Giving Letter (8/2007)

August 14, 2007

Dear Family of Friends,

Today is August 14, 2007. I can’t believe that we are already more than halfway through the calendar year! The State Fair is in progress and school starts for many next week. I hope you had a wonderful summer, but I have to admit I love it when the crowds are back and the schedule is full at Grace Church. I really take this ministry of life building very seriously, and it’s just a simple fact that we do a better job when everyone is here!

God is good to us. He is good to us all the time. Salvations of young and old, a continual stream of guests, and faithful ministry of the Word of God are the standard expectations of all of us here at Grace. God is very faithful to bless us with growing believers and new converts all the time. At the same time we are participating in the ministries of both “home grown” and “adopted” missionaries all across the globe. God is faithful to use us to send forth the Word of God through our missionary endeavors.

The key word is faithful. In 2 Corinthians 4:2 the Bible says,“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” Each of us is a steward of all that God has invested in us. That includes our time, talent and treasure as wells as our influence, our families and our homes. God asks us to give to Him first of all from these areas. We have included a record of your giving for your benefit so you will know just where you are in giving this year. I can tell you how God has led Bonnie and me to give. I simply look at the gross amount I anticipate earning this year and divide by ten. That is the total amount I plan to give as a tithe to my local New Testament church in the year 2007. It is easy to divide that number by 52 and see what my weekly giving should be. To see if I am up to date through June I simply divide the total amount I plan to give by two.  I may give other special offerings like “One Month for the Master,” in addition to that. I am committed to planning my personal budget around giving to God first. It is amazing how much more diligent I am in budgeting when I put God first. Also, It is wonderful how to see how much further the 90% goes when I give God what is His.

I believe in the ministry of Grace Church. I believe that you and I can both give with confidence knowing that God’s word will go forth as a result. Please examine your record. If we have made a mistake, please call Pastor Paul and we’ll get it fixed asap. Also examine your heart; Jesus said where your treasure is there will your heart be also.

God bless you, dear friend; I believe this fall and the “52 day Journey to Building a Healthy Life,” is going to be the best ever. Don’t miss a single week.

Don’t forget what we are about here at Grace:

• Bring people into God’s family through evangelism
• Build people up in God family through discipleship
• Prepare people for service in God’s Family ministry training
• Send people out from God’s family to go public with their faith
• And we do all for the Glory of God.

In Christ,

Pastor Phil

Giving Letter (7/2006)

July 17, 2006

Dear Family of Friends,

I hope you are enjoying your summertime! As I write this, the temperatures are soaring into the 90s during the day. I can’t help but think, however, of the many U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq today. I read a news account recently that temperatures in Iraq will reach into the 110 to 120 degree range! These men and women deserve every vote of thanks and appreciation we can give them.

God has certainly blessed us in so many ways. For me, the highlight of 2006, so far, is to see the new church in Newton growing and reaching people for Christ. Pastor Dan is doing a great job of leading and shepherding Grace Church of Newton. A couple of weeks ago there were 160 people in attendance for the morning service, and the church averages 130 on a weekly basis. Praise the Lord!

God is also using the people of Grace Church to carry the gospel to Central Iowa. Going Public With Your Faith continues to bear fruit as people put out their faith flags, cultivate relationships, and when the moment is right, share about how Jesus Christ has impacted their life.

As we look forward to the last half of 2006, we are preparing for a new teaching series this fall on the Old Testament book of Joshua. The book of Joshua tells the story of the nation of Israel possessing the promise land. It is filled with incredible spiritual lessons and principles that have great application to us today. I can’t wait to begin this September.

Fall is also the time to get plugged into ministry. Coming August 27 we will have our annual Ministry Focus, a mini “ministry fair” in which you can see all of the opportunities to get involved serving Christ through Grace Church. Whether it is working with our next generation or using your musical talents, there is a place for you at Grace.

Finally, remember our “One Month for the Master” offering in November. I am putting a little money aside each month so I can participate and give in this offering.

May the Lord richly bless you and keep you, my dear family of friends!

In Christ Where it is Safe,

Pastor Phil

Harvest Offering Letter (2004)

September 13, 2004

Dear Family of Friends,

Let’s do something significant. Let’s do something that lasts forever. Sound like a good investment of your efforts? It is a perfect employment of your effort and money. There are two ways I want to emphasize that we can all do something that will help lost people come to know Jesus and to grow to maturity in Him. Just read this:

Bill Fay is coming back! By the time you get this letter Bill Fay will have come and gone. I know you were moved. The last time he was here was in 2002, and we simply had to stop and do business with God concerning the great opportunity we have to make a difference in our world of influence. Well, Bill is coming back September 26 to speak to us again. This time he will simply tell his story of amazing grace and salvation from a world of mafia mystery and bad choices. Bill is going to draw the net for salvation for those people we have prayed for and shared Jesus with and bring with us to that service. I am anticipating a wonderful gospel harvest of souls. Would you trust the Lord to give you the courage to share Jesus by inviting them to come hear Evangelist Bill Fay? Listen, you are the best person and the one strategically planted by God to zero in on the people that surround you through prayer, a witness and an invitation to hear a simple gospel message. But will you do it? Will you open up and be the Salt and Light that we are appointed to be. I know you can do it and will do it because you want your many relationships to come to Jesus. Pray for them using the 360 degree relationship survey we passed out at church. Approach them and invite them to come. God will move in response to your faith. I will pray for all of you in this wonderful effort.

Secondly, this Sunday we will give our annual Harvest offering. Sometimes we designate this offering to a particular project or need. Well, let me be perfectly honest with you--our need is to catch up. We are going into the prime time of the year for ministry and for reaping a harvest of souls and we need to simply be faithful to throw out the nets for a bountiful catch. We need to plant the seeds of the gospel for a wonderful harvest of new people coming to Jesus. We need to make sure we are not withholding the gospel message both here and around the world by being tight fisted with our material blessing. Let me share a verse or two with you:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Don’t get the idea that if you give you will have to do with less and less. No the Bible teaches that if you give it will come back to you so you can give again. God is not interested in making you a beggar by your giving. It is more probable that you will become impoverished by not trusting God with you finances than by giving too much.

Listen to this passage:

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. …¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:7-11)

We want to throw out the lifeline and draw in the gospel nets this fall and we need your help. Notice that God’s grace is able to supply “all you need,” and “make you rich in every way.” He does that all the time. He has blessed all of us but not to spend it only on ourselves and to hoard it for ourselves. He wants us to be “generous on every occasion.”

Dear Brother and sister in Christ: please pray diligently about what the Lord would have you to do on this Sunday. A good starting place is a “double tithe.” But let God show you what to do. So let’s do something significant spiritually in September. Let’s bring in the searching soul and let’s bring in a bountiful offering. I’ll be praying for you and giving with you.

In Christ Where It Is Safe,

Phil Winfield

Giving Letter (7/2004)

July 26, 2004

Dear Family of Friends,

A couple of weeks ago I returned from our annual trek through the Andes Mountains of Peru. Each year I lead a team of 30 to 40 people on a five-day trek through some of the most beautiful terrain this side of heaven. Our purpose is not sight seeing, however; dotting the countryside throughout the Andes are small villages that have never heard a gospel presentation. We trek from village to village and distribute Bibles in Spanish and the native Quechua dialect. Our goal is to eventually blanket the region with the Word of God. You can learn more about the Andes Blanket by visiting our web site, www.andesblanket.org.

On the home front, I am rejoicing in what the Lord has accomplished the past six months at Grace, and what we have to look forward to during the next six months. Just to give you a few highlights:

• God has tremendously blessed our teaching emphasis this year. Even though I am privileged to speak to you each Sunday, I must give all the glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord has used the messages to change lives and impact families. From our series on prayer to our prophecy series on Sunday Nights, people have communicated to me time and time again how God is using these messages to impact them. Praise the Lord!
• In February, we experienced what was, in my opinion, the best missions conference I have been a part of. Our guest speaker, Jean Marc Desire again did an outstanding job of motivating us and encouraging us to have a “heart for the harvest.” Perhaps the most touching moment for me happened the Monday after missions conference ended. With his home country of Haiti in the midst of a civil war and the president of the country on the run, Jean Marc’s only concern was his church family at home. He was determined—even at the risk of his own life—to return to them and encourage them through this crisis. I saw real faith being lived out by a genuine, humble man of God.
• In March, it was our privilege to host the Baptist Convention of Iowa’s state evangelism conference with guest speaker, Dr. Henry Blackaby. Again, perhaps the person most impacted by Dr. Blackaby was me! What a gentle, kind, humble man of God. Through his powerful and passionate preaching, he highlighted the importance of God’s people living holy lives in a world that is openly rebellious to God. If you missed any of Dr. Blackaby’s messages, I would encourage you to pick up the recordings at the Resource Center.
• In April, we experienced God’s blessings through our Easter services. Our Magnification Ministry presented an outstanding musical, The Eyes of Faith, and we witnessed more than 2,700 people in attendance at Grace Church on Easter Sunday. That is by far the largest single day attendance in our church’s history. Again, I give all the glory to the Lord Jesus Christ!
• In May, we celebrated Mother’s Day with our annual kids’ choirs musical. This year the kids presented Holy Moses, a spoof off the popular television show, Trading Spaces. The kids did a great job of telling the story of Moses through song, drama, choreography and an incredible set. The month of May ended with one of Grace Church’s adopted sons, Ken Rudolph. Ken works for Lake Ann Camp in Michigan and has become one of our favorite guest speakers. Once again, Ken challenged us with solid biblical teaching sprinkled with his own great sense of humor.
• n  June, of course, was VBS month. This year’s theme was SonGames, which played off the Olympics. What a thrill to see the church filled with kids each night, I want to thank Karla Kincaid and the more than 100 adult volunteers who made this possible.

 These are only the highlights of the last six months. What I can’t put in here are the stories of lives changed through Celebrate Recovery, couples who have made the decision to stay together rather than divorce, families who are earnestly praying right now about where God may send them on the foreign mission field.

One of the more important processes happening behind the scenes the past six months involved the search for a gifted children’s pastor. We interviewed two men and received several more resumes before reaching the conclusion that the man God was leading us to was already in our church. As I announced in June, the elders have extended a call to Paul Dykstra to become our new children’s pastor, and he started serving in his new position July 6. Already, if you walk through the south doors by the nursery, you will see changes happening! We are looking forward to the many exciting enhancements in the months ahead as Pastor Paul and Karla work with our children.

As I have explained to many, in hiring staff I look for what I call the 4Cs:

• Character–these have to be men of impeccable character, fully qualified to serve as a pastor/elder as outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
• Competence–each of our staff has demonstrated expertise in the area of ministry in which they are serving.
• Chemistry–our staff must function as a team; working together is of critical importance.
• Commitment–we are seeking to build a long-term team. I recognize God may move us from time-to-time, but I also believe that one of the qualities of a solid, well-functioning team is longevity.

With the addition of Pastor Paul, we have completed what I am calling our “dream team.” If you look at our staff you will clearly see that our emphasis is on the Next Generation. We are committed to helping families raise their children to be strong voices for righteousness in a world sliding towards debauchery.

The next six months look to be just as exciting at Grace. On August 5-7, we will host our annual Share What You Wear event, providing clothing to the poor and less fortunate in our community. Each year this becomes bigger and bigger, and you can help by bringing in your old clothes and getting the word out. We are also going to host our first Child Safety Seminar on August 25, just in time for the start of the next school year. Our purpose with this event is to inform kids and parents of the dangers lurking just around the corner and to provide some basic self-defensive skills in case of real danger. We will have as our guests Sgt. Berry Arnold of the Des Moines Police Department and Master Don Wells of Martial Arts America.

During the month of September we will focus on evangelism. Mr. Bill Fay of Share Jesus Without Fear will be with us September 12 to equip us for the task of sharing the gospel with our friends, family, co-workers and neighbors, and on September 26 he will be back with us to share his own amazing testimony during one of the best opportunities of the year to bring unsaved friends and loved ones. On September 13, we will begin the fall term of Grace Evangelical Ministry School (GEMS). Let me encourage you to look into the classes being offered this fall. Our purpose for GEMS is to prepare and equip you for ministry here. If you would like more detailed information on GEMS, please visit www.graceministryschool.com. Also in September, on the 19th, we will give our annual Harvest Offering. This offering is for the ministry of Grace Church in general and goes towards carrying out the mission of Grace Church in Central Iowa and beyond.

In October and November, we will begin our annual Fall Campaign. Our theme this year is True Faith: Stepping Out of the Boat. For nine weeks we will find out how living by faith is not foolishness but the only way to please God, and the best way to make life itself pleasing to us. The key verse will be Matthew 9:29 "According to your faith will it be done to you."  I pray God can find you faithful as we focus on building your faith. We will kick it all off October 3 with “The Castaways Big Island Adventure!” You will have to be here October 3 to learn how to step out of the boat without becoming a castaway!

December is one of our favorite months at Grace. Pastor Phillip has already picked this year’s Christmas Musical / Drama, and the Choir and Orchestra will spend the fall months preparing. Our Adult Musical will be the weekend of December 3-5 and our Kids Musical will be the weekend of December 11-12. The Magnification Ministry will hold its first “Magnification Bash” on August 21 for all current members or those who are interested in joining the choir, orchestra or any other group within the Magnification Ministry. Of course, on a personal level, Bonnie and I are looking forward to December and to welcoming a new grandbaby into our family around Christmas time!

Let me remind you why we do what we do at Grace Church. Our goal is to

Bring people in            so we can

Build people up            so we can

Train people for something     so we can

Send people out

All for the magnification of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Yes, there are a lot of activities at Grace Church, but they are for a purpose. As we recently studied during our series on Critical Issues, I believe America is facing a great threat. It’s not terrorism or economic collapse; I fear that unless America turns from its current path, God is going to say, “OK…have it your way,” and turn His back on this country. My friends, I am not a doom and gloom type of preacher, but I must be honest and say that in the last few years it seems our country is sliding deeper and deeper towards the abyss. It’s as if the small, tiny fractures in the dam holding back the tidal wave of immorality and human deprivation are breaking before our very eyes.

Starting in August, you will hear about changes at Grace Church that I believe are both necessary and unavoidable. From the day I became your pastor nearly three years ago, I have worked towards a church that is focused on the things that are important and is “on mission.” In order to accomplish our vision of truly reaching and equipping the next generation and building up the family of friends here at Grace, it’s time we begin shooting with a rifle instead of a shotgun. To learn more about the changes that will take place in January, please consider attending one of our church informational meetings. On August 11, we are going to have some fun and “Pig Out” with a hog roast and corn on the cob before we meet to discuss the changes. You can purchase a ticket for the dinner at the resource center, or if you want to come just for the meeting, show up at 7:15 p.m. in the FLC. We will also talk about the changes on Sunday, August 22. If you have any questions about the dinner or informational meetings, please call the church office at 265-0199. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend one of these meetings.

Enclosed with this letter is your second quarter giving statement through June 30. While our giving has been below our budget need, our staff has worked hard to keep spending below budget. Let me challenge you as we go through the summer months to remain faithful to the Lord and to regularly tithe. Grace Church is a family, and it takes the sacrificial giving of each family member to accomplish the mission we believe God has given us. If you have any questions about your contribution statement, please contact Larry Jatho at 265-0199.

Thank you for allowing me to update you on where we are at mid-year in 2004. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to serve as the pastor of Grace Church. It is the thrill of my lifetime, and next to my salvation and my family, I count it among my greatest blessings.

Preaching, Teaching and Reaching the Lost,

Phil Winfield
Pastor/Missionary/Evangelist

Farewell Letter (Marty Kelly)

May 5, 2003

Dear Family of Friends,

Early in my ministry I learned that saying good-bye to dear friends is a part of life on this side of eternity. When Bonnie and I left Peru almost two years ago it ripped our hearts out as we said farewell to our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Some had been our fellow missionaries, families we had served beside our entire 13 years in Peru; others were men and women we had won to the Lord, discipled and sent into ministry. As difficult as it was to say good-bye, Bonnie and I were comforted by the fact that God is God, and He has a purpose for our lives and for those we left behind.

This past Sunday I announced to our church that we will soon say good-bye to one of our families. Pastor Marty Kelly has accepted a position with Pastor David Nelms in West Palm Beach, Florida, and his final Sunday with us will be May 18. As I shared with the church on Sunday, selfishly, I would love to see Marty stay at Grace for the rest of his career. Never in my life have I worked with a man who was so compatible with me. Marty always understood where I was heading with a sermon, and used the worship time to lay the red carpet for the message from God’s Word each Sunday. I hate to see Marty and Sheila go, but again, I am comforted by the realization that God is God, and He has a purpose for Marty and a purpose for Grace Church, and my faith is in the Lord.

Marty has accomplished many things during his six-year ministry at Grace, including the establishment of a highly qualified Magnification Ministry Leadership Team. Each area of ministry, from leading worship to the choir and orchestra, to the hand bells and drama ministry, will be under the qualified leadership of someone from the Leadership Team. Many of these groups will take their normal summer break and be ready to go in the fall.

At the same time, the Elders are aggressively looking for a new Magnification Pastor. I cannot give you any timeline on this process. We would like to get someone in place even this Summer, but it is more important to get the right man than to simply fill the position.

You will have an opportunity to say good-bye to Marty and Sheila and their family on Sunday evening, May 18. Please make every effort to be a part of this special service as we honor this dear family for their investment into the people and ministries of Grace Church.

Finally, let me encourage you to add three items to your prayer list: First, Praise the Lord for His continual work and leading in our church. We are so thankful that God continues to bless Grace during times of change and that He is our Great Shepherd and Comforter. Second, please pray for Marty and Sheila and their family as they move from Des Moines to West Palm Beach. Ask the Lord to comfort them as they deal with their own emotions and empower them as they begin a new ministry at a new church. Finally, pray for our new Magnification Pastor. Pray that God will guide our Elders as we seek the right man, and ask God to begin preparing the heart of this man as he moves his family to Des Moines.

As your pastor, I want to thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord and for your increasing desire to do His will and to live your lives for His glory. It is such and honor to lead you in the service of our Lord as we seek to build the body of believers at Grace by reaching the lost of Central Iowa, growing in our maturity as believers, ministering to the hurting in our community, and magnifying the precious Name of Jesus Christ.

God Bless You,

Phil Winfield
Senior Pastor