Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Christian Arts Conference in Chicagoland


Advanced Registration Deadline Nears for Karitos 2007

Advanced registration for Karitos 2007 ends June 4. Karitos, one of America’s most unique Christian arts conferences, will be held August 2-4 at Living Waters Community Church in Bolingbrook, IL. The conference offers over 100 work-shops covering all areas of the arts. General sessions and exciting evening celebrations that feature extravagant worship highlighting the different art forms as well as exciting performances by guest faculty members are also planned.

Karitos was begun in 1995 for the purpose of encouraging and equipping Christians in the arts. “For too long, large segments of the church ignored the arts,” says Rev. Bob Hay, Karitos Director. “That is changing. There is a growing acceptance of the arts as well as an awareness of their importance in today’s visual age. Pastors are turning to conferences such as Karitos as they seek to equip the artists in their congregations and to integrate the arts into the ministry of the church,” says Hay.

An outstanding faculty will lead workshops in music, visual arts, theatre, literary arts, dance, worship, audio/visual
technology and film. New faces on this year’s faculty include Vivien Hibbert, considered one of the finest teachers on the
theology of worship, plus visual artists Dan Addington and J. Michael Spooner. Spooner has served as an Art Director and consultant for Disney Animation, Dreamworks, Warner Brothers and Big Idea Productions. Also novelist Patricia Hickman, Betsey Newenhuyse, Acquisitions Editor for Moody Press, and Blake Engel, a church sound and acoustics consultant.

Returning faculty include visual artist Richard Hight, dancer Pamela Rutherford Hardy, actress and film producer DianeWigstone, Christian music veteran Glenn Kaiser, and worship leader Cory Ratliff. One of the highlights of this year’s conference will be a special performance by the AcroDramance Theater Company. AcroDramance blends acrobatics, drama and dance in an amazing display of beauty, strength and agility..

Other highlights of this year’s conference include Hip Hop Hope, a five-hour Saturday afternoon youth event featuring Christian hip hop, rap and spoken word artists, a dance/mime/drama/music showcase, and a juried art exhibition. Also critique sessions for songwriters, visual artists, and script-writers plus a newly added vocal track and an expanded audio/visual track designed to train both beginning and experienced church technical people in sound, multi-media, power point and video.

Registration information along with a schedule of the workshops is posted on the Karitos website, www.karitos.com. Information is also available by calling 847/749-1284.

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Monday, May 21, 2007

Lake County Congregations Collaborating

Dear Catalyst Family,
The fire of spiritual revolution has been ignited across Lake County, and now it's time to fan the flame into a roaring fire!
We are privileged to have as our keynote speaker this year, Dr. Kenneth C. Ulmer, who pastors Faithful Central Bible Church, located in Inglewood, CA. Faithful Central is the church that bought the old "Forum", where the L.A. Lakers used to play, and Dr. Ulmer has been used by God to change his community one neighborhood at a time! Since his arrival more than twenty-five years ago, the congregation has grown from 350 to more than 13,000 worshippers. They are an influence and change agent throughout South Los Angeles.

In addition to Dr. Ulmer, we will be hosting over a dozen specialized breakout workshops aimed at helping the churches and leaders in Lake County to grow in the areas God has placed on their hearts. Together, we are building the Body of Christ in our county - and we know that spiritual revolution leads to wholistic community transformation!

Mark your calendar now for
Friday, November 16, 2007 and plan on bringing your entire staff and key church and community leaders. Many of Lake County's leading officials will be present to see how the Church works together to make a difference. Don't miss this significant event!

Fanning the Flame,

Jim Tomberlin


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Saturday, May 05, 2007

Pacific Garden Mission Still On the Move for Christ

America's Largest Continuously Operating Rescue Mission Prepares for Move to New State-of-The-Art-Facility
Will Move to a 150,000 Square Foot Environmentally Friendly Structure

By Tony Rufo Special to ASSIST News Service
New building digital rendering

CHICAGO, IL (ANS) -- After being located at 646 South State Street since 1923, Chicago's Pacific Garden Mission (PGM) is a few short months away from moving into a new 150,000 state-of-the-art rescue mission. In addition to the benefit of bringing all its ministry services under one roof, the functional, three-story facility has been planned with Green environmentally friendly design principles and renewable energy technologies in mind.

D.L. Moody

PGM's doors first opened on September 15, 1877 and have been open every day since, 24 hours per day, for over 47,250 consecutive days - more than half the time the United States has existed as a nation, and spanning the terms of 25 US presidents. It is the largest continuously operating rescue mission in America and currently operates from two Chicago locations: 646 S. State Street [where it has operated since 1923, serving men]; and at 955 W. Grand Avenue [which opened in 1941 and became part of PGM in 1982, serving women, and women with children]. The Mission now employs 95 full time staff, plus scores of volunteers. Due to action taken by the City of Chicago under the law of eminent domain, PGM begun construction last year on a new building which they will occupy by October 2007.

From its start with Colonel George Clarke and his wife, Sarah, Pacific Garden Mission has grown in nearly 130 years. It started with "a little room with a seating capacity of about 40, a few wooden benches, a wheezy organ" at 318 S. Clark Street, to what is now 67 East Van Buren Street in 1880, and then to the 600 block on South State Street in 1923, where the main ministry has been located ever since. Dwight L. Moody once proclaimed the mission as "the greatest on earth" and, in 1880, gave it its name after it relocated to the former Pacific Beer Garden. Mr. Moody suggested dropping the word "beer" and adding the word "mission."

D.L. Moody and Pacific Garden Mission played prominent roles in a chain of conversions that include Billy Sunday, Mel Trotter, and Mordecai Ham, whose preaching led to the conversion of Billy Graham. In the 1920s, when the Mission was led by Walter and Ethelwyn Parker, affectionately known as Ma and Pa Parker, Ma Parker was so impressed by the testimony of Charles E. Crawford that she wrote the beloved hymn, "Calvary Covers it All."

Sign on State Street

Thousands profess Christ each year through the outreach of the Mission. Free services include overnight shelter; three nutritious daily meals prepared by licensed food handlers; clothing, and medical and dental care. Last year, PGM served 767,668 meals [average 2103 daily; 701 per meal] and provided 217,540 shelter days [596 daily average]. The Mission distributes over a million items of clothing annually, and provides free medical and dental care to approximately over 6000 people annually, an average of 500 people each month. Operating at or near capacity, PGM cared for a number of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in recent months.

PGM also provides: Bread of Life outreach to nearby housing projects, including Thanksgiving and Christmas turkey baskets; outreach to the Polish speaking community using English as Second Language; Jail Ministry; PGM Men's Choir; and the Unshackled! weekly radio dramatic series. PGM provides rehabilitation programs, one-on-one counseling, and educational program options that include Career Development, Life Skills Training and Bible courses. These are comprised of computer skills, accredited GED and other educational instruction, money management, goal setting and other life management skills. Assistance in career development, resume creation, and job placement is also available.

A 2006 survey by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless shows that 21,078 people are homeless in Chicago on a typical night; there were 73,656 homeless adults and children in the fiscal year ended 6/30/06. The year-long study showed 26,413 children [36%], 12,007 adults in families [16%] and 32,105 single adults [43%].

Approximately 95% of the new space, or 145,551, will be devoted to residential space and services, including dormitories, clinic, dining area, auditorium, bathrooms, showers, and classrooms. Approximately 7,716 square feet, or 5% of the space will be devoted to staff offices, security, Unshackled! radio production and counseling staffs. It will include:

  • 600 person dining area
  • 600 seat auditorium
  • 4800 sq. ft. clinic
  • 4800 sq. ft. program men's class space
  • 2300 sq. ft. women's clothing sorting/distribution
  • 2950 sq. ft. men's clothing sorting/distribution
  • 8000 sq ft. transit men's daytime class/activity space with computer lab
  • 2400 sq. ft. transit women's daytime space
  • 2000 sq. ft. women's gym
  • 2580 sq. ft. men's gym
  • 2400 sq. ft. men's linen and laundry space
  • 1800 sq. ft. women's linen and laundry space
  • 2 libraries - one for men and one for women residents
  • Outdoor recreation space for men and women

A highly identifiable component of the current building will also be making the move. A visible witness to the city [to say nothing of its landmark standing], the venerable "Jesus Saves - Christ Died for Our Sins" will be part of the new Mission.

The larger building will allow PGM to expand its outreach services. Lower food costs will result from the produce grown in greenhouses on the new site. These structures will also be used as training grounds for men and women to learn horticultural skills. PGM also facilitates training in culinary and cooking skills, barbering, nursing, and other trades. The new building will be able to accommodate approximately 200 women and children, and able to sleep over 950 people per night, up from the current 600 plus. The larger quarters will also allow the simultaneous feeding of over 600 people [a 400% increase from the current 150] and the seating of 600 in the auditorium [up 240% from the current 250].

At the building's 2005 groundbreaking ceremony, PGM President David McCarrell traced the history and longevity of the mission. He stated, "For 128 years, Pacific Garden Mission has served the spiritual and social needs of the less fortunate citizens of Chicago. This new state-of-the-art facility will enable us to address the spiritual and physical needs more effectively in a building that is LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certified and environmentally friendly."

Further attesting to God's faithfulness, Mr. McCarrell presented a challenge, "Do you want to be blessed of God*" Then citing the words of King David in Psalms 41, he told the group, "Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble."



Tony Rufo, is a communications/ministry executive, marketing consultant, writer, and broadcaster who has over 20 years of experience working in the Christian and general markets. Tyndale House has just released his newest book, The Complete Book of Pop Music Wit & Wisdom. His other published works include media and music articles, book reviews, radio and television commercials and scripts, and evangelistic essays. True Tunes News featured his article, "The Gospel According to John, Paul, George, and Ringo--Good Time Rock 'n Roll or Religion for the Undiscerning?" In addition, he is developing radio, TV and film projects designed for evangelism and pre-evangelism in the general and Christian marketplaces. Several of these involve applications to bring new revenue streams to ministries. He has spoken in churches, schools and business meetings, and groups. He can be reached at tcrufo@sbcglobal.net.

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
ASSIST News Service is brought to you in part by Gospel for Asia. GFA's Bridge of Hope program is designed to rescue thousands of children in Asia from a life of poverty and hopelessness by giving them an education and introducing them to the love of Christ. For only $28 a month, you can cover the cost of one child's tuition, books, uniforms, one or two meals a day and a yearly medical checkup-and your child, his family and community will hear the Gospel as a result. To learn more about Gospel for Asia's Bridge of Hope program, visit our website at www.gfa.org/child or call 1-800-WIN-ASIA (United States) or 1-888-WIN-ASIA (Canada).

ASSIST News Service is Sponsored By




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Thursday, May 03, 2007

Collaboration in Lake County

Allow me to take a moment to reflect on the last few weeks and what God has done through His Church (One Church, Many Congregations) in Lake County:

38 Alpha Churches! Over 200 of us came together at our last Catalyst Quarterly Gathering on April 13th at Immanuel Church in Gurnee. Pastor Joe Boerman and his team served us well as we gathered to mobilize the church of Lake County! Alpha USA’s president, Todd Hunter, talked to us about “Evangelism and the Future of the Church” – it was challenging, informative, and motivating! That morning over 16 new churches signed up to be an “Alpha Church” this fall for the Lake County Alpha blitz! Praise God! If you are still interested in learning more about Alpha and the blitz, go to www.AlphaUSA.org or email Rebecca at rebeccalong@AlphaUSA.org

Prepping the Parks. The churches in the Central Lakes District got together and asked their community how they could help! Guess what? The community answered! As a result, over 100 servants of Jesus Christ stormed the neighborhood parks in Round Lake on April 28th and made them clean and ready for spring use! They filled almost 300 bags of trash; initially the Round Lakes Parks Director was hoping to have volunteers collect about 40 bags. The Church of Lake County (us!) did what the Parks & Recreation officials did not have the resources to do… we were glad to serve them with the love of Christ! Thank you God! Find out when your district is meeting next à May Catalyst District Gatherings

Christmas In April! Over 140 volunteers in the Northeast District (Zion, Winthrop Harbor, Beach Park) converged on April 28th to make an eXtreme difference on 7 houses badly in need of repair! The churches, under the coordination of Rebuilders Ministry, worked on new floors, new paint, new electrical wiring… you name it. “This Old House” has nothin’ on the body of Christ in “This New Wineskin”!!! Thanks for allowing us to remember the elderly, Lord! Find out when your district is meeting next à May Catalyst District Gatherings

County Covered by Prayer. More than 200 prayer warriors turned out to pray for Lake County on April 21st at our quarterly When We Pray. Our youth led the entire second half in an energetic display of our dependence on God through prayer. Mark your calendars for the summertime WWP and make it a part of your personal and church corporate prayer strategy! When We Pray - July 28

Marriage Mentors Building Strength Into Lake County Marriages! Over 50 couples have signed up all ready to participate in a landmark “Webinar” (free internet conference) with relationship expert Dr. Les Parrott. Dr. Parrott and the Christian run eHarmony Marriage team are very interested in what is happening in the Churches of Lake County, and are going to help us mobilize to make a difference inside and outside the walls of the church. If you have not done so already, join us Wednesday, May 16th at 1:30pm for this internet conference (phone option available too). Let’s change Lake County one family at a time!!! Thank you Lord for waking the sleeping giant in your church! Register à> https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/391194363

These are just a sample of the things God has done in our midst the last few weeks! What a God we serve! Join us in the revolution!!!

Bill Yaccino

Executive Director, Catalyst Lake County

(847) 281-3370

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Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Aurora: Motorcycle Sunday + Prayer Walk & Prayer Tents

hey everybody,
What an awesome day Motorcycle Sunday was! Thanks for being a part of it. Huge turnout. God's love was definitely shown to people who like motorcycles. People got prayed for. New friendships were begun, and others were deepened. It was great!
I want you to know about some things happening on Thursday, which is the National Day of Prayer. Believers in Jesus all over the USA will be praying for God's kingdom to come in the cities where we live. I've been working with other Aurora pastors and other church leaders to plan a few different opportunities for people to be involved. Each one of us should be actively praying for those around us.
There is a prayer walk planned that will go from the far west side of Aurora, all the way to Aurora's east boundary at Rt. 59. I did the whole walk last year - was I ever worn out! But it was good to pray at spiritually significant places along the way. Below I've included a list of the stops, and when we'll be there. If at all possible, stop by one of the locations to pray with us and other from the body of Christ in Aurora. Maybe you can be at prayer time in downtown Aurora, on the Water St. mall, just outside of city hall at 12:10pm. The mayor and his staff will be joing us to seek God for the city. At 1:30pm we'll be at Lincoln & Galena (right outside of our building) praying for the homeless, poverty issues, etc.
There will be prayer tents set up from 10am-6pm, one on the west side of town, at Galena & Edgelawn at Westminster Pres church. The other prayer tent will be on the near east side, at Galena & Fourth St at Serenity Park (the small park just south of McCarty Park) It you can help staff a prayer tent for an hour or more, please call the church office at 630-859-0600 or reply to this email. It's going to be cool to see who God draws in to be prayed for! We want God's love to be shown & known to everyone, especially those who aren't yet connected to a local church.
Here one that ALL of us can - and should - do. We're encouraging individuals and families to prayer walk around the block where you live - at either 7am, noon, or 7pm on Thursday. Keep your eyes open, walk around, and pray for your neighbors as the Holy Spirit leads. Ask for God's blessing on everyone who lives in each home, and ask God to help you care about them more. Pray for their health, for their employment, for their relatonships. Most of all, pray for them to come to know Jesus' love and forgiveness - and pray that if it's His will, that God will use you to help make it happen.
All good stuff. We want to live in a prayed-for city!
all for Jesus and those He loves,
Randy
ps - here's an article that was in yesterday's Aurora Beacon News, it's got the other stops listed for the prayer walk through town
National Day of Prayer events planned

April 30, 2007
Beacon News Staff

Aurora area residents are invited to participate in various prayer efforts in observation of the National Day of Prayer on Thursday.

There will be a 10-mile prayer walk from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting at the southwest corner of Orchard Road and Galena Boulevard. Along the route, participants will pray for a variety of people and issues:

• 10:10 a.m., Countryside Nursing Home, 2330 W. Galena Blvd.; pray for seniors, elderly, infirm and health care
• 10:45 a.m., West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St.; pray for high school students
• 11:30 a.m., 205 N. Lake St., Pregnancy Information Center; pray for the sanctity of life
• 12:10 p.m., Water Street Mall; pray for the mayor; aldermen; city, township, county and state employees; the president and Congress
• 1:30 p.m., northeast corner Lincoln Avenue and Galena Boulevard; pray for the homeless, poverty, repentance and blessing
• 2 p.m., northeast corner of Root Street and Galena Boulevard; pray for unity among local churches
• 2:45 p.m., Quad County Urban League office, 808 E. Galena Boulevard; pray for racial reconciliation, neighborhood development
• 3:10 p.m., Beaupre Elementary, 954 E. Benton St.; pray for grade school students
• 4:15 p.m., Steck Elementary, 460 Inverness Drive; pray for middle school students
• 5:15 p.m., fire station, Gregory Street and McCoy Drive; pray for the safety of police and firefighters
• 6 p.m., McCoy Drive and Route 59; pray for business, jobs and economic development

There also will be prayer tents from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at two locations -- Serenity Park at Galena Boulevard and Fourth Street; and at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 N. Edgelawn Drive.

The third event is a neighborhood walk at 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. Individuals are encouraged to walk around their own block, praying for their neighbors.

Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through the country's history, including President Lincoln's proclamation of a day of "humiliation, fasting and prayer" in 1863.

In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May.

Visit www.acmn.org or call (630) 859-8010. The Aurora Christian Ministry Network and Aurora area churches are sponsoring this community appeal for prayer.


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