Newsletter Vol 1, Issue 2

A City in the City

JUNE 2009

THE CITY OF HOPE Quarterly Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 2

Renewing the Mind Rain, Medicine and Ministry

Blogs of Interest: • Christ Glory Alone • Woman on The Vine

Wow another three months have gone by and its time for another newsletter. I could characterize this time as well…wet! People have asked before, “What do you do when it rains?” In the past it has been great to say that we only had one rain out. This past month the Lord has seen fit to bless our part of the world with rain, rain and more rain. This has created a great opportunity because it has created more time for us to go into trailers and meet with the residents of Oakwood. A fruit of this great weather was having a couple over to our home for dinner. His name is “L.A.” and he has a live in girlfriend named Tish. There are also two children involved. L.A. stopped me one day and asked for help with his oldest daughter who was starting to have trouble in school. This was very significant because L.A. is the neighborhood “enforcer” and he has been on my prayer list since we met in 07. Now, the Lord blessed us to have him, Tish and the kids in our home for dinner. Nicolle and I listened to each of their stories, gave Gospel counsel and prayed with them. Thank God for the rain. In April, Dr. Todd Gormley coordinated with us to conduct a medical outreach to the Oakwood residents. There were some great sights to see the Lord use His body to minister prayer, the Gospel and medicine to a lot of people. None of us realize the impact we can have on someone when we tell and show them we care. My hope is one day, some kid or adult will point back to that day as to when they found life in Christ and seek to bring that joy to others. Thank you Elevation (NLC) and CHI ALPHA!

Inside this issue: Glimpses of Hope Wives in Touch

Other News

About us

Finally, a resident who owns some trailers in Oakwood has offered to rent us a trailer and is in the process of renovating it. The renovation has been slowed by the rain but we are very thankful for this blessing. Once the trailer is complete it will serve as the place for tutoring, counseling, evening bible studies and when the weather hits, a place to gather on Sundays. Jesus Christ continues to show how awesome and sovereign He is in Conway and specifically here in Oakwood. I want to encourage all of you, as you serve in your local church, look for opportunities to bring a family in your home to serve. Look for an opportunity to meet a physical need. It will be in these moments the Holy Spirit will give you an opportunity to speak of the love and grace of God revealed in Christ. That is the ministry we are all called to do.

Upcoming serving opportunities •

Saturday June 27-28, 2009 Oakwood Immersion

Page 2

A City in the City

Glimpses of Hope by Phillip Fletcher I want to introduce you to Rusty. We met Rusty when we first landed in Oakwood. At the time, he was married to a young girl named Julie. Rusty and Julie from time to time came to hear the Gospel on Sundays but the majority of the time it was Julie. Rusty had grown up knowing about the Bible but just had no love or desire to really hear about the Lord. Well, Rusty and Julie eventually had their first daughter and moved out of Oakwood. Three weeks ago, Nicolle and I saw Rusty walking in Conway near one of the freeway

exits. We picked him up and asked how he had been. Rusty proceeded to explain he and Julie were divorced. Their daughter was adopted because Julie attempted to kill the child in a microwave. Rusty left Arkansas and moved to Louisiana. He was now returning to live with his mother. Then Rusty began to tell us, the Lord has delivered him from alcohol, he desires to know more about the Scriptures and have a life without “drama.” He asked us if we were still in Oakwood preaching and

we said “Yes, we will pick you up if needed.” Now just to drive home this dramatic change the Lord is doing. I visited Rusty and his mom who live in another trailer park. I walked in and there was Rusty with the Bible open to 2 John reading to his mother. God is just so awesome. Please pray for Rusty and that the Lord would save him. This is a glimpse of God’s greatness and a testament to the fact He is the hope of all people.

Wives in Touch by Nicolle Fletcher (cont to last page) Wives in Touch, has taken several shapes. We began meeting in my house for a concentrate time of prayer for one hour. It was wonderful! We saw the Lord moving in our husbands, us, and the whole family. The Lord showed up in answered prayer. Our husbands can see the difference in their life when we are praying. Just the thought that my wife sees me important enough to take time away from everything and pray was a blessing to all the men.

Then life began…..a wife had surgery, kids are in soccer, a wife is an accountant (it was tax season), husband has something to do, a wife has a ministry meeting….can’t find time.

Touch and Friday Morning Coffee with Wives in Touch.

by assisting in the community lunches we will be holding each month.

portunities for believers to learn more about the ministry of the Salvation Army. Visit their website salvationarmyusa.org

What does that mean? Every Thursday Morning at 8:15AM (Moms In Touch International) a group of moms and I were What is a woman to do? meeting to pray for our This ministry is in its in- children. Then on Friday fant stage, which is a won- at 9:00AM(Friday Mornderful place to be. We ing Coffee) a different clearly see the need and group of moms and wives know it is a must do, but were meeting for coffee, we must choose the good breakfast, mini bible study portion. As a result we and prayer. On Monday have combined Moms in nights at 7:00PM it was

Other News The Lord has blessed us with the opportunity to serve with the local Salvation Army of Conway. I met with Captain Ben Walters who is leading the ministry of the Salvation Army here in Conway and we discussed how we could best serve the poorer areas of Conway. I am blessed to say that they will be partnering with us

The Salvation Army will be making available their Disaster Relief Truck which is essentially a full mobile kitchen. We are prayerfully looking at using this resource to assist believers who will come, serve the community and also provide op-

SNAPSHOTS OF GOD’S WORK:

THE CITY OF HOPE Quarterly Newsletter PO BOX 11474 Conway, Arkansas 72034 Phone: 501-499-1042 E-mail: [email protected] Proclaiming the Glory of God in the city, that many wo u l d wo r s h i p H i m forever!

THE CITY OF HOPE is dedicated to equipping and edifying believers and evangelizing those within the urban areas of the city in order that many would see the glory of God in Jesus Christ. It is our endeavor that God’s name be known to all as we proclaim the risen Savior and serve all He brings in our lives.

CORE VALUES 1. CHRIST CENTERED: CENTERED The ministry’s sole purpose is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit; therefore every endeavor will have Jesus Christ name and message as the chief cornerstone. 2. INCARNATIONAL: INCARNATIONAL God revealed His fullness and glory in His Son Jesus Christ who came into human history as fully God and fully man; therefore we endeavor to have a sustainable presence among the people in which God has sent us to serve. 3. GOSPEL FOR THE WHOLE PERSON: PERSON The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not only redemptive in regards to our souls but impacts every aspect of our lives; therefore we endeavor to serve the whole person, family and community in which God has sent us.

Wives in Touch (cont from page 2) almost the exact same group from Thursday meeting for WIVES IN TOUCH. We needed to do something to continue praying for our husbands and children. Now we combine all three. It is difficult for women to get away from their homes at night. Using the morning and combining these groups was the best solution.

This goes out to every woman everywhere! If you have a husband, he needs you praying for him. Wives in Touch through prayer helps…. The nagging & quarrelsome woman, be silent (1Peter 3:1-6,Proverbs 21:19) The worrying woman, can rest and worship (Matthew 6:26-28) The distracted woman, be focused (Luke 10:40) The busy woman, chose the good portion (1 Timothy 5:12-14, Luke 10:42, Titus 2:5) The frustrated woman, depend on Christ! (Colossians 2)

Just as Christ told Martha. "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." Mary chose Christ. Let us follow the example of Mary fall at Christ feet. No more excuses why this or that is hard or why we don’t have time. Wives in Touch is CHOOSING THE GOOD PORTION…..CHRIST!