Connect: God's Mission

Today, Pastor Steve's sermon was about connect which is one of four areas we've identified as essential for the Christian life. The others are grow, serve and lead which will be discussed over the next three Sundays...you won't want to miss it!

Connecting to God is the most important thing we can do...especially to accept Jesus and "connect" with him in our heart. It's God's mission to reach out to every lost soul and to bring them to himself. That's where we get to participate. The Holy Spirit lives in each one of us that have accepted Jesus and we get to be God's hands and feet in the world. This past July Pastor Dave MacNeill shared during the "Heroes" series on Ordinary People, Supernatural Power - it was pretty amazing...worth listening to again. In fact, I intend to use the sermon for mission trip preparation in the future. How cool is that?!?

There is no greater mission than to help people connect to the living God...it's a great responsibility, honor and privilege to participate with God. Have you connected to God? Are you connecting at Clovis Hills? Don't wait any longer to connect to the experience of your lifetime...ready, set, go!

To The Ends Of The Earth

Missions is something that many people discuss and often disagree about. When debating how it should be done, my advice is simple…“just do it"! I am prone to action so sometimes I get a little impatient with some folks but the truth is WE all can be on mission in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth - just by being who God designed us to be...imperfections and all!

If you are a follower of Jesus and commit to being his disciple then part of that calling is to be a missionary. Now, being a missionary does not necessarily mean traveling to Zimbabwe however, I highly encourage going overseas sometime in your life. What it does mean is realizing the opportunity to share Jesus wherever you are - home, family, friends, work, school - WHEREVER God places you today, be His witness.

Will you accept the invitation to share what Jesus has done in your life? Really, that is what evangelism is...simply sharing about your experience and only you know your story. Once you've accepted and are willing to take your story "on the road" then you've taken the step to be on mission.

God bless you on your journey!

My Life Mission * My Community * Going Global

Clovis Hills invites you to look at ways where God can use you to share His love. Discover how an ordinary person like you can be used by an extraordinary God to make a difference wherever you go. We believe God’s greatest moments for you are never for you alone… they are meant to be shared.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Clovis Hills is a part of a global plan to care for people who face the difficulties of spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic disease and crippling illiteracy. We do this in conjunction with local churches worldwide.

" ... and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

It is the vision of the Missions team at Clovis Hills to help people take the "next step" in sharing Jesus with those that don't know him, have never accepted him or are on this life journey striving to be a faithful disciple of Jesus. In future blogs I will elaborate further on the next steps but for now an overall view to consider:

• My Life Mission - recognizing the need to be on mission and part of a growth group.
• My Community - serving on mission in our local community with my growth group.
• Going Global - going on an international mission with my growth group.

So, where are you in this plan? Ask God to direct you and trust him to provide all you need to be obedient to his calling.

Peace!

What Can I Do In Mexico For 3 Days??

You can be part of building a home for a needy family in Mexico! You may be wondering how is that possible? Well, through AMOR Ministries...it is very possible.

Clovis Hills has partnered with AMOR for the last 6 years in Mexico and it has been amazing to see what God does in and through each one of us. This trip is very doable especially because AMOR lays the foundation before we even arrive. When we do arrive we begin framing, preparing for windows and a door and finally finish up with the roof. AMOR provides camping equipments, tools, and food...we just need to be in San Diego by 7:00 am ready to serve.

Would you consider joining me November 9th-11th? Pray about bringing along your family and growth group too! If you are ready to sign up, please contact me at terry.maldonado@clovishills.com or call 559.297.2600 ext. 19.

Deadline to register is September 1st.

Adios amigos!

Attention Nurses and Doctors!

It is the vision of Clovis Hills to mobilize growth groups on mission. It is my passion over the next year to spend time with Clovis Hills' Growth Groups and share a few of the many opportunities that will entertain the vision and process. I look forward to spending time mobilizing the Lord’s church to action.

That being said, I have an amazing opportunity and have become aware of an urgent need for medical personnel to travel to China this fall. To be more specific, the dates are for October 15th-31st of 2007. I personally partnered with this organization on a medical mission in the fall of 2006 and it was awesome! I was very impressed as they did a great job on the training, logistics and overall coordination of the trip.

If you are or know of an RN and/or MD who would prayerfully consider this adventure - this is for you!

Some details...

• The mission is humanitarian in nature by providing basic medical care to Villagers.
• October 15-31, 2007.
• Deadline to sign up to go is JULY 31st.
• PRAY, think about your growth group supporting you, get a passport, attend the informational meetings, required immunizations.
• Contact Terry or write medical mission on the communication card.
• Cost - $2,700 all inclusive.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to sign up. I can be reached at 559.297.2600 ext. 19, terry.maldonado@clovishills.com, on Sundays in the Connection Courtyard at Clovis Hills...come by and see me! :-)

Sweet Spot

What image comes to mind when you think of the phrase "sweet spot"? I know that in tennis there is a "sweet spot" on the racquet. In softball...the bat has a "sweet spot". As we do life...the term is used in reference to an experience that is "sweet"! All this talk of sweet is making me think of ice cream which of course, is SWEET! Anyway, I'm typing the word so much that I'm beginning to question the spelling! Have you ever done that?? Ok, enough distractions...back to the discussion...

Lately, I've been reflecting on my own "sweet spot" in ministry. It's been a challenging time as I juggle work, family, school and attempting to maintain a healthy personal & social life. On the family front, my dad has alzheimers and is now going to live with me, my mom, sister and niece...I have a house full! It's a very stressful time and one that I was not entirely prepared for but nonetheless have to deal with...when you think of it you can pray for me and my family. The school situation is a place where I am stimulated and energized...I love learning new stuff! I am pursuing a Master's degree in Intercultural Missions at the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno...I'm now just 20 units towards completing my degree! My work is the full-time ministry that I get to do both in missions and singles.

This week I've been "knee deep" in serving through World Changers. So you can see...there is not much time for reflection. However, I've encountered my "sweet spot" in ministry this week. As I've been out and about visiting the 23 sites being worked on, interacting with the homewners, sharing a meal with the crews, hanging out with the students...I've "tasted" the "sweet fruit" of Jesus. It's been very cool. It's like a gift from God during a very stressful time in my life...it's like He is giving me a glimpse of heaven. Thus, I am reminded of all the missions projects & trips that I've been on...I always seem to get a glimpse of what heaven must be like...and it is "SWEET"!

My hope is that you also will experience the "sweet spot" of ministry in wherever you serve the Kingdom.

Africa

I’ve never visited Africa, but hope to have the opportunity one day. When I think of Africa I think of poverty, hunger, disease such as AIDS...sure it saddens me but mostly it humbles me in that I am healthy and certainly not hungry! :-) Then I think of my friend Mica who has graciously agreed to serve for 2 years...and she has been there almost 6 months now...how time flies! She is an amazing young woman of God who hopes to be used by God in a BIG way in Africa and all over the world. Clovis Hills has an incredible opportunity to participate with her in making an impact in Africa...very cool!

Horn of Africa Mission known as HOAM is a ministry that is directly involved in ministering to the African people by planting churches, leadership development, education and health clinics. Clovis Hills is financially supporting the ministry and we look forward to forming an intentional partnership that mobilizes many to travel to Africa...awesome!

Another way for us to get involved is to learn more about what's going on in the world. Kay & Rick Warren of Saddleback church are taking action when it comes to fighting AIDS all over the world and especially in Africa. A student at Saddleback created a video entitled 8000 a day/everyday...check it out...it will make you think.

Until next time...PEACE!