Water Balloon Volleyball Next Sunday

Join us next Sunday (August 1st) for a shortened service and a game of water ballon volleyball!  Bring a towel and clothes you don't mind getting wet.

Youth Fundraising at Farmer's Market

Some guys from youth rented some space at Mission's Farmer's Market to raise funds for youth camp!  Way to go guys.  Thanks Calvin for organizing everything.

Water Fight Fun!

On Sunday we reflected on the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (where Jesus instructs His followers to be people who know and give only forgiveness) then we practiced forgiveness on the battle field (our front lawn).  I tested out my new Super Soaker.  It was a good time filled with lots of laughs.

Water Fight - Next Sunday!

We had a great gathering today, but I'm already looking forward to next Sunday!  We are going to have a water fight.  Bring your squirt guns, change of clothes, towel, goggles, and whatever else you need to wage water warfare.  Visit http://www.missionfoursquare.com/index.php/component/content/article/101-2010-summer-mfc.html to get more info!

Outreach Brainstorming

Sometimes its hard to flex the brain when it's so hot out, but I'm asking you, our Church, to come up with ideas for outreach.

The Church is the only organization that doesn't exist for itself.... yet when you follow the money, time, and talent, that's rarely the reality.  At Mission Foursquare Church we currently spend approximately 25% of our budget, time, and talent on reaching out (i.e. missions, youth centre, benevolence, subsidy to non-profit groups and other churches in the use of our facility).  The rest of our resources is currently spent on ourselves (facility, administration, and internal programs).  Our goal is to get our outreach giving to 50% of our resources (time, talent, and money).  We believe that a healthy Church grows and bears fruit.  For that to happen we need people who are healthy and growing.  If we ensure that we are healthy and growing then collectively we'll begin to see more fruit!

It's no coincidence that we are seeing the most fruit come from our youth ministry and small groups.  We have been purposeful in investing in these ministries and these ministries have been reaching out and people are coming to know Christ!  We've all been a part of that and we can celebrate together!

We want to see more fruit!  There are so many people in our community that do not know Jesus and we'd like to work together to change that.  So this summer I am asking our Church to come up with ideas to either improve what we do or create new ways of doing things.

There are some parameters to our ideas:

• Our ideas need to meet a need that is related to the mission of the Church  (i.e. we will not focus on a developing a pill that cures baldness). We exist to help people come to know Christ, grow in Christ, and then sow (serve/give) Christ to the World.
• If our idea already exists then we'll partner with whoever is already doing it (no need to reinvent the wheel) or franchise it (i.e. we will not create our own foodbank and compete against others, but if there is a need for one in our area then we'll add on to the current system).  We may do more sending of people and money to other organizations then the creating of our own programs.
• Not all ideas will be implemented.  Timing and fit will have a lot to do with the implementation of our ideas.  A filter of God's guidance, ministry leader's experience, and timing will be applied to all ideas.

Here are some ideas that have come in so far that might help you think towards more and better ideas:

• Rent booths at festivals at Heritage Park where we can have a fun game for kids and an invite to a fun family event.
• Support the annual Soap Box derby with financial and volunteer support.  Volunteers could wear cool t-shirts.
• Start a walking and/or hiking club.
• Start a Celebrate Recovery group.
• Rent retail space at the new development across the street and open up a coffee shop.  The shop could be a connection point to meet our neighbours.  Proceeds could go to world relief, social justice causes, or missions trips.
• Hire a professional counsellor and offer free marriage counselling.
• Start an alternative service on a different day like we used to for people that work on Sundays or hate traditional religious activities.

As you can see the ideas vary... and that's a good thing!  So start scratching your head, open your eyes and look for needs in our community.  Have fun dreaming!

Explore More: Ephesians, Week 8

KNOW | Personal Study
Read Ephesians.   It's been a few weeks, so get back into it.  As a reflection tool, use your own words to summarize who Jesus is and what He means to you.  Think of a time you were really hurt by someone and/or ticked off.  We treated God the exact same way and He responded to us with love, forgiveness, and grace!

GROW | Discussion - Option #1
Have you been called?  Every person has a calling by God.  He has prepared in advance for us to do good works.  These works bring life in other people, bring satisfaction to our very being, and glorify God.  There are a few aspects to God's calling: 1) the general calling to all creation to make Jesus Christ our treasure;  2) the calling to connect to a local Church family; and 3) the unique calling to do specific tasks (i.e. teach, serve, etc.).  It's natural to be consumed with the third part of this calling... people often chase after this without figuring out the first two parts which leads to frustration and barrenness.

GROW | Discussion - Option #2
 Find your life's purpose.  We suggest using a tool called "Life Purpose". It's a book and workbook that help you discover the third part of your calling.  You can pick one up from the office for $20.

SOW | Application
Step out.  If you've been sitting on the sidelines of the Church feeling more like a spectator than a player, then get involved.  Talk to Clint if you need help with this.  Or perhaps you are so enmeshed in 'religious culture' that you haven't stepped out into your neighbours world.  Apply your calling outside of our building's walls.

Learning How to Walk

Our son, Charlie, is almost 9 months old and he's starting to get active.  He does a turtle-like scoot across the floor and has just learned to pull himself up.  The grin on his face when he accomplishes a new task is priceless.

His smile puts a smile on my face and challenges me to keep learning new things.  I find that it's so easy to become content with where I am at in life.  Either because I'm lazy, ignorant, or tired of failing.  Watching my son try and try again inspires me to do the same.  To see the smile on his face and satisfaction that comes with experiencing something so rewarding encourages me to do likewise.

His example has implications on every level... growing in our personal life, skills, relationships, and our walk with God.  My challenge today is to not be content with crawling through life, but seek to feel the rush of wind as I win the race.

Twilight Series is Great!

First... I'm not talking about the book/movie series.  I'm talk talking about Envision's Twilight Concert Series at Heritage Park.  I've lived in Mission for 9 years and I've never gone, but last night we went with some friends and had a grand ol' time.  We ran into our Church's Seniors group and it was good to see them out having a good time.  The series runs every Wednesday and Friday night throughout the summer and it's a great way to beat the heat.  I suggest you check it out.  Support your community and meet some neighbours.  I'm going to be there next Wednesday as the JC Celebration Band (a Johnny Cash  tribute band) performs.  As a bonus, the popcorn stand charges half of what the movie theaters charge.

Congratulations to Jim & Karin

Last Saturday (July 3) two amazing people, Jim & Karin, from our Church tied the knot. They are Mission Foursquare's new 'Brady Bunch'.  MFC's former Pastor, Arnie ter Mors, resided over the ceremony.  It was a very moving and joyful ceremony as both Jim and Karin stood on old ruins and entered into marriage.  They chose this location because they saw it as symbolic of their lives.  Together, with their six kids, they are stepping forward to follow Jesus and rebuild the ancient walls.  As a Church family we will be here to love and support them.  They are currently on their honeymoon and will be back soon.

July 2010 - Haiti Update

Foursquare Haiti Update: July 2010 from The Foursquare Church on Vimeo.

The Taste of Liberty

We planted three Liberty apple trees today after the service.  It was a lot of fun.  The kids got into it and so did a few adults!  Our hope is that as we eat the apples these trees will produce that they will serve to remind us of our purpose... know, grow, and sow!  We exist so that others may come to know Jesus, grow in Jesus and then sow Jesus to the world.  Jesus brings love, life, and liberty!

Following our tree planting, we enjoyed a hot dog lunch and raised $250 towards Youth Camp bursaries!  Thank you to Chris K. for organizing this.