What we do and how we do it...

 

First, here's the tentative schedule:

 Looking for a place to do something that will greatly benefit a faithful church? In the spirit of Acts 16:9-10, we've got the opportunity for you:

"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."

 

OK, so it's not a vision, but it is a VERY REAL NEED (pardon the shouting) here in Southern California, 55 miles E of LA.

We need faithful, interested preachers and coworkers to "see the vision" and come here to preach the gospel. Specifically, we need five (5) brethren who will come and help us. We can also accommodate 4 or 5 women (or preacher-wives). We never send a man to teach a woman by herself and there are many opportunities for women in teaching other women (and especially, female college/university students). We also need Spanish speakers. And, as I have said before, if you will come help us, we will return the favor.

We are NOT talking about "normal" gospel meetings. Rather, we are talking about on-the-street, in-your-face evangelism on local campuses, government offices, and other street locations. We hit the ground at 7:00 AM and try to be on-site by 8:00 AM. We work, gathering contact names/number and/or on-site studies, until 4 PM, when we break for supper and contacts follow-up and evening studies. Late evenings are often spent in deeper Bible study or discussions. Brethren bunk at the church building, dorm style. Woman stay first-come/first-choice at our home in two guest rooms, LR sofa bed, FR couch and overstuffed chaise lounge. Over the past 2 years, we've baptized about 35 people, but have kept very few (part of that is our fault, for which WE will give an eternal account, as I continually tell myself, our elders, and members).

Frankly, we confront two HUGE thrusts of the Enemy:

 

1. Our increasingly secular society is, at once, both our greatest impediment and the greatest opportunity for preaching Jesus.

 

2. The so-called "non-denominational" megachurches with  their broad, worldly appeal--from rock music to on-site Starbucks,    bookstores, and other social programs. Those churches are also doing a lot of straight-from-the-Bible, expository preaching appreciated by people and really hitting them where they live. But, it is a hidden, Satan-driven agenda, grounded in false doctrine and feeding the beast of false religion.

 

In 2012, we intend to take the battle to the doorsteps of the so-called "non-denominational" churches (but which are really mini-denominations or even parts of existing larger denominational bodies, in clear misrepresentation of their true identities). Our "The Sinner's Prayer is A Lie" Bible insert has been a real eye-opener to many who can be taught the cheap grace movement has really brought them no grace at all. We MUST meet this challenge.

 

We do have a third concern, too:

 

3. There is the serious economic decline in Southern California. It has adversely affected several denominational churches, but the undenominational churches of Christ have incurred significant losses, especially in areas where military, aerospace, and other technical industries are not entrenched. San Bernardino is one of those areas. Within 15 miles of our location, at least 8 churches of Christ have closed the doors and sold their properties. Two churches in our immediate area have either closed or are very near it.

 

The Mountain View church is one of the largest churches of Christ in the area, but we are just 115 members (with 3 elders, 4 deacons). Yet, in spite of a significant measure of momentum for growth, we are declining. This area has been hit very hard, with off the charts losses in both industry and real estate. My own home has lost over 50% of its value in just 4 years (but there are some very good buys on houses, if you can find work). It is imperative we turn this around and the only way to grow a church is to teach and baptize people.

 

We need your assistance. If you can help, pick a week and let me know, ASAP (click on this link to let us know of your interest, or to request more information).