Our invitations for Divine Conference 2012 have arrived!! Pick some up and start inviting your friends (don't delay - we expect Divine to reach capacity again this year!) Registration is now open at the Info Centre and at www.divineconference.com
We had a fantastic time here last night - celebrating 28 amazing years as a church body! We were celebrating God's faithfulness to us, as well as all the people who have been committed to building a house that people can belong to. In the morning, the stage was packed with the full band and singers, orchestra, and the celebration choir. We worshipped and had communion together and Pastor Steve brought an inspiring reminder that the church truly is the Body of Christ when we are loving, serving, and giving. (Click below to listen to the message!)
Then in the evening it was time to party! We opened up the night with some pre-service birthday games including "Pin the head on the K-Man", musical chairs, and candy jar guessing. Our favourite duo Grandma Gertie and Ethel Mae made a guest appearance after worship, then Pastor Steve led us in the song "Let This Be a Place". Gail Sutton brought a heartfelt thanks to Pastor Steve and Beth for their courage and committment, then we sang Happy Birthday in 5 languages! The cake was wheeled in, candles blown out, and the confetti rockets burst! Then, we enjoyed what "Koinonia" is all about - fellowship with each other (over birthday cake and refreshments of course!)
Thanks so much to everyone who brought the party to life! Enjoy the photos!
The Love & Respect Video Conference is coming up on February 24 & 25, and the early bird deadline is today! Visit www.loveandrespect.com to get registered!
Earl & Dorothy Pitts and Mike & Elaine Stevens have already attended the conference before, so we asked them to share their experience with us. Here's what they had to say:
After hearing part of an interview with the author of “Love & Respect” we sensed there were some important keys here to having a great marriage and so we bought the book and we read it first individually and then together. We were excited to attend the Video Conference last year because we wanted not only to have a good marriage but a great marriage and to make our future years together the best and finish well!
An eye-opener for us was understanding the crazy cycle, seeing the picture of how love and respect operate and why we negatively react to each other. Respect is a man’s deepest value and love is what a woman mostly desires. We would say that this conference is the most insightful and helpful conference on marriage we have attended and are excited about attending again. ~ Earl & Dorothy Pitts
The Love & Respect Conference was an incredible weekend for us! We attended this video seminar with great expectations a year ago after reading the book. The book was amazing, but the seminar blew us away! It was unlike any other marriage teaching we had ever heard, and it was so refreshing and empowering. Understanding the way God made us unique as male and female, and discovering the importance that both Love and Respect play in our marriage, has proven to be vital to the quality and success of our relationship. The conference presented us with ways to recognize when we were getting onto the "Crazy Cycle", as well as practical steps to get off of it. But more than learning how to just avoid or halt the “Crazy Cycles,” we were able to discover how to create and maintain Motivating & Energizing Cycles in our marriage. Although it takes a conscious effort every day to make our relationship better, we now have the awareness and the tools to make that happen. We highly recommend the Love and Respect Conference for any married couple who wants to improve their relationship. Whether things are going great or you feel completely stuck, the eye-opening and challenging truth that Dr. Eggerichs shares from the Word of God can bring about positive change and freedom. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! ~ Mike & Elaine Stevens
We had a fabulous weekend here on Dec. 16-18 for our annual Christmas in Concert performances! Over 2500 people saw the show, and the positive feedback we received was overwhelming. A HUGE thanks to everyone who served and helped to make it a success!
James is on a quest to find the perfect gift for his wife Sophia! Will he find something in time for Christmas? Check back each week for an update on James' story!
"Christmas really is a wonderful time of year. Our thoughts turn to God’s amazing plan of salvation through His Son, born of a virgin in a humble stable. I love to read and hear the story over and over as it recounts the many prophesies that were fulfilled at His birth. This Christmas season, we want to make this amazing story of hope, peace, and joy come alive throughout each of our services - it will be “A Storytime Christmas”!
We have lots of ways to practice giving this year as we support our church family through Christmas Blessing and our solo parents and KiDZONE families through the Shining Star banquet, food and presents. The joy of cheerful giving will enable us to express God’s love in a real, tangible way.
Be sure to bring a friend or neighbour to our free “Christmas in Concert” performances on Dec. 17 & 18 for a festive start to the season. Plan on attending one of our two Christmas Eve services this year as we celebrate together with friends and family.
Thanks for “Doing a Great Work” with us this year! We look forward to all that 2012 will bring as we continue to build His House together.
May you experience the joy and hope of Christmas all year long,
Pastor Steve & Beth"
Our team of Spiritual Trainers specialize in helping new believers grow during their first 4 weeks after receiving Christ. If you are a new believer a spiritual trainer is available to meet weekly one on one with you for 20-30 minutes before or after one of our services. During these connection times they will discuss the truths that you are learning from the Getting Started Life Journal and answer questions you may have.
We recently asked Anne Stevens to share her experience since becoming one of our spiritual trainers and this is what she says:
"For the last 2 years, two of the items on my “three things I’m believing God for” card have been: a) to lead someone to Christ, and b) to become more gracious and humble. Naturally, I did not expect that these were the types of requests that God would drop in my lap. They required some movement and initiative on my part.
I signed up to become a spiritual trainer – defined on KCF’s website as “helping new believers grow; discussing truths from the Getting Started Life Journal; answering questions they may have”. I was excited at the prospect of being used by God to disciple a new believer!
I quickly realized that this was not something I could do in my own ability only. I was comfortable sharing principles of Christian living from my own experiences. What I did not expect was the times I would feel vulnerable as I was exposed to new social circles. Neither did I expect to feel so inadequate when introducing the Holy Spirit to my friend, and then realizing that I should pray with her to receive the infilling with evidence of speaking in tongues. I was scared! So, I did what many of us do when we are pushed out of our comfort zone – I gave her some reading material and procrastinated. When I met with my friend a couple of weeks later, she very matter-of-factly told me that she liked what she read about the Holy Spirit, realized that was exactly what she needed, prayed to be filled and now spoke in tongues. I almost cried. I was humbled, yet full of thanks to God for His faithfulness. It is not about me. It is about allowing God to work through me. His Word is powerful. The Father will draw people to Himself by the Holy Spirit.
As I lead my friend down the path of discipleship, I find that I, too, am being discipled by the Word and by her words which are full of faith, zeal and a brand-new love for the Lord."
Thanks for sharing your story, Anne! To find out more about out Discipleship Pathway, click here.
