Local Ministries

Is it possible to live and proclaim the Kingdom of God today? Can we paint a picture of what the economy of God could be like? There is one thing we can do for sure, and that is to follow the commandments given to us. Because God is our Father, his commandments are not burdensome, but rather bring life, joy, and freedom. It is easy to fall into fear and to have faith in our own ability to control our lives. We may think that if we give away our extra now, we may not have enough in the future. We stockpile, hoard, and hold on to things “just in case”. I often wonder if the just in case account is one of constant liquidity, being owned, operated, and distributed by and to many hands. To be clear, in no way is this meant to suggest savings is a lack of faith or planning is unGodly. In fact, both of these disciplines the Bible commends. Rather, this is meant to reenforce the idea that our ultimate hope is in Christ and his bride- the Church. Could it be that by ridding ourselves of access we might be partaking in the glorious nature of the revealed kingdom of God? Paul writes in 2 Corinthians:

¹³ Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. ¹⁴ At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, ¹⁵ as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

What a beautiful picture of the Church! At New Life, we are practicing this scripture with our third Freely Give Freely Receive, and it’s just around the corner. We are eager to witness more stories unfold about people witnessing the power and love of the Church. Many have already committed to volunteer for FGFR, and his is one one the easiest ways we can be the hands and feet to our city. Not only are we revealing the Kingdom to come, but being a part of FGFR is also one of the best ways to continue to foster relationships with others members of our church family with a heart to love and serve our people.  If you have a desire to partake in FGFR, here are some options:

• Become a driver for the following dates: April 27th and 30th, May 4th and May 7th. We will meet at the church at 3pm on Friday and 9am on Monday.
• Come help for all the donation stations for all shifts on both weekends.
• Of course, you can always DROP OFF your donations in the Pikes Peak Community College parking lot on April 28-29 or May 5-6, 9am-4pm on Saturday and 9am-1pm on Sunday. Families with immediate needs can receive items on one of the two Sundays afternoons from 1-3pm.

For more details or register to VOLUNTEER visit www.newlifechurch.org/outreach .There are still many areas to serve in.  Contact Rina at rthompson@newlifechurch.org or call 265-3180 for more information.

We have recently moved forward in a partnership with Children’s Hope Chest towards a mens home called The Joel Project. The Joel Project is a home for young adults in Foster care who age out of the foster system. The home has been renovated on the the inside and has had residents for a couple moths now. The whole project screams his glory…. except for the yard.

What does a yard have anything to do with the Kingdom of God? God is in the process of reconciling all things to himself. When we become kingdom bearers, the gospel permeates everything we do, think, touch. Every aspect of our lives should in some way reflect the glory and perfection of Christ’s love. This means “whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Needless to say, we needed to do something about the yard.

Recently, a team from Kansas called in offering to serve for two days. Their hearts were evidently open to loving the people of our city. Three weeks and a few phone calls later, we had 20 high school students at work landscaping for the Joel Project Home. A few faithful servants at New Life Volunteered their tools for use and a local Landscaping contracter put his work on hold for the sake of transforming the home’s exterior. It was beautiful to see members of the global family of Christ sacrifice their plans for the sake of loving our people!

Please enjoy the pictures below as they depict the transformation of the exterior of the Joel Project in just two days!

Front Yard Before:

Front Yard During:

Front Yard After:

Side Yard Before:

Side Yard During:

Side Yard After:

Backyard Before:

Backyard During:

Backyard After:

Rina and a Springs Rescue Mission Partner unloading donation bins

9033. Not only is this 1 more than 9032 and 1 less than 9034, it is also the number of pounds New Life Church has collected in food and goods in our donation bins this year. Mattresses, desks, food, clothing, and many other items were donated this year through these bins. We get pleasure of helping load up all these donations with our favorite Springs Rescue Mission friends when the guys come up to collect the donations. We just wanted to share this and say well done Church. We are living it.

2 Corinthians 8:13-14

“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality”

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

-John 14:18

It takes a special anointing of grace and a heart that beats with Christ’s to take foster children into your home. The beauty of adoption reflects so accurately our status into the family of God. However just like our own stories, the paths adoptive and foster families walk are not always smooth.

Foster and adoptive families see beautiful transformations in little lives, experience the joy of loving children, and restore hope to kids who desperately need someone to believe in them. The trials that come with the step of faith it requires to care for adoptive or foster children can be very burdensome. Unexpected behaviors, establishing trust, feeling alone in the process- all of these are often realities for these families. Wrapping around these families with love and support is one of the beautiful ways we as the church can “carry each others burdens”  (Gal. 6:2).

Becoming certified to care for adoptive and foster families children is one of the first ways to begin to make yourself available to families in need of love and support. The blessing a night out can be to a foster family cannot be overstated. New Life is hosting a Respite Care Training class February 18 from 9:00am-3:00pm completely for free. Without committing to anything, this is one way we as a family can extend our arms to the families on our community.

Class size is limited, so register early. For additional information, contact Lucretia Miller at 303-755-4756 (toll free 1-800-451-5246) or email: classes@adoptex.org

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO —–>          respite_care_colorado-springs

Whether it is guilt or conviction, fear or love, something motivates us all to react to homeless in the ways we do. The question is how do we as Christ-followers respond to homeless people and beggars? Do we give them money, clothes, or food? Should we smile and move on so as to eliminate the risk of being taken advantage of in some way? Should we buy them dinner at McDonalds? Offer them a job? More importantly, what is our posture towards this group of people in our society and how does the position of our hearts inform our actions?

How interesting it is to want to help people on the side of the road, feelings tugging at your heart, but not knowing what to do. We carry biases and fears about these people because at some point in our lives, many of us have started to see people like beggars and homeless through tainted lenses. We let society and our own limited experiences inform our understanding and actions towards people rather than letting Christ teach us. Often times beggars and homeless are going through such complex and deeply rooted problems that even attempting to be a catalyst for change feels overwhelming or hopeless. It is in these moments that we must remember that Christ is the one true God and that Jesus is the solution to any problem in life. We must hold fast to the fact that that the message of the gift of Jesus Christ is the single greatest thing we have to offer. From here we can begin to see Christ transform the hearts and lives of even the roughest of us and shift burdens from our shoulders to Christ’s as we engage with love along the way.

As Christians, we need to be willing and ready to allow the suffering of others to enter into our own lives. Galatians 6 says we “ought to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Actually being able to stop and talk to a homeless person or beggar requires some intentionality. This means living our lives in such a manner that we may engage an unplanned interruption in our own schedule. A life like this means placing more value on other people than our own agenda. This is something that we can only achieve after our own hearts have been transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus. It is humanly impossible to love other people without the help and power of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:10). Once we adopt the mind of Christ we have the capacity to have compassion on others. With Christ’s mind we recognize the power the Holy Spirit in our own lives and may see the potential for Christ to do a work in the lives of others.

When we are confronted for spare change or other aide, simply responding by saying “well, what’s your story?” will get most people talking. It is by knowing others and hearing them out that we can see what needs truly should be met. This may mean that we begin to adopt their story as our own and care about the holistic well being of the people we engage. Their lives enter into our own and we begin to care about not only their physical needs, but also their emotional and spiritual needs. The outcome is never the same. It could be that your role in this person’s life is to simply look them in the eye and hear their story because they are not at a place to desire to change. It could be that you are to ask them about their dreams and inspire and rekindle hope into their lives, that they really are someone who could bring change and life to others (this is a good one, and easy too!). It could be that you drive the person you meet to a rehab center and pay his entry fee after an hour long discussion of his desire to give up alcohol. It could be that you set a date to meet up again in a public place like McDonald’s or Starbucks to talk more. Whatever your response is, it ought to be out of love and compassion. The power we have to inspire courage into others by affirming who they are in Christ as loved, adopted, forgiven, and free is something we as Christians need to exercise more and more. It is the very power of the resurrection we possess!

The next time your heart goes out to a homeless man in the snow, a beggar on the highway, or any other person the spirit points out to you, rather than moving on and finding a reason to go about your day, say a short prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you are to respond to this person and be willing to be bold! Use wisdom and act with love as your guide. If this is “not really your thing”, all the better! After all, it is when we are weak that we are strong as we allow the things we are not good at to be taken up by the Spirit rather than our own efforts. May we all receive the instruction from Paul:

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6

Bobby Mikulas

As a younger child, I simply thought of this season as a time to count down the days on an advent calendar, like the one pictured above, until our family would celebrate for a few days. Our family practiced many of the German Lutheran traditions annually. Decorating with lights, Moravian stars, the Christmas tree, sharing of gifts, singing hymns, reading Scripture as a family, eating fruitcake, and especially setting up and lighting the advent wreath were some of these traditions. My favorite of all was attending the Christmas Eve candle light worship service. I didn’t have words for my experience at the time, and I still don’t today. The best I can do is simply describe that night as a captivating and mysterious encounter with Jesus Christ. Somehow, with the Church all singing in wonder together at the incarnation of the Son of God, the reality of Jesus as God and vulnerable child came into focus like it didn’t do most of the year, and it always resulted in awe and worship.

Our church calendar still reminds us today of the mystery of Christ in us, the hope of glory, in so many facets. During the advent, we specifically focus on Jesus as the savior of the world who became flesh and blood. It is a time when we feel the freedom to become vulnerable again as we see how vulnerable God made himself. It is often this time of year that people let their guard down and, as Aaron Stern said today, finally realize that “in following God there is no risk.” Or, you could say trusting in Jesus is the best risk one can ever take. In Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Letters and Papers from Prison, he sheds light on this season. “A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes - and is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside, is not a bad picture of Advent.” The mysterious incarnation of Christ becoming human flesh opens the door into an entirely new world for us. It is an invitation to take a step through an open door and into a world where child-like faith is rewarded. It is hopeful and calls us to embrace a place in which the strong things become vulnerable and weak are strengthened. Even in our most trying times of weakness, the image of Christ as a child will either compel us to faith and hopefulness or shock and offend.

The question for all of us is, are we willing to live in this world today? Are we willing to trust in God’s goodness rather than our own? Even if we are offended, are we willing to trust that his strength is enough to transform our brothers and sisters and neighbors? Are we willing to remain in the world and rejoice in the life that God has given us in flesh and bone to deal with the reality of hard work, joblessness or even prison? Bonhoeffer wrote “There is not a place to which the disciple can withdraw from the world, whether it be outwardly or in the sphere of the inner life. Any attempt to escape from the world must sooner or later be paid for with a sinful surrender to the world.” Now our question becomes, “Can I willingly surrender to God, that I may love the people of the world instead of surrendering to the world?” If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, use this time of advent to reflect on the wonder of the incarnation. Listen to God’s invitation to live in this world, but in a new way, as a completely new person. The Apostle John reminded us of this invitation when he wrote ”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Since our public launch of the DCCS Women’s Clinic on July 31st, we now serve over 250 women who call the DCCS Women’s Clinic their medical home. I’ve been impressed by the steady, patient faithfulness of many people behind the scenes to get insurance forms filled out, discover what needs are really in our city, call partners to learn from them, continue in prayer, and many other activities. One example of partnership is our warm reception into the Community Health Partnership. Their organization helps local health care providers like us collaborate, share resources and learn from each other as we work together to offer integrated healthcare in our city. Additionally, we received and have been putting to great use a new ultrasound machine from Focus on the Family. Their support, friendship and encouragement in this new venture has been a tremendous help. Finally, the Independent has featured the DCCS Women’s Clinic and we are now beginning to serve patients who read their articles and have now found a medical home. There are many more who have helped, and we especially appreciate our faithful team of volunteers from around the city. We couldn’t be more grateful!

We invite your ideas to partner and share resources. Just call or email us at 388.1594 / info@dreamcenterscos.org.  Thank you for visiting the DCCS website at dreamcenterscos.org.

We are only a few months away from 2012, and this is the time of the year when the media coverage of our presidential candidates heats up. Wouldn’t it be nice if it was also the time of year marked by friendly dialogue, critical thought, winsome debate and openness to learning together? Many of us have nearly resigned to ignore the media all together. The accusations and criticism can reach deeply into our souls, rendering us hopeless instead of focused on the hope we have in Christ and his Kingdom. However, the scriptures have some hopeful guidelines to share in their ancient stories. While some may wallow in doubt or wander blindly, we have a chance to be inspired by these stories that restore our focus.

In Moses’ writings, from Exodus chapter 18, there is a story that is directly applicable to our situation today. It begins with a more intimate introduction as God reveals to Moses a new name. The word-for-word translation is the verb meaning “to be” or “I AM”. More importantly, translations in context could be “I Am because I Am”, “I will be what I will be”, “I am the one who is”, or my favorite: “I am whosoever I will be.” Early in the relationship, God clearly establishes that He will not be defined, controlled or limited by our understanding. Significantly, at this moment of transparency, God invites Moses to participate in His mission to set the oppressed Hebrew people free from their corrupt government in Egypt. God doesn’t merely state his name, “I Am” to show His transcendence. He also shares His name in the context of an invitation: a request for Moses to represent Him with this name and to trust that God’s presence would go with Moses. It is a very personal invitation to participate in the unfolding gift of God’s Kingdom - His ruling presence according to all of His ways - coming to earth.

The story develops with the series of plagues inflicted upon Egypt, the miraculous deliverance of the Hebrew people, and eventually, their quest to enter a new land of promise and hope, where they can establish a way of life according to the great I AM’s relational covenant. Establishing a nation takes guidelines, learning to govern and rule, establishing systems for the community to live together, and so forth. One of the very first lessons for Moses is about governance. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law and a priest of Midian, helps Moses establish a system of delegation, and guides him with examples of the qualities their leaders should possess: “capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain.”

Now, we (Colorado Springs) no longer appoint a city manager, but instead, elect our mayor. Many of you had the opportunity to vote in our first mayoral election. It is one way we should participate in our own governance. Of those registered to vote, only about 50% voted in the run-off. Then, with only two candidates to choose from, about 64% of those registered voted in the final election. That is great news! However, the bad news is that many more could have registered to vote in the election. If you  missed out on the opportunity to vote for our mayor, please reconsider preparing now to vote in the upcoming presidential elections. This is our chance to elect leaders we believe are most God-fearing, trustworthy and people who hate dishonest gain.

I know, we might respond with “I’m confused, there is just too much information out there” or any other number of excuses. But how did God respond to Moses when he doubted, feared and hesitated to lead Israel? When Moses did eventually step forward in faith, God began to send faithful people like Jethro to help him lead. Let’s take our responsibility seriously during these next several months by asking for discernment to vote well and praying diligently for our leaders to be people of integrity and strong leadership, and for all of us to be guided by the grace and truth that comes as a gift from the great I Am.

Some of my best friends are on a plane to Delhi, India now. Our New Life family had the privilege of praying them out a few weeks ago when Pastor Riaan preached. Their names are Ryan and Dannah Koeniger, and after many years of growing expectation and faithfulness, they are being sent by God and their spiritual family as a gift to the Indian people. Sure, they will do great things in India. But most importantly, they will be with the people there. Somehow our lives are changed for the better when we receive each other as gifts. We’ve all got this beautiful spark of life, something magical, that we exude when we simply remember who God is and who he made us to be. Ryan and Dannah are a couple so easy to love because they live in that reality all of the time. They have truly been two of the greatest gifts I have ever received. And now, although it makes me so sad that I won’t see them often, I can rejoice when I think of their faithfulness to the call on their lives. Also, I can already imagine the joy that others will get to experience as they receive Ryan and Dannah as gifts. Who is a gift to you during this time in your life? It will be good to remind them. There is no better time than now.

It happens more often than any of us want to believe. Each year, more than 12,000 El Paso County children are reported as abused – physically attacked, emotionally damaged, sexually molested, or severely neglected - often by the people they have loved and trusted most.

They are children like Jimmy, an eight-year old who has known more of violent tempers and cruel comments than he has hugs, kind words and loving encouragement. They are children like Malachi and his three sisters who only see each other once a year when they attend camp.  It is for these children and children like these that God has called us to host a Royal Family KIDS camp for the foster children in our city.

Royal Family KIDS Camps exist to provide foster children a free week of camp in a positive environment where they can receive Christian love and care, an environment where they can interact with adults modeling healthy family and home, an environment where they feel safe to be themselves and to be children full of joy and life.  It is our goal to immerse these kids, who have had too many sad days and experiences, in an environment of positive praise, success oriented activities and the love of adults who are there to serve them.

Join with us in extending God’s loving hand to these children in despair and give them hope to take one more step toward a better tomorrow and a brighter future.

DONATE NOW

JOING OUR MAILING LIST

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Stay tuned for soon-to-be-announced volunteer opportunities!

Michael Babb

Royal Family KIDS Camp Director