California is Ripe for Harvest! (Septemer 2017)

Septemer 2017California is ripe for harvest!One of the true blessings of my work through Church United is getting to meet so many fascinating people who love Jesus and long for a society that reflects His heart for humanity.Such was the case recently when I had the privilege of sharing our message during four worship services over a single weekend at a Southern California church. I explained from the pulpit how the Lord was working to expand the influence of Church United through a network of regional pastors in California – and how each pastor shares our vision to impact culture through a biblical worldview. I also highlighted how God continues to open doors and hearts towards our ministry by providing almost weekly opportunities to speak before congregations, para-church organizations, and regional gatherings.After one of these worship services, Daniel, a young filmmaker, pulled me aside to share a personal Word he had for me. In the conversation that followed, Daniel said that God was allowing all of these blessings to rain down on our ministry because “you are not asking for permission, but instead are just stepping out on faith.” As a result, Daniel added, “God is creating this big tsunami, this huge tidal wave that is allowing Church United to rise.”Daniel’s words confirmed what I’ve already been sensing as we travel up and down the state. Miraculously, people whom I’ve never met before are telling me some of the same things that he [Daniel] had mentioned.Although our target focus remains networking with clergy, God is creating a parallel movement as the passion of these pastors intensifies. In the process, the shepherds are increasingly drawing in their own flocks, who also desire to engage in a biblical worldview. We see evidence that the body of Christ is receiving our message – and that the work we are doing is truly making a difference.For example: During a recent service at the Huntington Beach Refuge, the congregation wiped us out of prayer magnets, business cards, and other promotional materials. Many are signing up for prayer teams, giving to the cause, and offering to volunteer. Congregations are getting fired up! We’re now building a base of people across the state who want to engage on the congregational level.Much of this activity is a direct result of the impact that Church United’s spring Awakening Tour to Washington D.C. has had on pastors. This is the fruit from the May pilgrimage to the nation’s Capitol. The return on investment is finally happening!In addition to the steady invitations by pastors to speak at their Sunday worship gatherings, Church United continues to host regional briefings up and down the state. In August, we held four such events in Oroville, Southwest Riverside, Petaluma, and a Spanish-language gathering in Los Angeles. The two Southern California briefings drew nearly 200 pastors combined. The Petaluma event was part of a joint briefing/training session featuring Church United and Cultural Impact Training.As pastors become informed and equipped through Church United, they are beginning their own works of outreach. In Oroville, Scott Thompson, a local pastor and City Councilman, has demonstrated his commitment as a regional influencer by creating a mobilizing network that includes the mayor, sheriff, a Congressman, and state representatives from both the Senate and Assembly. We are building relationships like these across the state where I can call one pastor and he can be connected to government officials in that particular region.Additionally, several Oroville pastors commute to the state capitol each week where they meet with a state Senator in an effort to expand the pastor network. A regional pastor of influence from Petaluma has also joined them on a weekly basis.Further south, the networking concept recently proved to be effective in Fresno when three pastors from the Awakening Tour successfully recruited 20 other clergy members to help support a city ordinance that banned pot dispensaries within the city limits. Despite being outnumbered 20:1 – and facing activist ridicule that prompted one pastor to seek a police escort – the community’s Christian leaders stood shoulder-to-shoulder. They were rewarded when the City Council voted to ban marijuana sales. The pastors – black, brown, and white – are all leaders of the Central Valley region because of the Washington, D.C. tour. Pastors who didn’t previously engage are now engaging in their respective cities.In the midst of all this activity, we still have an eye toward the future. Soon, we will be hosting more regional briefings in downtown Riverside, Los Angeles, and Pomona.Another one of our pastors of regional influence is also proposing a statewide pulpit exchange to promote ethnic differences in California. The vision is to promote unity from the pulpit. Church United is assisting in the development of this idea, and we will keep you informed as more details emerge.Finally, we have established dates for next year’s Awakening Tours! The first Tour will be held on February 12-13 in Sacramento, and the national Tour to Washington, D.C. will take place tentatively on May 9-12.As you can see, God is clearly at work with Church United. We want to thank you for partnering with Him for the cause of Christ in California.