Missions Minute

At New Life Church, we are privileged to support missionaries all around the world both prayerfully and financially, in an effort to see the good news of the gospel spread through the nations. The Global Outreach Team (G.O. Team) here at New Life has a mission of its own:

The Global Outreach (G.O.) committee will aim to personally involve every person in New Life Church for God's cause world‐wide, and challenge them to spread the news of Christ's excellence at home and around the world. (Matt. 28:19‐20)

Here are the missionaries New Life Church is currently partnered with:

• Carmen Bryant – Campus Ambassadors, Missions Door


• Brian and LaVonne Buhler – Humanitarian Development, South Asia


• Michele and Anna Gandolfo – Ostia, Italy


• Dan and Alice Simmons – WorldVenture Rome, Italy


• Rick and Mary Beth Holladay – The Art Factory, Kandern, Germany


• Calvin and Ruth Kim – WorldVenture, Beruit, Lebanon


• Paul and Diana Mayhugh – WorldVenture, Macau, China


• Paul and Beryl Metko – Americas West, Scappoose, Oregon


• Stephanie Rogers – Josiah Venture, Slovenia


• Skip and Ruth Sorensen – WorldVenture, Uganda


• Rich and Cheri Strahm – Kiev, Ukraine


• Bruce Tissell – WorldVenture, Teresina and Piaui, Brazil

The Missions Minute will spotlight a different missionary every month – highlighting the work God is doing through them and sharing their immediate prayer requests. If you would like to receive email updates from any of New Life's global partners, please send an email to office@newlifenw.com.

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Barton Community Baptist Church – Boring, OR, Pastor Thom Turner

Global Partner: Carmen Bryant – Missions Door

• Please pray for staffing needs for Missions Door.
• Please pray for new financial partners to come alongside Missions Door.

NLC Ministry: Middle School

• Praise the Lord for Brandon joining the MS leadership team. 
• Praise the Lord for students who are all excited and committed to living lives sold out for the Lord. 
• Please pray for friends and visitors to come to salvation.

Prayer Focus for the week of October 16th

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Grace Church of Molalla – Molalla, OR. Pastor John Baker

Global Outreach Partner: Skip and Ruth Sorensen – World Venture, Kabale, Uganda

NLC Ministry: H2O

• Pray for wisdom as this ministry seeks God's plan for the future and the leadership of H2O.
• Pray that panhandlers and homeless people would get a sense of God's love for them through even the short contact of an H2O bag.

Books Added to the Library

The following books have been donated to the library:

Teen:
Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement by Lucarini, Dan.

Non-fiction:
Zondervan Handbook to the BIBLE
Nobody Don't Love Nobody by Bess, Stacey 371.96
Run with the Horses by Peterson Eugene H. 242.5
He Still Moves Stones by Lucado, Max 226
Eerdman's Handbook to The History of Christianity by Dowley, Dr. Tim 270
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by P:eterson Eugene H. 223
Mastering Worship by Hayford, Jack 264
Relational Christianity by Meeks, Steve231.7
How to have GREAT small-group Meetings by McBride, Neal E. 253
Too Busy NOT to Pray by Hybels, Bill 248.3

Fiction:
A Gathering of Finches by Kiorkpatrick
Assassins by LaHaye, Tim
Babylon Rising by LaHaye, Tim
The Price by Mills-Macias,Kathi
The Ransom by Mills-Macias, Kathi
Apollyon by LaHaye, Tim
The Indwelling by LaHaye, Tim
PAUL : A Novel by Wangerin, Walter Jr.
The Sacrifice by Whitlow, Robert

Child and Youth Worker Training and Appreciation Luncheon was a success!

At New Life Church, we prioritize the safety of our children and youth, which is why child safety training is mandatory for all workers. Thank you to all the workers who serve our children and youth and attended the annual child safety training on Sunday, October 9th. This year the event also included an appreciation luncheon to acknowledge the dedication of our workers. Cupcakes, like the one pictured above, were prepared by Dustin Hannifan. Several gentlemen, including members of our Elder team, served lunch to the guests at their tables. Childcare was provided by the pastoral staff, pictured above.

Darcey Philpot and Kristen Van Tuyl led the training sessions and two guest speakers from The Children's Center addressed the group. Twice as many workers attended the training this year than attended last year. A make-up session is scheduled for October 23rd.

(Thank you, Elaine Hochstettler and Rose Miller, for providing the photos.)

A Letter from Mike Polley

Mike Polley, who is serving in Afghanistan, sent us this update to share with the church:

Dear family and
friends,
We have reached the 10 month mark since we left Oregon. The weather
has cooled down to 60-70s for high and 40-50s for low. At 7,300 feet, we
could get snow before the end of the month. We are shipping some
nonessential items home. This has brightened everyone’s spirits knowing
the end is not too much further away. We should all be home before
Christmas (knock on wood).

One of our priorities has been to develop partnerships with the
Afghans. We are trying to come along side of them, work with and teach
them, so they can adequately take over for us when the US forces leave by
2014. Our interactions have been new, different, and at times, downright
uncomfortable. For example, most of our interactions are through
interpreters since none of us speak their language and only a very few of them
speak (broken) English. Sometimes you wonder if the intent of the message
is being translated correctly. Their customs and courtesies are different
from ours and they enjoy social events (you best not be in a hurry to accomplish
your agenda).
One common social event is eating. Yes, eating their food, prepared their way. There are no USDA regulatory agencies over here or food preparation inspections. While their food is filling and tastes good, you sometimes wonder how it was prepared. Some Soldiers have felt queasy after eating, some have thrown up, some have had diarrhea and some unlucky Soldiers have had all of the above. They don’t have dishwashers to sterilize the dishes. In most villages, there is no running
water to wash your hands prior to eating. So, it is uncomfortable to meet
and greet each other and then sit down to eat. Who knows where those hands
have been. Without furniture, you normally sit on the floor and eat with
your fingers because there are no eating utensils; plus you serve yourself from
community dipping bowls. The Afghans remove their shoes inside buildings
and sit cross-legged with their feet inches from the food. When they serve
their tea, you wonder where the water came from. Did I mention
flies? They are all over the place and on the food. I think you’re
getting the picture. Only the strong survive. The higher your rank,
the more likely you are to find yourself in this situation. That is where
the battalion commander (BC) and I come in. We often participate in these
events as it would be rude not to. I can say that the BC and I have pretty
good diets, exercise regularly, take vitamins and have decent immune
systems. So far, we have not gotten sick, but we are the exception (again,
knock on wood).
I’ve had 15 days off so far this year. That was my
required leave that I talked about in my last letter. Working 12 hours a
day is calling it an early day. Most days are 14-16 hours per day, while
some are longer. Yes, we do take breaks, eat, exercise and try to get in a
nap about once or twice a month. I must admit that I’m really tired on
some days, but persevere through. A 5-15 minute power nap can save the
day. Most Soldiers don’t put in these many hours, but it is tough and
demanding at the top of the pyramid. So you can believe me when I say I
looking forward to coming home.
Operationally we are amazing. We are involved with engineer missions (including horizontal, vertical and route clearance), Civil-Military operations, Afghanistan National Army (ANA) partnerships and much more. Unfortunately you’ll have to wait until I get back to hear and see some of the things we have accomplished, plus stories from behind the scenes. I have attached a couple of pictures of some projects
we done. The horizontal construction company had to level the area and the
vertical construction company built the structures. As you can see from
the pictures, we do quality work. And of course, any living conditions at
any location that we can improve are liked by all. The orders just keep
coming in.
We are already thinking and planning for winterization as winter
for us is just around the corner. The locals say we had a mild winter last
year and could get several feet of snow this year. Some years they say
have snowed as much as six feet. Well, if that happens, we hope to be on a
plane by then. Many, many other stories to tell, but will have to wait
until I get back.
I took my physical fitness test on 26 SEP 2011, and while my score of 353 was impressive (88 push-ups in 2 minutes, 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes and 13:53 in the 2 mile run – all in less than one hour – all at 7,300 feet elevation) a few young bucks did beat my score. The Bible says that “iron sharpens iron” and this competition has been fun. Some of these Soldiers are in the best shape of their lives. Numbers are still coming in so you’ll have to wait until next time to hear how I’ll be rewarding them.
I also ran the Lincoln (Nebraska) ½ marathon in 2:02 last month as well as the
Army 10-mile at 1:30. The Portland satellite marathon is next
weekend.
Alex had a good time in Italy. He met a girl named Maria
through one of the Soldiers here (her sister) and it was their first get
together. Even though they had talked on the phone, Skype and emailed, it
was the blind date of blind dates. Could have been bad for one or both of
them, but they both really enjoyed it. He said they have a lot in common
and enjoyed each other’s company. She is planning to move to Oregon…
I am happy to report that there are a few less bad guys here and that we have made
a positive difference with the missions and interactions we’ve been involved
with. Please keep us in your prayers. I am looking forward to seeing and
talking with all of you when I get back.
Proudly serving my country and missing you,
Mike

Pastor Bill and Jeannette are grandparents!

Introducing Clara Evelyn, born on October 11, 2011 at 5:17 p.m. She weighs 7 pounds, 11 ounces. The proud parents are Bill and Jeannette's son, Jeff, and his wife Irma. Congratulations to all!

Prayer Focus for the week of Oct. 9th

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Living Hope Church – Oregon City, OR. Pastor Mike Albin

Global Partner: Paul and Diana Mayhugh – World Venture, China (Ephrata, WA)

NLC Ministry: GriefShare

Make a LOUD Joyful Noise

The Gospel Coalition, one of the most trustworthy and conservative organizations in modern Christendom, recently tackled the topic of how loud a worship service should be. You can read the blog post here. I have several takeaways from their article:

• I'm comforted to know we are not the only church who is asking this question.
• "The goal of music in the gathering isn't great sound or even great music. It's a church gathered and united in song." A congregation lifting their voices in praise is the reason we have music in church. Is the church singing?
• Comfort is not merely a function of volume, but harshness.
• The Scripture endorses loudness (Psalm 47:1; Psalm 150:5).
  
• Loudness is not a function of style, though it is often perceived to be.
• Managing the sound is a pastoral concern...and one we are paying attention to.

We are working at creating congregations who sing out because they cannot contain their love for God. We want the music to serve that and we grieve when it doesn't happen and enjoy it like everyone else when it does. Thank you for bearing with our misses and for praying for our success. May God be treasured and worshiped exuberantly by New Life Church!

Happy Birthday Bill!

As you may know Pastor Bill Kramer and Jeanette Kramer are in Texas visiting their son. Their son, Jeff, and his wife are expecting Bill and Jeanette's first granddaughter. We are excited for them to be there and experience this with their son.

This is, however, Bill's 80th birthday. He probably wanted to keep it a secret, but he works in the wrong place.

Congratulations and happy birthday, Bill!

Prayer Focus for the week of Oct. 2nd

New Life Church has a prayer focus each week. Our prayer focus is broken down into three categories of ministry: 1. We pray for another local church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We pray for a Global Outreach Partner who is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. 3. We pray for a ministry of New Life Church that is proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ locally.

Area Church: Logan Community Church – Oregon City, OR

Global Partner: Bruce Tissell – World Venture, Brazil

• Praise God for the way that God uses people to help each of us through difficult times.
• Pray for Bruce as he teaches church history at the seminary in Teresina. He has to cover the same material in 2/3 the time. Pray that he would be clear in his teaching and that together he, and the students, can learn from this semester of church history.
• Pray that the lab will finish the work on the crown that was ordered so that he can get his tooth fixed on a more permanent basis. Pray also that the medicine he is taking to dissolve the kidney stone will work.
• In mid-October (10-15) Bruce will be teaching two intensive courses at the Intensive Seminary. This time he is teaching the Christian Life and a Bible exposition class of the Old Testament historical books. Pray that his teaching will be relevant to the student’s lives and ministries.

NLC Ministry: Women's Bible Study

• Pray for the provision of child care during the upcoming class.
• Pray that "The Prodigal God" will give the women a fresh appreciation of God's love.
• Pray that the women will be encouraged by one another as they meet together.