrade
and Bozeman churches. There are a lot of details to work out but
please pray for a core group to come together and for a church
planter for that possibility.
4. Family update: both of our kids are job hunting. Danae
didn't take the position at Eagan Hills Alliance but has
interviewed to teach piano lessons at a private Christian School
in Minneapolis. She would like this opportunity. Shannon has
worked the past three weeks but he too is interviewing and
searching for a different job. The present work is a 1.5 hour
commute to the job site without pay!
As always, we are very grateful for your prayer support and for
the encouraging notes we occasionally receive. We are humbled to
think that so many people are willing to consistently pray for
us. THANKS!
Gary & Kim Burdick
Transitions reported by Tim Owen
Superintendent
District Family,
Brian Josephson has resigned as Youth Pastor of the Ronan Alliance
Church effective July 1. Brian and his family plan to move to
Paradise, Montana where he will seek employment. Brian plans to
continue his online studies with Crown College. Please pray for
Brian and his family as they seek God’s future for them. Let’s be
praying for them as they make this transition.
June 11, 2008
Congratulations on a new baby boy arriving to parents Kevin and Stephanie Schafer of Helena, Montana.
Karsten Rodney
Schafer was born Thursday, June 5th in Helena. Karsten weighed 6
lbs. 11 oz. and was 19 5/8 inches long. He joins older brother
Kristian. The family is all doing fine, and have recently moved and
settled into a home at 1025 Choteau Street, Helena, MT 59601.
June 10, 2008
District Family,
Our own International Workers, Richard and Jenn Mullinax,
are with their three children at Pre-Field Orientation in
Wheaton, Illinois for a month. They are planning on taking
some vacation time with family and friends in the area
following PFO. In all, they plan to be absent from
their church in Chester for six weeks. Let us be praying for
them as they learn and for the Chester church as they serve
without the physical presence of their shepherd.
I was there this past weekend and these young believers were
fulfilling their ministries faithfully, eager to serve well
in every way. I was delighted to see such enthusiasm and
energy. Thanks for praying and caring.
Tim Owen
June 10, 2008
Transitions reported by Tim Owen
Superintendent
District Family,
Being part of a District family is a happy thing, but when
someone is called on to relocate, it is tough, even though God
has ordained it.
Dan Scarrow has accepted a call to become Assistant to the
Superintendent of the Central District of the CMA. I am
pasting below what he wrote me about the ministry he is
accepting. This is not an elected position, but appointed by
their DEXCOM.
"We will be concluding here the first week of August. A
brief description…. I will be Director of Church Development
for the Central District. The job is primarily one of
coaching 85 churches and 120 pastors in the process of
personal leadership/organizational assessment and
development. My job will involve helping those who want to
grow to take the next step in their leadership journey."
Please
join me in prayer for Dan and his family as they make this
move and for Jeff Valentine and the Missoula Alliance Church
as they adjust to this change.
Grace and peace,
Tim O
June 3, 2008
Transitions reported by Tim Owen
Superintendent
Let us be in prayer for the Kolwicz family. Mark resigned his
ministry as pastor of the Chinook Alliance Church this past
Sunday. The same day Beth’s father died. He had been fighting
cancer for some time and then had a heart attack Saturday night
and died Sunday morning. The whole family went back to the
Midwest to be with the rest of the family for this time of
grieving. I am sure you will all be praying for them for all
these matters. They will be looking for new opportunities for
ministry. Be in prayer also for the Chinook Church as they go
through this transition and search for another pastor.
RMD
PASTORS are travelling
We
just received word that Jeff Valentine and Brad Trosen are
on their way from the Guinea Field Forum back to Conakry.
They plan to fly back home on Thursday. Laura Trosen said
the political and military situation has stabilized for now
and all the workers and their families are safe. I heard
from Chris Braun and Stan Walker who are mission leaders in
Africa, that the Field Forum where Jeff and Brad were
ministering went very well. We praise God for his protection
and provision for all concerned. Let us continue to pray for
the country of Guinea, the church and mission there as they
live with uncertainty.
Tim O
PASTOR RANDY BAKER feeling very sick
Randy Baker reports that the recent treatment of
chemotherapy was very difficult to endure. He is feeling
very sick. The therapy plan calls for treatments every
two weeks. He is near the end of the first week
following the treatment. He is not sure whether he will
receive another treatment. On top of this his 92 year
old father was diagnosed with colon cancer and is in
surgery today at the University of Washington. Randy and
Sybille were hoping to travel back to Plains towards the
end of the week, but with his father’s surgery and
prognosis so uncertain and his own feeling of being
sick, they probably will remain in Graham, Washington
for the time being. Randy said, “It feels like I’m Job!”
Yet, he also said, “God is in control.” He is still
trusting God. Let us continue in prayer for them all.
Tim Owen
June 2, 2008
Our District Family is growing
Congratulations are in order to the Carnahan and Gambill ministry
families of Cody, Wyoming.
Baby Girl born to Pastor Kelly and Wendy Carnahan, Danika Hope
Carnahan, born on May 15, 7lbs 2 oz. 20 inches long. A little
sister to Danae. The family is doing well. They were able to go
home from the hospital straight into their new house. The
Carnahan’s new home address is: 2838 Kent Ave. Cody, WY
Baby Girl born to Pastor Chris and Beck Gambill, Maggie Elizabeth
Gambill, born on May 17, 6lbs 3 oz. 18 inches long. A little sister
to Max. Again the family is doing well.
May 22, 2008
RMD GCF giving up 23% !
Great Commission Mobilization Status Report
by Tim Owen, Superintendent
Fellow
Workers! God is at work in us to mobilize us to accomplish his
mission, here, there and everywhere! Here are some good things to
report.
Commitments made at District Conference were strong. Adriaan
Overbeeke our District Missions Mobilizer summarized the commitments
as follows:
All together, we had 119 commitment cards turned in. Of these,…
68 – I will make a big deal out of Christ and His mission
46 – I will pray for our RMD International Workers and church planters
95 – I will pray & work for God to mobilize my church
63 (representing 37 churches) – I will lead my church to increase the number of families giving to GCF
46 – I will earnestly pursue the formation of GC partnerships
95 – I will promote participation in STM trips
29 – I will lead those in my church to receive Alliance Life
57 (representing 38 churches) – I will lead my church to contribute to CAMA Services
42 – I will provide an opportunity for my church to give to the Alliance Women’s National Project & Outfit Fund
69 – I will call my people to become vocational Christian workers
Join me in
praising God for these commitments! They mark spiritual milestones
for each person making them. This is an advance in the Kingdom of
God. The Kingdom of God is the rule of Christ in the hearts of
people. The hearts of more people and more of each heart is now
under his rule. This is good stuff. Praise his name.
As these commitments are fulfilled, God is going to be glorified,
disciples made and his church built to withstand the gates of hell.
Let us be praying God will give us the grace by the many means
available to him to keep these commitments and even exceed them.
Let us support one another in keeping these commitments in prayer,
conversation, sharing ideas and partnering in Great Commission
Mobilization ministries.
Also, RMD giving to the GCF so far this year is up significantly.
Through April our giving has amounted to $289,869, up by $54,653
over the same period in 2007, or +123% of a year ago. Further, only
one of our churches did not send in a GCF contribution in April!
Please thank and congratulate all your treasurers for being faithful
in sending that in! Usually there are about 12 to 20 churches that
did not send in a contribution in any given month.
In fact, one thing that mitigates the 123% increase this year is the
fact that January was a huge contribution month from RMD due I think
to the fact that December was very low with 22 churches not sending
in their GCF offering.
Regardless, God is growing us as givers to him and his mission here,
there and everywhere! Let’s trust him for even more hearts under his
blessed rule!
Next Level:
We
received one contribution to the Next Level fund in the amount of
$1,000! We thank God and the donor and ask you all to consider
asking your people to contribute to this awesome adventure in
mission training and deployment. God is at work! If you want to
contribute, simply send your offering to RMD with a note asking that
it be placed in Next Level ministries.
Let us keep praying God will expand his borders in our hearts!
Grace and peace,
Tim O
May 20,
2008
Transitions reported by Tim Owen
Superintendent
Greybull Wyoming:
Pastor Dave Havenor has accepted the call of
the Greybull Alliance church to be their next pastor
and plans to begin August 1. He and his wife and son
Alexander plan to drive out from their present home
in Mars, Pennsylvania the end of July. They have
three other children who are grown and out of “the
nest.” Please be praying God will enable them in
their move as they put their home on the market to
sell it and arrange to move.
Polson Montana
Pastor Glenn Wanless has resigned from the
Polson Alliance Church effective the end of June. He
has accepted the call from a church in Ohio. Please
be praying for them as they seek to sell their home
and as they make this transition.
Be praying for both of these churches as the one
receives their new pastor and the other says
“farewell” and begins the search process.
May 8, 2008
Kosovo
Doilies!
Did you know that in 2007 Jim Stumbo facilitated the
sales of $32,405 of Kosovo Doilies all of which went to
CAMA services?
Well, that is the number! Celebrate with Jim and the
women in Kosovo who are earning a living making these
doilies and learning about Christ and his gospel. In the
first four months of 2008 Jim reports he and his
customer churches are already at $17,884. Jim reports
that in spite of being told that the Pacific Northwest
District would be unresponsive, he has received a
wonderfully overwhelming positive response!
He reports, “People at the grass roots level really like
this.” He has had only two or three Alliance Women’s
presidents tell him they are “not interested.” Praise
God!
The Helena Alliance Church has donated over $1,000 for
postage. If you want to sell Kosovo Doilies for CAMA in
the name of Christ, give Jim a call at 406 442 1301 or
send him an e-mail to
helenacma@hotmail.com.
Thank you Jim!
May 8, 2008
Alliance
Fellowship Celebrates!
Alliance Fellowship in Bozeman Montana is going to be 10
years old this coming weekend. May 18 will be our
celebration Sunday and we have posted a funny video on
our website -
www.alliancefellowship.com - Lavon Carter, our 70
year-young-at-heart Elder is the featured promoter.
May 8, 2008
Attention Pastors and Missionaries,
I have called your attention before to the ministry provided
by my dear friends Jim and Ginny Neece of providing free
hospitality for pastors and missionaries and their families
for vacations, Sabbath type ministry. They used to call it
“Triple Creek Ranch.” They have facilities in Illinois and
Colorado.
They have changed their website from Triple Creek (There are
a thousand of those if you go to Google!) to
http://www.rockymountainrenewal.org/. You can go to that
website and read all about it.
When you use their facilities, you are on your own. There
are no programs, counseling, or anything except an
opportunity to rest. The facilities are first class, near
luxury. You will be blessed to stay there.
Make sure you use your week when you reserve it. They have
had some people reserve a week and then not show up to use
it. They don’t like that.
Enjoy!
Tim O
May 7, 2008
RMD
Newsletter Update
Adriaan Overbeeke, 24.14 MM Coaching Network Team Leader
If April showers bring May flowers, then May is definitely the
time to be anticipating the planning of Fall 2008 Great
Commission events. We have three CMA international workers who
will be with us this fall.
Jerry & Kim Rundstrom will be in the RMD from Sept 19-Oct 12.
We still have slots open for Kim to minister in your churches in
the month of September.
Dave Bill, from Congo, West Africa – will be in the RMD from Oct
3 thru the end of November. Again, there are plenty of empty
slots right now. I want to have these folks well used in their
time in the District. Please email me (adriaan@codycma.org
) or call (307-587-3418) to get your church penciled in on their
calendars.
Your responsibilities on this Freedom Tour will be to provide
housing, food, and transportation between churches. Love
offerings or an honorarium are to be given to the international
worker. If you’ve already done your major push for the year,
here’s a way to keep the Mission in front of your people
year-round. Don’t delay, as you may not get the speaker you are
hoping for.
Also, at District Conference, you received a CD with powerpoint
files featuring our RMD international workers. Please note the
Word documents on the CD that outline guidelines for you in
talking about & promoting people who work in creative access
countries. That’s there for your help and their protection.
Thanks for making yourself familiar with the guidelines. Where
someone is in a CAC, we do not identify the specific country,
but rather talk in terms of larger regions. Your powerpoint
files are designed accordingly.
Let’s continue to help our people step up to the Great
Commission Sunday giving opportunity. We are hoping for more
than 90% of our churches to participate in GC Sunday this month
of May. Use it as a tool to encourage folks new to the Alliance
to step up and join the giving team.
By the way, celebrate with us as over $6800 was given to the RMD
Vehicle Fund toward Sarah’s car needs and future RMD
international worker needs! Praise God for His generous
provision!!
Your partner in the Gospel,
Adriaan – 24.14 MM Coaching Network Team Leader
May 6, 2008
District Family,
I mentioned Stephanie at District Conference as one who is serving
by being a student in high school at the school Bob and Karen Evans,
from our District (Twin Falls, Idaho Heritage Alliance Church) are
serving as teachers in a North African country. Please enjoy this
letter from her and be praying for her. What a joy!
Tim Owen
Hello to My
HAC (and RMD) Family,
Almost three months ago, I left my small town in Idaho for a grand
adventure. I had no idea what to expect and just put my life into
God's hands. I was anxious about leaving my whole family and all of
my friends. I was terrified about being removed from my comfort
zone.
But, as a result of a lot of prayer and trust in God, I left all I
knew and came to Casablanca, Morocco. And now I can honestly say
that it was one of the best decisions I could have ever make. Coming
here and getting to know an entirely different culture has been an
incredible experience. I have learned a lot about myself and the
power and might of God during this time. He has been my constant
comforter and friend and has provided for me through this time.
Being in Morocco, where I am the “outsider” and my culture and
country are foreign, has really given me a new perspective on life.
It has given me a renewed love and appreciation for the things I
have taken for granted my whole life. Being here has also given me a
heart for other peoples and cultures that don't know who God really
is. I've never really considered living overseas when I get older
and this opportunity has made me think about that possibility.
As amazing as this experience has been so far, there have been some
tough things going on. I would greatly appreciate prayer as I finish
off these last couple months. Just pray that I can focus on enjoying
the rest of my time here making the impact that God has planned for
me. Pray that I will depend on God for everything I need and that I
stay safe and healthy for the rest of my time.
Thank you for supporting me and my family during this time in my
life. It really makes a huge impact on me knowing that I have the
support of my church family and prayer carrying me through.
Love,
Stephanie Paine
May 6, 2008
Randy Baker Update
Edie and I met with Randy and Sybille Baker this past Saturday in
Plains, Montana. Randy reports that the gamma knife surgery was
successful and has restored neurological functioning to near normal
levels enabling him to walk, talk, think, etc. Also, the pain that
was in his feet and hands is gone. All of this gives us cause to
praise God!
They are planning to drive to Graham, Washington where their son and
his family live. On Sunday they plan to board a cruise to travel the
Inland Passage to Alaska! Rejoice with them!
An appointment with the oncologist (a believer who prayed with Randy
the last time they met) will be on May 20, to discuss the
possibility of a cancer suppressing chemotherapy that could add up
to two years to Randy’s life. They ask for wisdom to know what to
do.
Meanwhile they continue to trust God through it all. Sybille says
she is definitely sustained by the strengthening grace of God. Randy
continues to rejoice in God’s sovereign goodness.
Mike
and Mary Smith Update
Mike and Mary Smith report that their daughter Charity is
home from the hospital and on medication. The doctors did find a
mass in the frontal lobe of her brain. Further testing is needed
to fully diagnose her condition and prescribe effective
therapies. She has an appointment with a neurologist for that
purpose later this month. She did go to church this past Sunday.
She is coming out of the worst part of the symptoms but is still
limited in her ability to function. Pray for healing always, and
for wisdom for all those involved as they make decisions for
treatment.
Mike and Mary are effusive in their expressions of appreciation
for the RMD family. Let’s keep holding them up before the
Lord,
Tim O
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