Reflections on 2004
Kip McKean and Various - Sunday, 01/02/2005
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in
the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
Truly, our God has blessed us beyond anything,
anyone, anywhere could have imagined! In January, the Holy Spirit sent out the
Ciaramellas and 16 other disciples to plant a new congregation in Eugene, Oregon
(home of the University of Oregon.) In March, He initiated the Latin Ministry,
which has grown from 9 disciples to 30 under the leadership of the Gonazlezes.
In April, the Chemical Recovery Ministry was initated through the efforts of
Russ and Lana Preston. In June, 500 disciples from around the world attended our
first World Missions Jubilee (at that time called the International Discipleship
Jubilee.) God has blessed us with two Elders-in-training and their wives, the
Untalans and the Bertalots, and 11 deacon couples. God has grown the church from
120 disciples to 223! Amazingly, this growth of 103 disciples came through 51
baptisms, 48 move-ins and 16 restorations! With our growth of 103 disciples,
this means we only lost 12 disciples, who either moved away or fell away! This
truly is a tribute to the power of the Spirit, the power of discipleship, and
the power of love for one another here in the Portland Church. Our attendance
has grown from about 200 to approximately 350. Last December, our contribution
was approximately $4000 per week; presently our new budget is $6800 per week!
All of this is to God's glory! The remainder of the bulletin contains other
brothers' and sisters' reflections of God working in the Portland congregation
to do immeasurably more than we asked or imagined. Happy New Year!
Kip & Elena McKean
Reflections on the
Jubilee
Steven and Grace Droblas - Recently Placed Membership
We came to Portland's International Discipleship Jubilee in June because we felt
we were becoming lukewarm. The Jubilee was amazing! We heard the Word of God
preached again without fear or hesitation. What we saw, heard and felt in our
hearts made us begin to pray about moving to Portland. After a second visit in
August we decided that we needed to be part of this church that embraces the
lordship of Christ, the grace of God as our motivation, and discipleship as His
plan to spread the Word all over the world. Since October, it has been so
refreshing to be in a church where every disciple wants to be called higher.
Thank you Portland Church for welcoming us with open arms!
Reflections on Leadership
Bob Bertalot - Elder-in-training
"Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy,
because it is by faith you stand firm." (2 Corinthians 1:24) In the
last year and a half since the McKeans have arrived, we have seen numerous
changes in our leadership expecially revolving around our leadership meetings.
Previously, the leaders and staff were trained to be very "stat"
centric with the majority of time in the meetings being focused on our numbers
and the effectiveness of each leader. Discipling was distributed with repentance
sought and then, off to another week. What a difference it has been in 2004!
Bible Talk Leaders Meetings are for Bible Talk Leaders and those aspiring to
lead a Bible Talk. Presently, with a church of 223, we have 50-60 members who
come each Sunday from 4:30-6:30 pm. In the past no one wanted to be a
"leader," now it seems so, so many want to serve God in this role.
Upon entering the meeting, there is the eletricity of fellowhip in the air.
After some powerful songs and prayer, we have a time of "great news
sharing" of how God is working in ours or our friend's lives. Always, an
inspirational lesson is preached usually with a time for response. Business
issues are discussed as a whole group. Then lastly we divide up into our House
Church leadership groups, composed of two to eight Bible Talk Leaders (or those
who are training for that role). In these groups, we account for each member who
needs encouragement, address any concerns, and discuss the studies with
non-Christians and how we can serve these friends to move them a step closer to
becoming baptized disciples. Many time visiting disciples who have come to learn
fom the Portland Church are in awe of the "one-ness" God had forged in
our leadership. My wife Marcia and I so enjoy the spirit of these meetings. Then
afterwards we have "discipleship time" with the Untalans (the other
Elder-in-training couple) and the McKeans for a pleasant dinner and discussion
about all of our lives as well as practical ways to forcefully advance God's
Kingdom in Portland and beyond. Sundays are truly the Lord's Day in Portland!
Reflection on the
Chemical Recovery Ministry
Michele Williamson - Graduate of the First CR Ministry Group
I was blessed to be a graduate of the first Chemical Recovery (CR) Group in
Portland this November. Our CR Ministry is inspirationally led by Russ and Lana
Preston. CR was an incredible opportunity to uncover and heal the wounded areas
of my heart that were affected by almost 15 years of drug and alcohol abuse.
Although I had stopped using when I was baptized, I struggled with guilt and
shame about my past and substituted drinking with over-spending and shopping.
At a time in the Kingdom where the word
"discipling" has so many negative connotations, CR gave me a deep
respect and conviction for Biblical discipling. As each sister read her journal
account of what she used and the devastating consequences of that use it was
obvious that we were all powerless to control our drug of choice. I appreciate
the discipling ministered by the sisters and witnessed first hand the power of
God's Word to combat temptation and bring healing to the deepest of wounds. CR
was a painful but necessary journey and experience for which I will eternally be
grateful. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those
who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11)
Reflections on the
Campus and Teen Ministry
Carleen Nikzi - Campus and Teen Women's Ministry Leader
This year has been an awe inspiring year for the Campus, Teen and Middle School
Ministries. But that was far from where we were 16 months ago. When we pulled
together the Campus and Teen Ministry in September of 2003 there was only one
baptized teen and three campus students. The Middle School Ministry didn't even
exist! God has grown these ministries to where at our last House Church service
in November, there were 98 people present! The Campus Ministry, now led by the
McKeans, has grown tremendously not just in numbers, but in faith and love. The
students are always together eating, studying, and reaching out to their
friends. The Teen Ministry, presently led by the Williamsons, has blossomed as
many young men and women have decided to take bold stands for God at their High
Schools. Where there was once only one baptized teen, there are now 17 baptized
teens on fire for God! (And no one has fallen away!) One, Eddie James, was even
highlighted in the Oregonian for his athletic ability and pictured on the front
of the sports page having a quiet time! The Middle School Ministry has been so
encouraging and inspiring! They regularly have 30 Middle Schoolers out for
Friday devotionals. Led by Jeff and Meka Hernandez and assisted by Shannon and
Aaron Mullins, this ministry put on an incredible play at our Christmas Service
- A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was moving to see their maturity and confidence
that comes from having real, deep relationships with God. This year was awesome,
but I believe God will allow us to do "even greater things"
in 2005! (John 14:12)
Reflections on the
Eugene Experience
Amy Ciaramella - Women's Ministry Intern for the Eugene International Church
of Christ
Early 2003 marked a defined time of discouragement as my husband, Jeremy and I
stepped out of the ministry in Portland. We met Kip and Elena for the first time
that summer. Kip asked if I had any good memories of serving in the ministry. I
flatly said, "No." After stepping out, it was never my intention to
return to be on staff in the church.
"Nothing is impossible with God."
(Luke 1:37) God has clearly exhibited His faithfulness over the last two years.
He helped heal my heart and I was able to "borrow" my husband's and
Elena's faith and zeal to help lead the planting of the Eugene International
Church of Christ in mid-January 2004. At first, it was a struggle to build
family on the team, but we have fought and have continued to learn how to trust
God in relationships. Especially dear to us are our deacon couple, Rich and
Stephanie Hackett. Though we are only supported part-time, God has tested our
faith and worked to mature our young church of 18 disciples. After 11 months, a
loving family of 31 disciples now worships in Eugene, thanks to the power of God
and the guidance of the Portland Church! We love being discipled by the McKeans.
This relationship and others keep our two churches so close. Autonomy can never
be the answer to growth in God's family. "If a kingdom is divided
against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." (Mark 3:24) My husband
and I cannot wait for 2005!
Reflections on
Repentance
Matt Sullivan - Placed Membership in August and New House Church Leader
"I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are
dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found
your deeds complete in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have
received and heard; obey it, and repent." (Revelation 3:1-3)
When I read those words about 11 months ago, I
was shocked at the state of my heart. Even though I had a spiritual reputation
as a "deacon-in-training" and "one of the most fruitful in the
congregation" I was in fact lukewarm and dying spiritually. My faith was
gone and I struggled to believe God could do the smallest of things in my life.
It seemed a victory if those in my group just came to church! Sadly, in my
former congregation in 10 years, only 2 children of members were baptized and
yet dozens were lost to the world. Those are not victories from God, but curses
for disobedience and lack of faith.
Looking honestly at the state of my heart and the
congregation I was in, I had to make a radical decision to repent and repair my
shipwrecked faith. After months of praying, my family and I picked up and moved
to Portland in order to hear intense preaching, see 100% sold out members, and
sense true love for one another reminiscent of the first century church. In the
Portland Church "very committed" includes everyone, not just a few! I
just wish anyone that is losing their faith could come and visit Portland.
Reflections on
Rekindling Your Dreams
Victor Gonzalez Sr. - Latin Ministry Leader
In Acts 2, a sign of the Kingdom was "your old men will dream
dreams." When I became a Christian through the outreach of Marty
Fuqua, I came to a church (the Los Angeles Church) that was full of dreamers.
After baptism I began to dream. God gave me my dream when I led a mission team
planting to Montebello to start a new Latin Sector. I felt so fulfilled seeing
over 50 baptisms in our first year!
Then Satan struck and there was no money for me
to lead a ministry. In bitterness I took my wife and family of ten kids to a
small midwest church. We slowly began to die and my kids were being drawn to the
world. I heard about Portland and their dream for a Latin Ministry. I visited in
February and moved there with all my family two weeks later! God gave me, an old
man of 45, a new dream- to lead the Portland Latin Ministry. The Lord blessed us
as every Sunday I preach at a Spanish-speaking service and during the week we
have Spanish-speaking Bible Talks. We started with 9 disciples in March and
today we have 30! My family is doing much better as we are all being discipled
again. Thank you God for rekindling my dream!
Reflections on My
Restoration
Adrianna Alcazar - Recently Restored Disciple
At my baptism in October 1998 I did not realize the importance of having deep
convictions through trials. I naively thought that since I became a disciple, my
life would have less struggles. Yet, after baptism Satan's attacks were very
strong, not only for me but my entire family! I became weak in my faith, bitter
and fell away for a year. Then the Latin Ministry began in March. I was so
excited to hear God's Word in my heart language - Spanish! It was preached with
such conviction. The sisters who led my restoration studies also emphasized the
absolute necessity of deep conviction to love God no matter what happens. "I
can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!"
(Philippians 4:13)
I thank God that through His grace He allowed me
to come home to His church. This December, God blessed my repentance when my
husband Francisco was baptized into Christ through the love and perseverance of
Chris Williams and Victor Gonzalez. "Friends are angels who lift us to our
feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly." This phrase
clearly describes how my husband and I feel about the incredible Latin Ministry
in Portland.
|
Articles
