Transcript Watchman Alert - Shadow Mountain Community Church

Volume 19, Number 1
January 2015
“Thankfulness: Our Spiritual Thermometer!”
“It is good to give thanks to the LORD...” Psalm 92
If I am not thankful then maybe I have a spiritual fever and things are not as they should be. As
we come to pray for the needs of SMCC, are we thankful? If not, perhaps we have the fever of
pride that says, “All I have accomplished is my doing” or “It is not my fault that I am a negative
person.” Unfortunately, pride is a noisy distraction and puts prayer on mute mode. Or perhaps
your temperature is below normal/thankful and your mantra is, “Poor me, I am worthless.” In
either case, we are not healthy enough to “lift” other people’s needs up. We are far from
spiritual health and as this Psalm describes, we will not “flourish like a palm tree,” never mind
“bear fruit in old age; fresh and flourishing.” Psalm 92:12-14
Remember how we used to have to shake the thermometer down before putting it under our
tongue? Well, shake down all that is going on in your life and then check your temperature.
Ponder what you have to be thankful for and hopefully the mercury rises to normal which is “it is
good [healthy] to give thanks to the LORD.”
One might ask how we maintain spiritual health. As Christians, there are lots of things we can
do. For starters, we can read and apply the Word faithfully; we can focus on others and not on
ourselves. However, from this same Psalm, I found a tool about ten years ago that I have enjoyed
ever since. Here it is: “To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness
every night.” (Psalm 92:2) It is my habit to try and direct my first cognitive moment in the
morning to a prayer of thankfulness for His lovingkindness. I don’t always manage it before the
tide of waking, waiting, worries wash in with my first brain wave, and worse yet, at times I don’t
remember until closer to midday. But oh how much better my day goes if I set my spiritual
compass to thankfulness by thanking God for His lovingkindness. And then my sleep is sweet if
I remember to thank Him for his faithfulness allowing my weary waves of worry to take their
proper place back in the ocean of fully trusting God’s faithfulness.
Try it. Wake up with Thankfulness and go to sleep with restfulness. Remember His loving
kindness, that God loves you and then all day long allow your heart to sing, “For You, LORD,
have made me glad through Your work: I will triumph in the works of Your Hands.” (Psalm
92:4) Imagine that kind of reason to be triumphant, which is to “triumph in the works of His
hands.” Let’s call it “triumph therapy,” to rejoice in his “lovingkindness” and “the works of
His hands.” No wonder it is “good to give thanks to the LORD.” And then at 92 we will still
be a blessing and a joy to be around (I chose 92 since this lesson is from Psalm 92 :-).
Thank you for praying for the people of SMCC with thankfulness, rejoicing the works of His
hands while leaning fully on His faithfulness. May we all have a Blessed New Year that is full of
thanks.
Mark Dalton
Director of Missions
- Praise and Petition –
All-Church Weekly Prayer Meeting – Join us each Saturday from 8:00AM to 9:00AM in
Administration Building, 3rd Floor, Room C as we pray for SMCC and our various ministries.
Senior Pastor, Dr. David Jeremiah
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God has greatly expanded the outreach of Shadow Mountain through our new satellite campuses. Let’s pray and
trust God to make 2015 a year of significant ministry for Shadow Mountain.
God wonderfully blessed our Christmas outreaches. Ask Him to protect and grow those who expressed faith in
Christ.
As we study the Word together during the month of January, let’s trust God to strengthen us in our faith and
worship as we seek to live out Biblical principles of stewardship.
Please pray with me that God would prosper the construction of our Generations Building with good weather
and provide the means to complete this project through pledges and gifts.
Pray for our nation and its leaders, for revival and spiritual awakening!
Continue to pray for His protection around every part of Shadow Mountain Ministries. God has given us much
to do and the evil one seeks to disrupt in any way he can!
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the
earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28
Family Ministries
Let’s PRAISE OUR GOD together for:
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Our generous congregation that stocked the Food Pantry; please pray for those we will help with food in 2015.
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Our wonderful volunteers who sorted and stocked all of the food that we received.
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The great help and support we had from church staff to help facilitate the Outstretched Arms project.
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The Family Ministries servants who are investing in lives through the following ministries: Crown Money
Map Coaching, Foundations for Women, In Transition, GriefShare, Marriage Mentors, Food Pantry, and
SMCC Family Library.
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Let’s PRAY TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER on behalf of:
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Our Crown Money Map coaches, pray for biblical wisdom in managing money for the people they meet with.
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The people who come to our office for help with things they are struggling with.
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Wisdom and discernment for our staff for each situation that we work with.
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The facilitators and those attending Foundations for Women and In Transition as we begin the New Year.
“Moreover He said to me: ‘Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you,
and hear with your ears.’” Ezekiel 3:10
Generations Campaign, Pastor Ray Benton
Praise for:
 The continued progress on the Generations project.
 Those who have committed and faithfully give to the Generations project.
 The ministry impact that will occur when the Generations project is completed.
Pray for:
 The impact this facility will provide for the different ministries at SMCC when completed.
 The safety and protection for all who are working on the project.
 Bryan Snow our Chief Operating Officer as he continues to oversee the project.
 God’s provision for all funds necessary to see the project completely paid for by its completion.
 Hearts to respond in obedience to what God will ask each one to do in making a commitment to the Generations
project.
Nehemiah 8:10, “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Assimilation, Evangelism, New Members, Baptism, Pastor Pierre Rosa
Praise God for:
 A total of 12 on- the-job training teams going out every Wednesday in the Fall.
 482 people who attended our two Share Your Faith Workshops in 2014.
 42 more people who completed the Everyday Evangelism training in 2014.
 A total of 157 in home evangelistic visitations in 2014 with 49 decisions for Christ.
 The spiritual growth of the new believers in our Growing in Christ class, many of whom have also finished
evangelism training.
Pray for:
 Plans for 2015 which includes evangelism training in the main campus and our venues.
 The continued maturing of all the new and growing believers attending our Growing in Christ class.
 Opportunities to reach our community with the gospel.
 God’s blessings upon the wonderful deacons and deaconesses who faithfully labor with us in the baptism
process and new member classes.
Pastoral Care, Pastor Al Becker
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PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL OR NURSING HOMES: Edward McCaffrey, Hazel Coombs, Mary Jones.
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PEOPLE HOME RECUPERATING: Marie Hamilton, Marjorie Gunnels, Carolyn Mentz, Toni Turok, Dick
Welch, Louise Bever, Bonnie Green, Elizabeth Baton LaFluer, Sam Shorez, Charles Roberts, Joan Hartland,
Connie McDonough.
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SHUTINS: Mitch and Ruth Sullivan, Sally and Merritt Barber, Ruth Shah, Mary Saltero,
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PRAY FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOVED ONES THAT HAVE GONE HOME TO BE
WITH THE LORD: Richard Richardsons and Declan Messenger.
Director of Servant Ministries, Joyce Tepfer
Thank you, Prayer Warriors, for another year of faithfulness in upholding the ministries of Shadow Mountain. We
are grateful for your gift of time/support seeking God’s direction for such a vast amount of people/potential. We
pray for you to have a FRESH commitment/approach to this prayer ministry as you begin the New Year.
As we begin the year please pray for:
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The Ministry Advisors, for a FRESH look at the privilege we have of serving Him through listening to others.
Those FRESH to our family to find their place and discover the joy of being involved in growing and serving.
Each of us to start 2015 with a FRESH desire to grow more deeply and let Him use us to influence more widely
for His glory.
Business Office, John Paulson
Praise God for:
 God’s blessing on Shadow Mountain and the schools.
 The congregation’s faithful giving and God’s provision for the ministries at Shadow Mountain.
 The Benevolence Fund and the Deacons’ discernment and compassion in the administration of this fund.
 The dedicated staff that God has called to work in the Finance Department.
Prayers for God’s:
 Movement in peoples’ hearts to commit to the Generations Project, God’s provision for all aspects of the project
and for wisdom and discernment for the staff throughout the project.
 Counsel for stewardship over that which God has entrusted to us. May we use them according to His will to
reach people locally and world-wide with God’s Word and knowledge of His love.
 Provision for those at SMCC who are struggling financially.
 Counsel for wisdom and discernment daily for Pastor Jeremiah and the Senior Staff.
Music Ministry, Tobin Davis
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Praise God for His blessing over our Christmas services throughout the month of December.
Praise God for the musicians who serve our church in the worship services each weekend. Pray for the singers
and the instrumentalists, for their health, for their families and for their walk with the Lord to be strengthened
and deepened.
Pray for the ministry of the Children’s Choir as they begin their next ministry season on January 25th.
Pray for worship teams at the Alpine Campus and Grace Campus. Pray for the Encinitas Campus as we
continue to seek a permanent worship team for that ministry.
Director of Children’s Ministries, Jane Lewis
Praise and thanksgiving for:
 Our ministry partners who, each week, faithfully serve our children and families.
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Pray for:
 More of our kids will accept the Superhero challenge to know God’s Word as we present them with monthly
Bible memorization cards and service challenges.
 Our kids to accept Jesus as their Savior and be bold to share the gospel of Christ with their friends.
 God would revive and renew hearts with a passion for Him, His Word, and for sharing Jesus with others.
 Families to be more committed to God and live a life of holiness through faithfulness to His precepts and
commands.
 Our children will understand that God deserves our first tithes and our best in whatever we do for Him as we
teach about stewardship to God.
 Mountain High Kid’s Ministry Team: Jane Lewis, Carol Savoy, Matt Shoemaker, Toni Vowles, Katie Williams,
Linnea Sandvall, Joanna Norman, Charity Koza and Ministry Intern: Tori White.
 Our Shadow Mountain Preschool staff: Dawn Krivitz, Judy, Crystal, Jennifer, Nancy, Paula, Amy, Katie, Sara,
Katie Simpson, Amy Matthews, Kimberly, and Jessica, and Dawn.
Small Group Central, Pastor John Dehnert
Praises:
 Winter BREAK: Small Groups: Our leaders are enjoying a much needed break from their leadership duties in
small groups. This is a time for them to enjoy family, the holidays and rest.
Requests:
 2015 – January Ministry Fair: As with all other ministries at SMCC, we will be participating in the Ministry
Fair. Pray for God to open people’s eyes to 1) opportunities to serve and/or 2) places where their needs can be
met.
 February - Leadership Community: This is the first of four Leadership Communities we provide for our leaders
each year. Pray for God’s direction as we prepare and then share with all the great leaders of the Small Groups
Ministry (approx. 150 people).
College Ministry, Pastor David Thompson
Praises for:
 A new adult leader to help in our ministry.
 The several students who have recently recommitted their lives to the Lord.
 The great relationships being built in our small groups, as well as the wonderful discussions and growth in their
Christian walks.
Requests for:
 A young girl in our group to come to know the Lord. She likes our group but doesn’t know Jesus and isn’t ready
yet. Pray for her eyes and ears to be open.
 Continued fruitful ministry in our small groups.
 God to show us new opportunities to reach out to our students and unchurched students.
 Our current series through Colossians.
Jr. High/Middle School Ministry, Pastor Scott Pittman
Blessings…
 With the new Saturday night service we are ministering to over 200 students a week.
 God is providing some new guy interns to serve with us in the CREW.
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God continues to take care of us and our ministry. We sometimes feel like we are on the front lines of spiritual
battle with so many students, but God is faithful and guides us through it all.
Please pray for…
 Two girl interns to serve in our ministry.
 God to guide me as I lead my staff. That I’m able to lead strong and love stronger. Pray that God will help me
utilize my team well so they are encouraged and realize they are a vital part of our ministry.
 God to guide me as I process some big and small changes in our ministry in the next year.
 All our spots for camp to be filled and that God will provide the funds for those financially challenged.
 For us to make the best of this transition until the new building. We are really blessed that the High School band
room has worked out so good for us.
 God to use this season to reach even more students and change even more lives for his glory.
 Our families and our students to all grow closer to Jesus Christ during the holidays.
High School Ministry, Pastor Troy Leeman
We are grateful to God for . . .
 A great year of Ministry! When we pause to think of all the students that received or grew in Christ it just
amazes us. God is faithful! He has provided our every need in abundance and He has done great things!
 A strong team of adults who lead our students each week. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them.
They build into students’ lives every week and God is using them in a great way!
We ask God for . . .
 A great start to the 2015 year of ministry. That students would be committed to the group and seek to bring
friends who would come to know Christ. We started a Saturday night Gathering back in October, and we ask
that this group would grow exponentially in this New Year!
 God would continue to send us mature believing adults who have a heart for young people that can commit
themselves to serving on our team.
Women’s Ministries, Darlene Barber
Praising God for:
 The Godly leadership of Darlene Barber and Carol Tubbs, for their 22 years serving women here at SMCC.
They have finished 2014 with God’s abundant blessings, developing over 25 various women’s ministry groups.
GOD IS GOOD! We will miss them!
 The wonderful women that lead our Bible studies and Relationship building groups, their amazing commitment
to the ladies they serve.
 The Christmas celebrations held by our Bible studies and Relationship groups, in which hundreds of ladies were
encouraged and blessed.
Pray for:
 Darlene and Carol as they begin retirement, seeing God’s hand in this exciting and new chapter of life.
 God’s clear wisdom and discernment for Debby Lennick and Jamie Wood, as they begin their new roles leading
Women’s Ministries.
 Our Council as we prepare for the Ministry Fair, January 24-25.
 Our Retreat Committee, led by Pam Ryerson; wisdom in the planning and decision making for this event, May
8-9, 2015; that God will use this retreat to draw many women closer to Him.
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Men’s Ministries, Ben Harris
Praise for the:
 Men who selflessly serve our church every weekend.
 Men who have answered the Great Commission and are discipling and teaching other men.
 Leaders of our Bible studies who are helping other men connect and grow.
 Men who have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior in our Bible Studies.
 Men who have come forward and asked to be baptized.
Prayer for the:
 Men who have committed to becoming disciples of Christ, pray their lives would be transformed and they
would be a powerful witness for God.
 Men of our church to become the husband, father, and leader God has called every man to be, and that our
world so desperately needs.
 Men’s Bible studies that they would continue to be a place where men could connect with other men and
faithfully study the Word of God.
 Many men who are struggling with marriage and family issues, or finding a job and making ends meet.
Campus Operations, Bryan Snow
Please praise God and pray with us for:
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God’s protection, direction and focus as we continue with the Generations Building project. Each day brings
more activity and challenges. Pray especially for the safety of the workers.
Our servant partners that faithfully work alongside us each week.
Servant’s heart within all of the operations employees as we support the ministries we serve.
Wisdom to use the resources the Lord has provided to meet the needs of the people we serve.
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Ps 127: 1
To God be the glory!
Missions, Dr. Gary Coombs
Jim & Judy Burdett, NTM, Papua New Guinea
 Pray for the timely finalizing of preparations for getting the Dom New Testament printed. For the new believers
from the village of Buala Maule.
Konrad & Betty Binder, NTM, Philippines
 Pray for the believers in our church, that they will be strong when temptations come, that they will learn to rely
on the Lord Jesus.
Richard & Sandra van Dillen, Christar, Holland
 Osman, one of Richard’s closest Muslim friends seems very close to trusting in our Savior. He is a Turkish
Kurd. It seems like every theological obstacle has been removed. He said that he wants the gospel to be true, but
is not yet sure that it can be.
Dan & Claudia Aanderud, WDO, Germany
 Please pray for P, the professor, to choose Christ. Also for his wife to come to know Him!
Jason Farley, YFC, El Cajon.
 We’ve had several students accept Christ this year, and others who are asking some very deep questions.
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Sports Ministry, Pastor Ray Benton
Praise for:
 The safety experienced during the fall flag football season and the lives that were impacted who participated in
the program.
 Answered prayer in providing all the coaches needed for the SPARC Basketball Program that begins on
January 3rd.
Pray for:
 The 41 teams and coaches and 400 participants playing in the Winter SPARC Basketball program.
 A team to help weekly with setting up the gym after Basketball is completed for “The Gathering” which meets
on Saturday evenings at Alive at Five.
 Tim Brown our Sports and Recreation Director who oversees and directs all programs.
 All Sports and Recreation programs to realize our objective of WIN; being a Witness for Christ, Integrating all
participants into the ministry of SMCC, Nurturing and Nourishing the leaders and participants.
Psalm 145:3, “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised…”
Hispanic Congregation, Pastor Erick Zaldana
Praise God for:
 Seven individuals who gave their lives to Christ during the Angel Tree party while passing out the wonderful
gifts given by the congregation.
 Our new Youth Group Leader and our new Director of Children’s Ministry as they begin plans for expanding
these two areas of the church.
 The turnout to our volunteers Christmas Dinner as the leaders of each ministry served the volunteers during an
evening of fellowship, food, and festivities, giving thanks to God for an extraordinary year.
 Beverly LaHaye as she spoke to our Women’s Bible Study on the last evening in the course “The Spirit
Controlled Woman” – each participant was blessed by her words of encouragement.
 Keeping His watchful and vigilant eyes on all that we do and say in His name that Jesus alone will be glorified.
 The year-end events which all brought glory to our Father in Heaven and extolled Jesus in everything.
Pray for:
 Our upcoming 2015 Leader’s Planning Meeting as we ask God for His direction in the plans for the upcoming
year.
 A key bilingual individual to be able to accept the position of Recruiter for the new Hispanic Church Planting
Program.
 An increase in the number of churches and Pastors that become members of the new Hispanic Baptist
Association, that Shadow Mountain en Español would be a blessing to all.
Arabic Congregation, Pastor Robert Helou
Praises for the:
 Encouraging success of the three-day-special-Christmas-event with a Jordanian singer.
 Wonderful attendance during this Special Christmas Event, a total of 1110 people.
 Large number who responded to the invitation during the Special Christmas event.
 Many individuals who came forward and prayed for salvation and rededication.
 New families and individuals seen in every Sunday service who are attending regularly.
 Good number of the ESL students who attended our three-day Special Christmas Event.
 Encouraging response of all the ESL students who are now attending the weekly Bible study.
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Good attendance at the Ladies Meeting on Wednesdays, some new ladies started attending.
Apparent growth seen among the youth who are increasing in numbers and willing to serve.
Prayer Requests for the:
 Families who are being regularly visited by the J.Ws., and attended our Special Christmas Event.
 Many individuals who responded to the invitation to pray for their salvation and rededication.
 Several individuals considering baptism to attend the baptism class in the near future.
 Large number of Chaldeans who attended our Special Christmas Event December 12-14.
 Various church activities and meetings, and the outreach and evangelism in El Cajon.
 Salvation of those who are attending the weekly Bible Study of the ESL students.
 New comer family of eight who were involved in an accident while on their way to church.
 Church members who are facing some health challenges, or those with chronic sickness.
 Various activities and meetings during this month around Christmas and the New Year.
Filipino Congregation, Pastor Henry Amarila
Our Praises for the:
 130 people who attended our two Christmas Celebration services (Dec 14).
 Successful Women’s community outreach, ministering to almost 100 women and children with the partnership
of Rescue Mission, San Diego.
 Leading women, Eimee, Candy and Lorna, to be faithful and grow as women of God.
 Complete recovery of Lorna.
 New church members (Caluya and Chiutena’s families).
 SMCC Filipino Leadership Team (Raymond, George, Candy, Jojo, Lorna, Frank, Eimee, Monching, and
Anthony) for their faithful service to God and to the church.
Our Prayer Request For:
 Church members (old and new) to grow spiritually and serve the Lord faithfully.
 Salvation for Trisha, Nina, Marivic, AJ, Rollie, and Keith.
 Our church to be a witnessing church to the following cities and communities (El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside,
Lemon Grove, La Mesa, Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley, Chula Vista, National City, City of San Diego, Mira
Mesa, Poway, Escondido, and San Marcos) and to the whole County of San Diego.
 A mature, loving, compassionate person to lead our College and Youth ministry this year 2015.
 SMCC Filipino Ministries to grow and multiply (Men, women, couples, college, youth, music, and small group)
this coming 2015.
 The church to be actively participating in the mission field or start a mission work for the year 2015.
Grace Campus, Pastor Marc Kitsko
Praises:
 We began a service project at Ronald McDonald House, serving meals to over 200 families each month.
 We continue to grow and see new people come through our doors. We are looking at starting another service in
January.
 Thankful for the strength of our small groups and the leaders who facilitate each week.
 For the incredible people that are serving at Grace and helping others grow in their faith.
 We started two ABF classes on Sundays.
 Lives are being changed and we had our first baptism at Grace Campus.
Prayer:
 That we develop an outreach that is effective in reaching the people in our neighborhood.
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For an outreach coordinator to come along side me and assist with getting our vision accomplished.
Wisdom as we deal with the many unique issues that come up in our area (morally and spiritually).
That we would get more families with children in the Jr. High School age range. For our youth leaders to excel
in teaching, mentoring, and caring for our youth.
For our young families to grow closer and stronger in their marriages.
Southern California Seminary, Dr. Gary Coombs
Praise for:
 The privilege of serving as a ministry of Shadow Mountain.
 Increase in enrollment this year - more servants of Christ to train in God’s inerrant Word.
 Pastor Jeremiah’s leadership and ministry, including his role as chancellor of Southern California Seminary.
Prayer for:
 Continued progress in developing the on-line program.
 Effective ministry for Faculty and Staff: Dr. Christopher Cone, Chief Academic Officer and Research Professor
of Bible and Theology; Dr. Ward Crocker, professor of Bible and Apologetics; Tom Lewis, Director of Center
for Creation Studies; Dr. Elizabeth Elenwo, Professor of Behavioral Sciences; Dr. Ed Herrelko, Online
Professor of Bible and Theology; Dr.James Fazio, graduate Bible Dean (along with his role of dean of the
College at SCS).
 The Spanish church planter training program in cooperation with SMCC in Español.
CUSSD, George Cuff
Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” As we anticipate the challenges of a
new year, let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us the mind of Christ as we serve Him. Let us trust Him for faith to
believe for greater achievements, wisdom to face life’s challenges, and humility to exhibit Christ’s character.
We would appreciate prayer for:
 Additional students to fill every available seat.
 Inspired teachers and staff to guide our students.
 Students whose minds are tuned to a Biblical world view.
 Resources to accomplish the mission He has given us.
Thank you for your faithful prayers for our school!
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