Changed Lives Open School Doors in Chandler — Summer 2024

Memorial Stones mentioned that revival begins with the youth and we are excited to see what God is doing amongst the teens and young adults.

The Chandler teens have been firebrands, spreading God’s word wherever they go. They are active witnesses in their schools and as a result we have seen a number of young people come to Christ and experience true conversions.

In addition, several of our “older” saints have taken to do regular oneon-one outreaches outside one of our local high schools. This is having impact due to the lack of hope many teens are experiencing in their daily lives.

We sent a team of more than 30 believers to the Houston, Texas area in support of one of our baby churches. The teams were effective witness of the power of God as they went door to door. Additionally, they held several impromptu concerts complete with street dramas. The street meetings found the teams praying for the sick with God demonstrating his healing power for all to see. By the end of the outreach, more than 70 souls accepted Christ. Thank you, Jesus!

Our Black History celebration began with a family fun event followed by a live drama, “The Gift,” about the life and tragic end of Whitney Houston. These led directly into special services with Alvin Smith in which he declared that God was bringing a “flood of men,” to the kingdom for God’s purposes. Many souls were saved and delivered.

The Annual Pioneer rally served to remind the local churches of our calling and our roots. Pastor Greg Mitchell reminded us of our need for radical Christianity in reaching the world and a willingness to respond to God’s call.

Pastor Paul Stevens brought to life a reaffirmation that God is a God of abundance who can meet every need of the kingdom. It was a time of refreshing and renewed direction.

Everyone knows that all “good” Christians come to church at least twice a year on Christmas and Easter. Easter Sunday found the house of God full to overflowing. Pastor Campbell seized on the opportunity to bring Jesus to those in attendance. As a result, the altars were flooded with sinners and saints alike, crying out for mercy and forgiveness. What a glorious time!

We hosted a Harvest Celebration for all new believers added to the church. This gave them an opportunity to meet the staff and other saints in a warm, informal setting. More than 120 new believers attended with 14 responding to the altar call at the close of the event.

Several weeks ago, we had a baptism service, with 21 souls affirming their faith in Christ and testifying of God’s life changing power at work in their lives. These heartfelt testimonies brought conviction and resulted in a number of souls responding to the call for salvation.

We look back at our own small beginnings and are ever grateful for the loving support or other churches that brought us to the point in our ministry. As always, we are excited about what God has in store for us in the future.

Pray for us as we do for you.

My name is Francisco Salazar. On August 2, 2023, my life forever changed.

I want to share my testimony with you in hopes that I can remind you of the power of prayer and patience in God’s timing.

At work, on August 2nd 2023, I leaned over to pick up a rock to allow my coworker to pass by with the industrial mower. I slipped and my foot got caught under the mower. My co-workers tried hard to lift the machine up enough for me to slide my foot out. Then I remember looking down and seeing half my boot gone - cut straight down the side. I thought I lost all my toes, but God is good and He had bigger plans for my life. As the ambulance rushed me to the Trauma ER the medic reassured me that my toes were all intact. So from that news, I at least rejoiced through the agonizing pain, with the help of my family. That small victory was a challenge, but the surgeon told us that he was unable to seal up the wound. He said I was at risk of a severe infection, and they thought I might lose my foot after all.

The mower did so much damage to my nerves and had taken so much of my skin, that I couldn’t feel half my foot for weeks. I was placed on a “wound vac” to grow enough skin and tissue back for reconstructive surgery.

Doctors said my skin and tissue would take months and months to grow back enough to attempt surgery, but God did it in two months.

Doctors said after the surgery I wouldn’t walk for over a year and possibly would never walk right again. But I prayed, our congregation prayed, my family prayed, and we stayed faithful to God. I was standing on my own two feet in three months.

There were so many trials along the way, and the devil tried to mentally take me out, but God is a very big God, and my faith glorified Him throughout my recovery. The power of prayer and faith in my Lord and Savior is what brought me through the fire.

I want to just say thank you to all my brothers and sisters in Christ for lifting me up before God in prayer. The Lord answered, and now I am here to share all that he has done for me.