Chuck Bridges Blog

Jesus told His closest followers to remain in Jerusalem after he had gone back to heaven until they had received the Holy Spirit. Then, with the Power of the Holy Spirit living within them, they were to go and be witnesses for Jesus Christ throughout their hometown in Jerusalem, in the larger area of Judea, into the outer regions of Samaria and then onto the uttermost parts of the earth. (see Acts 1:8)

This model presented by Jesus before He ascended back to heaven is to be carried out by every New Testament church. We are committed to Missions right here in our own community (i.e. Our “Jerusalem”). Right now we are collecting book bags and school supplies in something Lisa Freeman started last year called “Project Hope.” We give away food each month in our Pantry; support local ministries like Piedmont Women’s Center, Home with a Heart, and Oakpointe church. We are heavily involved in Foreign Missions with our Romania Partnership; our support of Crossroads Worldwide (Clayton King’s ministry); and our support of Hope Givers (a ministry in India that supports over 10,000 orphans).

I share all that to show how our ministry partnership in San Diego with Kevin Campbell and the Elevate Team falls right in line with our Lord’s commission for His church. This partnership allows us to be involved in North American Missions. I am so thankful that God allowed us to learn about this vision that He gave to some very dynamic young people. I am not sure how things will work out there but I have no doubt that God is going to do something amazing. The young people who have sold everything and moved their entire lives to San Diego have reignited my faith. Their passion for Christ is contagious. I believe God is going to give us future opportunities to partner with “Elevate” in San Diego.

We probably made over 1,000 contacts in the four days we did mission work with the Elevate team. It is clear how desperate the need is for a vibrant, relevant, New Testament church in the elite communities of the part of San Diego we visited. Most people seemed to be apathetic about the information we shared. But, there were a few people who were extremely interested in the prospects of a new church coming to town. Lead Pastor Kevin Campbell had the opportunity to make some very positive contacts with some people in this area of their new home. Please pray fervently for these contacts we made.

Other Prayer Concerns for Elevate:

• A Place in the Torrey Pines area for the church to meet beginning with their launch in January, 2009
• Jobs for some of their team members
• Other churches to support them with prayers, mission trips, and financial resources
• Wisdom, Anointing, and clear vision for Kevin Campbell and his leadership team
• For God to draw the people of San Diego to Elevate
• An explosion of salvations

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our church family at Washington Avenue and many others who gave sacrificially and supported this Missions effort with your prayers. There’s no doubt in my heart and mind that God intended for us to go on this journey. I can’t wait to see what kind of difference it can make on the team members who went on the trip. Who knows, maybe someone on our team will be “called” by God to move out to Southern California and join the Elevate Team! We are honored and privileged to share in this exciting Church Start. May God be praised for allowing us this opportunity!!!