You say, "November" - I say, "Thanksgiving!" It's hard not to associate this month with anything other than the holiday and all it entails - turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, family gatherings, games, laughter, full bellies, naps, and of course, giving thanks. Even non-believers take time to pause and reflect on the many blessings in their lives this time of year. Psalm 100 always comes to mind, especially verses 4-5, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” If we're not intentional, busyness and the chaos of everyday life can easily get in the way of pouring out our gratitude like perfume onto Jesus’ feet. We can even get so distracted with doing "good" things that we miss out on the simple gift of giving thanks. Often in Scripture the Lord tells us to “worship Him” and “praise His name”, which in our humanity may seem weird and arrogant, but He knows what it does to our minds and hearts. Gratitude postures us in humility and fuels the desire for intimacy with Jesus because we remember His goodness and faithfulness in our lives. From this place of thankfulness, it doesn’t become mundane to minister to the Lord, our brothers and sisters, or our persecutors - it becomes pure joy. My prayer is that we would intentionally practice gratitude on the days we feel like it, the seasons we don’t, and every moment in between. He is worthy of our praise - our thanksgiving - in November, and every month of the year.
Please share ways you practice cultivating a grateful heart and I will include the responses in December’s newsletter! |
| Outreach Testimonies!We saw God show up in amazing ways. But it didn’t stop in Nicaragua, we got to continue missioning back home too. While we were there, I became good friends with two girls who were in Nicaragua attending School of the Bible. On the last night we were there, we asked them what their plans were after school and turns out, they didn’t know if they would be able to finish school at all. [Long story short], they would have to leave Bible school early and return back to their home countries. We got to pray over them before we left, but God kept the burden on my heart and then revealed to me how blessed we are to live in America and how simple it would be to raise that money for them. The week after getting home I got to call them and explain what God was telling me and that we were going to fundraise for them from the US. They both instantly broke down crying and said they had actually decided the night before there was no way to make it work and they we’re going to have to go back home. They prayed about it again and just handed it to Him expecting Him to make a way for them. Then here we were, giving them this news. In only a month, we got to raise all the money they needed to finish their residency process [to complete their training]!" - Grace H., Nicaragua 2021 |
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Praying for the Persecuted ChurchAround the world on Sunday, November 7, believers will observe an International Day of Prayer for persecuted Christians. The term “persecuted Christians” refers to any person who is harassed or attacked simply because they identify as being a follower of Jesus. Examples of persecution faced by Christians includes but is not limited to beatings, physical torture, confinement, isolation, rape, severe punishment, imprisonment, slavery, and discrimination in education and employment. Prayer Points: - Pray for front line missionaries & believers to be encouraged and strengthened in the midst of persecution.
- Pray that they would be led by Holy Spirit in all that they do.
- Pray that they would continue to boldly proclaim the gospel no matter the cost.
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Local Outreach in NovemberKC DREAM CENTER DREAM CENTER DESPENSA - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 - 5:30PM Families in our community are struggling and need our help more than ever with food and clothing. The Despensa provides healthy food and quality clothes to children, youth, and families in need. You can make a difference! Sign up HERE! ADOPT-A-BLOCK - Saturday, November 20, 12:30 - 3PM The Adopt-A-Block program visits select under-resourced neighborhoods every month to clean up the neighborhood, distribute food and hygiene items, and simply find a need and fill it. Sign up HERE! |
1/99 Reintegration Volunteer Training
1/99 Reintegration is a group of Community Members in Johnson County who have come together to establish a Comprehensive Reintegration Program for Survivors of Human Sex Trafficking. 1/99 is partnering with individuals, faith groups, businesses and community leaders to Engage, Equip, Empower and Elevate these beautiful individuals who deserve a fulfilling life. Training will be held at Church of the Harvest on Saturday, November 6th.
If you know of anyone interested in being a volunteer for 1/99, encourage them to sign up HERE! |
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Mission Monday - Special Event!Monday, November 15th at 7pm in the WC at the Olathe Campus Join us for a special church wide Mission Monday event with guest missionary speaker Micah from the Middle East. Micah has spent the past eleven years living in the Middle East and is focused on reaching the Least, the Last, and the Lost with the love of Jesus and training others to do the same. He is passionate about seeing the Bible translated into every language. (All are welcome! Event will not be livestreamed.)
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GO22 Spring Short Term Outreach Interest MeetingsNot sure you have what it takes to go on a missions trip? Worried about the finances? Not sure where to start or what trip to go on? Know where you want to go but need to know the first steps for joining that team? Then come learn more about the vision and values of our Spring 2022 Short Term Outreaches! Kansas City, Kansas Date: Sunday, December 12th at 11:45am in The Sanctuary Olathe Campus Date: Sunday, December 12 at 2pm in The Barn |
Salt Lake City, Utah
Team up with: LifeMission Missionaries Steven & Maddy Minister Through: Relational Evangelism, Worship & Prayer, Encouraging local believers. Trip Dates: March 2022
Although the efforts of this trip will be focused primarily on reaching the religiously deceived, you will also learn how to share Jesus in a way that can be applied in your everyday life when you return home. Come and see what it's like to live in America where less than 3% of your neighbors are Jesus followers! Mission is not just overseas or in the religiously saturated state of Utah. Mission is for you. Learn how it can become a practical and natural part of your life without all the hype!
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Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minister Through: Relational Evangelism to immigrants, prayer, worship, serving. Trip Dates: April 2022
Minneapolis is home to 80,000 Somalis. Deut 10:18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. This and many verses like it demonstrate the Father's love for immigrants and his directive for us to care for them. This Spring, we have the amazing opportunity to reach one of the least-reached peoples on earth as we carry the gospel to Minnesota to share with the Somali people.
(Must be 15+yrs to apply) |
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To learn more about local ministries we partner with, click the buttons below!
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