March 2010March 2010

Pastor Mark:

Work in His strength and wait for His timing!

Team Impact:

Sharing the Love of God

Until the whole world hears:

Be a blessing—get a blessing!

Team Outreach

What am I going to do?

Labor for your neighbor:

Convoy of Hope Outreach Day

Just around the corner:

This month @ DC3

This month;

Desert Cross is

“Reaching out, Touching lives and Changing this World”

His hands, his feetHis hands, his feet

to a hurting world!to a hurting world!

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Our beginning. . .

Desert Cross has a rich heritage and long standing tradition. What is today Desert Cross was once known as Phoenix Japanese Free Methodist Church. This all began in 1929 when Mr. Kiichi Sagawa

came to a life changing faith in Jesus Christ and began a Sunday School in his home in Tolleson. That Sunday School was later relocated to the Japanese Language School on the corner of 43rd Avenue and

Indian School Road.

In 1932 the church was officially organized and dedicated on May 8, with Rev. J. A. Kashitani who served as our first pastor. Our present sanctuary was built in 1964 on land that was donated by Mr. Kiichi

Sagawa. The original buildings were moved from their original locations and placed on our current church property.

As time moved forward the world around the church was changing and now Phoenix Japanese Free

Methodist Church was changing too. In 2007 the name of the church was changed from Phoenix Japa-nese Free Methodist Church to Desert Cross Community Church. This new name is more reflective of

the wonderful diversity of the family we know and enjoy at Desert Cross.

Today we are a multi-generational, multi-ethnic church family. We are a church family with a wonderful past, and a promising future. Come join us as we work together to advance the Kingdom of God into the

lives of many people.

Welcome Home!

Come join us this Sunday @ 10AM for exciting worship, great bible teaching

in a warm family atmosphere.

Bring the kids—there’s something for everyone!

Desert Cross Community Church 4143 N 43rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85301

602-278-0917 www.dc3fmc.org

Do you long for the day when you see our loved ones turn to Jesus?

We all do. There’s a longing in all of our hearts for things to be the way

we know they should be. What’s odd is we really don’t know how we

know this; we just know things were meant to be right. There is a deep

place in our spirit that remembers back to a time when we were in face

to face communion with God. We all long in our spirit for what we lost

in the Garden; spiritual reality. And until we find it, we search in all the

wrong places.

As a church we have been preparing for two outreach events; Matsuri – A Festival of

Japan and Convoy of Hope. They both took place on the last weekend in February. Convoy

was focused on the people struggling in this current economy, who live in the area sur-

rounding a local college. Matsuri was a community event, with people traveling from all

over the Phoenix area to enjoy the sights, sounds and great food.

And while these events were very different, they had a single common denominator;

people who were searching for spiritual reality. Longing for love, hope and lasting peace.

They were searching for God and we wanted to help them find their way to Him. We spoke

to so many across the course of the weekend. Honestly, it became tiring after a while. Jesus

understands the weariness that comes with ministry; he grew tired in the process of loving

people just like we do. I take comfort in knowing he knows our weaknesses. He knows us.

Jesus wants to do and accomplish so much through us. He gave us His Holy Spirit to

empower us to get it accomplished. But, do you ever wonder “When will it happen?” It is so

easy to desire results, but Jesus focused on people and pleasing the heart of his father. He

spoke to all who would listen, but Jesus left the results up to His father. He moved in the

strength and timing of God. We should too. The Apostle Paul said it this way, “So let’s not

get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we

don’t give up.” Paul gives us the synergy of evangelism; If we don’t give up – our part - at

the right time – that’s getting into alignment with God’s timing. That’s the real key to it all.

We have the privilege of sharing how Jesus has changed our lives with those who will

hear us. When the timing is right, the seed of the gospel will take root and grow. Be encour-

aged; God is at work in hearts and lives. Stay faithful. Wait for His timing.

As we do our part, God will bring in the harvest in His time!

Pastor Mark

Work in His strength and wait for His timing!

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You know you can listen to a podcast of all Pastor Mark’s weekly teaching, right?

Did you know that soon we will offer video podcasting?

Keep your eyes on www.dc3fmc.org

Team Impact — Children & Youth Ministry

God’s Love is Amazing!

In February, Team Impact has been learning about the love of God and about sharing

that Love with others. Several of the volunteers in Team Impact were able to be a part of

an incredible outreach opportunity last month called Convoy of Hope. Through this event,

we were able to pray with many people about many different needs. As a result of the event

as a whole, 135 adults and 109 children accepted Christ into their lives. Praise God!

That is what sharing the love of God is all about! In the future we hope and pray that Team

Impact can have part in more outreach events like this.

We are also excited about Easter approaching. In addition to the adult Easter musical, the

kids in Team Impact are preparing to share in song as well. We hope you will all join us for

this time of worship through music.

There is always plenty going on in Team Impact and we are so excited for all He is doing!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we seek and follow God’s will for the ministry

of Team Impact.

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Where is y

our m

ission f

ield?

Where is y

our m

ission f

ield?

Until the Whole World Hears

Desert Cross — A local, global outreach

Convoy of Hope gave us the opportunity to be a blessing to others by helping to Convoy of Hope gave us the opportunity to be a blessing to others by helping to

meet their spiritual and physical needs.meet their spiritual and physical needs. For those of you who don’t know, Convoy of For those of you who don’t know, Convoy of

Hope is an outreach ministry that helps people with their physical needs. Typically Hope is an outreach ministry that helps people with their physical needs. Typically

they step in and help communities with somethey step in and help communities with some of life's basic needs such as community of life's basic needs such as community

services, health and vision screening as well as groceries and many other much services, health and vision screening as well as groceries and many other much

needed services. This all provided free of charge inneeded services. This all provided free of charge in an effort to extend the love of an effort to extend the love of

Jesus to a hurting world. Jesus to a hurting world.

Some us here at Desert Cross had the awesomeSome us here at Desert Cross had the awesome privilege of serving the privilege of serving the

community in the prayer tent at Convoy of Hope. Guests from the community who community in the prayer tent at Convoy of Hope. Guests from the community who

attended passed through the prayer tent on their way to pick up their groceries. We attended passed through the prayer tent on their way to pick up their groceries. We

were privileged towere privileged to pray with many people that day. There where more than 100 pray with many people that day. There where more than 100

guests who made a profession of faith that day. It was an awesome time where we guests who made a profession of faith that day. It was an awesome time where we

got to see God not only touch their lives, but ours as well. I know some of you wanted got to see God not only touch their lives, but ours as well. I know some of you wanted

to come but couldn’t make it. Well the good news is you still can still help. to come but couldn’t make it. Well the good news is you still can still help.

A lot of times we think that conversion is the end of salvation but in reality is only A lot of times we think that conversion is the end of salvation but in reality is only

the beginning of our walk with Christ. Don’t get me wrong, we are saved the moment the beginning of our walk with Christ. Don’t get me wrong, we are saved the moment

we put our faith in Christ's finished work on the cross and nothing we do can add to we put our faith in Christ's finished work on the cross and nothing we do can add to

that. It is only by the blood of Christ that we are saved. We are saved for more than that. It is only by the blood of Christ that we are saved. We are saved for more than

just heaven, although that is a big part of it. just heaven, although that is a big part of it.

We are called to be holy. (For I am holy 1 Pt 1:16) That simply means that we are We are called to be holy. (For I am holy 1 Pt 1:16) That simply means that we are

set apart. That is to say thatset apart. That is to say that we are different than the world in the way we think and we are different than the world in the way we think and

act.act. We are set apart to serve God. We are not on this journey alone We are set apart to serve God. We are not on this journey alone 24 And let us 24 And let us

consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not

give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one

anotheranother——and all the more as you see the Day approaching.and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10; 24, 25) (Hebrews 10; 24, 25)

The author of Hebrews reminds us that we need to be there for each other The author of Hebrews reminds us that we need to be there for each other

encouraging one other to grow in Christ. encouraging one other to grow in Christ.

So if you see someone this coming Sunday who had an encounter with God at So if you see someone this coming Sunday who had an encounter with God at

Convoy or any place on their earthly walkConvoy or any place on their earthly walk treat them as family. Let us as a church treat them as family. Let us as a church

help them to mature in their walk with Christ. Let them know we are here for them as help them to mature in their walk with Christ. Let them know we are here for them as

their family of believers in Christ. their family of believers in Christ.

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Stay tuned for more ways you can get involved….

Contact Lincoln at missions@dc3fmc.org

Team Outreach Team Outreach -- Be the hands and feet of Jesus to the worldBe the hands and feet of Jesus to the world Page 6

In one of our Convoy of Hope training sessions we were learning how to share the" Good

News ", and something hit me. I suddenly realized what it was that we would be doing at the

Convoy of Hope event. As a church, Desert Cross Community Church was volunteering in the

Prayer Tent, where we were going to be ready to pray with and witness to all who wanted to

hear.

At that very moment I began to panic. For all who do not know, I have been a Christian for

just a little over one year so for lack of a better term, I'm a newbie. As panic began to set in,

thoughts started running through my head," How was I going to do this? I'm new at this myself,

I can't quote scripture, I have not even finished reading through the whole bible yet.” But my

biggest fear was, “What if I lead someone down the wrong path?”

My fear became so overwhelming that I started to shut down, and I was ready to give up. My

only thought was to back out of the commitment I had made. But because God is Awesome, for

some reason I didn’t back out! Later that day after I had calmed down, we had a training ses-

sion were we practiced sharing our testimonies. And as we worked on the best way for me to

share and witness, I started to gain more confidence.

Later that week someone shared this passage with me; "All of this is from God, who recon-

ciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was rec-

onciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has com-

mitted to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though

God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to

God." 2 Corinthians 5: 18-21 NIV

The two things that struck me about this passage; "All of this is from God... and We are

therefore Christ's ambassador's". You see I was focusing and relying on my own strength for

which I know is faulty and weak and that is why I panicked. I quickly realized that God is in

control and is using me as Christ's ambassador. I just needed to be available to Him.

Did God use my availability? Oh yeah! I have to

report that out of the over 3,000 guests that attended

convoy of hope 2,700 of them allowed us to pray with

them. And because we were available to Him as His

ambassadors, 135 adults and 109 children came to

know Jesus as their savior. Is that cool or what!

All I have to say is "God you are so Good ".

Contact Melissa at outreach@dc3fmc.org for more details.

Together, we really can make a world of difference in the lives of others...

I signed up for Convoy of Hope because it sounded as

if it was going to be exciting. This was the first big oppor-

tunity I had to step out for the Lord and help others. I

didn't have a clue that it would leave such a lasting impact on my heart the way it has. When we arrived at

Convoy of Hope there were over 1,500 volunteers. I remember feeling overwhelmed.

One of the leaders talked to us briefly about a few things that would transpire that day. One thing he

said that really stuck with me was, "Some of you need to get rid of your prejudice about the homeless or

people living in poverty." After he said that I became shaken. These were going to be people with real

problems, I mean deep pain and how was I going to help them. I felt unqualified and wanted to leave. But

instead I prayed that God would "show up." I prayed that He would work through me because I knew on

my own I would fail.

The first lady that I greeted looked as if she was lost, like she had walked into our tent by accident. I

greeted her with a smile and asked if there was anything we could pray about for her today. Almost immedi-

ately she said yes. She started to cry as she spoke about her two sons, both addicted to drugs. How hopeless

she felt and how she even thought about suicide. I asked her if I could share some of my testimony with

her. I told her how my life was before I came to Christ; how I had lost everything and had no hope. I asked

her if she had accepted Christ as her personal savior. She told me she had. She didn’t seem too interested in

recommitting, so I continued to talk to her about my failures before Christ and my new life now because of

Him.

We prayed over her twice and got her information to check in on her. I asked her what she liked best

about Convoy of Hope and all they had to offer. It was encouraging to hear her say, the prayer tent, and the

unity she felt in it. From that point on I was no longer scared. I knew God had placed me there for His pur-

poses. Everywhere you looked at Convoy of Hope you could see God's army working together in unity for

His plan. I left Convoy of Hope very blessed knowing my purpose is to help others.

My eyes were opened.

Michelle.

A testimony from

The hard life on the street is an everyday issue for many

homeless people in Phoenix. So, what can you do to make a

difference in the world of our many homeless in Phoenix?

You can give dignity to our homeless by supplying the simple

basic necessities of life. We need your giving of toiletries, socks,

Guidepost and Reader’s Digest are needed. Thank you for your support to help those in

need. The Shoebox Ministries boxes are in the Fellowship Hall next to the kitchen.

Shoebox Ministries—an ongoing need...

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What is truth? Is it subjective? Is it relative? Does it change?

Is there really anything that could be called absolute truth?

The truth is out there. And it’s coming to Desert Cross.

Come join us as we embark on a discovery of truth. We will be offering the Truth project

this spring in our Sunday evening Diggin’ Deeper Discipleship Class.

Be the body of

Christ:

Start where you are, u

se what you’ve got,

do what you can.

In Jesus name

Many families are hurting in these tough economic times. Valley

View Community Food Bank works with hungry families to provide

food to these families. They rely on the goodness of God’s people

to help through donations of food items.

What can we do to help? When you shop, if you will buy just 2

extra cans for the Food Bank, it will make a huge difference in the

lives of hungry families. You can place your donations in the

container in the fellowship Hall. Thank you!

Valley View Community Food Bank

Visit us on the web @ www.dc3fmc.org

Desert Cross Community

Church

4143 N. 43rd Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85031

Phone: (602) 278-0917

E-mail: Pastor@dc3fmc.org

“Reaching out, Touching lives, and Changing this world.”

Sundays: Diggin’ Deeper Discipleship every Sunday @ 5PM.

Tuesdays: Life Journey Groups at Pastor Mark’s and Dorothy Tanita’s at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesdays: Women’s Growth Group @ 10AM

Fridays: Ephesians Bible Study at Church, 7:00PM. Bible teacher Lincoln Solis.

Mar. 14: Prayer Warriors meeting, 8:00AM

Mar. 14: Women’s Ministry fund raiser breakfast at 8:00 AM

Mar. 23: Passover Seder @ 6PM

Mar 28: DC3 Spring BBQ on the grounds after service.

Apr. 4: Easter Day; Sunrise Service - 6AM; “Jesus is alive” musical @10

Just around the corner .. coming Soon to Desert Cross Page 9

Save the Date! Join us for our Passover Seder

With Rabbi Jack Zimmerman

Adults $12.50 —Children under 12$ 6.00

Contact Melissa to make your reservations

March 23 rd @ 6PM

Women’s Ministry Growth Group

Join us on Wednesday mornings In April for our bible study at Dorothy Tanita’s

house.

Contact Margie at 602-942-3461 or Dorothy at 623-937-2277 for more information.

This new group will be starting soon.