Jesus' command from Matthew 28:19 applies to the areas around us as well as overseas. CBC has an exciting and ever-expanding list of local ministries:
The Quest. Inner-city ministry. Contact Tom Marshall, 515-7015
Ministry to the Homeless. Collects and distributes items to those around us who have no place to call home. Contact Tere Kampe, 605-8944
Kids Club at a local elementary school on Friday afternoons. Contact Doug Millsap, 356-8293.
Global Outreach ministry team contact:
Samuel Nandakumar
Global Outreach ministry assistant: Jodi Coyle
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Thank you for your prayers and help in making our recent Quest camping outreach trip possible. This last weekend was for the South County Community School community in Gilroy and Morgan Hill - youth who come from very troubled and at-risk environments. Praise God for answered prayers! The trip went better than expected in every way... God answered prayers in details like logistics and weather and safety, in sending the right students, and in breaking down all kinds of barriers. On the morning of our departure, it was still uncertain who, if anyone, would be coming on the trip. But God had a plan, and the right 5 young men got over their fears and anxiousness and loaded the van and we set out for the Sierras.
For most of them, it was their first time to the mountains. There were a lot of other firsts: first time to see the snow (and have snowball fights). First time to climb so high and conquer fears (hiked to a tower 8700' high). First time fishing or to catch a fish, cleaning and cooking them over the campfire. First time seeing rattlesnakes. First time sleeping outside in the backcounty wilderness, under the stars. First time swimming in mountain lakes and jumping off rocks. First time driving a vehicle offroad. First time coming face to face with God's majesty and holiness and power and beauty in Creation - without distraction. First time having an encounter with God's love in this way - through the leaders who invested in them this weekend, through those that supported the trip by sponsoring kids or providing resources, and through the many people invested in prayer for this ministry. And the first time encountering the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Word of God.
God worked amazing things in and through these young men all weekend. He softened hearts and they had incredibly positive responses to the Scripture and to the truth they received. We were so encouraged to see God working. The guys didn't want to go home - they wanted to stay in the mountains. Each went home with a Bible and a basic understanding of what it contains and a plan to read it on their own. Each learned something about prayer and became more comfortable talking to their God.
Please pray for each of them over the next 3 weeks. That the seeds planted will not be choked out by the weeds of their worldly environments - drugs, gangs, alcohol, crime, sexual temptation, violence, strife, pride and posturing, etc. That God will do a saving work in each of these young men, raising them up to be men mighty in the grace of God. That he will use them in their homes, communities, and at our school, to further his Kingdom in these places. Against the persecution they are sure to face among their friends and family. .
Quest San Jose is preparing to take a larger group camping from 6-9 August to experience the same things. We still need prayer and resources to help make this, and future activities, happen. Specifically, we need sponsors to help cover the kids who need it (most of them do) at 70 dollars each, and someone to sponsor the purchase of Bibles to give away and to use in our studies and discipleship. We could also use sleeping bags, pads, camp chairs, and tents.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. In Christ,
David Kissner
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