This Week at Twin Cities - November 25, 2009

Hey Gang,

Happy Thanksgiving to every one of you! I love the privilege of being in your life. May you sense God’s presence as you focus on His provision. One of the ways God has provided for me and my family is through this church family. It’s so refreshing to be part of a church full of so many people who want to honor God.

I hope you will set aside some time this weekend to reflect on God’s blessings to you. During this tough economic time, it’s natural to have our attention focused on material things. I know it’s very hard for some of you financially right now, and I want you to know I pray for you. I hope, though, you can look beyond the difficulty of the day and celebrate all God has done in your life.

While I was in Uganda, I was very moved by the joy I saw in these people who have very little of what we Westerners believe brings happiness. The one thing I miss most is the laughter. Ugandans know how to laugh and find joy in the moment.

Listen to this letter written by one of the young Ugandan girls we support in the children’s home:

“Dear Twin Cities Church Friends, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank U for sponsoring us children of El-Shaddai Home. Thank U for the school fees, clothes, bed sheets, letters and the Christmas boxes. I would like to share a bit of the Bible verse with U. It is 1 Corinthians 1:4, ‘I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus.’ I like this verse because of its thanksgiving. I love you!!!”

I pray you will discover the kind of joy this little girl has expressed and look for those who have been a blessing in your life. Maybe you could bless them by telling them how much they have impacted you.

I am so thankful to be your pastor.

Pastor Ron

This Week at Twin Cities - November 19, 2009

Hey Gang,

Last week I wrote to you from Uganda, Africa. I returned home on Sunday night after a two week trip to serve with our sister church there. I was amazed by what God is doing through our support of this incredibly vision-driven church. I am even more certain God has called us to work with the people there who, at great personal sacrifice, give themselves so that people can know Jesus Christ.

I was humbled by what I would have labeled as personal sacrifice from my American mindset. I was humbled by what I saw happening in some very desolate places as men and women, who had been changed by Jesus Christ, took their new understanding about God and Jesus home to their loved ones and neighbors. I prayed that each of us would develop such a strong sense of personal calling to share Jesus with our friends and neighbors.

At some point I hope to be able to share more about my experience there. Thank you for your prayers for our health and safety. The only issue I had was the attack of jetlag now that I am home. I had thought I’d be the only human being on earth who didn’t have to recover from such an experience and all the travel, but it hit me like a ton of bricks on Monday evening after a full day of work and several meetings. Shows I’m more human than I want to admit.

Speaking of being human, one of the things we all have in common is that we sin. It’s true. We all sin. Well, this week we’re going to look to the Lord’s Prayer and learn how to remove the guilt and regret so many of us carry because of our own sin, or the hurt and resentment we carry from the sin of others against us.

This week is essential for those who want to know the joy of the freedom we have in Jesus.

Pastor Ron

This Week at Twin Cities - November 12, 2009

Hey Gang,

I’m writing from Bugembe Uganda this week. I sensed God’s calling me to travel to Uganda for quite some time. Pastor Robert had been inviting me. As you know, Kimberly, my wife, traveled to Uganda in October 2008, and she had been encouraging me to go, as well. I am so glad God made the way for me to be here with this trip to train pastors. It’s been absolutely one of the most thrilling experiences of my life.

God is doing a tremendous work here in Uganda, and you are part of it. I know it’s difficult sometimes for some folks to get the vision for work so far away from home when there is so much need in our own backyard. I have felt that way before myself. Well, never again will I feel that. Not only is the need beyond my comprehension – beyond anything even remotely close to the needs in our back yard – but the people here are sacrificing beyond anything you would ever believe to meet those needs. I have NEVER seen faith like I see here.

I guess with big need and big vision that big faith is necessary. It’s so moving. We have somewhere around 80 pastors and leaders representing 39 churches and 2 orphanages – most of which have sacrificed tremendously just to attend –being trained in how to know their Bible better. Think of that: 39 churches will have pastors who are better equipped to teach and grow the constant flow of new followers of Jesus Christ.

Your giving makes all of this possible. I know it’s hard to comprehend, so I want to encourage each of you to come here with a future team. But, a word of warning: If you come, you will never be the same.

This Sunday at TCC, Pastor John will talk about trusting God for His provision in our lives. I know you will want to come so you can get God’s Vantage Point on your circumstances.

Can’t wait to get home and see you,

Pastor Ron

This Week at Twin Cities - November 5, 2009

Hey Gang,

Sunday was such an awesome service. I am so grateful to the teams who were able to get our parking lot transformed and clean so that our guests could all see our beautiful facility. I am so grateful for how many of you invited your friends for the kickoff of our “Vantage Point” series. Way to go! I am so proud to be part of such a visionary church.

I’m going to backtrack a little (since I’m writing this on Sunday afternoon before I leave for Uganda) and talk about the fruit of 40 Days of Love. Wow! Here’s just a little of what God did through us and in us as we committed ourselves to be immersed in love for God and others.

• Three couples who were on the brink of divorce chose to work out their differences.

• 14 people made first-time commitments to Jesus.

• 8 were baptized. That’s after 45 were baptized on August 30.

• 1708 Uganda Christmas Boxes were given and sent by ship to Uganda.

• Over 200 boxes and bags of food were given from our Limit Consumption Challenge.

• You gave over $13,500 from your Limit Consumption savings. We gave all the food and money to Interfaith Food Ministry, The Nevada County Food Bank, and Hospitality House.

• 3500 people came to Fall Family Festival and we gave away over 1700 pounds of candy. Whew!

• 400 new people joined a Small Group for the 40 Days of Love experience. Many of those groups chose to continue meeting. Way to go!

• Countless people told of sacrificial acts they were led to participate in because of the “Love One Person while working for him.

I love you and will carry your love for God and people with me to our sister church in Uganda.

Pastor Ron