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FOOTBALL SEASON
I like most sports, and I really enjoy football. I have several favorite teams (my son says that not right) and enjoy taping the games, so I can fast-forward through a game in an hour (my son-in-law says that's not right). Football Trivia: Who are the four teams that have never even played in a Super Bowl? Read on. There are some great spiritual lessons from the world of sports. The apostle Paul even referred to sports (1 Cor 9) several times. Here's another one. We can be confident in our calling, knowing that God chose us to be on his "team" and has the desire and ability through Christ to give us victory over every obstacle. At the same time, He holds us responsible for how we perform.
"For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:9)
So, play to your potential and remember, you're on the winning team!
(Answer: Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Panthers)
Jim Smith (pictured below #68)
President
Pacific Church Network
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MAN CAMP
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
October 6-8, 2023
Limited space, reserve your spots soon!
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Join us this fall for a unique weekend of worship, free time, deepening your knowledge of God, and interacting with other men. New this year is a joint worship time with both Spanish- and English-speaking men, praising our Lord together. Then we will have separate teaching times in our native languages. It will be an uplifting experience.
Spanish-language Speakers: Pastors Roberto Sánchez and Abel González. English-language Speakers: Jim Smith and Emilio Núñez.
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Currently, we are financially supporting 3 church plants. Thank you for your financial support to the Pacific Church Network which allows us to continue to help plant churches.
Gospel Life - Guam
Mel and Rachel Hennegan are already holding weekly Zoom Bible studies with a core team of 13 adults. They had an ordination and commissioning service last month (pictured above) in Minnesota at the church where Mel did his internship, and plan to move to Guam in September. They need to work out important details like housing and a car. Their home church on the island of Guam, Bayview Church, will have a commissioning service for them on October 1. The official launch is planned for October 8.Me
Covenant Bible Church - Georgetown, TX
This church has experienced steady growth and needs another facility to accommodate its expansion. Begun in 2021 in Pastor Joel Webbon's home, they moved into a local restaurant and now rent a dance hall.
Passion Church - Palm Springs
Pastor TJ McCall, his wife Jess, and their family have moved into the Palm Springs area. They are holding vision nights and regular team prayer meetings on Sunday nights. The church is scheduled to launch in January 2024.
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Daybreak Church in Kailua, Oahu is actively helping those affected by the devastating fire on Maui. Pastor Sean Palmer said they have received a tremendous number of donations and gifts from individuals within Daybreak Church, Pacific Church Network, and Venture Church Network (nationwide). They have a made numerous trips to Maui, meeting front-line workers, families, and individuals in need. They have given backpacks full of school supplies to kids going to school (but who didn't have any supplies), diapers, water, gifts cards of $50 and $100, plus much more. They have connected with churches on Maui to coordinate and work together long after FEMA and other relief agencies leave. Car rental agents have given free upgrades to a larger vehicles to accommodate the many supplies. The need is great. Over $20,000 has been received already. Thank you for your support! (Click pull-down menu, chose 'benevolence,' Island Wildfire Relief) | |
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FAITH, SEXUALITY, GENDER CONFERENCE
Hosted by New City Church, San Diego
October 20 - 21, 2023
| New City Church of San Diego (a PCN church) is hosting a conference on Friday, October 20 - Saturday, October 21. They have invited Dr. Preston Sprinkle to dive deep into the theological, relational, and ministry-related questions that come up in the LGBTQ conversation. Pastor Vince Larson of New City Church said there has already been much interest from other evangelical churches about this conference, so they have moved it to a larger facility, Grace Church in San Diego. There will be an introductory session on Friday night ($20) or you can attend both Friday and all day Saturday for ($95). Click the button for more details and registration. | |
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FLOOD RELIEF
Devastating Floods in Guatemala
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Our largest PCN Spanish Congregation in Los Angeles, Iglesia Evangelica Centro Biblio K'anjobal, has many connections with friends and families in Guatemala. This summer's rainy season brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, flooding, landslides, and significant damage to many parts of Guatemala. Especially hard hit was the church, Iglesia de Cristo Presencia, in the town of Barillas. They experienced unusually heavy rain on July 28, 2023. Pastor Carlos Rolando Yoc Perez shared that the continuous heavy rain caused a nearby river to overflow in a matter of minutes, flooding their church and Christian School, and the mud and water reached a height of almost 6 feet. Many volunteers have been working tirelessly to clean up their homes and church, and the school was relocated, but they are struggling. Many people are in need of food and shelter. If you would like to donate funds to help those in need, see below. Our church in LA will make sure your donations get to those in need.
From the pull-down menu, choose "Guatemala Flood Relief."
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INSTALLATION SERVICE
Calvary Baptist, Huntington Beach, CA
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On Sunday, August 13, hundreds attended the installation service for Pastor Lucas Parks as he begins serving as Lead Pastor at Calvary. Many local pastors also came, showing unity and support, including PCN Pastors Israel Gomez (Branches, Fullerton) and Andrew Garland (ShoreLife, Huntington Beach). Those attending were asked to come forward and lay hands on Pastor Lucas, as they prayed. | |
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SEMINARY CLASSES BEGIN
It's not too late to join classes beginning in September.
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Seminary of the Americas is getting ready to begin fall classes. Whether you're looking to learn more about the Bible with a class or two, or want to complete our entire program, check out the offerings coming to a location near you. Find classes in Spanish and in English.
- Phoenix
- Port Hueneme (English)
- Santa Barbara
- Lakewood
- La Puente
- Miami
- Norwalk
- Bell Gardens
- Classes on Zoom (Spanish and English)
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CANADIAN PASTOR ACQUITTED
Good News for GraceLife Church, Alberta
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It’s been more than two years since the property of GraceLife Church in Alberta, Canada, was seized by law enforcement due to the church’s disregarding of the government's COVID-19 health orders. Pastor James Coates was imprisoned for preaching and holding worship services throughout 2020. Now, after two years of court battles, on Wednesday, August 30, all charges against Pastor Coates and his church related to violating public health rules during the COVID-19 pandemic have been officially dropped. The court "ruled public health orders issued in the province were invalid and enacted outside the powers of the province’s Public Health Act.” Back in 2020, Coates continued to preach and hold worship services in direct violation of the COVID-19 restrictions set by the Alberta provincial government. At the time, the church had around 400 in attendance. The number of congregants is said to have doubled following the arrest of the pastor. | |
2024 FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL TOUR
Ephesus, Greece and Rome
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Join Pacific Church Network's President Jim Smith and his wife, Vicki, when they take a group to visit some of the New Testament locations like Athens, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, Corinth, Parthenon, Mars Hill, Rome, Coliseum, Arch of Titus, Roman Forum, St Peter's, Vatican, and more in 11 memorable days. The cost will be $5,399. Our last trip sold out very quickly, so place a deposit to save your place today. Please join us!
Questions? Contact our office at: laura@pacificchurchnetwork.com.
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NOVEMBER PASTORS GETAWAY
Only a few spots Left
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PCN Lead Pastoral Couples: Join us for a free and refreshing getaway to strengthen your marriage and connect with other pastoral couples in the network. Arrive Sunday and check in at the beautiful oceanfront Inn at Laguna Beach. Dinner on your own. Evening reception at Laguna Presbyterian Church. Sleep in, then enjoy a complimentary breakfast. Join us for a final session at Laguna Presbyterian. | |
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JOBS
From Around Venture Church Networks
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Pacific Church Network is a member of Venture Church Network, which has 8 regional networks nationally. Some have job openings. Take a look. | |
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SPANISH WOMEN'S CONFERENCE
Saturday, September 9 | Whittier, CA
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