Showers of Blessings Pour Out on Dodge!
Just three weeks after the Riverside Fire destroyed Dodge Community Church and several homes in the area, offers of assistance are coming in so fast that church leaders may have trouble keeping up with them. Dodge deacons and former pastor Frank Campbell are meeting tonight to begin planning for the future, delegating responsibilities, and praising God for all the help that has been offered so far. While Tony admits many things can’t get started until the ashes cool, he is encouraged to know how fast the Lord is bringing in aid. It even appears the church will have a temporary home in the community soon. A neighbor has offered a large, heated shop, fully furnished to accommodate the congregation, even with appropriate social distancing. The same neighbor, who only recently moved to Dodge, is also offering to host a Thanksgiving Dinner for the church. Several churches from throughout the Northwest and beyond have inquired about the specific needs of the community, and have offered funding, construction crews, furnishings and more. Dodge church members will be responding to those offers and inquiries as they get a better handle on the needs. Several Dodge families have yet to return to the community, as the Riverside Fire is still burning in the backcountry. Still, Tony is rejoicing in every phone call, email and letter they receive in support. Sunday School Fellowship’s board meets October 3rd at the Carver Church, and one of the many things on their agenda is also how to assist with the resurrection of Dodge Community Church.
No. This isn’t the New Dodge Community Church!
It’s the Harvey Cedars Bible Conference facility on the Jersey Shore, where I was privileged to meet this past week with 90 other InFaith missionaries and leaders for our annual Refresh conference. The three-day event featured inspiring speakers and music, and lots of interaction and encouragement between fellow servants of Christ. Among the many “take-aways” from Refresh: I spoke with a Field Director who has a donor who wants to provide a scholarship to someone who would like to train specifically for rural ministry. He asked me if someone in one of our churches would be interested. Has the Lord whet your appetite to share the Gospel? Contact me and I will tell you more about this amazing offer.
The Lord is Moving at The Church on the Mountain, too.
Members of the Church on the Mountain have voted to call Thomas Robinson to succeed Tim Simon as their teaching pastor. Robinson was called earlier this year as associate pastor, to serve as a “Joshua” for a while under Tim’s leadership. Now, the Lord has impressed upon all at the church that the time for the transition has come. Tim plans to retire from his current role, but to continue to serve as an elder of the church. An installation of Pastor Robinson is being planned for November 1st.
NWxNW Meets tomorrow (Tuesday, September 29th)
The NWxNW ministry leaders fellowship meets tomorrow at 10 AM at Shiloh Basin Community Church. The will be the third monthly gathering of leaders of the six churches in the far northwest reaches of InFaith: Northwest Oregon. These informal fellowship gatherings offer a chance for church leaders to share, lift one another up in prayer and exchange ministry ideas and words from the Lord. Visitors are welcome. For directions to Shiloh Basin, please check our interactive map of fellowship churches at www.nworinfaith.org .
Partnerships are still growing!
We learned last week that InFaith: Northwest Oregon will not be receiving a grant for a major ministry project we had proposed for 2021-2025, But that’s OK! The process of developing the grant proposal has brought us into contact with potential ministry partners for future projects, which we will continue to explore this week. Woodland Park Chapel pastor Brad Gentry and I will be meeting this week with the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of Village Missions (Dallas, Oregon). VM had offered assistance with our original project to help out small churches in the area, and is willing to explore new ideas, even without the grant funding. Please pray that the Lord will bring fruit from our conversations and prayer.
Join us for these October activities as well:
Portland Pastors’ Prayer October 15, 10 AM at Woodland Park Chapel
Sandy Area Pastors’ Breakfast October 21, 9 AM at Tollgate Inn, Sandy
May the Lord rain down blessings on all of you this week, as you seek His face and do His will in your communities.
Tom Hiscox, NW Oregon Area Missionary thiscox@infaith.org