A N E W F R O N T I E R S U S A P U B L I C AT I O N

I N T H I S I S S U E

Isaiah’s encounter with God (Isaiah 6:1-8) helpfully illustrates the effect of the greater reality we discover when we encounter God. God’s reality breaks into Isaiah’s life and everything is rearranged—his view of himself, his view of history and his priorities. When God comes into a person’s life, such an encounter changes everything!

Isaiah enters the temple and immediately has a vision of the Lord high and lifted up. He sees God’s glory radiating from His throne; he hears angels shouting out “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is filled with His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3). The founda-tions shake and the temple fills with smoke.

The word glory literally translated means weight. It has to do with what is permanent vs. what is tempo-rary. In other words, it’s the weightiness of God Him-self as compared to all other things. God alone is permanent, and His glory is weightier than anything else. When God came down on Mt. Sinai, the moun-tain trembled violently. When God appeared to the praying church in Acts, the place was shaken. God’s glory is the greater reality; and when it’s revealed, things are radically transformed.

There is a difference between saying “I believe in God” (acknowledging His existence), and having a living reality of who He is. Many seem to move God around to fit their lifestyle, making God lightweight rather than the weighty God He truly is—the God whose real presence alters one’s life completely.

Isaiah’s encounter with God’s glory creates great trauma as he realizes just how holy God is and just how unclean he is. Isaiah’s previous concept of God is replaced as he beholds God in reality. God’s holiness becomes an immense, weighty threat, and Isaiah finds himself undone, unraveled… disintegrated.

However, God’s immediate response is grace! The moment Isaiah confesses, an angel wipes away his sin, guilt and shame. His confes-sion of guilt does not become a reason for God to destroy him, but rather an occasion for God’s grace and pardon! Immediately Isaiah is faced with the high privilege of partnership with God Himself and His mission. “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for

us?’” (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah’s self-image is decon-structed, while his view of God is completely reconstructed on the spot. Isaiah realizes that he is far more sinful than he’d previously thought; but even so, that God loves him and fully accepts him!

Having met the real God, Isaiah now gains courage and humility. Before he lived by the standards of his own performance; yet in God’s holy presence, Isaiah is confronted with the impossibility of living up to God’s perfect standard. He discovers that his approval before God is secured not by his own works, but by God’s grace alone. In reality, nothing has changed. The difference is that an encounter with God completely deconstructs one’s self, and reconstructs one’s lifestyle and priorities in relation to a genuine awareness of His presence and purpose.

Like Isaiah, Christ-followers still declare “Here am I! Send me!” This is what sets us apart from other people. The people of God have encountered a greater reality—a weightier God—and have been caught up together to fully worship Him and actively partner with Him on His glorious mission!

Newfrontiers is a worldwide family of churches together on a mission

to establish the kingdom of God by restoring the Church, making disciples,

training leaders and planting churches.

Pearls of Wisdom from Women of Faith

Soundbite from John LanfermanTeam Leader >> Newfrontiers USA

TRANSFORMED FOR MISSION One of the significant, missional characteristics of the church in Acts is that

the gospel was so tangible to them that they fully lived out its reality. What

motivated the early Church to love people so radically, give money and property

so joyfully, and journey to the ends of the earth to share the gospel? It was their

awareness of God’s presence and purpose! This reality was more substantial to them

than anything else. Their motivations and material possessions were entirely reoriented as they viewed every-

thing as being designed for the purpose of serving God’s glory.

Newfrontiers USA churches, church plants and pioneering efforts are currently working in 15 states.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

SAYING “I BELIEVE IN GOD”

(ACKNOWLEDGING HIS EXISTENCE), AND

HAVING A LIVING REALITY OF WHO HE

IS. MANY SEEM TO MOVE GOD AROUND

TO FIT THEIR LIFESTYLE, MAKING GOD

LIGHTWEIGHT RATHER THAN THE

WEIGHTY GOD HE TRULY IS—THE GOD

WHOSE REAL PRESENCE ALTERS ONE’S

LIFE COMPLETELY.

A Closer Look: Prairie Avenue Christian Center >> Hayden, ID

From the Nations to the Nations >> Bo Noonan

Newfrontiers USA TODAY

Pearls of Wisdom from Women of Faith

>> Linda Lanferman >> Rachel Mowrey

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR SUBMISSIONSNewfrontiers USA >> P.O. Box 2626 >> St. Louis, MO 63116

phone 314.832.9042 fax 314.832.9044

email thelink@newfrontiersusa.org web www.newfrontiersusa.org

facebook newfrontiersUSA twitter @NewfrontiersUSAJANUARY 15-17, 2010 | ST. LOUIS, MOREGISTER ONLINE FOR DISCOUNTSnewfrontiersusa.org

A WORLDWIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION >> www.newfrontiersusa.orgCopyright Newfrontiers USA | November, 2009

09AUGOCT

FOLLOW NEWFRONTIERS USA ONLINE

How do you find balance in your life with Christ?

Linda: I practice the presence of God. During the day you can't always stop to pray, but if you are aware that God never leaves you or forsakes you, then you’re consciously aware of His presence. When I can’t go to sleep at night I remind myself that He never slumbers. I view this time as a date with Him and an opportunity to be in His presence. God always invites us to draw near to Him, and in turn He says that He will draw near to us (James 4:7-10).

Rachel: Being a mother of young children with a baby on the way, it feels as though everything I have is required of me. It is important for me to stay grounded in God's grace by committing each day to Him. I find everyday is more fruitful when I begin by asking Him for fresh mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23) to treat my children in a way that honors Him and to selflessly serve my husband. It is helpful to begin the day in the Word, though it is not a discipline I’ve perfected. Each day requires flexibility. I pray throughout the day as thoughts cross my mind, rather than banking on having a block of uninterrupted time with Him.

How is your faith in Christ applied to your day-to-day living?

Linda: I pray in the Spirit often. The Spirit knows what I need and He intercedes for me according to the Father's will. This builds faith that God is at work in and through me to accomplish His purpose.

Rachel: I find that Christ continues to mold and shape me by using my husband, my children and other relationships to reveal things in me that need to be changed. I discover more and more things about my character and motives that need to be submitted to His authority. Being a parent and a wife has shown me how desperate I am for His guidance and Spirit to lead me! He’s shown that what He calls me to, He will enable me to accomplish (Philippians 4:13).

What helps you overcome the tough times?

Linda: Knowing that Jesus said “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He’s already gone before me, won the battles and carried my burdens.

Trouble comes to every life; how we handle it is the challenge. A favorite saying of mine is “Experiences will change you, but it’s

your response that will shape you.” When I have been hurt or am afraid I pray, “God, help me to see things or people the way You see them, to love them the way You would have me to and to feel as You would have me feel.” It works! He answers that prayer!

Rachel: During tough times it can be a temptation for me to pull away from others and tackle issues on my own. Leaning on those I trust and love makes pressing through much easier. Above all, drawing near to God in prayer is a necessity! He faithfully gives me a word of encouragement, reveals what new thing He is working in me amidst the difficulties or showers me with His presence and love, dissolving any anxiety.

What is one thing you’ve learned from discipling other women?

Linda: When someone is looking to me it causes me to grow in my relationship with God, knowing I have nothing to give them unless He gives me something. He knows exactly what they need, and I have confidence that He loves them and desires to fill those needs.

Rachel: I've learned that it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds and that it is less intimidating if I focus on friendship first. I’m encour-aged by the things God may be doing in their lives and I benefit by being around younger women. It’s truly a two way street! I've also learned that God comes through to give me insight and wisdom where I may feel inadequate.

What is one of the biggest challenges in our culture today for women?

Linda: The greatest challenge for women is getting caught up in what the world offers to the point that it crowds out our relationship with God. With every blessing comes a challenge, as we are often tempted to replace God with the blessing itself. We begin to worship the creation rather than the Creator.

Women have a deep craving for connection and intimacy. God has called us to love Him with all our heart. When I give Him first priority in my life, all other things are rightfully aligned and my needs are filled by Him.

Rachel: One of the biggest challenges for women today is one that has been a struggle since the fall… submission. I see women feeling they have to fight for themselves because they’ve been wounded or neglected in some way by men. This actually causes hurt and bitterness rather than accomplishing the self-protection women think it will bring.

I think every woman struggles to make herself vulnerable, whether to a husband or male leaders. One thing I know is true: allowing Jesus to be our advocate and champion fulfills all of our desires and needs, and heals what may be broken. He will never let us down, cast us aside or treat us harshly. He is the perfect Father and Husband!

An Interview with Linda Lanferman & Rachel Mowrey JUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MO

After a recent Women's Gathering in St. Louis, we interviewed Linda Lanferman and Rachel Mowrey. Linda is married to John Lanferman who leads the Newfrontiers USA apostolic team. She and her husband have been involved in church planting and leadership through-out their marriage, spanning over forty years. Rachel is married to Bryan Mowrey who leads Jubilee Church in the City of St. Louis. Rachel began a career a decade ago as a graphic designer, but now spends her days at home with two children and another on the way.

www.pachristiancenter.net

A WORLDWIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION

Featuring Bob Roberts, Jr.Feb 25-27, 2010St. Louis, MO

REGISTER ONLINEfor early bird discounts. newfrontiersusa.org

Prairie Avenue Christian CenterHAYDEN, IDAHOTed Hoit

Affectionate greetings from the saints at Prairie Avenue Christian Center here in northern

Idaho! We are thrilled to have recently been adopted into the Newfrontiers family of

churches. We’d love to share a little of our history and heritage with you...

In 1976, we were the 35th church planted as a result of the vision and faith of Dick Benjamin and the elders of Abbott Loop Christian Center (ALCC) in Anchorage, Alaska. As one of the 100+ eventual church plants in the Abbott Loop family, we worked to build strong, local New Testament churches with core values we now recognize as being very similar to those of Newfrontiers. Prairie Avenue Christian Center’s first church plant was in Tempe, Arizona in 1985. This was followed by extensive partnership with seventeen other ALCC churches, reaching and planting into Mexico, where we sent short-term mission teams as well as families with long-term commitments. It was during these years in Mexico that we first met Terry Virgo and Ray Lowe.

Unfortunately, our spiritual roots of building, equipping and sending diminished in the mid 1990’s when the ALCC family of churches made the decision to disband. In 1998, not wanting to be unconnected and unaccountable, our founder and senior leader, along with our eldership, joined Ministers Fellowship Inter-national (MFI), led by Dick Iverson out of Portland, OR. We eventually served together with forty-three other elderships in our region, and were known as the Intermountain Region of MFI. During these years our original roots kept us marginally involved in equipping and extending. We sent short-term groups into China, Thailand, Ireland, Uganda, Kosovo, Mexico, etc., along with one church plant in Washington.

In 2007, we again came into contact with Newfrontiers through Lee Yarbrough, the Newfrontiers apos-tolic team leader serving in Mexico and Latin America. We had a prior relationship with Lee as he was one of those sent to Mexico from Abbott Loop in the 1980’s. Two of Prairie Avenue’s long-term families, as well as short-term mission teams, actually ended up working with Lee in Aguascalientes during those years. Beginning in 2007, we became more and more familiar with Newfrontiers through meetings, conferences, visiting ministry, etc. We soon realized that the environment and core values of Newfrontiers were incredibly similar to the Abbott Loop family we had been birthed into in the 70’s. A strong desire grew in our hearts to become part of the Newfrontiers family of churches.

Now, because of the friendship, patience and acceptance of so many of you over the past couple of years, we find ourselves once again linked and on a mission together. We are looking forward to connecting with more of you and contributing to this mission however we can!

BEGINNING IN 2007, WE

BECAME MORE AND MORE

FAMILIAR WITH NEWFRONTIERS

THROUGH MEETINGS, CONFER-

ENCES, VISITING MINISTRY,

ETC... A STRONG DESIRE GREW

IN OUR HEARTS TO BECOME

PART OF THE NEWFRONTIERS

FAMILY OF CHURCHES.

Bo NoonanNEW COMMUNITY CHURCH >> TACOMA, WA

It was somewhat of a dream come true for New Community

Church in Tacoma, WA to host the From the Nations, To the

Nations training week as it has been in our hearts from the

beginning to be a multi-cultural church. Statistics show this

doesn’t come easily, as only 5% of American churches would

be considered multi-cultural. Training that provides a fresh

look at God’s mission is what the Church needs, and it’s

exactly what our church got!

Dave Devenish opened the weekend with a blistering mes-sage on God’s mission, making it very clear that God,

from the beginning, wanted the earth full of image bearers. As sin entered the world and nations were formed, God initiated a plan to bless His chosen family in order that they would be a blessing to every other

family on earth. Jesus won an inheritance from every nation through the cross: a new people filled with His

Holy Spirit and on a mission to see more people added into His family. Dave clarified that we no

longer believe in sending nations and receiving nations; rather, any nation where the Church is significantly strong enough to plant other churches needs to be involved in world mission.

It was quite helpful to have Lee Yarborough share from his vast experience on how to leave your country and go into a foreign land. We listened to him expound on issues such as calling, marriage and children. Anyone considering a move to a foreign nation was equipped to avoid many mistakes and heart-aches. Lee’s hard work and gutsy pioneering stirred many as they consider similar moves.

Sam Poe also spoke from experience about working in a new culture. How does a person go from being an outsider to an insider; from a foreigner, to becoming a part of that culture? He encouraged us to be learners, traders and storytellers. Clearly this was not just theory, but years of wisdom from a man who has planted in Mexico, the United States, and currently serves a team planting in Zimbabwe.

Sam focused in on storytelling, as approximately 70% of the world’s least reached people are oral learners. Not only that, but 50% of Ameri-cans desire a non-literate approach to learning and decision-making. This challenges our approach to proclaiming God’s story in other cultures as well as our own. One theme that continually came through was being willing to lay down styles and preferences in order to commu-nicate the gospel effectively. Styles that have worked in the past, or that

we prefer now, may not be the best approach for the culture into which we are working.

As the last session ended, our hearts were burning for the nations! Is it possible to reach nations and build multi-cultural churches here and abroad? As Dave Devenish boldly proclaimed, “There are no closed nations in God!”

10ONE THEME THAT CON-

TINUALLY CAME THROUGH

WAS BEING WILLING TO

LAY DOWN STYLES AND

PREFERENCES IN ORDER

TO COMMUNICATE THE

GOSPEL EFFECTIVELY.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have any news briefs such as these and would like to submit

them to The Link, please contact us at thelink@newfrontiersusa.org.

Newfrontiers USA

TODAYServing the CityCHRIST THE KING CHURCH >> DOVER, NHThis summer over twenty individuals from Christ the King Church extended help to the 23rd annual Cochecho Arts Festival in Dover, New Hampshire. This seven-week concert series attracts thousands to the city. Committed to serve first, church members sold festival buttons, raffle tickets, picked up trash and were available to assist wherever needed each week. Festival committee member Doug Glennon expressed his pleasure in the church’s efforts saying, “It’s greatly appre-ciated.”

CKC also participated in the annual city-wide spring clean-up day and has been granted an Adopt-a-Spot location at a busy rail station. Chamber of Com-merce director Kirt Schuman commented, “We are humbled and apprecia-tive of the positive contribu-tions your congregation has made in the Dover community.”

Chicago UpdateDESTINATION CHURCH >> CHICAGO, ILSeptember was an excellent month for Destination Church. We started with a retreat just outside Chicago. It was a great time to focus on our vision, values and strategy. During the retreat we baptized Eric Roeder, a recent addition to our group through the efforts of our Summer Evangelism.

Having outgrown the Hosier’s living room, at the end of September we received an incredible answer to prayer. God brought our attention to the newly opened Family Grounds Cafe. One of our specific goals is to gather fifty people into our core group before we “go public.” As well as a coffee bar, Family Grounds has stroller parking and a 1,500 sq. ft. kids’ play space. It’s a great venue to help us grow and add legitimacy to our meetings!

Sunday Meeting ExpansionJUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MOJubilee Church is running the race set before us, and recently we took a bigger step! This September we expanded from having one meeting on Sunday mornings to two, now offering both a 9am and an 11am service in our city location! Lots of new faces bring evidence this move was part of God’s plans for Jubilee. Over the summer lots of planning took place and additional volunteers came forward in every service area, including ushers, greeters, children’s workers, musicians and many more! Work was also done on the building in order to improve our ministry to both members and guests. An additional service is indeed stretching, but knowing God has called us to widen our tent over St. Louis and make room for more of His people is all the motivation we need!

JUBILEE CHURCH STL CITY SUNDAY MEETING

ARTS FESTIVAL

DAVE DEVENISH

SAM POE

Read the link www.newfrontiersusa.org

www.pachristiancenter.net

A WORLDWIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION

Featuring Bob Roberts, Jr.Feb 25-27, 2010St. Louis, MO

REGISTER ONLINEfor early bird discounts. newfrontiersusa.org

Prairie Avenue Christian CenterHAYDEN, IDAHOTed Hoit

Affectionate greetings from the saints at Prairie Avenue Christian Center here in northern

Idaho! We are thrilled to have recently been adopted into the Newfrontiers family of

churches. We’d love to share a little of our history and heritage with you...

In 1976, we were the 35th church planted as a result of the vision and faith of Dick Benjamin and the elders of Abbott Loop Christian Center (ALCC) in Anchorage, Alaska. As one of the 100+ eventual church plants in the Abbott Loop family, we worked to build strong, local New Testament churches with core values we now recognize as being very similar to those of Newfrontiers. Prairie Avenue Christian Center’s first church plant was in Tempe, Arizona in 1985. This was followed by extensive partnership with seventeen other ALCC churches, reaching and planting into Mexico, where we sent short-term mission teams as well as families with long-term commitments. It was during these years in Mexico that we first met Terry Virgo and Ray Lowe.

Unfortunately, our spiritual roots of building, equipping and sending diminished in the mid 1990’s when the ALCC family of churches made the decision to disband. In 1998, not wanting to be unconnected and unaccountable, our founder and senior leader, along with our eldership, joined Ministers Fellowship Inter-national (MFI), led by Dick Iverson out of Portland, OR. We eventually served together with forty-three other elderships in our region, and were known as the Intermountain Region of MFI. During these years our original roots kept us marginally involved in equipping and extending. We sent short-term groups into China, Thailand, Ireland, Uganda, Kosovo, Mexico, etc., along with one church plant in Washington.

In 2007, we again came into contact with Newfrontiers through Lee Yarbrough, the Newfrontiers apos-tolic team leader serving in Mexico and Latin America. We had a prior relationship with Lee as he was one of those sent to Mexico from Abbott Loop in the 1980’s. Two of Prairie Avenue’s long-term families, as well as short-term mission teams, actually ended up working with Lee in Aguascalientes during those years. Beginning in 2007, we became more and more familiar with Newfrontiers through meetings, conferences, visiting ministry, etc. We soon realized that the environment and core values of Newfrontiers were incredibly similar to the Abbott Loop family we had been birthed into in the 70’s. A strong desire grew in our hearts to become part of the Newfrontiers family of churches.

Now, because of the friendship, patience and acceptance of so many of you over the past couple of years, we find ourselves once again linked and on a mission together. We are looking forward to connecting with more of you and contributing to this mission however we can!

BEGINNING IN 2007, WE

BECAME MORE AND MORE

FAMILIAR WITH NEWFRONTIERS

THROUGH MEETINGS, CONFER-

ENCES, VISITING MINISTRY,

ETC... A STRONG DESIRE GREW

IN OUR HEARTS TO BECOME

PART OF THE NEWFRONTIERS

FAMILY OF CHURCHES.

Bo NoonanNEW COMMUNITY CHURCH >> TACOMA, WA

It was somewhat of a dream come true for New Community

Church in Tacoma, WA to host the From the Nations, To the

Nations training week as it has been in our hearts from the

beginning to be a multi-cultural church. Statistics show this

doesn’t come easily, as only 5% of American churches would

be considered multi-cultural. Training that provides a fresh

look at God’s mission is what the Church needs, and it’s

exactly what our church got!

Dave Devenish opened the weekend with a blistering mes-sage on God’s mission, making it very clear that God,

from the beginning, wanted the earth full of image bearers. As sin entered the world and nations were formed, God initiated a plan to bless His chosen family in order that they would be a blessing to every other

family on earth. Jesus won an inheritance from every nation through the cross: a new people filled with His

Holy Spirit and on a mission to see more people added into His family. Dave clarified that we no

longer believe in sending nations and receiving nations; rather, any nation where the Church is significantly strong enough to plant other churches needs to be involved in world mission.

It was quite helpful to have Lee Yarborough share from his vast experience on how to leave your country and go into a foreign land. We listened to him expound on issues such as calling, marriage and children. Anyone considering a move to a foreign nation was equipped to avoid many mistakes and heart-aches. Lee’s hard work and gutsy pioneering stirred many as they consider similar moves.

Sam Poe also spoke from experience about working in a new culture. How does a person go from being an outsider to an insider; from a foreigner, to becoming a part of that culture? He encouraged us to be learners, traders and storytellers. Clearly this was not just theory, but years of wisdom from a man who has planted in Mexico, the United States, and currently serves a team planting in Zimbabwe.

Sam focused in on storytelling, as approximately 70% of the world’s least reached people are oral learners. Not only that, but 50% of Ameri-cans desire a non-literate approach to learning and decision-making. This challenges our approach to proclaiming God’s story in other cultures as well as our own. One theme that continually came through was being willing to lay down styles and preferences in order to commu-nicate the gospel effectively. Styles that have worked in the past, or that

we prefer now, may not be the best approach for the culture into which we are working.

As the last session ended, our hearts were burning for the nations! Is it possible to reach nations and build multi-cultural churches here and abroad? As Dave Devenish boldly proclaimed, “There are no closed nations in God!”

10ONE THEME THAT CON-

TINUALLY CAME THROUGH

WAS BEING WILLING TO

LAY DOWN STYLES AND

PREFERENCES IN ORDER

TO COMMUNICATE THE

GOSPEL EFFECTIVELY.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If you have any news briefs such as these and would like to submit

them to The Link, please contact us at thelink@newfrontiersusa.org.

Newfrontiers USA

TODAYServing the CityCHRIST THE KING CHURCH >> DOVER, NHThis summer over twenty individuals from Christ the King Church extended help to the 23rd annual Cochecho Arts Festival in Dover, New Hampshire. This seven-week concert series attracts thousands to the city. Committed to serve first, church members sold festival buttons, raffle tickets, picked up trash and were available to assist wherever needed each week. Festival committee member Doug Glennon expressed his pleasure in the church’s efforts saying, “It’s greatly appre-ciated.”

CKC also participated in the annual city-wide spring clean-up day and has been granted an Adopt-a-Spot location at a busy rail station. Chamber of Com-merce director Kirt Schuman commented, “We are humbled and apprecia-tive of the positive contribu-tions your congregation has made in the Dover community.”

Chicago UpdateDESTINATION CHURCH >> CHICAGO, ILSeptember was an excellent month for Destination Church. We started with a retreat just outside Chicago. It was a great time to focus on our vision, values and strategy. During the retreat we baptized Eric Roeder, a recent addition to our group through the efforts of our Summer Evangelism.

Having outgrown the Hosier’s living room, at the end of September we received an incredible answer to prayer. God brought our attention to the newly opened Family Grounds Cafe. One of our specific goals is to gather fifty people into our core group before we “go public.” As well as a coffee bar, Family Grounds has stroller parking and a 1,500 sq. ft. kids’ play space. It’s a great venue to help us grow and add legitimacy to our meetings!

Sunday Meeting ExpansionJUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MOJubilee Church is running the race set before us, and recently we took a bigger step! This September we expanded from having one meeting on Sunday mornings to two, now offering both a 9am and an 11am service in our city location! Lots of new faces bring evidence this move was part of God’s plans for Jubilee. Over the summer lots of planning took place and additional volunteers came forward in every service area, including ushers, greeters, children’s workers, musicians and many more! Work was also done on the building in order to improve our ministry to both members and guests. An additional service is indeed stretching, but knowing God has called us to widen our tent over St. Louis and make room for more of His people is all the motivation we need!

JUBILEE CHURCH STL CITY SUNDAY MEETING

ARTS FESTIVAL

DAVE DEVENISH

SAM POE

Read the link www.newfrontiersusa.org

A N E W F R O N T I E R S U S A P U B L I C AT I O N

I N T H I S I S S U E

Isaiah’s encounter with God (Isaiah 6:1-8) helpfully illustrates the effect of the greater reality we discover when we encounter God. God’s reality breaks into Isaiah’s life and everything is rearranged—his view of himself, his view of history and his priorities. When God comes into a person’s life, such an encounter changes everything!

Isaiah enters the temple and immediately has a vision of the Lord high and lifted up. He sees God’s glory radiating from His throne; he hears angels shouting out “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is filled with His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3). The founda-tions shake and the temple fills with smoke.

The word glory literally translated means weight. It has to do with what is permanent vs. what is tempo-rary. In other words, it’s the weightiness of God Him-self as compared to all other things. God alone is permanent, and His glory is weightier than anything else. When God came down on Mt. Sinai, the moun-tain trembled violently. When God appeared to the praying church in Acts, the place was shaken. God’s glory is the greater reality; and when it’s revealed, things are radically transformed.

There is a difference between saying “I believe in God” (acknowledging His existence), and having a living reality of who He is. Many seem to move God around to fit their lifestyle, making God lightweight rather than the weighty God He truly is—the God whose real presence alters one’s life completely.

Isaiah’s encounter with God’s glory creates great trauma as he realizes just how holy God is and just how unclean he is. Isaiah’s previous concept of God is replaced as he beholds God in reality. God’s holiness becomes an immense, weighty threat, and Isaiah finds himself undone, unraveled… disintegrated.

However, God’s immediate response is grace! The moment Isaiah confesses, an angel wipes away his sin, guilt and shame. His confes-sion of guilt does not become a reason for God to destroy him, but rather an occasion for God’s grace and pardon! Immediately Isaiah is faced with the high privilege of partnership with God Himself and His mission. “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for

us?’” (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah’s self-image is decon-structed, while his view of God is completely reconstructed on the spot. Isaiah realizes that he is far more sinful than he’d previously thought; but even so, that God loves him and fully accepts him!

Having met the real God, Isaiah now gains courage and humility. Before he lived by the standards of his own performance; yet in God’s holy presence, Isaiah is confronted with the impossibility of living up to God’s perfect standard. He discovers that his approval before God is secured not by his own works, but by God’s grace alone. In reality, nothing has changed. The difference is that an encounter with God completely deconstructs one’s self, and reconstructs one’s lifestyle and priorities in relation to a genuine awareness of His presence and purpose.

Like Isaiah, Christ-followers still declare “Here am I! Send me!” This is what sets us apart from other people. The people of God have encountered a greater reality—a weightier God—and have been caught up together to fully worship Him and actively partner with Him on His glorious mission!

Newfrontiers is a worldwide family of churches together on a mission

to establish the kingdom of God by restoring the Church, making disciples,

training leaders and planting churches.

Pearls of Wisdom from Women of Faith

Soundbite from John LanfermanTeam Leader >> Newfrontiers USA

TRANSFORMED FOR MISSION One of the significant, missional characteristics of the church in Acts is that

the gospel was so tangible to them that they fully lived out its reality. What

motivated the early Church to love people so radically, give money and property

so joyfully, and journey to the ends of the earth to share the gospel? It was their

awareness of God’s presence and purpose! This reality was more substantial to them

than anything else. Their motivations and material possessions were entirely reoriented as they viewed every-

thing as being designed for the purpose of serving God’s glory.

Newfrontiers USA churches, church plants and pioneering efforts are currently working in 15 states.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

SAYING “I BELIEVE IN GOD”

(ACKNOWLEDGING HIS EXISTENCE), AND

HAVING A LIVING REALITY OF WHO HE

IS. MANY SEEM TO MOVE GOD AROUND

TO FIT THEIR LIFESTYLE, MAKING GOD

LIGHTWEIGHT RATHER THAN THE

WEIGHTY GOD HE TRULY IS—THE GOD

WHOSE REAL PRESENCE ALTERS ONE’S

LIFE COMPLETELY.

A Closer Look: Prairie Avenue Christian Center >> Hayden, ID

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Pearls of Wisdom from Women of Faith

>> Linda Lanferman >> Rachel Mowrey

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How do you find balance in your life with Christ?

Linda: I practice the presence of God. During the day you can't always stop to pray, but if you are aware that God never leaves you or forsakes you, then you’re consciously aware of His presence. When I can’t go to sleep at night I remind myself that He never slumbers. I view this time as a date with Him and an opportunity to be in His presence. God always invites us to draw near to Him, and in turn He says that He will draw near to us (James 4:7-10).

Rachel: Being a mother of young children with a baby on the way, it feels as though everything I have is required of me. It is important for me to stay grounded in God's grace by committing each day to Him. I find everyday is more fruitful when I begin by asking Him for fresh mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23) to treat my children in a way that honors Him and to selflessly serve my husband. It is helpful to begin the day in the Word, though it is not a discipline I’ve perfected. Each day requires flexibility. I pray throughout the day as thoughts cross my mind, rather than banking on having a block of uninterrupted time with Him.

How is your faith in Christ applied to your day-to-day living?

Linda: I pray in the Spirit often. The Spirit knows what I need and He intercedes for me according to the Father's will. This builds faith that God is at work in and through me to accomplish His purpose.

Rachel: I find that Christ continues to mold and shape me by using my husband, my children and other relationships to reveal things in me that need to be changed. I discover more and more things about my character and motives that need to be submitted to His authority. Being a parent and a wife has shown me how desperate I am for His guidance and Spirit to lead me! He’s shown that what He calls me to, He will enable me to accomplish (Philippians 4:13).

What helps you overcome the tough times?

Linda: Knowing that Jesus said “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He’s already gone before me, won the battles and carried my burdens.

Trouble comes to every life; how we handle it is the challenge. A favorite saying of mine is “Experiences will change you, but it’s

your response that will shape you.” When I have been hurt or am afraid I pray, “God, help me to see things or people the way You see them, to love them the way You would have me to and to feel as You would have me feel.” It works! He answers that prayer!

Rachel: During tough times it can be a temptation for me to pull away from others and tackle issues on my own. Leaning on those I trust and love makes pressing through much easier. Above all, drawing near to God in prayer is a necessity! He faithfully gives me a word of encouragement, reveals what new thing He is working in me amidst the difficulties or showers me with His presence and love, dissolving any anxiety.

What is one thing you’ve learned from discipling other women?

Linda: When someone is looking to me it causes me to grow in my relationship with God, knowing I have nothing to give them unless He gives me something. He knows exactly what they need, and I have confidence that He loves them and desires to fill those needs.

Rachel: I've learned that it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds and that it is less intimidating if I focus on friendship first. I’m encour-aged by the things God may be doing in their lives and I benefit by being around younger women. It’s truly a two way street! I've also learned that God comes through to give me insight and wisdom where I may feel inadequate.

What is one of the biggest challenges in our culture today for women?

Linda: The greatest challenge for women is getting caught up in what the world offers to the point that it crowds out our relationship with God. With every blessing comes a challenge, as we are often tempted to replace God with the blessing itself. We begin to worship the creation rather than the Creator.

Women have a deep craving for connection and intimacy. God has called us to love Him with all our heart. When I give Him first priority in my life, all other things are rightfully aligned and my needs are filled by Him.

Rachel: One of the biggest challenges for women today is one that has been a struggle since the fall… submission. I see women feeling they have to fight for themselves because they’ve been wounded or neglected in some way by men. This actually causes hurt and bitterness rather than accomplishing the self-protection women think it will bring.

I think every woman struggles to make herself vulnerable, whether to a husband or male leaders. One thing I know is true: allowing Jesus to be our advocate and champion fulfills all of our desires and needs, and heals what may be broken. He will never let us down, cast us aside or treat us harshly. He is the perfect Father and Husband!

An Interview with Linda Lanferman & Rachel Mowrey JUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MO

After a recent Women's Gathering in St. Louis, we interviewed Linda Lanferman and Rachel Mowrey. Linda is married to John Lanferman who leads the Newfrontiers USA apostolic team. She and her husband have been involved in church planting and leadership through-out their marriage, spanning over forty years. Rachel is married to Bryan Mowrey who leads Jubilee Church in the City of St. Louis. Rachel began a career a decade ago as a graphic designer, but now spends her days at home with two children and another on the way.