I am reflecting with gratitude at all that has been accomplished since our first gathering March 18, 1985. The years have flown by. And the hundreds of precious souls that have been a part of our community of faith parade before me in my thoughts. I think of baby dedications and baptisms, I think of new ministry thrusts into uncharted territory, and I rejoice in it all.

A few days ago I received an email from the other side of the world thanking us for the songs of worship and praise that have gone out from our church on CD’s around the earth. As we have sought the Lord’s face in passion and intimacy, He has graciously manifested His presence in our midst. Our ministry for the Lord has grown out of our ministry to the Lord. Just a few days ago I had the privilege of hearing one of our new songs for the first time. Amazing. And this week that song is being shared in a national conference for worship leaders.

I recently received a letter from a woman who now lives in another state thanking us for the personal ministry she received while she was in attendance here for long standing hurtful issues. Our RTF team, with grace, understanding, and skill, walked her through major healing over months. The hours invested resulted in healing and deliverance for this woman. We have many who by training, anointing, and experience pray for hurting folks with great effectiveness.

I think of emails and phone calls from the young people who have gone out across the earth living passionately for Christ. How proud we are that the investment made in children’s ministry and youth fellowship have born fruit with impactful lives that have been discipled to Jesus Christ. Our support of Ben Gates and campus ministries has even resulted in the planting of a church in India. In fact more than two dozen new church plants have been initiated and resourced by Heartland through out the Midwest. Some churches have grown to become regional resource churches themselves and in turn have themselves planted churches.

Our practice of sharing the Lord’s Table on Sunday mornings has had an amazing impact on our life together. Not only is the Gospel at the center of our gatherings, but the testimonies continue to come to us where people have been encountered by the living God in this sacrament, with souls being saved, bodies being healed, and relationships being restored. I love the many who participate in our services. All the voices becoming a chorus of testimony and praise.

I think of all the workers who invest their lives for the sake of others and the sake of Jesus. Children and Youth ministries. The support teams for our gatherings. The Food Pantry team that feed hundreds of hungry people. Our partnership in the city with Associated Churches. Our so far successful fight to keep a casino and the evils of gambling at bay. Truly, we are doing together what we can’t do alone. There is a synergy when we partner together. If one can put to flight a thousand, then two can put 10 thousand to flight. Exponential increase is possible when we cooperate.

The culture we live in today has undergone tremendous changes since 1985. Change is normative. We grow or die. Yet the Gospel of Jesus Christ is still the remedy for a sin sick world. Men and women, boys and girls still need to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The Body of Christ still is assigned to not only embrace God’s Kingdom rule, but to see His Kingdom extended and expressed through our lives, where we live, where we can make a difference. I thank God for you Heartland Church. Through good times and bad, your faith and obedience, your trust and love is have expressed the heart of our Heavenly Father. Thank you.

Blessings,

Ron Allen, lead pastor

Dear Heartland family,

With Palm Sunday just ahead, we move into Holy Week observances. Easter reminds us that our faith is grounded in the historical fact of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the tomb. Our hope in the Lord does not disappoint. Good Friday services are Friday, April 2 at noon, at Heartland.

We have had a blessed few weeks. After our appeal for extra funds to cover unanticipated expenses with replacing two furnaces, I am happy to report that your response has enabled us to have all bills paid in full to date. Thank you for your faithfulness. I want to challenge those who aren’t giving to prayerfully consider beginning to give on a regular basis to support our many ministries. Truly we can do together what we cannot do alone.

Terry Wildman’s message, Beauty for Ashes, is a powerful teaching on God’s ability to forgive, restore, and reinstate His people. Doc Loomis gave an incredible call to evangelism and church planting last Sunday evening. And I gave a prophetic invitation to HC last Sunday morning on our 25th anniversary. I said that in this emerging season we are entering that God’s blessing is already flowing at an increased level, but God has said He won’t bless us beyond a level where blessings will destroy us. Podcasts are at www.heartlandfw.org.

As spring comes upon us with new bursts of life and possibility, remember that God is full of new possibilities. In John 2 at the wedding of Cana, Jesus created vintage wine at the speed of faith. He can still do something like that for you.

Blessings, Ron Allen, lead pastor for the ministry team.

Dear partners in ministry,

I am reflecting on the great weekend with Chip Judd as we focused on, “Building Great Relationships.” The feedback has been awesome. So many, like Carolyn and I, gained real insight and strategy in dealing with growth points in our relationships. Thanks Chip. He will be back April 11 for the second Sunday of three, continuing to address this foundational area. The format will be the same as last Sunday.

We continue to have wonderful reports from the attendees of the, “Restoring the Ancient Gates,” conference that we hosted with Terry and Darlene Wildman of RainSong Ministries. We have an open door of continuing ministry opportunities with the local Miami Indian tribe.

During this Lenten season, we have been focusing on not just how to say no to hindrances in our lives for a closer walk with God, but more importantly how to have a bigger, “yes,” toward God. We continue to enjoy the manifest Presence of God in our gatherings as we worship and praise, as we teach and learn, and as we minister to one another. God is so good to answer our prayers. We are looking forward to Fire N Rain this next Sunday at 6 pm with Dave Chumchal.

We are seeing many new faces as we have had a growth spurt these last few weeks. Be sure and get acquainted with those new to our fellowship. Over 25% of our attendance is from folks who have just started coming to Heartland.

We are grateful for your continued faithfulness is attending, giving, and working together in our ministries. Children, youth, food pantry, mission trips, and all our ministries are dependent on your steady commitment to our life together. We were all current on bills untill we had some equipment breakdowns last week. We have had to replace two furnaces and some other equipment that totaled over $13,000 last week. Would you prayerfully consider giving something extra to help us stay current with our expenses?

Thank you for your love, support, and partnership. It is true; we can do far more together than we can do alone. May God’s Kingdom come, and His will be done, in us, through us, as it is in Heaven.

Blessings, Ron Allen for the servant leadership of Heartland Church

Notes from my sermon on Sunday December 13

El Shaddai = “I AM your all powerful God.”

1. When I am tired…
2. When I have nothing to offer…
3. When I am in pain…
4. When I am tempted…
5. Admit you are ___________________
6. Be connected to the source of _____________
7. Choose God’s ___________________

Notes from Activating Kingdom Agents class December 13

Yahweh Shammah = “I AM the God who is always there for you.”

1. His Presence is _______________over me.
2. His purpose is __________________ in me.
3. His place is ____________________ for me.

1. Does our singing of worship and praise address the Lord with honor and thanksgiving or is it chatter among the saints about themselves?
2. Does our presentation of tithes and offerings reflect worship and thanksgiving, our thanks to God, our rejoicing in doing together what we cannot do alone or are we raising money to pay the bills?
3. Does our regular practice of the Eucharist rehearse the Gospel making the message of the cross central to our life together or is it empty ritual?
4. Does the teaching of the Word of God explain living in the Kingdom of God practical and relevant for transforming impact? What are the take-a-ways?
5. Does the church give everyone an opportunity to receive personal ministry and prayer? Are there expressions of the gifts of the Spirit from the Body to the Body?
6. Does the church value the participation of all from the youngest to the oldest in the community of faith?
7. Do leadership, pastors and elders demonstrate lives of integrity and spiritual maturity and fruitfulness? What would their families say about their Christian life and witness?
8. Does the church value and practice caring for the poor, the widow, orphan, prisoner, and the dis-infranchised?
9. Does the church love, fellowship, and co-operate with the larger life giving church in the city?
10. Does the church report finances, income and expenditures, regularly in detail?