Evangelism. Change.

Lately, I have thought of all of the things that we are dealing with in the world. I must say, things look pretty grim. Television news is bombarded with negative features from world politics to the latest small town scandal and it doesn’t seems to be getting any better. That is why I feel an urgency to reach out to the hurting in an unconventional way. Unconventional you say? Absolutely. If the world around us is changing, shouldn’t we change as well? If the world around is more open then ever to the gospel, shouldn’t our methods of evangelism become more personal? Our greatest time for change is at hand. Here is how we can change to reach a hurting world around us:

1. Make evangelism more personal. Talk to people about their problems. People want to talk. People want to express how they feel about the government, about society, about life. This will create a great opportunity for the presentation of the real Jesus in us all.

2. Take time to volunteer. Effective evangelism is not a radical, over the top street rallying cry. That is what is happening in Iran and in other demonstrations around the world. We don’t want to look like them. We need to look like Jesus right now. Take some time to volunteer in your church or to meet needs in your neighborhood. This is our chance to demonstrate God’s love through our generous example.

3. Live as a powerful example of victory. Now is not a time to be down in the dumps. Keep your “torn garments, sackcloth & ashes” in the closet. Now is the time to live for God, even under the most discouraging pressures. As believers we know that God can do miracles. If we were to activate our faith for someone else, what could God do for us? I believe that our answer may just lie in that reality. Take care of someone else, let God take care of us.

4. Mentor someone who wants to grow. Someone once said, “Evangelism is incomplete without discipleship.” This is what the great commission is all about. We can make a great impact by simply taking someone under our wing and loving them and teaching them. If we all got busy in discipleship, we could change the world for Jesus.

5. Be generous. Anyway you slice it, evangelism cost. It takes finances to reach hurting families. To develop programs that touch people and to create materials that will impact our society. One great way of doing evangelism is to give and to give big. Recently, I have come to find that churches are doing more to reach out and meet the needs of hurting people. That means that people are opening up their wallets or pocketbooks to advance the kingdom. That is encouraging.

Have a great week. Elevate.

Pastor Al

The Journey of a Great Church.

It’s seems that everyone is on a journey these days. Whether its a journey of self discovery, personal achievement, or destiny. Everyone is trying to get somewhere for God. But what if there was a church that could say. We have reached our goals to a certain extent.  We  have seen the hand of God move in fulfillment of His promises. We have tasted victory. We have climbed the mountain & have seen its views. Victory Outreach Mother Church can say that with confidence. This year Victory Outreach Mother Church is celebrating its 42nd year of ministry. And what have they decided to do after climbing the mountain of fulfillment for over 40 years? They have said, “Let’s climb another mountain.”

In their prior 42 years of ministry, Victory Outreach Mother Church has given birth to several church movements, planted thousands of churches, leaders & missionaries. They have financed world evangelism by the millions. They have hosted some of the world’s greatest leaders and they have impacted the world through their example. One might think it is time to sit back and inherit God’s goodness, but under the leadership of Pastor Sonny & Kim Arguinzoni, they have refused to settle. They have taken on a new challenge: Set a model for a new generation of leaders. Build a church that will impact this generation & beyond. Live by faith for a bright future in Christ.

According to Gary L. McIntosh, “The challenge for a large church is to renew their vision. To make the vision compelling once again.”

 

 

 

 

Mother Church @ Ontario High School

 

 

 

I was given the honor of speaking at VOMC this Sunday on a special assignment by Pastor Sonny Jr. He was ministering in a small church plant in Las Vegas. In just a short time in Las Vegas, Mando & Janine Garcia have seen great results. They are moving towards 200 and have just moved into a larger building.

My assignment was to encourage the church to continue to give as they awaiting the construction of their 1500 seat, state of the art building being constructed on 10 acres of land in Chino, California. For 2 years the Mother Church has been meeting at Ontario High School with wonderful results.

As Georgina & I were welcomed, we were warmly greeted by people we have known most of our lives. It was such a joy to see that the “oldie” were still involved & excited about the church. I am sure it has been tough for those that could not make the 10-15 mile journey east from the San Gabriel Valley, but it seems that those who did not make the transition have settled in other area VO Churches. However, there are still many original members in the church and you could definitely feel their presence.

The Choir

As service began, you could still sense the level of quality that the church has developed through the years. The music was powerful & impacting, as it weaved in and out dynamically. The people were excited about God. I saw many new people in the church and it seemed like the church is taking on a different look. You could sense that once the building is finished, there will be an explosion.

At the conclusion of my sermon, I challenged the people to give. I wanted to encourage the people. I have to say that it was not very difficult. You could sense the momentum and excitement for the future. I was sent to encourage them, but I think I left feeling encouraged myself. As I invited the people to come to the altar to give, it seemed as if every single person came up to the alter to give of their tithes, offerings & pledges. I was absolutely blown away.

For Victory Outreach Mother Church, soon to be Chino, the journey has been exciting, fresh & challenging. It has been an example to us all once again. 40 years have past, but it seems like we have just begun. This weekend Victory Outreach Mother Church will be joining VOSD in our Sunday night service for a powerful explosion. Our hearts will be locked, and our passions will be renewed. Keep up the good work Momma, the world is watching.

Pastor Al

Vision Killers

Here is the truth; satan hates your vision and he will do anything he can do hinder or frustrate your vision. His tactics range from sickness to spiritual dryness to outright opposition. However, we can overcome his tactics by recognizing how he will hit us. Sometimes Vision Killers don’t come from outside the church but from the inside. Here are a few that will try and hinder your vision.

1. Tradition. God uses tradition in ministry to provide a people with a semblance of stability & consistency. Traditions can serve as a bride between the past and the future, but God has no use for traditions that block progress.

2. Fear. If there is not faith than you can be sure that there is fear. There can be no middle ground. We either can or we cannot. Many times fear is caused by past failures or a lack of self-confidence. Now don’t wax all super-spiritual on me, “I thought we were supposed to be God confident?” Well, thats a given, but we are not waiting for God…God is waiting for us.

3. Stereotypes. Here is the reality. People have a tendency to place stereotypes on others. If we are going to reach our vision, we need to break out beyond the stereotypes. Think of all those things that “they” said you would never do… start doing it. God is with you and He will give you the strength according to His Word. I don’t think we should allow peoples opinions to hinder our vision. Haters are everywhere get used to it.

4. Complacency. We may need a renewed passion & vigor for the mission. Complacency comes when we neglect the importance of our responsibility. We become lazy in our approach and we no longer do our best. I want you to know that God does care how we do in ministry. He can see if we are working hard or not. He has a tendency to provide for those who are using what He has already provided.

5. Short-term thinking. We must remember that we are not after the temporal but we are after the eternal. The everlasting. Short-term thinkers do not think of the next generation, they only think of the present. We must not cash in on current resources for short-term benefits, leaving nothing in place for the long-run. We must have the attitude, “NOT ON OUR WATCH.”

Pastor Al

Mondays are for Mental Download.

Mondays are great. It is a time refreshing for me personally & a time to review the weekend & project for the following week. I can say that my mental process always begins on Monday. Some people say that Monday’s should be a day of rest, but do pastors every really rest? Our minds are always going. It is important to stay focused. Here are few things that are on my mind today in no particular order.

1. How can we accomplish the task of baptizing 400 new people into the kingdom this summer? Do our summer events point us to that goal? I think they do. But we will see.

2. How much time should I give to many of my friends who are asking me to speak in their churches? Explosion is happening all over the world & I do want to be a part of it. But how do I bring the balance so that my church doesn’t feel me being out. I love my church.

3. My family is growing. Thankfully not by number, but definitely in size. The girls are getting older, and I want to take time to really enjoy them more before they get big! My kids are so sharp. They are great students. They love God & church.

4. How can I mobilize our congregation to impact our city in a greater way? What kind of impact is our cell groups making in the community? We have 54 active cell groups right now & we need to keep them mobile & effective.

5. If we start to pack out our 3rd english service on Sunday? Do we start a Saturday night service? Or do we focus on building the people to a new personal level? What is the next move?

6. Television seems to be working. How can we take the production to a whole new level. It seems like people like it, because we are getting a greater influx of new people.

7. How can we keep our givers greatly motivated. They are the backbone to what God is doing in our church. I appreciate them so much.

8. I have been appointed as the new Regional Pastor over the VO San Diego County churches. Pastor David has been wonderful, he will be overseeing Australia. How can I grow our region at the same pace as our church?

9. How can I integrate Pastor Darryl & Gloria from Manila, Philippines into our church for a time of training? They come today for 6 weeks.

Gosh, ministry is fun.

Pastor Al