Archive for May, 2012


May 30

How’s Work? — Resources on Vocation

2012 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Recommended Resources,Sermon Follow-Up

In the course of his Sunday sermon, “Life Is Short—Therefore…,” Ryan touched on the subject of vocation. In view of the shortness of life, in Psalm 90:17 the psalmist asks God to, “establish the work of our hands!” Concerning our every day work, Paul writes in Colossians 3:23, “work heartily, as for the Lord.”

With that in mind, below are some books and DSC sermons on the subject of vocation and the Christian life.

Books on Vocation:

God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life
by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.

Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business
by Wayne Grudem

Work and Leisure in Christian Perspective
by Leland Ryken

Redeeming the Time: A Christian Approach to Work & Leisure
by Leland Ryken

Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work
by Tom Nelson

Sermons on Vocation:

The Wisdom of God in Work,” Proverbs
Ryan Kelly

Work unto the Lord,” Colossians 3:22-4:1

Click here for an interview with Tom Nelson on his book, Work Matters. Also, at his blog, What’s Best Next, Matt Perman has written a number of fine posts on the subject of vocation and the Christian life.

May 23

Signup for the New DSC Missions Blog!

2012 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Mission

If you were with us on Sunday, you learned about the launch of the exciting new DSC Missions Blog. The purpose of this new blog is to inform and encourage our prayer, participation, giving, and going with respect to the spread of God’s glory through the gospel in our area and among the nations.

For years, Clint, DSC’s Missions Director, has sent email updates to a subscriber list with summaries, photos, and news related to DSC and missions. These updates are of great encouragement, including letters from DSC members from the field and ministry partners abroad.

Over the last few weeks, Clint has posted dozens of these updates to the blog, going all the way back to 2004. Here are a few examples:

Now, updates like these will be posted to the DSC Missions Blog, and they will be emailed to those who subscribe to receive these blog posts by email. In his most recent post, “Language School in Antigua – Preparing for the Mission,” Clint included a letter from the field written by Marvin Gibson about his work in Guatemala. Posts are also searchable by category, including, Church Planting, Field Updates, Global Missions, Local Missions, Rabinal Achi, Redemption Church, and Trips.

To read the Missions Blog, click here. Subscribe to email updates with posts from the Mission Blog by indicating your interest on the Comment Card attached to your Sunday bulletin, or on the right column of the Missions Blog.

May 21

New Life at French’s Mortuary, Redemption Church Update

2012 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Church Planting

Redemption Church, DSC’s first church plant, is now almost three months old. This month’s Church Planting ENewsletter included an article by Carlos Griego reflecting on this new work that God is doing. The whole update is worth reading, and you can do so here.

Carlos’ update included this short reflection by one of Redemption’s members, Stacey Abdalla:

The first thing that I think of when asked what I see God doing at Redemption over these past nine weeks is how He has been knitting many of our hearts together. There are new friendships and ultimately new partnerships for the Gospel that have been developing in the firmest of foundations – His Word and His precepts! I have been so very blessed and amazed at the camaraderie and devotion to God and His children that I have both seen and experienced with my fellow Redemption peeps! I do miss “home” - DSC – I am so thankful for the time God had our family there, and I am so blessed to be where God has us now – as a part of this new opportunity with Redemption to spread God’s glory broader and deeper! Of course, there are many new additions in the children department as well, with both the recent births and adoptions. What an amazing heart for adoption I see in this church! We’ve also had quite a few visitors and repeat attendees to the church, such as the Herrera family, the Tolliver family, the Scarbro family – just to name a few!

. . .And although it seemed that meeting for Sunday morning services in a funeral home would be a little uncomfortable, in reality it has turned into such a symbolic opportunity to celebrate Jesus’ finished conquering of death, as Los puts it, in a place where death usually has the last word! What a great reinforcement of the reality of what Jesus has conquered! God has shown such gracious provision in orchestrating the availability of French’s Mortuary – it is a beautiful, comfortable, warm and inviting facility, and we absolutely could not have asked for more in a place to meet before our building is ready! I am so excited and thankful to be a part of God’s new work with Redemption as He continues to change hearts and make all things new, both for His glory and our good! What a gracious, amazing God we serve! Thank You, Yahweh!

As Stacey mentioned, Redemption Church has been meeting at French’s Mortuary while waiting for their new space in Rio Rancho to become available. With now only a few weeks away until they will likely move into their new space, Carlos published a blog, “Church In a Mortuary,” reflecting on the irony in the circumstances of their launch. Here are a few excerpts:

Preparing to plant a church requires research. Church planters read lots of books. I have read books about culture, leadership, theology, and church planting. Many books give good suggestions on how to grow as a church, and how to make “your mark.” I am going to be honest, not one of those books mentioned launching a church in a mortuary, without any advertisement. That’s exactly what we have done at Redemption Church.

What has all this shown me? It has shown me that God brings growth, not methods. We are called to trust God, not methods. Methods are not bad, and we should use all of the resources we have to reach those far from God. We are excited to move out of the mortuary, and will advertise once we move into our new spot in Rio Rancho. What God has taught me in all of this, though, is to trust Him. He doesn’t need nice buildings or flyers sent out to bring people to Him. He calls us to plant gospel seeds, water with the Word, and watch what He does. I am excited for the times ahead, and what God will do in our new place. I am, however, brought to a place of worship and overwhelming thankfulness for our time in the mortuary as a somewhat under the radar church.

Visit the Church Planting page for more information about DSC’s church planting strategy, and to learn how you can contribute. To keep track of God’s work through Redemption Church, visit their website for sermons, blog posts, events, etc. To sign up for the Church Planting ENewsletter, email Clint at clint@desertspringschurch.org.

May 17

Prayer for Ed Stetzer’s Daughter, Kaitlyn

2012 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Prayer

Almost two years ago now, Ed Stetzer, Vice President of Research at LifeWay Christian Resources, visited Albuquerque with his family and spoke on a Sunday at DSC. His sermon, “Empowering All God’s People for Mission,” is available here.

Please be in prayer for his seven year old daughter, Kaitlyn, who has contracted what doctors believe to be Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a potentially fatal infectious tick-borne disease.

Visit Dr. Stetzer’s blog to read more about Kaitlyn’s illness and to follow her progress.

May 16

DSC + CareNet + Baby Bottles

2012 | by Trent Hunter | Category: Announcement

In Sunday’s service, we announced our participation in Care Net Pregnancy Center’s Baby Bottle Drive. This partnership will help support their efforts to serve women and their families in an unplanned pregnancy with biblically based counseling and practical help.

Here’s the video from Sunday:

[RSS and email readers, click here to view this video]

Please take a baby bottle home and fill it with change through the weeks between Mother’s Day, May 13 and Father’s Day, June 17. Bottles are due back by Sunday, June 17. For more information, please contact Carolyn Rush at carolyn@desertspringschurch.org or call the church office at 505.797.8700.

To learn more about CareNet, visit the CareNet website.