NEW YEAR's EVE

Xmas Party with the West Region

VENTURA BEACH BAPTISMS

ENDLESS: Campus Retreat

Join us for a weekend you'll never forget. Stretch Saturday and Sunday (Oct 25-26) into an endless time of spiritual rest and fellowship as over 400 college students gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in beautiful, coastal Ventura.

Another Golden Eagle Converted at Cal State LA

Brian and Roden were in high school drama club together in GUAM! They lost touch over time. Brian moved to the states and attended school at CSULA. A year later, Roden moved to LA and started going to CSULA. Danny met Roden and brought him to one of our on-campus bible talks and there Brian and Roden were reunited in a moment of shock. Our God is a powerful God!!!

October: Calendar of Ministry Events

JADEN's VERSION of the USC FIGHT SONG

Great Dates: PURE, PROTECTED & PLANNED

2 Corinthians 5:16-17
What’s the purpose of examining our dating lives? We no longer look at things from a worldly point of view. We must train ourselves to look at male-female relationships from a Godly perspective.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35
What’s our job as an unmarried Christian? To be devoted 100% to God. Take advantage (v.40)

PURE (with each other)
Married to God—“…he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.” (1 Cor.6:17)
Your body belongs to Him
Treat your body the way he would treat it
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” (Rev. 21:2)
God’s example of absolute & heavenly purity is a Beautiful, Unstained Bride
“Nothing impure will ever enter it…” (Rev.21:27)
Standards of Purity--“How can one born of woman be pure?” Bildad to Job (25:4)
The World Doesn’t Believe it’s possible—let’s share our faith by showing that it CAN
Flirting—needs to be a line of respect b/w bros. & sisters
Boundaries/Too Comfortable

PROTECTED (from the world)
What’s our ultimate goal in relationships?--“…that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” (Col 1:28)
Brothers…
“Treat [the] younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.” (1Tim.5:2)
Sisters getting hit on/given attention—(now, don’t give in)
Sisters…
Brothers being tempted—(now don’t give in)
Dress—Be sure to find out what you’ll be doing on the date & dress appropriately, get advice!
Attitude—It is an honor to date in the Kingdom. You must have an attitude of gratitude.
After the Date—Write a card. You should use this time to show gratitude.
Don’t forget, you might be training to be a great wife one day—don’t give yourself a bad Rep. (Prv.22:1)
“A good name is more desirable than great riches”

PLANNED
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus…work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” (Col.3:17,23)
before you ask ...
Majority of “asking” should be the brothers job//but sisters can ask too
Pray...
Be prepared... (have it planned b4 you ask her—don’t say it’s a surprise just to cover up bad planning!
Have her in mind when you ask…not what you want to do—do your research (flower she likes, food)
Budget whole date (make sure you can pay for it)
Work on Appearance, be sharp—get advice!
Work out transportation (offer gas $ or wash/vacuum car if you don’t drive)

"Word" – ‘asking for a date’
Communicate excitement to be able to spend time w/ bro/sis in Christ
Ask her in a creative way—(card, singing telegram, candygram, note in fortune cookie)
Don’t wait till 2 days b4, give at least 5-6 days notice
when you ask her out, let her know…
when and where you’re going—when she can expect to be home
who your double will be
how they should dress
Write down the info on your calendar to make sure and remember
Call during the week to confirm & encourage

"Deed" – ‘on the date’
“Work at it with all your heart”
General Advice:
This is a time of encouragement—leave your negative attitude at home
If you decide you’re going to be open about your struggles…try to get advice 1st, & tame your tongue,
(gossip, slander, crude remarks, sarcasm & venting in anger are still wrong) (speak well of others)
Remember: say only what is helpful and builds each other up—
Demonstrate Courtesy: open doors, pull out chairs, eat with mouth closed, don’t be loud and overbearing or quiet and selfish)
Encourage, praise and build up your date

Also, if something bad happens on the date—pray and be mature
So what if the restaurant was closed even though you had reservations, Big deal if you spill a little soda on your new pants
You’re a Disciple! Have a good time and roll with the punches
It’ll be a great memory—and who knows – maybe you’ll be laughing about it with the person you went out with 10 yrs from now, who just happens to be your HUSBAND OR WIFE!
Most married couples met each other in college—who knows, you might be sitting next to your future spouse?!

"In Jesus’ Name"
not for men (not even for him/her or because of him/her)
God will reward you

HELPFUL HINTS
Local newspaper (Friday’s issue), LA Times (Calendar Section)
Entertainment Book, Coupons in Paper
Do more creative & active things rather than movie/video dates (if you do, use kidsinmind.com)

Inexpensive Date Ideas...
Hiking (Mt. Hollywood, Eaton Canyon, Sleepy Hollow)
Beach Dates (Volleyball, Cook Fish, Bon Fire, Rollerblading, Bike Rentals, Frisbee)
Paddleboat/Canoeing in city or county lakes
Karaoke
Kingdom Wedding
Doubles Tennis or Pool (although be careful with worldly pool halls)
Active Indoor Games (Taboo, Cranium, Pictionary, Gestures, Charades, Nertz) Make up a game
Walk on local pier, enjoy surroundings, ice cream
Quiet parks (Lacy, Griffith), Gardens, Observatories, Arboretums (San Anita, Descanso, Huntington)
LA hole in the wall coffee shops, bookstores (Xian Section), bistros, cafes
(Sweet Lady Jane’s, Busters, Anastasia’s Asylum) Look for Free Live Music too
(Finding places where disciples are working is encouraging for both—leave big tip)
Pizza Party—brothers bring dough, sauce & cheese & sisters supply toppings
Museums (Pasadena, Downtown, Getty)
Window Shopping (3rd Street, Old Town, The Grove, Fashion Is., Spectrum, Balboa Is.)
College Sports Events (Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Soccer)
Make your own cards
Take train or bus (during daytime is probably better)
Try Theme Dates: Beatles, Cowboy, French, Game Show (Millionaire), Bible Characters

CAMPUS RETAINS DANCE-A-THON CROWN

Congrats to Cosmo & P'lar!

SEPT Calendar

Tia Baptized

God works in wild ways sometimes. Marie met Tia on campus at PCC over the summer. Only after she started studying the bible did Marie realize that Tia was P'lar's cousin! The baptism was a true miracle as we witnessed the whole extended Miller family coming together in unity to support Tia's decision.

7 WOES / part 1 / AUG 31

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/678049

August Calendar

When Eagles Fly

The Cal State LA Golden Eagles have witnessed two miracles this past week as Salote and Nick made Jesus their Lord.

We remind all of our young Christians what Paul reminded Timothy: "...continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from INFANCY you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

LET'S GO TO FRESNO

Acts 2:42 [ The Fellowship of the Believers ] They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

About 30 of us packed up Friday morning to make the 3-hour tour up to Bulldog country. Made up of mostly campus interns, our crew was young, zealous and ready to give our hearts to this church and this city.

Danny couldn't wait to share his faith at Fresno State. I was still trying to figure out campus parking when he had met a 3rd year, advertising major named Miguel. Miguel had already started his car to leave campus for the day when we invited him to come back to campus and study the bible. He said yes, turned off his car and trekked back to the middle of campus, studied the bible for an hour and decided he wanted to hook up with disciples in Fresno to continue studying to become a true Christian.



Robbie and I did the same with 2 sophomores. They were on their way off campus but were willing to walk back to learn about Jesus. Alvin and Everett were locked in as we studied about the calling of the first disciples. When we asked if they were ready to jump out of the boat, Alvin said "yes, I'm ready!" Many other on-the-spot bible studies were happening all weekend and several of those seekers will continue on in the coming weeks.

After sharing Friday, we had a rockin' devotional with the Central Valley Church of Christ. Three LA interns preached and the Fresno disciples swept us off our feet with their hearts and soulful singing. All of us stayed in Christian homes. Needless to say, we were grateful for the families that housed our college boys. One of the Fresno dads that hosted 6 of our brothers said everything was fine, except for the smell.



Saturday morning we had a devotional together at the visually stunning Woodward Park. Tears fell as we sang songs and prayed together; realizing how special our church fellowship is. Saturday was themed "divide and conquer" as 5 different special ops' mission teams went out to different parts of the city to share our faith and invite Fresno natives to our big worship service the next day.

Cosmo jumped on the team going to a spanish-speaking neighborhood. A man and woman stood in the doorway of one particular home as Cosmo asked if there was anything they would like for him to pray for. Before the woman could say anything, the man answered "no" for the both of them. Cosmo felt uneasy because it looked as though she really wanted to speak, but couldn't. When Sunday service rolled around the next morning, Cosmo was in awe of God to see the woman who stood silent at the door come to church, by herself. She'll be studying the bible with the sisters there.

If that wasn't enough already we had a family-style BBQ and game night with the church a the Ostrum's apartment complex Saturday night. After volleyball, basketball, swimming and frisbee we gorged on grilled chicken and hot dogs and extended this 1st-century style fellowship well into the night. In those moments in between laughs and song verses, I paused to soak in what must have been the exact same feeling our 1st century brothers and sisters felt when they devoted themselves to God, His word and one-another.

The next morning we gathered at 1009 South Hazelwood for one of the most encouraging worship services we've been apart of in a long time. About 30 of us, 50 local disciples and dozens of friends shook the foundations of that church with song, prayer and powerful preaching by Steve Stevenson. Several bible studies were set up after service, including one with Clinton, a Fresno St. fraternity house manager. Also, the sisters hosted their annual women's day event after church with special guest speaker Shonda Stevenson.

This trip was nothing short of miraculous. We pray for the Fresno church. We thank them for their outstanding hospitality. We pray for God to grow the many seeds that were planted. We pray for more church connections like the one solidified between Fresno and Los Angeles. We ask God to continue catalyzing revival in His churches around the globe.

"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us."
1 John 1:3

fresnochurch.org

laicc.net

USC GRADUATES

A more racially diverse and brilliantly talented group you will be hard-pressed to find. Congrats to the grads and their families!

THIRST trailer added on sermonspice.com

Disciple-made video aired first at THIRST retreat in San Diego in October 2007. CLICK HERE

You or God? Tube I Mean...

So everyone has heard of YouTube, but have you ever heard of GodTube? Mind you there are videos on almost every religion claiming to believe in God or God and other Gods, and there's material from every perspective around. But there are also some great music videos if you want to learn songs and some inspirational stories. Check it out HERE!

Here are some of my favorite videos...
~ Psalm 23 (That's right! Learn that Bible verse... too cute)
~ Rapture (This one is just in your face... it's short. Watch it.)
~ Strong Tower by Kutless (Awesome worship song)
~ Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle (Beautiful song about that Cross)
~ Lifehouse Everything Skit (Probably one of the most moving and meaningful performances you will ever see... Central pulled out a version of this in March)




Now it's not close to beating that other Tube place of course... but it's worth checking out!

Central Region Women's Day

Almansor Court hosted hundreds of disciples and friends for our annual women's day. Special guest speaker Kay McKean from Virginia spoke on the this year's theme "The Missing Peace."

DANCING DEVOTIONAL

The Campus was invited by the Latin Ministry this past Friday for a time of fellowship and SALSA DANCING! The students were pumped to have another opportunity for FUN without REGRET in the Kingdom of God!

Richard Yang Funeral (Tan Family)

Sunday 3pm April 27, 2008 at Universal Chug Wah Funeral Home. 255 N. Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801. Cross Street is: Woodward and Garfield. The service will be in Chinese. Everyone is welcome. Kindly do not wear bright colors. Thank you for your prayers and support. Love, Tricia & Brian.

HERE WE COME NEW ORLEANS!

Let's start saving some $$ for this!! Alex found tix for $430 and Cy is trying to organize a caravan! Anyone have any fundraiser ideas?
REGISTER HERE!

RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS

SCENERY




TALENT SHOW

LIGHT

Introducing the all LA Campus Spring Retreat at Camp Cedar Falls April 18-20. Please contact us at the email addresses to the right if you are interested in coming.

Spring Break: USC & CAL STATE @ the MANSION in Frasier Park

CJ's Restoration

Few things in the Christian walk are more encouraging than seeing the prodigal son come home. At the San Gabriel Valley Service on March 30th in front of the church and his family (sister and parents, all disciples), CJ (Chauncey) Jung was restored to the body of Christ. He had been baptized in Korea at age 13 and, had since, fallen away. Through a myriad of relationships and a multitude of prayers, God worked to humble CJ's heart. He came out to a West-Central devotional at USC in the Fall of 2007 and asked if we would study the bible with him to renew his faith. Today he is a repentant man, filled with kindness, humor, conviction and love. Congrats to the Jung family that is now completely united in Christ.

Tiffany Baptized!

Tiffany Moran, a freshman at Glendale Community College, made Jesus Lord of her life and was baptized at our regional service March 2nd. Congrats to her and her family!

Brothers Encouragement Night

The sisters treated the brothers with singing, a full meal, cards and specific awards for each.

Goodbye Gayle

Our sister in Christ, Gayle Dubowski, was shot and killed at Northern Illinois University this past Thursday. Stephen Kazmierczak opened fire on a classroom full of students, killing 5, then killing himself.
Gayle is remembered as a joyful young woman devoted to God, her family and the church. (See more about her on facebook: type "Gayle Dubowski MEMORIAL - NIU Tragedy")

A disciple at Northern remembers Gayle, saying "I remember how happy she was at her Bible Talk about organizing the "Brothers Encouragement Night". She was so happy to serve the brothers...she was so eager. It was definitely refreshing to be around her." The Central Region campus sisters have been preparing a 'brothers encouragement' night for the last couple of weeks. Tonight, they dedicate their Valentine's encouragement to Gayle.

Also remembered of Gayle was her incredible soprano singing voice. However beautiful it was, we believe her earthly voice will pale in comparison to the voice she will sing with in heaven!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

My Old-Fashioned Valentine

This past Saturday, students from the different college ministries in the Los Angeles area got together for a good Ol' Fashioned Valentine dance and mixer. It was truly incredible to be around so many followers of Jesus Christ having fun together and dancing with complete purity. Many had dates to the dance and all the stories I have heard about the dates have been awesome. I, personally, was privileged to take an awesome new sister in Christ, Ashley to the dance. We had an amazing time and we were both encouraged having a blast at the dance and dinner beforehand with fellow believers in the Lord. It's truly inspiring to see so many young people and my peers serving and honoring God with their actions and with their mad dance skills.



Cy

USC Debater Concedes to Christ

She's multi-talented and has a deep love for God. Met by Marie last semester, Ashley came to the on-campus bible talk (SControversial) and then to church for the 10 Commandments series. God's word resonated in her heart as she heard it preached practically and personally. As an SC debater on scholarship, Ashley understands the value of a good case. After a few months of deep bible study, she's found a case she couldn't argue against and was baptized into Christ.

"Here Am I. Send Me!" Video

The inspiring 2006 disciple-made video is up on the sermonspice webpage. Check it out HERE

LIFT

Turning Point ministry disciples led a time of worship for over 1000 singles and campus students at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles. Participants sang out to God, took in the scriptures and were stirred to be near the Lord in this 2 hour time consecrated to worship. Many are asking to do this again soon!

FIGHT ON! SC student Added to Christ

CONGRATS to Vivek Thomas, a grad student at USC getting his Masters in Electrical Engineering. Cy was inviting students to USControversial (the campus ministry's bible talk series last semester) when he met Vivek right outside of the religious center on campus. Vivek was on his way to a study group in the library and said he couldn't come. The bible talk began and minutes later Vivek came in to join the discussion. His study group cancelled because a student said he decided to go to the movies instead! Vivek remembered the invitation and the free food and made a decision that altered the very core of his life. Sharing before his baptism, he said "I may have known who Jesus was, but he didn't know who I was." He quested to correct that truth over the months of fall semester and was baptized on Sunday, January 20. Welcome!

MLK HOPE DAY ON part2

200 Central Region Christians took the DAY ON for HOPE on Martin Luther King Jr.'s Monday holiday. In cooperation with the Salvation Army 4 different sites downtown were painted and cleaned.
The Salvation Army sites included men & women homeless shelters, a center for abandoned teens and a children's day care center. Part 3 will bring you our video summary of the day.

MLK HOPE DAY ON part1

While Americans everywhere take Martin Luther King Day off, Los Angeles disciples will take the Day On with HOPE Worldwide, serving thousands of poor and needy in our neighborhoods.

The Central Region will be working with the Salvation Army this year in LA's infamous Skid Row. We pray to practice true religion by serving those less fortunate than ourselves by painting, cleaning, donating, and doing anything else that might bring smiles on otherwise hurting faces.

Here's last year's video of HOPE DAY ON

Current Sunday Bible Study Series: PHILIPPIANS

Don't Worry. Be Happy. Easier said than done, right?
We'd all like to figure out what Paul discovered when he said he knew the secret of being content in any and every situation, (Phil.4:12). Join us on Sundays in Glendale at 10am to find out more.

New Dating Couple

Congrats to Veronica & Danny! It became official this past Saturday amidst the wondrous fountains & astounding architecture of downtown Los Angeles. May your friendship shine like a star.

NEW YEAR'S EVE GAMESHOW COUNTDOWN

It's not that we're all DANCED-OUT or anything....we just wanted something NEW for NEW Year's! So, a brilliant brainstorm by Christina & Jill produced what became one of the coolest celebrations into a new year in a long time. The Central, Inland Empire, East and North Region Campus Ministries came together in San Marino, ready to play.


Geo Garces hosted the public's fave' PRICE IS RIGHT. Household items like toilet paper and air freshener were bid on by audience members. Only the best qualified for money games like PLINKO. Big winners Brian Tan (Spiritual Showcase) and Jake Rock (Entertainment Showcase) sported big grins as they walked off the stage with over $50 in prizes EACH.

Josh Peterson hosted a resurrected & spiritual version of the DATING GAME. Each region offered their most spiritual & eligible brothers & sisters for a chance to win a double date to the Cheesecake Factory ($100 value). Frank Mariduena chose Sister #2, Amelia Velasquez and Lindsay Scott chose Bro #1, Arturo Rosales.

John Markowski hosted Family Feud, the finale of the night. Teams of 5 from each region featured unique "Feud" poses and fearless competition, particularly in the head-to-head survey questions. Ultimately, the scores were tallied from the top 2 teams (IE & CENTRAL) and the home team came out on top, (prizes included gift certificates & a DVD home edition of the Family Feud).

After a meal that seemed to multiply (pounds of carne asada & pollo left over) we bowed our heads. We prayed in the New Year, giving God the glory for the victories of 2007 and relying on Him to bring even more in 2008. After the Amen, WE DANCED!