by Rita Holt

Jesus said in John 4:35b, “I tell you, open your eyes, and look at the fields! They are ripe for Harvest.”

Ten members of the Global Outreach Team, plus Ryan and Justine, traveled to    Fremont November 7th - 8th to attend a gathering of Churches for God’s greatest glory. We listened to keynote speakers in General Sessions and attended workshops both days.

 Ten members of the Global Outreach Team, plus Ryan and Justine, traveled to    Fremont November 7th - 8th to attend a gathering of Churches for God’s greatest glory. We listened to keynote speakers in General Sessions and attended workshops both days.

Workshops spoke to the needs and goals of NCAC and touched on community outreach, short-term missions, world religions, prayer, leadership, church issues, and youth. Information was well presented, useful, and eye-opening. We gained new perspectives for our lives and confirmed the vision held at NCAC.

 God is actively at work in the world and we were re-invigorated for ministry. We discovered what other churches are doing, learned practical, how-to ideas for missions, and how better to understand and present new projects to our church family, all while glorifying God. Confirmation was given to us in our direction of outreach and missions.

We came away with a deeper passion for the church and a greater desire to bring the “Good News” of Jesus Christ to lost people. One fact    consistently showed up…the need for more prayer…the least, yet the most that we can do for the lost!

by Nick Braito

As we look back on 2008, one of the many things we have to be thankful for is the way God has blessed Neighborhood Church with the joy of being used Him to participate in so many ministries in our community and around the world.

 God has allowed us to give to the ministry of Anderson/Cottonwood Christian Assistance, the Good New Rescue Mission, Lifelight Pregnancy Help Center, Mt. Meadows Bible Camp, Marriage Mentors, and Youth for Christ.

 He blessed us to partner with Anne Kerns and also Liz Thrasher with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Chico State University, Joel and     Virginia Cook with AWANA, and the Menez family who are working to plant Grace Community Bible Church.

 God allowed us to offer AWANA, Released Time, and Vacation Bible School. He had us support a number of outreach efforts at local parades, fairs, and other events as we gave out tens of thousands of Gospel tracts and hundreds of books and Bibles.

 Overseas, God has joined us in partnership with Matt and Melanie as they prepare to be involved in Bible translation projects and with Catharine Coon and Hope Alive! as they bring hope to people in Uganda.

 God has us sharing with Kathy Queen and her ministry in the Middle East. He has graced us to be able to support the  Habegers in their ministry in Uganda and Sudan and given us the joy of setting up a home for them on their Home Assignment.

He has allowed us to support a team through PESAT reaching the O people and give to establish a Rubber Tree Plantation which will provide them future income. Through us God redeemed $900 of recyclables for CAMED.

by Dick Hall

ACCA “Anderson-Cottonwood Christian Assistance.” is an all volunteer group that began in September 1986 with four churches – Sacred Heart, St. Michaels, Trinity Methodist, and Valley Christian who joined together to provide emergency food to the needy of our community. Neighborhood Church joined two months later. It currently  includes 15 churches.

 Funding comes from member churches, United Way, FEMA, and individual donations. Client numbers have grown alarmingly by over a 1,000 in the last two years to over 5,000 annually. We still have December and the special Christmas distribution to fill. FEMA and United Way are slashing funds in 2009. Giving is down to an all-time low  because of job losses and pay cuts.

 ACCA provides emergency food and other items such as toothpaste, soap, detergents, diapers, toilet paper, to an every-growing list of needy individuals and families in south Shasta County who are unable to provide for themselves.

 Ryan Wildauer and the ACTS Youth Group recently handed out coats collected from our Neighborhood Church family.  People who received the coats were very grateful.

 Distribution is twice weekly with enough food to feed a family of four for three to four days. Areas covered are south of Clear Creek and Meadow View to Bowman Road and Lake California and east to the Shingletown area.

by Susan Christian

About 150 adults and their children attended the    November potluck and Family Meeting. After a delicious dinner sweetened with good.  fellowship around the tables, Mark Pauley led us in a time of enthusiastic worship.

Nick Braito started the meeting. “God is good. We have lots to be thankful for!” He explained, “Our gifts have blessed others and glorified God in our community and in the world.” Nick mentioned fourteen local and twelve overseas ministries we have supported this year.

 Doug Deese shared about an upcoming opportunity for our church family to continue blessing others in 2009 through the “Abundance of Joy Day.”

 Elders took turns answering and discussing questions submitted by individuals. They responded  to questions about our giving to foreign missions, welcoming newcomers, upcoming adult Sunday School classes, how we would treat homosexuals who visit our church, and why children eight years and older are included in the regular worship services. Questions not answered will be read and discussed by the Elders.

 Remember the Four Ds? Nick Braito concluded the meeting with a review of the Four Ds and their meanings. (Discovering, Developing, Displaying, and Declaring joy in God.) He reminded us of various opportunities to practice these principles in our church and in the world. He challenged those at the gathering to ask themselves, “Are we doing each of these four things?”

 Family meetings offer a time of great fellowship and are informative, too. Please watch for the next one and plan to attend.