I heard a story recently of a church member walking across the street to the Home Depot and asking if they would like to donat e to the church toward some desperately needed repairs at their church. The church had prayed about their need, and this person decided to "just ask." The timing was perfect. It seems it was the time of the year for the store to give their donations to non-profits, but nobody was returning their calls....so they decided, since the church was in the community and it was time to give back to the community, to donate several thousands of dollars toward the repairs at the church. Just Ask. James writes, "You have not because you ask not." Ask God for what you need for His glory and for His purposes. Watch that you don't ask for selfish needs, but if it is for the advancement of God's church, it might not hurt to just ask. One church found that if the majority of their Elder's meeting was dedicated to prayer for their church, the church prospered. Prayer works.

Have a great month, and plan on attending our March workshop in Glendale on Generosity.

Jim Smith
President
Pacific Church Network 

On Monday, March 13, you are encouraged to attend this one-day workshop on creating a culture of generosity in your church. Church leaders around the country who have attended this workshop have said it was one of the best workshops on generosity they ever attended. This event will be held at the Armenian Brethren Evangelical Church in Glendale from 10:00 am to 2 pm. Free lunch, but please RSVP.  More info and sign up.

Join with ladies from SoCal churches for a pampered spring weekend getaway. This retreat will be the weekend of March 31-April 2, at Murrieta Hot Springs near Temecula. Along with the soothing hot springs, you'll have several opportunities for some spiritual refreshment and encouragement. Guest speaker will be Vicki Smith. Spaces are still available. More info and sign up.

On Saturday, March 18, Pacific Church Network is offering a free one-day ( Spanish language) workshop on Understanding the Bi-vocational Ministry of Your Pastor. This will be held in Cudahy at Iglesia Bautista de Bell. Our guest speaker will be Pastor George  Chakarji. More information and sign up.

Pacific Church Network appreciates the wives of our PCN pastors. We want to support and encourage the women who are married to pastors. Thank you for all you do! On Saturday, June 17, we are offering a free day at the Glen Ivy Spa for you.  Sign up now.

Pacific Church Network is honoring all our administrative professionals who work so faithfully at our churches with a free lunch at MAGGIANO'S RESTAURANT near South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa on April 26. This will be a fun, enjoyable lunchtime where your church administrative professionals will have a chance to meet their counterparts from churches all over Southern California. Space is limited. Sign up soon.

At our Pacific Church Network's marriage enrichment workshop called, "The Great Date Night," all couples in attendance received a $50 VISA card to enable them to have a dinner date that very night at a restaurant of their choice in Laguna Beach. Brian and Chandra Howard, and Jim and Vicki Smith, led two sessions which many said were very helpful and encouraging for their marriages. All were glad they attended.

Pacific Church Network supports CB Chaplaincy, which has over 180 chaplains around the world.  This winter our Director of Chaplaincy, Andy Meverden, attended the annual Armed Forces Chaplains Board Meeting in the Pentagon.  One of the generals mentioned the conduct of one particular chaplain in Okinawa and said,  "That's the kind of chaplain we need....." " Is his endorser here today?"  Andy proudly stood, introduced himself, and claimed Chaplain Jon Uyboco as one of CBAmerica's endorsed Navy Chaplains in Okinawa. Well done Jon! 

Read the whole story.

Several Pacific Church Network pastors gathered during the last week of February at a conference designed especially for the smaller church--Transformation Ministries' Mustard Seed Conference held in Dana Point. They heard some helpful stories from four different pastors regarding successes and struggles they had overcome in ministry. We hope more PCN pastors can join us at this conference next year.

Pacific Church Network again is taking a group to the Holy Land right after Thanksgiving, which is a really good time to visit Israel. We are going from November 28-December 8. This is a great opportunity to travel with friends and experience the land where much of the Bible took place.   Find out more.

Bethany Church in Long Beach has a vision which says, "Connect, Grow, Go." With this disciple-making process in mind, Pastor Scott Foster of Bethany Church asked Dr. Brent Strawsburg to conduct a six week Defending the Faith elective during the small group class time which runs alongside their two morning services. These classes attracted more than 100 people to each session. Brent is available to speak to your church. Contact him at brent.strawsburg@gmail.com.

ChurchWest Insurance Services has many free resources for you. They want to serve you so you can serve others. They know that if your staff and volunteers are screened and trained, your office is honestly and well organized, and you provide a safe environment for your activities, your ministry will have a higher success rate. HR, Financial, Security and other resources  are available here.

On Monday, May 8, in Upland, plan on attending our free workshop on how to be innovative in your outreach to the community.  See what you can learn from our church plants on how they attracted people to their new church. Hear what these church planters are doing to reach people for Christ. More info and sign up.

Keller, 66, announced in February that he will be stepping down from the pulpit. The move corresponds with a decades-long plan to transition the single Presbyterian Church in America congregation-which has grown to 5,000 members since it began 28 years ago-into three particular churches.  His last day as senior pastor will be July 1. Read whole article.

DONATE We continue to plant new churches. Since 2012, we have planted 18 churches which are reaching people for Christ from San Diego to Seattle. You can contribute to our church planting efforts here.