"O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His Name and make known His deeds among the people!" (Ps 105:1)

May the LORD cause His face to shine upon our City and Valley!

Please be aware of several of the following opportunities for prayer, support, or community involvement, and pass this information along to others who may be interested as well (you may also access this update on the web at http://www.MissionHuntsville.org/updates.htm).

Community and Special Events Aglow International - Area Leadership Training, Honor Holocaust Survior (3/7-8) Deborah Company South - Regional Gathering (3/14) Christ Our Passover - Letter and Invitation Burning Hearts Huntsville - Preparation and Prayer Pastors and Ministry Leaders Youth Pastors Prayer - Young Life House (Weekly) Greater Huntsville Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship (GHIMF) - Owens Chapel MBC (3/8) Greater Huntsville Pastors Prayer Summit (GHPPS) - Valley Fellowship (3/11) Prayer and Intercession The Call Alabama, A National Solemn Assembly - Montgomery (4/5)     40th Anniversary of MLK Assassination Compassion and Outreach Greater Huntsville Compassion Mission Coalition (GHCMC) - First Baptist Church (3/11) Habitat for Humanity - Spring Build 2008 Serving the City as One

"GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause Your face to shine upon us ... that Thy way may be known upon earth, and Thy salvation among all the people!" (Ps 67:1-2)

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Invites you to join in the celebration of honoring
Anje Van Tongeren

Open Flyer (PDF)

Anje of Winnipeg, Canada, is a candidate for the Righteous Among the Nations, a title of honor Israel grants to non-Jews who fought to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. Anje recently was prompted to share her story after reading an article titled “There Comes a Time When Silence is Betrayal” by Jeris L. Cribbs in the May issue of Elijah Rain and will be sharing with us March 7th and 8th 2008.

Anje was a young girl when she became involved in the Dutch underground along with her mother and many others. Her mother died in Ravensbruch Concentration camp in January 1945. Her uncle was shot in Vught prison camp in 1944 at the age of 42. Most of her friends were also killed or died in the prison camps.

She cried out when released as one of the few that survived, “Why God—why me?” She had no money, she was hungry most of the time, she contemplated suicide, and she had no where to go, but eventually had to return to her home even after discovering that it was her father who had betrayed her and her mother.

Anje had no formal religious training. She had never been to church, she had not read the Bible she was not Jewish, but she believed in a heavenly Father of love and who did not treat His creation with such hatred nor did He want others to. Anje stated that Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) is still the most difficult day of the year for her. The official ceremony with the lonely trumpet sound, followed by two minutes of silence wants to bring back all the terror, insanity, and the pain of the horrors that she witnessed.

Anje knows the horrors of the Holocaust and it should never be forgotten, but she also knows the power of healing forgiveness love, and the faithfulness of God.

COME JOIN US AND HEAR HER MIRACULOUS STORY OF ANJE VAN TONGEREN

For more information call: Neva (256) 746-1379(h) or (256) 683-0635(c) / Joy (205) 823-5683

Fri March 7th - Sat March 8th, 2008
Faith Chapel, 3913 Pulaski Pike NW, Huntsville, AL

SCHEDULE:
Fri 7pm Aglow Meeting with Anje (at Faith Chapel)
Sat 9 - 4pm Aglow Leadership Training (at Faith Chapel)
Sat 6:30 pm Special Meeting with Anje (at Temple B’nai Sholom, 103 Lincoln St. SE)

Special Deborah Company meetings are being mobilized across the South, with a Regional Deborah Company South gathering occurring in North Alabama with Dr. Cindy Jacobs, Karen Wheaton, and a panel of local, regional, and national leadership. Please see the special opportunity below and additional details online at www.deborahcompanysouth.com.

Empowered Women of Destiny Meeting
with Dr. Cindy Jacobs

Friday March 14th 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Host Location: Huntsville Marriot, 5 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805
(Luncheon Included)

ALSO SPECIAL NIGHT MEETING - March 14th 7:00 p.m.
Generations Converging
Night Meeting with Cindy Jacobs and special guest Karen Wheaton and CHOSEN
Host Location: The Rock FWC, 2300 Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801

Registration and Details
www.deborahcompanysouth.com

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
And in you (Abraham) all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 12:3)

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 15, 2008, North Hall, VBC in Huntsville. The annual CHRIST OUR PASSOVER celebration and Unity Banquet will again be attended by a cross section of Christians from the greater Huntsville area!

However, prepare yourself for something unprecedented this year! In response to the foregoing scriptural directive, and promise of God's favor from Genesis 12:3, the Christian community will express unconditional love and blessing to the Jewish community through our annual citywide offering this year. This offering will be designated for specified local charities in the Jewish community and humanitarian efforts in Israel.

Why? Christians in particular and the world in general, owe a debt of gratitude to the Jewish people.

"They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings." (Romans 15:27)

While there are ever cycling, geopolitical/religious, elements in our world that have invariable sought to destroy Israel and the Jewish people, the Christian church must seek to bless them! We must be like our Lord and love all of humanity, but we must give honor where honor is due (Romans 9:4-5, 13:7) - God chose Abraham and his Jewish decedents for the unique purpose of blessing all the families of the earth, including yours and mine in ways too numerous to mention.

Consider the extent of blessing that might come upon our city, and our area, as a result of this extraordinary expression of gratitude from the corporate Christian community. Will you be part of it? Will you assist in making this happen in a profound way? Prayerfully consider how you will get involved and spread the word. You will be blessed!

In His Service
Robert S. Somerville
Director

AREA YOUTH PASTORS JOINING IN PRAYER!
8:30am Thursdays

Stephen Hampton (Young Life of North Alabama) and a group of youth pastors in the Huntsville area began meeting weekly last fall to simply pray for kids and for each other. They meet every Thursday morning from 8:30-9:30 AM at the Young Life House (YL House, 201 Bob Wallace Ave.). He shared it has been a great time to cry out to the Lord on behalf of kids.

Please share this opportunity with other youth pastors or others involved in youth ministry who might like to join together in this special time with others from this geographic area! For more information you may contact Stephen below:

Stephen Hampton, Area Director
Young Life of North Alabama
201 Bob Wallace Ave.
Huntsville, AL 35801
(256) 533-1251
younglife@arilion.com
http://ylhuntsville.younglife.org

YOUNG LIFE OF HUNTSVILLE
www.YLHuntsville.younglife.org

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation . . . " (NIV)

Young Life's mission is to introduce kids to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith.  When a kid is introduced to Christ, he or she becomes a new creation and they receive a new heart.  And as they begin to grow in their faith, kids understand more and more that "All this is from God".  If you are interested in knowing more about how you can help Young Life Huntsville make an impact in the lives of kids, then call the Y.L. House at 533-1251. 

Mini-Summits occur the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

March Mini-Summit
Tuesday March 11th

Valley Fellowship Church

We are an independent, charismatic, interdenominational fellowship, and our vision is to be a New Testament "lighthouse" that will herald the return of Christ. All of the ministries of our church emphasize praise and worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, fellowship and outreach.

Valley Fellowship was founded in 1980 as a vibrant, powerful Full Gospel church that exalts Jesus Christ and the integrity of His Word. From a small group of people meeting in various rented facilities, we have grown into a large church family with our own property on Holmes Avenue.

When the founding pastor left, Jerry Simon was called here from Louisiana in 1984 to assume the leadership of the church. He continued to pastor until 1993, when he was martyred for his strong righteous stand he had taken here in the Tennessee Valley.

Instead of quitting, the church has gone forward in power and anointing. As we look to the future with our co-pastors, Pastor Carol Simon and Greg Simon, we anticipate expanding onto our recently purchased land beside Butler High School.

If you would like to know more about, or become involved with, any of our ministries, activities, or departments, please feel free to call the church office at (256) 533-5117, e-mail us at valley@valleyfellowship.com.

TheCall Alabama

10:00 AM - to 10:00 PM
Sat, Apr 5th, 2008

The Cramton Bowl
1022 Madison Ave
Montgomery, AL 36130

www.thecall.com

See video by Josh Pittman (Youth from North Alabama)
TheCall - Montgomery, AL (Video)

TheCall Alabama
www.thecall.com/alabama

For three years, the Lord has led me to pray for Alabama.

The burden was born out of a dream in which I was digging for the wells of revival, and I hit an obstruction. When I dug around the obstruction, I found bones. Inscribed on the bones was "Alabama." I knew from the dream that Alabama was key to revival in America, however there were things hidden that needed to be prayed through for the breakthrough to come.

The bones of Alabama, I believe, speak of the historic calling on the state as a forerunner for justice in America. They also speak of hidden issues that must be repented of that affect the whole nation. It is my conviction that TheCall in Montgomery is pivotal for a great turning in America.

In solemn assembly before the Lord, we are calling for repentance for the shedding of the innocent blood of African American slaves, racism (Montgomery – the first capitol of the confederate states), lynching, and the killing of innocent children and many others who laid down their lives for Civil Rights. But, we also believe that those who suffer the most and can still forgive receive redemptive authority to lead the nation. We believe a new company of African American voices, birthed out of fasting and prayer, will lead the parade of history in bringing freedom from poverty in the inner cities and lead the way to the ending of abortion and movements of adoption in this nation.

On the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., we want to cry out to God for a new prophetic mantle to fall on Alabama and its people to bring forth spiritual awakening and justice and, in particular, proclaim with the clearest voice, “Let my people go!”

I believe that out of this gathering, a human life amendment could be brought forth, much like the voting amendment that was born out of the civil rights movement in 1964. From this gathering, we will call on God for fasting and prayer movements to explode through the inner cities of Alabama and our nation that can alone shift atmospheres and restore city streets with dwellings.

So, it is to Montgomery we go on April 5th declaring, “We have a dream!” We have a dream that abortion can end. We have a dream for reformation in our cities, and we have a dream that National Revival can be ignited that will transform a nation.

For TheCall,
Lou Engle

Values of TheCall - See also TheCall.com

TheCall is not an event. TheCall is a movement emphasizing prayer, worship and fasting for Spiritual breakthrough. It is a nameless and faceless movement joining the generations. Therefore, it will not be marketed as a convention of celebrities. The primary participants are young people. The musicians on stage are to be worshippers, not entertainers. The board of directors will not receive financial compensation, speakers and leaders come at their own expense.

People should prayerfully consider fasting on the day that TheCall gathering is in their city, region or nation; no food will be provided. TheCall is a grassroots movement. It is a cross-cultural and cross-denominational gathering. TheCall espouses these definitive values: worship, unity, prayer, fasting, follow-up, transformation, repentance, reconciliation, impartation, equipping, revival and a holy revolution.

Area Compassion Missions Leaders Meeting

There will be a a strategic meeting of compassion and mission ministry leaders in the Greater Huntsville area to build relationship, help inform on what is already occurring in our community, and consider strategy for future possibilities to bring greater impact together through Christ-centered, Kingdom-advancing compassion and mission efforts in or from North Alabama.

If your are a missions pastor or involved in leadership of a compassion ministry in your congregation or this geographic area, please join us for this special meeting with other compassion and missions leaders in Greater Huntsville at 11:30am Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 at First Baptist Church (Governors Dr).

Area Compassion and Missions Ministry Leaders Meeting
Time: 11:30am Tuesday March 11th, 2008
Host Location: First Baptist Church (Governors Dr) - go to the east entrance (east side of the building closest to the hospital and has east entrance on it) and look for the signs to the meeting room.

For more information contact Mike Pearce (mike@fbchsv.org), John Bailey (john.bailey@asburyumc.ws), John Crocker (john.crocker@wbccares.org).

Bi-Monthly Area Compassion Mission Leaders Meeting - Greater Huntsville (host location varies)
Mar 11th, 2008 - 11:30am-12:30pm at First Baptist Church

www.hfhmc.org

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical, grassroots, Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing from the world and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

By having needy and affluent people work together in equal partnership, Habitat builds new relationships and a sense of community as well as new housing.

Help us eliminate homelessness and poverty housing right here in Madison County, Alabama

This Spring, we will build a record of 7 homes, beginning March 1 and ending at the end of May. Click here to see how you can be a part of this exciting season, which includes a Women Build project.

Blitz Build 2007 - Five New Homes Completed in NW Hunstville
Spring Build 2007 - Six New Homes Completed
See Spring Build pictures

To become a Habitat volunteer:
See our Volunteer Page
Or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Jenn Shrout.
Or call 533-2282

Our Mission: Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God's love and can live and grow into all that God intends. Habitat for Humanity of Madison County is an independent non-profit organization responsible for its own fundraising, publicity, volunteer recruitment and staffing. Our affiliate has built or renovated over 125 homes since its founding in 1987.

Serving the City as One 2008 – Saturday, April 19

What is Serving the City as ONE?

Serving the City is an annual event to bring the churches of Greater Huntsville and the surrounding communities together to visibly demonstrate the love of Christ through united prayer, a day of serving in the community, sharing (food, clothing, blood drive, etc) and celebrating together God’s goodness. Saturday, April 19, 2008 will be our city and community-wide day of service.

The Stated Purposes of Serving the City is to:
• Allow churches an opportunity to serve the community together
• Demonstrate the love of Christ
• Build bridges from the church to the community
• Meet basic and urgent needs in the city

The Demonstration of Christ’s Love

Christ gave us abundant examples of how we should serve with servant hearts in our community. Everywhere he traveled he would serve all of the people he came in contact with. We have numerous biblical commands of Christ which lead Christians to display God’s love through service.

Philosophy of “Serving the City”

It is very important that “Serving the City” be an effort led by many churches in our area. Our perspective is this endeavor should not reflect on any one church, be run by any one church, and that the focus be on impacting the city for Christ. The “Serving the City” director will work with the church directors and the coordinating team so that all churches are represented in the organization and the decision making in each area. It is a Christian effort to demonstrate the love of Christ to all we come in contact with. Each and every decision will begin with prayer and prayer will be the foundation for all the work to be carried out. The greater Huntsville area and the surrounding communities need to see churches and Christians working together meeting basic needs through out the area.

LETTER FROM DIRECTOR

Tue Feb 26th

Dear Serving the City (STC) friends,

Here is the latest information about participating this year on Saturday, April 19. If you or your church plans to participate please respond as soon as possible. Promotion time is becoming short. If this is a duplicate to those who have already committed to be involved please disregard.

We now have the STC posters ready and will have the brochures for individuals to sign up on Monday. Please estimate how many you will need for each. You may have up to 10 posters and as many brochures as you need. Count on having one for each person in your worship center or your Bible study group. Perhaps you will want to put them out more then one Sunday. Then you will need several on hand to have at the office or a welcome center.

Send me a count by Monday and I will have them available for you to pick up after Monday the rest of the week. We are suggesting a four Sunday sign-up time. March 9, 16, 23, & 30. You may pick your own dates. I have two different posters. One with the four sign-up Sundays printed on it or a blank one where you can fill in your own dates. Remember we have spring break and Easter during this time so it will be hard to communicate during this busy time.

Once you have your brochures filled out they must be turned into me at First Baptist Church on Monday, April 1. We will be in a crucial time period to assign the teams, enlist team leaders and call/email all the participants with their assignments. Team leaders will call or email every member of their team by the week before the Serving the City day.

I am very excited about the projects and even more excited to see how God will use each one of us on that day.

Don’t forget to send me your poster and brochure requests.

Hand in Hand,
Mike Pearce
Serving the City Director

Serving the City as One - Interest and Training Meeting Guide (PDF)