This is the last week you can sign up for the spring trimester of small groups.  I encourage every person at Relevant to be connected in a small group.  I would not encourage this if I did not believe in what they can do to help spiritually transform you.  By connecting in a small group, I truly believe you are going to be spiritually challenged and take steps forward on your spiritual journey.  I also believe that by connecting in a small group, you are going to meet some people you really connect with, and can start developing authentic relationships with. 

Many people are Relevant are new, and are nervous about going into a small group environment becuase they don’t know what to expect, don’t know anyone, feel like they are going to be put on the spot, etc.  My suggestion to you would be…GIVE IT A SHOT!  Spring small groups start the first week of February and only last through April.  All small groups are starting at the same time, and will end at the same time.  They are not established groups where everyone knows one another, and you are going to be on the outside of a “clique.”  It doesn’t matter how much you know about the Bible…how shy you are…how many questions you have.  Our small groups are designed for people like you.

If you feel a tug on your heart to connect in a small group I really encourage you to sign up this week and NOT WAIT!  Our next small groups sign ups will not be until May.  Connect in a small group today, and see what God wants to do in your life!

Pastor Ronnie

At Relevant, we give 25% of offerings received away – 8% specifically going to Nation Engagement Initiatives.  Due to the devastation that has taken place in Haiti the past couple of weeks, we believe that we need to financially engage that nation…so we have.  Through of our affiliation with the Christian and Mission Alliance, God has provided us with an excellent way to help Haiti financially through Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA). 

CAMA, the Christian and Missionary Alliance relief and development arm, is gearing up to assist survivors of the 7.0 earthquake that destroyed Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, on January 12. According to a CNN report, the death toll may top 100,000. The hospitals are gone, and medical supplies are desperately needed. About 3 million people-one-third of Haiti’s population -were impacted by the quake.    

In partnership with parachurch organizations already on the ground, CAMA will provide immediate assistance-including clean water, emergency shelter, medical aid, and other necessities-as well as long-term help in rebuilding efforts, integrating Jesus’ message of redemption with practical acts of compassion.   “A compassionate response during a disaster tangibly expresses Christ’s love and opens doors for other ministries,” says Phil Skellie, CAMA’s president.

Everyone who has given at Relevant is part of engaging Haiti.  However, if you would like to donate more to the Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund, please go to this link, scroll down, and click on the red “Give Now” box- http://www.cmalliance.org/give/relief/

Thank you for being a part of helping transform our world!

Pastor Ronnie

I have to share this story of life transformation with you.  Not just becuase it is a reminder of why we do what we do, but becuase it is a reminder about who our God is!!!

“Ivan” is a friend of mine who lives in Birmingham, AL.  He has come up to visit us in Omaha many times since August.  Over the past few months, we have had some really good spiritual conversations.  He has always told me that he was against Christianity, the church, Jesus, etc.  Well…everything changed last night.

Through months of prayer and conversation, Ivan’s life was radically changed yesterday.  He is in town visiting, and came to service at Relevant yesterday.  At the end of service, a lady from our prayer team felt like she needed to pray with Ivan.  She approached him to ask him if she could pray, and he said yes.  At the end of the prayer she told him that she believed God was working on His heart.  After church Ivan asked me if we could talk.  So, last night we went to Starbucks.  For almost two hours we talked about his spiritual journey, his spiritual questions, his fears.  At the end of the conversation he said that he believed Jesus was tugging on his heart, but that he was afraid to surrender his life to Jesus.  He said he felt like there was another force keeping him where he was at.  I explained that there was another force pulling on him, and it was Satan.  We talked more and Ivan told me that He really wanted to put his faith in Jesus, but didn’t know how.  I explained how, and Ivan said he was ready.

So, we drove back to my house.  With Kristy and a few of our friends, Ivan prayed in my kitchen.  He put his faith in Jesus, asked Him to be the forgiver of his sins and the leader of his life.  Ivan surrendered his life to Jesus last night in my kitchen.  THANK YOU LORD!

My God is a powerful God!  No one is our of reach for my God.  My God is sufficient for all.  My God’s arms are open to all.  My God is ready to forgive all.  My God is ready to set all free.  My God is a the God who gives life!

Pastor Ronnie