Time to go...to a new site!

Well, it's been some time since I've posted here. It's take a bit of discipline for me to keep up with my blog but I'm trying!

Easter is a time of rebirth and new beginnings and something new at Clovis Hills is the idea of Staff Blogs. The idea is to give the people of our church a way to know the staff better and discover what we're really passionate about. My Staff Blog is called Engage the World. You can also go to: blogs.clovishills.com/terrymaldonado to read the latest! Also, make the changes in your favorites, bookmarks and/or blogrolls. I'll not be updating here, so to find out what's going on you'll have to reset your bookmark. See you on the other side!

Blessings as you go “blogging”! :-)

2008 Missions Theme

I am privileged to serve alongside many faithful servants of Jesus on the Clovis Hills Missions Team. Every year we get to witness lives changing as we serve in a mission and our hope is that more will join us this year! This year our theme is Go Local. Go Global. Just Go. It's our intention to provide many different opportunities throughout the year for individuals, families and growth groups to serve on mission.

GO LOCAL:
There are many ongoing service options through our local missions efforts.

GO GLOBAL:
Check out the many global missions and plan to serve over the next year.

JUST GO:

Prayerfully begin praying for the poor, needy and lost of the world and how God wants you to be a part of His kingdom work!

What's Right With The World

On November 24th & 25th the weekend after Thanksgiving Clovis Hills began the new series of "What’s Right with the World". Often times in our culture we find ourselves focusing on what's wrong in and with the world. Well, Clovis Hills wants to focus on the positive and speak about the good stuff God is doing! Thus, I was privileged to speak with Pastor Steve on Compassion: The Glory of God Revealed through Missions. Seeing and participating with God through acts of compassion such as missions and specifically most recent the "Miracles of Christmas". In fact, as a result over 900 people were ministered to in the name of Jesus through the people of Clovis Hills. Praise God!

Another aspect of the weekend was the honor of hosting the Children of the World. This is an amazing ministry of children from around the world who travel to open our eyes to the struggles of orphans from their homeland. Here are just a few video clips of the children in concert.

• In concert at Shadow Mountain Community Church http://worldhelp.net/videos/cotw_shadow_mtn_2007.wmv.
• Their visit to a Liberty University convocation service http://worldhelp.net/videos/cotw_lu_2007.wmv.
• Performing with Michael Tate at Crystal Cathedral http://www.worldhelp.net/MusicOutreach.aspx?pageid=37053.

The miracles have just started and will continue so, prayerfully seek out your next step on mission and experience the wonder of God!

Overseas Missionary Care

Going Global can mean many things to different people. Clovis Hills wants to encourage people to pray along with their family and/or Growth group about where God wants them to GO.

Some next steps...

• Praying for people from another country or unreached people group (UPG).
• Developing relationships with people of a different culture than your own.
• Intentionally preparing for an overseas mission trip by getting your passport.
• Preparing for a mission trip in the next 2-3 years by creating a savings account over and above your tithe and specifically set aside for wherever God would send you.
• Adopt an Overseas Missionary and support them with prayer and small gifts throughout the year.

Developing an ongoing relationship with a missionary who is serving cross culturally overseas can be one of the most amazing ways to serve the Kingdom. Won't you consider praying about your involvement? For more information email missionarycare@clovishills.com or check out the current opportunities for the Miracles of Christmas through missions!

India * Swaziland, Africa

This past Sunday, we celebrated what Clovis Hills is doing in the world through missions. We have an exciting follow up to Lynette Goodwin, who has just returned from a mission in India! A self proclaimed "scaredy-cat," Lynette Goodwin serves on the missions team as a volunteer Missions Ministry Director and strives to help Clovis Hills be on mission. Lynette's story was recently published in the International Mission Board's recent eNewsletter. Take a couple moments to read it at: Lynette's Story.

When you hear or see the word "missions" - what comes to mind? Sleeping in a mud hut? Traveling to Zimbabwe? Stepping way out of your comfort zone? Well certainly all the above could apply but are definitely NOT the rule. I believe when it comes to missions that God wants each one of us to take the next step in the journey of discipleship. One step at a time with Jesus. Another person who has taken the "next step" is Danny Johnson who recently served on mission in Swaziland, Africa. Go to the Hope Rises website to learn more about this amazing mission born here in the Fresno/Clovis area!

Go to Miracles of Christmas for details on serving on mission in India and Africa or choose from the many options...check it out!

Fresno Rescue Mission * Maroa Home

Clovis Hills has been hosting a Christmas Party at the Fresno Rescue Mission for the residents of the Emergency Family Shelter for several years and this year is no different!

A ministry of compassion…
The number of families requiring emergency shelter, not just in Fresno but in the greater Fresno County area, continues to increase. Families who have lost their home due to fire, loss of job, economic conditions or other life crises need a safe haven where they can find the resources and assistance they need to get on with their life.The Emergency Family Shelter offers 14 to 30 day temporary shelter for families, including food, clothing, personal care, referrals to other agencies that can assist them, and most importantly love and hope through the teachings of Jesus Christ. Families are given food packages and other needed supplies when they leave the shelter, to assist them in starting over in an apartment.
It is the only emergency shelter in the greater Fresno area that accepts whole family units, including father, mother and children.

The Christmas party is just one way to begin sharing the love of Jesus...pray about joining us!

The Maroa Home is a Christian discipleship program located in The Tower District of Fresno, CA. The Maroa Home has been in operation since 1984. All of the men in the program are committed to changing their lives and helping others in the process. The Maroa Home has been restoring families for over 21 years and continues to this day with great success. This Christ-centered residential program offers structure, discipline, counsel, biblical instruction and life skills training to drug and alcohol addicted men in an extended family atmosphere.

Clovis Hills is serving at the Maroa Home this christmas by purchasing requested items as Christmas gifts for resident. Another way to serve is to give Christmas gifts for a family of a resident of the Maroa Home. Share the compassion of Jesus by serving the men of the Maroa Home.

Go to Miracles of Christmas for details on serving on mission with the Fresno Rescue Mission, Maroa Home or choose from the many options...check it out!

Angel Tree * Willow Creek Health Center

Angel Tree is a program of Prison Fellowship and a ministry of the local church. Angel Tree seeks to transform the lives of the children of prisoners, their incarcerated parents, and their families and to reconcile them to their heavenly Father and each other.

At Christmas, Angel Tree provides a specific opportunity to connect with families and begin to minister to them. People from Clovis Hills purchase and provide gifts to the children of inmates in their parent's name. With each gift delivery comes the opportunity to share the love and hope of Christ. The cost of Angel Tree Christmas is minimal, approximately $40 per child reached. Each child is to receive a minimum of two gifts. When we send you the children's names we will include a suggestion for one fun gift and one article of clothing that the prisoner picked out using our gift guide. When you contact the children's caregivers, you should get their approval of the prisoner's gift suggestions and find out if they have anything more specific to add to the request. Each gift must be new and valued at $15-20.

WILLOW CREEK HEALTH CARE CENTER

Many elderly people live in nursing homes, assisted care facilities and extended care centers for the remainder of their lives. Some are fortunate to have family and friends visit them regularly. However, many suffer through loneliness and no one around to visit them. Hence the mission of ministry of Clovis Hills at the Willow Creek Center. Folks from Clovis Hills visit residents at Willow Creek Health Center and participate in a Worship Service. This happens every month and there are various ways to serve. All elements of a typical worship service are available such as music, singing, teaching the message and fellowship. Prayerfully consider serving the elderly in our community by sharing the love of Jesus.

Go to Miracles of Christmas for details on serving on mission with Angel Tree, Willow Creek or choose from the many options...check it out!