Vol.048.August.2008

Dr. John H. Calhoun, District Superintendent, E-mail: jcalhoun@norcal.org

Northern California District Church of the Nazarene

1866 Clayton Rd., Ste. 200, Concord, CA 94520,

Editor: Kay Clark, E-mail: kay@norcal.org, 925-680-0538 (District office)

Web page: http://www.norcal.org

Contents

Pages 1-3 Dr. John Calhoun, Sharing Pastor’s Report by Rev. Rudy Zamora

Pages 3-5 Our Shared Mission; Percentage of Budgets Paid; Church Health Implementation

Pages 6-7 Pastors’ & Spouses’ Retreat Inf.; Sunday School Ministry International; Kid’s Camp Dates Rescheduled

Page 8 Nazarene Missions International News (NMI)

Page 9 Point Loma Nazarene University Up-Coming Event

Dr. John H. Calhoun, D. S.

Before knowing the answer one needs to read this.  It is the Report of Pastor Rudy Zamora to our District Assembly this year (these reports can all be found on www.norcal.org).

Here is Rev. Zamora's report:

I am writing this, to give witness to what God is doing in our city. I started pastoring this church officially on January 7, 2007. The name was changed to Hosana Church of the Nazarene. Since that time up to now, we can see God's guidance as we walk with Him. The Lord has opened a way for us to minister to young Junior High school kids in the mission district. One case of many, a 14 year old boy named Oscar. He came to this country two years ago with his mom and younger brother from El Salvador. His mom had to leave the country, because the gang members, who killed Oscar's older brother, were looking for him to kill him. Oscar saw his brother get shot in the head. He confessed to me that it is very difficult for him to forget what had happened and also to forgive the person who shot his brother.

When I met Oscar, he was very distant to everyone, especially to me. I was told by one of his leaders that Oscar at one time told him, he wanted to commit suicide. But now we can see the changes that God is doing in the life of Oscar. He started coming to Hosana about three months ago. He calls me every Sunday morning asking me what time I am coming for him. Not only that, he started bringing his friends to church. Last Sunday he invited four of them to come to church. Like I said, this is just one of many.

Most of these kids are fatherless. About 30 to 35 guys attend Dodge ball night (Timothy Project). About ten of these kids are attending our Sunday services. Around 20 to 25 are attending Bible study on Wednesday nights. We are also doing home Bible study on Tuesdays with our young adult ladies of our church.

I believe, what we are seeing and experiencing, is only the beginning of a true spiritual revival for the lives of our young people from the city of San Francisco. We believe for a big multi-purpose building so God can fill it up with young people who love Him.

Personally, the real blessing for me is that, before when I would see them, they tried to avoid me. But now when they see me, they come and give me a hug. Believe me most of this kids needed a lot of hugs and love. Oscar said, “I like coming to church, because I can feel that I am loved and accepted there".

Respectfully yours,
Pastor Rudy

Ivan Miranda is one of the friends brought to church by Oscar.   These teens live in an environment of crime and gangs. 

Ivan, like some of his friends, came to faith in Jesus recently and has started witnessing about Him to friends. Doors are beginning to open to parents of these youth.

Ivan was fatally stabbed last week.

At the funeral home, Pastor Rudy and wife Rosario talked to many teens and family.  One friend was talking about revenge and Rosario persuaded him to change his mind.  Then she told him his friend Ivan would want him to receive Jesus too.  This young man said, "Yes, I know, Ivan talked to me about Jesus last week."  He then opened his heart to Christ. 

Others witnessed this and one by one sought out Rudy and Rosario to find out how to become a Christian.  Before the Zamora’s left the funeral home, 35 teens confessed Jesus as Savior.

While there is much grief, there is also much rejoicing. 

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds."  John 12:24

Rev. Rudy and Rosario Zamora

Our Shared Mission

We form a united front in our mission To Make Christlike Disciples in the Nations when we add our money to our prayers and work. 

This past year was our toughest year financially since I have been with you.  For example, the District Operating Funds were short $62,000, not to speak of our other shared interests.  Our ability to help start new works is directly hit by this shortfall. 

Thank each of you that gave your fair share.

The "Budgets" are not a tax, but our belief in a Shared Mission. 

JHC

Budget Percentages (%) Paid

March 1, 2008 – July 30, 2008 (42% of the year is passed)

Church	WEF	P & B	Ed	District	SSM
Alameda New Beginnings	60.33	19.42	0	60.75	0
Antioch Family	100	100	100	100	100
Arcata	5.93	0	0	0	0
Berkeley	100	100	100	100	100
Casa De Oracion	0	0	0	0	0
Castro Valley	49.86	51.4	0	0	0
Clearlake	14.8	8.24	40.65	33.67	8.24
Concord Christ Comm.	13.17	13.13	48.88	36.62	37.7
Crescent City	7.47	29.86	21.42	29	29.53
Cupertino New Life	41.37	42.14	50.41	50.46	49.95
Daly City Western Korean	0	0	0	0	0
East Bay “Hana” Korean	0	0	0	0	0
El Shaddai	0	0	0	0	0
Eureka First	14.19	0	15.05	40.62	0
Fortuna	24.71	11.28	0	11.18	100
Fremont Journey of Faith	25.78	99.68	30.28	86.71	36.7
Gilroy Cornerstone	0	0	0	0	0
Hanuel Sori Korean	0	0	0	0	0
Hayward First	0	0	0	0	0
Hayward Samoan	0	0	0	0	0
Livermore Discovery	37.5	0	0	0	0
Manna de Cielo	0	0	100	100	100
Marin Hamilton Comm.	0	0	0	0	0
Marin Haitian	0	0	0	0	0
McKinleyville Family	17.28	0	0	0	0
Monterey Living Hope	33.52	33.52	33.52	34.63	100
Napa Living Vine	8.06	0	0	0	0
Oakland Bayview Fellowsh	0	0	51.61	100	100
Palo Alto CrossRoads	41.53	42.85	41.65	41.8	41.87
Petaluma Hillside	15.5	16.09	40.65	44.93	100
Pittsburg First	26.19	68.62	40.41	30.62	100
Salinas New Life	0	0	0	0	0
Salinas Oasis Spanish	9.01	0	0	0	0
San Bruno	0	0	0	0	0
SF Chinese	30	30	31.31	37.35	47.23
SF Chinese Gospel	0	0	0	57.39	0
SF Golden Gate Comm.	0	0	0	79.34	0
SF Golden Gate Fellowshp	0	0	0	0	0
SF Hosana	0	0	0	0	0
SF New Life	0	0	0	76.13	0
SF New Start	0	0	100	100	100
SF Sunset Chinese	0	0	0	0	0
SJ Cambrian Park	10.28	15.13	35.01	34.97	0
SJ International Christian	64.09	57.93	0	0	0
San Jose Valley	18.78	55.83	0	97.63	100
San Ramon Christ Comm.	19.59	12.62	7.01	30.31	0
Santa Clara	31.65	42.6	31.29	32.57	29.03
Santa Cruz	22.13	54.63	31.22	23.22	0
Santa Rosa	33.69	33.35	33.67	33.93	34.47
Spiritual Fountain Korean	0	0	0	0	0
Sonoma Valley	0	0	0	0	0
Sunnyvale	19.86	0	0	0	0
The Point	44.73	0	0	26.08	0
Ukiah Valley First	20.41	0	0	84.94	0
Vallejo First	15.56	8.29	7.98	9.04	9.1
Vallejo Korean	0	0	1.09	100	100
Vallejo New Life Filipino	0	0	0	0	0
Watsonville	20.09	40.67	40.15	40.99	0
Willits	12.77	15.95	27.35	9.29	100
Willow Creek	0	0	100	100	100

Where: Concord Christ Community Church

Date: Saturday, August 16, 2008 (first event)

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $5 per person for lunch

ALL pastors and lay leaders are asked to attend.

If you are able to attend the Sat., August 16^th event, R.S.V.P. Kay at the district office (925) 680-0538 or e-mail her at kay@norcal.org.

The two quality characteristics to be addressed on the August 16^th event will depend on results of your surveys.

Dates are: Monday, Sept. 15^th - Thurs. Sept. 18^th

Make your reservations NOW!

Check in time is 4:30 p.m. on Monday with departure after breakfast on Thursday.

The costs for 3 nights are (includes 9 meals):

Deluxe: $331 per person couple $662

Standard: $269 per person couple $538

Economy: $211 per person couple $422

Cost for 2 nights and 6 meals:

Deluxe: $232 per person couple $464

Standard $190 per person couple $380

Economy $148 per person couple $296

Cost for 1 night and 3 meals

Deluxe: $140

Standard $114

Economy $ 89

Daily Registration: Conference guests not staying overnight will be charged an $8 day use fee per person.

Lunch - $9 (correction) Dinner - $14

Remember, there is an extra charge of $35 per night for singles staying in a room.

You can contact Kay to make your reservations (by August 22^nd), kay@norcal.org or call her at the district office (925) 680-0538, to assist you.

I am reading and digesting Neil Cole's most recent book Search and Rescue: Becoming a Disciple Who Makes a Difference. In his chapter on "The Security of a Trustworthy System" he offers a significant and easy ABC evaluation of Sound Discipleship Methods. I share them with you here and ask you to make time to evaluate your own tools and methods.

Access: Does the tool continue to release the disciple to tap into his or her own access to God for guidance, power, and values rather than create an unhealthy dependence on others?

Bible: Does the authority come directly from the Scripture or does the method simply use the Scripture to borrow undue authority from the system itself?

Compassion: Does the tool catalyze the compassion of Christ for others from the heart rather than from obligation or duty?

Rev. Tim King (Chairman, SSMI)

pastor@salinasnewlife.org

Dear Pastors and Children’s Workers:

We have re-scheduled Kid’s Camp that was cancelled during the fire in May.

NEW dates for *Kid's Camp: Sat., Sept. 20- Sun., Sept. 21

Camp will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday through Sunday at 3:00p.m.  We will be at Redwood Glen in Scotts Valley (near Santa Cruz).

For the churches that had signed up to come, I mailed out the forms on July 3rd. If your church was not able to come in May, but would like to come in Sept., please contact me, and I will send you the forms.

Camp will cost $65.00 per camper,* if you *register before Sept. 1^st, and $80.00 per camper after that.

Please contact me for questions or forms.
Carol Kibler
650-424-0425
cjkib@sbcglobal.net

Prepare NOW for Alabaster!

Where is your alabaster box? Is it getting full? If not, dust it off and start putting those quarters, nickels and pennies in it. Sometime during the month of September, every church needs to take an Alabaster offering. This offering goes to help buy land and purchase building supplies for home and foreign missions. If you need ideas or want information, go to www.nazarenemissions.org and click on "Downloads" under "Resources.”

On a recent Work and Witness trip to Guatemala, we were able to tour the first Alabaster church that was built in Guatemala. In 1999, they were able to celebrate their 50^th Anniversary. Can you imagine how many Guatemalans have worshipped here and will be in heaven because of Alabaster dollars?

Your pennies, nickels, quarters and dollars do make a difference and here is the proof.

Built in 1949

Upcoming Event - Worship Summit 2008

October 23-24, 2008

Join PLNU for the 4^th annual worship summit. This is a two-day event for worship leaders and pastors to discover new worship techniques and tools to integrate into current worship services.

The Worship Summit is a time set aside for pastors and worship leaders to discover new worship trends and how to integrate these into current worship practices.  We have also designed this conference to provide opportunities to acquire new worship tools to bring services to life, and promote networking with between pastors and worship leaders. 

Planning for Worship Summit 2008 is in process.  We are looking forward to the best Worship Summit yet with a line-up of excellent guest speakers, energizing worship, and a variety of new ideas and concepts to share!

For more information on upcoming events, visit their website at: www.pointloma.edu or call (619) 849-2545.