This week VOSD, VO EagleRock and a group of other Victory Outreach Churches have decided to stop and separate this week for prayer and fasting. We are in the third evening, and we are experiencing a wonderful outpouring of the Father’s Spirit. There is renewal, there is strength, God’s presence is powerful. I can really say that the tone of our gatherings have taken on more a personal theme for spiritual growth and deeper relationship with God. It has been amazing to see how many newcomers have been coming out to pray every evening. Together we are about 350 strong every night and rising. The prayer themes have been as follows; “Repentance”, “The Local Church.”
This evenings theme will be “Global”. Tonight we will be praying for the VO Movement, including Pastor Sonny and Julie, and the leadership. We will be lifting up all of the churches in our movement as well. We are anticipating a powerful breakthrough tonight as we focus on world missions and church growth. We will also be presenting a video that will show what is happening in VO around the globe and a special greeting from Pastor Sonny. It is going to be awesome.
If you find yourself in the San Diego area this week and would like to join us for prayer, we will continue until Friday evening. For more information you can contact our offices at (619)262-0172. We begin our prayer meeting at 7 pm. Also, there are a number of wonderful hotels in San Diego if you wish to stay all week. Also, we are broadcasting each night over the webcast so you can log on a pray at home if you like.
I will continue to keep you updated, as we experience a supernatural outpouring here at VOSD.
For the past 5 months VOSD has been exploring the internet as a tool for evangelism, promotion and encouragement. It is something new for us, but we are seeing some cool things take place. Here is what is happening:
1. We are receiving thousands of visits every week. People have used the website as a tool for promoting their church to friends, co-workers and people who are interested in seeing what we are all about. Service times are easy to find, as well as directions to the campus. You can even listen to the most current sermons for free and subscribe to our House of Miracles podcast on iTunes. Yes, I said free.
2. Our On Demand webcast is a huge hit! Through www.victoryoutreachsandiego.org, people from all over the world can watch our Sunday Morning and Sunday Evening Services live!! I’ve received so much positive feedback about the webcast. One of our members told me that “her son watches us all the way from Iraq, where he is stationed.” Another person said, “after my operation, I couldn’t attend church but the webcast was my life-line for like 3 weeks.” There have been others who have said similar things to us. A pastor friend of mine told me that, “he sits down with his leaders and watches it from time to time.” Wow! It is so encouraging. In fact we are currently receiving over 5000 hits on our webcast every month, from different parts of the world!
3. Evangelism just got easier. When you think Victory Outreach, you think…evangelism. I was able to recently meet a new member of our church who came to church because of the website. I asked her, “What made you look for us?” She said, “My friend told me about your webcast. I logged on to the site and just decided to come.” She has been coming ever since. Many people use the site to stay updated with many of the special events.
4. The website has a new and more sleek look. I must admit, it has been difficult finding our way in this internet world, but we are getting there. We want to introduce you to our new look for the 2008. The site is much more minimal and easy to use. You will find some important stuff on our site, such as: On Demand Services, House of Miracles podcast, The Journey directory and cell group curriculum, this cool blog, haha, and weekly clips of our House of Miracles television program which airs on Cox. 95 in San Diego County. Not to mention all the things you need to know about our church such as our history, staff, special events, ministries and everything else. If we are missing some things, don’t worry they will come soon.
Well, there you have it. I just wanted to keep you guys updated on what is happening. Hope you find encouragement this week. On behalf of my wife Georgina and I, the best is yet to come!!
Can you think of a day where your life was transformed forever. I mean really, a day where you decided that you would never return to that relationship, or habit had been completely broken, or a day when you told yourself, “I am gonna rise above the odds!” Dr. Tim Storey challenged us to take off all of the limits! It is our time to break into the next level. How are we gonna do it?3 Things:
1. Rise above the “tags”. What is a tag? According to Tim Storey, tags are meant to speak of someone’s value. We were challenged to rise above the tags even if people haven’t expected much of us. It is our time to make history in our city and in our movement.
2. Go deeper in God. Why should we hang around the surface if there are so many more things that we can experience in the kingdom. Tim used the illustration of a snorkeler who hangs around the top of the sea water thinking that he is getting a full view of the waters, but has not experienced the depth of a scuba experience. It is time for VOSD to go down deeper in God. We have a plan. Our faith is the key!
3. Live an Utmost life. There are really just 3 levels of living. “almost”, “most”, “utmost”. An “utmost” God does not want “almost” children. I think we are tired of “almost” getting what God has for us. It is time for VOSD to do it. We are going beyond the ceiling that people have tried to place over us. We want to be the “utmost” not the “almost”.
I just downloaded this song onto my iPod. “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” by, The Hit Crew. Listen to it.
You may ask, “Al, you have experienced the utmost in your life.” And you may be right, if you were to look at certain thing, but I want to tell you that I believe that there is more. Much more. We are committed to seeing others go beyond the limits in their lives. This is our passion. This is our mission. This is our vision. I want to you to know that this thing is about people and not us. As we help others, God helps us. As God helps us, we help others. It really is a beautiful thing.
It is our time to rise above the labels, ceiling, limits, gauges, files, jackets, words, people, pressures, that try to stop us. Haha…….it’s going to be great. I’m starting today. How ’bout you?
