Newsletter 1st Quarter 2020
“The
Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is
on me, because the Lord has
anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent
me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for
the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to
proclaim the year of the Lord’s
favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all
who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on
them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of
despair.” – Isaiah 61:1-3a
Yeshua,
our Messiah and King, made many statements about His earthly mission.
Perhaps the above passage gives the most widespread understanding of
the beauty, depth, and scope of this magnificent mission. It is my
favorite passage regarding both the character and deep, abiding work
of the Spirit! Without this understanding, we would be lost as a
ministry. There would be no hope except for heaven. Now we do not
want to minimize the eternal security and the unimaginable worth of
heaven, but the message of the gospel wants to intersect with our
most trying moments here on earth. The gospel is making a difference
in the here and now. This is why we exist as a ministry! We offer
restoration to individuals, marriages and families through faith in
His name and the life changing hope of the gospel.
“Beauty
for Ashes”
For
more years than we can remember, we have been gathering to share the
contents of a booklet that guides individuals through the grief
process entitled, “Beauty for Ashes.”
Many who were facing grave issues benefited from this material
that was first presented in our family room to women in our maternity
group home. Some had lost their children due to alcohol abuse; others
had been traumatized with sexual molestation as children; still
others were grieving the loss of a father figure for the babies they
were carrying. Kay West spearheaded this effort bringing
healing to the women of Jesus Cares. She invested time and talent
into many. After developing our Community Outreach Program,
we realized the need to develop and revise the contents into a
conference that was suitable and relatable for all participants, male
and female.
Recently
we had the privilege of gathering with about 45 individuals,
including participants and helpers, at Arizona Community
Church. Kay West had a special part this year after taking a
long absence from the annual conferences while on the mission field
with her husband John in Eswatini (Swaziland) and South
Africa. She brought to us a renewed and heartfelt compassion for the
broken and grieving. She experienced firsthand the trauma and pain of
living in a third world country and witnessed the deaths of many that
were part of their outreach.
Kay
West from Swaziserve
Joel
Covert from Covert Counseling, LLLC joined us this
year. His presentation brought healing to hearts and helped to
demystify this condition known as PTSD. We were very grateful for his
generosity in joining us as he has a very busy practice and family
life!
Here
is what one of the participants expressed:
“Thank
you for all your hard work putting together the conference! I
enjoyed it and learned so much. It also encouraged me that I
have dealt with a lot of my grief in a positive way and even though I
still miss my spouse, I AM moving forward and encouraging others.”
Joel
Covert teaching on PTSD
We
want to express deep gratitude to Pastor Bill Meiter and
Maryellen Hawkinson who coordinated our accommodations from
Arizona Community Church. They were superbly
generous to us as a ministry. Thank you to the many helpers, table
leaders, and ministry leaders who made this conference a possibility.
Many thanks to Amber and Lauren from The Grove.
They graciously donated coffee and fixings. We are also grateful for
many dear supporters who donated gifts for the participants, ran
errands, picked up supplies, and pitched in on the day of the event.
Earlier
this year… “E.Q.U.I.P.”
Leslie greeting participants at seminar
An
amazing team of volunteers gives generously to the mission of Jesus
Cares Ministries. Suzanne from
Bridgeway Community Church is one such talented
leader. She takes my abstract thinking, and discombobulated notes and
actually turns it into a structured time of teaching that makes
sense! We assembled in January for a training time especially for
volunteers that want to learn more about discipling, counseling and
mentoring others. As always, we extended an invitation to others who
are ministering in different capacities in other needful places and
positions around the valley. It was a great time of learning, sharing
and growing in the Word of God. We have been working on a series
entitled, “E.Q.U.I. P.” It is an acronym for Excel,
Qualify,
Understand, Instruct
and Prepare.
We need to see the body of Christ mobilized like never before.
Pastors need to rely on capable lay leaders among the sheep. There is
tremendous burn out among leaders in the body. Even when churches may
seem to be thriving on the outside, behind the scenes can reveal a
host of difficulties. Elders and leaders frequently carry a workload
that is burdensome and a heaviness of heart that is difficult to
sustain over the long haul of ministry life. Vast multitudes are
leaving the church, burned out, bruised and abandoning their faith.
The
need to equip the body is vital..
When
beginning Jesus Cares, we expected to bring many to faith. Our
expectation was to work with the unchurched and shine the light and
love of Jesus to our community. To our surprise, many that came for
help had been bruised and broken by the church. Church leaders
molested some, others were neglected, and many were shamed. Our
hearts went out to the broken body of Messiah, including leaders and
pastors who experienced great woundedness. Recently, a woman I knew
for several years came back to the Lord. She told me that her heart
broke for the church. She came back humbled but very aware of the
condition of the body. I wish I could say that her heartbreak over
the body was surprising news.
We
are grateful for the times that we see His beautiful body in
operation, pouring out costly oil on behalf of the broken. Our hearts
are so stirred by the account of Joseph of Arimathea who took the
bloody mass of mangled flesh, our Messiah, from Calvary’s cross. He
poured out costly oil and wrapped Jesus tenderly, laying our lifeless
Savior into a tomb that had been carved out of a rock (Matthew
27:60). We believe in the power of His resurrection working among
the wounded, the burned out, the lost and even the angry soul filled
with bitterness. We can bring them to the Savior, pour out the oil of
the Spirit, and wrap them in prayer. Then we wait for Him to do what
only He can do: resurrect their lifeless hearts!
“Children:
Our Heritage”
After
years of ministering to single mothers who were in desperate need of
parenting skills, we developed our own course using Psalm 23
as a foundational guide to parenting. We have it available as a free
resource on our website along with a facilitator’s guide, a
workbook for participants, and seven classes including one
introductory class. What a joy it is to teach at Freedom House,
a program similar to the one we ran for over 30 years in Mesa. Kelley
created the facilitator’s guide and we have added a strategic
element to our program (I.P.P.) which is an individualized parenting
plan. After observing the participants, hearing their challenges in
parenting, and collaborating with the staff of Freedom House
we come up with a specific and custom made plan for each participant.
It guides the moms in practical and spiritual ways. It shows them how
to implement Biblical principles on a daily basis. It invites them to
invest into these little treasures in an eternal way. Kelley
has taken this portion of the program and excelled far beyond what we
could have accomplished with her skills and educational background
along with her spiritual insight. We are grateful for the team the
Lord has provided for us.
Tom,
Kiko, and Doreen during a food visit.Free
Indeed
One
day we received a letter from a prisoner. It was a little less than
typical. Most would ask for items for themselves. This prisoner
needed clothing and school supplies for his daughters in Cuba. I was
used to getting various letters from the prison system. In New York
fashion, I sent back a stern letter rebuking him if he was “playing
games.” In so many words I warned him to only continue writing if
he was serious about getting help. I look back now and chuckle at
myself. For one thing, I had no awareness of how strained
relationships with the Cuban government affected the postal service
into this country. I went to the local post office thinking I could
send a huge box filled with school supplies, clothing and all kinds
of goodies for Kiko's daughters. I was determined to help them even
if he was conning me! It turned out that all I was allowed to send
from the states was a small box. I had to send the items through a
family friend via another country that had better relations. Through
this act of love and the attention our ministry was willing to give
to his precious children, we developed a relationship that eventually
resulted in him coming to Christ in a very sincere way. Twenty years
later, this man is a son in the faith. He is conducting Bible studies
and worship services unofficially. Up to 30 men gather in the prison
yard to hear the Word and praise their Heavenly Father. His father
has come to faith in Cuba and we look forward to a wonderful reunion
some day. Recently he told us of one prison mate close to his cell
that was found dead. He had just brought this prisoner to faith the
week before. Another man was transgender and many of the men did not
want to associate with this prisoner. Kiko shared His faith with this
man and this man opened up to communicate woundedness that he had
carried for a long time. He left prison recently after serving his
time, a changed man through the power of the gospel. He now serves at
a church in Phoenix, sharing with others the hope that he found in
Christ. My favorite story is of a religious man who had an idol set
up in his cell. He warned Kiko that he really should give these idols
honor. Kiko, led by the Spirit of God, pushed the idol over with his
little pinky. The man gasped! He was horrified that Kiko would have
such disrespect for this idol that he claimed was watching over his
family. Kiko then said to him, “How can you trust an idol to
protect your family when I just knocked him down with my pinky?”
The blinders were removed as this man was now all ears and ready to
listen to Kiko share about a Living God. He came to faith and joins
their study and worship times. We are grateful that the Lord
connected us with this man many years ago and that His message of
redemption is reaching out into dark places. Thank you for making it
possible for us to see lives restored, families given hope, and
hearts changed in His name!
Around
the world…Elpis
Bella
and her girls
Many
of you know that we had the opportunity to launch a young woman from
Minnesota into a ministry for forsaken and trafficked women in
Eastern Europe. Bella, from Elpis Ministry is
stationed in Bulgaria. Her visa was approved and the Lord is opening
a multitude of doors for her in her present location. She will also
have an opportunity to visit the young women she ministered to
formerly in Romania. Keep her in your prayers. The country is on a
code 3 right now due to the virus and we do not know what ministry is
going to look like for her in upcoming weeks. Utmost on her heart is
to visit several villages housing the poorest of the poor with
outcasts and neglected children many of whom have been abandoned by
family.
Looking
ahead… Free Store
Please
stay tuned for more information about the FREE STORE. With all of the
shut downs and advice not to gather due to the pandemic virus
COVID-19, we want to be wise about our event this year. As many of
you know, we invite women in need who are falling through the cracks
and working hard to stay afloat. They come to shop at a store where
everything is one price: FREE! What a joy to see single moms and
children of all ages enjoying a shopping experience that ends without
putting a dent in the pocketbook. Many have donated clothing and
clothing items and we are excited to get this underway. Jackie, the
director of this outreach, and Leslie along with a team of women are
ready to make this a memorable event. Our heart’s desire is to
cover them with TLC for the day and let them feel special and valued
in Him! Please call if you are interested in participating in any way
or if you know of a family who can use this kind of help:
Doreen@
(480)831-1737
A
sainA saint goes home...
Pastor
Roy Spencer “Bud” Miller
A
dear friend, Bud Miller went to his heavenly home to be with Jesus
after an emergency surgery and a short time in ICU at a local
hospital in Prescott, Arizona. We had the joy of getting to know this
couple for the past year and a half. Bud and Betty are parents in the
faith of countless spiritual sons and daughters. We spent hours in
prayer with this delightful couple and heard many accounts of God's
miraculous provisions for them over the years. Bud and Betty were
Christian evangelists for a number of years and then they pastored
together at Christ Unlimited Fellowship in the eighties and nineties
in Dewey, AZ.
In
their later years, they did not want to retire, but rather chose to
continue to serve their Lord Jesus, so they founded two major
Internet ministries online, at God’s leading, over the last 30
years called Bible.com and BibleResources.org. Bud
will be greatly missed by many.
My
father's passing...
Young
Vince as a US Marine
Thank
you to those of you who poured out condolences for our family on
behalf of my father, Vince Mooney, who passed in December. My heart
was held and loved by the saints who gathered around us, brought
meals, plants, cards, many hugs, and huge outpourings of grace! I am
so blessed to have wonderful sisters who gathered together to honor
his memory in Prescott, Arizona. One sister told of his endurance in
the Korean War and a specific battle he faced where he almost lost
his life. We realized that our lives were a miracle, too! My grands
were also part of a very sweet service of rock painting and
remembering poppie.
latest
update...
Bella
was advised by the embassy to leave Bulgaria immediately. She was
able to get on the last flight out of Sofia, Bulgaria. It was a very
difficult journey. Many thanks to those of you that contributed to
her safe passage. Her desire was to visit Romania this summer and
minister to the Romas in the village where she was stationed for a
season. We have no idea what is in store at this time. Thank you for
praying for the young girls she had to leave behind.
Our
outreaches to both rehabs have been suspended due to the coronavirus.
The picture below was taken at Wellspring. It is one of the
last services before the ban. Jackie is worshiping with the
residents. Please pray for the residents from both outreaches (Val
Vista Center and Wellspring Therapy Center).
Because
of you and your labors of love, generous support and gracious acts of
kindness, we are able to share the message, locally and abroad that …
Jesus
Cares
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