New Life Christian Church

PASTOR’S REPORT

Dear Saint (s),

There used to be a song that I believe Bob Dylan sang, in it he said “the times they are a changing”. So often when we hear that thought or it becomes reality we immediately walk in fear. Often times it’s simply the unknown or even some “bad” experiences that caused us to come to that kind of conclusion. But do you also realize that change has probably brought much greater experiences into your life than negative? For instance – marriage was a change. A new child was a change – a definite Big one!. On and on it goes – think about it. Change has usually been positive. So with that in mind, we simply embrace all that God is doing in our lives. He is, after all, the Author and the Finisher of our faith. He will complete what He has started. April brings the change of winter to spring – thank God! We see flowers popping out of the ground and the air even changes. We experience the warm wind of spring and the freshness of that air. It’s all change and it’s all good. Do you realize that God wants to absolutely alter all of our preconceived ideas and make sure we think like He does? That is a staggering truth – but one that means we must open ourselves to a newness of walk in the Spirit. Let’s simply allow God to bring us where He wants to take us. It’s His will – simple as that. Let’s embrace it.

Also, let me remind you about the building project. The walls in the foyer are now completed and three of the eight theaters now have leveled floors. Next is the drop ceiling in the foyer and then the floors – that’s it! Then the foyer will be completed. After that, we will move into the main sanctuary and finish the steel beams, the leveling of the floors; the building of the platform; then the carpet, paint, and seats – then that’s it for the Sanctuary. This would be a great time to give! Let me give you a few areas you might want to specifically put your “stamp” on.

The Drop Ceiling - $6000.00
The Flooring in the Foyer - $8,000.00
The Leveling of the Sanctuary Floors- $10,000.00
The Platform Area - $5000.00
The Flooring in the Sanctuary - $20,000.00
The Final Steal Beams - $10,000.00
As you all know – you could give towards a project or pick up the whole thing. Thanks for your continued prayers towards this God Given place.

Well…….have a great month!
Pastor Kirk

VOICE OF THE SHEPHERD submitted by David Hayner

The word of the Lord tells us that there is coming a day when all that are in the grave shall hear His voice and shall come forth. They that have done good shall resurrect to life, but they that have done evil shall resurrect to damnation. God is continually speaking to those who will hear; and as you hear, you will grow ever so in love with He who speaks. The Voice of the Shepherd hasn’t stopped talking ….

Thanks for listening,
Pastor David

33 LIVE submitted by Christopher Hopper

With the smell of spring in the air and the sounds of the geese returning, I can’t help but feel a little well deserved spring in my step around the office. Around this time there is always a renewed sense of anticipation with what the Lord is doing among us, as well there should be!

March was an extremely full month for us. We held the fourth yearly Dibor Conference and the numbers in attendance continue to grow. From dynamic teaching on spiritual pride and sexual purity to intense sessions of worship, public confession and prayer, it was a very full, very deep conference. 

March 19th, we had Pastor Rick Sinclair of Family Christian Center in Madrid, NY preach a powerful message for 33 Live outlining the 5 “C”s of what it means to be an ambassador  of Jesus: Conversion, Character, Content, Communication and Conviction. It definitely fell under the category of a “life message” that I’ll never forget. Julia, his 17 year-old daughter, also led us in worship; but she returned three nights later with her entire band (The Julia Marie Band) for an unforgettable concert at the church! She is ranked among the very best classical guitarists in the United States for her age group, and it shows. her example of excellence and dedication to the arts was really an inspiration. 

Mrs. Jackie Lugo shared last week at 33 Live, challenging the kids to develop and cultivate a living relationship with God and allowing that foundation to bring them into a place of action, affecting the culture around us. Combined with my three week teaching on Taking Your Inheritance, the youth have had a very powerful, Spirit-led transition into spring.

I have to believe that the purpose for such dynamic, unplanned yet completely cohesive teachings from so many different people can only point to the hand of God preparing us for advancement. And when I think about the Operation:HighLife Outreach scheduled for April 30th, I start to understand why. Just last Friday I got off the phone with two more school principals (Indian River and Lyme Central) both requesting me to speak and make inroads for Operation:HighLife to come in. We’re firming up dates there and preparing for the outreach for the Middle School at Thousand Islands on April 11th.

I urge you to please keep me and the entire 33 Live and Dibor team in your prayers; we are very much the tip of the spear right now and covet your support. If you’d like to be involved at all with any of our upcoming activities, from joining the prayer team to lending a hand around the campus to visiting us during one of the general assemblies, please don’t hesitate to contact the office. 

Blessings!
Christopher

P.S. Make sure to come out and see Jacob Moon in concert April 4th! Jenny and I will be there!

KIDS CHURCH submitted by Leah Woodkirk

Wow!  March was a whirlwind month!  I am so excited about the incredible things that are happening with all of you!  John Wesley a great man of God once said that if we, “Catch on fire with enthusiasm, then people will com for miles to watch us burn.”  It is amazing to watch the children of the Lord, get excited about learning His ways and accomplishing His plan for their lives. 

I love seeing children that are focused and setting goals for their lives.  Whether, it is a short-term goal, like Trace Bovier deciding to have a can drive to raise money for the new KIDS church in the Watertown building. He set the goal of 6,000 cans at the beginning of March and is already a 1/4 of the way there.  It might be a long term goal.  Friends (girls’ group on Wednesday), was talking about, and sharing their goals and dreams for the future.  Nemisis Ruiz plans to get great grades in school, go to an Ivy League school, and become a financial advisor.  She plans on helping her friends learn to have a lot of money, so that they can found orphanages and ministries around the world.  I can’t wait for her to grow up, so that I can work with her.  These are awesome goals and dreams.  I am so excited to see the many doors opening up for the people of this church to go on to fulfill their dreams. 

We may need to step outside of our comfort zone to see our dreams fulfilled, but the results are so amazing that it is worth the risk.  Catch on fire with enthusiasm….your excitement and enthusiasm…will help you push past the “scary,” and push into your destiny!  Then we will leave that awesome legacy, like the great people in history before us.  I want to see people like John Wesley, Fannie Crosby, Smith Wigglesworth, Elisabeth Elliot, Bob Hope, George Washington Carver, and Audrey Hepburn, come out of Depauville, New York.  Incredible people that change the coarse of history, that are fulfilling God’s plans, and leaving a legacy. 

God bless and much love, - Miss Leah

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD submitted by Karleen Bognaski

Think Spring - April Showers!  Showering is this month’s theme for Operation Christmas Child.  Items we will collect for April are washcloths, soap (in a ziplock baggie), plastic cups to catch those showers, and anything to make showering fun!  Think Spring and choose an item that is fun for spring - sidewalk chalk, jacks, jump ropes, punching balloons.  How about a watch so the children can tell the time…or an umbrella to keep children dry.  We appreciate all those who are assisting us in collecting for the Christmas boxes.  Please be faithful and remember these children who have very little.  The items they receive in their boxes bring great joy to them!  Thank you.

DIBOR TRAINING PROGRAM submitted by Robin Ringer

We had a wonderful DIBOR training conference March 14 –17. Our first conference in September had 12 in attendance and we are now running around 22 attendees. They travel across NY State to come.

Listed are some of the lectures at our last conference:

1. Jackie Stroh, President of Clarion Call, and independent consultant, took them through a Personal Style Inventory, Non- Defensive Communication and Speaking the Truth in Love

2. Brad Ringer spoke on Spiritual Pride – We were faced with questions such as:
Do I think of myself as more spiritual then those around me?
Do I think my way is right or the only way?
Do I find it difficult to admit when I am wrong?
Am I controlling?
Do I make people feel like they don’t measure up?

3. The Hoppers, Ringers and Chrystelle Ilunga spoke on Sexual Purity and how it is important to the Heart and Mind, with those we associate, our body and being single. Also a message was given on “Having Hope” in desiring Sexual Purity
Brad Ringer spoke of “God Initiated Plans” – teaching why God needs to be the sole directive in serving Him. His will, not our own or great ideas.

The conference again challenged us. One Morning, the Holy Spirit came through the cry deep, deep cries of Esther, (a youth worker from Buffalo). She cried with such “gutted ness” over the lost-ness of her community. These words cannot even explain it; it was so deep and heart wrenching. God used her to show us our “lack of”.

If you have any questions regarding DIBOR, please contact Robin Ringer at 777-1879 or Rringer@pureforgod.org

MISSION REPORT

Cook Islands

Capital: Avarua
Size: 236 sq. km.
Population: 18,3000
Religions: Protestant 79% Catholic 14% Marginal 7%

CHALLENGES FOR PRAYER

The Christian influence has been strong for 150 years. Church attendance is high, but few have assurance of salvation.

Pray for a new infusion of spiritual life.

Pray for the Island churches in Auckland and other New Zealand cities. Blessing there will affect the islands.

Pray for an effective discipling and teaching ministry on the Islands.

A revision of the Bible is needed, and possible translation into the smaller languages.

The Lord has challenged us (NLCC) to touch every country in the world. So every month we choose a nation (alphabetically) and we target them by prayer and giving. Souls are ripe; please join us in taking this opportunity to bring in the harvest! If you would like to give, please add a note on your offering that it is for the “Country of the Month”. Thank you.