Last Sunday night we had our first informational meeting for those interested in helping out at New Life Humboldt Park. Over 80 people showed up full of faith, enthusiasm and a willingness to help. We are off to a good start. Our Grand Opening date is set for Sunday, March 29th. That Sunday we plan on launching two worship services. One in English lead by Pastor Danny Lopez and another in Spanish lead by Pastor Freddy Cruz. We have a lot of work to do in order to get ready for the beginning of this new launch.

Our next meeting is planned for Sunday evening December 14th, 6:00 PM at 1410 North Springfield. I would encourage you to spread the word and invite some friends. This will be an exciting adventure in God. Pastor Mark Jobe

I am looking forward to my visit to Chicago from the 28th of November to the 8th of December. Last May I was able to go along with Jeff Anderson and Darren Kilford to present our building project. Now I am coming to keep everyone updated on our progress and news about our ministries in Spain.

I am very happy with what God has been doing in Spain over these past months, and I’m encouraged by the way that He has used La Industria and ContraCorriente. We’ve entered into a new stage of ministry that has many new and exciting challenges for us. It seems like at every turn in the road God has new blessings for us.

This year ContraCorriente will be venturing out by organizing 3 different events in 3 different cities with the hope of making the events more accessible. Besides being more accessible we feel that we will reach more young people.

This summer La Industria’s 10 Day camp (10 Días) had a record number of campers and we were moved to see kids making serious decisions for Jesus. Plus in our 9 Month discipleship program we have 4 new students along with 3 continuing students.

I would love to get together with any of you that want an update on the ministry that we carry out with youth here in Spain. I will be visiting the Melrose and Monte Clare locations on the 30th of November and the Lincoln Park and Midway locations on the 7th of December.

Thanks so much to all of you who pray for us and financially support our ministry to youth.

Thanksgiving is a time when we gather together with our friends and family to give thanks, share a meal, and reminisce of times past. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, I look back at all of the blessings that the Lord has provided for me and my family. It has been a tough year for us. Like many Americans, it has been a year of tests and trials for our nation, its citizens, and our economy.  It is through these tests and trials however, that we grow!  As believers in Christ, we must first and foremost stand on God’s Word.  I often remind myself of this on a daily basis, “He shall not leave me or forsake me in times of trials and tribulations, I will go forward!

It is with a grateful heart that I want to thank God for this ministry that he has placed me in. Over the past 15 months on staff here at New Life Jefferson Park, I’ve had the opportunity to see God in action! He has doubled our impact at New Life Jefferson Park as we have gone to two services and grown our location. This was a step of faith which was taken by our church leadership team and led by our beloved Pastor Asa as we trusted the Lord and launched our second service back in April, of 2008.  As this year comes to an end, I think about our growth and all that God has done to bless not only our location, but New Life as a whole.  New Life has launched four new locations throughout Chicago within one year, and has plans on launching more after the New Year. None of this could be done without the vision and heart that the New Life Pastoral team shares!

Here at New Life Jefferson Park, I’ve seen how our church has begun to impact the community God has planted us in! On a weekly basis I witness the new faces that light up our congregation during our morning worship. I hear the enthusiasm that people have as they laugh at one of Pastor Asa’s jokes or stories. J  I’ve shared in the excitement as people grow in faith and take a step of baptism.  I’ve seen the altar in our sanctuary filled with people responding to the message of God’s Word.  I’ve seen our “Seniors Ministry” flourish as our 50+ gather monthly to fellowship, share a meal, develop community, and the joy of our Lord!  I’ve watched our worship team, which I find a privilege to serve on, grow and multiply. Our Soul Purpose Ministry has impacted our young peoples lives, and our Children’s ministry continues to grow on a weekly basis.  Through our Soul Purpose Dramas and our monthly Renewals, prayer and worship times, we have grown as a community within a community.

Giving thanks with a grateful heart…this is something truly to be grateful for!

 

It is so hard to believe that the winter holidays are here.  Sometimes this season is real hard on people.  Others  really come to life as it is their favorite time of the year.  I can fully understand the challenge especially for those who have lost loved ones during this time of the year.

I am writing from the passenger seat as my 18 year old son drives us through the state of Illinois toward my real roots of rural Oklahoma. The first Christmas I remember was there.  I was seven years old and in the first grade.  My mom and stepdad went to Florida to get a place and get settled and my younger brother and I were living with grandma until the end of the school year.  My mom sent us a whole huge box of toys that were dollar store level.  I remember opening this big huge box of toys with my brother a couple of weeks early because we missed my mom so much.   But then Christmas came.  I remember waking up and there were no more toys.  My uncles and grandma told me that Santa must have delivered them to Florida by mistake and they would be there in a couple of days.  I was shocked.  I still remember being bummed out Christmas morning.  And then I remember a couple of days later getting my gifts and being so happy.  I was only seven but had a feeling they were not from Santa but from my mom.  One of my top ways of feeling loved is through gifts and it always means so much to me when I receive a gift.

As I head to Oklahoma for only the third time since I was at my grandma's funeral when I was in about the fifth grade....

As I head back to my humble roots here is what is on my heart:

1.  I am proud of and grateful for my family!  Now that I am an adult and pay the bills I really see the sacrifice of my grandma and uncles giving their time and money to take care of my brother and I two separate years. (1st grade and 3rd grade!). Now that I have kids of my own I know they are a ton of work and money.

2.  My grandma would send me to church every week and those were  the first seeds sown into my spiritual life!  I remember my aunt getting baptized.  I remember someone bringing my grandma an audio bible and we would listening to it often.   Even though I became a little delinquent in Miami, FL, those seeds did not come back void and those prayers did not go unanswered!

3.  I am glad I was born in Oklahoma!  Whenever I am asked where I am from, I usually answer Miami, FL.  I was proud of growing up in a cool, tough urban neighborhood.  But my family in Oklahoma gave me so much when by some American standards they might not have been up there on ladder of sucess.  But they have so much more in love for family, hospitality, and a slower paced life (for the most part :).

It is cool to go to a part of America where being a pastor is highly respected and up there with being a doctor or a lawyer.  I was shocked when one of my cousins thought it was cool that someone in our family had made it.  I didn't tell him that a "garbage truck driver" makes at least twice as much as a youth pastor in urban Chicago.  I love serving God though and look forward to seeing family. Spending quality time with them is why I love the holidays!

Changing the way we think
Pastor Decrease Dwayne

 

It is so hard to believe that the winter holidays are here.  Sometimes this season is real hard on people.  Others  really come to life as it is their favorite time of the year.  I can fully understand the challenge especially for those who have lost loved ones during this time of the year.

I am writing from the passenger seat as my 18 year old son drives us through the state of Illinois toward my real roots of rural Oklahoma. The first Christmas I remember was there.  I was seven years old and in the first grade.  My mom and stepdad went to Florida to get a place and get settled and my younger brother and I were living with grandma until the end of the school year.  My mom sent us a whole huge box of toys that were dollar store level.  I remember opening this big huge box of toys with my brother a couple of weeks early because we missed my mom so much.   But then Christmas came.  I remember waking up and there were no more toys.  My uncles and grandma told me that Santa must have delivered them to Florida by mistake and they would be there in a couple of days.  I was shocked.  I still remember being bummed out Christmas morning.  And then I remember a couple of days later getting my gifts and being so happy.  I was only seven but had a feeling they were not from Santa but from my mom.  One of my top ways of feeling loved is through gifts and it always means so much to me when I receive a gift.

As I head to Oklahoma for only the third time since I was at my grandma's funeral when I was in about the fifth grade....

As I head back to my humble roots here is what is on my heart:

1.  I am proud of and grateful for my family!  Now that I am an adult and pay the bills I really see the sacrifice of my grandma and uncles giving their time and money to take care of my brother and I two separate years. (1st grade and 3rd grade!). Now that I have kids of my own I know they are a ton of work and money.

2.  My grandma would send me to church every week and those were  the first seeds sown into my spiritual life!  I remember my aunt getting baptized.  I remember someone bringing my grandma an audio bible and we would listening to it often.   Even though I became a little delinquent in Miami, FL, those seeds did not come back void and those prayers did not go unanswered!

3.  I am glad I was born in Oklahoma!  Whenever I am asked where I am from, I usually answer Miami, FL.  I was proud of growing up in a cool, tough urban neighborhood.  But my family in Oklahoma gave me so much when by some American standards they might not have been up there on ladder of sucess.  But they have so much more in love for family, hospitality, and a slower paced life (for the most part :).

It is cool to go to a part of America where being a pastor is highly respected and up there with being a doctor or a lawyer.  I was shocked when one of my cousins thought it was cool that someone in our family had made it.  I didn't tell him that a "garbage truck driver" makes at least twice as much as a youth pastor in urban Chicago.  I love serving God though and look forward to seeing family. Spending quality time with them is why I love the holidays!

Changing the way we think
Pastor Decrease Dwayne

Out of all the days we set apart as a nation to celebrate different “holidays,” (set apart days) Thanksgiving is one of my favorites.  The food, spending time with family and friends and taking time out of our busy schedule to give thanks.  What could be better?  The more I grow in Christ however, the more I realize that Thanksgiving isn’t just to be celebrated once a year in November, but it is something I must celebrate every day.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 encourages us to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”   Many times I have wondered “God what is your will for me today?” and it comes back to the choice I have to make no matter what is happening in my life to give thanks in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.  Webster’s dictionary defines Thanksgiving as “the act of giving thanks.”  If I am to practice this on a daily basis it needs to be acted upon.  Not how do I feel right now, but am I going to choose to give thanks?  Am I going to put it into practice?  Am I going to acknowledge that God is good in spite of what is happening in my life?  My prayer is that I can celebrate Thanksgiving every day by acknowledging God’s goodness and faithfulness in my life as I yield to his will of giving thanks both verbally and with my heart.  What is God teaching you about Thanksgiving?

 

 

 

Last Sunday night we had our first informational meeting for those interested in helping out at New Life Humboldt Park. Over 80 people showed up full of faith, enthusiasm and a willingness to help. We are off to a good start. Our Grand Opening date is set for Sunday, March 29th. That Sunday we plan on launching two worship services. One in English lead by Pastor Danny Lopez and another in Spanish lead by Pastor Freddy Cruz. We have a lot of work to do in order to get ready for the beginning of this new launch. Our next meeting is planned for Sunday evening December 14th, 6:00 PM at 1410 North Springfield. I would encourage you to spread the word and invite some friends. This will be an exciting adventure in God. Pastor Mark Jobe 

For more information please visit our Launch Page...

Hey New Life Family,

I’m thankful for all of our Home Front Heroes.

Just in case you didn't see this on the many news channels that carried the story. Here is the video of New Life Oak Forest STRIPES group being awarded the Home Front Hero Award by Lt. Governor Pat Quinn. Do you recognize the two "body guard looking" guys directly behind the Lt. Governor?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FjIn85Suxw

I'd like to also seize this opportunity to recognize all of our wonderful New Life Oak Forest Home Front Heroes. Those are our Small Group Leaders. I am truly thankful for all of you. You may never receive an award from the governor. But one day you will receive your due reward from the Governor of governors the King of Kings Himself, The Lord Jesus Christ.

New Life Oak Forest Home Front Heroes. You are continually fighting to protect the home fronts of the families that you serve in your small groups.  You are involved in one of the most important spiritual works ever.  I am extremely thankful for you.  Continue to serve with love and compassion.   Remember that your labor is not in vain.  One day you will reap your reward.

Here is a listing of the New Life Oak Forest Home Front Small Group Heroes:  Seeking Him,Lety Campos/Mary Garcia; Freedom in Boundaries,NancyCampbell; Lose it For Life,Marilyn Domokos; Celebrate Recovery,Grace Garcia; His Way,Donna Shelby/Janet Czopkiewicz; Guy Stuff,Hector Campos; Guys Night Out,Dave Mihalski; 20’s Group,Bobby Moss; Reason to Believe,Mike White; STRIPES,Rob Schoon/Mike White; Healing for Life’s Hurts,Dave and Casandra DeBoer/Andrew and Allison Bierlein; Soul Purpose, Dave and Casandra DeBoer/Andrew and Allison Bierlein; Through the Bible, Tim Dearborn For a more detailed listing of all the New Life Oak Forest Small Groups go here: http://www.newlifechicago.mobi/oakforest/SmallGroups.aspx

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving everybody.  May God, through Jesus Christ, supply your e very need.

Pastor AL

Last Saturday I had an opportunity to help By the Hand Ministry deliver Thanksgiving meal boxes to many families in need.  There were about 30 people from New Life that came out to help build the meal boxes and deliver them to the families needing meals.  Leaving in teams with our meal boxes we arrived at the Cabrini high-rises a short drive away.  We entered into our first high-rise around 11:30 AM and found many people still inside either sleeping or hiding from the cold.  Walking up the stairs to the 10th floor we noticed a lot of graffiti along the way in the stair well and sticky floors from the many spilled bottles of beer.  Arriving at the floor which one of the families receiving a box lived on we knocked on the door and were invited in.  Inside the apartment it was clear that there were large needs but that they were doing the best with what they had.  It was a big family and I counted 5 children.  We presented the father with a meal box, a Bible and prayed for them.  He told us that his son had been sharing verses with him that he was learning with the ministry.  As we were leaving tears were streaming down his face.  He was encouraged by the food box and I imagine meeting people associated with the ministry that are helping his children.  We left encouraged as well.  By the Hand is a ministry making a difference in many lives and it’s not only the children that are blessed by them.  I think all of us were that day as we saw how God can give us an opportunity to help make a difference in someone’s life if we’re willing to step out of our normal routines and join in with what he’s already doing.

 

If you’re interested in this ministry or want to learn more check out their site at: www.bythehand.org 

A few weeks ago, I completed two years of full time ministry at New Life Little Village.  It has been a great time of growth, stretching, and blessing.  I absolutely love what I'm doing and am continually amazed at what God does as you are faithful to him.  I started in 2006 not knowing what full time ministry would be like.  Things were so different than the corporate world that I had been working in.  There weren't alot of harsh deadlines, there wasn't a concrete schedule, and you can't put the work away for the next day as easily.  It was a big change, but an amazing change.

Over the last two years I have learned many things.  The American church overall tends to try to build programs and have the flashiest new presentation; expecting people to come pouring through the doors and filling up the seats.  However, probably the biggest thing that I have learned is that the model of Christ was completely the opposite.  We don't need to build flash, hype, and more programming...we need to walk out the front door and start loving people.  In late 2006, New Life Little Village began doing just that.  We began getting involved in community events like basketball, youth events, work projects, community meetings and more.  We started partnering up with local community organizations and seeing what was already happening in our community.  Instead of thinking of the best outreach in the street, or how we could come up with a big flashy event and invite people we just showed up where God was already working.  We became basketball refs, served food, cleaned up the streets, helped in the local schools, served food to the day laborers, taught English classes, and used the gifts God has given us to bless others.  Once this began happening, so many doors of opportunity began to open.  The community began to see that the church was more than a building on 27th and Lawndale, but a body of people who desire to improve their community.  Instead of wondering what goes on in that church building, they began to see the church working and helping out in many different ways.  It wasn't just a building any more, it was what the church was meant to be...the body of Christ.  Relationships began to form that have caused some great partnerships and growth for the church and God continues to surprise us with his blessing and favor.

I think the one overall theme that I learned over the last two years is that all we need to do as a church is show up, roll up our sleeves and get involved in the lives of people around us.  Don't sit in the pew and wait for people...get out, walk across the street, go to your neighbor, talk to your co-worker and begin to see what God can do when you start to go!