Cindy and I want to begin by wishing all of you a very happy and blessed New Year filled with joy and great expectation of what God is going to do. Here is an excerpt from Oswald Chambers I just read—I pray it blesses you:
You shall not go out with haste, ... for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isa 52:12
As we go forth into the coming year, let it not be in the haste of impetuous, forgetful delight, nor with the quickness of impulsive thoughtlessness. But let us go out with the patient power of knowing that the God of Israel will go before us. Our yesterdays hold broken and irreversible things for us. It is true that we have lost opportunities that will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past rest, but let it rest in the sweet embrace of Christ. Leave the broken, irreversible past in His hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him. -Oswald Chambers
Here is an update on our move to Temecula and home sale in Colorado. We are finally under contract and expect to close on our Colorado property February 22nd. That is reason for praise indeed. It has been a longer time then we were anticipating, made more difficult by the challenge of being apart from Cindy for these many months. She has been staying in Temecula at our daughter Kim’s home and feeling great again at sea level.
We decided that I would stay in Colorado for Christmas this year with Kris and Mark and grandkids and she would stay in California with Kim and family so we could be with both! I left right after Christmas and drove with our dog Beau to Temecula. I arrived on December 27th and am now here for good. It is so great to finally be together again. Kim and Jason have graciously extended an invitation to stay with them while we find a home to rent or buy.
On the ministry front there is much going on. We finished up our video curriculum series and also spent some time in the studio last month taping several new series and TV programs. Our internet marketing is going well and we are anticipating some great results soon. We have had around 1,000 people subscribe to our online daily devotional series over the last several months. The feedback so far has been wonderful.
I am in conversations with local leaders to begin our On Target Institute here in the Temecula Valley soon. There does not appear to be anything quite like that here. Our new church home will be Sunridge Community Church and our pastor is a wonderful man who we have come to know and love, Britt Sipe. Britt and I have been talking about using their facility to host our weekly meetings and get back up on LiveStream. If you would like to know more about the ministry at Sunridge please click here.
This month I also have the privilege of speaking at the graduation ceremony for The San Diego Rescue mission and my friend Herb Johnson. Cindy and I were there last year and it was an emotional event that really blessed us. I am looking forward to sharing The Secret To Life with this year’s graduates.
I am also finalizing a chapter that will be included in a new book coming out in a few months from the National Coalition of Ministries to Men (NCMM). As one of the original founding members it is an honor to be asked to contribute. My chapter will be addressed to the “Senior Pastor” and deal with the importance of his role in the effective discipleship of his men. More on this as it develops.
As you continue to hold us up in prayer please ask God to help us find just the right home and continue to open up ministry opportunities for us here in California. Also pray for our 2017 calendar to fill up with events throughout North America.
This is an exciting but challenging time for all of us. As we face the many uncertainties before us let us lift each other up, believing God, taking Him at His Word, being courageous and steadfast in our convictions. Let us move forward this New Year allowing Him to prepare us to be able to stand on the front lines of the battle for our families and our nation!
Finally, Cindy and I want you to know how thankful we are for the generous year-end gifts that come from so many of our faithful partners. Your contributions are so appreciated especially during this challenging time of transition.
Advancing His kingdom together,
Vince