Ministry Update April & May 2013

God has given me three essential purposes in this season of my life: (1) preaching and teaching; (2) consulting and coaching—helping pastors and their churches professionally and personally; and (3) building collaborative relationships between and among key leaders. My theme for this season in my life: Getting pastors into relationships with one another, and churches together leading efforts to transform our communities.

Preaching

“Interim” Preaching. As you know, I was interim/transition pastor at LifePoint in San Tan Valley. My seven months of service there ended shortly after Easter. They’ve called Greg Denham, a Calvary Chapel Pastor from the Sacramento area. Greg is one fine guy and a gifted Bible teacher. I am deeply grateful to God—and for your prayers—for what has been a challenging yet, in the end, a very positive transition of leadership at LifePoint. The Board Chairman Jordan Lynde wrote,

“I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the leadership role you took on as Interim Pastor at LifePoint over the last 9 months. As you know, LifePoint was in a distressed situation due to the resignation of our founding pastor that I believe might have closed our doors, but instead, with your instrumental leadership, the congregation experienced healing and growth in many areas. Also during this time you played a key role in bringing unity and restoration between the board of directors and the congregation.”

Speaking at Arizona State. A highlight of April was speaking in the two Sunday services at Hope Christian Church on the campus of ASU. Pastor Brian Smith, his wife Wendy and their team have 500 students in attendance, and the energy in the services—and the openness of the students to God and the work of the Holy Spirit is a 10! Visit them at www.hope4asu.org.
Radio. I am now regular host for Tom Brown and Koinonia on KPXQ 1360 AM in Phoenix.) Monday, May 20, I interviewed (below) Dr. Warren Stewart (First Institutional Baptist and President of the National Immigration Forum in Washington DC), Chris Schutte (Pastor of Christ Church Anglican) and Jose Gonzalez (Arizona Christian Link}. They are also good friends! We discussed immigration reform and our support for both Democrats and Republicans who are working together to solve this national problem. You can hear the conversation at http://snd.sc/13D8s6W (first half) and http://snd.sc/13D8qMz (second half).

Lutherans. In May, I was invited by Pastor Walt Kallestad (Community Church of Joy) to speak to pastors of some of the largest evangelical Lutheran churches in the U.S. They have recently formed a new conservative “denomination,” LCMC, Lutheran Churches on Mission for Christ.
Gay Marriage. Also in May, I was asked to present the evangelical position on gay marriage at an interfaith event at the Jewish Historical Center in downtown Phoenix. It was a little challenging! But I made it clear that we believe that marriage is for one man and one woman. See my notes here: http://v2.garykinnaman.com/?p=2456.
www.evangelicalimmigrationtable.com. I’ve been asked to speak—and participate in a news conference—in Washington DC in July. This is an extraordinary honor.
My new Jesus+nothing book. As many of you know, I’ve been writing e-news Bible studies on Galatians, which are on my website. In June I will be publishing those articles in a book, Honey, I Just Shrunk Jesus: Rediscovering Amazing Grace in the Perfect Finished Work of Chris.

Consulting and Coaching

Helping Pastors and their Churches Professionally and Personally

Alberto Mottesi city-wide event May 31-June 1. Alberto Mottesi is perhaps the best-known Christian leader in Central and South America. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade of Christ, called him “The Billy Graham of Latin America.” Others have referred to him as “Pastor to Presidents,” because of his extraordinary influence among leaders in the highest positions of political leadership. The main hallway in their ministry center is lined with dozens of photos of Dr. Mottesi praying with Latin American presidents. Alberto is a personal friend, and I’ve had the special honor of serving as Chairman of the Board of his ministry, based in Santa Ana, California.
I’m serving on a team of Hispanic pastors led by Jose Gonzalez who, with a smile, calls himself “the Gary Kinnaman of the Hispanic community.” This is the lead team for special bilingual services with Alberto Mottesi May 31-June 1 at Grand Canyon University. We expect standing room only—and hundreds of people coming to Christ. Jose Gonzalez wrote, “Gary is a key person in my efforts to gather Hispanic pastors. His role as a mentor and special collaborator has been of very special help.”
Cuba! I’ve been invited to participate in a unique outreach to pastors in Cuba at the end of April. Steve Johnson of LAM (Latin American Ministries based here and in Miami) wrote, “Are you interested in joining me and a few other pastors from Phoenix and Miami to see what God is doing in Cuba right now through pastoral training? We are partnering with a major independent movement of evangelical churches to provide in-depth training for hundreds of their pastors…They do not have access to the internet [in Cuba], so we are working on some fascinating new and awesome technical ideas for getting info to them…. Gary, I think your pastoral strengths could be a key to helping advance this major move of God in Cuba.” This ministry is still pending. We didn’t go in April because of visa problems, but Steve is working through this, and the plan to make this trip later this year. Several of you have given generously to this outreach. Thank you!

Networking Leaders/Impacting Our Community

Congressman Matt Salmon. I’m joining a group key East Valley leaders to pray for Congressman Salmon at his office in Gilbert on May 29. Pray for us.
Crisis Pregnancy Center. I was thrilled to share God’s Word and a prayer at the dedication of the brand new Crisis Pregnancy Center in Tempe. My dear friends, David and JoAnn Everitt are cutting the ribbon.

Personal

In California for Mother’s Day weekend, we were present for a couple Scouting events. Grandson Zack got a badge—our son Dave is behind him. On a long hike, I got in some z’s—and the Lazy Scout patch.

Your Continued Financial Support

Thank you for your regular and generous financial support. We can receive tax-deductible donations directly to Nothing But Grace. We’re also set up to receive contributions through PayPal: http://v2.garykinnaman.com/?page_id=8.

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