What is the task of the church...

Lately I've been challenged by many different books and how the Church, Christ's bride, is to respond to the needs of the world and do ministry. I appreciated the way this statement is worded, so I wanted to share:

"What is the task of the church? We are to embody Jesus Christ by doing what He did and what He continues to do through us: declare-using both words and deeds-that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords who is bringing in a kingdom of righteousness, justice and peace. And the church needs to do this where Jesus did it, among the blind, the lame, the sick and outcast, and the poor." - When Helping Hurts

A few upcoming events...

Happy (late) New Year!

We are always trying to stay in tune with upcoming community events, and I wanted to share a few important dates to mark on your calendar!

Blessed to serve with you,

Kolbi

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21: Prescott's Community Pregnancy Center is hosting a FREE show with Christian comedian Brad Stine. No admission charge, but please bring diapers or a new baby item. Most needed diapers are sizes: Newborn, 4, 5, 6, and pull ups. Visit www.cpcprescott.org for more information

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11: Join Focus on the Family, church leaders and families from all over the state for the Wait No More conference held at Scottsdale Bible Church from 1:00-5:00 pm. Visit http://www.icareaboutorphans.org/Arizona.aspx for more information.

Arizona Wait No More Promo Video from Focus on the Family on Vimeo.

Small Groups Serving

Last weekend one of Heights Church small groups spent the day helping an elderly woman in need in our own community. Check out some of the group's pictures. If you want more information about how you and your small group can serve and make a difference for someone, contact Kolbi or Deborah at outreach@heightschurch.com or kolbih@heightschurch.com.

Blessings to you!

Welcome Home Cambodia Team

The Cambodia team arrived safely back to Prescott on Saturday night, October 15. The team had a wonderful trip and have so much to tell us! Here are just a few pictures to start. Check back soon for more!

Mexico Team - October 15 & 16 Report

The Hands and Feet Mexico Outreach team that served October 15 & 16 is back and so blessed to be a part of God's work in "Hope for the World Church" is Nogales, Mexico.

We arrived on Friday afternoon and spent the afternoon preparing for the evening missions conference, hosted by the church in hopes to encourage and mobilize the church congregation to be missional in the surrounding communities and ministries around the world. Many of us on the team were able to share about how God is teaching us to be missionaries to our own communities here in Prescott. We were able to encourage each other in doing the work of the Lord and we are excited to be a part of the missions conference in 2012.

On Saturday morning we held an outreach to the children of the community and had 38 kids and parents attend! We had the privilege to share the Gospel with these children, and we are so excited to see how the seeds we planted will be watered in the coming years. Now we just pray that God will bring the growth!

Thank you for praying for this team. Please continue praying for the ministry of Hope for the World Church. We are blessed to join this church in the ministry God has called them to!

Cambodia Team Update - 10/13/2011

Today was so bittersweet. We have spent the last four days with the children at the center and the entire team feels like family here. Unfortunately, we had to leave. Tears were flowing from team members as well as the center kids. I had several boys personally come to me and thank me for spending time with them and say "You wil not forget me?". If that does not tear your heart out I do not know what will. God has moved in a mighty way to build such good friendships in such a short amount of time.

Our VBS went very well with a lot of changes thown in. We had to modify our teaching due to time and understanding, change games due to weather and the preferances of the center, and modify crafts and songs to accomodate the language barrier and the age of kids. Despite all the challanges we presented God to almost 200 children. Now we can only pray that the seeds were planted or nutured and let God do the rest. I know that we were blessed tremendously by the children we taught. Many of the village children caught our hearts as much as the center children did.

We are excited to share our stories and pictures to all when we return.

Michael

Cambodia Team Update - 10/12/11

I love it here! The kids have completely grabbed a hold on my heart. Seeing their reactions to all the activities we’ve been doing is so encouraging and leaves me wanting to laugh and play with them all day long. Also, everybody on the team has been bonding with the kids and we’re all creating friendships that will last in our memories forever.

Last night we gathered up stairs in the worship building and began to teach all of the kids a new song. They absolutely loved it! Everyone was singing and dancing and we all were just having a great time together. You could feel yourself being surrounded by the love and joy and as you looked around the room, there were huge smiles on every single person’s face. When the song ended they all were yelling ONE MORE TIME! We just kept repeating the song until sadly, it was time to leave. I sure didn’t want to leave and neither did the other team members. The kids there at the center didn’t want to see us leave but it sure felt nice to finally settle down at the hotel and get some rest. Everyday I wake up so excited to return back to the center

~Cheyenne Jasper

Hello from Cambodia! We had an amazing evening with the center kids and recently finished our morning VBS class for this week. We are resting in the air conditioning of the hotel before we go back for lunch and our afternoon session.

We have had some illness, but nothing major…the normal intestinal problems from some new team members to Cambodia and one of our leaders. Please pray for good health and strength. Sometimes it is the food…sometimes it is the heat and the fact that we push ourselves because we are having fun…sometimes the enemy just tries to steal our joy because we are having sooooooo much fun!

Thank you for your continued support,

Tammy