Pastor Jim Powell's Dream

Greetings on the Thursday October 27, 2011.  As I am writing this I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God.  He never ceases to amaze me.   Allow me to elaborate on the element of being overwhelmed.  I had a dream last night, which is a rare occasion for me.  In the dream I was flying a plane by myself.  I have never taken flight lessons, however I have flown with my friends on numerous occasions and they have allowed me to take the controls during a safe time of the flight, which was NOT at takeoff or Landing.   In this dream I took off flying like I knew what I was doing, when all of a sudden someone on the ground who had radio contact with me alerted me that I was headed for power lines.  I quickly noticed the lines and flew for miles under the eminent danger.  As the Power lines ceased to be a threat I climbed over a series of Hills only to find the most breath taking valley I had ever seen or experienced.  The colors were brilliant, the water, lakes, rivers and farm land that I saw was nothing less than breath taking.  As I completed the tour of the valley I headed back home only to be challenged by the power lines.  I flew as far as I could under the dangerous high voltage lines only to find a landing strip.  At the end of the landing strip there was a gate that I thought I had to go through.  There was no way the plane would fit through the narrow gates.  It was at this time I awoke from my dream.  I began praying and asking the Lord for the meaning of the dream.   It was as the Lord was warning that there are risks, threats and dangers at every turn in life, but if we fail to try we have already failed.   The first thing, with my lack of flight training,  and my lack of aeronautic navigation equipment it was a set up for flight disaster from the beginning, not to say anything about the power lines or the landing that would have to happen.  The reality is I have never been part of a food ministry like Mountain View Christian Center, I have never been part of Putting together a faith based Medical Clinic, I have never been part of a recovery ministry like Celebrate Recover.   The fact is I have never pastored such a great Church and community as this.  I know there are risks, challenges and obstacles as we take off in flight with the outreach ventures to our community we are undertaking.  We must always listen to the people on the ground that has a vantage point we may not see to avert us from disastrous power lines.  As we take off in flight I believe the valley I saw was the Mini-Cassia Area.  A valley full of beauty, rivers, lakes, farm ground and breathtaking opportunity waiting to happen as the people of faith rise up to take their place God has ordained for them.   The flight back to the landing strip reminds me of to stay watchful of the ever present threat of danger and how we must be reliant upon the Lord for protection.  The gate at the end of the run way reminds us of the doors that we are not to attempt to go through, that are to small for us or closed to us. 

  I have been one who sees the glass half full not half empty and have the faith in the Lord to give me ability beyond my experience, schooling, or wisdom.   My thought is there is nothing to hard for us, as long as the Lord is in it.  The reality is the Food ministry is nothing short of miraculous, as Chris Bean our food ministry leader gave me numbers through October 2011.  We have served 6,000 people just through our 2 day a week food bank in addition to the  thousands  we have served in the larger events.  Through Celebrate Recovery that meets weekly the team continues to reach into a culture that many fear.  Those with hurts, hang-ups and habits converge on MVCC on a weekly basis to be met by  the most genuine people, who they themselves know the delivering power of God ,with a smile hand shake, a warm meal a great time of worship and small gender specific groups.  Then my mind races to the Free medical clinic, Mini-Cassia Community Health Clinic.  This will be a place where those without insurance can come and receive medical attention.  An amazing fact about this clinic is, although sponsored by Mountain View Christian Center, the clinic will be self supporting not putting a stain on the ever increasing needs of the church.  The clinic will be funded by private foundation and grant money on a monthly and yearly basis.   Just through these three ministries Mvcc is taking on a look I can only hope and trust that Jesus is proud of.    A few prayer points on these ministries.

1.        Pray that the plans for the Food bank warehouse will come together smoothly.

2.       Pray for our Celebrate Recovery Team to reach the unreachable, touch the untouchable, reach the unreachable and give home to the hopeless.

3.       Pray for the Leadership team as they continue to host meeting for the clinic.

4.       Pray for wisdom for the MVCC leadership team.

Here are a few items on the Calendar for you to remember.

Friday October 28^th… Celebrate Recovery  6:00 p.m. Church fellowship hall

Saturday October 29^th  Men’s Breakfast  7:00 a.m. Church fellowship hall

Saturday October 29^th  Couples Fun Night 6:00 P.m.  Church fellowship hall

Sunday October 30^th. 9 am & 11a.m. Church… The book of 1 Peter.

Sunday October 30^th 6.p.m. Sacred Assembly.. A time of praise, worship, prayer and word.

Monday October 31^st 9:15 a.m. Meeting with Cassia County Commissioners about Clinic

Monday October 31^st  5:00-7:00 p.m. Harvest Party… Chili Cook off and more.

Wednesday November 2^nd 7:00 p.m. Family Night—Love and Respect Class

Saturday November 5^th 4:00-8:00 p.m.  All Church Leadership Training. 

Sunday November 6^th…..TIME CHANGE

I will be preaching the book of 1 Peter this weekend; you won’t want to miss this most exciting book.  Be sure to invite a friend to church service. 

We Love you all,

Pastors Jim & Joy Powell

Pastor Jim Powell Medical clinic update

Great Thursday to you.   Well ok Friday,  As I started writing this email blast, I must admit I did the thing Idaho Men are passionate about this time of Year.  Hunting, you guessed it.  I went hunting for the day and did not get the blast out so here you go on this Friday Blast…

 As I write this week Blog my mind and heart are racing due to the fact of all the great things The Lord is doing.   Let me first report that I had a great meeting with the Minidoka County Commissioners on Monday October 17^th as I reported on the Free Medical Clinic.  The official Name we are going with is Mini-Cassia Community Medical Clinic.  The Media was present at the commissioners meeting which in turn was the top story in the Times News on Tuesday.  It is a humbling venture that is much bigger than Mountain View Christian Center.  It will require the entire two county communities to take ownership.  However the mission statement from Mountain View Christian Center will be the focal point of this clinic, “Love God, Serve People”.   We are in the final stages of establishing the boards of directors and to let you all know 4 of the 6 members will be from MVCC. Please continue to pray for our executive director Nancy Gerrard as she guides us through the issues. 

On Tuesday October 18^th we had another great food giveaway. Under the direction of Chris Bean and her team it was the most organized event we have hosted to date.   In addition to just giving out food a nutrition class was presented by the University of Idaho Extension program.  Hundreds of People took advantage of this program.  We had approximately 300 families that were the recipients of the food which included, fresh fruit, vegetables, canned goods, meat, bread, eggs, and several frozen items such as potatoes, vegetables and more.  I was the one giving out a bag of frozen veggies and had way too much fun as I ask for a smile from each of the people.  I Love the People of this community.   While the food giveaway was going on the Paving crew was busy with the Parking Lot on the West and South Side of the church building.  May I now report that we have a Paved parking Lot, Paid for by the faithfulness of you all.  I have a striping company that will be here Friday so it will be ready on park on Sunday morning. 

The fall ministries are in full swing, with the start up of the long awaited “Love and Respect Series” that will begin October 27^th at 7:00 p.m.  Come join us for dinner as our Chef Richard Sizemore prepares a wonderful meal each week.  He starts serving at 6:00 p.m.  The Love and respect series will be taught by Rick and Shawna Krause, We have a workbook available for each person for the cost of $6.00 per book.  It will be a great time for all.  Come and be a part.  We have child care available for all ages so bring the kids and join in the fun. 

I missed the leadership teaching portion of the blast last week because I got so lengthy.  So here is you leadership tips for the week, taken from John Maxwell’s book Leadership Gold.

THE Best Leasers are good listeners.

1.        Understanding people precedes leading them.

How can you lead if you don’t understand?

2.       Listening is the best way to learn.

3.       Listening can keep problems from getting out of control.

4.       Listening establishes trust.

5.       Listening can improve your organization and family.

One of my favorite verses in the bible is in Proverbs 8:32
“ Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

This weekend I will be preaching on the book of James.  A book that deals with Trials, the tongue, faith, praying for the sick and more.  After the second service we will be having a time of Baptism.  They are exciting times as we witness what the Lord is doing in people’s hearts and lives.  You will not want to miss Church service this weekend. As you are coming to church be sure to invite a friend to go with you.   

We Love you ,

Pastors Jim & Joy Powell

Pastor Jim Powell

Mountain View Christian Center Free Medical Clinic

Great Thursday to all of you!  Wow what an amazing, exciting time to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am truly amazed at the Grace, Mercy and Peace of the Lord our God.  This week has been full of the blessings of God.  As I reported on Sunday, I was contacted by the Mayor of Burley in regards to the free medical clinic we are venturing into.  Our conversation was that the city was contacted by a group that wanted to do the same thing and a meeting was set for Wednesday October 12^th to meet with our executive medical team and the mayor and his team.  We had the meeting and just as proposed and stated on Sunday, he withdrew the application from the city for a clinic and gave us his full support as he handed me his file and said, “Pastor you run with this and we will support you”.  We are well on our way to opening our doors soon.  A meeting is scheduled for this evening October 13, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at city hall to meet with the two hospital administrators, county commissioners and State representatives to solicit their support.  As well we will select a name fitting for the clinic that reaches the two county regions it will serve.  The need for free medical attention is enormous in our community, as it will serve all regardless of race, religion, or status who is UN insured.   The goal is to set up a separate 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization from Mountain View Christian Center.  The paperwork has been completed and is on my desk filled out and ready to file.  Oh, yes let me tell you about how that came about.  To file a nonprofit application takes time and of course money and an attorney.  The team that was with the mayor and present in our meeting on Wednesday has an attorney that has already drafted the application and will file and push through at NO Charge this application, Oh did I mention that a CPA will also file all tax returns and prepare all documents at NO Charge to us…WOW.. Oh did I mention that money for a staff office administrator was in the bank for one year.  Oh did I mention that the office administrator is already hired and ready to go….Ok I’m getting excited.  Please pray as we have a few details to work out.  They are final location, and a Doctor who will be the Dr of record for the clinic. God is able to meet these needs, but please pray…

The board of MVCC met on Monday evening to talk, pray and plan for all God is doing.  We have such a wonderful willing God centered Board.  I have great news for you all.   The board authorized ample funds to remodel the Kitchen, which will include roll up serving doors, resurface the counter tops with granite and/or Stainless steel, new commercial cook tops and ovens and more… Ya hoo.. The Board also authorized funding to pave the remainder of the parking lot on the west and south side of the building.  The board as well authorized funding to purchase the land to the east side of the parking lot.  There is 1.81 acres that will be utilized for the Food Pantry warehouse that will be built next spring.   Yes it is a lot of money but thanks to all of you and your faithfulness to the Lord with your tithes, offerings and generous gifts we are able to do some really cool stuff.

Speaking of Cool stuff, we are having a food give a way this next Tuesday October 18^th from 9 a.m.-12:00.  We have close to 300 families registered to receive food.  If you are not working and would like to help, come by the church Tuesday morning with you work clothes and your God Smiles… HELPPPPP !!

This weekend we are launching our fall home groups.  We have a great team of host families that will be recruiting you to be a part of their home group.  Don’t be surprised when you are asked  more than once to be part.   Our home groups will meet One Sunday evening a month from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. It will be a fun time for all to have.

Some other really cool things we are doing is, a class starting Wednesday evening October 26^th entitled, Love and respect.. Please get signed up for this amazing opportunity.  Books are $6.00 each or $12.00 per couple.  A limited amount of scholarships are available.  The class will be taught by Rick and Shawna Kraus.  (Please see attached flier). 

I have attached some core values I have been working on that describes our church.  I would like your thoughts as we draft an accurate document of who we at Mountain View Christian Center.

This weekend I will be preaching on the book of Hebrews, a book that covers several topics. The worship of Angels, Salvation, The Priesthood, and Faith…It will be a great word for all.  Come be a part of what the Lord is doing at Mountain View Christian Center. 

We Love You all,

Pastors Jim & Joy Powell

A must Read

Greetings on this Cold fall day October 6, 2011 in Idaho.   The Lord never ceases to amaze me as we serve Him, the miracles, encouragement, and enlightenment He brings to our lives.  We just returned from a nursing home locally where we met Christine a sweet lady who has been watching our live stream TV broadcast weekly.  She wanted to make sure we were real pastors.  She had attended the church 20 plus years ago and was baptized by my mentor and friend Doyle Fulkes who was the pastor here at MVCC for 21 years.  She had faced a crisis in her life that stole her faith as her daughter committed suicide years ago at the age of 21.  She told me that she did not want to read the bible or even talk to God for 3 years.  Each time she was prompted to talk to God or read the bible her heart grew even harder. Finally one day she was watching a western movie on television and the story line was a no good drifter  who turned his life around and started preaching the good news.  She came to her senses and realized that the death of her child was not God’s fault and recently renewed her faith.  She told us that she knows the reason why she was in the retirement center, to lead people to Christ, one of which is now her best friend.  What a journey of pain, reflection and renewal.  I hear these kinds of stories all too often.  We as human beings get disappointed when God does not answer our prayers according to our plan. I am so grateful that the Lord does not turn us away in the midst of our darkest hour. If you have listened to any of the news media we as a Nation are in midst of darkness.  My response to that news is the GOOD NEWS. People are turning and returning to faith in record numbers.  Just last week a new friend of ours who pastors in Seattle Washington reported that he baptized over 400 people last weekend.  He said hundreds of people have made decisions to follow Christ.  Another Pastor we had recently met pastors 5 campuses in North Carolina baptized 2158 people this month.  Yes it may be dark but the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ dispels all darkness.  What are you facing?  I’m reminded of Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? Well of course we know the answer, No!! The answer is, there is nothing to hard for the Lord.  Be encouraged this day that God is on your side.

Some really cool things have taken place this week at Mountain View Christian Center.   As we are making plans for the warehouse, size, placement and contents, I received a call from a business associate in Boise.  He said do you need or could you use some Pallet racks, I know this is a strange but I had to call you to see if you could use them.  I told him, well of course.  It is a gift of approximately           + -$30,000.  Thank you Lord!  The warehouse will be 50’X100’ and will contain dry storage plus cold storage space.  With our new grocery alliance program and food sources the warehouse will be a busy place.   Speaking of a busy place Mvcc will be the place to be Tuesday October 18^th as we are hosting the Idaho Food bank Mobil pantry for the month of October.  We are expecting 500 +- families on this day.   

As we continue to expand ministries one area that we are constantly looking at is our Multi Media.  We have several hundred people each week watch us on Live TV.  To enhance this production we are going to start doing live interviews in two weeks between first and second service.  Our host for these segments will be Pene Main.  She will be looking for people to share a testimony, praise report or the goodness of our God in a 15 minute segment each week.   We have Studio B as the site for this.  You may not know but we have a Radio Recording studio in the church that is Studio A.  This new set will be in the North West corner of the Sanctuary.  We plan to do a “green Screen” that will allow to have whatever back ground we wish.  We can make it look like you are in Hawaii or Israel or the potato fields. I will keep you posted. 

We are still in need of coats, or gently used for our Thanksgiving Food and coat give away.  Mr. Gas at the Twin falls and Burley Idaho locations as well as MVCC is the current drop sites for coats.  Our goal is 2,000 and we are not far from it.  Today we received a call from a lady in the church that needed to break in to the coats.  With the weather turning real cold, her kids didn’t have a coat. We got her taken care of. 

This weekend I am preaching the book of Philemon.  A 25 verse book that deals with the value of true friends and shows that a person can make a life change and be used for the Kingdom of God in a Great way as we allow the grace of God to flow through us.  Go ahead and read the book in preparation for the weekend.  Be sure to invite a friend to church this weekend.  Oh yes I will also reveal the gospel according to face book, the do’s and don’ts on face book.  See you Sunday!!!!!

We Love you all,

Pastor Jim & Joy Powell