Heading Into Summer '07

Greetings to all of you EVBC Mesans, Apache Junctionites, and Gold Canyoners,

Forgive me for the gap since my last entry in the blog. The lack of changed content is certainly not indicative of a lack of activity in the Mesa Area.

NEW MESA AREA MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Summer Prayer Summits: We will be having four summer Prayer Summits over the course of the summer -- one each in West Mesa, Central Mesa, East Mesa, and Gold Canyon. Our desire is to simply come together, enjoy the presence of Christ together, and seek the heart and will of God for EVBC in our area. I can't tell you how much I hope to see hundreds from Mesa attend these Summits! Specific dates and times for these events is coming soon (If you are interested in hosting a Summit at your home, please contact me - billhartley@EVBC.org).

Connect2_Mesa: Have you ever taken the Connect2_Mesa class? Summer would be a great time to get on board. The class takes nine Sundays, and looks at nine important truths that form the foundation of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, at EVBC, in Mesa: The Gospel, the Sovereignty of God, Discipleship in Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Worship & Prayer, the Word, True Fellowship, Evangelism and Service. It also serves as a time to get to know others from the Mesa Area, and your Area Pastor. Connect2_Mesa takes place Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in Room 213 (childcare is available through Children's Ministries). The topics revolve, so you can start any Sunday. Why not begin this week? Contact me for more information (billhartley@EVBC.org).

Women's Circle Group to begin on May 31st: We're happy to announce that our first Mesa Area Women's Circle group will be meeting on Thursday mornings at the Las Sendas home of Kimberly Lourier. The group will serve to help women build relationship, and perhaps do an applied Bible Study. Kids of all ages are welcome and encouraged to come. For more information and directions, contact Kimberly at 602.327.3789 (We are also planning new Women's groups for West and East Mesa -- more info as it becomes available).

Summer Home Group: Kevin & Laurie Rymer will be hosting a summer-long Home Group on Monday evenings, beginning June 4th, and lasting through the summer. They will host it at their home, near the cross streets of Recker & Brown. This is an ideal opportunity for those who have never participated in a Home Group, or those whose regular Home Group is taking a hiatus for the summer. If you're interested, give Kevin a call at 623.202.7029.

Men's Ministry @ the Paradise Cafe: EVBC's men of Mesa will continue to meet on Tuesday mornings at 6:30 to spend time in the Word of God together. Beginning on May 29, we will launch a new study of 2 Peter 1. I'm very encouraged by what God is doing in the hearts and lives of the men in our area, and hope to see many of you come out for a summer of challenge and sharpening (We are also planning new Men's group meetings in West and East Mesa, so stay tuned!).

MESA FAMILY NEWS

Jessie Geroux Baptized! On May 20th, we had a baptism in East Mesa. Jessie Geroux was baptized by her husband, Jason, at the home of Dave & Patty Finney. Jessie has a stirring testimony of how God reached down to touch a broken life and make it whole in Christ! For those who couldn't be there, here are a few pictures:



(Dave Finney explains the importance of baptism; Jessie sharing her testimony; Jason baptizing Jessie...Praise the Lord!)

New Home Groups for the Fall: Be praying for our Home Group ministry. We currently have over 10 people who have participated in new EVBC Home Group leader orientations, and are considering starting new groups in the fall. We have 10 Mesa groups right now, and are hoping to add 5-6. And we need them! We have many who have indicated they would like to be in a group, but our openings are few, and are limited to certain geographical areas. New Home Groups will mean new expressions of Christ's Kingdom throughout our Area! If you are interested in Home Group leadership or participation, please let me know (billhartley@EVBC.org).

Finally, a word from the Apostle Paul!
"We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose I also labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."
- Colossians 1:28-29

Seeking completion with you,
Bill


Bill Hartley
East Valley Bible Church
Mesa Area Pastor

Cinco de Mayo Baptisms

Greetings, EVBC Mesans!

I wanted to share some pictures with you ... two from our area, along with five others from Gilbert, were baptized on Saturday night (Cinco de Mayo) at the home of Chuck and Kathy Bishop.

It was a great night! Kevin Carlisle and Ron Taylor both shared their how Christ has manifested Himself in their lives during the past few years. We were all reminded of the awesome love God has to save sinful people like us, and give us eternal hope.

So, in case you couldn't be there...a few pictures for you.





Luke Simmons, Gilbert Area Pastor, offers a word of welcome










Elder Howard Morrison leads in prayer.





Kevin Carlisle's testimony, and baptism.



Ron Taylor's testimony and baptism.



Make sure you congratulate Kevin and Ron the next time you see them -- and welcome them to the family!

"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body...and we were all made to drink of the one Spirit." - 1 Cor. 12:12-13

God's best to you all this week!
Bill Hartley

(PS - Remember that the EVBC phone and computer systems will be down much of this week. If you need any assistance and can't get through to the office, please ring me on my cell: 480.388.2635.)