The Season of Giving: the Vision at Calvary Guasave

Most of us are fairly aware that the December 25th date for celebrating Christmas is not at all Biblical. Some research shows this traditional date to possibly be the date when the magi arrived with their gifts, which could explain the tradition of giving gifts. Since we don't know the exact date of Jesus' birth, in my opinion, any is a good day to celebrate that moment when "the Word became flesh."

Nevertheless, I am personally grateful for the time of year for our traditional celebration of the birth of the Christ child. There's a beautiful reminder at the end of every year, just before the new year begins, to view our days and plans in light of Jesus. We're reminded before the new year begins to have the mind of Christ, who "though being in the form of God" did not hold on to his glory, but "being found in human form he humbled himself to point of being a servant." As we consider him at Christmas may it completely impact all of our plans and commitments for the New Year. Perhaps then, we, like the magi will be able to bring precious gifts to our Lord.

This is our desire this coming year in Guasave. The Lord is guiding in the planting of Calvary Guasave, and for the past month or two we have been focused on the building up the team that he desires to serve here. January is the time when we will begin looking for a facility that will meet the vision and need. Being here in the center of the city we want to be accessible to anyone passing by. We want to be able talk and pray with anyone. What better environment for this than to have the front of the church set up as a coffee shop? We do need continued prayer for guidance in this so that the coffee shop is a blessing to the ministry and not a hindrance. Please continue to pray for the team that God is bringing together which will make a huge difference in how these works of ours bring those precious gifts to our Lord-- the souls for whom he died. Lord willing, in January we will begin the process, and Lord willing by February we will begin services.

Meanwhile, the church plant in the village Palos Verdes continues to grow little by little, and the team that is being developed will be a great blessing there as well. The vision there for the year is to continue to be steady and faithful. We see God at work among the people there, and our prayer is that they would grow into mature, faithful disciples who are ready to disciple others.

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Expanding the Borders

As you pray for this new area of the work God has called us to please consider doing something new for us. We treasure so much the blessing each of you are to our family personally, and the way God has led you in financial support. It's such a beautiful testimony of God's love and faithfulness.

However, I believe God wants to expand the borders of support for the work he has here in Guasave. At Narrow Road we want to continue to be a blessing so that Calvary Guasave will never need to worry about supporting us personally as pastor of the church. Yet as it grows it will be able to support local pastors. We realize that our personal support will never be enough to support the expenses of planting a new church. So, for this we would like to ask you to consider sharing what we are doing with someone.

We are in the process of making some things available to help you do that, but really we just want the Lord to lead you. Casually, as you're going through your day, perhaps there is someone God will put on your heart that should get involved financially with the effort of planting this Calvary Guasave. We look forward to God's faithfulness in providing for the accomplishing of his will-- to make disciples and plant churches.

We love you all.

May the coming year be one where we give unto the Lord what he truly deserves.

Be Blessed,

Merry Christmas

and a Christ-focused New Year