National Day of Prayer: May 3

Diane Paddison to Keynote Red Shield Luncheon

DIANE PADDISON will be the keynote guest speaker for this year’s Red Shield Luncheon in support of The Salvation Army Buffalo this May 14 at 12:00PM.  Paddison is a wife and mother of four, an accomplished executive COO for two Fortune 500 companies, author of Work, Love, Pray, a Harvard graduate and a faithful child of God. The annual event is being held at the Millennium Hotel Presidential Ballroom and supports The Salvation Army's many initiatives to support our city. Individual tickets and corporate sponsorships are available and the event is open to all who have a heart to support an organization making a difference in over 30,000 lives. 

Last year alone The Salvation Army Buffalo provided:

• Emergency Shelter to more than 476 women, men and children
• Nutritious food for families from their three food pantries
• More than 292,000 nutritious, prepared meals for the elderly, children in their youth programs, the homeless, and first responders to local disasters served from their Emergency Disaster Canteen
• Enriching activities for 407 members of their senior center
• Job Readiness Training to transition people from public assistance to jobs to achieve economic self-sufficiency
• Counseling
• Secure, supervised visitation for children and non-custodial parents

Our New Cover

Jim Cymbala Calls Region to Prayer

Jim Cymbala pastors the Brooklyn Tabernacle. He spoke to a nearly full sanctuary last night at Eastern Hills Wesleyan in preparation for the upcoming Rock the Lakes Buffalo Festival this September. 

Rock the Lakes Buffalo organized a Concert of Prayer last night at Eastern Hills Wesleyan church calling on leaders and believers in the region to begin praying together with a focus on the upcoming September gathering. Pastor Jim Cymbala of the 10,000 member Brooklyn Tabernacle spoke on the role of intercession and prayer in the life of the believer. Cymbala reminded the almost full 2,000 person sanctuary at Eastern Hills that God not only hears but he answers. Citing a familiar passage in Genesis where Abraham petitioned God to spare the righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah, Cymbala reminded believers of the access we have before God. Cymbala also opened up and shared a heart touching story about his own daughter who after wandering from the faith, could not stay away long because of the fervent prayers of the people at his church. Cymbala has gained notoriety within the Christian community with his best selling books including Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and others and for his ability to organize a Tuesday night prayer meeting in Brooklyn that attracts thousands of people to his church for prayer. Cymbala also reminded attendees that the church wasn't birthed in a teaching meeting or a worship service but in a prayer meeting and that is where the church needs to return to.

Mt. Olive Baptist Church choir was also in attendance and graced the night with two powerful pieces. Barbara Kaczmarek and Antwann Diggs proceeded to lead the prayer meeting focused on:

• Prayer for yourself to be useful in the Kingdom
• Prayer for the lost (search and rescue)
• For the region
• Preparations for the coming Rock the Lakes Festival
• For the Christian Life and Witness courses happening
• Follow up and discipleship
• For a move of God and pastors and churches

Believers were encouraged to split up into groups of 3-4 and pray together asking God for a breakthrough an answer. Believers and churches are encouraged to be a part of the upcoming events with the Rock the Lakes Festival team. More on that can be found at www.rockbuffalo.org

Jim Cymbala Calls Pastors to Prayer

Jim Cymbala pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and author of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire spoke this morning to a full room of pastors at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church in Williamsville in preparation for the regional prayer gathering happening tonight and the upcoming Rock the Lakes event this September with Franklin Graham. "Th great temptation is to always be doing. Isn't the greatest challenge just being with Jesus?," Cymbala asked the room of pastors.

Tonight's meeting starts at 7PM at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church. All are welcome.

Business Men's Fellowship to Host May 15 Inaugural Meeting

Business Men's Fellowship USA is back in business in Buffalo. The new chapter kicks off their inaugural meeting this May 15 at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga, NY and will host monthly meetings reaching out to the WNY business community. For more information see www.bmfbuffalo.com

Northeastern To Offer Classes in Syracuse

Starting this August Northeastern Seminary (NES) will offer graduate level courses toward Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degrees on the campus of Onondaga Community College (OCC) in Syracuse, N.Y. Part of an expanding distance education program in service to the greater central New York State region, the courses will be offered via video conferencing in which the community of learners in Syracuse and Northeastern’s main campus in Rochester, N.Y. are linked though live video feed.

The PolyCom interactive video distance learning technology allows for multidirectional streaming so professors can teach from either the Rochester or Syracuse location and engage students through lecture and multimedia resources at both sites, and students can interact with each other as well. This classroom format is integrated with on-site small group interactions and periodic chapel services to enhance community and provide instruction in spiritual formation, a distinctive of the NES education.

Through the use of video conferencing, NES successfully launched a distance education location last fall in Williamsville, N.Y. “Our recent expansion into the Buffalo area and the upcoming course offerings in Syracuse are part of our commitment to making a seminary education even more accessible across all of New York State,” said Academic Vice President and Dean Doug Cullum. “It reflects the Seminary’s vision to prepare increasing numbers of theologically-reflective, spiritually-formed, professionally-competent persons for ministry.”

To date, NES has been authorized by the Association of Theological Schools Commission on Accreditation to offer up to 50 percent of the Master of Divinity program through distance education. Under the current model the remaining classes in the program are available to all students at the Rochester campus.

Of the collaboration with OCC, Dean Cullum said, “We are pleased to partner with a community-minded organization like OCC who clearly shares our vision for serving the members of the greater Syracuse region.”

Noon Rally, Updated Location

The Rally is on! But due to the last-minute denial of a permit for use of space in front of the Federal Building, the Rally site has been changed to two blocks over and is now located in front of the Federal Courthouse, located at 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202 (a permit for use of space has been granted for this location).

BUFFALO, New York – At 12PM on March 23, 2012, a large number of Western New Yorkers will gather outside of the Federal Courthouse (2 Niagara Square) to show their support for religious freedom (a fundamental right enshrined in the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution). This public support for the Constitutional right of religious freedom is timely as it is under the threat of the recent anti-conscience HHS Mandate being pushed by the Obama Administration which forces private citizens and Catholic institutions to pay for abortion-inducing drugs, contraception, and sterilizations.

This Rally is not about contraception and it is not about politics. This Rally is about religious freedom and its vital importance for all people. If the federal government can force private citizens and religious institutions to pay for abortion-inducing drugs and other items that violate their consciences, where does it end?

The WNY Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally will represent Western New Yorkers of all backgrounds who cherish the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Speakers will include, but are not limited to: Anne F. Downey, Esq., Partner at Downey & Downey; Rev. Jason McGuire, Executive Director of the New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms; Cheryl Calire, Respect Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Buffalo; Rev. Fr. Arthur W. Ward, Jr., Rector of St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church; Fr. Peter Calabrese, Catholic Priest.

This local rally is part of a nationwide movement which will include similar rallies on March 23rd at 12PM in over 100 U.S. cities.

Resource Review: Cutback

High School senior Luke Harris (Justin Schwan) dreams of just one thing. pro surfing. With his best friend Casey (Angel Cruz) at his side, they have two goals: surf and party! But Luke's Mom (Raquel Gardner) and especially Dad (Greg Carlson) have other ideas: pick a college and grow up! When Luke learns that a spot is opening up on the local surf team, he sees his big chance to prove to his parents that he can make it as a surfer and avoid being shipped off to school. Only two things stand in Luke's way ...

Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Resource Review: Story of Your Life

“I know how to write songs about my life, my experiences and my journey, my faith and my love,” West says. “Yet along comes an idea for a record called ‘Story of Your Life’ and instead of writing what I know and writing songs about my life, the idea is to turn the microphone around to the people who listen to my music. I wanted them to send me their stories.” What emerged on The Story of Your Life is a powerful collection of songs that cover a diverse range of difficult subject matter.

Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

WNY Rallying in Support of Religious Freedom this Friday

BUFFALO, New York – At 12PM on March 23, 2012, a large number of Western New Yorkers will gather outside of the Federal Building (130 South Elmwood Ave.) to show their support for religious freedom (a fundamental right in the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution). This public support for the Constitutional right of religious freedom is timely as it is under the threat of the recent anti-conscience HHS Mandate being pushed by the Obama Administration which forces private citizens and Catholic institutions to pay for abortion-inducing drugs, contraception, and sterilizations.

This Rally is not about contraception and it is not about politics. This Rally is about religious freedom and its vital importance for all people. If the federal government can force private citizens and religious institutions to pay for abortion-inducing drugs and other items that violate their consciences, where does it end?

The WNY Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally will represent Western New Yorkers of all backgrounds who cherish the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Speakers will include, but are not limited to: Anne F. Downey, Esq., Partner at Downey & Downey; Rev. Jason McGuire, Executive Director of the New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms; Cheryl Calire, Respect Life Coordinator for the Diocese of Buffalo; Rev. Fr. Arthur W. Ward, Jr., Rector of St. Bartholomew's Anglican Church; Fr. Peter Calabrese, Catholic Priest.

This local rally is part of a nationwide movement which will include similar rallies on March 23rd at 12PM in over 100 U.S. cities.

Mission: Developing A Culture of Prayer

By Lou Perez

Many years ago, I had a dear friend who was a devoted prayer warrior. He had been faithfully praying as to whether he should continue his medical practice here in the US or move back to his native country of Zimbabwe to be near his family.  After many months, I asked him if he had decided what he would do. Without flinching, he responded, "I haven't heard anything yet."  At that moment, I was struck by the realization that there was a lot more to prayers than just saying them, and like “fire and forget” missiles, disregarding them - that prayer was much more than a resource we tap.

E. M. Bounds, in his book “Power Through Prayer” said, “We are constantly on a stretch, if not on a strain, to devise new methods, new plans, new organizations to advance the Church and secure enlargement and efficiency for the gospel . . . The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men.”

God has given us many ways accomplish prayer like:  Personal prayer, Public prayer, Meditative prayer,  Intercessory prayer, Prevailing Prayer, Prayer without ceasing.   All these and more were given to us in order to facilitate a culture and life of prayer. However in 2005, LifeWay Christian Resources surveyed more than 1,300 evangelical leaders from around the world to determine what they perceived to be the "Top 10 Issues Facing Today's Church." Number one was Prayer: The need for more ongoing, passionate prayer in both personal and church life.

Although a 2005 statistic can seem outdated, I believe the same is true today. A high percentage of us are not praying. How is it possible to have so many methods and infinite resources for prayer and yet have such a high percentage of us not praying? What is in us that so neglects prayer?         

Could it be that one of the reasons why some Christians don’t pray is because they have this tacit idea lodged in the back of their minds that prayer simply does not work. Many have become discouraged from lack of answers to prayer. They have become hopelessly stuck like an insect in amber and missed the lesson my African doctor-friend modeled before me - that prayer requires the unmistakable quality of persevering Faith. James tells the seeker to ask,  “in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind”. James 1:6 (ESV)

If prayer isn’t working for us we might want to explore the possibility that  we have approached God  conceptually, not  intimately. A Christian might have a theoretical idea about God through their knowledge of Biblical doctrine, and yet not have fellowship with God. It’s easier to learn academically the five points of “how to” then it is to encounter God through prayer. Charles Spurgeon spoke to this when he said, “As the flower is more lovely than the root, so is the experience of fellowship with the risen Savior more lovely than the doctrine itself” ^[1].           

This kind of cold approach to God will turn what could have potentially been an intimate encounter into mere Devotions. Yes It is possible to have “devotions” and mistakenly consider it to be the sum of our commitment to God. In having devotions, we can put God in a box along with all our other boxes of responsibilities in life - Only taking out that box once a day or whenever needed. Prayer however cannot be contained by space and time, but takes in your whole being. A person can’t say I’m going to have “commitment or “dedication to God” because these qualities are continual states of being, not acts.  E. M. Bounds defined devotion as “the particular frame of mind found in a person entirely devoted to God”.

The vacuum created by lack of intimacy with God will inevitably result in a substitute intimacy. Things like Work, Entertainment, ,family schedules, and social media will rush to fill the vacated space once reserved for God and us. Our modern technological devices. though not inherently evil, have in many cases become our intimate connection instead of God. Time, our only real coin of trade in this life, then becomes devoured by these proxy interactions.  

 Whatever reason a person may have for not praying, one thing is clear: It is more unnatural not to pray than it is to pray. Prayer is not only ingrained in our original creation when our first parents talked to God, but also in our Redemption.

“And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

Redemption has never been about the rescue, but about knowing the Rescuer. Seeking God intimately is the foundation to all other kinds prayer which remain fruitless without divine connectedness.

It is imperative that prayer become our center, our culture, and our life - not just another formality. As seeking His face sustains all other forms of prayer God has given us, it should always move us out of the Prayer Closet and into God’s mandate to reach the lost.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

^[1]Spurgeon, C. H. (1995). Morning and evening : Daily readings (November 22 PM). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2]The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (Lk 18:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[3]The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Jn 17:2-3). Wheaton: Good News Publishers.

Lou and Louisa Perez both grew up in New York City and met in the first Church Lou pastored in Schenectady, NY. In 1999 they started Destiny Christian Church in Niagara Falls with the vision of taking Church outside the four walls. Visit their website at www.destinychristianniagara.com.

Resource Review: A Beautiful Exchange

Hillsong Live returns with an all-new album entitled, A Beautiful Exchange. Recorded at Hillsong Church in Australia, these powerful worship songs explore themes including sacrifice & redemption ("A Beautiful Exchange"), extraordinary love ("Our God Is Love"), and comforting hope ("Forever Reign") which is also the first radio single and looks to be a song that will be quickly adopted by churches everywhere.

Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Resource Review: The Choice

With a vibrant, fresh style Suzanne Woods Fisher brings readers into the world of a young Amish woman torn between following the man she loves--or joining the community of faith that sustains her, even as she questions some of the decisions of her elders. Her choice begins a torrent of change for her and her family, including a marriage of convenience to silent Daniel Miller. Both bring broken hearts into their arrangement--and secrets that have been held too long.
Filled with gentle romance, The Choice opens the world of the Amish--their strong communities, their simple life and their willingness to put each other first. Combined with Fisher's exceptional gift for character development, this novel, the first in a series, is a welcome reminder that it is never too late to find your way back to God.
Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Resource Review: Courageous

Filled with action-packed police drama, COURAGEOUS is the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Viewers will once again find themselves laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children.

Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That's courageous.

Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Resource Review: Weird

Normal people are stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Many of their relationships are, at best, strained and, in most cases, just surviving. Even though we live in one of the most prosperous places on earth, normal is still living paycheck to paycheck and never getting ahead. In our oversexed world, lust, premarital sex, guilt, and shame are far more common than purity, virginity, and a healthy married sex life. And when it comes to God, the majority believe in him, but the teachings of scripture rarely make it into their everyday lives. Simply put, normal isn't working. Groeschel's WEIRD views will help you break free from the norm to lead a radically abnormal (and endlessly more fulfilling) life.

Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Church of WNY "Represented" in Ministry Today

Robert Stearns, who served as guest Editor of Ministry Today magazine's March issue gave plenty of plugs to the Church of WNY throughout the issue making mention and including articles by Tommy Reid, Stephen Jenks, Roderick Hennings, Ron Burgio and included a picture of Pat Jones, Jerry Gillis, Roderick Hennings and Marty MacDonald praying together in Israel.

Robert Stearns Graces the Cover of Ministry Today

Executive Director of Eagles' Wings and Clarence resident Robert Stearns was guest Editor and cover feature of Charisma Media's Ministry Today magazine.

THRiVE!'s Day 9 Challenge= Discount and Gift Card Entry at Bender's

THRIVE! Magazine has announced their Day 9 Challenge:

1) Bender's Parable Christian Store is offering a 10% discount on any non-sale item for bringing in a donation of clothing or a canned good into the store for the rest of the month of March!

2) For anyone who participates today and brings in a donation you'll be entered to win a $10 Gift card from Bender's. (winner announced Saturday)

Resource Review: Radical

IS JESUS WORTH THIS TO YOU?

It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily…

BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE THAT? DO YOU?

In" Radical," David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple--then invites you to "believe "and "obey "what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a "successful" suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.

Finally, he urges you to join in The Radical Experiment --a one-year journey in authentic discipleship that will transform how you live in a world that desperately needs the Good News Jesus came to bring.

 Sponsored by Bender's Parable Christian Store

Casting Crowns in Buffalo March 17

Casting Crowns along with Matthew West, Royal Tailor & brand new artist Lindsay McCaul make their way to Buffalo this March for the Come to the Well tour. The purpose of the tour is ministry not just songs & entertainment. For ticket and other information call 1-800-461-4485 or visit www.kingdombound.org

Michael W. Smith in Rochester March 10

Wonder Woship and Glory tour  presents an evening with Michael W. Smith in concert at My Father’s House 715 Paul Road, Rochester, NY  14624. Don’t miss out on $20 Super Group tickets are at www.genexconcerts.com or call  724-744-3524

Harvest Eyes Part I

Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness (35). When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (36). Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few (37). Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (38). Then Jesus called his twelve disciples to him, and he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. (1) Now
the names of the twelve apostles are these. … (5) And these twelve Jesus sent out and instructed them.
Matthew 9:35-10:5

Foundational Biblical Truths for World-Impacting Ministry
Matthew 9:35-10:5 contains an explosive set of divine truths to create a world-impacting ministry among Christians. This passage, along with the rest of Matthew 10, represents a critical transition point in the ministry of Jesus, and this transition has to do with a strategic step on Jesus’ part toward expansion (Mt. 4:18-9:34). Jesus is about to establish the conditions to advance his global redemptive plan so that his church is capable of worldwide impact. Now, Jesus’ followers must go from observing to being “learners-by-going-and-doing.” At this critical point in the Gospel, we have the ministry-expanding words: “And these twelve Jesus sent out and instructed them” (Mt.10:5f).
Surely Christ wants to move his church, even today, into a glorious partnership with him. Here, then, are two harvest-time truths that should move us from being passive observers to active participants with the Lord of the harvest!

(1) From Seeing… to Saying; from Battered Sheep… to Wheat (vv.35-37a):
If we are going to be Christ-like harvesters, then we need both to see and say things the way the Master does. Verse 36 describes what Jesus saw as he ministered throughout Palestine: “When he saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” These words are remarkable because of what Jesus saw in the people: a pathetic excuse for life! They were “harassed,” which can mean butchered, cut up, skinned, and even to be raped. And they were “helpless,” which can mean the state of shock a sheep goes into when it is highly traumatized. Ancient shepherds said (and even sheepherders today say) that a sheep becomes “shut down.” Do you know anyone who is so battered and traumatized by life that he or she is “shut down”? Together, harassed and helpless paint an awful but accurate picture of the masses of people in our world outside of Christ!
But then comes the revelatory, because Jesus immediately says something very different from what he sees! He saw mangled, abused and defeated sheep, but what he says describes wheat: “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few,’” (v. 37). In other words, Jesus immediately goes from sorry sheep to life-giving wheat! Oh, that we would have the eyes of God and see the potential in the millions all around us! Oh, that God would raise an army of believers to speak His divine and hope-filled perspective into the world!
As a metis Native American believer of the Seneca Nation who was born and raised in inner-city Buffalo, and as an urban pastor in core-city Buffalo for some 25 years, I have come to the conviction that you can never reach anyone you look down upon. You can only reach into the hearts of those that know you love them, despite all they may have done or had horribly done to them. Oh, for God’s harvest eyes!

(2) Bringing the Whole Gospel, to the Whole Person, to the Whole World (v.35):

Verse 35 reveals yet another world-impacting principle. World-harvesters will (1) take the whole Gospel to people, teaching the mind, preaching the good news to the spirit, and curing the physical body; (2) take God’s love to all places (the cities and villages: dangerous, close-minded innovative and beautiful alike); and (3) reach out to all types of spiritual appetites (the synagogues, yet also the crowds who may care far less about God).
Tragically, we say things like, “Oh, the city is filled with evil… small towns are narrow-minded… these people are lazy leeches, racial bigots, rich snobs, or…” But! Harvest hearts respond with a resounding “No!” because these statements betray sinful attitudes that we must reject.
World harvesters, like Jesus, go to all places! If you would have run into me in my early twenties, you might have crossed the street to avoid me. But a couple of harvest-minded believers pushed past my drug-hardened heart and saw the marred image of God in me. One wise church leader has said that if the church will reach out in faith to those that everyone else is avoiding, it will eventually have those that everyone will want. Former tax collectors—like Matthew!—have made great disciples, and whole nations formerly closed to the Gospel are now vibrant centers of world mission. Why? Because someone had harvest eyes and refused to write off any field, person or people!
Finally, world harvesters never minister to just one part of the person, but to the whole person: mind, body, emotions, social needs and spirit. We have a saying at RiverRock, the church that I pastor: “As many gates into the kingdom as necessary and Biblical.” (Check back next issue for part II of this series)

Bob Tice is Senior Pastor of Riverrock Church in Buffalo.

THRiVE! 30 Day Challenge Starts

Win tickets to Mantime

THRiVE! is giving away tickets to Mantime 2012 as part of their 30 Day Challenge to support a local non profit. To win the tickets just answer the trivia question at www.facebook.con/thrivemedia before 10PM today.

From March 1 to March 30 THRiVE! will be doing daily giveaways and promotions to incentivize readers for learning about and supporting Hearts for the Homeless, a Buffalo based non profit working to end poverty in Buffalo.