August 30, 2015

This week marked the beginning of the Academic Calendar here on the Patten Campus. We are very grateful to the Lord for the work of Dr. Gary Moncher, Dr. Sharon Anderson and the many, many others who have worked with them (both past and present) to bring quality, rigorous, Christian Education to the City of Oakland for over 70 years!  

Prayerfully, soon we will have a complete Day-Care Center, a Pre-School, a new Family Room here in the Cathedral, an expanded After-School program, and I am asking for the miracle of a tuition-assistance for those who are financially unable to pay the full cost at the Academy.  Likewise, we are praying and working toward a powerful re-emergence of the Ministry of Higher Education focused extensively on leadership development.

Every Human Soul is profoundly important to God, and we will Love our City ONE soul at a time. However, from a STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE, the most important TARGET GROUPS in reaching any Community with the Gospel are the CHILDREN and YOUNG PEOPLE. I want to say that again…to restore, renew, and rebuild what has been devastated for generations: WE MUST REACH THE CHILDREN, TEENAGERS, and YOUNG ADULTS. Like everything else in the Kingdom of God, this is a partnership between Heaven and Earth. We carry the ark and God parts the waters.

This is one of the reasons that we pause throughout the year to focus ourselves on this strategic component of our mission.  It is important for all of us to understand and embrace the ministry of the entire campus; and through that campus, the ministry to our community.  We are here in this hour, for this season, in this city to announce the Good News of Jesus Christ and to live our lives as citizens of the Kingdom of God!

Therefore, my friends: students and teachers, staff and congregation, pastors and leaders, servants in the House of the LORD… 

Ephesians 4:1 NIV84 - …I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.