RE-cycle

Well, we've just finished our 3rd week here. We've been able to get to know other members of the Grass Valley congregation a bit more over the last 3 weeks. Today's morning sermon lesson that Eli delivered was titled "Recycle". In today's "natural" world and mindset (especially here in California) we weren't talking about taking care of our earth and it's resources. He talked about how the prefix "re" indicates repetition or restoration, to bring back to a previous state. To recycle is something that's a communal event to bring something back from a decaying state. Eli talked about the cycle the Israelites went through as indicated in the book of Judges: Peace, Rebellion, Oppression, Repentance, Deliverance... back to Peace.

The Israelites knew God, otherwise how would they know to rebel? Interesting. The idea that when we are at peace that we begin to rely on ourselves rather than God. And then through that self-reliance we rebel against God. Then God oppresses His people (as illustrated in the book of Judges). And through that oppression, His people repent and then he delivers them bringing them back to a state of peace.

Eli mentioned briefly the mindset, especially in the Grass Valley community, being the idea of "I want you be be open minded as long as you agree with me," and "If your peace interferes with my peace then you're obviously the problem and you should change." These statements give us insight into the mindset and attitude we'll more than likely encounter here.

Eli touched on each characteristic of the RE-cycle, cycle. One of the thoughts I thought was interesting was the idea of repentance. He'd asked the question, if repentance does not pay for deliverance, then why the need to repent? The answer was simple enough: Even though it doesn't change the past, it doesn't make God happy for past rebellion....rather it makes us aware and that such kinds of cycles are broken by awareness and commitment (to change those cycles). I'm thankful for God's grace that I'm delivered from the consequences I deserve from sin.

Website and App process

Yesterday we met with Eli to hear about his experience with Mission Alive attending the Theology Lab in the Dallas, Texas area. It sounded like that there wasn't any new information as far as what church planting and disciple making looks like for West Coast Missions. (I mean, that we didn't already agree with or know). The point seemed to be "Through what filter are you looking when it comes to church planting and disciple-making"? They did some role-playing scenarios to see what kind of questions you would ask an individual given a certain situation. Eli said that it certainly was a refreshing and enjoyable experience for him to be able to sit and learn at the feet of wise godly and experienced men who desire for all men to be saved as well. He also said that it was good to hear about other church plants and ministries that were going on (or going to be happening).

Over a cup of coffee, the 3 of us discussed the next steps in the development for West Coast Missions. We all seem to have slightly different ideas on what's to be a priority. We talked about putting more information on the website, refining the application process and getting the word out, as well as recruiting. So our super short-term goals are to get the website to where we want it to be and to have the application up and able to download. After that, we'll look at sending out pre-printed post cards to congregations on the west coast and see about taking a Sunday or Wednesday evening to go share the kingdom dream and vision with congregations that are interested to have us come make a presentation. Please be praying for this (and us and our team!)

It's been good to start to get involved with the people in the congregation. Slowly, but surely. On Tuesday (since we have some down time at the moment), Jewel went to a fellowship breakfast and a ladies' Bible study. The ladies are currently studying principles from the book of Hebrews. It's been good to get deeper into God's Word, and to get to know these ladies, but even better is to be able to study the Bible with other people.

Last night we were able to attend a youth (college and high school) devo as well. Most of the youth we both knew are already grown up and off to college (or out of college). But we took this opportunity to get to know them a little bit more. The family who hosted the devo was Linda and her daughter, Chris, and her son, Cody. Both seem eager to praise the Lord. This was the first time they'd ever hosted a devo in the years they'd be members at the GV congregation. I think all in all everyone had a wonderful time fellowshipping and singing songs of encouragement to each other and praises to God. I know we did!

Prayer Requests for:

• Support: we recently lost support before we moved to California :(
• A good paying job in the "right" location at the "right company" for Jewel while Steve is looking for support
• Potential WCM students: open hearts, willing servants, humility, desire to serve God and be like Jesus
• Steve and Jewel: to grow deeper in the wisdom and knowledge of God's Word and His love
• Our teammate, Kelcey Hooper, her dad was recently diagnosed with cancer. She went to spend some time with him this week as he's just started the radiation process. (Her parents are Christians)--so strength and support for Kelcey, good health for her dad and those who are around him so that he doesn't catch something and possibly get sick while he has a lowered immune system.

Our Arrival in California

Back in July we came out to the Tahoe Family Encampment (www.tahoefamilyencampment.com) to do some preliminary recruiting for West Coast Missions. The experience was enlightening. We had a handful of people who were (are?) interested in what we are offering~ primarily a life changing experience through a deeper relationship with Jesus. Though we only had a few who were interested, we were not discouraged, rather we were greatly encouraged. We know that God will send us those who are willing servants with willing hearts to be more like Jesus.

Well, we arrived in California on September 27, 2010. We recently lost much of our support right before our big transition move. Please keep us in your prayers for support. Since we have limited income at this time, we are currently staying with Steve's parents while Jewel is looking for a job and Steve is looking for support.

We've had some opportunity to begin developing an application process. Our goal is to get one up soon on the website. So far it looks like a typical application, with some references and short essay questions. All this information gathering is designed to help us get some initial insights into the applicant as a dedicated Christian, who's connected to the body through healthy relationships and hopefully will give a glimpse into their character.

Since this is "new" and we're starting out with a small class, we have decided to be somewhat particular who we accept as a student this first year as we begin. So the application and interview process is key. We hope to be able to interview prospective students face to face to gain even greater insight into them as Christians.

Eli went beck to Texas for the Theology Lab with Missions Alive and Gaylin Van Rheenen's ministry preparation team (www.missionalive.org). We had an opportunity a year ago to participate in the Discovery Lab weekend as a team, which was very insightful. We weren't able to go because of lack of funds available to us at this time, but we look forward to hearing Eli's report and what we can learn from what he gleaned from years of wisdom and experience.

In the time being, we've had a lot of time to be in prayer for this "new" ministry we're engaging in. I say "new" because it's a ministry that's not established out here on the West Coast, and it's in quotes because discipleship is not new. Please be in prayer for us, our team, the ministry, our potential students, our current and potential supporters and the hearts of those whom we will influence for Jesus.

Here are some pictures of our travel from Lubbock to California:

Saying Good-byes:

Amy Chilson and Aspen Stover playing while waiting for a table for dinner in Kemah, TX.

Spending a day with Jay Weddel, a gentlemen from the Tulia congregation that we've gotten to know over the last few years~ very dear to us. We took him to a museum where the last known wolf on the South Plains was killed back in 1917. Wolves haven't been around the South Plains since.

Sept. 26, 2010~ waving good-bye from the new tenants: Jewel's sister. The dog thought he was supposed to come with us. :( But alas, we were only the caretakers.

Leaving our street in Lubbock

Lubbock is NOT happiness in your rearview mirror~ unless you didn't even like Lubbock. But we did! (well, the people anyways)

The Melton's

This is us! Jewel and Steve Melton

What is West Coast Missions?

The concept of church planting is not new, but that's not exactly what we're doing at least not in the modern sense. The Apostle Paul spread the Word of God in the 1st century. Others followed his example and now Christianity is spread throughout the world. The way that happened was disciples of Christ taught, mentored and trained others to be disciples as well--following in His steps thus making God's kingdom grow. This is what we have the passion to do.

We know the gospel hasn’t been heard by everyone. We know that there are eager young men and women wanting to be taught and trained better so that they can take this message of salvation to them.

For years now, many have been dreaming of starting this program that will aid in ministering to young men and women, teaching them core Biblical foundations, discipling them to become more like Jesus and teaching them to be faithful so that in turn they will teach others to be faithful to the Lord, thus fulfilling the Great Commission. But this is more than just a school. It's an apprentice missionary program--it's about discipling. They will be student apprentices for a number of months while they are in the class learning the knowledge. We will incorporate practical experiences to add to their book learning. Then we desire to send them out on teams with their classmates to serve under experienced missionaries as apprentices in a foreign nation and even here in the United States.

This dream is soon becoming a reality. We hope to be a part of making that dream come true in August 2010 in Grass Valley, California under the eldership of the Grass Valley Church of Christ. So, what does this mean? This means that we will be praying as we make decisions regarding the student application process, choosing instructors, choosing Mentors. This means that as we begin to put this program together, we will be looking for churches and individuals to sponsor us financially so that we may fully devote ourselves to the Lord's work.

We hope as you read this you will consider how you may involved in this work with us as partners teaching willing students God's Word who will then take it to other nations and serve as apprentices under an experienced missionary, teach people from that nation to be disciples so that they can participate in God's kingdom. This is kingdom growing. This is kingdom planting. Will you be a part of the Lord's work with us?

(from the newsletter posted on (westcoastmissions.com)