December 2010 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas!! We are so excited about this Advent season and what God is going to do. It is a busy month for our family. We have Josiah’s 4^th birthday, the impending birth of baby #3 and of course Christmas. It is going to be an exciting month!

Jeremy has started meeting weekly with a group of men that have been really searching for a place of accountability. This group has been an amazing blessing to Jeremy and the others involved as well. God has used them to love each other, lift each other up, pray for one another, and just be each others friends! Elizabeth got a chance to see the bond they had all created one evening when they came to the house to pray for her pregnancy. She was overwhelmed with the love they showed her and one another. This is just one way that God has revealed to us His desire to build relationships and change lives rather than just have a place where people go on Sundays. It goes so far beyond that and it is so exciting to see it played out in our lives.

This month we will be starting three home groups led by different people involved in Fusion. These groups will be discussing the Advent season and meaning of Christmas. We are so excited about what God is going to do through these groups. It is going to be an opportunity to reach out to a different group of people and for more relationships to develop. One of our groups is held in the home of a woman whose roommate is not a believer so we are praying that she will stick around and be a part of the discussion. What an exciting opportunity for her to come to know Christ right in her own home!

This last month we have really felt a battle going on here in Chico. A spiritual battle that is affecting a lot of the people we know. We have several couples we know going through marital problems, job problems, and relationship problems. Elizabeth is also having a hard time with the end of her pregnancy.  It seems that the enemy is trying to derail us from what God is doing. We ask that you pray with us against this attack and that healing can occur in the lives of these people so that we can continue down the path that God has called us! I guess we are doing something right if Satan is trying to stop us!

Last month we asked for help with purchasing some Bible Software and that need has been fulfilled!! We are so blessed and excited that God met this need for us! Thank you so much. We still need additional funds so if you are able we would greatly appreciate any additional financial support. If you have not yet sent in your support for December please send that in as soon as you can.

We are so thankful this Christmas season. We are thankful for all of you and your support and of course thankful for our savior coming to the earth to set us free!! We pray you all have a wonderful Christmas and don’t forget what this season is all about.

Blessings!

Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes

 

Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com                                  

Church Website: www.fusionchico.com            

November 2010 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Here in Chico it is either cold or hot. We went from 95-degree days to 60-degree days the following week. On morning I left home and it was 35 degrees outside, I had to chip my car out of a block of ice, which is normal for December unusual in October.

We are continued to be blessed by making inroads in to people’s lives. We are starting to see some amazing connections take place. God has brought many of the Pastors in Chico together for prayer and fellowship.  There is a real spirit of unity coming. I also have connected with other men in town that are ministering as missionaries in the community. It is good to connect with them and share stories of the ways we see God at work in our community.

Well last night was Halloween.

Halloween is a huge party in Chico… I was out in my uniform with the Fire Chief late last night. Please pray for the young people in this town and that God will direct me to find ways to share the love of God with people that really need Him. Also pray for the emergency services because in addition to trying to bring order to the chaos they were being followed around by representatives of the ACLU to ensure that the police did not harm criminals. There were also multiple stabbings this weekend in the midst of the parties.

Please pray for us as God continues to shape Fusion into a community of faith, hope and love.  We believe that God has big plans for Fusion. We view our gatherings as a place for community growth and development so that we can be scattered out again. Everyone that comes to Fusion is a missionary to his or her families and jobs.

THANK YOU for your support. Without your prayers and financial support we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank you for allowing God to use you in Fusion. You are as much a part of the church as those that come to our Bible Studies and gatherings. God has met our equipment needs through donations. Thank you for your help.

One thing that would help, as my time is limited is any additional giving you could do toward the purchase of Bible software would greatly help me. For specifics call 530-518-0505 or email me pastor.jdr@gmail.com

If you would like to commit support to us you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We couldn’t do this without you! If you are currently supporting us and have not yet sent in your support for October please do so at this time. Thank you!

Blessings!

Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes

Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com                                  

Church Website: www.fusionchico.com            

October 2010 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update

Dear Family and Friends,

We want to partner with Jesus to build in faith, hope and love all over the city of Chico. We believe that God has big plans for Fusion. We view our gatherings as a place for community growth and development so that we can be scattered out again. Everyone that comes to Fusion is a missionary to his or her families and jobs.

Fall is here! We have relief from the heat and everything is back in full swing. I am back working as a mentor at a local public High School. I have the same student that I had last year and I am privileged to see him take some concern for his grades and put some effort into school. Please pray for him as he is not a Christian and does not come from a Christian family, we have had a couple of spiritual conversations. I also find myself as a guest reader in Gabriella’s kindergarten class. This has been a great way to develop a relationship with the teacher and other parents. Elizabeth has been able to have lunch with a few Moms in the class, one whom is planning on coming to Fusion in the near future.

There is always joy and sadness in the same month. Elizabeth lost her uncle this past week. He has passed away after a battle with cancer. We rejoice that he is a believer and finds himself free from pain in the arms of Jesus, but please pray for our family as they mourn his passing. Also pray as they travel to the services in North Carolina. This is hard for Elizabeth because the doctor has told her that she cannot travel across the country at this point in her pregnancy.

We eagerly await the new life that God is bringing into our family. Josiah is happy that he is going to be a big brother and he has named his new little brother T. Rex. Gabriella is really interested in the baby thing and very curios of the process of labor and delivery. She is also learning that being the only girl has its perks.

Please pray for us as God continues to shape Fusion into a community of faith, hope and love.

THANK YOU for your support. Without your prayers and financial support we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank you for allowing God to use you in Fusion. You are as much a part of the church as those that come to our Bible Studies and gatherings. We do have some additional equipment needs. If God leads you to give toward that need please email me for specifics.

If you would like to commit support to us you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We couldn’t do this without you! If you are currently supporting us and have not yet sent in your support for October please do so at this time. Thank you!

Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes

Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com

September 2010 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Fall is almost upon us! We have seen Gabriella start kindergarten and excel in here new environment. We have seen Josiah adapt well to being without his sister in the morning. We have seen students come back from summer break. It has been a busy month here in Chico!

This August we had our 5th Sunday workday again. This time we had about double the man/woman power so we finished all the work with time to spare so we had some great fellowship. We were able to love the Boys and Girls Club through much needed cleaning, even the kids cleaned up their area. One of the blessings of our location is the foot traffic. We see people from all walks of life wander by on Sunday mornings; they occasionally stop in and worship with us. This last 5th Sunday we saw an older woman stop by. She was hungry and we had plenty food so we gave her something to eat and even more to take with her. She was overwhelmed by the love that was shown her and could not find words enough to say thank you. These moments are the times that I feel God’s presence among us as a community.

Please pray for us as God continues to shape Fusion. We view our gatherings as a place for community growth and development so that we can be scattered out again. Everyone that comes to Fusion is a missionary to his or her families and jobs. We want to partner with Jesus to build in faith, hope and love all over the city of Chico. We believe that God has big plans for Fusion.

Again we always want to reiterate how thankful we are for each of you. Without your prayers and financial support we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank you for allowing God to use you in Fusion. You are as much a part of the church as those that come to our Bible Studies and gatherings. We ask that you pray with us that God will continue to nurture the relationships we are building and help us to build new ones as well. Fusion is about relationships and we are so excited to see whom God has brought in our path.

If you would like to commit support to us you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We couldn’t do this without you! If you are currently supporting us and have not yet sent in your support for September please do so at this time. Thank you!

Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes

Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com                                   

Blog: http://rhodes-project.blogspot.com/           

Church Website: www.fusionchico.com            

August 2010 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Well the heat is cooling to a comfortable mid- 90’s and school will be starting this month. We will see our oldest Gabriella off to kindergarten and we pray that she will be a light in her school even at her tender age. Also pray for Josiah, as he will miss his sister as she starts school.

Last month we had a Church Picnic at Fusion. We had a blessed time of fellowship as well as worshipping in a local park. We had great food, great music and a great message. We also closed our day with homemade ice cream. We continue to look for ways to live our faith out in public.

We are focusing on infusing the vision that God has given us into our people. We view our gatherings as a place for community growth and development so that we can be scattered out again. Everyone that comes to Fusion is a missionary to his or her families and jobs. We want to partner with Jesus to build in faith, hope and love all over the city of Chico. We believe that God has big plans for Fusion.

Please send me your prayer requests I do pray for those as I receive them. As the economy continues to struggle we know that are supporters are struggling so we ask that you prayerfully consider increasing your support or supporting us for the first time. We are willing to do what it takes to make the ministry in Chico happen and we can’t do that without your faithful support!

If you would like to commit support to us you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We couldn’t do this without you! If you are currently supporting us and have not yet sent in your support for August please do so at this time. Thank you!

Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes

Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com

Church Website: www.fusionchico.com

July 2010 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update

Dear Family and Friends,

We have great news!!! Elizabeth is pregnant with our third child due in December! All of us are very excited!

The summer is finally here in Chico. The last of the rain fell the first week of June and now the heat is on! This is our second summer here and we love it. There is plenty of sun and plenty of ways to say cool. The kids love swimming at the gym and wading in the creek.

This summer we have been blessed to see people get more involved at Fusion. More people have gotten involved with the Children’s ministry and we have more people getting involved with outreach ideas. The folks that are brainstorming ideas for outreach understand our vision and are really excited about seeing us grow in numbers and together. The congregation has gotten really good at inviting new people as well. Also we are seeing more people get involved with serving at the Jesus Center. We are encouraged for the future of Fusion and Chico. Continue to pray that we follow God’s vision for his church.

Jeremy enjoys being Chaplin of the Chico Fire Department. He has a uniform and travels around to different stations visiting the men and women that serve the community. He has slid down a fire pole and already been to scene. He has been able to build a good relationship with all the firefighters. Please pray for this ministry.

Please send me your prayer requests I do pray for those as I receive them. As the economy continues to struggle we know that are supporters are struggling as well and as a result we have a lost a couple so we ask that you prayerfully consider increasing your support or supporting us for the first time. We are willing to do what it takes to make the ministry in Chico happen and we can’t do that without your faithful support!
Please note: If you are not receiving this newsletter in email form and would prefer to do so please give me your email address so that we can save money on postage.

If you would like to commit support to us you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We couldn’t do this without you! If you are currently supporting us and have not yet sent in your support for July please do so at this time. Thank you!

Blessings!
Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes

Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com                                        

Church Website: www.fusionchico.com

June 2010 Rhodes Family Church Planting Update

Dear Family and Friends,

We had another baptism in May. A young lady came to faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized. While serving at the Jesus Center Jeremy was able to have a spiritual conversation with her and at the end she wanted to accept Christ. She was then baptized on May 16^th. We have been so blessed to see God at work in the ministry here in Chico.

On May 30^th we had a service project at the Boys and Girls Club. We did not have a message or music but rather worshiped through our hard work. The Boys and Girls Club were blown away by the good work that we did. It was great to work along side the people who have invested in Fusion and made it their Church home. Serving the community is a big part of our vision and the way that we can make it a priority is by doing it on Sunday morning. I was touched by the wiliness of our people to serve in the name of Jesus Christ.

Jeremy has also been made the Chaplin of the Chico Fire Department. He has been taken around to all the Fire Stations to meet the men and women whom he will be ministering. Jeremy is available for their professional and personal needs as well as on call for times that he is needed on scene. This is a great opportunity to meet a number of people who need Jesus in their lives. Please pray for this ministry.

Please send me your prayer requests I do pray for those as I receive them.

Please also continue to pray for our financial support. We are making ends meet, but the money we have in our reserve is slowly going down as we wait for the additional commitments of support that we need.  If you would like to commit support to us you may do so by contacting the Converge office at (209) 830-6222 or going online at www.sunergeo.org/donate.html. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We couldn’t do this without you! If you are currently supporting us and have not yet sent in your support for May please do so at this time. Thank you!

Blessings!

Jeremy and Elizabeth Rhodes

Email: pastor.jdr@gmail.com                                          

Church Website: www.fusionchico.com