Chapel Launches WNY Pray

The Chapel at Crosspoint has launched their 2013 Prayer Initiative as part of WNY Pray. With 25 participating churches/ministries the prayer initiative is meant to prepare hearts of believers to share Jesus during the Lent Season.

Closed Center Saturday

Buffalo Christian Center, after restarting their Open Center Saturdays, has now announced they are closed until further notice and according to a hand written note on the door are sorry for the inconvenience. Buffalo Christian Center recently laid off the majority of their staff and closed the bookstore under a restructuring of the board and the organization structure of the ministry started by Rev. Alan Forbes and now led by Ohio native Jim Swearingen as Executive Director and former Buffalo Bill Brad Butler as Chairman.

Buffalo City Mission's Plan to End Homelessness

Hunter's Day of Hope and Prayer for Children

Pro Football Hall of Fame Member and former Buffalo Bills Quarterback Jim Kelly, wife Jill, and the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, invite members of the community to the 15th Annual Hunter’s Day of Hope & Prayer for Children on Saturday, February 16th, 2013 at the Buffalo Bills Healthy Zone Fieldhouse in Orchard Park, NY.  This FREE family friendly event runs from1:00PM – 4:00PM, and includes food, activities and live entertainment.

Hunter’s Day of Hope & Prayer for Children is celebrated in conjunction with the birthday of the Kelly’s son, Hunter (February 14, 1997 – August 5, 2005), which he also shares with his dad.  The Kelly family established Hunter’s Hope after Hunter was diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy, an inherited, fatal, nervous system disease.

“We are so thankful for the Western New York community and how they continue to stand by our side and our mission,” expressed Jim Kelly, Co-Founder of Hunter’s Hope. “This event allows us a chance to thank the community, but more importantly provide a fun, family friendly way for parents and their kids to get out of the house during this cold winter and spend some quality time together at no cost to them.”

Hunter’s Day of Hope & Prayer for Children supports an important part of the Foundation’s mission – to encourage parents and families to thank God for the precious gift of children. The event also serves as a thank you from Hunter’s Hope to the Western New York Community for its continued support toward helping children suffering all over the country.  Bounce houses, music, dancing, games, face painting, refreshments and more will be available for all guests at no cost to them.

“My favorite part of the event is the prayer at the end,” shared Jill Kelly, Co-Founder of Hunter’s Hope. “We all get caught up in our daily lives from time to time, and sometimes forget what a blessing all children truly are.  The time of prayer is so powerful. It fills our hearts with such joy to see everyone come together, adults and children, joining in prayer for all children throughout the world.”

This year, the Foundation is inviting individuals around the world to also participate by taking part in a virtual Day of Hope & Prayer for Children.  The Foundation is encouraging individuals to change their Facebook cover images, profile pictures and Twitter profile pictures February 14th thru February 16th, to special images available on the Hunter’s Hope Facebook and Twitter accounts. The Foundation’s hope is to include many more children and families in thanksgiving and prayer for all children throughout the world.

Through the support of many area businesses and organizations, Hunter’s Hope is able to provide guests with free entertainment, food, games, activities and prizes.  This year’s sponsors include the Buffalo Bills, Pepsi Bottling Co., the Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Foundation, Wendy’s Restaurants, Zetti’s Pizza and Pasta, and more.  Main stage entertainment will feature Quizmaster, Rince Na Tiarna, Shepherd’s Troupe, and Master Khechen’s Martial Arts and Fitness Academy amongst others!  To view a complete listing of entertainment, activities, and partners this year, please visit http://www.huntershope.org/hdhc.

About the Hunter’s Hope Foundation
The Hunter’s Hope Foundation was established in 1997 by Jim Kelly and his wife Jill, after their infant son, Hunter (February 14, 1997 – August 5, 2005) was diagnosed with Krabbe Leukodystrophy, an inherited fatal nervous system disease. While Jim and Jill have been blessed with the opportunity to share Hunter’s story and the hope of the Foundation named after their son all over the world – their greatest passion is to bring encouragement and hope to families in the midst of suffering. The Foundation’s mission and focus is threefold:  to fund research necessary to treat and cure Krabbe Disease as well as other devastating leukodystrophies, increase newborn screening standards across the United States to obtain early detection and treatment for all treatable diseases, and ultimately Hunter’s Hope exists to inspire all parents to thank God for their children.

Family Life Presents Premiere Christian Ballet Company Ballet Magnificat!, The Scarlet Cord

BATH, N.Y.—America’s premier Christian ballet company, Ballet Magnificat!, will perform its newest ballet, The Scarlet Cord, on Mon., March 11 and Tues., March 12. Presented by Family Life, performances will be held at Evangel Church of Buffalo, located at 8180 Greiner Road. Tickets are $18 in advance and $21 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. and performances begin at 7 p.m.

Inspired by the Biblical account of Rahab, The Scarlet Cord depicts a vivid drama of betrayal, love, and dedication as two missionaries hold fast to their faith in Jesus Christ. In The Scarlet Cord, missionaries minister in one of the cruelest regimes the world has known - the communist Soviet Union. The main character, Rahab, learns a hard lesson when she is abandoned by a Soviet commander - the man she desperately loves. In her grief, two missionaries share their hope in Jesus Christ. Afterward, Rahab’s heart is changed and a redemptive story unfolds.

From the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, to Singapore's historic Victoria Theatre, thousands have experienced the professional dance companies of Ballet Magnificat!  Headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, the company was founded in 1986 by IBC Silver Medalist, Kathy Thibodeaux. Her husband, Keith, is the former child star known for his portrayal of "Little Ricky" in the TV series, "I Love Lucy".

Recognized for its excellence in ballet training, Ballet Magnificat! offers dance classes, workshops and schooling for youth and adult dancers. The company’s Summer Dance Intensive, Teachers Workshop, and School of the Arts attract hundreds of students from around the world to Jackson, MS, for a unique technical and spiritual experience.

To order tickets for Ballet Magnificat’s, The Scarlet Cord, call Family Life at 800-927-9083 or visit www.fln.org/tickets.

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About Family Life Ministries, Inc.

Family Life Ministries is devoted to strengthening individuals and families through Christian radio broadcasting, concerts, educational and social programs, counseling, and the performing arts. Headquartered in Bath, N.Y., Family Life was founded in 1957, and provides various activities and programs for youth, singles, adults, and seniors.

Family Life owns a Christian radio network of 18 stations and 50 translators broadcasting in regions of New York and Pennsylvania. Established in 1983, the radio network is a listener-supported broadcaster currently reaching a potential listenership of 3.5 million. 

For more information on Family Life, visit www.fln.org.

Good Friday Service Official

The Chapel at Crosspoint, Eastern Hills Wesleyan, Zion Dominion Global Ministries and City Church Batavia have announced a Good Friday service that will take place at First Niagara Center on March 29. See their announcement below

Are you ready to make history? Are you ready to be an answer to Jesus prayer, and your own prayers as well? The Churches of WNY are invited to come together on Good Friday (March 29, 2013) as never before with room for 15,000 of us at the First Niagara Center! Come meet lots of new brothers and sisters, and participate in the largest gathering of the Body of Christ in our region's history.

Rebuilding the Wall

By Rev. Shawn Dewey

The news from the homeland left him in great despair. His brother had just relayed to him that the remnant of people in his beloved city of Jerusalem remained in tremendous trouble. History told him that some seventy years prior a group of exiles were given the permission to return to their precious native soil of Israel and in the process were able to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Even as recently as the last thirteen years a second group led by a man named Ezra, who had dedicated himself to the Law of the Lord God, brought with him reforms for the people, but still the walls of the city lay in desolation and its city gates scarred from previous invasion.

     Overcome with a broken heart, Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the present king of Persia, sat and mourned, praying for God’s refreshing intervention.

     To Nehemiah, the lack of a city wall not only portrayed the shame of the nation because of its consequences politically and economically, but also resonated with the spiritual life of the city inhabitants. The ruined wall visible every day to every inhabitant was a solemn reminder of just how far they had fallen from God.

     Moving forward I ask personally what spiritual walls of your life are in disrepair? What crisis presently has you in ruin? And looking even into wider circles like Nehemiah is your heart hurting for our neighborhoods, city, and region?

     I believe that when we allow the walls of our heart to crumble and deteriorate spiritually, than we can expect the walls of our families, neighborhoods, cities, churches, and nation to fall as well. None of this happens in any one specific moment you see, but over time like the decay of rust on untreated steel.

     For the past year God has been breaking my heart for what breaks His. It is our Redeemer who is opening my eyes in new ways to the shattered walls of not only those lives I encounter personally, but also to the requirement for our Lord God’s renewal and awakening that stretches past cultural, political, social, economic, or denominational barriers throughout the streets of Buffalo and our WNY region.

     As I seek a solution of application I look back again toward the transformational leader Nehemiah. He never performed any physical act without first seeking God’s spiritual mission through prayer. Even Jesus modeled a lifestyle of prayer often withdrawing to quiet places among His busyness of ministry to capture the Father’s heart before pressing onward. If prayer became the object of priority then why is it not ours?

     The essence of prayer is to respond in communication to our Father God who is in constant conversation with us. Our prayer life can be witnessed in various stances and styles, but in short I often experience prayer through methods of praise, intercession, and simply listening to his still voice.  

     God reminds us as He did thousands of years prior to King Solomon, that when His children seek Him humbly, praying and confessing the brokenness of our lives, then God who always hears will indeed forgive and heal our lives and land. (Reference to 2 Chronicles 7:14). This message is still very relevant today, because of the stories of people, cities, and a world living in need of our Lord’s physical and spiritual, present and eternal healing both individually and corporately.

     The result of prayer in action that I am now witnessing is that as we sit at His feet in intercession, God will respond to us with His mission often making us the answer to our very prayers. As God spoke through Isaiah, He is seeking those who will rebuild the ruins and raise up the age-old foundations and be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. (Reference Isaiah 58:12)

     Lately I am apart of a ministry called the Prayer Collective. You can read more about us on our website www.prayercollective.com.

     The heart of the Prayer Collective is to humbly seek God with a united heart through praise and intercession to witness God’s awakening for the personal lives of this city of Buffalo along with its surrounding region of Western New York. The Prayer Collective’s mission is to network with others and other ministers for the purpose of engaging those we encounter in our world for God’s glory and Kingdom growth. Through this we expect to experience a birth of community that sheds barriers and finds intimate oneness of communion around the cross of Christ.

     Will you consider rising up and joining us of the Prayer Collective where God plants you in order to become the answer of your prayer. Will you arise and pray for your home and family? Will you arise and pray for your neighborhood? Will you arise and pray for the city of Buffalo? Will you arise and pray for WNY? Will you be the response of God to those around you?

     Consider the harvest for as Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, what might God do with a united group of prayer intercessors today? Arise Church!  

Shawn is an ordained pastor through the Wesleyan Denomination with a heart for witnessing God’s awakening throughout the city of Buffalo and WNY region. His ministry involvement spans thirty years of  various rich experiences while balancing a career in the manufacturing business as both an office manager and owner for twenty-six years. Shawn is a graduate of Bethel Seminary and enjoys hiking the outdoors and participating in team sports such baseball and hockey.

Shawn has been married to Susan for thirty-one wonderful years. Together they have been blessed with three children, a great son-in-law, and two fun loving grandchildren. 

JRM Appeals For Support During Poverty Awareness Month

Jericho Road asks for your support this month for poverty awareness month....

"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty." –Mother Teresa

At Jericho Road, we place caring people in the lives of men, women, and children facing poverty in Buffalo, NY. Please stand with us this National Poverty in America Awareness Month and support Jericho Road’s programs by taking two simple actions:

(1) Donate just $25 or more to Jericho Road Ministries. (2) Share our Facebook post about POVERTY IN AMERICA. You can also find our page on Facebook by searching for Jericho Road Ministries.

Yes! I would like to give to Jericho Road: Click Here to Donate

For more information about Jericho Road, visit us at www.JRM-BUFFALO.org

Hobby Lobby Appreciation Day

"Today is Hobby Lobby Appreciation Day! Please bring your friends and remind your family across the country to head to Hobby Lobby to show their support for religious freedom and free speech," wrote former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, regarding Saturday January 5, 2013. Hobby Lobby is owned and operated by evangelical Christians has supported Christian missions extensively.

New Study on Temptation

The Barna Group released a new study on American temptation.
Here is a overview of their findings.

Thrive Available On Kindle

Thrive Buffalo Magazine, Unite's sister publication is available on your Amazon Kindle effective immediately.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009W4BTOQ/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
Proceeds go in support of Prayer Collective, the parent organization of both publications. See www.prayercollective.com

Tebow on Faith

"Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, THANK GOD." - Tim Tebow

Zion Dominion Tonight

Tonight at 10:00pm sharp, Zion Dominion Global ministries New Year's Eve celebration. Featuring Zion Dominion's recording choir and the award winning liturgical dancers! A special word for the upcoming year! 895 N Forest Rd, Amherst NY 14221 Come and "WATCH WHAT HAPPENS!" "It's a Matter of Dominion!"

Prayer Collective On The Move

Prayer Collective, the worship and prayer ministry started by a group of believers including Unite Editor Kyle Patterson has been on the road this month bringing the blessing of prayer and worship to churches around the city. 

This letter from Patterson explains the plans. 

Hi Friends, 

I wanted to let you know that Prayer Collective is hitting the road! After careful thought and prayer (of course :)) we have decided to host our sets at various churches around the area and for a season at least not renew our lease at the Buffalo Christian Center during this holiday season. 

Mondays we will be at The Worship Center in North Buffalo

The Worship Center
4 Medford Place
Buffalo, NY 14216

Wednesday nights starting in January will be at 

Knox Presbyterian Church. 2595 Elmwood Avenue  Kenmore, NY 14217

Thursdays will be at 

The Worship Center
4 Medford Place
Buffalo, NY 14216

Fridays will be at Steps Ministry 1221 Seneca St. Buffalo 14210 Fridays 8-10 am...

More sets to come...

Check back for updates to our schedule at www.prayercollective.com/schedule   (our schedule now also includes partner prayer sets that aren't hosted by Prayer Collective but still a part of the greater move of God's Spirit drawing his church to prayer)

To add a set or contribute to the work email me and we would love to add a set to our schedule. We have many offers from various churches for us to come and bless their church with worship and prayer so we can add you and a venue at anytime as we seek to glorify God in worship around our city. Our goal is to build a spiritual wall around our city through a continuous movement of prayer and worship.  Join us anytime.  

Blessings, 

Kyle

Current schedule and locations for January are underway and will be updated shortly. 

Sword of the Spirit Buffalo

Sword of the Spirit New Year's Eve candlelight service starts at 10pm on Dec. 31, in Buffalo. Sword of The Spirit is located at 300 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214

ECC and Buffalo City Mission are Teaming Up

The Buffalo News featured this article about a new partnership between the Buffalo City Mission and Erie Community College to create a college for the homeless. The partnership helps the Mission continue to provide services that restore hope to their clients and ECC continue to make college education available to as many people as possible.

Read full article here

Buffalo United Draws Nearly 200

photo by Matt Brown

Buffalo United, the annual worship event held this year at The Buffalo Christian Center drew nearly 200 worshippers to gather in unity asking God for a breakthrough in our region. Speaker at this year's event, pastor and former Buffalo Bill Demeris Johnson encouraged attendees to continue to gather in worship and unity and then go back into the community to make a difference for the gospel. Sponsors of the event included Northeastern Seminary, TCT Television and Family Life Network.

America's Got Christmas at The Chapel At Crosspoint

Joe Kulbacki

Author, entrepreneur Joe Kulbacki has crossed from this life into the next with our Lord. Calling hours will be at the James Cannan Funeral Home - 3155 Orchard Park Rd, Saturday 2-4pm and 7-9pm and Sunday 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A Funeral Service will be held Monday at 11am at The Tabernacle, Orchard Park.
Joe was an Army Veteran, retired Buffalo Bill, vineyard owner, entrepreneur and author of "America, A Nation That's Lost Her Way".

"To reclaim America is to return to God, our Constitutional Republic and Capitalism" - Joe Kulbacki

Rock the Lakes Recap

The Billy Graham Evangelical Association brought together over 300 churches, tens of thousands of people and the top talent in Christian music for two days of praise and preaching at Coca-Cola Field this past September. Included in the two days was the likes of Michael W. Smith and Skillet, Rend Collective Experiment and Lacey from Flyleaf leading worship. The results were tracked and nearly 1,000 people came to Christ and the gospel was preached to roughly 18,000 over the two days, and for this we should all rejoice. Yet, for some, the festival Rock the Lakes, actually became a point of division and showed just how mature or lacking therein the Church in our region is. Though Franklin Graham attempts to preach a pure gospel message of salvation and leave the results to God, not every church was involved in the recent Rock the Lakes Outreach, and there were a number of reasons why.

 Evangelism and the Local Church

Evangelists and the local church have a reputation of not always seeing eye to eye. Historically pastors protect their flocks from the charismatic evangelist who isn’t afraid to call out sin, offend the big donors and challenge the status quo. The typical idea, which many pastors would just as well stay away from is, evangelist visits for a few days, creates havoc for the local church and leaves the mess while they travel on to the next city. This however was not the  case with Rock the Lakes, thankfully. A team from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) arrived nearly a year in advance and began working, networking and building relationships with churches and pastors to facilitate Rock the Lakes, an event meant to mobilize the church. Leading up to Rock the Lakes, many smaller trainings were conducted teaching and equipping believers for the work of ministry. This is what Ephesians is talking about when Paul outlines the offices of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. The offices exists for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. That is the fruit of an evangelist’s ministry. Believers should be trained and mobilized to evangelize the lost, which absolutely did happen with Rock the Lakes. Hands down The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association hit a home run on this issue.

Money As An Issue

Rock the Lakes had a relatively large budget of nearly $1,000,000 to hold the festival in Buffalo. The BGEA  obviously makes the festival free of charge to get in front of as many people as possible so they ask local churches to contribute to the costs and they will pick up the rest. A number of local churches, pastors and believers were offended at this monetary goal and were surprised the local church was expected and needed to contribute to this effort. While all the details of the finances were not released we do know Coca-Cola Field was donated. The BGEA concentrated heavy advertising on many billboards across the city to attract the unchurched. Staff was employed up to a year in advance of the festival and numerous events were held leading up to the Rock the Lakes Festival. The musicians all come with a price tag as well.

 Politics

Franklin Graham has been outspoken on a number of  issues in America and voiced his concern regarding President Obama’s faith or lack thereof. In the past during interviews Franklin questioned President Obama’s Christian faith, but then apologized for judging the heart. This however did not sit well with many African American churches and at the festival, it showed. The majority of attendees were white Caucasian and youth. For the average African American Barack Obama represents freedom and racial equality. As a white  Caucasian I can certainly understand and appreciate those feelings. But what I can’t understand is identifying more with race than with faith in Christ. There is no more race in Christ. We are all one in Christ, Paul taught. If that is the case, why would we allow political views to stand in the way of the gospel being preached to this city and getting behind the effort. What could have been an incredible display of Christian unity so that the world (our city) would know that Jesus is the Christ, turned into an event that still had a great impact but the Church in our region did not do a great job of coming together across racial lines. Yes 300 churches came together but there could have been more.

Youth Focus

The divide continued to show as many of supporters for Rock the Lakes were suburban and youth led. Though the initial invitation to BGEA came from a group of smaller African American churches in the city, without the influence of a large African American Church in the leadership of the event, it was a tough road to climb. Along with that, many churches looked at the event as youth led and                 focused and may not have gotten behind it for that reason.

Methodology

Rock the Lakes was criticized on a number of fronts for their methodology in reaching the lost. Their idea to come in to a city, spend close to a million dollars, pack a stadium with popular Christian bands and hope the lost will come was criticized as a waste of resources that could have been given to the poor or improved our schools or helped struggling churches. 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” Some of the people who came to Rock the Lakes may never have set foot in a church setting but into Coca-Cola Field they felt comfortable.   

     All in all, despite the challenges and the obstacles to overcome, Rock the Lakes reported 574 salvations and over 1,000 re-dedications. The events also reported another 18,000 reached over the internet with over 600 responses online. Dr. Lee and Annie McCune who served as leaders of the event said, “As executive directors of the Rock the Lakes Buffalo Task Force,  we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in bringing this event to Buffalo. Over 18,000 attended in person and another 18,000 watched via the live web cast.  Over a thousand decisions were made by those who came forward or asked for more info via the web site.  Thousands more were strengthened in their walks with Christ by participating at the festival and the year long process of training events.  It is marvelous to see what can be done when  the church comes together as one in prayer and effort to spread the good news of the Kingdom of God and the love of God for each one of us.” Sherman Barnette, Rock the Lakes Buffalo Festival Director said it well, “As a former pastor I can't get my head around why when you have an organization like the BGEA with a record of integrity and preaching the gospel and an opportunity to partner with an organization like that, why wouldn't you?”

Buffalo United Interview

Matt Crouch (on drums) and band at last year's Buffalo United event hosted at Resurrection Life Church in Cheektowaga

Interview with Buffalo United founder, Matt Crouch

What are you believing God to do through this year's event?
I'm believing that God is going to make a huge impact in the Buffalo/WNY area. However, He is going to move through us, His church. And we need to start getting united as a body, not as a denomination, to ALWAYS be prepared for what God has in stored for His children.Buffalo United is one of those resources to get Christ's church working and united as One, just as Jesus prayed in John 17.

What can people expect who are coming out for the first time? Speaker? Music? Etc?
The speaker, (Demeris Johnson) is an incredible speaker whose heart is for the churches of Buffalo to get united and truly disciple young and old believers like in the days of the early church.
The music is going to consist of contemporary Christian, but also some rock, and hymns. We wanted to bring a wide variety to the event because we know there are all different types of people coming, so we wanted to not just create a comfortable environment, but also express the diversity of the buffalo region.The worship team consists of 8 different Christian musicians, going to 8 different Christ worshiping churches.

Great and after the event is over what takeaway or action would you love to see as fruit of the event? Ministries partnering? Black and white reconciliation? Etc

Well, I think a lot of the fruit is going to be produced by God. When He tells us to humble ourselves and to come together and work as One, HE will heal our land, He is in the midst of us... So I totally believe that as soon as we take that effort to come worship and pray to our God as different believers, and different churches, and different pastors...that God is going to do things in Buffalo that we've never seen before. And His word promises us that. So the main thing is just, Getting us all together!
As far as fruit from the church, I would love to start a network on-line through the wearebuffalounited.com website (and other social media sites) that will be able to help churches not only connect, but work, help, worship, pray, financially support, etc. with other churches like the  Apostles did in the early church. They didn't care about denominations or differences. They cared about exalting Christ. And I think as the church as a whole, we've missed what they started. Most support almost always comes from within ones own denomination.
     Through this network, I want to create a place where churches can help other churches, maybe connect through worship, maybe join youth groups for a night, maybe help out ones food pantry, etc.. If our mission as the church is to have Christ be exalted and to reach the hearts of God's people, then I believe we need to strive for what God wants us to do. And that's to do that as a Body.
"I in them and You in Me—so that they may be brought to COMPLETE UNITY. THEN the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me." John 17:23

Gary Passero, CEO of Passero Associates to Speak at BMF Buffalo

Business Men's Fellowship Buffalo  is happy to announce, Gary Passero, CEO of Rochester headquartered Passero Associates will speak at the next meeting, January 15.  Gary is a distinguished business man and recently served as Chairman of Rock the Lakes Rochester.

Time: 7-8:30 Breakfast/fellowship
Location: TBD

See bio below from www.passero.com 

Gary W. Passero, PE, F. ASCE, REM

Mr. Passero is the founder and CEO of Passero Associates. The firm was founded in 1972 and has grown to over 80 engineers, architects, planners, surveyors, and support personnel.

Throughout his professional career, Mr. Passero obtained design and management experience in a wide variety of environmental, civil and forensic engineering projects. His experience includes soil/groundwater investigation and remediation; indoor air quality sampling, evaluation and abatement (mold, asbestos, lead); civil/site engineering for residential, commercial, and industrial projects; municipal engineering/architecture; wastewater treatment/pollution control; sanitary landfills; highway/street design and reconstruction projects; and preparation of engineering reports for accident and failure projects.

Mr. Passero has provided expert testimony for plaintiffs and defendants, has participated in technical panels, and has been an Adjunct Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Gary is honored to have been selected as a 2003 & 2010 Finalist for Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Council, and as a 2010 Finalist and 1998 “Civil Engineer of the Year” by the Rochester Section, American Society of Civil Engineers. Gary is a Past President/Delegate for the New York State and District 1 Councils of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Civic/Professional Affiliations
National Director and President, Business Men’s Fellowship, Rochester Chapter
Member of the Construction Committee, Flower City Habitat for Humanity
Board Member, St. Joseph’s Villa
Advisory Board Member, Celebration of Life Community
Advisory Board Member, Roberts Wesleyan College
Advisory Board Member, Finney School
Camp Good Days Varsity Volunteer Program
Past President and Member, Lakeshore Kiwanis Club
Board of Directors, Open Door Mission
Board of Directors, Camp DayDreams

Buffalo United This Friday

The Measure of Our Success

"The research shows that when pastors evaluate the success of their church, they measure attendance, dollars raised, number of staff, number of programs and square footage. All of those are logical measures to explore. The only problem is that Jesus did not die a horrible and unjust death on the cross to fill sanctuaries, generate cash, populate programs, hire religious professionals or build out campuses."  -George Barna

Happy Thanksgiving

General Thanksgiving

By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington

Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789

Former Buffalo Bill to Chair Buffalo Christian Center

Former Buffalo Bills guard and tackle, Brad Butler has been named Chairman of the Board of the Buffalo Christian Center, the 66,000 square foot ministry center located at 512 Pearl Street in Buffalo. Butler was drafted by the Bills in 2006 and retired after four seasons with the Bills. His closing statement upon announcing his resignation from his professional football career was, “I would like to thank Mr. Wilson, my teammates and the entire Bills Nation for giving me the opportunity to represent the Buffalo Bills for the past four years. Playing in the National Football League has been a tremendous opportunity and a great blessing. However, my passion for education, country and community is something that I am ready to devote my full attention to. I believe the best way to pursue these spheres of interest is to step away from the game of football at this point in my life. I will always remember my time spent in Western New York with great affection. I wish my teammates and Bills fans the best of luck next season and into the future.” Source: Wikipedia
Butler's goal now is to bring other board members together to assure the future viability of the giant ministry center in the heart of downtown Buffalo that houses ministries like The Buffalo Dream Center and Prayer Collective among others. The Center was founded by Alan Forbes in 1958.

Pool Set to Open at Buffalo Christian Center

photo by Beth Helsel/Facebook

BMF Buffalo

Samuel Bodapaty, President of Business Men's Fellowship Buffalo (left) with Gary Passaro, BMF Rochester President (center) and guest speaker of November's BMF luncheon Dominic Seccharoli, Regional VP for ACN, Inc and founder of ACN Ministries

Eric Johns On The Streets

Pastor Eric Johns of the Buffalo Dream Center left yesterday morning to spend his annual week living on the streets with the homeless. This year he has five men who have chosen to join him for the week.  The ministry would like to extend a big thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. Below are some of the news stories and updates from his first day.

 

Channel 7 - http://www.wkbw.com/home/Pastor-Begins-5-Days-of-Living-with-the-Homeless-179976691.html

 

YNN - http://buffalo.ynn.com/content/top_stories/614625/pastor-goes-homeless-for-14th-straight-year/

 

Buffalo Dream Center update - http://youtu.be/20AjowjHgCY

Dominic Secchiaroli to Speak at BMF Today

Dominic Secchiaroli, Regional VP for ACN Inc and founder of ACN Ministries will speak today, November 20 at Protocol Restaurant in Williamsville. The meeting is part of Business Men's Fellowship's ministry in Western New York. The ministry, led by Samuel Bodapaty hosts monthly luncheons seeking to share Christ with marketplace leaders and network Christian business leaders to further the cause of Christ. The ministry also hosts monthly mentoring for its members. Find out more at www.bmfbuffalo.com and register for today's event from 11:30-1 at www.bmfbuffalo.com/register

THRiVE!: We Still Bill-ieve

Download our latest issue of THRiVE! on your iPhone or iPad at 

https://itunes.apple.com/tr/app/thrive-buffalo-magazine/id521993686?mt=8

Kawelle to Host Ugly Sweater 3k

Kawelle, a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation working to supply school supplies to needy children in Africa is hosting their annual Ugly Sweater 3k and holiday party on Saturday December 22nd at 9:00am in Williamsville. The event will take place on Glen Avenue near Glen Falls between North Cayuga and Mill Street. Participants will enjoy the 3k walk, free hot chocolate, music, seeing all in their ugliest holiday sweaters, and an appearance from Buddy the Elf. Registration is only $25 with a free t-shirt or $30 with a free hoodie.

Registration can be done at their website at kawelle.org/events by December 15th to receive your free hoodie/tee, or at the event without the free hoodie/tee.

• Date: Saturday December 22nd, 2012
• Time: 9:00am (Arrive early. Walk will start promptly at 9:00am)
• Where: Glen Avenue near Glen Falls between N. Cayuga Rd. and Mill St. in Williamsville, NY
• Length: 3k (about 2 miles)
• Registration Price: $25 with free T-shirt or $30 with free hoodie
• Registration Deadline: December 15^th, 2012 at 11:59pm
• Map: click here to view the map of the event

Amid Israeli Conflict, Buffalo Shows Love for Israel

By Kyle Patterson, Editor
Photos by Matt Brown 

Last night amid rocket blasts and intensified middle East conflict centering around the small but ever so significant piece of real estate, the nation of Israel, an estimated 700 people gathered in celebration and solidarity with the nation of Israel. The event, organized by Eagles' Wings Ministries based in Clarence, NY in partnership with over 20 local churches and ministries was attended largely by local Christian believers to show their love and appreciation for the birthplace of their faith, the land of Israel.

Hosted by Pastor Pat Jones and the congregation he leads, Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church in Clarence, the event welcomed Mr. Michael Wise, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo, Assemblyman Ray Walter, Rabbi Perry Netter and Consul for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Israel in NY Gil Lainer among many other special guests representing the nation of Israel, the Jewish faith and the Christian faith. Robert Stearns, Executive Director of Eagles' Wings was also honored as a great support and friend to Israel by Lanier. After the event a Kosher Jewish desert reception was held for the honored Jewish guests and host committee Christian faith leaders.

Robert Stearns of Eagles' Wings

Consul for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Israel in NY Gil Lainer

Around 700 supporters came out in support of Israel last night at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church