Reading is a rich form of discipleship. Reading a book means getting the author's distilled best thoughts and ideas. But choosing good books--like choosing good mentors--can be challenging. To help you choose good books, I've compiled a list from our New Life pastoral team. Here are some of the books we've read and recommend from this past year: Personal/spiritual growth:

• The Great Omission by Dallas Willard (insightful book on spiritual formation and discipleship)
• The Flip Side by Flip Flippen (identifies personal constraints and how to establish a plan to overcome them. Great for personal growth)
• Secrets to Spiritual Power by Watchman Nee (full of spiritual insights and practical pastoral concepts. best to read as a devotional supplement.)
• A Contrarian's Guide to Spirituality by Larry Osborne
• A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (such a valuable enjoyable read, powerful on story and life-vision, a book to hang ideas on, recommended by several pastors)
• His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley (A classic. Written in 1986 but updated a couple of times. Great practical insights into the differing needs of men and women as it relates to marriage.)
• Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung (great book on discerning the will of God and making decisions, strong theology written with great humor and practicality)
• The Coffeehouse Gospel by Matthew Turner (sharing faith in a relaxed, engaging way.)
• Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Mission/church history/theology:

• The New Global Mission by Samuel Escobar (a valuable book on global mission. deeply impacting.)
• Jesus in Beijing by David Aikman
• Fire From Heaven by Harvey Cox (Spirituality & Church History, particularly Pentecostalism)
• The Mission of God by Christopher Wright

Culture/history/science:

• The Seven Faith Tribes by George Barna (describes the major spiritual categories of people in America)
• What Americans Really Want....Really by Dr. Frank I. Luntz (the chapter called Living at the Speed of Life that describes the generation of 2020 is worth the book. Great look into the values and mindset of mainstream America)
• Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (Chicago history)
• 13 Things that Don't Make Sense by Michael Brooks (explores the limits and gaps of current scientific knowledge. fascinating and semi-technical.)

Church leadership:

• Church Unique by Will Mancini (great for vision, strategy, and clarity of mission)
• Beyond Megachurch Myths by Thumma & Travis (describes common characteristics of churches that have over 2000 in attendance. Debunks some of the myths about these churches.)
• Reclaiming our Prodigal Sons & Daughters by Larson & Bendtro (a moving book about the lives of urban youth)
• Deep Church by James Belcher (book of the year on several lists, insight on being a life-giving, historically rooted church. mediates the emerging/traditional church conversation well)
• Heralds of God by James S. Stewart (timeless, spiritually rich book on preaching)
• Sticky Church by Larry Osborne (useful for honing church follow up & small group systems. recommended by multiple pastors.)

Fiction:

• The Collected Short Stories of Loius L'amour (short adventurous cowboy stories I have been reading to my son for leisure)
• The Innocence and Wisdom of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton (awesome British detective stories that are really about faith and human nature)
• Kiss & Green by Ted Dekker
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Business/Leadership:

• The Starbucks Experience by Joseph Michelli (some of the key principles that have helped Starbucks grow & succeed)
• Switch by Chip & Dan Heath (the Heath brothers give a valuable, well-researched, fun to read book about understanding and harnessing change. many applications--much more than business.)
• Guerilla P.R. by Michael Levine
• How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins (Collins is a first rate researcher and writer. this book is on leadership & change)
• Coaching Leaders by Daniel White
• Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath (rich with ideas and insight on communicating ideas clearly and with impact)
• The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle (deals with habits & training in organizations)
• Getting Things Done by David Allen
• Joker One by Donovan Campbell (a moving story of sacrificial leadership in the setting of Iraq)
• Leadership From The Inside Out by Kevin Cashman
• Great Employees Only by Dayle Dauten (leadership selection & development)
• Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam
• What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

Tonight we gathered at Humboldt Park to pray and dedicate this campus unto God. Pastor Freddy, Pastor Danny, Enrique, Madeline, Beth, Karen, Raul and dozens of other volunteers and workers have been laboring non-stop to get this campus and congregations ready for next weeks Grand Opening. The pieces are coming together. The worship team and musicians have formed a full band and did a great job this evening. I want to say a special “thank you” to Pastor Kevin and New Life Lake View. Lake View has been very generous in releasing people to help start Humboldt Park. There is a great core that is moving to form both the English and Spanish congregations at Humboldt Park.

I look forward to see what God is going to do through this campus in this great community.

Blessings

Pastor Mark

Congratulations Pastor George, Margie and New Life Berwyn. My wife Dee and children were at the Grand Opening representing the Jobe family this past Sunday March 22nd. I received a phone message from my wife at 12:15 saying that the auditorium, including the balcony, was filled with people. Everyone who I have talked to was gushing with excitement about this first service. I am told that over 365 people packed into the church to celebrate this first Sunday. The worship was powerful, the message was inspiring, people made decisions to follow Christ and the fellowship and food afterwards was great.

Berwyn is off to an amazing start. All of New Life is celebrating with you and cheering for your success.

Blessings

Pastor Mark

On Monday I was at the church in Berwyn praying with some other men for the Grand Opening on March 22nd. There was such a sense of expectant faith. I came out of that prayer time really excited about what God is going to do through this church. As we prayed it struck me that God has been preparing the way for New Life to minister to Berwyn for many years. For years we have had families from that community attend our church. We have had Bible studies in the area and many friends from the community. Literally thousands of people have been praying for this amazing opportunity.

I talked with Pastor George Sosa today and he is excited and ready to open the doors to the people of Berwyn and surrounding areas. To all of you at New Life Berwyn I want to say we are cheering for you and waiting to hear a good report.

Blessings.

Mark Jobe

This past Sunday we celebrated our first baptisms at New Life Tri-Taylor since we opened two months ago.

Six ladies wearing blue t-shirts that read "I found a New Life" gave brief but powerful testimonies before a packed auditorium.  The church erupted in worship and celebration as Pastor Danny baptized these women in Jesus name. The tears and the joy on their faces were reminders of the life changing power of God. With limited time, but energized by the baptisms I had just witnessed I preached from Colossians chapter four. At the end of the message I felt prompted in my spirit to call out anyone else who needed to get baptized that day.  Four more people came forward for a spontaneous baptism. With no extra change of cloths, but courage and determination to obey two men and two more women stepped into the waters of baptism. What a powerful moment. It touched me to see Kevin Dweyer step up to the baptistery and help baptize his wife Terry who responded to the impromptu call that morning.

After witnessing 10 baptisms I left Tri-Taylor grateful to be a part of a community of faith that is seeing so many lives transformed in Jesus name.

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

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...

On Sunday I went to Children’s Memorial Hospital to visit 6-year-old Brianna. She had been battling lung and brain cancer for quite some time. After complaining of headaches her mother Veronica took her to the hospital to get tested. Brianna was very excited to lose her first tooth that day. That evening the tumor in her brain caused a rupture that sent little Brianna into a coma. The doctors did what they could but it was too late. On Monday at 7:58 PM Brianna’s spirit left her body. My heart was heavy the whole day as I thought of the sadness weighing on Brianna’s family.

Life is short, but God is still good. In the midst of tragedy I saw glimpses of God’s goodness. The final words that Brianna spoke to her Mother were words of love and affirmation. What a great parting gift. I saw some New Life friends Ivette and Juan spend the entire night with the family at the hospital encouraging and comforting. Pastor Danny Lopez was at the hospital at 2:00 AM in the morning praying with them and speaking into the parent’s life. It was encouraging to see the body of Christ in action in the midst of this family tragedy.

Tonight at 7:30 PM I will be speaking at the wake of little Brianna. The wake will be held at the funeral home on the corner 22nd and Damen. Life is short and painful at times but God is still good in the midst of our suffering.

Please keep Chris, Veronica and Brianna’s sisters in prayer during these days to come.

I just came back from a day and a half retreat with the pastoral team. We prayed, laughed, worshipped, planned, ate, strategized and took communion together. On Wednesday evening we ate downtown Elgin at a little Mexican restaurant called El Faro. After the meal we took a walk through the historic district of Elgin. As we walked by an older church building I noticed a sign in the door advertising EHOP Elgin House of Prayer. We decided to go to the third floor and visit the prayer meeting. There were 4 people worshipping and praying in the room when we arrived. The fifteen pastors slipped in the back door and joined right in the worship. Later one of the ladies said she was so encouraged by the sound of men’s voices praising and worshipping that she initially thought we were angels. We prayed with that small group and encouraged them to not give up in their labor of intercession. It builds my faith to know that there are pockets of people all around that Chicago Land that are cooperating to build the Kingdom of Jesus.