Christ’s Church of Joplin is a Newfrontiers USA church in the community led by Tim Chambers and the elder team. There have been no reported injuries of any church members, but several members have experienced property damage and loss. The church building was not damaged, but was without power. Bryan Mowrey (Jubilee Church, St. Louis) has been in contact with Tim and has conveyed support from the Newfrontiers churches in the Midwest.
Many have asked how they can help. Rob Wilkerson (a Newfrontiers USA pastor in Statesboro, GA) has worked with Servpro Industries, a company with fire and water cleanup and restoration franchises in 48 states in the USA. This experience has given Rob helpful disaster relief/recovery skills, especially in tornado and flood damages. Rob is preparing a relief effort for Joplin developed alongside the church in Joplin. Rob Wilkerson will be in touch with those volunteering as plans develop.
If you would like to volunteer in the relief effort, please fill out this form. Simply put the information requested on the FIRST PAGE ONLY. That includes your name, contact number, availability, tools you can bring with you, and supplies you can bring/purchase and potentially leave behind.
Please keep Christ’s Church and the Joplin community in your prayers. We stand with them during this difficult time.
Together on a Mission 2011
The Together on a Mission conference will be in Brighton, England July 12-15, 2011. This will be the last TOAM confernece held in Brighton, so plan to be there! Register today!
One of the great questions we often ask is “are leaders born or made?” The answer is both. It is evident that some people seem to demonstrate a natural gift of leadership. On the other hand, it is also true that there are factors within our control that, if cultivated, can enable us to develop into leaders. Of course Christ has set apart those who are to lead His Church; however, the Great Commission is for everyone. Everyone leads, as we are all called to influence others for the Kingdom.
Our traditional view of leaders as gifted, charismatic people seems to cause many to limit both God and themselves. Too often we disqualify ourselves from having leadership ability if we do not possess certain characteristics.
Leaders are ordinary people.
Take a moment and consider this simple but significant truth!
In his book The Fifth Discipline, Peter Senge writes: “Most of the outstanding leaders I have worked with are neither tall nor especially handsome; they are often mediocre public speakers; they do not stand out in a crowd; they do not mesmerize an attending audience with their brilliance or eloquence.”
We see this “ordinary factor” of leadership in many biblical examples. The great Old Testament leader David in fact, was so ordinary that even his own father didn’t realize his potential!
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 has always been helpful to me in regard to the type of people God often calls as leaders. Whether it’s a shepherd boy like David, or a church full of immature but enthusiastic believers like those in Corinth, God seems to delight in using the weak and foolish to accomplish His plans.
How do people become leaders?
Amazing as it is, one often becomes a leader through home life, failure and crisis.
The influence of one’s home life is a part of God’s process. Many leaders have had difficulties growing up, but God is redemptive. Our childhood shapes us as we experience God’s healing grace, which transforms us and leads us to have compassion toward others.
Failure is not the issue. The issue is how one responds to failure, and our response is determinative in our leadership development. George Washington lost four out of five major battles he fought. Lincoln suffered bankruptcy and was a West Point reject. Failure is a tool in God’s hand for shaping leaders.
Crisis also shapes us as we’re either crushed by it, or develop character through it. We can choose to resolve within ourselves to reach for greater heights. Churchill, famous for eloquence, had a speech impediment as a boy. Peter often stuck his foot in his mouth. Moses had problems speaking and asked God to have his brother Aaron speak for him.
People that not only use crisis experiences as learning tools, but gain motivation from their failures as well, demonstrate leadership. Leaders are not people who escape failure… they’re people who overcome adversity.
With faithful service comes greater responsibility.
“One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much.” (Luke 16:10)
Leaders are diligent in the task assigned, even if the task seems insignificant. You may feel a sense that you should help out even if you feel inadequate. Sensitivity to the needs around you and a willingness to serve faithfully demonstrates leadership potential. Availability and faithfulness in one’s task mark a leader. During this stage you will develop skills and spiritual gifts as you learn to relate to people in ways that will motivate and influence them. Faithfulness in your assignments while developing skills leads to even greater responsibility.
Some questions to ask yourself: Do you see these tasks as coming from God? Do you view these tasks as a job that has to be done out of duty, or done for the sake of personal recognition?
Leaders are learners.
Learners assume an attitude of being teachable and trainable. Solomon said, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (Proverbs 1:5)
It is vital to connect with other leaders who are willing to come alongside you. It is not the accomplishments of a mentor or coach that makes them a valuable ally, but what they observe in others that counts. Paul’s year at Antioch with Barnabas, which included “on the job” experience, was a springboard for Paul’s apostolic ministry. Leaders are called to receive input, as well as give helpful input to others.
The process of leadership development hinges upon current leaders who are willing to invest in others, just as Barnabas did with Paul: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Paul also followed Barnabas’ model in developing other willing learners. Paul told Timothy, “You… have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings…” (2 Timothy 3:10)
God has intentions for this earth. He commanded us to pray for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven. He commissioned us to go and make disciples of all nations. God has designs for the nations and He has designs for you!
“Whom shall we send and who will go?”
The need is great in our local churches and communities. As we look to plant reproducing churches in the top 100 cities, I am praying for people who will answer, “Here am I, send me!”
Mobilise USA 2011
Mobilise USA is a conference that seeks to inspire students and twenties to pursue all that God has for them and it was held in St. Louis, Missouri in January 2011. This year had the highest attendance yet with 440 coming from across the nation. It was evident that God's Spirit was present: people were healed, prophetic words were brought and many were impacted by God. Tope Koleoso, lead pastor at Jubilee Church in London, spoke on the topics of "Watch your Life" and "Watch your Doctrine". Bo Noonan from Tacoma, Washington, and Bryan Mowrey from St. Louis, Missouri also taught. In addition, there were seminars taught by various leaders covering such topics as redemption, mission, the Holy Spirit and using your profession for God. Over $9,900 was given during the conference offering time for our Newfrontiers efforts in Zimbabwe! The worship time, led by Jordan Dillon, was richly influenced by the Spirit and led to many extraordinary encounters. Betsy shares her experience…
“I had an awesome first Mobilise experience. I love that worship was a key component. Before Mobilise I’d been seeking God for better understanding (more tangible experience) of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts and what He has in store for me. As I worshipped Saturday night and received prayer, God gave me a glimpse of what He was preparing me for. As the Holy Spirit filled me that night, joy welled up inside me. I was singing, laughing, jumping, thanking God, totally abandoned and delighting in God. Later God gave me the verse in Ephesians 5:18-20 ‘… be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ What an encouragement!”
Htoi Jones comments, “The Holy Spirit really woke my dreary soul with this conference. I learned a lot more of God’s purposes for us, and the cold hard truth about how we try to legalize grace and the luxurious love of Christ into our flawed little self-righteousness. Mobilise helped re-groove my earthly self-righteous lifestyle into a God-centered lifestyle.”
To listen to or watch sesssions from Mobilise USA 2011, visit www.mobiliseusa.org.
A Tribute to Bob Stricker- By Sam Poe
On Friday, October 29, 2010 my dear friend, mentor and spiritual father, Bob Stricker, passed from this life into the Presence of God. I first met Bob almost forty years ago. I was a young man who had been recently converted in the beginnings of the Jesus People Movement that was happening on the West Coast of the USA at that time. I rather quickly became involved in leadership simply because there were so many young people coming to Christ. I found myself leading a group of Jesus People. I was young, single, definitely in over my head and I knew I needed help. I had become aware of Portland Bible College, which was based at Bible Temple (now City Bible Church) in Portland, Oregon. I was living at that time in Kelso, Washington, about fifty miles north of Portland. I purposed to visit PBC and meet the dean of the college, to see if he might help us train leaders among the Jesus People we were working with. When I went in to talk to Bob about this possibility he said he would do what he could to help us. We made a plan for him to start teaching a couple of classes each Tuesday night in Kelso. After the classes, Bob and I would usually go out for coffee or a late night snack. I was always full of questions and he patiently sat there and talked with me. Sometimes he would even come up to join me in some difficult counseling situations I found myself in. I was greatly appreciative of his friendship and help. However, years later it came much clearer to me what a sacrifice this had been for a man leading a Bible College and raising a family of nine children. It was also later in life that I realized that Bob had been fathering me spiritually. I am eternally grateful for the precious time he invested in me as a very needy young man.
It was largely due to my relationship with Bob that I met my bride-to-be, Marlene. She had graduated from PBC and was living in Portland at that time. During our dating relationship Bob and his dear wife, Carolyn, would sometimes go out on double dates with us. We loved them because they enjoyed laughter and refused to take themselves too seriously. Yet, as a couple they seriously effected our lives.
This relationship never ceased over the years. We have had the joy of many hours with Bob and Carolyn. In recent days, while in the States, before returning to Africa, we were able to spend time on several occasions with Bob and Carolyn. Their mentoring role continued in our lives. They were both teaching us how to finish well.
Bob, we will dearly miss you, but we know we will soon see you again in the Presence of the Lord. Carolyn, we love you and our prayers are with you.
In Memory of Bob Stricker
In Memory of Bob Stricker
by John Lanferman
It is with a mixture of sadness and deep gratitude when I learned that Bob Stricker had died after his battle with cancer. Sadness, because I will miss his wisdom, wit and counsel in my life, but having gratitude that I have been privileged to know Bob for 25 years. His influence continues as a result of his investment in so many people and this influence is a mark of a life well lived. Bob was instrumental in starting three different Bible colleges and served churches and leaders in the Midwest and west coast of the United States, as well as in Canada.
Bob served on my apostolic team in Newfrontiers USA for several years. His willingness to move and reside in various cities in order to assist us in developing Newfrontiers churches and leaders has had profound impact on so many leaders. He extensively served several of our churches in the Midwest for protracted periods of time. Many of our leaders were developed under Bob's wise and fatherly hands. Without question our Newfrontiers family of churches would not be where we are today without Bob's patient investment in so many.
I cannot possibly overvalue what Bob has meant to me personally as I planted churches and led our family of churches. Bob was a mentor, a dear friend and a father to me. It was a joy to be with him and share memories this past summer on my trip to the Pacific northwest. His faith and calm demeanor throughout his years of service to us was clearly evident as he faced death. He never wavered, remaining constant in faith and having great courage in the face of suffering. He continued to teach me not only how to live but how to die. I spoke with Bob a few days before his death and, although very weak, his steady voice and words displayed his great faith. As we concluded our conversation, it was a joy to say "I'll see you in heaven, Bob." I am grateful for that opportunity to say goodbye to a true hero who was an example to our family of churches and to me.
Bob: A Man of Faith and A Friend
by Carl Herrington
A few days ago Bob Stricker passed from this life to the next and he will be greatly missed. I am sure heaven is not quite the same now that he is there, and it is great to know we will see him again. I have known Bob for 22 years. We served together at Grace Church in Lee's Summit, MO. and on the Newfrontiers team that serves our churches in the USA.
When I think about Bob, I will remember things he would say so bluntly, such as, “Well you just need to trust God.” I wondered sometimes if his wife’s name was “Carolyn” or “Woman”, as he referred to her as both! He believed either prayer or violence would solve most problems, he usually had a smile on his face and was seldom discouraged. I remember when he heard news that one of his granddaughters was diagnosed with cancer. He said with confidence, “We will pray for her healing and the devil will not win, even if she dies.” Well, she did not die and the devil did not win, as Bob proclaimed. He knew biblical names from the Old Testament that most people would never remember or could not pronounce. Maybe he appreciated violence because he spent so much time reading the Old Testament!
He had a great faith in God and his ability to instill that faith in those around him was amazing. He had a real way of making people feel cared for and accepted. My life has never been the same since knowing Bob. His life lives on in all of us who had the privilege of calling him our friend.
Bob Stricker Memorial Mission Fund
Bob Stricker was a dear friend and key member of the Newfrontiers USA leadership team for many years. His mature leadership was a vital resource for the Newfrontiers family of churches. The Stricker family has established a memorial fund to support the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ and this fund will provide support to Newfrontiers USA missional efforts in Zimbabwe and other parts of the world.
Details: Checks may be made out to Newfrontiers USA. Please write "Stricker Memorial Fund" on the memo line.
Donations can be mailed to: Newfrontiers USA PO Box 2626 St. Louis, MO. 63116
Our loss is heaven's gain.
LoveZim Prayer Day
The LoveZim Prayer Day was a significant event in many ways. See Nigel Ring's update below for details!
