From The Pastor’s Desk…

New Life Family:

As we viewed “Prayers for Bobby” on Lifetime TV last evening, tears began to flow from our eyes as we realized, once again, why churches and ministries like ours at New Life must exist.

Bobby Griffith’s struggle with being gay and trying to live a Christian life ended on Aug. 27, 1983. On that day, the twenty-year-old California man back-flipped off a freeway overpass in Portland, OR., where his body would be struck and killed by an oncoming tractor-trailer. For four years before his death, his religious mother encouraged him to “cure” his homosexuality through prayer. Bobby also kept an extensive diary during those years, which chronicles his highs and lows.

We know that there are many Bobby Griffith’s out there somewhere. Therefore we must remain visible and remain active in our pursuit to spread the “good news” of our inclusive gospel message. It is easy to get caught-up in our own troubles and our own ups and downs. But, as Christians, we know that when we reach out, God reaches in to give us the help we need to make it through whatever we might be struggling with.

Let us continue to be a reaching-out church, welcoming ALL of God’s children.

For The Sake Of Our Lost Children,
Pastor Randy Duncan

Looking Ahead, Not Behind

New Life Family:

The year of 2008 is over now. For many it may have started out looking good, but for others it didn’t take long to see that disaster was just ahead. Extreme weather problems, gas prices went up higher than ever, and have not dropped lower than we ever thought they would again. Unhealthy economic conditions caused business ventures to fail and some of the largest corporations and retail giants have bellied up. We inched our way day by day not knowing what was ahead and even though we know God doesn’t look at dates and years the way we do, we were ready for 2008 for be over and 2009 to begin in hopes that the new year would bring a new start and new hope. So, as for me and this house (NLCCH), why don’t we walk by faith and not by sight? Even as we now see war looming again in the Middle East, it looks grim and gloomy, but we have some promises that bottom line remind us that King JESUS will NEVER leave nor forsake us. So, let’s look ahead. Let’s press toward the mark of the high calling. Let’s sing “Victory Ahead” since there weren’t too many victories behind (last year). I have taken the challenge through God’s Spirit to begin anew. I want to challenge New Life to believe for better days and brighter ways. Souls are still in need of the redemptive work of Calvary in their lives. Let’s be soul-winners; let’s do what God called us to do when He called us here.

In Jesus’ Name!
Pastor Randy