New Members - August 2008

Welcome to all the new members of Destiny Church! On the 3rd Sunday of August we presented these precious people to the congregation and prayed a prayer of blessing over them.

They've completed Discover Destiny, our 3 week membership course, and believe this is the church home God has placed them in. We sincerely believe in the biblical teaching that covenant membership in a local church is important for every believer and we are grateful to God for adding these families to Destiny.

It's our prayer and our goal to see each of these families and individuals find their place at Destiny both relationally and in service to God. The pastors have had an opportunity to meet with these families and discover their unique stories. God has truly blessed us with some remarkable people that we are pleased to call friends. Our new brothers and sisters in Christ!

In the coming months and years we anticipate God using these individuals in miraculous ways. We believe God has given each Christian spiritual gifts and called each member of Destiny to minister. We would like to encourage all the members of Destiny, as well as, ministry department leaders to reach out to these new friends. Let's show ourselves friendly and help them find a place to serve in the church.

You do such a wonderful job of making Destiny a loving, caring, giving place. Let's keep up the great work we're doing to the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.

Blessings,

Destiny Church Pastoral Team

written by Ted Thevaos (Children's Ministry Pastor)

Men's Quarterly Meeting

The Men's Quarterly meeting turned out to be one of the best ever. Nearly 75 men came out for a time of fellowship, dinner, worship, testimonies and preaching. In fact, there were a number of guests that were invited as well as many of the newer men who have recently become members of Destiny.

The Mexican Food made by Mando Alvarez and others on the cooking team was outstanding. I don't believe there was much of anything left on anyone's plate or in the kitchen. Men definitely enjoy a good meal. Don't we guys!

Well the fun had just begun at that point. Roy Salas and his team led us in a powerful spirit-filled time of praise to our God. Several times throughout you could hear the men's voices ring out together and then we offered spontaneous praise as the songs came to a close. There was such a freedom in the spirit that evening. It was so easy to enter in.

As the evening progressed two of our own men, Tom Hernandez and Jeff Stevens, shared some life-changing testimonies of God's grace in their own lives.

Tom shared about his ministry of serving as a Chaplain at the VA Hospital. What stood out about his story was how God has uniquely given him favor to serve in a capacity that he originally thought was beyond his experience or credentials. In addition to that blessing God has been guiding him with wisdom to minister within the strict policies set forth by the VA, but still with a listening ear and compassion share the gospel of Jesus Christ with these hurting patients.

Then Jeff took us on a journey to Austria as he gave us some great word pictures of his ministry in that country recently. It was encouraging to know that God is using Destiny around the world through men like Jeff and Pastors Joe and Gerda Green who he went to encourage. Jeff did a great job enlarging our vision for Austria, the world, and even where we live. As he talked about his team teaching about the song of the Lord, having prophetic dreams, seeing miracles, having divine appointments, experiencing the favor of God and His protection; he was in effect saying if God can do it for us, He can do it for you too. It was a great faith builder!

Finally, our beloved missions pastor, Doug Pitman, wrapped up the evening with a compelling message on Covenant Friendships between men. With his usual sense of humor and passion, he told the story of Jonathan and David. He encouraged all of us to follow the example of Jonathan in covenant friendship. Some excellent encouragement and challenge was brought for us to grow in our commitment, sacrifice, time, and focus toward one another. It was very clear from God's Word that this pleases Him and is absolutely necessary for us to enjoy life and finish strong going into the next life. There was a deep deposit made into every man that evening with this memorable message. Now it's time to make the effort to enjoy God's blessing of friendship. Men be encouraged to pursue this lifestyle with several guys as the Lord leads you. If you desire greater friendships here at Destiny begin praying for friends and follow the biblical encouragement to show yourself friendly. God's promise is that you'll have many friends!

See you next quarter for the next transforming Men's Meeting!

SATURDAY MEN'S PRAYER
Come out men to Men's Prayer on Saturdays from 8:00am - 9:00am in the Family Life Center. It's a rewarding time of meeting with God and other men. God will bless your investment more than you can imagine. We look forward to seeing you there!

written by Armando Basaldua (Men's Ministry Director) and
Ted Thevaos (Children's Ministry Pastor)

Woodway Apartments Outreach - News

The Woodway Outreach was a spectacular event. A large group from Destiny lead out in a great time of ministry to this apartment community through friendship, worship, drama, preaching, free food, and back to school giveaways. Those that came out responded well to the love and gospel message. It was neat to see groups of people gather as someone from Destiny shared, prayed or lead someone to Christ.

Several families we met at the outreach have visited Destiny in the past couple of weeks. In fact, two children committed their lives to Christ this past Sunday in Bible Blitz, one of our children's classes. One gentleman joined us at the recent Men's Quarterly Meeting. Glory to God for how he is caring for these people and adding to His church.

We want to encourage everyone who participated in this outreach to continue to do the good work that you began in befriending these precious people. Our follow-up with phone calls, visits, invitations to church or to our homes will be crucial to see God add these people to his family and maybe even Destiny. For a reminder of our follow-up vision refer to the Woodway Apartments Outreach - Vision post.

PICTURES!

written by Ted Thevaos (Children's Ministry Pastor)

Women's Retreat 2008 - Designed to Bloom

Our recent Destiny Women’s Retreat, held in Kerrville, Texas, was a time of relaxation, refreshing and renewal. The theme “Bloom” was highlighted throughout the life lessons taught by speakers Jodi Bell and Cynthia Vela of Destiny. The hearts of women were prepared to receive the supernatural and practical teachings.

The Garden of Eden was the setting for the life lesson presented by Jodi Bell. The woman uniquely designed by God, the essential nature of the woman, and the new life in fulfilling her God-given call were all biblical principles highlighted on Friday evening.

With such compassion, Jodi reminded the women that they must believe what God says about them. As women, we are life-givers, nurturers, and companions. We must “bloom” in these elements regardless of our age or season. As hearts received these truths, lives were changed.

On Saturday, Cynthia took us back to a familiar setting, the Garden of Eden. She taught that while Eve may have thought that she would gain much by partaking of the forbidden fruit, she actually lost much. She lost her will to agree with the Word of God by focusing on her own will. Eve chose to agree with the will of the devil and disagree with the will of God.

We must be free to agree with God’s Word. It is in that agreement, that we can “bloom” and flourish in the garden of life. It is being rooted and grounded in love that enables us to
be filled with the fullness of God as declared in God’s Word. (Ephesians 3:17-18)

Referring to the garden of our life, those good roots being grounded in love, will produce good fruits. The fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians. Our lives filled with these fruits and their beautiful fragrance will glorify the Lord. The heart of every woman was challenged to live life as a beautiful garden that glorifies the Lord.

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL
Ladies, you are cordially invited to attend another exciting gathering, "Simply Beautiful" on Thursday, September 11 at 7pm in the Youth Center Fellowship Hall of Destiny Church.

Expect a powerful time of teaching by Angie Pitman. She will present an awesome and anointed lesson that will transform your life. The Lord knows exactly what we need to hear. A wonderful evening of fellowship, sincere friendships, and delicious refreshments always make the evening so special. Join us!

PICTURES!

written by Cynthia Vela (Women's Ministry Director)