New Haven 828

Jackson Senyonga - AM/PM Audio

"He Blew us Away!!! 

Between the clergy breakfast on Saturday, and the two services on Sunday, the man from Uganda lifted us to a new level.  God used Pastor Jackson Senyonga in an incredible way to challenge us and ignite us for the days ahead.  The rest will be determined by our obedience to the Lord and the true level of our own spiritual hunger.  I've included the audio of both the A.M. Church on the Rock worship service and the P.M. Public Worship  service. The evening built in some ways upon what was taught in the morning. Each one is over an hour, but you'll be blessed to make that investment of time to listen.

In order to fully appreciate the evening public session, you really need to listen to the AM session that was preached to Church on the Rock. Here it is:

The following audio is from the public evening session. It was a powerful message, but what you won't hear is the "move of God" the immediately followed it. I do not doubt for a moment that people's lives were changed.  NOTE: The cordialities and preliminaries end at about the 19 minute mark...the "meat" starts there.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

It was another sweet hour of prayer for New Haven area clergy at the February 14, 2008 meeting.  Pictured, (l-r), are Elder Vincent Gilchrist and Pastor Jacki Gilchrist of Come as You Are Community of Faith Ministries, New Haven, CT., Rev. Bonita Grubbs of Christian Community Action, New Haven, CT., Pastor Rick Rocco of Frontline Ministries, Hamden, CT., Pastor Bill and Lainie Elander of Vineyard Christian Fellowship, West Haven, CT., Pastor Walter Williams of Walk of Faith Ministries, New Haven, CT., Pastor Harmon Yalartai of Faith Revival Temple Church of New Haven, CT.( soon to be of West Haven, CT.), Rev. Abraham Hernandez of Radio AMOR, New Haven CT., Pastor Bill Mathis of Springs of Life-Giving Water Ministries, New Haven, CT., Pastor Geoff Little of St.  James Episcopal Church, New Haven, Ct., and Pastors Leslie and Todd Foster of Church on the Rock, New Haven, CT.

There is a cloud...

Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.'" 1 Kings 18:44

There were 18 senior pastors and heads of para-church ministries present at last Thursday's prayer meeting. We've all been around this block a few times and have perhaps grown weary in the hope of "unity" flowing out of such meetings. And yet, there is something different going on here. God is very much involved and there remains an overwhelming sense that He is up to something GOOD.

While there was an apparent sense of these leaders being heavy-laden by the stuff of life and ministry responsibility, it seemed that the little chapel we met in was exactly where we were supposed to be...a place in God's presence to simply be real with Him and one another. There was a true laying down of burdens and a lighter crowd upon departure than there had been upon our entrance.

In the after-meeting we planned to hit the ground running in 2007 in the areas of 1) Collaboration, 2) Community Development, and 3) Organization/Leadership Development.  Our incorporation papers are filed and the 501c3 status pursuit is  underway. We're moving forward.

It's not pouring yet, but after a season of drought and many attempts to pray for "rain" I can honestly say....."There is a cloud...."

Praise God! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours. We'll See you on Thursday, January 11 at 10AM, 95 Hamilton Street. Bring your umbrella.

God is with us!

Prayer was exceptionally profound yesterday. It was the kind of meeting from which true revival can be conceived. In fact, no true revival has ever begun apart from such a gathering of consistent and persistent laborers who come together with a genuine passion and  hunger for God.

We're on the course of a journey that has no end, and yet it is already apparent that God is pleased with our corporate pursuit. We're in forward motion, traversing the portals of something wonderful. We need to guard this highly favored position with humility, wisdom, and vigilence. God forbid that we would lose what we have and miss all that is on the other side of this threshold.

The tears were real and the heart cries were sincere in His presence. Even in the face pf potential opposition and distraction, God broke through and met us in a powerful way. One among us was quoted as saying, "It is amazing what God does when we open the door of our hearts." Another suggested, "I was full and I mean literally full!  I felt God speaking 'yes' to our efforts and personally encouraging me to pursue Him, assuring me that He will do the rest!"

This eclectic group of Black, White and Hispanic clergy is on to something of a Divine nature.  Don't stop now. Don't be distracted. Examine carefully all that you deem to be "more important" than what God is doing right here, right now.

Economically Developmental Thinking

Pastor William Mathis (Union Temple-New Haven), Rev. Bonita Grubbs (Christian Community Action-New Haven), and Pastor Walter Williams (Walk of Faith-New Haven) on the left, and Pastor Todd Foster (COTR-New Haven) on the right,  surround their host, Pastor Floyd Flake (Greater Allen Cathedral- Jamaica, NY)  at his first Faith Based Economic Development Conference. It was a fantastic time of receiving education and information that if and when properly applied will undoubtedly lead to community transformation.

For me (Foster), this last day of the 3 day conference was a particularly reflective time. This morning I was able to visit Rochdale Village, the co-op apartments where I grew up. it was less than 2 miles from the conference site. I left Rochdale in 1973  to go to college and haven't been back there since about 1977. I left as a "stone" heathen nearly 30 years ago.

For me to come back today as a man of God in full-time ministry and see the incredibly powerful impact that the church has had in my old neighborhood touched me to my very core. There is new, affordable housing, effective education, and profitable commerce everywhere, all generated by the Faith Based efforts of Rev. Flake and the Greater Allen Community Development Corporation. I believe that I was brought back to this place to be reminded and re-connected with my past as well as pointed toward my future.

It's all about making the lives of others better off. It really is ALL about the love of Christ being practically applied. I thank God for my past and my future being connected this day,  but even more for the anticipated collaborative journey with like-minded, willing folks who are ready to bring about some lasting change in new (for us) ways.

Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts (Abyssinian Baptist, Harlem, NY), another man of God with a tremendous community impact, joined Rev. Dr. Flake on one of the informative panel discussions. Other guest speakers included "Reverend Senator" James Meeks, and Secretary of HUD, Alphonso Jackson. Next year's conference has already been announced for October of 2007. This is one conference that you  really don't want to miss.

The fellowship during our daily commute from New Haven was tremendous! Great folks we have here in New Haven. We also met some great folks from all over the nation. It was a blessing to have this thing held so close to home! We were just sorry not to see you there!

If you're interested in seeing some of the sessions at a possible group showing, email me to express  such interest.

Field Trip

New Haven 828 foot the bill for these local pastors to attend a seminar on Church Strategy and Small Group Ministry hosted by former Saddleback Pastor Nelson Searcy in Randolph, New Jersey. Pastor Searcy now leads "The Journey," a rapidly growing church in downtown Manhattan. Pictured here are Pastors Harmon Yalartai, Willis Miller, John Cotten, Kennedy Hampton, William Mathis and Todd Foster.

The training was great, but the fellowship and opportunity to get to know one another was incredible.

Youth Initiative Kicks off at COTR

Program Supervisor Jason Goubourn addresses parents and participating youth at the New Haven 828 Summer Youth Initiative Kickoff held in the Youth Room of Church on the Rock-New Haven.

New Haven 828 kicked off its 2006 Youth Initiative with an orientation last night at Church on the Rock. The program actually begins on Monday. Over 80 parents, local pastors and youth participants attended the event.  Eight local churches were represented by the 35 young people ages 13-17 who will be participating in this year's program.  Pastors attending the kck-off included Pastor Walter Williams from Walk of Faith, Pastor William Mathis from Union Temple Freewill Baptist, and Pastors Todd and Leslie Foster from Church on the Rock.

The summer 2006 program begins Monday, July 31 and will continue for four weeks. The participants will gather at Church on the Rock each morning for a time of reflection and instruction provided by over 20 area leaders. They will be fed lunch and then transported to various work locations throughout the city.  Participating youth will receive a weekly stipend of $75. Note: this year's program is filled to capacity, but we are beginning to solicit interest from the greater New Haven Community for next year's expanded program. 

Originally named, "Project: Synergy," the vision of Church on the Rock's senior pastor, Todd Foster began in 2004 as an effort to not only keep young people productively busy and provide them with an opportunity to earn a few dollars over the summer, but also to provide them with needed instruction in general life skills, character development and leadership.  The overarching desire was to see young people grow in their ability to collaboratively and productively participate in a thriving community. What began in Phase I as a local church program of Church on the Rock is now being rolled out in Phase II as an inter-church effort under the auspices of New Haven 828, a primarily Christian organization. Pastor Foster's original vision and the objective of Phase III to be launched in 2007 is to  roll out the program to the greater faith and even secular local communities of New Haven.

In Phase III, the objective will be to provide a practicum wherein participants will learn to get along in a diverse society by celebrating rather than denying, suppressing or ignoring such diversity. Participants will gather Monday through Thursday in their preferred study location (church, mosque, synagogue, community center, etc) for philosophical and spiritual instruction that is oriented to their own belief systems. All week long, the participants will be dispatched to work assignments to work side by side with similar and dissimilar members of the greater New Haven Community.

On each Friday morning during Phase III, all of the diverse groups will join together in one location for instruction in general leadership skills, character and community development.  Key public figures will be invited to lead the discussions.

For Further information:

Contact, Phase II Program Director,  Pastor Leslie Foster at 203-498-2687, pastorleslie.cotr@snet.net

Good Things Do Happen

1. Our Summer Youth initiative begins in just over 2 weeks. It looks as though we'll have about 40 kids from 5 churches represented. We have over 20 guest speakers lined up and job assignments for the kids lined up throughout the city. All systems go for a life transforming time for our Youth.

2. Rev. Bonita Grubbs and Christian Community Action has a seminar for families lined up for December entitled "From Pain to Peace." The format is being developed but will include testimonies from wonderfully transformed family's and a wealth of resources and information that will help other families to make their own transition from pain to peace. Details forthcoming.

3. Joanie Ciociola, Director of Samaritan Regional Services and Noah's Park Daycare presented a vision to incorporate area churches and ministries into a city-wide ongoing outreach to kids. Pastors (or their representatives) will be invited to participate in the planning, implementation, and ultimately, the weekly teaching to children from within their geographic community. It's an opportunity to join hands, create synergy, and really make an impact on children and families within New Haven. A detailed overview will be provided and shared at the August 2006 prayer/discussion meeting.

Best of Times and Worst of Times

There were nine of us for prayer this past Thursday, 3/9/06. It was a good mix; Black, White and Latino.  As we went around the room, it was apparent that God is doing some good things in and through our various ministries, but the level of spiritual warfare seems particularly heightened. Does this ring a bell with you?  Was it just coincidence or are you feeling the same thing? Please comment back if you've noticed the same phenomenon in your own ministry.

The conversation after prayer focused on:

1.  Our planning efforts continue with regard to sending work crews to Mississippi during the month of May. Pastor Walter Williams had a very well done DVD documentary from our February excursion.  If you would like a copy, email me. The Application form for people interested in either going or contributing to the cause can be found here.

2. Plans for the Summer Youth Program are ongoing. There will be a planning meeting next week as we endeavor to finalize this summer work discipleship program for High School students.

3. At the urging or Ariel Martinez, the possibility of New Haven 828 hosting a major cross-cultural youth event was discussed. Youth leaders from various local assemblies will be brought together within the next few weeks to discuss alternatives, scope and planning considerations for such an event.

3. Pastor Mathis brought up the need for some sort of seminar or teaching experience for pastors dealing with the inordinate levels of stress associated with the pastoral position. We will be pursuing potential speakers to come join us for the discussion part of our April 13th prayer/discussion meeting.

4. The issue of the proliferation of Adult Store billboards along the highway was brought up. Pastor Foster relayed the fact that Pastor Eric Bucci of Cornerstone in Cheshire is endeavoring to coordinate a response. See my thoughts from the article entitled "Sex in the City."

Post meeting note: I just received NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PLANS from Pastor Mike Bulkley of Kingdom Life Christian Cathedral:

We have confirmed that we will have a county-wide National Day of Prayer service on Thursday, May 4^th, at Living Word Ministries in West Haven. I am waiting to hear back from Pastor Ken Vance and his staff in order to get the final details (time, needs, etc.) and will make that info available as soon as possible.

Great Breakfast!

We had a great meeting today. Click on the picture to see it enlarged. Pastors in attendance were Eugene Brunson (Wayfaring Ministries), Walter Williams III (Walk of Faith Church), Todd and Leslie Foster (Church on the Rock), Rick Rocco (Frontline Ministries), Shirley Winston (New Beginning Ministry), Kennedy Hampton (Shiloh Baptist Church), William Mathis (Union Temple Church), David Burgess (Mt. Moriah Tabernacle of Praise), Harmon Yalartai, (Faith Revival Temple Church) Gerald Hampton (Bread of Life, Stamford), Archie Barfield (Walk of Faith Family Center), Tony Clarke (Covenant Christian Church), Ted Brooks (Beulah Heights Church), Ken Vance (Living Word Ministries), Willie Boone (Cathedral of Praise COGIC), Minty DeKock (New London Church).

Minutes will be posted as soon as available.  Just a reminder; anyone wanting any of the Searcy materials should contact Todd Foster to obtain the discount.