I'm new Sarpy Campus
Mark's blog

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Trinity Unity


Many of you know that the mid to late 1970s were some of the darkest years for CCC. There was controversy and dissent around the use of Spiritual gifts. This dissent led to huge amounts of pain, gossip, infighting, and eventually to a church split.

The people who stayed were the Omaha Gospel Tabernacle (later, Christ Community Church). The people who left became Trinity Interdenominational Church. In the wake of this split was sin, and pain, and hurt on both sides.

The good news is that now, over 30 years later, there has been reconciliation. Real, deep, institutional reconciliation between the elders/people of Trinity and the elders/people of Christ Community.

This kind of extremely mature healing is very rare (unfortunately) in my Christian experience and in the church in general. We experienced an evening in December of 2008, then again just this last Tuesday, that I will not soon forget. It was amazing and I pray that it will make ripples all over the city and in the church in general.

If you'd like to see it, check out this link to see Les Beauchamp (Trinity's Pastor) and me in this amazing moment.

posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at 11:28 AM 1 Comments

for my deliverance


"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice because I know that through your prayers and the help given me by the spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened will turn out for my deliverance."

This was our opening verse for the message this morning and I encouraged you all to pray because your prayers can impact real life matters on the other side of the globe. Now, here is an opportunity... Dusty and Julia Reynolds are starting a T-Shirt company in Mali, with the idea that it will create jobs, economic justice, and an environment to introduce workers to Christ.

They need a building...and thought they had one. But they are hitting some bumps. Below is a post from their blog.

"If you knew that Mali is in the beginning of hot season, you might think that this post is about the heat. But its not. Its been rough lately as many of you may have gather through the emails and updates. Since the landlord of Sababu’s future building site died, his sons had a family friend come in to deal with all his businesses and lands. Mr. Sylla was very wealthy and had a lot of land, businesses and deals to work through. He had drawn up the contract himself that was for Sababu and we were about to sign it when he died. Well the family friend that is here now came in and said that the money stated in the contract was not enough and is asking $600 more a month. We can’t afford that. So we are back to square one…and we are starting to be open to other ideas. We don’t know what the Lord has in store for us. We are finding its just too expensive to rent, and we don’t have the start up capital to build. So we aren’t sure what will happen but that means we are behind in production. Our container is supposed to arrive in Dakar in 12 days, and we don’t know where we will put it now that we don’t have the building. And the electronics can’t get hot. So its been a lot of praying, a lot of meetings and of course faith.

We aren’t doubting our call here, but this is definitely the biggest bump in the road we’ve come across so far. So we are asking you to pray. Pray that the enemy is pushed away and that Sababu can indeed be a light in Mali. Pray for wisdom and peace for Dusty and the managers as they try to process all this. We know our God is bigger than any obstacles we might encounter."

Would you pray for them and watch God work on their behalf?! I'll bring you updates when the prayers are answered!

posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at 11:18 AM 0 Comments

Monday, March 15, 2010

Spiritual Challenge in Omaha Tonight

Hey Church-

Here is the truth – with the heart of a pastor, I really want you to grow. I want you to blow past the barriers that have kept you in spiritual neutral for weeks, months, years. I want you to know the fullness of God in all his power. I want for you to have the opportunity to experience his might and strength, so that he can bless you with life abundant and deep/lasting change for your soul. I am looking forward to what God will do in me over the next couple of days.

So here’s a last minute reminder about the Conference tonight and tomorrow night with Peter Scazerro, Alliance Pastor and author of “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.” It is not just two nights of messages. It will actually kick off a whole set of challenges and bring huge resources to open you up to the power of God to change deep places in your life. You might choose to read a book, select certain issues to work on, go through a workbook, or change the way you spend time with God. Each of these has the potential to move you steps closer to the LIFE in Christ. I hope you come, hear what he has to say, hear from God and grow.

Here are the details:
• Tonight at 7pm, subject: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
• Tuesday at 7pm, subject: Going Deeper with God.
• You can do one night, but I’d recommend both
• We will experience worship together as well
• It is all totally free, but has huge life value

May God make us all more emotionally healthy and spiritually mature.

posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at 8:21 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Thanks to share

Hey Friends- Many of you know that we gave about 136,000 for earthquake relief last month. Here is a word of thanks from the recipients!
Dear Pastor Ashton, Thank you for your congregation's very generous gift to CAMA for Haiti relief. We have been very encouraged by the outpouring of aid for earthquake victims. Phil Skellie, president of CAMA, recently returned from a trip to Haiti in order to assess damage done to several Alliance affiliated churches in the Port-au-Prince area. CAMA plans to partner with these churches to help them rebuild their church structures three of which are completely leveled. CAMA also plans to assist church and community members with rebuilding their homes. Thank you for your partnership in bringing Christ's love and compassion to Haiti.

posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at 12:51 PM 0 Comments