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!

Miracles Of Christmas

Clovis Hills is currently going through the series called Miracles of Jesus. It's an awesome look into the miracles performed by Jesus...many opportunities to explore the Scriptures in a growth group and learn more about God and the saving grace that can only be found in Jesus.

Today, the opportunity to serve as a growth group on mission began with the Miracles of Christmas! Through the churchwide study of Miracles of Jesus many people will begin to realize modern day miracles of God throughout this study. Thus the vision is to begin praying about where God would have your growth group serve. The Missions Team at Clovis Hills has put together many ways to serve. It is our hope and prayer that as a growth group you will seek God's plan for the mission that He intends for your growth group to participate in. Then sign up and expect to experience God as he performs miracles in and through you on mission!

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!

Encounter Jesus

Easter is approaching thus it becomes a time to reflect on Jesus and what he did for us on the cross. The fact that he willingly submitted himself to suffering death on the cross...for me is beyond comprehension. Jesus chose to be obedient to God so that we could have the opportunity to know God. That's an amazing fact...one we should prayerfully reflect on from time to time -especially now! Clovis Hills is having several services this weekend to celebrate Easter - we are anticipating many visitors this weekend...it's an exciting time!

Normally during this week, I am in Mexico serving on mission through Amor Ministries. This has been our Family Mission for the last 6 years. This year we did not go...not yet anyway. So, in previous years during this week, I'm swinging a hammer, sweating, getting dirty for Jesus and serving the poor instead I'm home writing on my blog! Although, I'm still focusing on Jesus and serving him in other ways, it is my hope that people prayerfully consider going to Mexico sometime this year. All you have to do is pray, decide when you and your family or small group could go and sign up!

Being on mission is one of the most incredible ways to encounter Jesus...I highly encourage it! Are you ready to enounter Jesus?

Small Groups...On Mission

There is something that happens when a Small Group chooses to serve together. God transforms not only the group but the individuals themselves...it's truly amazing! You know, when you actually stop to think about it...Jesus served with his small group on various occasions. Therefore, it is my desire to see Clovis Hills on mission primarily through their Small Group. This is not to suggest that individuals should not serve alone but I do know that we are better together...so we will encourage to choose a mission together. Go to the website to explore the latest missions opportunities.

One such opportunity is our Mexico Mission...it's a great trip for a Small Group! You can build a home while building relationships! Check out the Amor Ministries.

• 7 DAY TRIP -

Clovis Hills has been partnering with Amor Ministries for the last 6 years to put together our Family Mission. This year is no exception! Please note the fast approaching DEADLINE to sign up – March 4th! Call or email Terry Maldonado at 297-2600 ext. 19 or terry.maldonado@clovishills.com
Dates: March 31st – April 6th (the week before Easter)
Cost: $210 per person over 10 years old; under 10 - FREE
Please note: Price does NOT include food, transportation, tools or camping equipment – each family/small group provides their own.

• 3 DAY TRIP -

Be a part of a movement of individuals coming together for three days to give the tangible gift of love in a new home to families in Mexico.
Dates: Jun 29th–Jul 1st OR Aug 3rd– 5th OR Nov 9th–11th
Cost: - $425 per person-$210 for 10 & under- $125 deposit due on sign-up
All participants will meet at the Amor headquarters in San Diego, CA by 7:00 a.m. All meals, from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day, as well as tents and tools are included.
Call 619-662-1200 ext.126 or e-mail: BenGarber@amor.org to sign-up.
You can also go to the website for more information.

My hope is that this year Clovis Hills has several Small Groups on mission to Mexico! Will yours be one of them?!?

Christians "On Mission"

What does it really mean to be On Mission? An "On Mission" Christian simply means someone who is fully committed to Jesus Christ and his purposes by living a such a life. In other words, "walking the talk" so as to share the good news of Jesus thus helping people understand that it is a gift freely given for ALL to accept when they so choose.
Therefore, it is a goal to offer missions opportunities that foster relationships of unconditional love which lead to a committment to Jesus Christ.

"On Mission" happenings:
Dec. 4th, we will be hosting a Christmas Party for teenage guys in Juvenile Hall.
Dec. 9th, building relationships with refugee families by giving them gifts.
Dec. 16th, delivering gifts to children through the Angel Tree project.
Dec. 21st, hosting a Christmas Party for the Family Shelter at the Fresno Rescue Mission.

Enjoy your "On Mission" journey!