I received an e-mail newsletter this week from Allen Hunt. Allen is a radio host with his own syndicated radio program called "The Allen Hunt Show." I listen to Allen on a local radio station and like most of what he says. I don't agree with everything he says, but even when I disagree, I respect his logic behind what he says. Today I got this e-newsletter, and realized that he understands the heart beat of our church and part of the vision for ministry here at River of Life so I thought I'd share this with you in hopes that it will encourage you to Gather and Go!

"With unemployment having reached double digits this week, I delighted to learn about Leslie and Brian Mulcahy, who run Rabbit Hill Inn in Vermont. Each month they give away a free two night stay to someone who has been unemployed for more than 6 months. The Pink Slip Giveaway Getaway offers a small bit of grace to people who are struggling to figure out what lies ahead. Leslie says, "In our 16 years of inn-keeping, this has been the most satisfying effort we have ever done." Well done!

Now that about 1 in 6 of the people around you are looking for any or more work, what might you do today to offer a little grace to one of them? An invitation to lunch - your treat? A simple phone call to offer to help? An anonymous gift certificate from you to them to the grocery store to help provide basic supplies?

A down time offers lots of opportunities for you to live your faith. Live generously and live well!

Grace and Peace,
Allen"

In our current economic situation it doesn't take much to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the life of your neighbors. The issue is are you willing to be on the lookout for people who are in need and whom you have the opportunity to help? Francis of Assi said it this way- I will preach the gospel to everyone and, if necessary, I will use words. There are a lot of people in the world who have become jaded to the message of the church because we have not earned the right to share the truth of Christ with them. In fact, there are many times that the words we have spoke fall on ears that have become deaf due to our actions. The Apostle John said it this way;"My little children, lets not love in word or tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:18). Allen gives a few ideas how we might do this during this time of wide spread unemployment.

Gather and Go,

Pastor Dale

It's fall here in Arizona and that means that the temperature is finally dropping below the century mark. It also means that we are making preparations for many of our fall activities here around the church. We have the Hot Dog Host and Roast coming up here on October 31. We want to encourage you take use the events of the culture around you to build bridges into the community in which you live and the Hot Dog Host and Roast is one way for you to do that. Several of our families have been doing this for a couple of years and it has opened doors for them to minister to their friends and neighbors and to share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It really is a simple activity. Bring your outdoor grill around to the front of your house and start cooking hot dogs as people are taking their kids out trick or treating. Pass out hot dogs as well as candy to those people who come around the house. If you provide a place for people to sit and relax for a while, they will sit and talk and you have a great opportunity to meet and talk with your neighbors. However, one of the questions that always gets asked is, "Why are you doing this?" There is a simple response that often opens doors for deeper spiritual conversations and that is to simply tell people that "the love of Christ compels us." We even have napkins here at the church with that statement printed on them so that people will remember what you have said, or will know without even asking. I know that last year I heard several people in one neighborhood tell the host that they had been looking forward to getting a hot dog at his house all evening and that this stop was the highlight of the night. Scripture tells is not to ". . . love in word or in tongue, but also in deed and truth" (1 John 3:18). This is one of those opportunities for you to do that and possibly have the opportunity to share a deeper message of Christ with a neighbor.

We also have our annual GLOW festival coming up on November 1, 2009. (I know, two very busy nights back to back). Each year we, through this community carnival, ministry to the neighborhood around the church. Last year we had an exceptional puppet team present two shows with a clear gospel presentation and we had several people pray with the puppet team to receive Christ. This year one of the booths at the carnival will the the CEF Gospel Caboose where people can come and hear the Gospel and respond to an invitation to receive Christ as their Savior. We are very excited by the increasing community support to help us promote this carnival. Again, this is one of those opportunities we have to use the cultural events of our community to open doors to communicate our love for this community and to share with them our love for Jesus Christ. This year things have been difficult and the finances for this ministry are scarce, but God has opened several doors for us making it possible to continue this event. We look forward to seeing what God is going to do to touch lives through this event. GLOW Festival is one way we can follow the Lord's command to Go and make disciples and to be His witnesses here in our Jerusalem.

Finally, this year we are working with a community organization to distribute Thanksgiving Food Baskets and Christmas Boxes to families who live right here in the neighborhood around the church. In the past we have collected food and done Christmas boxes that have been sent to needy people in other parts of the country or the world, but this year we have the opportunity to build bridges into the lives of families right here in our own neighborhood. I know that times might be financial hard right now, but I know our God is big enough to supply the needs for the ministry He has called us to do here in Southeast Tucson. Be praying for the "stuff" we need to do this ministry and the hearts of the families that will receive the blessing of this ministry. Pray that their hearts would be open to hear the Gospel and the the seed of truth that we plant along with the food and "stuff" will put down deep roots and bring forth the fruit of Salvation.

Regardless of what ministry you are participating in this fall, pray that Jesus Christ would be exalted and God would be glorified in our lives as individuals, as a church and in our community.

Gather and Go,

Pastor Dale