Ministry Highlights January – April 2015

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.

Networking Leaders/Impacting Our Community

American Bible Society (ABS) This is, perhaps, the most significant opportunity and assignment I’ve had since leaving my lead pastor position at Word of Grace. The American Bible Society, two hundred years old and founded by such notables as our second president, John Adams, had made a 21st Century commitment to reverse the alarming trend of Bible illiteracy in America. They have chosen three cities to ‘test-market’ their efforts: New York, Philadelphia, and yes, Phoenix. ABS has reached out to me to lead their efforts in Phoenix, which according to the Barna Group, placed a shameful 92nd in biblical literacy among American’s 100 largest cities. We will be working with local churches and city movements in the Valley, in partnership with ABS and the Barna Group, which means I have the opportunity to serve in ministry with my son David. As most of you know, David is the principal owner and President of the Barna Group (www.barna.org and www.cities.barna.org).
John 17 Movement Historic unity meetings with Catholics continue. I had another first. In January I was a keynote speaker for the Catholic Renewal Ministry annual conference at Xavier High School. Hundreds of “Spirit-filled” Catholics were there praising God with contemporary worship choruses. They were lively! I spoke on images of the Holy Spirit: fire, wind, and river of life. At the end of the service I was surprised by a foot washing, a first for me. I was profoundly moved: Bishop Nevares washed my feet (below). And in response I washed his. On the right is a photo from last month of Bishop Nevares greeting Pope Francis—and giving him greetings from Phoenix and our John 17 Movement.


In March we had a beautiful service of worship and repentance for division in the church at Living Streams Church in north Phoenix. Our team here in Phoenix consists of my ministry friend Joe Tosini, the principal catalyst for the John 17 Movement, Phoenix Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares, and Peter Poppleton, Director of The City of the Lord, the Catholic charismatic community in Tempe. Visit our website, www.john17movement.com, and sign up for email updates.
Chair of the Arizona Council on Faith and Community… which I’ve led for the last several years. We network faith leaders from the Valley and around the state at a monthly meeting at Catholic Charities in Phoenix. You can read about us at www.godenriches.org.
Chair of Congressman Matt Salmon’s Council on Faith and Community Congressman Salmon wrote to me, “I wanted to take a moment and express my appreciation to you for accepting my invitation to serve as Chairman of the Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnership Advisory Council. Your service will not only be of great benefit to me and my office, but also the constituents of Arizona’s 5th Congressional District.” Our Council is focusing its efforts on mental health issues—and personal and community trauma.
The Souper Bowl I was a member of the steering committee for a statewide campaign against hunger, using the Super Bowl here in Arizona as a center point for this effort. Arizona efforts raised approximately a half million dollars to fight hunger. See souperbowl.org.
Ordination of Anglican Bishop Keith Andrews In January our Pastors in Covenant group traveled to Newport Beach, CA for the ordination of our friend and covenant group guy, Keith Andrews, who has been appointed a bishop in the Anglican movement in North America. In the photo from left to right are: Pastor Mark DiBernardo (Word Alive, Gilbert), Rich Hendrix (formerly of Bethany Community, now a teaching pastor at New Life in Peoria), ME, Bishop Keith, Pastor Rick Thiemke (Red Mountain CC/Via Church, Mesa) and Pastor Mark Leuning (The Springs Foursquare Church, Chandler).

Mike Huckabee I had a chance to meet him at a reception at Phoenix Country Club.

Governor Doug Ducey At the inauguration and at a luncheon for Christian Hispanic leaders organized by friend and ministry partner Jose Gonzalez.


KPXQ Faith Talk 1360 Once a month I have the privilege of hosting “Koinonia,” an hour-long, live talk show. In March, I hosted and interviewed Brian Steele, Executive Director of The Phoenix Dream Center and a couple graduates of their life program (below). They service over 1000 people!

Preaching

Interim Pastor @ One Community Church, San Tan Valley For the fourth time since I stepped aside as lead pastor at Word of Grace, I’ve had the joy of serving a church that’s between pastors. I’ve been preaching and providing pastoral leadership and care to One Community, a small fellowship in San Tan Valley (below).

And in Safford, Arizona Finally, my name on a marquis! But can you find it???

And on TV Watch “Just Jesus” on “My New Day” with Bob and Audrey Meisner: http://www.mynewday.tv/shows/honey-i-shrunk-jesus

Personal

Oliver Kinnaman, our youngest of nine grandchildren.

Marilyn and our daughter Shari, who teaches English at Arapaho CC in Denver.

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