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Monday, March 09, 2015
Monday, March 02, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Why Go to Church!
Our senior pastor at Crossroads Church in Loveland Colorado, @johnsmithcrsrds, has shared in a couple of leadership settings that statistics are showing that the average church attendere goes two out of every nine weeks. Stating the obvious -- this is not good!
A few years ago in a leadership gathering with Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willowcreek Community Church Bill shared five reasons why it is important to go to church -- I trust this will resonate with you.
- Jesus modeled it for us. He made it a practice of His. Luke 4:16 "When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom."
- A reminder that you are not alone -- that you are not crazy
- Important for our children. Your kids are depending on you They cannot drive themselves.
- The Power of the Manifest Presence of God -- Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
- Out of Discipline and Obedience. Hebrews 10:24, 25 "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
"Thank Offerings"
"My vows to you I must perform, O God; I will render thank-offerings to you." (Psalm 56:12 NRSV)
So we have been in Fort Collins Colorado for close to 10
weeks now – hard to believe I am saying this.
During this time I read Psalm 56:12 and have put into practice of regularly
taking time to write in my journal what I am thankful for.
As many of you have been praying for our family during this season of transition here are some of things I most thankful for during the past 2 and ½ months.
Thankful …
Both Rhett and Emersen have adjusted well to their new surroundings – making friends in the neighborhood and enjoying their new school.
Tara is enjoying her daily times with God as she has creation pathway and our neighborhood lends to this.
That some of the promptings I sensed God was leading me in has come to fruition in regards to Crossroads Church.
Our house in San Diego sold within 10 days of when we were scheduled to close on a purchase of a house here in Fort Collins.
For the countess amount of prayers offered up on our behalf during this season.
For the friends I have made in San Diego that will last a lifetime.
I am at a church that is allowing me to leverage my gifts to my fullest.
There is a Starbucks 6/10 of mile from my house.
There are rumors of a Costco coming to the Fort Collins area.
From day 1 of being in Colorado “unexpected friends” have been present that have made our settling into our new home easy.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
The Kaya Family Prayer Requests Part 2: The Transition
We arrived late Thursday night in Fort Collins Colorado covering 4 states, 18 hours and 1200 miles. We want to thank all of you who have experessed various sentiments and lifted up many prayers on our behalf -- we ask that you please continue to pray.
So here is a few pictures giving you a glimpse of our new life ...
First with no cable service yet that means no wi-fi and if you know me this is like death. Thankfully there is a Starbucks 6/10 of a mile away from our house. This is an incredible help and also incredibly scary for my bank account. Ironically the first time I visited Colorado this is the very first Starbucks I went to.
The movers came yesterday, and there is much to do! Need to get a washer and dryer, some stuff done around the house and if you know me -- I as a handyman makes Ed Noble look Bob Villa -- so please pray!!!
Here is an intial look at our new home -- please pray that our house in San Diego sells fast.
As for tonight the entire family will be meeting with the Creative Arts Team (Programming/Worship) after the Saturday night service. Here is a view from my office.
My last picture for now ... If you got into talked to me in leading up to our coming to Fort Collins, I have made much about how there is no Costco in reasonable distance from where we live. This is especially heightened by the fact there was a Costco less than 3 miles from Journey.
So in the spirit of We Bought a Zoo's "9-mile Target," today we will head out to our "50-mile Costco" in Denver.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
What I will miss ...
It is fairly obvious that I will miss this place. This picture was taken yesterday driving away for the last time. In fact my son Rhett said it best when he said, "Leaving Journey is like leaving home -- we pretty have come here everyday since I was born."
However, here are a couple of other daily go to spots that may not be as obvious that I will definitely miss. This Starbucks on Campo Road in the "77" is one where I received impecable customer service almost every day and sometimes more than once a day. I need to find "my" Starbucks in Fort Collins.
I have no doubt that if a 24-Hour Fitness would not have been a 3-mile drive away, I would be Biggest Loser material. It was also great place to run into people from Journey and invite people to Journey. Thankfully, there is a 24 Hour Fitness within a couple of miles of our new home.
For those of you have moved ... What places did you miss? Or if you were to leave what would you miss?
The Kaya Family Prayer Requests Part 1: The Trip to Fort Collins/Loveland
Our summer can be defined in two words: packing and boxes.
So many of you have been so gracious in praying for me and my family during this season of transition and you continually grace us by asking how you can continually pray for us. So the time has finally come the moving truck has left and it is time for us to go.
With that being said here is how you can be praying for us as a family as we drive out today to Colorado.
This is the first of several posts specifically regarding how you can pray for us. I thank you advance for all your support.
- Safety in our travels as we will be making the 18-hour trek over two days arriving in Fort Collins on Friday.
- That movers would get there on Schedule (Friday) and all of our stuff would be intact.
- All the logistics and details of getting settled in would go smoothly -- getting utilities, cable and other amenities all set up.
- Rhett & Emersen would love their new school and make great friends right away -- they start Tuesday Aug. 21
- Our home in San Diego would sell quickly and at the optimum price.
- God's continual grace, peace and favor.
- That it would be a fun road trip.
Monday, August 13, 2012
What's In a Name ... "Journey"
One of the joys I have had in being a part of Journey Community Church all these years is actually playing a vital role in naming it. In 1998 we, as a leadership team, through a series of events, were sensing a need to change our church name that would give us our own unique identity.
Through a series of conversations and meetings some of the suggestions being tossed around were East County Community Church, East County Christian Church, Gateway Community Church amongst many others -- nothing was clicking or settling right.
As a last minute ditch effort I suggested Discovery Community Church with the tag line, "where you discover your life's purpose." It didn't catch on with any one on the team.
Then before we were to enter a meeting where we would decide the name of the church amongst one of the earlier sugguestions, I was having a conversation with work colleague about our future options. Nothing new was coming to the forefront.
Then through the corner of my eye, I noticed the Journey Bible on my book shelf, I went and grabbed it and what caught my attention was the tag line "A Bible for Seeking God and Understanding LIfe." Then I rememberd stating outloud, "Journey a Church for Seeking God and Understanding Life." Though we didn't keep the tag line -- the name Journey really stuck with us hence the name we have today.
Over the years we have recognized how Journey truly does embody who we are as a church -- for we, as we often say, are on a spiritual journey. And we further say that regardless of where you may be in your journey -- whether you are in the earliest stages where you are just beginning contemplate God's role in your life or further along where you are wrestling with how to live by faith and passionately follow Him -- you are all welcome.
In addition we have also come to recognize how image laden "Journey" is how we have been able to use it through out our ministry life -- here are some of my favorite examples:
- My Journey -- what is often referred to as a testimony
- Basic Journey -- our new believers class
- Heart of the Journey -- our spiritual formation and practices seminar
- Journeymen -- men's ministry
- Our Journey -- spiritual growth process
My last GLS at site #44
Over the past couple of weeks I have been experiencing a series of "lasts" (experiences I am having for the last time) as I have been preparing for my move from San Diego to Colorado.
One of these lasts took place this past Thursday and Friday being a part of the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit here in San Diego where for nine years Journey Community Church has served as the host site (site #44). During my 16-year run at JCC I have had the privilege of leading several different teams and departments and serving as the GLS point leader was truly one of my favorites.
At the conclusion of every GLS I become a human thanking machine -- making it my priority to thank the incredible volunteers who serve with tireless passion and energy.
(A pre-service team meeting way before guests start arriving.)
Many of our volunteers take up to three days vacation to serve at this event. During our nine years we have never had to hold any type of formal recruitment, in fact we often turn away those who ask to volunteer and many of our team have been serving all nine years we have hosted the event!
This last GLS we had 42 churches, businesses and organizations represented with over in 400 attendance making it our biggest attended GLS to date.
So 9 years and 82 sessions later I want to say thank you to all who served and made the GLS such a rewarding and vision infusing learning experience. I truly hold you in highest regards! I have no doubt that in 2013 as Journey will celebrate 10 years of hosting the GLS -- it will be the best yet!
I will definitely miss being there with you, but I will be keeping tabs as Crossroads also serves as a GLS site (#138) serving the northern Colorado area.
Let us continue to lead where we are!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
A 16-Year Journey Comes to a Close
On February 25, 1993 being relatively new to San Diego (just 2 months) my roommate at the time, Clint Hardick, invited me to the first public gathering of Horizon Christian Fellowship Rancho San Diego. It was there in Suite 160 on 2930 Jamacha Road where I heard founding pastor Mike Burns share the vision that he and his wife, Laurie, had to start the kind of church that could potentially reach the 400,000 plus unchurched in East County San Diego. Though I was on staff at another church at time -- I remember leaving inspired by what I heard that evening -- I count it as such a privilege to have been amongst the first 40 that were there that evening.
It would be almost 3 and 1/2 years later on September 7, 1996 that I had the privilege of joining the staff of that church that we know now as Journey Community Church where I have been serving ever since. During this time I have held almost every pastoral role in the life of our church -- most recently serving as the connections pastor -- where I provided leadership to our small groups ministries.
Well last weekend, August 3 & 5, I shared with our church that my time at Journey was coming to a close.
The short of it is that after much prayer, fasting, counsel and the leading of God's Spirit I accepted the call to serve as the executive pastor of Crossroads Church in Loveland Colorado. I cannot begin to tell you (in future posts I will) what an exciting opportunity this is for our family!
Our family -- my wife Tara, whom is the one I think most of you will really miss has served as a kids ministry director for several years, my son Rhett & daughter were recipients of gracious send off and heart-felt prayer.
Over the past 16 years I have had the incredible privilege of serving under two Godly leaders -- Mike Burns and Ed Noble respectively, worked with a great staff team and serving with some of the best volunteers in the world.
In addition I cannot thank you enough for the countless prayers you have prayed on behalf Rhett over the past nine years because of his heart condition and I trust that I can count on you to continually be praying for him moving forward.
Also there been so many life moments that took place because of Journey most notably I met Tara here and both my kids were dedicated here.
However, perhaps what I am most grateful during my time here is how you, the people of Journey, allowing me the incredible opportunity to have a front row seat in your lives where I have been able to see God move in some amazing and miraculous ways that served to strengthen my own relationship with Him in ways you will never know this side of Heaven.
It has been incredible privilege and honor to have been a part of this team for so long, however the greater honor for me was to be apart of you in this church -- so with all this being said.
Thank You!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Christmas from the Kaya's 2011
MERRY CHRISTMAS
To our online community of friends on Twitter and Facebook we want to thank you for staying connected with us and enriching our lives throughout this past year. We want to wish a Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
Love,
Emersen, Rhett, Tara & Rod
My Second Grader's Telling of the Christmas Story
Before school let out for Christmas break my son Rhett's 2nd grade teacher asked each student in class what they thought Christmas is about. Here is the response that he typed out.
The actual project he turned in is below and I have retyped verbatim what he wrote out.
The most important thing about Christmas is Jesus' Birthday and Jesus' being born its also about the wise men and Jesus' Mom and dad.. They had to sleep in a barn well Jesus was born. When Jesus was born he had to sleep in some hay in the barn. It smelld bad there was donkys and shee and maybe a cow. Three wise men followed a star that took them to the new born king and the new born king is Jesus! When the wise men go there they gave Jesus some stuff and that's what Christmas is all a bout.
By Rhett
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
What You Need to Know for Good Friday & Easter @Journey!
Easter Weekend at Journey Community is quickly upon us. There is still time to pick up the phone and invite someone. I know there is still a few more people I need to follow up.
So here is everything you need to know to make you and your guests' experience has meaningful as possible.
GOOD FRIDAY -- 5PM & 7PM:
- Service is scheduled to go 70 minutes in length.
- Communion will be served.
- Doors will be open 15 minutes prior to start of the listed service times and kids will check in will also be available from that time.
- Kid's ministry for infants to 5thgrade.
- Middle school and high school students are to attend the main service.
- Bookstore open at the conclusion of each service for a half hour
EASTER SUNDAY -- 8AM, 9:30AM & 11AM:
- Service is scheduled for 60 minutes.
- Easter kicks off a new series.
- Doors will be open 15 minutes prior to start of the listed service times and kids will check in will also be available from that time.
- Kid's ministry for infants to 5thgrade.
- Middle school and high school students are to attend the main service.
- Intepretation for the deaf will be available for the 11am service
- Complimentary refreshments available after each of the service
- Bookstore open at the conclusion of each service for a half hour
NEXT WEEKEND:
- Part 2 of Series that launched on Easter.
- Regular service times resumes: Fri. 7pm, Sun. 9 & 11am.
- Kids ministry for all services.
- Middle School & High School at 9 & 11am
- Kids Fun Day after the 11am service.
Journey Community Church. 619-464-4544. 8363 Center Drive La Mesa CA 91942. wwwjourneycommunitychurch.org
Monday, April 04, 2011
Friday, April 01, 2011
CLEARING THE WAY -- the New Weekend Series at JCC
Today begins the 2nd Quarter of 2011 and if this quarter proves to be anything like the first we are in for quite the ride! We began the year with the Jesus Creed series where we saw unprecedented movement in the life of our church. We saw hundreds take significant faith steps (raising the bar in their devotional life, extending acts of compassion to their "neighbors" and finding the beauty of being in community with others) in loving God and loving their neighbors. And immediately after, we launched into the SHIFT series where again hundreds and hundreds stepped out in faith -- this time in areas of serving within the life of our church and out in our community!
This weekend we are launching a new series: CLEARING THE WAY -- Getting Ready for an Encounter with God. A breakdown of what this series will look like. Don't be a fool and miss any of it.
For centuries, followers of Jesus have known that though we can’t control when we have “God encounters,” we can make sure that we are ready and in the right place. You’ve got to clear the way! This is where the idea of the season of “LENT” came from. In this series we’ll look at three things that will help us “clear the way” as we get ready for The Weekend (Good Friday and Easter Sunday).
April 1 & 3 Fasting — Giving God a Little More Attention and Space
April 8 & 10 Focus — Making Sure We Don’t Completely Miss the Point
April 15 & 17 Forgetting — Unlearning is the Key
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