Monday, June 29, 2015

FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. 

If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.




In Memory of Steve Freese

Steve Freese, a friend, Desert Springs board member and part of our church family went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 20th.  Please pray for his wife of 51 years, Gwenda, their children, grandchildren, family & friends to find comfort knowing Steve is now with the Lord.  No more health issues, nor pain, nor tears for he is living in the light of the risen Lamb.

No more night. No more pain. No more tears. Never crying again. 
And praises to the great "I AM." We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

See over there, there's a mansion, oh that's prepared just for me,
where I will live with my savior eternally.

No more night. No more pain. No more tears. Never crying again. 
And praises to the great "I AM." We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.

A Celebration of Life service is confirmed for Saturday, July 11 at 11:00am, here at Desert Springs.  You are warmly invited and thank you for spreading the word about this important date. 



PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT, 
STRENGTH &  WISDOM 

Lily Boyd * Beverly Baughn * Bill Beers & Daughter * Phil Drehmer's brother, Richard * LaReign Hodges * Mike Kunkle * Dave Metzler * John Ott * Walter Rohm * Carol Smoke * Washburn's son, Steven  & Virgil Webb


We are called to GO so we WENT! 

Our DSC Mission Team is back from La Mision, Baja California, Mexico. Thank you for your prayers, we had great cool weather, safe travels, no health issues and tons of blessings! We helped in construction on  an apartment for Open Arms Childcare Ministry for new Site Directors. We did awesome crafts, bible & play time each day with the 60 kids they care for.  I will say everyone on our team worked hard, played hard and slept hard!

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, last year I personally committed to serving the Lord outside our church and outside our community at least one week a year.  I will continue to pray that others will do the same.  One week to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in greatest need is humbling, believe me. 

I'd like to keep the books listed below for another week. Each one will help you understand the importance of serving others. They will challenge and change you, for the purpose God has intended for each of us. 

SUGGESTED BOOKS TO READ:

Follow Me, by David Platt
Called, by Mark Labbberton
Live to Make A Difference, by Max Lucado
Going All In, by Mark Batterson

Laura Keener
Frontline Director, Desert Springs Church

Missions Update
June 11, 2015

Desert Springs Church, Palm Desert, CA

Jim and Ann Leonovich Ukraine trip report.

We departed May 26, 2015 for Kiev, Ukraine, with the purpose of attending the graduation for students from the Irpin Bible Seminary just outside of Kiev. We have been involved with this seminary for twenty years.  The second mission is to the Transformation Church in Kiev with Pastor Peter Marchenko.

This year 150 students graduated with different degrees. Bachelor degrees in Biblical Studies, Theology, Education and Psychology. Master degrees in Divinity and Theology. Doctorate degrees in Ministry, Philosophy and Theology.

Jim caught up with a lot of our colleagues who attended this graduation ceremony. We had a great time encouraging and praying with the graduates some whom we have known for years. We had many meetings with various pastors and friends as we planned future projects and worked on budgets. Jim also spoke at the Sunday morning worship service.

We had a very busy schedule right from the get go. Pastor Peter picked us up in Irpin and we drove to Kiev. It was Wednesday so we had prayer meeting at the church.  Thursday morning at 7am there is always an all region and county prayer meeting held at the Central Church in Kiev. Pastors and presbyters from 26 churches gather every week and have lunch together. Jim had the opportunity to address the brothers and share from the Word. Greetings were passed on to them and their churches from Desert Springs Church. They in turn send greetings back to Desert Springs Church. This is a very important and beloved custom.   We had meetings at the church every day so our days were quite busy, usually 14 to 18 hours. We did have time to rest though. Saturday, 13 June, we were at a Young Adult evangelism service. It was an awesome event with around 500 attending. There were a few decisions made to follow Jesus that night. On Sunday morning we attended and participated in both services. A young man came to Christ in the first service and a young lady rededicated her life to the Lord. The evening service was a special ordination service. Jim participated in the laying on of hands and blessing the young men.  We also learned about the stresses on families, and the many refugees, due to the war and that many husbands are fighting on the front.

Praise the Lord for His traveling mercies and health. We only regret that the trip was so quick. We prefer at least 1½ month’s stay.

In Christ,

Jim and Ann Leonovich

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