A Few Highlights from California
by Stephen Sloat, CCCC California Area Representative
As He is working His purposes out around the globe, here in California our God is at work in and through the lives of His faithful servants. The following are a few glimpses into some of God’s good work within this diverse region.
Brady Rentz ordination
Adding to the ranks of CCCC ordained ministers (once the credentials process is complete), Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena fully examined Brady Rentz for ordination as a minister of the gospel of Christ. This examination included a vicinage council composed of several pastors from the area, including one current and two retired Navy chaplains: Marv Eyler, plus yours truly and Steve Morgan. That is important, because Brady intends to become a chaplain in the US Navy, hoping to serve on active duty. On June 1, 2013, Brady was ordained in a special service immediately following Lake Avenue’s Saturday evening worship service. Dr. Greg Waybright, Senior Pastor of Lake Avenue, was the Moderator for the Vicinage Council, gave the Charge at the Ordination Service, and was the first to introduce the Reverend Brady Rentz!
Down the coast at Carlsbad Community Church (CCC), Pastor Alvin Helms just returned from a short-term mission trip to Micronesia. While there for two weeks he taught through the Gospel of Matthew in two different Morning Star Institute classes directed by Pastor Max Vague. It was a great experience for Alvin, who recommends that any pastor who has an interest in teaching a class contact Max Vague, the director of Morning Star Institute. CCC recently experienced the loss of their children’s ministry director Saskia van Leeuwen, who had served CCC for twelve years. Before coming to Carlsbad, Saskia served with Pastor Ray Ortlund at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena. They are still grieving the death of this dearly loved leader. Over the past year CCC launched several new outreach ministries in the community. Members have been involved in a broad range of ministry opportunities including the following: serving food and leading services at the local rescue mission, a new job-seekers’ support group, a ministry to support military families in the area, a food bank ministry that serves the poor in their community, and an event hosted by several Christian therapists who attend CCC called, “My Therapist Sez!” While some things change, CCC continues to be focused on loving their neighbors across the street and across the seas. This November CCC will celebrate its 89th birthday!
Up north in the city of Biola (yes, this name originated with Bible Institute of Los Angeles, now Biola University), Biola Congregational Church (BCC) has learned to tap the power of prayer. A few weeks ago the congregation helped Pastor Tim McDonald and his wife Raquel celebrate their daughter’s first birthday. Why is this significant? Just one year ago Raquel had a complete placental abruption. As she was wheeled away to the delivery room in a desperate condition, Tim began calling a few people from the church, knowing that they would begin praying. “I knew that our church softball team playing that night would pray. I knew that the prayer chain would be started. I began praying for the nurses who were shouting with traces of panic in their voices. This was bad! But I knew that earth would move heaven with our fervent cries.” Their daughter had only minutes to be removed by emergency Caesarian section. The head nurse cried out with joy, “Praise God!” when she found out that their very tiny Elizabeth had been born alive. She weighed in at 3 lbs. 6 oz. and was two and a half months early at 27 weeks.
Raquel had three emergency operations that night. She suffered what would usually be a fatal amount of blood loss. That is not hyperbole! Agnostic doctors admit a miracle happened that night. It was a miracle that we were even in the hospital when Raquel abrupted. Nurses came by the following days just to make sure that Raquel was truly alive. The McDonalds told them that she was given the gift of life and that Jesus truly saves. They learned that two of the doctors in the operating room had to wait for a third doctor for one of those emergency procedures. While they waited, one bowed her head. More prayer! The doctor told them that she prayed repeatedly that God would save Raquel’s life.
BCC prayed Raquel through a long recovery. They prayed Tim through long days and sleepless nights. They prayed for their children when Mommy didn’t come home from the hospital. They prayed for little Lizzie who stayed in NICU for two months. And they prayed joyful thanksgiving at the church luncheon celebrating Elizabeth’s first year of life.
Thank You, God, for Biola Congregational Church. Thank You, God, for a church that prays for its pastor, his wife, and their children.
And thank You Lord for the California Area of the CCCC!
