Mission Coalition

Mission Statement: Impassioned by the Holy Spirit; Called by the Father; and, Commissioned by Jesus, we join together to spread the message of Jesus to those who do not yet know Him and to bring all to a deep and abiding relationship with Him. It is our joy, our privilege and our duty to tell others of Jesus and His love.

The Coalition is an intentional association of congregations and individuals committed to mission. Its purpose is to share the good news of Jesus the Christ with all peoples so that all people of the San Joaquin Valley will know and love the Lord Jesus. This will be accomplished by two equal foci:

One focus will be to help existing congregations focus on evangelism in order to help their members grow in evangelism skills and to help the congregation grow in new members. Congregations will partner with each other to encourage, support and hold each other accountable to this goal.

One focus will be to help the congregations join together in starting and supporting new congregations in the San Joaquin Valley. This will be done through prayer and sharing of time, talents and financial support.

So this is how congregations are birthed! On January 29th, 2006, at 3:00 PM in the Starlight Room at Children’s Hospital, the coalition held a commissioning service for the Rev. Bob Crabb. Over 200 attendees and 20 clergy praised and prayed the mission start into existence. It was a joyous celebration.

Since that day, Pastor Crabb has been hard at work, knocking on doors, walking the streets and making contacts with the residents of the area around where Castle & Cook will be planting 6,000+ homes in the near future (The estimated date of construction is now 2009). He has made hundreds of re-visits and has two weekly Bible Studies up and running. Thanks be to God!

At the beginning of 2006 the coalition had $329,000 in the bank looking to the day when we would call our first mission director, buy our first property, and build our first church. Expenses for the year have, to date, been $70,000; income has been $98,000; giving us a year-to-date total assets of $357,000. Detailed financial reports for the entire year of 2006 will be available at the annual meeting.

Of great joy to the coalition is the news that St. James Lutheran Church, Hanford, will be voting to join the coalition at their annual meeting. This will bring the number of congregations in the coalition to 15.

The Mission Coalition will be holding its annual meeting at Concordia Lutheran Church, Kingsburg, on January 14th, 2007 at 1:30 PM. Every member congregation is allowed 3 voting members. Pastor Crabb will bring us an update of the ministry at that time. It is a very exciting report. You will not want to miss it.

Please read the accompanying giving report. Thank you for your generosity. If you are a member congregation that will not be able to send in your benevolence for 2006, please contact me as soon as possible.

It is a joy to watch God’s people working to make mission happen. It is a delight to be the president of the coalition. If there is anything that I can ever do for you concerning the work of the coalition, you need only ask.