MBA Church Newsletter
May 07, 2003

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Monterey Bay Academy Church Newsletter - May 07, 2003
A Weekly Communication for the Church Family & Friends
http://www.mbachurch.org
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Contents
1. Pastor Update
2. Outdoor Church This Sabbath
3. LSU to Give Friday Evening Vespers
4. Friday Sundown Time and Sabbath Offering
5. Church Budget Update
6. North American Division - Campmeeting Schedule
7. Building Mature Faith in Youth

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1. Pastor Update

Namaste!

Whenever I am tempted to think that there just aren't enough people around me that are interested in the gospel or the spiritual life, I am reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 9:37-38 "Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.""

This Sunday I had the opportunity to travel with an Indian friend of mine (David, who came to work as a nurse at the San Jose Medical Center, for those of you who might remember) to Santa Rosa. Our purpose was to meet a group of young Indians that just came from India to work for a corporation here. The company brought them here for a two-month work project in data processing. Then they return to India. This was obviously part of the "cream of the crop" from the Indian technology work force.

Mostly in their 20's, these four girls and three guys were extremely friendly and courteous. They made us feel very welcome in their Extended Stay America motel room with the Indian food they served us as well as with the conversations about the growth and development of India.

We had a neat opportunity to sing a few songs of Christ in the Indian language and play some music (David did the singing while I played a few pieces on my classical guitar), which they very much enjoyed. I also got a blessing watching my friend David gently share the gospel with them in a very non-threatening way.

After spending about three or four hours with them we said good-bye. I did invite them to visit us here at MBA before they return to India. They promised they would.

I just wanted to share this experience with you because it made me think evangelistically once again. I hope that you will take advantage of little windows of opportunities that God may open up for you where you have the chance to be a faithful witness of Christ.

Remember that when it comes to evangelism and winning people to the love of Christ, our job is not to be successful - but faithful. God works out the rest in His own way.

Love

Samuel

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2. Outdoor Church This Sabbath

This coming Sabbath is outdoor church. Which means, that if everything goes well we will be taking the entire student body, as well as faculty and staff to Big Basin for the Sabbath. You all are invited to go along as well. Just call me or Herb Dunn for information.

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3. LSU to Give Friday Evening Vespers

This Friday evening, Home Base, a group of college students from La Sierra will be providing vespers for us at the church at 8:00 p.m. All are invited.

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4. Friday Sundown Time and Sabbath Offering

Sundown this Friday will be at 8:03 p.m., and the offering this Sabbath will be for Disaster & Famine Relief.

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5. Church Budget Update

Last month we were significantly behind on our church budget. Systematic giving will help the budget to be steady from month to month. Thank you for your faithful support.

Offerings to Date & Goals
a. Church Budget Monthly Goal $ 4,004 To Date $285.00
b. Computer & Projector Goal $10,000 To Date $7,899.08

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6. North American Division - Campmeeting Schedule

Planning to travel this summer and pick up a campmeeting or two along the way? Then check out this North American Division 2003 Campmeeting Schedule.

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7. Building Mature Faith in Youth

This sidebar was part of V. Bailey Gillespie's article in the March 2003 Review (p. 43), "New Research Shows Positive Changes for Adventist Youth: Valuegenesis2 study polls 16,000 youth."

Seven Things that Help to Build A Mature Faith

• Talk to your children about their faith, and share what God means in your own experience.
• Spend time creating helping projects in your home and then implement them with your children.
• Reestablish the family alter. Home worship is best done if shared and targeted toward your children's own experience.
• Create warm and thinking climates in the local church. A sense of openness and acceptance is one of the most crucial church attributes to nurture.
• Help the family to be loving, accepting, and nonjudgmental, but at the same time establish clear boundaries for behavior and relationships.
• Develop a ministry for youth and young adults in your church. This local church concern builds a strong and loyal faith.
• Focus on those doctrines that are uniquely Adventist to see if your youth and young adults understand them and see their importance in the history of their church.
  
  

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