EXODUS NORTH AMERICA- SAN DIEGO

The Exodus North America conference in San Diego July 22- July 29 had 1150 participants! Some 500 of them were first-timers! I spent a lot of my time in meetings: for regional representatives, for directors, for our region, for electoral college to elect a new board member, for international ministry interests, etc. I had already been in 2 full days of meetings before the conference even began for the general delegates!

On Directors Day I was part of a panel discussing transition from part-time to full-time ministry. It was well received. I was especially glad that the conference provided opportunities to spend with our Texas ministries. We seldom are all able to meet together face to face. The time for sharing and prayer was good for all of us.

The two workshops on ministering in the Hispanic culture went well, although Hispanic presence at this conference was not as large as at the previous two conferences. I did have opportunities to interface with Rigoberto Carrion (HIJO PRODIGO-Orlando) and Bob Davies about coordinating to help establish new Spanish speaking ministries.

EXODUS INTERNATIONAL-ENGLAND

After visiting with my Swiss-French friend Mikael in Lausanne August 20-27, I headed for the EXODUS 2000 conference in England August 28- September 1. There were over 100 people at the International Conference, and I taught on multi-cultural ministry as well as doing some translating from English into French. I was able to catch up with French friends and others. This was my first opportunity to teach at a European conference. I am becoming increasingly comfortable with my colleagues abroad, as God begin to open doors for international ministry in 1994

PURSUING SEXUAL WHOLENESS-VENEZUELA

September 10-18 I was part of Desert Stream’s prayer team at the PURSUING SEXUAL WHOLENESS conference in Caracas, Venezuela. This is a short conference they do as a prelude to the LIVING WATERS training. I had been asked by my friend, Enrique Garcia, of Zapatos Nuevos, the local ministry to be part of the prayer team. The generosity of my last college roommate, Larry, made this possible. There were over 250 in attendance, mostly from Venezuela, but also Costa Rica, Chile, Brazil, and Colombia. Many great opportunities to minister, formally and informally. In a very macho society, both men and women were hungry to hear about sexual wholeness. I spent quite a bit of time with 6’ 18 year old Hermes struggling with his sexuality. I will also enjoy spending a few days with time with Larry and his wife.

FREEDOM THROUGH GRACE: TEXODUS 2000

The Freedom Through Grace conference at the New Life Christian Center in San Antonio on Saturday, October 21 was a great success. There were 173 attendees from all over Texas. It was a great success. As Regional Representative, I gave LESSONS FOR LEADERS FROM THE LIFE OF MOSES as the keynote address. The various other Texas ministry leaders gave other workshops. All the feedback about the speakers and talks was very positive; most of them wishing there had been more time! Testimonies touched many hearts. The worship team was dynamic, and many people benefited from time with the prayer team. It was a great day for teaching, training, encouragement, and fellowship

CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

For many months I coordinated via e-mail with Marty McCall, Fletch Wiley, Sandra Organ, Randy Flinn, and Martha Doolittle for CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS, the love offering event for CCR at the Encourager on Saturday, November 4. The evening actually began with a Silent Auction at 6PM, and we had a great array of artwork. We had a very attentive audience of approximately 200. During the evening, we had a few testimonies of friends of CCR in addition to the excellent music and dance which glorified God, and celebrate his goodness. People are still talking about what a wonderful evening it was, and what a wonderful peaceful worshipful atmosphere was created. After expenses were paid, we netted $4,395 (love offering, silent auction, and sponsorships). I felt that was good for our first effort. Chair Cheryl Stalinsky, Silent Auction chair Stella Taylor, my board members, and volunteers are all ready to go for it again next year!

HISPANIC MINISTRY

God continues to send us e-mails and phone calls from Spanish speakers! The week I got home from England a desperate young man from Central America took a four-hour bus ride to come to counsel with me in Spanish. TELEMUNDO asked me to be on the PADRE ALBERTO show in Miami. There is a young Mexican man who has contacted me, as he has been excited about his recent conversion. I am connecting with more Hispanic pastors and churches, as well.

LIVING WATERS 2001

Living Waters: Sexual Redemption in Christ is an in-depth healing, teaching and discipleship series. The goal of Living Waters is to lay a foundation for sexual and relational wholeness. Living Waters was originally created as a healing program for homosexuals, but has proven itself relevant for any sexual and relational issues, as well as sexual addiction or the effects of sexual abuse. Anyone with an identified sexual issue is eligible for Living Waters. It will run on Thursdays, January 4-June 26. Russ Kennedy will again serve as worship leader and help teach this year. Adrienne Godre finally had the opportunity to go through the training, and is excited about doing more teaching, as well as facilitating the women’s prayer group. Please contact me at 712 722 4360 (new number) for more details.

FINANCIAL UPDATE-DECEMBER 2000

2000 projected budget     -  $48,200 (not yet reached)
Minimum needed per month  -   $3,500 (for basic expenses)
Dedicated monthly pledges -   $1,150

MONTHLY DONATIONS
January   -      $ 2,391.49  
February  -        1,170  
March     -        2,040
April     -        2,923.49
May       -        4,758.47		
June      -        2,740
July      -          845
August    -        3,362.65
September -       1,280
October   -        1,480
November  -       10,401.08 ($4,660 from CELEBRATION)

Please note that we could NOT have met basic expenses from donations, without a small surplus from last year. All the activities mentioned were budgeted expenses. Our ministry has expanded to international opportunities , yet our FINANCIAL BASE HAS NOT INCREASED. Losing even one pledge partner affects us greatly. God has been faithful to sustain us, but WE NEED MORE OF YOU TO JOIN US AS FINANCIAL PARTNERS, so that we can continue to move ahead as God gives us even more opportunities.

You can be a pledge partner or make your existing purchases contribute to CCR's ministry by using Lifeline, Randall's Remarkable Card, or Gerland's Advantage Card. Tell me how to give.

Won’t you please consider a special financial gift or a pledge to permit us to go forward to the nations?

May God bless you richly during this Christmas season and in 2001,

Pastor Michael Newman