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Winter Issue 2012-13 A publication of Christ Fellowship

The water well that God’s love built. Story inside.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. – 1 Peter 2:21

People helping people find and follow Christ

A message from Bruce ... Dear Christ Fellowship family, God is so good! I’m thinking of you as I consider Ephesians 3:14-21. What has God given us? God strengthens us out of his glorious riches by his Spirit. Christ dwells in our hearts through faith. We are rooted and established in his love. We have spiritual power together with all the Lord’s people. God is our Father. So I pray with Paul that we can grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, this love that surpasses knowledge. May we be filled to the measure of the fullness of God. This Christmas in our worship services we will experience God’s gifts to us, rejoicing in his joy and peace and salvation. I invite you to bring a friend to experience the

wonder and beauty of what God has given us. There are those in our lives whom we doubt will ever come to Christ, but God wants all to come to him. We need more faith. We must not shrink back in doubt, but reach out in love. I love the crescendo of Paul’s prayer: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” May you increase in faith as you reach out in love in the Spirit’s power.

Senior Pastor Bruce B. Miller

Held monthly at 11:15 am in The Chapel. Stop by the Welcome Center on Sundays for more information, or go online: christfellowshipeldorado.com/101

LINK is a publication of Christ Fellowship | 2801 Orchid Drive, McKinney, TX

75070 | 972.547.7000 | christfellowshiphome.com For more information, contact Bethany Russell at [email protected] LINK LINK • • 22

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Get in on the family tradition

tree and bless that child by shopping for things on their list and returning the unwrapped gifts to the church by Dec. 9.

We hear a lot about family traditions as the holidays near. Some are serious (Dad always prays before he carves the turkey), and some are silly (everyone gets matching pajamas!). Traditions are important and it’s clear they bring people closer together.

Christmas message series Each Sunday in December we will unwrap one of God’s great gifts, and marvel at what he has given. Together, we’ll worship him as the greatest Giver of all. Come be refreshed and renewed. All services are live on the web, and a study guide is available. christfellowshipeldorado.com/ christmas

Traditions are important to the church family as well. Here at Christ Fellowship, we have a tradition of impacting others with Christ’s love in both tangible and spiritual ways during the holiday season and beyond. So as the calendar marches by with some of its most special days – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s – we pray you’ll feel part of the tradition and draw closer to your church family as you take part and invite others to experience our Savior. Here’s the plan for this year:

The holidays are difficult when you’re missing a loved one or carrying a heavy burden. During December, you can write a prayer request or the name of a loved one on an ornament, and know that your cares will be lifted up to the Lord by your church family.

Scare Away Hunger

Christmas Eve Services

Remembrance Tree

We’re hosting two evenings of Christmas Eve Services on Dec. 23 and 24. Family services are at 5 pm and candlelight services are at 7 pm both days. You’ll have the opportunity to give a special gift to the Love Fund, which helps those in need within the church family. Invite everyone you know and don’t know! (See back page.)

During October we collected food to fill the community food pantry and alleviate real hunger in our own backyard.

Garage Giveaway

Just in time to help those in need with Christmas shopping, we’re hosting a giant event where everything is free on Nov. 17. You can donate items on Nov. 15-16. garagegiveaway.org

New Year’s Eve

Thanksgiving Service

You’ve heard someone say “don’t miss this” before. But really, no really really, don’t miss this. We’ll take song requests from a list of family favorites as we worship, and then we’ll celebrate your stories of thankfulness via open microphones on Nov. 18.

Christmas Care Angels

We’ve been helping children have a blessed Christmas for many years now, and the tables are always turned on us ... the givers are the ones blessed the most. Pick an anonymous “angel” from the

In addition to church services that morning, we’re hosting a multicultural celebration on Dec. 31, 8-10 pm in the Gym. Did you know that New Year’s is the only holiday celebrated in every culture? Our passion as a church is to see all of us in the body of Christ come together across lines of culture and language to worship God in spirit and in truth. Our church is made up of many nationalities and we want to celebrate this. We will sing and have prayer in multiple languages. We’ll delight the Lord’s heart with various cultural worship expressions. To help with this event, contact Jaime Gonzalez at jgonzalez@ christfellowshiphome.com.

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Movement to Multiply our Heart

christfellowshiphome.com/m2x

Two years ago, we celebrated the start of something big here. God was calling us to multiply our heart for him into more communities. Our vision is to fuel a movement of multiplying churches, to reach unreached people with the life saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Movement to Multiply, or M2X, is the vehicle to help us accomplish the vision. Many are giving gifts over and above our regular offerings. Our families pledged to contribute $3.18 million to M2X projects: paying off debt, planting new churches and funding compassion projects. This is knee-deep work for God. Already, $675,000 of debt has been paid off, reducing our monthly mortgage payment by almost $4,400 – that’s $53,000 each year available for ministry. Our hope is that $1.8 million of debt will be paid off by the end of M2X in 2013, which will reduce our mortgage expense another $87,000 per year. Christ Fellowship - Preston just had its one year anniversary – lives are being changed as over 120 people attend each week. Through church online and the Free in Christ jail ministry, people are coming to Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Lives are being changed forever. And we hope, to have the funds for a new Christ Fellowship campus. We have a new church planting intern, Mike McCullough, who is self-supported. Locally, we’re supporting compassion projects that clothe children, feed families and introduce hurting people to the love and care of Christ. In these economic times, people are desperate for tangible help and something real in their lives.

Senior Pastor Bruce B. Miller teaches a group of church leaders in Asia as part of our global church planting efforts made possible by M2X.

We’re providing training for pastors in Asia. “God is on the move. A ‘house’ church of 250 shared their vision to evangelize 1 million Chinese professional people! To do that they envision needing 100,000 leaders! So they asked for help on how their church can develop effective leaders,” said Bruce B. Miller, Christ Fellowship senior pastor. “As a result of our time with them, they are now using some of the CCBT (Centers of Church Based Training) resources to train the first dozen leaders and more; these are some of the same resources we use at Christ Fellowship, but translated in Mandarin.” In Uganda, Christ Fellowship has partnered with Victory Living Word Church. Starting in 2013, Victory Living Word is planning an intentional pause in church planting. Why? To train more leaders. “In our strategic planning session with them they shared their vision to train 500 leaders over a two-year period and then re-ignite church planting at a much faster rate. Their vision is for every church in their Victory Living Word Church network (about 25) to start one new

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church each year,” Miller said. “Amazingly, already one of the churches we helped to plant has started its first daughter church. We have a ‘grand-child’ church – the next generation. ‘Tony,’ the pastor of one of the first churches we helped to plant has raised up a leader and sent out people to start this new church!” You ARE part of something significant through M2X, Movement to Multiply. Go online for more information on this exciting journey God has called us to.

Training leaders in Asia.

At left, families attend services in an area where there previously were no churches. The church was planted and constructed through our partnership with Victory Living Word in Uganda, and made possible by M2X. The church asked repeatedly to send greetings to Christ Fellowship.

At right, Victory Living Word Church Pastor Makumbi Johnson, Christ Fellowship Senior Pastor Bruce B. Miller and Elder Mark Wilson attend the dedication of a new water well in Uganda. Filthy drinking water plagues the people there. M2X projects have made four new water wells possible. The new water wells save lives, and demonstrate the love of Christ to the people. We’re meeting both tangible and spiritual needs.

Overwhelming generosity from those with very little By Mark Wilson Christ Fellowship attender/elder

In late September, Bruce Miller, Rafe Wright and I traveled to Uganda for a time of fellowship and strategic planning with Pastor Makumbi Johnson and his team at Victory Living Word Church. While there, we visited the four villages where members of Christ Fellowship and Victory Living Word Church planted churches this past July. We were joined in our tour by many members of VLWC who participated in the church plants. For most, it was their first time back to the villages since July. Our experience in the villages was joyful, encouraging and humbling. We received incredibly warm welcomes at the villages, with adults and children cheering loudly at our arrival. Bruce, Rafe and I were able to share the word of God. They listened to our words intensely, with several taking notes as we spoke. All church members asked us repeatedly to send our

greetings to Christ Fellowship, especially to the workers whom they met last July. Our experience at one village provided a humbling experience that illustrates generosity from those with little in the way of material wealth. This particular village received a water well, funded by Christ Fellowship. The village chief gave us a tour of the village, a small subsistence farm community with modest mud and brick houses. He showed us the pond that formerly served as their source of drinking water and indicated many children became sick due to the unhealthy condition of the pond water. The chief then led us, with many of his people following, to the new well. He introduced members of the water well committee and read an official proclamation. The chief gave thanks to Jesus Christ for the new church and clean water. He reported that people’s lives are being changed, stating that former law breakers are now attending LINK •

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church. In thanks he gave us a rooster and bags of fresh fruit. He took us to his own house where he shook tangerines from the trees, shaking more and more even after Pastor Johnson said, “Thank you, we have enough.” As we gathered to leave, even more villagers appeared with gifts. The people of this village gave generously of what little they had, giving thanks to God for his son Jesus and their new found knowledge of him. I am so thankful to be a member of Christ Fellowship, a church body that has a passion for reaching people near and far with the gospel. Be encouraged – brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe are praising God for your faithfulness. … Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink ... And the King answered them, “I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.” – Matthew 25:34-40

CF Happenings

ENGAGE GOD & WORSHIP Experience God’s Gift to Us

This Christmas at Christ Fellowship, we are going to lift up our eyes to see the incredible gifts God gives to us. We are moving our hearts away from the things that distract us to remember what God has already given to us. Come experience anew the wonder of Christmas. Each week we will unwrap one of God’s great gifts marveling at what he has given, worshiping him as the greatest Giver of all. Come be refreshed and renewed each Sunday in December. (See back page.) http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ christmas

Christmas Eve Services

We’re hosting two evenings of Christmas Eve Services on Dec. 23 and 24. Family services are at 5 pm, and are designed with the kids in mind (but everyone is included in the joy). Candlelight services are at 7 pm both days, and are a reflective celebration of our Savior’s birth. Services will be live online. Worship in Spanish on Dec. 24 at 7 pm in the Gym. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ christmas

Baptism

Jesus calls us to give our all, our very lives, to him in faith and obedience. He instructed those who accept his call to be baptized. Immersion in water – baptism – is a sacred occasion in the life of every Christ follower. Learn more about this special celebration on our website or contact Tamra Kearl at [email protected] or 972.547.7096. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ baptism

New Believer’s Class for Children

Has your child professed faith in Christ recently? Children’s Pastor David Klippert-Rowe hosts a special class for any child who has professed faith in Christ and would like to know what’s

next. Join your child for this 45-minute presentation that will help them learn how to grow in their walk with Jesus. Contact [email protected] for more information.

http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ children

Christ Fellowship Choir

The choir meets Thursdays, 7-8 pm, and we welcome YOU to join us. Child care is provided with advance registration. Contact Belinda Soto at [email protected]. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ choir

Promiseland Preschool

Children can grow in Christ through Bible and academic learning, chapel, art, music and Spanish. Classes available for ages 2 through Kindergarten. For more information, contact the new director, Karen Stein, at [email protected] or 972.547.7021. http://www.christfellowshippreschool.com

CONNECT Newcomer Cookout

New to Christ Fellowship? Come to the Newcomer Cookout on Friday, Jan. 11, 7-8:30 pm. It’s a party on The Patio with Bruce and Tamara Miller. Bring the family and enjoy a great time of fellowship. Register online or contact Tamra Kearl at [email protected]. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/iam-new

Connection 101

If you’re new or want to get more connected, Connection 101 is the place to begin. This one-hour overview will give you a bird’s eye view of who we are. There’s free food, and we will happily provide care for your children in Promiseland so you can attend! Next dates: Nov. 25, Dec. 16 and Jan. 27 at 11:15 am in The Chapel. Register online or contact Tamra Kearl [email protected] or 972.547.7096. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado. com/101

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DivorceCare, GriefShare

You may be going through a divorce or grieving the loss of a loved one, but you are not alone. Christ Fellowship offers GriefShare, DivorceCare, DivorceCare for Kids, and DivorceCare for Teens. New groups begin Feb. 1. These groups provide a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through some of life’s most difficult experiences. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ care

Moms Connection

Moms, do you ever feel like you’re the only one with a kid who won’t take a nap or won’t eat anything but gummy bunnies? Maybe you feel like other moms have the most angelic, wellbehaved children, and you couldn’t possibly relate to them. If you have ever had thoughts like this, then Moms Connection is the place for you. We’re embracing Mark 12:30: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your strength.” Moms of babies through preschoolers can join us as we learn to walk closer to the Lord. We meet second and fourth Mondays during the school year, 9:15-11:15 am. Attend online at 8 pm at christfellowshipgroups.tv. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ moms

Men’s Ministry

Our monthly Men’s breakfast is a time to IGNITE, UNITE and MULTIPLY as we help each other find and follow Christ. Bring your neighbor, workmate, or teenage sons and join us at 8 am (coffee is ready at 7:30) for fellowship, a hearty breakfast, coffee and a “Tool Box Talk.” Breakfast is $5 at the door. Next dates are Jan. 26 and Feb. 23. Contact Marty Williams at [email protected] or 972.632.6124. We also offer Bible study groups just for men. Learn more about these on the web. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ men

Women’s Ministry

The women’s ministry offers a full slate of Bible studies on Wednesdays and Thursdays. For more information or to be added to the Women’s eLink list, contact Tamra Kearl [email protected] or 972.547.7096. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ women

Student Ministries

High School and Middle School students have both large group worship and a smaller group experience on Wednesday evenings. Merge (Middle School) and FUEL (High School) meet 6:30-8:30 pm. Join us for the Fall Retreats: Merge is Nov. 9-11, and Fuel is Nov. 30Dec. 2. Contact Lynde Griggs at [email protected] or 972.547.7026. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ students

AWANA Bible club for children

AWANA is a fun approach to making the Bible alive and relevant to children in preschool through fourth grade. They meet weekly and memorize scripture, have a Bible lesson and participate in team building games in a fun, loving environment. AWANA meets on Mondays throughout the school year, 6:15- 8 pm. Register online or email [email protected]. http://www.christfelllowshipeldorado.com/ awana

Forward Motion

Got a 5th grader? Get them to Forward Motion on Monday nights, 6:45-8 pm. Forward Motion is a fun filled, year-long Bible study just for 5th graders. Taught by our Children’s Pastor, David Klippert-Rowe, children can

explore the Biblical basis for making God-honoring decisions as they prepare for their new phase of “middle school life.” Register online. Email [email protected] for more information. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ forwardmotion

Celebrate Recovery

Celebrate Recovery is a biblicallybased, Christ-centered, 12-step program that helps people find hope and healing in all areas of life. Jesus Christ is the only higher power able to set us free from all kinds of hurts, habits and hang-ups. We meet Fridays at 7 pm at Christ Fellowship. No registration required. Confidentiality and anonymity are of the utmost importance at Celebrate Recovery. Contact [email protected] or 972.547.7000. http://www.christfellowshiphome.com/CR

The Landing – Celebrate Recovery for Teens

Meeting on Firday nights, this year-long program helps teenagers (6th-12th grade) travel the path to freedom, healing, and wholeness from addictions, life issues, abuse, depression, or anything that causes them pain. It mirrors the content presented in the successful Celebrate Recovery program. Contact Joy at [email protected] or 972.838.0381. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ thelanding/

IMPACT Garage Giveaway

Garage Giveaway is Nov. 15-17. This

giveaway resembles an enormous garage sale, but there’s a catch, EVERYTHING IS FREE. Donations will be accepted only on Thursday, Nov. 15, 4-8 pm and Friday, Nov. 16, 9-6 pm at Christ Fellowship. Visit the website for more information and to register to be a volunteer or contact Lu Mackey at 972.547.7034 or [email protected]. http://garagegiveaway.org

Adopt-A-School 3e McKinney Webb Elementary

One school ... one class ... one child at a time. The Adopt-A-School program is entering year three! Although we have had some great participation, there were many students at Webb Elementary last year waiting and hoping for a mentor. Many classes hoped to be adopted … perhaps this is the year you will join in! For more information about how Christ Fellowship serves Webb Elementary, contact Lu Mackey at 972.547.7034 or [email protected]. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ adoptaschool

Mission trip information

Short-term mission trips are life changing! They are often described as a 1-2 week spiritual boot camp and a water-walking experience with the living God. Yes, they are hard work, but they are so worth the effort! If you are feeling prompted to “go,” don’t let excuses keep you from experiencing the impact of a short-term mission trip. Attend one of the short meetings on either Jan. 20 or 27 at 1 pm. Contact Lu Mackey at [email protected] or 972.547.7034. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ missions

Free In Christ Ministry

Come learn how to grow stronger in your walk with Christ. Save the date: Saturday, Jan. 19

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Our vision for this ministry is to bring Jesus to the imprisoned. Our heart is to be the hands and feet of Jesus while men and women are incarcerated as well as when they are no longer behind prison walls. We are seeking the Lord’s direction in how to go about doing this. The needs of inmates once they are released are many. We hope one day, through collaboration of several area churches and community involvement, to be equipped to meet those needs. If you are interested in getting involved in this ministry, contact Kristen Rankins at freeinchrist@ christfellowshiphome.com. http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/ freeinchrist

Fearless In the face of death, new freedom is discovered By Evan Miller Christ Fellowship attender

The Miller family – Evan, Karen, Gabe and Ben – has attended Christ Fellowship since 1995. Evan and Karen (left) have served as faithful leaders in many roles. (They are not related to pastor Bruce Miller, though sometimes people think they are.)

Several friends have asked me in the last couple of months, “What have you learned from facing death?” In a word, it’s Fearless. Jesus wants me to live fearlessly. But most men live their lives in fear. I know I did. We fear failure, job loss, the economy, sickness, the future. The Bible says hundreds of times that those who trust God need not fear. I’ve discovered that most of what we fear isn’t real. Sadly for me, it took the realization of many of my worst fears to teach me this. Jesus is real, and he is teaching me to be free of fear. On Nov. 1, 2011, I woke up at 3 am with extreme pain in my neck, chest and shoulders. It radiated from a lump between my collarbones that I’d not noticed the day before. As I lay in an emergency room in Las Vegas, Nev., waiting for the results of the CT Scan, every fear you can imagine was racing through my mind. It was probably cancer. This was probably the beginning of the end for me. If only I had paid more attention to the warning signs. I had failed my family. My wife and boys would be without a husband and a father. I was terrified. Three days before that, I had spoken at our men’s ministry gathering on the subject of Yeshua. One of the scriptures we

studied was Psalm 118, a Psalm that Jesus quoted many times. In that Psalm is hidden the name Yeshua, or Jesus. Psalm 118:14 says, The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation. “My salvation” in Hebrew is Yeshua, the name of Jesus. That day in the emergency room I began re-reading Psalm 118 and stopped when I read Psalm 118:17, a verse I’d previously ignored. I will not die, but live, And tell of the works of the Lord. The Lord spoke that verse to my mind so loudly it surprised me. I realized that he was telling me I wouldn’t die from this affliction. Tears poured from my eyes, with a great gratitude and a peace. I repeated to myself over and over what he said because I wanted it to soak into my soul deeply. Awaiting a PET scan days later, I read in Exodus where the Israelites were trapped between the sea

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and the Egyptian army of the angry Pharaoh. Their choice was to either drown or be murdered by Pharaoh. But God had a third option they didn’t consider. Yeshua reminded me that the plan for the Israelites was also the plan for me, and he was the one who would do it, just like he did for Moses. They loaded me into the PET scanner and for 30 minutes I laid there, repeating and meditating on these verses from Exodus 14. Do not fear. Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent. I cried tears of joy, peace and gratitude. And I began to trust him more. On Nov. 7, my oncologist delivered the official diagnosis: I had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Suddenly little things meant a lot. Like holding my wife’s hand. Or a hug from one of my boys. And in

Above, Evan (with his son, Gabe, right), celebrate another milestone – having enough of his hair back to get a haircut and putting the chemo therapy behind him. At left, “Evan and Karen Miller - May you live happily ever after!” was the joyous message the Millers held for a photo at a friend’s wedding. They were headed for the toughest test of their lives just months later.

obedience to the Lord, I told my mind, FEAR NOT! The lump between my collarbones began to shrink and it was becoming easier to eat and breath, but on Nov. 29 my diagnosis was amended to double-hit Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. In short, I had a very rare form of the disease. They said the only way I would survive is if I had a bone marrow transplant. I fought new waves of fear, but remembered God said, FEAR NOT. On Dec. 28 the entire tumor was physically gone. On Jan. 13 I was in remission – no cancer detected. On March 28 I was still cancer free, and that would allow me to go through stem cell collection and then a transplant to completely wipe out and restart my bone marrow to make sure not a single cancer cell survived. The three weeks before I checked into the hospital I was in emotional agony. I knew this would be the hardest thing I’d ever done. The doctors were going

to come within an inch of killing me. They were actually going to kill my bone marrow, where my blood comes from. And then they were going to bring it back to life. I felt like Jesus the night before his crucifixion. But I kept remembering: FEAR NOT. STAND BY AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD. YOU WILL NOT DIE, BUT LIVE AND TELL THE WORKS OF THE LORD. And so we did it. It did almost kill me. The pain from my dying organs during and after the chemo was excruciating. My blood died and I had to have transfusions. But on May 9, eight days after my stem cell transplant, the pain began to lessen. My body began to heal. My bone marrow began to grow. Life returned to my body. I’m doing light exercise. I can walk a mile. I can run up a stairway. I can dance with my wife for two hours. So how have I changed from a year ago? Little irritants don’t LINK •

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bother me as much. I don’t fear losing power and money. I just don’t value them as much. I’ve learned that life is the only thing I value on this earth, and that’s so I can be with everyone I love. Relationships matter more. My world’s boundaries are much bigger. I’m now pretty much the same person in all situations. I don’t feel like I have to be a different person in one situation than another. Jesus is so good. He has proven to me that I can trust him for everything. But what if he had told me last year that I was going to die instead of live? Then he would have given me the peace to face it. I just pray that I’ll remember that in the months and years to come. A life without fear is possible. Jesus gave it to us. The disciples proved it. In that life of freedom, we can do great things and expect great things.

From the Mission Field

Tech Trackers to the world . . . Larry and Cheri Watts http://www.christfellowshipeldorado.com/missionaries

Is it possible for teenagers to become missionaries who travel around the world helping hundreds of thousands of kids find and follow Christ? Impossible? Think again. Tech Trackers is a new broadcast television weekly series with a missionary mindset. It is focused on giving kids reasons to believe by presenting powerful evidence that biblical stories really happened just as recorded in the Bible. It is also focused on transforming young lives by convincing them that a Christian/biblical worldview is the only way to make sense of the world around them. With so many television programs, movies, books and internet sites aimed at destroying the Christian faith, Tech Trackers turns the tables by using the same potent genre of special effects and high tech movie looks to bring cutting edge evidences and apologetics to 8-14 year olds, thereby equipping them to be change agents in a postmodern world.

million homes in the U.S.A. and 680 million homes worldwide. Interested? Christ Fellowship members Larry and Cheri Watts, who direct His Nature TV Ministries, are supported in the same way most missionary work is done, by faithful giving of individuals. Regular monthly support of any amount is the most critical need at this time. If you would like to participate in any way, contact Larry Watts by phone at 214.287.4791, by email to hisnaturetv@gmail. com, or visit their ministry website at www.hisnature.org. They are looking for volunteer office help, website support, writers, production team members and more. You can watch an exciting trailer, but hold on to your seat and remember this is not for adults, but children of the media generation: https://vimeo.com/48176293 Password: Watts

Tech Trackers is produced like a history channel type program, which features an elite team of teenagers and young adults tracking down the truth – past, present, and future. Christians eager to reach the world for Christ are finding this a “ground floor opportunity” to serve and support a ministry capable of reaching 100

Photo courtesy TECH TRACKERS

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Larry Watts holds a Master of Divinity from Talbot Seminary and has been in video production for over 20 years, including 9 years on staff with Lamb and Lion Ministries and 2 years as head of their television production. Larry and Cheri have attended Christ Fellowship since 2002. They and their four children, Anna, Sarah, Evan and Nicki, have enjoyed serving in Promiseland for many years.

Online ministry can get messy. We’re OK with that.

These same people could sit next to you at church and you would never know their thoughts, issues, or concerns. However, in the online environment the place to put your thoughts and questions is in the chat area for everyone to see.

By Brad Ewell Christ Fellowship attender

We are getting ready to jump into the “messy” stuff of life at Christ Fellowship Online. We currently broadcast both our live services on Sunday morning and then rebroadcast the message five additional times throughout the week. These services contain the same elements as a live service: you will be greeted by a friendly “hello,” you can fill out a care card, pray with someone, and give an offering. We even celebrate communion together and study the Word in online groups. After two years of online ministry, we are ready to take the next step and get our online presence out more publicly to follow the mission of the church, “people helping people find and follow Christ.” With that mission in mind we will be actively trying to draw more people to our online services. We hope to see more people who don’t know God yet. We will be interacting with real sinners (just like all of us), who will be sharing real issues, but they haven’t yet experienced the joy of being saved by grace. Sharing real issues in a public forum is one of the areas that make the online environment different from a standard church service. These same people could sit next to you at church and you would never know their thoughts, issues or concerns. However, in the online environment the place to put your thoughts and questions is in the chat area for everyone to see. For many of them this takes quite a bit of courage to share something so publicly.

– Brad Ewell, volunteer christfellowshiponline.tv What can you do to help? PRAY. Pray for those lost souls to find their way to us so we can show them Christ’s love. Pray for our volunteers to have the wisdom and words necessary to interact with people who may be in a very dark place. GET EXCITED. As a church we are reaching the people Jesus spoke about when he said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Many of these people might have never been comfortable walking through the church doors but feel safe in an online environment.

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HAVE GRACE. When you visit Christ Fellowship Online, help us make it a place where they see God’s love for them. These are lost people who may not act in a way we would think is appropriate for a church service. But, how can we really expect them to when they don’t know Christ? Show them the grace that we have been shown. Trust the online volunteers to be prepared for difficult situations when they arise. It’s what we do. Please come along with us and hang on as we get to watch our awesome God at work.

christfellowshiponline.tv

Groups help you “do life” better By Scott Doust Adult Ministries Pastor

Imagine you are at dinner with some new friends. In the course of conversation a spouse of a friend finds out you’re a Christian and asks “do you really believe in that stuff? I am an atheist.” Ron shared with us that this recently happened to him. He then told us his response that he learned from being a part of the group, Defending Your Faith. It led to a very good conversation that had her wanting to know more about God. In Financial Peace University (FPU) one woman shared how when she heard that Baby Step 1 was to save $1,000 she laughed and thought if she could have done that she wouldn’t need to be there. However by the 5th week she had $1,000 in the bank and was making changes in her finances to get out of the financial shackles she had been in for years. Both of these groups are what we call “Equipping Groups.” They exist to help give you practical godly tools to help grow you in your knowledge of real issues, whether they be finances, defending your faith, or understanding more about what we believe about God, just to name a few. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, being equipped to follow God in all areas of your life is key to growing. New Equipping Groups will start soon.

What about Life Groups?

Life Groups are about doing life together. There are some funny kinds of groups on this page, but even these groups were better together. Each of these groups – the Beatles, the Goonies and the Breakfast Club – accomplished more together. They were there for each other when push came to shove. If you’re in a group, you know what this means. If you’re not, why? Too busy? Too much work? Are you afraid of putting yourself “out there”? These are all very common reasons for not joining a group. Let’s switch gears: Do you feel like no one knows you? Do you feel ‘unconnected’ to the church? You may be right, but you have the ability to change that. Groups exist to help you connect to other people. When my friend Ben came to the church he chose to engage with a men’s group and Financial Peace University (FPU). He knew he wanted to get to know people and the only way to do it was to get into something that would allow him to connect at a deeper level, one on one.

Maybe you were in a group in the past but haven’t been for a while. Your sabbatical needs to end. I want to encourage you to connect in new ways to new people. Join a group so you can connect in new and deep ways.

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BOUNDARIES

Drawing lines in a digital world By David Hancock Preston Campus Lead Pastor

I have this evergrowing sense that something is slipping away. No, my mind isn’t going – so far as I can tell – but something is changing. It is hard to put my finger on it. My mind seems to work like an ADD laboratory rat running a frenetic pace through a maze. I’ve had the intuition that someone or something has been tinkering with my soul, remapping the circuitry of brain synapses, and I wonder, “What is happening? My soul feels empty. My life feels out of control. I used to read for great pleasure, but now I would rather just skim over online sound bites for my depth. I used to spend time with God, but now my concentration drifts as I hear Facebook, texts, and emails whispering … Please open me. I used to be more engaged with my family and friends, but now I feel like I have replaced them with my favorite apps. Have you experienced this? Do you know this feeling? Nicholas Carr’s landmark book, “The Shallows – What The Internet Is Doing To Our Brains,” said “We may be wary of what our devices are doing to us, but we’re using them more than ever … we are welcoming the frenzy into our souls. It is not only the content of our thoughts that are radically altered by phones and computers, but the structure of our brains — our ability to have certain kinds of thoughts and experiences.” I’m not a technology basher. I

love technology. I love my smartphone, my iPad, my Mac and all those wonderful apps. But I love them when they serve a purpose, help me complete a project, provide efficiency of time, and provide freedom to enjoy life. I must confess though, the technology hasn’t served me as much as I have become a slave to the technology. The following scenes may be an eerie reminder of our world: your son wants to stay awake an extra hour to play video games; your daughter is glued to her cell phone and constantly texting her friends; your child spends more time on Facebook than reading books. What about you personally? If you don’t check your emails first thing in the morning, does your stress go up? When you get home, do you head straight to the computer, instead of spending that time with loved ones? While sitting at the dinner table, is everyone dialed in to their gadgets, or does everyone separate and go their own way with food and device? Do you desire to escape from those annoying beeps that chirp at you all day long? Does the Bible have anything to say on this issue? Every time I hear or ponder these questions I hurt because we are all desperately searching for answers. I surely don’t have all the answers; I’m trying to figure them LINK • 13

out myself. But, I do know one of the greatest gifts you can give to family and friends is your time and presence; when we’re attached to technology, we convey the message that our loved ones and friends aren’t important to us. So, without throwing the baby out with the bath water, here are some ideas: • Have an open conversation with your family. Establish consistent boundaries to limit when technology is used, and when it’s “off.” • Limit distractions, do one task at a time. Live in the moment. • Take a digital vacation. Take the iPod out of your ears and listen to the wind in the trees. Look people in the eye when they’re talking to you, and most of all open your heart to the whispers of God. Christ Fellowship - Preston set aside three weeks to study this subject. For more practical tips, go online to: christfellowshippreston. com/boundaries

Give with a willing heart By Steve Chappell Operations Pastor

It’s clear in both the Old Testament and New Testament that God wants us to give financially to further his kingdom. It’s also clear he cares very much about our reason or motivation for giving. In Exodus 25, God tells Moses: “Tell the Israelites to take an offering for me; from every person motivated by a willing heart you are to receive my offering.” (Exodus 25:2) In the New Testament, God tells us through the apostle Paul: “Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a

cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

God wants us to give with a willing heart. He wants us to determine how much we are going to give and then follow through and give faithfully (2 Corinthians 8:10-11). My hope and prayer is that you’re willing to give generously and cheerfully to the work God is doing in and through your church family.

Struggling with Motivation

You might be thinking, “My heart’s not really in it; I don’t really have a desire to give to the church. So maybe I shouldn’t do it until I really want to.” Let me tell you a little secret about feelings: usually we think our actions must follow our feelings (or heart). In reality, if you act out of obedience, even when you don’t feel like it, it won’t be long before your feelings come around. In other words, your heart will follow

your actions. As this relates to giving, if you practice faithful giving you will actually grow into a cheerful giver – the kind of giver Jesus is. You will also become more Kingdom-minded. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) If you struggle in this area, do two things: ask God to help you become more Christlike in how you give financially and begin giving regularly out of obedience to God. If you’re giving nothing to the cause of Christ, then give something. If you’re giving inconsistently, then begin to give regularly, every time you receive income. And if you are giving a small amount regularly, then increase it to an amount that God is calling you to give. I promise you won’t regret growing in generosity.

Fiesta Latina The 4th annual “¡Fiesta Latina!” drew more than 1,000 people from of every walk of life on Oct. 20. Fiesta Latina builds cultural bridges and provides an opportunity to share the love of Christ with our community. “During the event, spiritual conversations where taking place all over the building and our prayer is that those seeds come to life,” said Jaime Gonzalez, pastor of Christ Fellowship’s Spanish ministry. “Fiesta Latina is a prime example of what we value as a church, ‘to be all together – people who unite to make a difference.” For the full story, go online: christfellowshipeldorado.com/ fiesta

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Winter Ca lendar November

3 Community Concert at CF 4 Daylight Savings Ends 4 Lord’s Supper 5 Forward Motion/AWANA 7 Merge & Fuel (students) 9-11 Merge Fall Retreat 11 Baptism 11-12/2 Christmas Care Angels

2 Pastor Q & A

14 Moms Connection

3 Forward Motion/AWANA

14 Forward Motion/AWANA starts

5 Merge & Fuel (students) 9 Baby Dedication 10 Moms Connection 10 Forward Motion/AWANA

16 Merge & Fuel (students) 19 Equipping for Growth 20 Group Expo

12 Merge & Fuel (students)

21 MISD Holiday (No Forward Motion/AWANA)

16 Connection 101

23 Merge & Fuel (students)

17 Forward Motion/AWANA

24 Adult Choir begins

19 Merge & Fuel (students)

26 Men’s Breakfast

12 Moms Connection

23-24 Christmas Eve Services 27 Connection 101

12 Forward Motion/AWANA

24-31 MISD Holiday (no children’s or students activities)

28 Moms Connection

24-25 Building Closed (Christmas Holiday)

30 Merge & Fuel (students)

14 Merge & Fuel (students) 15-17 Garage Giveaway 18 Thanksgiving Service 19-23 MISD Hoilday 19 No Church Activities 21-23 Building Closed (Thanksgiving Holiday) 21 No Merge & Fuel 25 Connection 101 26 Moms Connection 26 Forward Motion/AWANA 30-12/2 Fuel Fall Retreat

31 New Years Eve Worship Night

31 Building closed except

for worship event (Holiday)

January 1 New Year’s Day (Building Closed for Holiday) 1-7 MISD Holiday (no children’s or students activities)

28 Forward Motion/AWANA

Looking Ahead: 2/3 New Series, Daniel 1 2/3 Life Group Launch 2/10 Baptism 2/15-17 Men’s Retreat 2/23 Men’s Breakfast 3/8-10 Big Bad Burly 3/10 Baby Dedication 3/11-15 Spring Break 3/24 Palm Sunday 3/31 Easter

December

6 Lord’s Supper

4/13 Run for Cover

8 Perspective Class starts

4/27 Go & Be service day

1 Community Concert at CF

9 Merge & Fuel (students)

4/28 Baptism

2 New message series starts: Experience God’s Gift to Us

11 Newcomer Cookout

2 Lord’s Supper

12 Community Concert at CF

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Tear this out and save it in a convenient place at home. The full calendar is on the church website.

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