He's Been Faithful

We have had two conversions within the last couple of months and I am so elated. We moved across the country this time last year, not knowing how we would survive. Yet God has been so faithful to us! We've never gone without food and nothing has been cut off. When one job finishes God has been faithful to provide another. We are living on half of the income we are used to having and that has posed some challenges but God continues as always to meet the needs. We have launched the church and continue to perservere to do what God has called us to do in Austin. We are seeing real life change among our members. We want to reach more people, but are limited by our resources. We have vowed to do as much as we can and then some. God has miraculously provided finances for us to keep the lights on so to speak many times.

More times than often would like to know where everything is coming from. But that's not our reality. We have to take things week by week and day by day. We are looking for new facilities so we can have a permanent location to set roots down. We are greatful for the hotel suite, its nice to swim after service and hangout. We would like to cease from being mobile every week.

Keep us in your prayers as we endeavor to make Jesus famous in Austin.

A Christmas Of Hope 2010

This Christmas was very challenging for us as a family. Money was very tight and we had no extra money to buy presents for our kids this year. We were faced with having to move, quickly because the house we were renting went into foreclosure. You can imagine how alarming this was to receive notice that we would possibly have to vacate our home in 15 days. This was two weeks before Christmas.

In the mean time we are planning a Christmas Program and Outreach for our Church. But God miraculously provided everything that we needed. Alex was given a 100.00 gift card to Target and one of our generous faith partners was prompted by God to send the kids money for Christmas.

I had already told the kids that we were going to bless other children this Christmas instead of thinking about gifts, We would honor the giver of every perfect gift! We launched "The Big Give Campaign" hoping to bless 25 kids with a gift. God once again miraculously provided more than enough. We were able to bless 30 kids and there parents too. The lesson I learned, God's multiplication system is waaaaaay better than ours. I found so many great bargains that it was just amazing, toys that normally were over 29.99, were as cheap as penny's on the dollar and ridiculously clearanced. Not to mention my coupons and discounts. He provided down to the penny. As a church planter, I consider these moments as winks from God! I can tell you honestly that our walk of faith has been taken to new levels. We have learned to be content whether abounding or abased. We find pleasure in the simple things like watching a redbox movie and eating popcorn as a family. During the Christmas holidays we made new family traditions like driving around looking at Christmas lights and stuffing our stockings with lots of fun goodies. We spent lots of time with our church family and shared some of there family traditions as well. Our First Christmas Program was a big success, everyone did such an amazing job.

Lessons learned, no matter how big or small your congregation is, God is still building His Kingdom one person at a time. Pictured above is a cake that one of our most faithful members bought with his own money. John Paul is a middle school student who serves in any capacity we need. He has such a servants heart for someone so young. Most of our members are poor economically, but not poor in spirit and zeal!! John Paul taught me a valuable lesson on faith and outlook. His father was in jail for Christmas and things at home were not going good, but you would never know that by his actions or attitude. He stayed positive for his mom and little sisters. But most importantly I never heard him complain one time about his circumstances, he made the choice to count it all joy instead. We had a dessert bar reception following the program, with every dessert imaginable. But in my opinion nothing tasted better than John Paul's cake.

Balancing Acts

Church Planting is one of the hardest things I have ever attempted to do. Nothing can really prepare you for the uncertainty, criticism, loneliness, and challenges this endeavor brings. Because my husband is bivocational, Most of the work falls on me in addition to taking care of my home and kids. Many nights while my family is sleeping peacefully, I am praying, editing the website, designing brochures, working on outreaches,etc etc etc. Since we share the preaching duties, I also have to prepare messages when its my time to teach. Many days I miss the mark on balancing everything. I try to adhere to a list, but sometimes the list gets tossed to play with my son or spend extra time with my daughter. Since she is a teenager, I try to take advantage of every opportunity I have to spend time with her. I have found that enthusiam makes up for my huge techy learning curve. I'm not the administrator type, more the visionary type and I am being stretched in every area of planting. I feel like Mrs Incredible. Sometimes I cry out in pain or thru tears, but I do it shaking, trembling and afraid. I never say that's not my area of gifting, I just ask God for grace to do it! I'm blessed to have previous ministry experience where I was always being stretched and challenged in one way or another. When I reach my breaking point, I just remember that His grace is sufficient. When I'm weak, God is at His strongest! Plus, I'm more powerful than any devil on my worst day!!

Is Jesus Talking About You Behind Your Back?

Jesus is talking behind your back When John the Baptist was processing his depression and despair in Matthew 11, Jesus sent him a pretty straightforward message. In summary, Jesus reminded John of the validity of His ministry as the Christ, and commanded him to persevere. You can read the whole response in Matthew 11:1-6 . I’m sure it brought limited consolation to John, and maybe even felt a little cold or callous. But after John’s messengers left, Jesus started talking about John to the crowd. Keep in mind, John wouldn’t have heard any of this part. Jesus starts saying all kinds of terrific things about John behind his back. He even gives him the distinction of being the greatest man ever born of a woman (Matthew 11:11). Pretty high accolades coming from the Son of God. But these words would never reach the ears of John the Baptist. Because Jesus didn’t intend for John to hear them. When John died and entered into eternity, I wonder if he read John 11:11 and thought: Why didn’t you say so, Jesus? It would have been nice to know how much you thought of me while I was rotting in prison. I guess Jesus wanted John to place his confidence in the character of God rather than affirmations sent by human messenger. You may be in a similar spot today. It’s been a long time since anyone told you: Good job. I’m proud of you. You’re making a difference. Perhaps Jesus is talking about you behind your back. He’s proud of you. He sees potential in you. He’s accomplishing far-reaching, logic defying purposes through you. Stay faithful. Even if it doesn’t seem like God is speaking directly to you. There will come a day when all of your labor in the Lord will be rewarded openly. It’s not in vain.

Share and Enjoy: Pastor Steven Furtick is the Lead Pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Miracles Happen When You Believe!!!

Just wanted to share this testimony from one of our newest group members Tim. Tim is not homeless, he is from one of the other churches and is going to be leading a group in the near future. Last Sunday, Tim shared how the Dr's felt his wife was miscarrying and his faith was really shaken. He felt totally helpless and had resigned that the child was dead. The Holy Spirit began to speak to me that they had given up and needed to be encouraged. Immediately the prophetic voice of God rose up and spoke powerfully in a 5 minute message. I proclaimed that we speak life over the child and it would live and not die!! As I began to pray for them, I began to weep deeply and sweat profusely from the heat that was going thru my body. I knew God was touching his wife Bethany's womb. I encouraged him again before we left to keep speaking life no matter what the devil or the Dr said. Monday, they went to the Dr's and he said she had miscarried because they could not hear a heartbeat or visualize the baby on ultrasound. The next day the Dr called and said Betheny's hormone levels were still too high and to come back in. They did the test again still no baby, the Dr said the baby is gone. Next Day Dr gets lab results Betheny's hormone levels are even higher. He calls Tim again and tells him to bring Betheny back. Tim said he just kept remembering my words to keep speaking life no matter what the Dr's and the devil said. After going thru this emotional rollercoaster, God showed himself mightily for this couple. I am pleased to let everyone know that they found the baby on ultrasound and it is alive with a strong heartbeat. Can you say creative miracle? Thank you guys for praying with me and for me concerning our friends we serve under the bridge. Our group was so excited and expectant this morning can you imagine the excitement during our study today on Joy!! Please continue to support us in prayer and financially we are making a difference in the lives of the people of Austin. Tim had the biggest smile on his face today when he shared his testimony. I felt like running around the bridge shouting!!!All I could do is cry and shout Glory!!

Loving God, Loving People, Changing Lives!!!

Pastor Regina

Fiesta BackYard Bible Club in Pfluggerville

This was our first ever attempt at doing a backyard bible club. I am used to planning VBS for large groups and I really struggled with planning on a smaller scale and budget. But I love how God uses the simple things to teach us lessons. It doesnt matter how long it took me to paint a chili pepper or make a twister game from a tarp. The smiles and excitement about having God be there new boss was priceless. I will never forget those precious faces, my super 14 of which 9 got saved. I love those kids. So as I look forward to doing the club again in Kyle with my neighbors, I say "VIVA!" Can't wait to see how God uses us in Kyle.

Bad Girls! Bad Girls! Whatcha Gonna Do For Some Free Childrens Ministry Curriculum

I cannot begin to express the fun and excitement of our adventures last night. I normally check craigslist everyday for freebies that we can use in our ministry. My kids have there faith set for a nice big TV. But yesterday, I saw this ad for free childrens ministry curriculum. The kicker was it was at midnight when I saw the post. I started to wait until morning, but my heart said nahh you better go tonight. Good thing I'm so directionally challenged, because if I would have known how far it was to the church I would have waited. It was an hour drive both ways. We perservered and finally found the chuch, we hit the jackpot. This church had the best of the best curriculum. I even found some curriculum that I was saving to buy, God provided. After we sorted and picked the stuff we could use, the kids and I headed home only to be pulled over by the Pflugerville police. The kids were making a joke about it, I didnt find it funny at all. Then they asked what happens if they take you to jail. Mind you I knew I wasnt going to jail for a tail light being out, but I told them they would have to go to juvie. The officer was really nice gave me a warning instead of a ticket, praise God!!! He gave me shortcut directions to my house, instructing me to go thru Hutto. So the kids and I continue merrily on our way following his directions to a tee. As we enter Hutto, the bright lights flash again. Oh no not another policeman. We pull over in a school that had a large hippo in front of it. I just begin to get even more irritated. When the officer came to the window, I gave him my previous citation and he said I had to go thru the process again. The kids are laughing. I'm not laughing. He writes me another citation and gives ryan some stickers. I tell him that the Pflugerville officer gave me these directions and he said Mam, Your going the wrong way. Arrrg !! So I asked him for directions and we hit the road again. The kids are tired, sleepy, and cranky. I won't even get started on the bazillion tolls I had to pay. My brilliant daughter asks, What if the Kyle police stop us? No one else better stop me tonight, I might go Madeah on someone and have to go to jail. My husband finally realizes that we are not back from our adventures so he calls and needless to say I had nothing to say. I just wanted to get home. When we arrived home the kids couldnt wait to tell there dad about our brushes with the law. I went in and headed straight to put my pjs on. Alex went to fix the light and I sat among my treasure and thanked God for his goodness.


Loving God, Loving People, Changing Lives,

Pastor Regina