Greeley, Colorado

UPPER ROOM MINISTRIES

January 28, 2007

Pastors David and Myke Naranjo are young and energetic with a growing congregation in Greeley, Colorado. Pastor David is from this area and spent some years in Louisiana. He felt called to return to Greeley and has followed his calling to pastoral ministry. His wife shares in the music ministry of the church and they have two precious girls that are also involved. Pastor Dave will be recognized at our upcoming Covenant Celebration for receiving his Ordained Bishop Certificate. God is blessing them and they are praying to be a lighthouse to their community.

Rocky Mountain Praise, Colorado Springs

January 7, 2007

I had the opportunity to be in the morning service at Rocky Mountain Praise in Colorado Springs, Colorado with Pastors Woody and Betty Scruggs. This church was formerly called the "New Hope Church of God."

Rhonda and I were warmly greeted on a cold, snowy Sunday. This church family is closely-knit and strives to be a praising church. The worship experience was uplifting and the people were very responsive to the Word.

Springs Worship Center

December 17, 2006

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Pastor Ray Alexander and wife Ruth Ann invited me to share in ministry this beautiful December morning. Traveling from Littleton, it was snowy and cold. However, upon arrival at the church, I was warmly welcomed and we had prayer with the staff and worship team. With is being so close to Christmas, there was a brief Christmas presentation by the children. This energized the service and brought the focus upon the family and the value of our children. I was able to minister the Word and following service the church had planned a reception where we were able to talk to one another and get to know one another better. Following the reception, I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Pastor Alexander's home. Thank you Springs Worship Center for being so gracious and kind.

Family Worship Center

December 10, 2006

9:30 & 11:00 am

Pueblo, CO

Pueblo is alive with growth and an exciting atmosphere pervades Family Worship Center. Pastor David and Charissa Smith have poured their lives into this active place of ministry for seventeen years.

Presently, this congregation worships in a leased facility but they have purchased prime property and look forward to continued growth. Truly, this pastor and his staff exhibit servant leadership that is contagious throughout the entire church family. This fellowship of believers is alive with motivation, ownership, and diverse ministries.

Family Worship Center is presently offering two morning worship services. Each service is well attended and is a passionate contemporary worship experience. As I entered the facility, the greeters and attenders warmly reached out to welcome Rhonda and I. Indeed, I thoroughly enjoyed ministering the Word and sharing the day at Family Worship Center.

Great Day at Gillette, Wyoming

Sunday, December 3, 2006

Cornerstone Church of God

What a "great day " we had at Cornerstone with pastors Bob and Ruth Rudichar. Bob is an energetic and visionary pastor who extends his love and compassion toward his church family and community in Gillette. He serves as a chaplain out of a local hospital and his wife partners with him in ministry at the Cornerstone church.

After the morning service, there was a wonderful meal prepared by the ladies of the church. I thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and sharing time with the church "folk." Truly, they serve with joy and I look forward to my return trip in the future.

"Tree of Life Fellowship" New Church Plant

"Welcome to the Tree!" Pastor Bob Gonzales and church family warmly welcomed Rhonda and me on Sunday, November 19th to this family oriented church. As I entered the door to the Northglenn Middle School, there were cheerful greeters as well as a welcome center with coffee and donuts. Several booths displayed information regarding ministries and fellowship opportunites within the church. I was very impressed with the coordination of the printed materials and the signage.

The enthusiasm in this fellowship is contagious and there was such freedom and liberty during the praise and worship. Pastor Gonzales' mission is to be a spirit-led teacher that is reaching the community for Christ in an atmosphere of passionate praise and worship.

I had the privilege of presenting Delphy Gonzales, the pastor's wife, with her exhorter's certifcate. Indeed, this is a commendable achievement for her as she serves her church family faithfully.

Preparation begins each week at 8:30 a.m. as they roll into the school and set-up a full sanctuary with chairs, sound equipment, musical instruments, and a screen. There is also preparation for classrooms, hospitality, and information booths. Wow! What a commitment the Tree of Life family is making in this new church plant.

Igreja de Deus "Fonte de Vida"

Brazilian Congregation

Pastors: Euler & Sara Cecilio

Sunday, November 12, 2006

What a privilege for Rhonda and me to worship with this thriving family church that is filled to capacity with warm and loving new christians. Pastors Euler and Sara Cecilio report that most of the families attending were not christians before the church was started. Hence, they are reaching new people and discipleship is ongoing in this exciting fellowship. As Brazilians, the language of preference is Portuguese. As I preached the Word, Pastor Cecilio translated with anointing and excellence.

The Cecilio family have an amazing testimony in that they came to the United States only 12 years ago. Since that time, Pastor Cecilio has completed his M.Div. at the Theological Seminary while working 2-3 jobs. Sara could not speak any English and was miraculously spoken to by the Holy Spirit that she was divinely placed in the U.S. for God's purpose. Since that time, she has learned English and is passionately involved in pastoral ministry with her husband.

Many miracles have taken place in their church. In the picture of the praise and worship team (left), the young lady with her hand raised in worship was healed. She was unable to lift her arm due to an auto accident in Brazil. However, the church prayed and God healed her. Now, whenever she praises, she lifts her arm in remembrance of God's healing power.

"Fonte de Vida" is a church involved in Missions & Benevolence. The day I ministered, the women prepared a delicious meal to raise funds for the WWAM project for the Orphanage in Zambia, Africa.

Continue to lift this church up in prayer. They also have a Spanish service following the morning service. Indeed, they are busy fulfilling the Great Commission!

Light to the World Church

Sunday, November 5, 2006, I preached at the Light to the World Church in the 3:00 p.m. service. Ruslan Pshichenko serves as the pastor to the primarily Russian congregation which currently is meeting at the Valley View Church of God in Englewood, Colorado. He has a desire to be an international church that reaches Americans, Hispanics, and Russians. Their services are currently conducted in Russian and English. A translator is available for english speaking attendors. We were thrilled to be invited as a part of their services. Certainly, we lift them up in prayer and pray for God's guidance in their ministry.

2006 Minister's Meeting

On Friday evening, October 6, and Saturday morning, October 7, the Rocky Mountain Region Minister's Meeting covenened at the Valley View Church of God in Englewood, Colorado. What a delight to meet and mingle with the ministers of this beautiful region. I am so impressed by the visionary leadership and camaraderie of the ministers. Interacting with each one gives me the opportunity to hear the hearts and get a pulsebeat for your passion and mission for your community.

Why is Minister's Meeting important? I believe it affords us the opportunity to focus on the following components (THRIVE):

• TEAM: Ministry support system and network building
• HEART: Spiritual renewal and spiritual emphasis
• RELATIONSHIP: Connect or reconnect
• INFORMATION: Tools for ministry
• VISION CASTING: Planning to be effective
• EVANGELISM: Always remembering to look outside our walls to those that need the gospel message

Friend Day at North Hills

Sunday, October 29, 2006, I was the guest of Pastor and Linda Hammonds at the North Hills Church of God in Thornton, Colorado for "Friend Day." Mayor Noel Busck of Thornton was present and addressed the congregation. What a great crowd because so many of the congregation had invited their friend to attend. Pastor Hammonds had initiated and organized this campaign over a 10-12 week period with the support of a planning committee.

As you can see, following the service their was a plentiful bounty of food to enjoy. The fellowship hall was brimming was with excited people and buzzing with the sounds of fellowship and friendship.

Russian Pastor invites Bishop to a Russian Meal

Pastor Ruslan Pshichenko invited Rhonda and me to his home for a Russian meal on Tuesday, October 10, 2006. His wife, Kate, prepared the traditional Borscht and other delicious side dishes. They have a beautiful family of two children. Gector is 9 and Anna is 16 months old. They are expecting another daughter in January.

Alex (pictured on the far right in picture below) is a tremendous help in the church to Pastor Ruslan and congregation. Presently, his wife and 6 children are still in Russia.

I look forward to ministering in their church in the month of November. This will be my first time to preach with a Russian interpreter. Presently, this congregation is worshippng at 3:00 p.m. at the Valley View Church of God in Englewood.

Dave Crowley Newly Appointed Pastor at Jubilee Family Church

Pastor Dave Crowley and his wife, Verla, moved the first weekend in September to Grand Junction, Colorado. This was a sixty-mile trek for them from their home in Montrose where Pastor Crowley had served the Abundant Life Church as senior pastor for the last four years.

Pastor Crowley relates that he is believing for a time of "Jubilee" for the Jubilee Family Church. He states that, "I am believing for a time of celebration, victory, forgiveness of debt, and release of captives as we engage ourselves in wholehearted obedience and service to the Lord."

Visionary Leadership at Cheyenne, Wyoming

On August 27th, 2006, Rhonda and I had the opportunity to visit the Word of Life Church of God in Cheyenne, Wyoming with Pastors Eldon and Christine Ash. During the morning service, it was my honor to present Christine Ash with her Ordained Ministers certificate. The ladies ministries of the local church presented her with a dozen roses and surrounded her with prayerful support.

Since their arrival as pastors in October 2005, the church has seen dramatic growth numerically and financially. What an exciting, worshipping, warm-hearted congregation that is united in purpose and vision to reach their community. The Powerteam (picture below) leads in praise and worship with variety and freshness. Their passion for worship is contagious.

Under Pastor Ash's leadership, the church has seen a real face-lift of their facilities. Renovations and continued work on the properties are ongoing. This church is a beautiful blend of different cultures coming together in the unity of the Spirit. This is a Word-centered church and I look forward to the opportunity when I can visit again. (Picture below: Pastor Eldon & Christine Ash)

"Facing Life Head On"

This past Sunday, September 3, 2006, I visited at the Cornerstone Church of God in Arvada, Colorado with Pastor Jimmy Dickens. It was a pleasure to be in service with staff member and State Youth & CE Director, David Cox and his wife Keena. David and the praise team did a wonderful job leading praise and worship. Indeed, I was enriched and inspired by Pastor Dickens' message from James 5:13-20. He spoke on "Facing Life Head On: Power to Live." I was reminded of the:

• POWER OF PRAYER
• POWER OF CONFESSION
• POWER OF CARE

I received a tour of the facilities by the pastor and a very nice stainless travel coffee mug inscribed with the church insignia that they use as a gift for visitors. Inside it held mints, a card with service times, and a devotional book entitled, "Come Drink" by Max Lucado. The people greeted Rhonda and I warmly.

Following service, Pastor Dickens took me to the new property they have purchased on C470 with frontage visibility. Cornerstone is a church that places emphasis on ministry excellence and the Word.

Revival and Landscaping Beautification at North Hills COG

On Sunday, August 20th, I was privileged to visit the North Hills COG as they started revival with Evangelist Bobby Morgan. Pastor Mike Hammond, who assumed the pastorate in October of 2005, is leading the church into growth and meaningful ministry. The church is also involved in a landscape beautification project that will greatly enhance the church property.
(The bulldozer in the picture portrays the progress that is being made.)

My first Sunday in RMR...

Grand Junction
After the moving truck was unloaded on Friday night, August 11th, Rhonda and I headed west across the state of Colorado on I-70 to Grand Junction on Saturday evening. Wow! What a beautiful drive as I went through the mountains. What a warm reception by the host pastor, Rocky Shrable, and his congregation. Here are a few pictures of the Jubilee Family Church of God ... (upper and lower right)

(Upper left picture by L. Hammond)

Greetings!

I anticipate that this will be a great way to stay in touch. It is my hope that you will get to know one another better as you see the churches, pastors, and church family in the region. Already, I have been to three of our churches and I will be posting more about that shortly.

This is an absolutely breathtakingly beautiful spot on the map and consider myself blessed to serve in such a wonderful place with such precious people!

From my heart ~ Bishop Tim Brown