April 2014 Update

Hello Friends,

I’m wrapping up my time serving the church in Kingman, thankful for the many friends I’ve made and for the children at church.  The kids arrive up to 30 minutes early and it was pretty chaotic until I began setting out paper, crayons and stencils ahead of time.  Many of them like to draw and their artwork decorates the walls.

 They really enjoy action songs and this picture was captured as we were singing “Give God the glory, glory” with our hands waving high.

 

One Sabbath evening we had 26 kids show up, ranging from babies to 15-year-olds.  Since we don’t have teachers for the various ages, we are all in one room and the teens help with the toddlers.  We’re grateful for the donation of a flannel board with hundreds of Bible figures and pieces of scenery.  Everyone listens to the Bible story, knowing Bridgette will reward them with candy for answering questions correctly! Please continue to pray that God will provide qualified teachers so each age group can have their own class.

I’m including a great picture of a couple in our church, Al and Bonnie, who are faithful in coming to both church and Bible study, and also lead weekly visits to residents of a nursing home.  Al serves on the church board.  They are growing by leaps and bounds as they regularly read the Bible and search out its meaning, as Pastor Bob encourages everyone to do (he mentions it in the sermon weekly).

Gloria is another active member (we used to lead singing together during morning worship) and is the inspiration behind a new walking club.  She figured people are more likely to exercise when others join in, so she got some T-shirts printed up (“Yea, though I walk” from the 23^rd Psalm) and launched a weekly walking group.  (She is second from the right in the picture.)  Since some of the people are not from the church, it’s an opportunity to get to know them and potentially share the gospel.  You might give it a try where you live!

When my lease was up at the end of March, I needed a place to spend the two weeks before I leave for Colorado and to store my things until I move to the next place to serve.  God provided through Gloria who offered me the apartment adjacent to her wig shop (see picture).  It’s in a residential neighborhood and is just what I need.  Thank you, Lord!

In Colorado, I’ve kept a room in an apartment with my mom in Boulder but that lease is up at the end of April.  Mom found a studio apartment in a nearby town – another great answer to prayer because it’s in her price range and is intended for seniors.  I prayed and asked the two pastors of the Seventh Day Baptist (SDB) churches in the Denver-area to put out the word that I was looking to rent a room or two from a church member and that I needed a Colorado address in order to maintain residency there (for voter registration, health insurance, etc.).  Within a day a couple responded with the offer of a rent-free room! I called and talked with the wife and we agreed this was God’s leading.  They had sensed the Lord telling them to use their home for a ministry purpose.  I am so thankful and mindful that God is, indeed, my Provider.  (Psalm 34:10)  Thank you for your prayers!

Walking along White Cliffs Wagon Trail, Kingman

What I’ve been doing the first half of April is contacting many of the pastors and leaders of the 15 or so new or upcoming SDB churches, spread out across America.  What a blessing to hear how God is working in these areas!  A number of them became convinced of the seventh-day Sabbath through studying the Bible, and then went looking online to see if any Christians were meeting on the Sabbath (Saturday).  Some were part of Messianic Jewish congregations for a time, but then felt led to associate with us, being more Gentile-oriented. 

Besides using the information I’m collecting to help determine where God would like me to serve, I’m going to share it with SDBs to encourage others to seek God’s will for where He would like them to go to help get a new church started with firm foundations.  The more I talk with Sabbath-keepers who were not raised as SDBs, the more I believe God wants to bless Christians today with the gift of the Sabbath, which Jesus said was “made for man.”  Most Americans live at an insane pace, even on weekends.  By keeping the Sabbath, we stop the work of the other six days and give God our full attention.  We gather for worship, for instruction, for shared meals and fellowship, for family time, and for ministry work in our communities.  No legalism here – just joy in the Lord and in the Lord’s day (Jesus said, “For the Son of Man is Lord, even of the Sabbath day,” Matthew 12:8).

I’ll spend the second half of April in Colorado visiting with friends from the Boulder SDB church (my sponsoring church) and others, reporting in to Pastor Steve Osborn, and getting settled in the new place in Brighton.  The last week of April will be spent in western New York State at the SDB Church Planting Conference.  Many thanks to the Boulder church for covering my costs to attend.

Flatiron rock formations west of Boulder, Colorado

Please join me in praying for God’s clear leading for where to serve next.  Lord willing, I will return to Kingman by the end of May to move my things to the next place.  I know I’m taking a seldom-trodden path among SDBs by responding to the Lord’s call to go where needed without full assurance of financial support or a place to live.  And yet, for whom do I live?  Why pursue comfort in this life when I can spend more time pointing someone to his only hope of eternal life?  The Apostle Paul understood that the trade-off is no sacrifice at all.  “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus Christ, my Lord…”  (Philippians 3:7-8)

God bless you as you seek Him first daily.  I thank the Lord for you and hold you up in prayer as you also hold me up.  Rejoice in the Lord always!  (Phil. 4:4)

March 2014 Update

Howdy!

These desert landscapes are just amazing.  This photo was taken from an old wagon trail in Kingman.  Besides the scenery, I’m grateful for warm sunshine on my face, the friends God has sent me, and the work He is doing to build His church of obedient followers here in Kingman.  And I’m thankful for all of you supporting me in prayer and with financial gifts.

Pastor Bob (in suit) at the anniversary BBQ.

Sabbath March 1, 2014, marked the one-year anniversary of the Kingdom of God church in Kingman, AZ!  There were about 100 people at the evening service and we celebrated with an outdoor barbeque despite the rain.  Over the past year the church has grown to about 80 in regular attendance (including children) between the two services.  Pastor Bob comments that he’s never before experienced a church where people arrive half an hour early just to visit and then hang around an hour afterward for the fellowship.  He often reminds us we’re a church family, and that is reinforced as we help each other during the week, keep people in prayer and check up on them.

Please join us in praying for God to provide the right people (soon) to fill teaching roles for children and youth.  We lost a youth leader in September and have not had a program since then.  The children’s Sabbath School has between 8 and 16 each week, with Bridget Sweeney as the teacher and me as assistant.  It meets during the evening worship.  My favorite part is singing active songs like “Father Abraham”.  We’d like to split into two classes to better gear the activities by age group, and keep two teachers per class.

I was blessed to spend two weeks with family and friends in Colorado over the holidays. Though I’d driven it before, the scenery of northern Arizona, New Mexico and southern Colorado blew me away all over again.  Feeling awed by the night sky in a mountain pass, I was reminded of Psalm 19, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”  It was actually at night on the way back to AZ that my Mazda 5 (God’s ministry car now) turned over 100,000 miles.  I stopped and captured it with my camera.  Lord willing, it will go another 100,000!

Gloria and me sharing the gospel in Las Vegas.

I agreed to serve on the new Seventh Day Baptist Church Planting Task Force (set up by the General Council) and we’ve had two online meetings so far.  Our purpose is to steer the denomination toward more intentional church planting.  My personal goal is to help as many church plants as I can (over time) to have a firm foundation and go on to thrive and multiply.  I also want to encourage other SDBs to be willing to “GO” to the places where new churches are starting and be a part of that work of God.  Does it hurt to leave behind your church home, your family and friends?  Yes, it does.  Is it a challenge to see your income drop substantially?  Yes.  Do you feel like a fish out of water for awhile in the new location?  For sure.  Did Jesus say we are to follow Him, deny ourselves, and be willing to sacrifice the things we hold dear in order to obey Him?   Did the Apostle Paul say he counts it all as loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord?  Do I want to hear God say to me one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant?”  Yes, yes, yes!

 

 So, after all that about sacrificing, I have to mention an unexpected blessing.  In early February my daughter, Ana, had a break in her job (sound tech on tour with a live Disney show) and invited me to go with her to Disneyland, all expenses paid.  She used to work for Walt Disney World and had four park passes left.  I took 3 days off and we drove to Anaheim, CA (about 4 hours).  We had a fun and leisurely visit to the Disney parks.  I thank the Lord for special times like that with family; they help me recharge my batteries.

On our way out of southern California we stopped for an hour in Moreno Valley where there is a great ministry happening on a street corner.  Last year God called a man to begin setting up signs at a busy intersection, some with an offer to pray and some just praising the Lord.  One sign gives their name, “God’s Chosen Street Ministry.”  I met brother Ty when I was out walking last October (in California for Pacific Coast church meetings).  We’ve stayed connected on Facebook and I wanted to see him again to take pictures and see if we can do something similar in Kingman.  It’s a very simple model – just make large signs with inviting messages, smile at people, offer tracts to motorists stopped for the light, and see whom God brings to you in need of prayer or healing or salvation.  As a result of being on this corner regularly, a new church is starting with some of the new believers.  (Note – be sure to set up on public land.)

Also in February Pastor Bob met with about six people in Phoenix to help organize a new church.  They plan to start worship services in April.  Please keep them in your prayers.  I believe God is leading me elsewhere and I have begun contacting leaders of SDB church plants across the country to introduce myself and learn about their ministries.  Please pray for God’s clear direction in this process.  I'm training others here to take over the work I've been doing.

I’ll be attending the first-ever SDB Church Planting Conference April 28 - May 4 in western New York state and look forward to learning from guest speaker Jared Siebert.  Details are available at www.seventhdaybaptist.org under the Blog for 1/24/2014.  After that I’ll be in Colorado for my son’s college graduation May 9.  Lord willing, I’ll know by then where God is sending me for the next place to serve.  I will keep you posted!

December Update

Merry Christmas! 

While the northern states are in a deep freeze, we get daytime highs in the 40s and 50s, complaining when it gets down to freezing overnight.  I saw 10 actual snowflakes last week on a cloudy afternoon, and frost on my car in the morning (photo to prove it)!

As I near the 6-month mark here in Kingman, I’ve been reflecting on all I’ve seen and learned.  I know from reading the Bible that when God works on us to make us more fit vessels for His service, the process can be uncomfortable or even painful.  I thought I was fine the way I was, but that’s because I was comparing myself to others, or to how far I’d come.  Being self-satisfied is not a Kingdom attitude.  It had to go.

God took someone who is an organized, logical planner and plunked her down in the middle of a dynamic, spontaneous bunch of people.  I had moments of panic.  They had moments of doubt.  Over time God helped us understand and appreciate each other, but it was a bumpy ride for a bit.  I learned better what it means to "lean on Jesus."  Lean hard.

I would describe our church culture as lively, caring, thirsty for God and His Word, rough around the edges and authentic.  Some have been healed of addiction to drugs or alcohol.  Some are being healed from broken relationships or specific areas of sin.  All are learning how to live in a way that pleases God 24x7.  Pastor Bob regularly challenges us to love one another not only in words, but in deed and truth (1 John 3:18).

Here’s an example.  One couple is celebrating daily the wife’s deliverance from alcohol three months ago.  Their friend had started coming to our church and had given up alcohol as he began pursuing God.  One day he hit a rough patch and posted something on Facebook which made this couple concerned.  That night they drove to every bar in town until they found him.  After a couple hours he was encouraged and ready to try again.  He later posted on Facebook a prayer of repentance and faith in Jesus, the Savior.

Another lady heard about overseas missions and knew that was unlikely for her, so she asked Pastor Bob, “Can’t I do something closer to home?”  She began looking and God put it on her heart to visit residents of a local nursing home weekly.  Several join her in these weekly rounds.  As a Christmas project, church members took home wrapped shoeboxes and filled them with practical gifts for the elderly residents.  We will deliver the shoeboxes this week and sing carols in the hallways.

I taught evangelism training at church this fall and several of those people join us when we go to Las Vegas once or twice a month.  We set up an Intelligence Test sign on a tripod in the pedestrian mall on Freemont Street.  Some people who stop to take the test stay to have a spiritual conversation.  We also pass out gospel tracts.  One woman who took the training believes God wants her to serve in this way, despite her natural shyness, and is looking for the next area of ministry God has for her, possibly in missions.  Another woman has been delivered from drug addiction and comes to share her testimony with others.  She’s not skilled yet, but is being obedient to the command of Jesus to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.”

Please mention our church people in your prayers.  Some are never far from depression after a lifetime of listening to Satan’s lies.  Some are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table.  We’re thankful the church is able to help several families with Christmas food baskets and gifts for their children .  

I’ve been helping with the children’s ministry, teaching them traditional songs (This Little Light of Mine, Arky Arky, Father Abraham) and keeping a lid on the ever-present desire of the kids to wrestle each other.  Their teacher, Bridgette, has directed them in a short program telling the story of Christmas and singing carols.  Remember the part in Luke chapter two about the angel announcing the good news to the shepherds? “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.”  I asked the kids if they knew what the “heavenly host” was.  One boy suggested it was the master of ceremonies in heaven.  :)

The kids’ Christmas program will be presented in the newly expanded sanctuary, now with seating for 99 people.  We’re praising the Lord for the donated labor and materials that made the remodel possible.  We were able to add a new sound system also.

Regarding a new church plant in Phoenix, Pastor Bob and I will begin contacting people in the area in early January to get an organizational meeting set up.  If the interest is there, I might move to Phoenix in the spring to help start that church.  We are seeking God’s will and hopeful of starting another strong congregation.  It would not be a result of any cleverness on our part, but we would boast in the Lord as the Apostle Paul says (1 Cor. 1:31).

I am raising additional support for the year 2014, to reach a fully-funded level.  I’m also continuing to sell XANGO nutritional supplements and my customers are helping to support me financially that way.  If you have any ongoing health challenges, please get in touch.  The website is www.MyMangosteen.com/Luke638.

We, the Church, are God’s hands and feet and voice.  Remember how many are lost without Him and offer them the Good News along with a bite to eat.  I wish you all a merry Christmas filled with the joy of our Savior Jesus.

Patty Petersen, ppetersen57@hotmail.com

November Update

Hello Friends!  Fall is in the air, even in sunny Arizona.  Jackets and gloves in the morning, short-sleeves by 3 pm.  And the hiking is still great in Hualapai Mountain Park.  I recently climbed a peak with hiking buddy LeAnn that required a scramble through bramble to reach the top, but we did it!

Church life is very full with Bible study on Wednesday nights (we finished Acts and will move on to 1 Corinthians this week), potluck and movies every other Friday night at Peet’s house (Drive Through History:  Holy Land with Dave Stotts), and one evangelism training completed with a new one coming up.  We’ve averaged once a month for the street evangelism in Las Vegas on Freemont Street.

 

 On the first Monday of the month the women’s group meets for food, fellowship and a look at famous women in the Bible.  The men’s group also meets monthly, for eating and studying the Bible in a manly manner.

Pastor Bob Peet believes in humor in the workplace.  I recently reminded him that we needed more paper towels, since he had a source in town for low-cost paper towels.  The next day I found a tower of towels on my desk (see photo).

In mid-October I traveled with Pastor Bob and Sandee to Riverside, CA, for meetings with Pacific Coast SDB churches.  Bob spoke about the success of starting this church with the key points of allowing God to put it together, having a building in which to meet (rather than a home), getting everything set up before the first service is held (children’s ministry, music worship team, etc.), promoting the church in the community through business cards, having a 6 pm service when lots of people can be there, and “bribing with food” referring to the frequent BBQ potlucks.

Riverside Seventh Day Baptist Church

 He also shared the hope of starting a new SDB church in Phoenix in early 2014.   One of our congregation recently moved there and is eager to get it started.  We are collecting contact information of those who might be interested.  If you have family and friends in the Phoenix area, please email me (ppetersen57@hotmail.com).  We’re praying about whether I should move there next to help that church get started.  Pastor Bob and the Pacific Coast pastors can help with pulpit supply for a time.  Please keep this in your prayers.

On Halloween we partnered with the local United Methodist Church to hand out candy to children from our car trunks, along with gospel tracts made for kids.  It was called “Trunk or Treat” and we gave out nearly 200 tracts.

We’ve been filling up the pews recently and were glad to receive permission from the city to knock down a few walls and enlarge the sanctuary (the building used to be a pet store), so that will happen in the next few weeks, giving us seating for up to 137.  When we applied for the permit a couple months ago, we needed $1,000 to pay the application fee.  Two different families in the church felt God leading them to donate the money, so we not only covered the fee but were ahead on the rent as well.  Praise God for His provision!

It’s been a blessing to see how God brings new people to the church.  Some see the sign when they drive by, and some respond to an invitation.  Many have not been comfortable in other churches but feel at home with us, especially when they hear Pastor Bob’s story of being a bar owner and motorcycle stunt driver before God got his attention.  Some have been delivered from demonic forces and addictions, and we support each other in prayer to continue to live in victory over darkness. 

 We take seriously the command of Jesus to “love one another as I have loved you.”  Recently a man came for worship and we learned he was living out of his truck and had serious health challenges.  After the service, a few people took up a quick collection and provided him with enough money for several nights in a hotel.  This past week a Christian brother who travels the country pulling a travel trailer spent several days helping us with odd jobs.  He goes where God leads, helping fellow Christians and sharing the gospel.

On the lighter side, I’m including a picture of my Monday class at the Senior Center, Beginning Line Dancing!  It’s a lot of fun and a good workout too.

I appreciate all your prayers – God is answering them!  I’m still raising more support, and working part-time selling XANGO nutritional supplements.  One way to support me financially is to become a customer.  The newest anti-aging drink, Ageless, is having outstanding results, including for me.  More energy, stronger muscles, improved circulation, and lots more.  www.MyMangosteen.com/Luke638.

I wish you all a very blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Please reach out to those in need remembering that Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”