Weekly Update 5/25/06

Good afternoon,

Prayer Requests

Harry Williams -- Correction: as of last Friday, May 19, a date for surgery had not been scheduled. Please continue to pray for Harry as he awaits a surgery date, for the doctors treating him, and for his family.

Allen Greaves, son of Richard and Helen Greaves -- I did get word that Allen is home -- what an answer to prayer! The pneumonia has cleared up. Please keep his team of caregivers in your prayers: wife Lorraine, mom Helen, and a lady from their church. Also his two children.

Alan McWhorter, son of Monty and Bev McWhorter -- Please pray for Alan as he continues chemo treatments. Also, pray for his employment situation -- his employer fired him last week which means his medical coverage is terminated. Pray for Monty and Bev as they travel to Santa Paula to be with Alan and his family as often as possible.

Congratulations!
to Pastor David and Shari Zamora of Set Free Ministries on the arrival of their grandson, Ryland Wesson. Ryland was born May 13 to Chalet and Serafino Wesson.


REMINDERS......

Tonight, May 25, 6:30 pm Mission Advocate Training: How to Develop a Church Mission Strategy. Kingdom focused churches are those that are committed to leading their members through a process of intentional, integrated, comprehensive and year round learning, praying, giving, and going. Terry Maldonado will provide training on equipping, encouraging, and expecting members to get personally involved in the Great Commission. Your church doesn't have a designated mission advocate? Send the person(s) who is most passionate about missions. The meeting will be casual and informative. You don't need to prepare anything in advance --- just come, meet other mission leaders, get some great ideas. Meet at Mid-Valley office, 1363 Fifth Street, Clovis. 6:30 pm.

World Changers Host Church Meeting, Thursday, June 1, 6:30 pm. World Changers is coming back to Clovis the week of July 15-22, 2006. They will be rehabilitating the homes of 20 Clovis residents as a demonstration of the love of Jesus. The purpose of WC is to utilize missions in order to change lives of the community, the participants and the local church for Christ. We are in need of:
Host Churches -- to provide meals to a work crew on Sunday and lunch each day of the week (meeting Thursday June 1)
Construction Crew Chiefs and Supervisors, Runners, First Aid Volunteers
Your PRAYERS
If your church hosted a work crew last year you already know what a blessing it can be .... please help us again by hosting a work crew. The meeting for Host Churches will be Thursday, June 1, 6:30 pm at the MV office. Please RSVP to Rita at 297-5550 if you are planning to host a work crew and attend the meeting. If you have any questions regarding World Changers please contact Terry Maldonado at 297-2600 or Rich Johnstone at 297-5550.

Children's Camp Registration -- Children's Camp is just three weeks away! June19-23. Registrations are due today! Please call Rita if you have registrations or questions 297-5550.

You're Invited
FSB Sanger is hosting a free showing of the film "The Passion of the Christ" on Sunday, June 4, 4:00 pm. The church address: 1116 "O" St, Sanger.

FSB Reedley is hosting the singing group "Promise" from Cal Baptist University on Sunday, June 4, 6:00 pm. The church is located at 729 E. Manning Avenue, Reedley.

Lifeway Baptist Church is hosting the Cross Road Quartet on Sunday, June 4, 10:50 am service. "Come hear a gospel song!" Church address: 2515 W. Shaw, Fresno.

Opportunities to help with VBS:
Copper Springs Church Clovis, is looking for VBS helpers......high school age and up. Their VBS is planned the week of June12-16, 9am-Noon. Contact Amber at 299-6814 if you would be willing to help.

Do you know a college age student who would be willing to help with VBS? Oakview Baptist Church in Auberry is looking for just such a person. They are planning to hold their VBS the week of August 6-11 in the evenings. They are asking for help with the Youth VBS (jr & sr high school age students). The volunteers would be working alongside the adult leaders. Preferably two college age students would like to come to Auberry for the week -- housing will be provided. It must be either two guys or two girls as they will live in a small cabin together for the week. If you know of someone who might be interested in helping with Oakview's VBS please have them contact Sandy Moore at 855-5062.

Misc:
An older gentleman at Lifeway Baptist is moving into a Senior Living Center. He has several items for sale -- the proceeds could help provide handrails at the church:
Commercial Mita copier, DC 1860 with stand $350
Upright freezer with lock $75
2 fireproof filing cabinets--lateral $25 each
Contact Rhoda or Pastor Darrell at 228-1614.

Portable room partitions, excellent condition. Contact Frank Sanchez at 233-3623

Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend!!!
Rita West, Ministry Assistant, MVSBA

Stratford Outreach - May 21, 2006

Stratford – FSBC Hanford, Baptist Temple, and Iglesia Cristiana Nueva Vida have connected for the purpose of planting a new ministry in Stratford. They conducted a community event on May 21, 2006 as a way to connect and communicate Christ with neighbors and sister churches in Stratford. They are planning further events this summer in conjunction with the Feeding Those Who Feed Us migrant ministry initiative.

Weekly Update 5/18/06

Good afternoon,

Prayer Requests:
Ron Louie, a member of First Baptist, Firebaugh. Ron was taken to St. Agnes Hospital on Monday after several fainting spells. The doctors are running tests to find the cause. Please keep Ron and Rachel in your prayers.

Alan Greaves -- please remember to keep Alan and his family and Richard & Helen Greaves in your prayers. I don't have an update on Alan so not sure if he is home or still in rehab center.

Alan McWhorter -- please keep Alan and his family in your prayers. I don't have an update on Alan's condition.

Baby Colin -- Linda Clark's grandson. Pray for Baby Colin as he recovers from surgery.

Harry Williams as his sprained ankle heals.

Ethan Johnstone -- son of Rich and Rhonda Johnstone. Ethan and two friends, Eric Borgh and Justin Blomgren, will leave this coming Sunday from Anacortes, Washington on a cross country bike trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. The purpose of this trip is to raise awareness and funds for the Peace Rehabilitation Center in Nepali in Southern Asia. The Peace Rehabilitation Center rescues children from out of the sex trade industry and gives them a home and education. Our goal with this bike trip is to raise $15,000: $5,000 to fund our trip and $10,000 for the Peace Rehabilitation Center. You can get more information by checking out our web site at www.spokebiketrip.com.

Dr. Fermin Whittaker -- On Sunday, May 21, the North American Mission Board (NAMB) will conduct a commissioning service for new missionaries at Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland, CA. I am asking you to please lead your congregation to pray this Sunday for those who will be commissioned to serve as Southern Baptist missionaries representing your congregation throughout the United States and Canada. Ask God to bless their ministries as they seek to take Jesus to every man, woman, boy and girl served by NAMB.

Bonnie Sanders -- member of Cornelia Avenue Baptist Church, Fresno. Bonnie is on a mission trip to Kazakhstan. Please keep Bonnie and the group she is traveling with, and the people they will be working with in your prayers.

Axis Community Church and Pastor Joe Green. Axis is a new congregation in N. Fresno. They are currently building a core group. They plan a public launch in Fall 2006. Pastor Joe Green is asking for 100 people to be part of his prayer team as they build toward their launch. There are no meetings to attend, this is an email list. He is not sending out written material. I am also asking that 100 people from the 67 Mid-Valley congregations join the Axis prayer team. You may sign up online at www.axiscommunitychurch.com or call Joe directly at 288-7643. --- Rich Johnstone


You're Invited
First Southern Baptist Church, Sanger, is hosting a special free showing of the film "The Passion of the Christ" on Sunday, June 4, 4:00 pm. Due to the "R" rating, children under 17 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Please invite your congregation to attend the showing of this film depicting the true life account of Christ. FSB Sanger is located at 1116 "O" Street, Sanger.

First Southern Baptist, Reedley, will host the singing group "Promise" from Cal Baptist University on Sunday, June 4, 6:00 pm. All are invited. FSB Reedley is located at 729 E. Manning Avenue, Reedley.

Opportunity to Help
1) Do you know a college age student who would be willing to help with VBS? Oakview Baptist Church in Auberry is looking for just such a person. They are planning to hold their VBS the week of August 6-11 in the evenings. They are asking for help with the Youth VBS (jr & sr high school age students). The volunteers would be working alongside the adult leaders. Preferably two college age students would like to come to Auberry for the week -- housing will be provided. It must be either two guys or two girls as they will live in a small cabin together for the week. If you know of someone who might be interested in helping with Oakview's VBS please have them contact Sandy Moore at 855-5062.

2) Two congregations will soon be moving into the former Olivet facility: Hmong Fresno Community Church and Iglesia Bautista de Crosspoint. Significant cleanup and re-furbishing is being done prior to the move. A plumber is needed to help with the re-model of two bathrooms in the facility. To volunteer, please contact Danny Sotelo at 294-9368.


Upcoming Events/training
Children's Camp Registration due May 25th -- If you have any questions please call us at 297-5550. Camp is the week of June 19-23.

May 25, 2006 Mission Advocate Training: How to Develop a Church Mission Strategy. Kingdom-focused churches are those that are committed to leading their members through a process of intentional, integrated, comprehensive, and year-round learning, praying, giving, and going. Terry Maldonado will provide training on equipping, encouraging, and expecting members to get personally involved in the Great Commission. Send your church's "Missions Champions" to this event. Meet at the Association office, 1363 Fifth St, Clovis on May 25, 6:30 pm.

June 1, 2006 Host Church meeting for World Changers 2006. World Changers are coming to Clovis the week of June 18-25. We have been privileged to work with WC for several years. They will be rehabilitating the homes of 20 Clovis residents as a demonstration of the love of Jesus. The purpose of WC if to utilize missions in order to change the lives of the community, the participants, and the local churches for Christ. In order to make this happen we need:
Host churches to provide meals to a work crew on Sunday, June 18, and each day during the week
Construction Crew Chiefs and Supervisors
Runners, Encouragers and First Aid Volunteers
MV Congregations to PRAY!
If your church is interested in hosting a work crew the week of June 18-25, please come to the Host Church meeting on Thursday, June 1, 6:30 pm at Copper Springs Church, 1363 Fifth St, Clovis.

Fresno State Football season tickets. If you are interested in joining a group of football fans for the 2006 Fresno State football games call Rose Moore at 355-6774 or Ellen Eldridge at 439-4937. A group from Lifeway Baptist Church goes in together to buy tickets and enjoy the games. he only requirement: You just gotta love football!!!!

--Rita West

Getting Together

Tuesdays are special because I know that on any given day by that name, with few exceptions, I can walk in the the back room of Country Waffles on Blackstone, late or early, and find some brothers and an occasional sister sitting around the table ready to welcome me into conversation. That conversation may be serious or frivolous, but it is always encouraging and affirming. The best time to show up is 8 AM, but I've been known to wander in between that time and 9. Not everyone can make that particular get-together, so we are planning others. Would you like to be part of a team doing that? Call me at 559-647-2203 - Tom

Weekly Update 5/11/06

Good afternoon,

Prayer Requests
Harry Williams -- underwent an angiogram earlier this week and blockages were found. He was to have bypass surgery. Please keep Harry, Joyce, and family in your prayers.

Curt Estel passed away last weekend. There will be a service this coming Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am at Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church, Riverside.

Alan Greaves - son of Richard and Helen Greaves. Keep Alan and his family in your prayers. I haven't been able to talk with Richard this week. Not sure if Alan is home or still in the rehab hospital. Pray for Richard and Helen as they are spending as much time as possible with Alan and his family.

Prayer Team needed
Axis Community Church is a new congregation in N. Fresno. They are currently building a core group into a community that makes disciples of Jesus. They are looking forward to a public launch in Fall 2006. Pastor Joe Green is asking for 100 people to be part of his prayer team as they build toward their launch. There are no meetings to attend. This is an email list. He is not sending out written material. I am also asking that 100 people from the 67 Mid-Valley congregations join the Axis prayer team. You may sign up online at www.axiscommunitychurch.com or call Joe Green directly at 288-7643. Thanks for helping lay a solid spiritual foundation. -- Rich Johnstone

Passion of the Christ
On June 4, 2006, a special free showing of the film "Passion of the Christ" will be shown at First So. Baptist Church, 1116 "O" Street, Sanger. All are welcome to come and view this powerful film. Due to the "R" rating children under 17 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Job Opportunity
Sierra Heights Baptist Church, Fresno, is seeking an Administrative Assistant. This is a full-time position. $10-$12/hour . Please call Pastor Jeb Bonine at 435-2333 for more information.

The India Children's Choir
Roger Byrd of CSBC passed this info on to us: The India Children's Choir will be touring California in August, September and October 2006. Reading about this group on their web site, they sound interesting. Click on www.bftw.org and see if this is the kind of group to minister in your church.

Mid-Valley Missions Network
A new Yahoo Group has been set up as a collaboration tool for church mission pastors, leaders, coordinators, directors, WMU. It is for staff or volunteer church missions leaders. The association Missions Mobilization Team believes that every believer can be on mission and that every church can reproduce churches. The new Mid-Valley Missions network is simply a group of people who are passionate about missions and who want to help each other do missions together. Anyone with an interest in missions can connect to the Yahoo Group by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mvonmission/.

Equip Bible Institute Summer Session
Date: Begins Tuesday, June 6. Class: 103 Old Testament Survey with Mr. Mike Linn as instructor. The class will meet on Tuesdays, 6:00 - 10:00 pm for 7 class sessions through July 25. Location: Grace Community Church, 17755 Rd. 26, Madera, 674-1172. Cost: $125 plus books. Class fee due with class enrollment. Applications and enrollment forms due May 31. Go to www.shadowmountain.org/ebi for more information. EBI Director is Randy Brannon, 674-1172.

Upcoming Events/Training/Retreats
May 19, 2006 Ministers' Wives Retreat at Jenness Park. Contact Leslie Lee at 229-9533 ext 212 to register.

May 25, 2005 Mission Advocate Training: How to Develop a Church Missions Strategy Kingdom focused churches are those that are committed to leading their members through a process of intentional, integrated, comprehensive, and year-round learning, praying, giving, and going. Terry Maldonado will provide training on equipping, encouraging, and expecting members to get personally involved in the Great Commission. Your church doesn't have a designated mission advocate? Send the person(s) who are most passionate about missions. Meet at the Association office, 1363 Fifth St. Clovis, 6:30 pm.

Have a good day,
Rita West, Ministry Assistant, MVSBA

Bill Johnson

Bill Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church of Mendota, celebrated his 80th birthday with his family and friends last Saturday.

Weekly Update 5/4/06

Prayer Requests: Please keep Alan Greaves, son of Richard and Helen Greaves in your prayers. I spoke with Richard yesterday. Alan is out of the hospital and in a rehab facility recovering from a long bout with pneumonia. He is on a ventilator for his breathing but seems to be getting stronger each day. The doctors take him off the ventilator for short periods of time to breath on his own. Pray for Helen and Lorraine, Alan's wife, as they learn how to care for him when he comes home. Pray for Richard and Helen as they are spending as much time as possible with Alan and his family.

Pray for Ben Morris, son of Pastor Steve and Jonna Morris of Grantland Avenue Baptist Church Fresno. Ben was involved in a military training exercise on April 20. His upper sinus cavities and nose were shattered. He has had surgery on April 25 and is now recovering.
Pray for Gay Prevost and family as they continue through the grieving process and make decisions.

Continue to pray for Gene Burton, member of FSB Reedley, as he recovers from back surgery. I spoke with Gene this morning and he said "prayers have been answered" -- recovery is going well.

Pray for Pastor Franco Atkinson and family, FSB Selma -- his mother passed away last Sunday.
MV churches seeking pastors and pastors seeking churches.

Praise: LifeRock Church of Parlier, launched last Sunday April 30 with their first service. George Sanchez is the pastor. Approximately 175 people attended the service with 1 profession of faith. Four MV churches are in partnership with LifeRock Church -- FSB Selma, FSB Sanger, Annadale Sanger, and FSB Reedley.

Job Opportunity: Sierra Heights Baptist Church Fresno is seeking an Administrative Assistant. This will be a full-time position. Salary will be $10-12/hr depending on experience. Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave. Call Pastor Jeb Bonine if interested at 435-2333 or Rita at the MV office for a copy of the job description.

Feeding Those Who Feed Us -- Migrant Ministries: The vision is to permeate 54 valley communities with the love of Jesus. The strategy is to connect believers from local churches to a valley community to be the voice, hands and feet of Jesus. Ministry actions may include food distribution, children's recreation, or assist with health/dental screeners. We need volunteers form MV churches to send individuals or teams one or more days during the following weeks:
June 19-24 contact Jim Reyes at 240-7374 or email jmreyesr@yahoo.com
July 24-29 contact Lee Yarbrough at 584-7255 or email yarfam@lightspeed.net
July 31- Aug 5 contact Frank Sanchez at233-3623 or mail at pastorfranksanchez@sbcglobal.net
Upcoming Training Events:
Saturday, May 6, 9:00 am - Noon VBS Leader Training. Sierra Heights Baptist Church, 6385 N. Fresno St, Fresno. The purpose of the Association VBS Leader Training is to equip church VBS leaders to effectively teach and reach children and families for Christ through VBS. Led by Charles Travis. Ph: 435-2333.

Sunday, May 7, 2006, 7:00 pm, Internet Evangelism Awareness Workshop. Baptist Temple, 4141 N. Fresno St. Pastor Tom Sims will conduct a workshop focusing on the potential that the Web gives to communicate the good news. Ph: 647-2203 for more information or go to http://ied.gospelcom.net

Fri & Sat May 12-13, 2006 Turning Hearts Tour. Clovis Hills Community Church, 10590 N. Willow Avenue, Clovis. This event is designed for teens and their parents. Cost $30/person with $120 family maximum. Register through Lifeway Events Registration 800-254-2022 or www.turningheartstour.com This event if hosted by Clovis Hills Community Church.

Fri - Sun, May 19-21, 2006 Minister's Wives Retreat. Jenness Park, CA. Contact Leslie Lee at CSBC 299-9533 ext 212 to register or for more information.
Thursday, May 25, 2006 Mission Advocate Training: How To Develop a Church Missions Strategy. Mid-Valley office, 1363 Fifth Street, Clovis. Kingdom-focused churches are those that are committed to leading their members through a process of intentional, integrated, comprehensive and year-round learning, praying, giving and going. Terry Maldonado will provide training on equipping, encouraging and expecting church members to get personally involved in the Great Commission. Your church doesn't have a designated mission advocate? Send the persons who are most passionate about missions.

Have a good day.
Rita West, Ministry Assistant, MVSBA

Hume Lake - Minister's Leadership Conference

285 Ministers from throughout California gathered for fellowship, learning, and refreshment. James Page and Danny Sotelo won the fishing derby at Hume Lake.

Pastor Javier and Carlos, of Nueva Vida in Fresno, were among the many Mid-Valley ministers at Hume Lake last week for the CA Minister's Leadership Conference.

Joel Van Ginkel's Ordination

Copper Springs Church ordained Joel Van Ginkel into the Gospel Ministry last Sunday. Pastor Kyle Wall presented Joel with an image of the Taylor Guitar that the church is giving to Joel.

Mission Advocate Training

Invitation to Missions Training - How to Develop a Church Mission Strategy

Pastors and Missions Leaders: I would like to invite your church’s Missions Champion to the Mission Advocate Training meeting on Thursday May 25, 2006 at 6:30pm-8:00pm at the Association Meeting Room in Clovis at the corner of Sunnyside and Fifth. The focus of the meeting is to generate ideas and resources for the missions champion in your church toward developing an church-wide Acts 1:8 missions plan. Terry Maldonado, the Association Mobilization team leader, will facilitate this session.

Every church can be an effective world mission center. We have the Acts 1:8 mandate in place, but two key pieces are also required in our churches: the Person and the Plan. The Person is that one individual who lives out his or her passion for missions. The Plan is how each church lives out the Acts 1:8 mandate in its setting. Great Commission actions don’t “just happen”. They happen when specific people lead out with a specific plan.

Pastor, if this benefit your church’s missions focus, would you please:
* Identify your church’s missions champion.
* Encourage him or her to attend this training and come along, if possible.

My hope is that Kingdom work will greatly increase through the connection of the mission champions throughout the Mid-Valley.

Blessings!

Rich Johnstone