Pray for the Campaign Team

Pray for the 40 Days of Community Campaign Team and their families that the Lord will use them mightily in the Campaign. Remember to ask that God would protect them from the attacks of the enemy.

Pray for:

Pastor Gary Phillips
Pastor Rene Correa
Pastor Edbert San Luis
Kuya Jess Boquiren
Imee Ebrada
Alex Pagtacunan
Jan Madio
Allan Ladipe
Bing Elizaga
Levi Navarro
Ruben Navarro
Gerry Bautista
Pidio Nogales
Oliver Gabayan
Jonalyn Antonio

Two Weeks To Go

In just two short weeks we will begin our 40 Days of Community Campaign.We have been praying for and anticipating this time for months. Each one should join a cell or small group in order for this campaign to succeed. If you haven’t already done so, sign up to join a 40 Days of Community Small Group which will meet for the six weeks of the Campaign. You can visit The CommUNITY Center and find a Host Home in your area that is offering the type of group you are interested in, whether that’s couples, singles, men or women only, then you can contact the host of your choice.

At the Campaign Kick-Off we will attempt to answer discover God's purposes for us as a church. What On Earth Are WE Here For? The Campaign Kick-Off will be held on August 13, 2006 at 10 am at FBC. This is a great way to jump-start the Campaign, and it will be exciting to get a glimpse of what is in store for us over the six weeks of the campaign. To make our gathering more meaningful, we will have a POTLUCK fellowship right after the Kick-Off similar to the practice of the early church: “They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer... Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart” (Acts 2:42,46). Bring your family and friends. Bring also food for your family and if possible, some extra for our visitors.

We cannot overemphasize how important it is that all of us attend the Kick-Off, so that we begin this Campaign in unity and mutual excitement regarding what God is about to do in our midst.

Be a H.O.S.T.

We are looking for at least four (4) Host Homes for the 40 Days of Community small group Bible studies. You’ll need to have a TV and VCR or DVD player, and be willing to open your home one day a week for the six weeks of the Campaign, and invite other friendly people from our church and community. Won’t you help?

Worried?

#1 Can I get a friend to help me Host?
Absolutely! We encourage you to pair up with another friend or another couple. Together you can pray for the people God will be bringing to your home. You can decide how you will share the role of Host. Maybe you open your home and your partner makes the phone calls. Or maybe you both take half the list and make the calls and check back with each other. It is our hope that by teaming up with someone else, you can find a way to make this an exciting and challenging adventure for both of you.

#2 Do I need to be a “Bible Expert” to Host?
Definitely not! The most important thing is that you need are a desire to serve the members of your group and to grow in your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When you take this step of faith, through prayer, God’s Holy Spirit will give you what you need to be an effective Host. If you decide to continue following 40 Days, we will provide you with follow-up curriculum choices that will be easy to use. We will also help with additional training and coaching.

#3 How many people should I be expecting to accommodate?
We suggest inviting between 15-30 people. Then, after the first meeting, let those in your group invite some of their own friends. In our experience, about half of those who say they will come will actually come. An optimum number of people to have in a small group is 8-10, but if more show up, that’s great! Your study guide will coach you to “sub-group” a larger group for discussion and prayer.

#4 What do I do with the new group that has formed?
As the Host, we are asking that you open your home to this new group for six weeks. We ask that you show the video teaching each week and help the group work through the curriculum that has been provided. As a part of 40 Days of Community, you and your group will plan to do a project together where you serve our community. We also hope that you will pray for this new group.

#5 Will I be asked to continue Hosting this group after the 40 Days of Community Campaign is completed?
We are SO grateful for your gift of six weeks. When your commitment is over, each Host needs to personally decide what his or her role will be with the group. It is our hope that some Hosts will choose to continue with their new groups. If that’s not your plan, we hope you will help the group select a new leader and find a new place to meet. This is why it’s a good idea to share leadership during the six weeks.

#6 I will be out of town during one of the weeks of the series. Any suggestions?
If you have to miss a group meeting, simply ask someone else in your group to host and facilitate the evening.

#7 How do I get people to come to these meetings in my home?
Because this campaign is focused on our community, we encourage you to simply invite your relatives, neighbors and co-workers, people you already know in your community. Perhaps you have a casual relationship with the people who live in nearby homes, condos, apartments, etc. Maybe you have been looking for a safe way to have a huge spiritual impact in your workplace. One particularly attractive feature of the small group experience during 40 Days of Community is the group mission project. Many people are drawn to doing something worthwhile to help in their community.

We will also provide each host with the names of people who sign up for a 40 Days of Community small group that live in your area. The hosts can then extend an invitation to these people to attend the 40 Days Small Group sessions. You could enlist a co-host or a friend to help you with these calls.

We are interested in impacting men and women for eternity, whoever they are. Work hard to fill your home and you will be a significant part of this extraordinary campaign that will spiritually transform this community!

More Questions? Call the Host Home Hotline at 418-37-08.