November 2009

Hallelujah! God is so wonderful and amazing. I love Him with all my heart! Today I would like to share with you a writing that I prepare each year for our Annual Meeting of Membership. It is entitled “A Year in Review 2009.”
Hard to believe we are at this place again, but WOW! What a year it has been! We have been so blessed by our Savior and lover of our soul, Jesus! He has been so good to us, even better than we deserve. Before I get to far into this, I again want to say how much I love each and every one of you, and am so grateful to God that he brought you into our sheepfold. The Lord loves you and he wants to show you that love, and that you would also have a place and opportunity to love others.
to say how much I love each and every one of you, and I’m so grateful to God that He brought you into our sheepfold. The Lord loves you and He wants to show you that love. Also, that you would have a place and opportunity to love others. I am so grateful to God for this atmosphere. Many Pastors constantly deal with conflict, challenges of authority, much stress, and pain trying to fulfill the ministry God has called them to. I thank you church family, for not only allowing me to have this freedom, but also to also to enable me to focus on the Lord, and what He would have me to do and say. Thank you for allowing the flame of the spirit to burn in this place, so that the Lord Jesus can manifest His presence and touch each individual life. Indeed we have touched many lives in this past year. Never in the history of our church have I seen so many visitors and seekers, looking to find the Lord, and for others who already know Jesus; a place to be loved and cared for. There were some Sundays I would hold a stack of 20-25 visitor cards in my hand. Some churches never see one visitor in a year, but God has been faithful to keep a constant “Spirit of Invitation” over the church. When the Prophetess Edie Roach visited a few years ago, she said, “God has opened a window of Heaven over this church!” She wasn’t kidding! Many people have come and peaked in the windows, others have come in to experience what is on the inside. Others have come, pitched their tents, and accepted that this is the place the Lord would have them to dwell. Either way, many beautiful lives have entered through the doors and a few have even commented to me, “The Lord is here!” One person even said, “Do you even know what you have here? I don’t think you have any idea, because you’re used to it!” When I hear comments like this all can say is “WOW! God you are so good!” We have seen salvations, many Holy Spirit baptisms, and many new members commit to the Foursquare Gospel. We have heard a young preacher, (Samantha Saffold) preach her first sermon, (Excellent job by the way) and because of this opportunity has recently accepted a call from God to the ministry. We have been blessed by the Choir, Amazing Grace Dance team, poems, inspirational writings, acappella singers, (who have wowed us with their beautiful voices) our children displaying their talents, and even a rapper, a cowboy, and mountain dulcimer player. (All I can say is, only at Shepherd’s Gate). Also, many wonderful testimonies and demonstrations of the power of God manifested to His people. We have seen many new beautiful lambs born, couples taking those solemn vows of marriage, and have been apart of a couple of people God called home to be with Him. Though never easy, it is a part of church life, (letting go and letting God), as we have had to see some of our flock move away. To move into to new challenges and opportunities of growth. It is all part of the process of maturity and trusting God. Indeed we have seen a lot of change in this past year. President Obama said it, and continues to say it, “This is a time of change.” We have seen laborers in the church move on and new laborers come aboard to help with the ministry. We have said goodbye to some of our graduates, but then welcomed in the new freshmen and sophomores who are ready to receive and grow like the ones before them. To the older pillars of the church family, I would like to say, “Thank you!” Thank you for allowing these young lives to find of place of safety, protection, and belonging while they are away from home. God has given us a window, not only a window of Heaven, but a window of opportunity to show forth the glory of God to each of these young people. To show them how to be married, (how to love your spouse) how to have a family, (to love your children) how to work hard, and give of your time, talents, and wealth (your tithes and offerings) to the Lord, but most importantly, your faithfulness to God. Being faithful to be here every Sunday when they walk through the door. Your presence alone ministers mountains of faith to each young person. It says, “Here’s how it’s done, be faithful.”
 

Looking ahead: As a good captain of a ship who is sailing in uncharted waters; one command he would give as he launched out into the deep was “Steady as She Goes!” In others words, allow the ship to gently and safely move ahead, as the winds and the current pulled it along. I believe there is a current of the Holy Spirit, and more than anything, I want to be in it. I don’t want to fight the sail, or the rudder to make it move my way, but rather trust the Lord to guide us from sea to sea, and from harbor to harbor. The Lord has been guiding us this way for 15 years and He continues to bless us and show us new things. He allows us to experience greater moves of the spirit and outpourings of healings, deliverances, infillings and impartations, I trust Him! I surrender the wheel to Him! Lord Jesus, steer this ship, guide us in the direction You have for us, and give us the willingness to surrender and trust You. “Steady as She Goes!” Jesus loves you and so do I!

~Pastor Doug

November Birthdays and Anniversaries  
 

3-Gregory Shaw

5-Joe Friday

5-Michelle Husband

6-Margaret Campbell

9-Jocelyn Barnes

10-Azaria Giboney

10-Andres Reynoso

16-Kathy Brewer

20-Alphonso Simpson

24-Janelle Friday

26-Jerry & Ellen Friday’s Anniversary

28-Lindsey Jones

We need your Birthdays and Anniversaries!
Our list is outdated and we need your help! Please jot your birthday and anniversary down and give to Trisha or La’Mone so we can add you to our growing list!!

 

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