The Springs Church Helps Haiti
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2010 - Video Updates
Cheryl Reza of KRDO news Channel 13 covers a piece about The Springs Church's involvement in Haiti.
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Update on Hope for Haiti
TUESDAY, January 26, 2010 - News + Updates
As you probably have heard in the news, Haiti suffered another major tremor recently. The nation is still reeling from the devastation that has been unleashed on this tiny, impoverished nation.
We have been actively monitoring the situation in Haiti and have decided to wait until there is some stability in the country before sending in teams. For this relief endeavor, we are partnering with the following groups: CHE, Times Square Church, World Challenge, Eglise Nouvelle Vie in Montreal, and Nicky Cruz Outreach. All of these organizations have sensed the same leading from the Holy Spirit to wait for a time until sending in much-needed help.
Currently we are looking at helping Haiti both in the near term, as well as on a long-term basis. We have had the following groups volunteer to travel to Haiti: 13 medical (1 doctor, 5 RNs, 1 trained in triage, 4 EMTs, 1 Med Tech,1 first responder), 3 in supplies, 6 in misc help which includes military. If you have not signed up as a volunteer, please do so at outreach@thespringschurch.com - this is the only way that we have of organizing the teams.
For Phase 1, we will be sending in medical and relief personnel with supplies within the next 2-3 weeks, pending information we receive from Pastor Wilson. Following that, we will look at sending another group in with food and supplies. During these initial phases, we will assess how we can assist with rebuilding. Phase 3 and beyond will consist of the reconstruction of Pastor Wilson's church, the possible construction of a new orphanage in Port-au-Prince and reorganization of the seminary operated by Pastor Wilson's church. We will also be available to help in rebuilding the homes of the church members whose houses were destroyed.
We were able to speak to Pastor Wilson via phone recently and he let us know that the village of Lartigue was essentially unharmed! The children, church, and school all escaped damage. It is likely that since the roads to Lartigue were rendered impassable, the villagers are in need of food. We will be ready to help them as well.
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Ministry Team Conference + Training
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2010 - News + Updates
Are you a volunteer member of one of our Ministry Teams at The Springs Church? If not, would you like to join one of our Ministry Teams? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of those questions then you are invited to join us on Saturday, January 30 for our first MINISTRY TEAM CONFERENCE AND TRAINING.
I will be sharing my heart and vision concerning service and leadership. Pastor Claude Houde will be joining us as well to bring valuable information and ideas about ministry. Teams will have dedicated times for breakout sessions.
Your team will meet by itself with your team leaders. Team leaders will share their vision and passion for your ministry, and will review your group’s areas of service. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and schedule your service times on the calendar. These breakout sessions will help solidify your team’s connections and effectiveness as you get to know one another and discuss your particular ministry.
Please make plans to attend the breakouts for your Ministry Teams. If you are not yet serving, you are invited to attend the breakouts for the teams you would like to join. The itinerary is as follows:
- 10:00am–11:00am
- Gatekeeper Ministries Breakout – Meet in the main auditorium
- Ushers
- Greeters
- Security Team
- Medical First Responders
- Hospitality
- Welcome Center
- Setup/Teardown
- 11:00am–11:30am
- Pastor Gary
- 11:30am–1:00pm
- Pastor Claude Houde
- 1:00pm–1:30pm
- Lunch (provided)
- 1:30pm–2:30pm
- Breakout Sessions
- Pastors Adam + Julie, Pastors Gary + Kelly – Connect Group Leaders, Pastoral Care + Prayer Teams (C2O Teams)
- Pastor Pam – Children’s Ministries
- Pastor Michael – Youth Ministries
- Chris Wigginton – Video Team
- Jukka Palonen – Worship, Sound and Projection Teams
- Pastors Patrick + Alicia – Outreach Team
The event will be held in the main auditorium where we have services on Sunday. Lunch will be provided. Childcare is available on a pre-reserved, first-come first-served basis. Because we have limited space for this event, no walk-up childcare reservations will be accepted on the day of the event. Contact Pastor Pam at pam@thespringschurch.com to make your childcare reservation.
We ask that you RSVP to your Ministry Team Leader by Monday night, January 25 so we know how many lunches to order. If you don’t know who your Ministry Team leader would be, you can RSVP via e-mail to maryann@thespringschurch.com, or via telephone at (719)488-8331.
Please plan to join us at this important event. I know you will be encouraged as you develop your skills to become a more effective minister in the body of Christ.
With you in Christ,
Pastor Gary
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Haiti Video Update
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2010 - Video Updates
This Sunday Pastor Patrick gave us an update on the situation in Haiti.
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Christmas in Lartigue
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2010 - Video Updates
This Christmas — through the generous donations of our congregation — we were able to provide food, clothing, and toys for 150 children in Lartigue, Haiti.
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Fasting as a Tie-breaker
WEDNESDAY, January 20, 2010 - News + Updates
It may be easy to give up on this 21-day fast. You may have given up several times already, but can I encourage you to give it one more try? Fasting may be the last thing you want to read about at this point but I’ll think you’ll be encouraged if you continue.
When you missed a meal, didn’t drink soda, didn’t eat ice cream, or ate only fruit and veggies for a day, you were blessed and became a blessing. Whatever you offered to God in place of that which would have brought you pleasure is a victory. You have added your fast, whatever the amount or length, to the many others standing with you. You have accomplished something worthwhile.
If there is something in you that feels like you should keep going but you’re discouraged; there is still great hope. Don’t feel ashamed, defeated or as if you failed. Remember even one meal is fasting and it is meaningful.
It is meaningful because you have launched out on a journey that is clearly part of God’s call on our life. Fasting is a response of love to God’s call that we are not to be mastered by anything. If you have quit because it was not God’s timing or call for you at this season of your life, simply revisit it later. But if you were called to fast, most likely the reason you quit is that your body revolted at the idea of your spirit being in charge. I want to encourage you to dust yourself off, close the refrigerator door and by grace believe God has more for you to do. We don’t like to hear the call to buffet our own bodies, to bring them under control. If we don’t, our bodies take further and further control of our lives which makes it all the more difficult to fight back let alone win; its time to fight back.
Fasting is one of the surest and quickest ways to identify and renounce our ties to things that master our bodies and minds. First, when you fast you will see how tied to food we really are. I noticed the strangest things in myself this week. I wanted to go to a movie with my family, but then I knew I’d want the popcorn. If I got the popcorn, water would not go well with it; so, I’d need a soda. Not bad things in themselves but I noticed how tied my body was to link each of these things together. I opted for not going. My body was saying, ‘it’s either full indulgence or nothing.’ This scenario is repeated dozen of times a week in our lives. Fasting makes us aware of how indulgent we have become. Second, it not only identifies it but also gives us opportunity to renounce these debilitating ties. Anything that keeps you from obeying God, in fasting or elsewhere, needs to be identified and broken. Fasting breaks the ties we have with things that have mastered us.
We’re almost halfway through and it’s not too late. Could it be that just one more meal, or one more half a day of fasting could be a key to help reveal what is in our heart and move us to the next level of intimacy with God and with new passion to serve the world. I’d rather have one less burger if it will open my eyes to ties that need to be broken in me. He’s doing that for me this week, how about you?
I’d love to hear from you on this - the good and the bad. I would love to pray for you if you’re struggling with fasting and I’d love to hear how God is doing something supernatural in your life.
"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.
I Cor. 6:12 - They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
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Prayerfully Revising Our Strategy For Haiti
FRIDAY, January 15, 2010 - News + Updates
As you know, we have been trying to assemble a team of medical and relief workers to get in to Haiti. Like much of the rest of the relief workers, we are having a difficult time getting in, as the airport is, as of now, closed to all commercial flights. Even the big guys (reporters, international relief workers, etc.) are on the ground in Florida awaiting clearance to enter the country. Once there, the roads are nearly impassable both from the airport and the seaport. Add to that the fuel shortage, and you have a virtual standstill in Port-au-Prince. As such, we are prayerfully revising our strategy:
- Phase 1 – Eyes
- We are looking at sending in a small team of 2-3 people, possibly within the next 2-4 days, into Jacmel on the southern coast. This is an area that was hard hit, but that doesn’t seem to be on the radar screens of the relief organizations. We will "spy out the land" in Jacmel to determine what needs they have.
- Phase 2 – Meds
- Within 2-3 weeks, we will look at sending in a team of doctors and relief workers with medical and food supplies.
- Phase 3 – Long-term
- We will look at sending in another team, 4-6 weeks from now, to work with the local pastors to assist in rebuilding homes and churches. We also anticipate the need for establishing some orphanages due to the high number of fatalities.
In the meantime, we have a file of those of you who have responded via e-mail offering to help. We need your assistance in helping us to collect medical supplies. If you have contact in this area, please reach out and ask for supplies to be sent to the church for our medical mission.
Thanks for your heart of love and compassion for our city and especially for Haiti at this critical point in their history. Let’s stand on the verse in Isaiah 58 that says that as a result of a Godly fast, we will "rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the age-old foundations…" and be a "...repairer of broken walls and restorer of streets with dwellings." (Is. 58:12)
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Hope For Haiti
FRIDAY, January 15, 2010 - News + Updates
After four deadly hurricanes last year, Haiti is now reeling from a massive earthquake. Untold thousands have lost their lives, people are still in the rubble and multitudes are sleeping on the streets. World Challenge is moving to respond to the desperate cry of these people. We are assessing the needs on the ground and have long standing partnerships with pastors, leaders and missionaries in this area.
We are gathering resources to send substantial food supplies. Several doctors have already committed to going as immediately as possible. We have been in contact with pastors, leaders and even the Mayor of the area that was at the center of the earthquake. I have met her on several occasions and she is a godly woman who truly loves with Jesus’ heart.
My father first went to Haiti over 55 years ago, even before he started Teen Challenge. Ever since, this ministry has been deeply involved in church planting, supporting missionaries and helping with clinics, orphanages and schools. Our missions outreach team was just there a few weeks ago. We are committed to stay.
Below is a report from our Field Representative who works directly in Haiti:
Conditions are in full emergency status, with practically all communication non-existent. Reports are informing us that the city of Port-au-Prince is in an ‘other worldly’ condition, with destruction, death and despair all around. Mobility in the city is basically at a stand still, with the major airport just being assessed as ‘open’ this morning. Local streets are littered with debris from damaged or collapsed buildings and homes. Many people are choosing to live in the streets rather than their homes for fear of aftershocks collapsing their homes on top of them. The dead are lying where they fell, with more being laid openly in the streets. Availability of resources, in all categories, is already minimal or exhausted altogether.
We have been unable to reach our pastor contacts yet but reports are that the portion of Port-au-Prince known as Petionville, appears to be the epicenter of the quake’s impact and is exactly the location that our Haitian partner lives and ministers. The Hotel Montana, situated on the top of a mountain in Petionville, has reportedly collapsed. At the bottom of this mountain is the church and bible school World Challenge supports, yet the conditions of both are unknown at this time.
This emergency is at hand and we must take all possible action. What we have seen through past experience is that once the cameras leave much of the attention and then much of the help dissipates. We have been there and now we must double our efforts to stand with this nation in Christ’s name to support and supply their needs.
As the Holy Spirit leads, please act upon what he has placed in your heart. Every cent of every dollar will go directly to the desperate people of Haiti. In the coming weeks, months and years, we know we are called to go into the areas of the worst devastation and help rebuild, restore and be a blessing to so many in such dire need.
To donate, please click the Donate to Haiti button at the top of our Web site.
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Prayer For Haiti
WEDNESDAY, January 13, 2010 - News + Updates
We want to encourage you to come to Wednesday night prayer tonight at 7pm. In light of our 21-day fast, and the tragedy in Haiti, we are feeling a sense of urgency from the Lord to seek His face. He has sovereignly placed us in relationship with this beleaguered nation at this time. We will be showing a video presentation of Haiti and interceding for the country tonight.
We are in touch with the mayor of Petionville – the epicenter of the earthquake – who is pleading for help from The Springs Church. As soon as the banks are back online, TSC and World Challenge will be sending funds for food and medical supplies.
We are also putting together a team to go to Haiti to provide medical and relief assistance. We need volunteers in the following areas:
- Medical (doctors, EMT, Nurses)
- Disaster relief experience
- Medical Supplies
The conditions in Haiti will be very rustic — many hotels were damaged or destroyed; food may be in short supply; toilet and hygiene facilities will be nearly non existent. Daytime temperatures are in the mid-90s.
If you can help, please contact us at outreach@thespringschurch.com
Please consider joining us tonight for this strategic time of prayer.
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UPDATE: Haiti Earthquake
WEDNESDAY, January 13, 2010 - News + Updates
Greetings TSC Body:
As you know, Haiti is digging out of the worst earthquake to hit the region in the last 200 years. The NY Times, and other news agencies, are reporting widespread damage and countless deaths. Hospitals crumbled, the Presidential Palace pancaked and collapsed, the UN headquarters was destroyed, killing the UN director in Haiti. Haitian President, Rene Preval, said that the toll was unimaginable. Moans and cries for help can be heard from beneath the rubble.
International aid agencies and search-and-rescue teams are en route to bring relief to the horror-stricken residents.
As yet, we have no word on how the children and villagers in Lartigue are doing. They live in a remote village at the top of a mountain some 25 miles from Port-au-Prince.
Below are two emails that we received – the first is from Pastor Wilson’s son, Markess, and the second is from Pastor Mark Lecompte, associate pastor at Eglise Nouvelle Vie in Montreal. He references Petionville — a suburb of Port-au-Prince where Pastor Wilson’s church is located.
Please continue to intercede for the believers in Haiti and for the nation. We as pastors will be meeting to discuss how TSC can be involved in the relief and reconstruction efforts there.
- From Markess:
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My name is Markess, I’m Pastor Wilson’s son. From what I heard Wilson is safe but I’m still not able to establish communication with him. I live in Edmonton Canada, please keep us in your prayers. I will do my best to update you on the situation.
- From Pastor Mark in Montreal:
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We are still waiting for news. I have been on the phone with Markess and even he has not had direct contact with his family. The situation in Petionville looks grave. We are praying and fasting and will let you know if we hear anything.
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URGENT: Haiti Earthquake
TUESDAY, January 12, 2010 - News + Updates
On behalf of Pastor Gary, Adam and Patrick: As many of you may know, Haiti has just experienced a 7.0 earthquake near the capitol of Port-au-Prince. As I write this, the Haitian ambassador to the US, Raymond Alcide Joseph, is on CNN announcing that it is an unprecedented catastrophe. The Presidential Palace has been damaged. This is an edifice of marble, brick and steel – imagine the damage to the shanty towns and plywood hovels. A hospital has collapsed and there appears to be widespread damage.
PRAY urgently for God’s mercy. This impoverished nation has been battered by the Enemy for decades. Cry out to the Most High for His Hand to be shown strong in the midst of this tragedy.
I am picturing the church of Pastor Wilson Charles in Port-au-Prince, and the village of Lartigue that The Springs Church supports. Fresh in my mind are the faces of the pastor and his family, and the children and villagers in Lartique.
These people and this nation were only just barely hanging on to life and surviving each day.
Pray fervently for God’s people to be protected and to rise up and help the hurting and wounded. Let’s pray that the damage is, miraculously, not as severe as is being reported.
Pray for us, as well, that we as a church can respond accordingly over the next days and weeks. We are already planning to send a team down to install a water purification system in Lartigue, as well as coordinating a team of doctors to provide medical attention and care.
The Church was born for such as time as this…
- Follow-up on Haiti:
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"Serious loss of life" – These words were just announced over CNN. We also just heard from Keith Holloway at World Challenge who told us that the center of the quake was near Pastor Wilson’s church, one of the few evangelical churches in the nation.
Pray for the relief teams from the US, UN and other countries who are pouring into the nation as we speak.
God has sovereignly called The Springs Church at this time to be involved with the nation of Haiti.