Table of Contents

Partners
Events
News: Running Water, Neil Boron, London Fletcher, Interview with Donna Russo, more….
Photos
Cover Story: Benji and Jenna……Kyle Patterson
Feature: 7 Recommendations at Kingdom Bound 2011
Feature: Loving God with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind, Strength
Columns: Our Purpose is Worship...Robert Stearns
True Worship....Nathan Salter
Resource Review: brought to you by Bender's Parable Christian Store including Tim Tebow, Becoming a Man of Unwavering Faith and A Love That Multiplies, Plus One True God by New Song, and the film documentary Furious Love
Camp Special: Featuring Branches of Niagara Campground and Resort and Camp Duffield

Editor's Note: June/July

“If you want to change the world, pick up your pen,” is a quote by the great reformer Martin Luther and something I enjoy thinking upon when contemplating why we do what we do. It is one of those loaded statements that has the ability to encourage me even when things are tough, when it takes everything in me, including late nights, tired days and extra stress, to get the issue out, knowing that the work matters—that is enough to keep me going.

      Not only did Martin Luther believe in the power of the written word, but consistently throughout Scripture God commanded his people to record and make record of the things that were happening and thus we have documentation and proof of the work of God throughout history something still edifying readers to this day.

Take a look:

Isaiah 30:8 (NIV)

“Go now, write it on a tablet for them,
   inscribe it on a scroll,
that for the days to come
   it may be an everlasting witness.”  

Luke 1:3 (NIV)

“With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

     So with this in mind, my prayer is that you will be blessed by this issue, encouraged and strengthened knowing that you are not alone, God is alive and well in Western New York and is working all things together for the purpose of his will. Be blessed and as always feel free to contact me at any time.

Kyle  R. Patterson

Digital Issue Online

Zion Dominion's Legacy Conference was the premier sponsor of UNITE's June/July issue

UNITE Magazine released its 3rd issue this week online, digitally and this weekend and next week the magazine will be distributing 10,000 copies in print. The issue features Benji and Jenna Cowart and their new CD release, "Letters to the Church at Buffalo" on the cover with inside features including a piece by editor Kyle Patterson on Loving God with All Our Hearts, 7 recommendations for Kingdom Bound 2011, an interview with Donna Russo and columns by Robert Stearns, Nathan Salter and Lou Perez.

Special thanks to our premier sponsor Zion Dominion Global Ministries and their annual Legacy Conference for making this issue possible.

View our latest digital issue by clicking here. 

EVENTS: Now posted

July 2011

1 Fireworks Family Weekend at Camp Hickory Hill, July 1-4: Campfires, archery, rest, canoeing, hikes, great food, time with your family, the climbing wall and… a great FIREWORKS display! Contact us at 716-631-5028 or www.CampHickoryHill.org.

6 Father & Son Shootin’ Camp at Camp Hickory Hill, July 6-9 or July 7-9: Nerf Guns, Airsoft Guns (ages 12 & up), Archery, Riflery, Water Balloon Launchers, etc.! More information at 716-631-5028 or www.CampHickoryHill.org.   SEE MORE EVENTS...

Preview: UNITE's June/July issue

This issue's cover features Benji and Jenna Cowart, worship leaders based in Western New York who just released their seven song album, "Letters to the Church at Buffalo." Cowart told UNITE Editor Kyle Patterson, “It has been really exciting to see churches of various denominations coming together and partnering to plant new churches and partnering to carry out Kingdom endeavors.” Read the full article and all the rest of this issue starting next week!

How to Live a Happy and Healthy Life Today - Stop Worrying!

By Tunya Griffin
Blogger at Happy and Healthy LifeGiver

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matt. 6:34 NIV

What do you think about most of your time? Is it “Will my future end up the way I anticipate it” or “will I be rich” or “will my children be successful?”

There is for most of us a mental habit we’re all have fallen prey to at one time or another and that is that we often deal with the future and not the present. If we consider our problems, some of them are created by us concentrating too much on our future. I’ve been there more than I would have like to visit, considering my future, planning my future, and saving for my future. However I was still left with thoughts about “what will my future actual look like when it is here!” I was for a lack of words, playing God, in a sense.

If I finished school, if I saved, if I planned then I would not end up poverty stricken, uneducated, or stigmatized by those single parent or teen mothers statistics. Overall I would eventually avoid the outcome I feared the most: failure. As I woke up morning after morning, I worked, studied, prayed, planned to be successful, but not just for me, but for: my children and my family so that we would not become failures. “Why was I worrying and fighting so hard to overcome the big monster in the room no one wanted to discuss: failure?

I remember preparing the night I was to speak at a graduation. There I was writing my speech and in the mirror rehearsing my speech so that I would not make the big fumble. I was consumed, almost paralyzed by worrying “what if I stumble over my words? Then the Principal of the school introduced me and I walked over to the podium, and all the feelings of worry dissipated. “Why was I so worried about the outcome?” I learned that we don’t have control over all outcomes of things.

Dealing with worry about tomorrow seemed that it had become something I was doing everyday. I wasn’t able to relax. I was stressed, and worry was robbing me of living and enjoying the present moment. I have heard by many that “In life you were either blessed or cursed.” If something turned out the way a person wanted it to turn out then this person was blessed. If not then you were cursed. As a result, I worked hard and worried everyday so that I wouldn’t appear that my children, my family, nor I was viewed as cursed. “I worried day and night how could we be blessed,” or “what could I do to ensure we would be blessed?” However what I didn’t know is that all that worrying was stealing my life in the present.

As I pondered these thoughts of worry, I considered Matt. 6:34 that states “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” After considering this Scripture, I have now revised my outlook. Better yet, today “I have a new attitude,” and that is Live in the moment. Remember the only thing that any of us can truly control and that is “Being the best that you can be.” Make a conscious decision today that you will stop worrying and live a happy and healthy life today.

Friends of the Buffalo Christian Center

The Friends Campaign at the Buffalo Christian Center is coming up!  A fundraiser for youth staff and game room improvements!

Friday night June 24 th 6 - 9 pm -  Youth Rally & Concert !

Saturday June 25, 10 am - 2 pm  - Street Canival in the parking lot - bounce houses, carnival food and games!

Saturday night June 25 th 6 - 9 pm Evening Concert and Celebration for the rest  of us Be blessed,

at the Buffalo Christian Center 512 Pearl Street

Global Day of Prayer 2011

This Sunday, June 12 is the 11 annual Global Day of Prayer happening in over 200 nations calling on God to fill the earth with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord. (Hab. 2:14 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”)

The growing momentum of the last 10 years has laid the foundation to saturate nations in prayer. Started in 2001 by South African businessman Graham Power with a vision based on 2 Chronicles 7:14.

1. To call Christians from all denominations in Cape Town for a Day of Repentance and Prayer at Newlands Rugby Stadium.
2. To challenge Christians across the rest of South Africa to unite in a Day of Repentance and Prayer.
3. To challenge Christians in Southern Africa to unite in a Day of Repentance and Prayer.

This year's focus is to facilitate a lifestyle of prayer with as many people in as many places as possible. In this new season, the Global Day of Prayer will no longer aim at the goal of having organized events in every single country of the world, but rather to increase the number of gatherings on Pentecost Sunday in smaller settings, such as local churches, family homes and businesses instead of stadiums and assembly halls.

Below is a prayer developed by the International Prayer Council to guide effective prayer this Sunday:

Almighty God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Together with believers all over the world,

We gather today to glorify Your Name.

You are the Creator of heaven and earth.

There is no one like You, holy and righteous in all Your ways.

We submit to Your authority as the King of the universe.

We pray with one voice to enthrone You in our hearts

    and to honour You before the world.

Lord God, You alone are worthy of our praise and adoration.

Our Father in heaven,

Thank You for loving the world so greatly.

You gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ,

    to die on the cross for our sins

    so that we could be reconciled to You.

We are grateful to call You Father and to be called Your children.

Nothing can separate us from Your love.

      Thank You Father, for adopting us into Your family
     because of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Lord Jesus Christ,

You alone are worthy to open the scrolls of history,

    for You were slain and have redeemed us to the Father by Your blood.

We confess that You are Head of the Church

    and Lord of all heaven and earth.

May people from every tribe and language become Your followers

    so that Your blessing brings transformation among all peoples.

Let Your kingdom be established in every nation of the world

    so that governments will rule with righteousness and justice.

And may Your Name be great, from the rising of the sun to its setting.

  Jesus Christ, You are the Saviour of the world and the Lord of all.

Father of mercy and grace,

We acknowledge that we have sinned

    and that our world is gripped by the power of sin.

Our hearts are grieved by injustice, hatred and violence.

We are shamed by oppression, racism and bloodshed in our land.

We mourn all loss of life in murder, war and terrorism.

Our homes are broken and our churches are divided by rebellion and pride.

Our lives are polluted by selfishness, greed, idolatry and sexual sin.

We have grieved Your heart and brought shame to Your Name.

Have mercy on us as we repent with all our hearts.

  God of mercy, forgive our sins.
     Pour out Your grace and heal our land.

Spirit of the living God,

Apart from You, we can do nothing.

Transform Your Church into the image of Jesus Christ.

Release Your power to bring healing to the sick,

    freedom to the oppressed and comfort to those who mourn.

Pour Your love into our hearts and fill us with compassion

    to answer the call of the homeless and the hungry

    and to enfold orphans, widows and the elderly in Your care.

Give us wisdom and insight for the complex problems we face today.

Help us to use the resources of the earth for the well-being of all.

  Holy Spirit, we need Your comfort
     and guidance. Transform our hearts.

Lord Jesus Christ,

Because You were dead, but are now risen,

    and the Father has given You a Name above all names,

    You will defeat all powers of evil.

Tear down strongholds and ideologies that resist the knowledge of God.

Remove the veil of darkness that covers the peoples.

Restrain the evil that promotes violence and death.

Bring deliverance from demonic oppression.

Break the hold of slavery, tyranny and disease.

Fill us with courage to preach Your word fearlessly,

    and to intercede for the lost faithfully.

  Almighty God, deliver us from evil.

King of Glory,

Come and finish Your work in our cities, our peoples and our nations.

We lift our voices in unison with believers from Africa and Asia,

    from the Middle East and Europe, from North and South America,

    and from Australia and the Pacific Islands-together we cry: 

  Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Be lifted up ancient doors
     so that the King of glory may come in!

As Your deeds increase throughout the earth,

    and as Your blessings abound to all the nations,

    they will seek You, asking, "Who is this King of glory?"

Together we will answer:

He is the Lord Almighty!

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Come fill the earth with Your glory as the waters cover the sea.

The Spirit and the Bride say:

Amen! Come Lord Jesus!

Culture Making Conference

Northeastern Seminary invited Christian author and social commentator Andy Crouch – winner of the 2009 Christianity and Culture Book Award from Christianity Today and a “starred review” from Publisher’s Weekly for his book Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling – as the keynote speaker for its 2011 Conference on Ministry, June 7-8 in the Cultural Life Center on the Roberts Wesleyan College campus.

In his acclaimed book, Crouch unleashes a stirring manifesto calling Christians to be culture makers. For too long, he explains, Christians have had an insufficient view of culture and waged misguided “culture wars.” But they must reclaim the cultural mandate to be the creative cultivators that God designed them to be. “Culture is what we make of the world, both in creating cultural artifacts as well as in making sense of the world around us,” Crouch says. “By making chairs and omelets, languages and laws, we participate in the good work of culture making.”

As keynote speaker at the NES Conference on Ministry, Crouch will unpack the complexities of how culture works and recommend tools for cultivating and creating culture. He navigates the dynamics of cultural change and probes the role and efficacy of Christians’ various cultural gestures and postures.

Crouch’s keen biblical exposition shows that “creating culture” is central to the whole scriptural narrative, the ministry of Jesus and the call to the church. He guards against naive assumptions about “changing the world,” but points to hopeful examples from church history and contemporary society of how culture is made and shaped. “Ultimately, our culture making is done in partnership with God’s own making and transforming of culture,” he says.

Plenary sessions will address the following topics:

* The Horizons of the Possible: Defining and Understanding Culture
* Gestures and Postures: Recovering a Biblical Framework for Our Cultural Calling
* The Broken Image: Injustice, Idolatry and Restoration
* Learning to Play: Excellence and the Disciplines in Everyday Life
* A Model of Cultural Change

Workshops will be conducted on the following issues:

* What the church needs to know about ministry in the city
* Images and Culture: Making room for visual creativity in ministry
* Theological underpinnings for integrating music styles
* Blogging and the “missio Dei”: Addressing the central cultural issues


General admission for the two-day conference is $110, with discounts available for groups and NES students and alumni. For more information, contact Northeastern Seminary by phone at (585) 594-6800 or 800-777-4792, or online at www.nes.edu/com/2011.

Crouch is special assistant to the president at Christianity Today International, where he was executive producer of the documentary films Where Faith and Culture Meet and Round Trip, and editorial director of the Christian Vision Project. He serves on the governing boards of Fuller Theological Seminary and Equitas Group, a philanthropic organization focused on ending child exploitation in Haiti and Southeast Asia. Crouch studied classics at Cornell University and received an M.Div. summa cum laude from Boston University School of Theology. He also is a classically trained musician.

Editor's Note: April/May 2011

By Kyle Patterson
Since the launch of our first issue of unite this past February, we have seen a great response from churches, advertisers and readers. I would like to thank you for reading and sharing unite with your friends and family and encouraging us that indeed the Church in Western New York needs this. We are encouraged to see churches welcoming copies of unite into their churches and people responding to the mission of working together as the Body of Christ for the purpose of reaching our region with the Gospel. Unite exists to equip, strengthen and serve the Church of Western New York with timely news, edifying articles and inspirational teaching. Our heart is that what God is doing will be documented for generations to come through the medium of print, online and digitally. I also recommend the additional articles, pictures, video, blogs and interviews we are posting weekly at www.unitemagazine.us and on our Facebook page.

I personally invite you to send me your news and press releases from your church or ministry, helping us and our readers stay up to date on what God is doing in your neighborhood and encourage the rest of the Church in our region. Secondly we are looking for a variety of contributors including full length print contributions, online bloggers and commenters as well as photos and feature story ideas. Lastly, we are in need of volunteer drivers to help us distribute unite across our region including Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Batavia and Rochester. We break down our distribution into five to ten stops all within a seven mile radius so if you are interested in getting involved in any of these ways I welcome you to contact me.

I would like to thank all of our church partners for their faithful support, our advertisers, contributors and photographers who literally make this publication possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.