Even Greater Things! Prayer Goals For 2009
“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
“Even greater things” in 2009 than 2008 would truly be of God, as 2008 was unprecedented in modern church history! On May 6, 2007, Elena and I led a 42 member mission team from Portland to Los Angeles, forming the City of Angels International Christian Church. In our first full calendar year, God added to our number 101 baptisms and 29 restorations! Our weekly pledges now total $9,700 per week, meaning that the almost 200 disciples of the congregation are giving on average $50 per person! All of this was accomplished as the Spirit sent out, from our very young congregation, 37 disciples on three mission teams – Honolulu, New York City and Portland! Not only were disciples sent out, but $3,500 per month was given to support Matt and Helen Sullivan in the newly formed Santiago International Christian Church. Amazingly, when the impact of the City of Angels, Honolulu, New York City, Portland and Santiago Churches are combined, the Lord blessed us in 2008 with 700 in attendance, 350 disciples, 147 baptisms, 51 restorations and a weekly contribution of $14,000! Excitingly, Kyle Bartholomew was appointed Evangelist, Carlos Mejia was reinstated as Evangelist, his wife Lucy was appointed a Women’s Ministry Leader, and Tony and Therese Untalan and Jack and Jeanne McGee became our newest congregational shepherds!
...
Three In A Row
“And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.” Genesis 41:57
 |
| Michael & Sharon Kirchner |
The past three Sundays have so inspired Elena and me! Sunday November 30, was the Financial Presentation Worship Service for the City of Angels International Christian Church. In some congregations, the very thought of going over the finances would have produced excuses for not attending, as well as yawns at the service. Yet, most of our disciples were early and the atmosphere electric! We combined the Latin and English Ministries, and perhaps that was one reason for the “extra spice” in our singing! At the service,
MERCYworldwide – the benevolent arm of the SoldOut Movement churches – was formally introduced by Nick and Denise Bordieri, the Directors. Immediately following, Rick Romney, a former full-time minister, was restored to the Lord! His wife Heather, who placed membership two months ago, their kids, and the entire congregation rejoiced and encouraged Rick after his apology and rededication with the song,
“We Love You With The Love Of The Lord!” After the fellowship break, Michael Kirchner presented a stirring sermon, as well as the financials. Then each disciple was called to vow before God the amount placed on one’s pledge card. After some worshipful singing, Michael Williamson moved our hearts during communion by sharing his conversion story. To close the service, we bridged the aisles and sang arm-in-arm, “Jordan River!” Afterwards, we walked outside and witnessed Brandon Reed’s baptism. The Hollywood Ministry was particularly joyful, as they also baptized Jeraldine Luque earlier in the day!...
MERCYworldwide
Maximizing Efforts for Relief, Care and Youth Worldwide
The Benevolent Arm of the International Christian Churches
Overseen by Nick and Denise Bordieri
 |
| Nick & Denise Bordieri with their daughters - Sonrisa and Makaela! |
Nick and Denise are dearly beloved disciples by all of us in the City of Angels Church, where they serve as one of our shepherding couples. They also are integral members of the central leadership of the SoldOut Movement of churches. Nick was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1959. At Trinity College, he received a BA in Intercultural Studies – Asian Focus. During those years, he was selected Second Team Small College All-American safety in football and an All-Eastern Conference catcher in baseball. After college, he moved to Asia to pursue his passions of mastering Mandarin Chinese, the martial arts and international business. Nick learned Mandarin and attained a second degree black belt. In addition, he was hired by Nike and during his 20 year career was very fortunate to assume different positions in various parts of the world with the company, including Nike’s world headquarters in Portland, Oregon. This was where he met Denise Martus. Denise was born in San Bernardino, California in 1967, then raised in West Linn, Oregon. In time, Denise worked for the Albany Chamber of Commerce in Oregon, became a co-owner of ELDE Designs, yet in God’s sovereignty, she began to work at Nike’s world headquarters, where she met the man of her dreams, Nick Bordieri. Nick and Denise were married in 1993. They served Nike not only in Portland, but also in Asia and South America. Though the Lord blessed them with two beautiful girls, Sonrisa (9) and Makaela (8), as well as great success in their careers, their marriage began to flounder. They even considered divorce. It was during these trying times that a disciple at Nike asked them to visit the Portland Church. At their very first service, they cried, because they found hope for their lives. They were baptized in 2001. Two years later, Nick was the non-full-time leader in charge of the church and was key to our moving to Portland in the summer of 2003. Like Aquila and Priscilla with Paul, the Bordieris quickly became instrumental in Elena’s and my ministry to revive the Portland Church, as well as in initiating a new discipling movement to evangelize the nations in a generation. Indeed, they were the first couple Elena and I asked to go on the LA Mission Team to plant the City of Angels Church in 2007. After Nick and Denise wrestled for a week in prayer, Nick resigned his 20 year job at Nike and moved to LA! God blessed their sacrifice as Nick now works in upper management for Mattel Toys. Yet I believe that everything in the Bordieris’ backgrounds and even their painful life experiences have been God’s way of preparing Nick and Denise for His purpose for them – to lead the benevolent arm of the SoldOut Movement churches. And to God be the glory! KM...
