BTW, if you were at morning prayer today, was that AWESOME or what? So pleasantly surprised to see so many out in spite of the storms, and we “prayed up a storm” in the auditorium, too!  You can get in on it EACH Saturday at 8 a.m.

• Backyard Bible Clubs!  We doubled the number of clubs we’re offering after last Sunday’s message – so THANKS to each CLCer who’s hosting or helping reach kids in your neighborhood.  And it’s not too late – if you’re interested, just click here.

• ONE! I’m totally pumped about our new sermon series beginning August 1 at each CLC campus.  (You know what I’m gonna say next, right?) It very well may be the most important & timely series we’ve ever done!  (seriously!) We’re going to explore the ONE thing that’s most important on God’s heart – the ONLY one, the VALUE of one, the POWER of one and ONE like this – so get ready for a terrific August at CLC!

• What’s YOUR story? Can you believe it’s almost time for FRIEND DAY again?  This September 26 at each campus we’re hoping EVERY CLCer will bring a friend, and we want to share “cardboard testimonies” to help reach them.  Here’s a link to the promo from last year (ignore the date, but everything else remains the same.) If you want to be a part by sharing your story on cardboard, please click here.

That’s all coming right up…..but right now I’m SO excited about this weekend, knowing that God is speaking to CLC about our role in reaching the Jewish people, and how HE supernaturally connected us with the right partners to do that……just can’t wait for tomorrow morning when we hear from Daniel Juster in all 3 services at our Tinley campus!

10.  It’s Sunday! (where else would you rather be?)

9.  The CLC band is HOT!

8.  The speaker, Daniel Juster, is from JERUSALEM! (how cool is that?)

7.  You’ll probably learn something (he’s reportedly the leading Messianic theologian in the world!)

6. Israel is THE key to all “end-times” prophecy! (we’re all interested in the future)

5.  The Middle East is in the news daily! (find out why)

4.  Daniel’s ministry is CLC’s #1 partner in missions-giving! (Scripture says, “to the Jew first)

3.  Destiny: these services have been scheduled for almost a year (ONLY opening on Daniel’s calendar!)

2.  You might win a free trip to Israel! (Probably not, but you never know how the Spirit might move…)

1.  JESUS will be there!

See you Sunday morning at 8, 9:30 or 11:30 a.m.

I was thinking of it this morning because of my own experience in missions through the years – it’s been absolutely amazing to me how many unexpected good things I have discovered while serving a missions project or conference overseas.  Even more specifically, I’m thinking of relationships that I now enjoy with people I would never have known had it not been for some missions involvement.

For instance, did you know that I am blessed to know each of these men because of a ‘chance’ meeting (there’s a story behind each one):

• Charles Bavelloni
• Dale Van Steenis
• David Hatley
• Pade Tokun
• Amos Aderonmu
• Ken Sandberg
• Herley Montes

There are others that you don’t yet know, including our special guest this Wednesday night.  I met Brad Mayer earlier this year in General Santos City, Philippines at a Global Advance conference for pastors.  Brad & his wife were the other invited speakers besides me & Chris, and it didn’t take long for me to recognize that he is the real deal!  Brad serves as a pastor in the inner-city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.  You may never have heard of Saskatoon, and I certainly didn’t know that it had a inner-city with the same challenges of gangs, drugs and urban decay – but it does, and Brad’s church is making a difference in the lives of people there!

We really hit it off in the Philippines, and have continued to grow our relationship via FaceBook.  He and his family are passing thru Chicago on their vacation this summer and I persuaded him to speak at CLC tomorrow night.  I really hope you’ll join me in welcoming him to CLC!

Who knows, it just might be a serendipitous moment for you!

To our Friends at Christian Life Centre,

Thank you for partnering with us to help make SINAG youth camp possible for young people who spend almost every waking hour just trying to survive. Your love and generosity enabled us to take 115 teenagers, 18 staff and volunteers up North to Zambales for 4 days and 3 nights. For most of these young people it was their first time to leave the dumpsite or cemetery where they live. It was their first time to sleep on a mattress, to have running water and not have to worry about where food was coming from. Some are abused at home and you helped us to give them a few days where they could be safe and loved, and above all an opportunity to know Christ, receive healing and be changed from the inside- out.

Highlights day 1

-Young people split into Tribes – Joseph, Zebulun, Judah and Levi where they took part in team challenges.

- swim time

-night of worship and prayer

Highlights day 2

- morning devotions lead by the young leaders

- guest speakers, prayer and worship

- SINAG’S got Talent night and bonfire

Highlights day 3

- morning devotions lead by young leaders

- True Love Waits sessions

- treasure hunt

- worship and prayer

Highlights day 4

- morning of worship, prayer and testimonies

- True Love waits sessions

- 22 Baptisms

The spiritual breakthroughs really came on the eve of the last night and the third day. There was brokenness and healing. We really sensed the Lord wanting us to bring certain young people who are involved in gang activity. This really had its challenges but praise God, by the last day we visibly saw how the Lord had been working on hearts. Young men and women that on day one seemed hard and cold were full of peace and joy. Please continue to pray for them now as there is so much pull to be in gangs in both the dumpsite and cemetery communities.

From thankful hearts

Kim, 17

“Thank you so much for sponsoring us for youth camp .The Lord is so good to us. If it’s not for Him we won’t be here. We have learned a lot from the camp. First I get to spend some time with the youth leaders and Pastors for 4 days. I was so glad to be with them. There are emotional times just like when our guest speaker came when we learned a lot about Gods word through them. I’m so happy in the camp. I think that’s the Lords plan that we badly behaved in the beginning and we are changed in the end”

Andrea, 13

“Thank you for all your help to us. We will not be able to experience youth camp again if i’ts not for your help. Thank you so much and thank you for everything. God bless. You know it feels so good to be included in the youth camp. We were able to swim in the ocean and have time with friends. Me and my friends are so happy. The water in the beach is so cold. This youth camp is very memorable for me. The happiest days i have had. God Bless. From Andrea”

Alvin, 14

“Thank you very much for helping us. I have learned a lot from youth camp. I have changed a lot. I want to thank the Lord for guiding me here in learning his word. I have experienced swimming in the beach and playing with friends. From Alvin”

Clarissa,15

“Thank you to you and to our leaders. If it is not for all of you I will not be able to join youth camp. I want to thank the Lord for answering our prayers for the youth camp to happen. I was so happy to meet so many friends and I have learned teachings about God. I hope this happens again next year and I will never ever forget this. I will miss this place. I thank the Lord again. Thank you so much and I love you. From Clarissa”

Rolando,17

“Thank you for sponsoring me to be able to join youth camp. Thank you for helping us. I am so thankful because this is the place my mind is at peace and this is where I met God .I met new friends too. From Rolando.”

Thank you with all of our hearts for helping us help these precious young people. You are enabling us to let them see their value and potential as Christ as their saviour. They all live in horrendous dark conditions, but with Jesus they are able to shine and bring hope to a very hopeless community. Thank you for loving enough to help them.

With Love, Ron and Joanna

Once again, it’s important that we stand with Israel in prayer & support!

The incident today with the flotilla attempt to break the Israeli embargo and bring humanitarian supplies into Gaza is a classic case in point.  For those of us who believe Genesis 12:3, there is another explanation of the events that took place – quite different than what we heard and saw from the mainstream media today.

Here’s a much more complete report of what happened.

As things heat up in the Middle East, I know that I know God is speaking to us at CLC to take our stand with Israel by supporting Jewish evangelism as our #1 priority in missions.  I can’t wait for our trip there this November, and I would urge you to consider going with us – it’s not too late!

Last night and today I have the privilege of spending some time with Leon Mazin of “Return to Zion” ministries in Haifa, Israel.  He is a co-laborer with our partners in the Land, Tikkun International, and one of the key Messianic leaders that we will connect with during our upcoming missions trip to Israel this November 9-19.

Speaking of that trip: it’s NOT too late for you to join us – get all the details here.  (Our travel agent has even graciously agreed to extend the $100 discount even though we’re past that deadline).  I hope you’ll decide, “this year in Jerusalem!”

Thanks, CLCers, for your prayers over the past 14 months!

In many ways, it reminds me of the story in Acts 12 – it may not have been quite as dramatic, but given the circumstances in Iran, I think it’s just as much a miracle in our day!

Let’s come together tomorrow on Pentecost Sunday expecting MORE!

I had already promised Jane’s team that CLC would be able to sponsor 50 kids, but in my heart, I was hoping for 100.  Well, the total is in, just for yesterday and just from this campus, and you gave enough for us to sponsor 176 kids!!!

Now I’ve got to find out if they can even accommodate that many kids at the camp – who knows, they may have to split them into 2 groups – but it’s a good problem to have – and it’s all because of the generosity of this wonderful church family!  I love you, and I leave you with this Proverb.

Our team of ladies just returned last night, and the report they gave me enroute home from O’Hare was amazing!  (In case you’re wondering, I don’t usually meet returning missions trips at the airport, but my wife was leading this trip, and I missed her!)

We have sensed that Turkey was a special ‘assignment’ for CLC for over 10 years, and about 5 or 6 years ago we got connected with an apostolic leader there with whom we feel a real connection.  At one of our first meetings, his wife had asked my wife about leading a women’s conference for them, as one of their greatest ‘felt needs’, seeing the way women are devalued in many Muslim cultures.  Chris readily agreed and we have tried to get this conference scheduled almost ever since, with various hiccups along the way.

After hearing their reports today, I’ve got to believe it was finally God’s time!  You can get details from the ladies themselves: Terrilyn Franklin, Carolyn Johnson, Paula Talamonti, or my wife – but let me just say that there’s no doubt the Holy Spirit worked in special ways to bring encouragement, healing, direction and blessing to the women of Turkey, and even several women missionaries who were refreshed in their work!

And, in God’s perfect timing, THIS SUNDAY is the “Global Day of Prayer for Turkey”, so we’ll have the ladies leading prayer from CLC at each campus – don’t miss it!

(And you’ve still got 3 days to invite a friend for the single most important topic of wisdom in Proverbs – this Sunday!  We’re calling it, “Your Personal Development Team”, and I can’t wait to share with you!)