February 2012 Newsletter

An update from Resonate Christian Church,
Last year was full of blessing and I am excited about what God is doing here in Sherwood.
Thank you for your prayer support and your faithful financial giving throughout 2011. This
support has been critical to our success as a church plant and we are grateful for each prayer
said and each dollar given. This season of Resonate has also been filled with excitement,
change, and much growth in our team. We have not given a full report about Resonate until
now. We apologize for not doing so earlier, and this year we are committed to updating fully
more often. I hope that you are following our smaller updates on our prayer blog on our
Facebook page and website.

Spiritual Growth
We have had three baptisms in the last two months which has been a great testimony to God’s
vision at Resonate. These baptisms (like all conversions do) have given us hope and strength
to push through any perceived adversity that we face. We have many people that are making
“next step” decisions for Christ and we are diligently paying attention as people make spiritual
progress. Just over the last two weeks we have had two people communicate that they desire
to take a step forward in their leadership roles and move from being a team lead into a coach.
We are using a spiritual journey process with each person, equipping them for this leadership
movement. Our teams are healthy, relationships within the church are growing, and our care
for our people is very active and thriving. We have completed a couple of exciting foundational
elements for Resonate. We finished our faith narrative which gives the core believes of our
church and our spiritual journey which teaches the process of spiritual growth. Our church is
increasing in the number of 20-somethings in age that are attending and getting involved. In
an era where people in their 20’s have walked away from the church, we are seeing victory as
many have connected. Be praying as we learn to branch groups effectively and leaders are
raised to care and shepherd our community.

Strategic Partnerships
Reaching new people for Christ continues to be our top priority. We know that through
relationships people will be introduced to Christ and connect with Resonate. Our strategic
partnerships are the way we are building these relationships and serve our community. We
have taught leadership classes with the YMCA and all through 2011 our youth ministry met in
their teen center. I am sitting on the board of directors and have a great relationship with the
Y as we strive to illuminate the C in the YMCA. The school district continues to be a blessing
to us as not only are we able to use their facility, we also get to provide food and volunteers for
their “heathy food day” and events. Our business partnership with the community is strong.
Symposium coffee is a huge success, bringing people together and helping us as a team get
to know Sherwood and build rapport. This year we did Christmas day at Symposium, which
was very exciting for the Kingdom.

Prayer Needs
• To increase our influence in our community through our partnerships.
• That our strategic partnerships will accomplish 2012 goals.
• More people come to Christ and are baptized!
• More leaders for community groups and our ministry teams.
• Our team goals will be accomplished in 2012.
• That our current community groups would branch and reach out to more people.
• That internal tithing would increase.

Financial Outlook
September        October        November        December
Income
Offering             1706.00            4712.60       3268.00           2255.00
Raised               4137.31            4306.27       3333.53           3841.49
OCEF                 1000.00            1000.00       1000.00           1000.00
Total                  6843.31            10018.87     7601.53           7096.49
Expense             7342.50            10497.51     9285.64           8606.54
Short       499.19              478.64         1684.11          1510.05

As you can see we fall short financially each month. Yet we are hopeful that this year we will
see our congregation increase their giving. Thank you for being faithful in continuing your
giving through 2012. I hope this gives you a full picture of where Resonate is as a church plant
and also communicates to you that our team is moving forward in the work that God has put
before us. If you would like more information about us you can connect with us online
(www.resonatecc.com), Facebook, or email me at kevin@resonatecc.com.
For the Kingdom,
Kevin and Amanda Bates

February Updates

Kevin, Amanda, and Nittaya: Life with the Bates’ has been good. We have been able to spend a few family days this past month; one of these we spent snow shoeing up at Mt. Hood. It was a beautiful, fun day.  Nittaya is so cute and a joy in our lives.
We have been meeting with our leaders every Sunday after Gathering. This has served to be great way to progress in our leadership growth and planning. We have new families each week; and spiritual growth is increasing as we work our way through Revelation.
I am very excited for the new team leads and coaches that have stepped into new roles.  This has been a very fruitful time for the expansion of our team.

Aaron:  Hello ya’ll!  It has been an exciting time for the worship and gathering team!  I have raised up a team lead, Jared,  to worship and a few new members to the team as a whole – it’s growing! My sound team lead, Jeremy, will be working on an apprentice soon so he can step up into a coaching role over the audio/visual team. School is going pretty well; as good as it can be!  Starbucks is treating me really well right now too!

Jacob: This has been an exciting month for me. Three big things happened with my role at Resonate. First, Rochelle Weiss will be taking over the position of Hospitality Coach. Secondly, she has already recruited a food team lead (Michelle Csergi). The third thing is I’m training Steven Potter to be the transportation team lead. Symposium is going well. I hired another staff member last month bringing us to 8 staff. Be praying for all these things. Thanks

Todd and Britney:  Our Resonate Youth team has grown in the past month with both a middle and high school team leader. Both come to us with a refreshing excitement to reach the youth of Sherwood, and we will be training them to lead Resonate Youth Communities.  Isabella is going to be a middle school team lead and Michelle is going to be a high school team lead, and we are very glad to be working with the both of them.  Our Resonate Community continues to have thought provoking conversation and has served as a place of relationship and storytelling.  Please be in prayer for the people we have invited into our Resonate Community as they desire to connect with us.  Please also pray for the students – connection, relationship, and growth.

Bethany: In the last month I have been blessed to see the kids grow in their understanding of how we can show people Jesus’ love. In addition, I have been encouraged by the dedication and passion of my team and those who are joining Resonate who have been getting involved in Resonate kids! Resonate kids are beginning to learn about what love is from 1 Corinthians 13. Please pray that not only the kids may grow in their love and understanding of Jesus but that my team and I may grow in our understanding and love of Christ, to best reach the community of Sherwood and impact lives. Thank you for your prayers and support.

Resonate Updates

Resonate Christmas

 

Kevin, Amanda, and Nittaya: Thank you everyone for being supportive and encouraging this last year.  Your prayers and encouragement has propelled us forward with courage. I am thankful for each of you. Each ministry has and is developing new goals and next steps for this year. We are looking forward to some more baptisms and community groups developing. We are also sending out a “Resonate status” letter that will be posted as a PDF to our site and emailed out. Look for that soon.

Aaron: The holiday season went by so fast this year.  It had its ups and downs, be all in all it was pretty good.  God definitely pushed me to grow over the last few weeks.  Every weekend at Resonate has been a huge blessing and encouragement – by the Holy Spirit and the people.  My team continues to grow and change. The future looks like it will be good.  Thank you for reading this and praying for us.

Jacob: As I look forward to the coming year, I am excited about the challenges and experiences that are ahead if me. Symposium is going great and making an awesome place for our community to interact and for our ministry to grow. I have completed all the coursework for my bachelors degree and am happy to done with that era of my life. I have a great new asset to my team: his name is Steven, he loves being with us and we love him being a part of our community. Pray for the growth and major transitions in Resonate.

Todd and Britney: Todd and I began our 2012 with a restart of our Resonate Community, which is now meeting at our apartment on Sunday nights.  For the past couple weeks we have had several friends join us at our community group, with a few of them being new to Resonate.  This has been encouraging as we are able to provide a intimate environment for relationship and conversation.  The same is true for our Youth Community which relaunched in December. It is a blessing to have middle school and high school students wake up before 6 am every Wednesday – before school – to be in the word and in community at Resonate.  Our ministry with these communities is something that is refreshing and hopeful.

Bethany: Every week I am blessed by the availability and intentionality of the kids team. With this coming year, I am hopeful and excited to see Resonate kids grow. Already, I have had new faces to the Gathering who have asked and are excited to be a part of teaching and building relationship with Resonate’s kids. Please be in prayer for my leadership of the kids team and of one of our community groups as we are striving to grow in God’s Word and likeness to the community. One of my favorite songs to sing with the kids during Gathering is “This Little Light of Mine”. The kids and I made up a verse in which we all have to touch our pointer fingers together and sing “let our light shine brighter, we’re going to let it shine”. Being a part of a child’s understanding of community and God’s kingdom is a humbling experience. Thank you for your prayers!!!

Resonate Updates

Kevin, Amanda, and Nittaya: What a great day with our family! More new faces, and the family that came last week came back and are excited about getting involved. Our sister got baptized at the YMCA, and it was fun to see all the people come to support. We also announced that instead of meeting at Laurel Ridge on Christmas day, we will be having a bridge event at Symposium, “Christmas at Symposium!”

Please be praying for: salvation, more families with children, intentional conversations with the lost, people’s interest in serving, dependence on Christ, attendance in the youth group, new monitors, and a passion for Truth! We are so thankful for your love, support and care. May you find love, affirmation, direction and passion today. And of course, all glory be to God!

Keith, Lisa, Michael, Andrew, and Brandon:  We baptized our friend from Community Group and there were several people there to share in the moment!  It is so exciting to see someone give their life to God.  Michael’s speech at the YMCA Christian Principles Banquet went really well last week and he got a lot of positive feedback from the people that attended.  Once again we have lots of Resonate people at the YMCA Teen Center Dance this coming Friday night.  God is great!!

Todd and Britney: At Gathering Aaron led us in praise and Kevin’s message was completely infused with the Lord’s Truth.  I have been convicted about issues with the youth in the community and I am praying for the Lord’s guidance through these issues. This coming week will also be the first week of our new Youth strategy.  I am also working toward a promotion at work and Brit is mentoring her coworker and is studying for a test that she will take for work soon.  Also, we had our 1 month-iversary!

Bethany: One thing that I love about Resonate kids is that what they are learning is so practical and relational that even our two year old’s can talk about the fruit of the Spirit and understand the basics. This week the kids team talked about gentleness and demonstrated the concept of gentleness by blowing up a balloon and popping it! When asking the kids afterwards what they learned about they could describe what gentleness was by not popping a balloon and how they are to treat others in the same manner. I am so thankful for our team and for daily impact they are making in the lives of Resonate kids.

Resonate Updates

Kevin, Amanda, and Nittaya: So many new faces at Resonate this past week! One young family has been disconnected from the Church for years and said they loved their experience with us. Please pray for them to have the courage, excitement, and desire to come back this week! Kevin rocked the message on Sunday, challenging us to be true followers of Christ.  We are not a generation of people who will shrink back!

Nittaya is learning so much and is such a good listener. She blesses our life each day! This week she blessed several others by giving each of them one of her necklaces. (We praised her for her sharing ability!) May we all share what we cherish most with those around us!!

Keith, Lisa, Michael, Andrew, and Brandon:  Tonight Michael and I will speak at the YMCA Christian Principles Banquet in front of hundreds of Christian donors and prayer supporters of the YMCA and its Christian mission.  Please pray for us to have the right words and steady nerves as we embrace this opportunity God is giving us.  We also have a member of our Community Group that is being baptized this coming weekend!  It is great that God has given us the chance to lead such an awesome group and to see His amazing work in people’s lives.

Aaron:  This week will mark the end of my fall semester, leaving me with 10-11 classes to complete my B.S. degree!  Group is going really well.  This week we had a dinner and movie night and enjoyed just hanging out as a group.  I am praying and thinking through how to build my music team some more. So if you could partner with me…that would be great. Thanks.  :)

Todd and Britney: This week we are shaking things up a bit.  We talked at Community group about how we came to Portland.  It was really great to hear everyone’s stories and how connected our stories have become.  Resonate Youth is also changing.  We are going to be moving into some new and exciting areas of the ministry.  Please be in prayer for the youth and for Brit and I as we embark on this new part of this adventure.

Resonate Updates

Kevin, Amanda, and Nittaya: Our community group has met for 4 weeks and the group is going very well.  I look around the room and see quite a few potential leaders.  Be praying that some will begin experiencing a call into being a part of ministry and working toward being leaders.  All of our groups are going well and we are looking forward to a couple more baptisms soon.  Our partnerships with the community are creating a great rapport– our involvement with the YMCA has been such a blessing.  The School District is excited for us to be involved in their events this year again.  I and some of our team are being given the opportunity to sit in on local government and business community meetings.  Our gatherings on Sunday morning are going well.  Be praying for our growth in tithe as we become more and more dependent on internal tithe.  Be praying for consistency in the people that we have reached out to.  Thank you for all of your support.

Keith, Lisa, Michael, Andrew, and Brandon:  This week coming up Michael and I will have the honor of speaking at the YMCA Christian Principles Banquet in downtown Portland in front of several hundred Christian supporters of the YMCA.  We will talk about the Teen Center and how our work there is helping to mentor our next generation of servant leaders.  It is an amazing opportunity for us to share all that God is doing in our lives since we have moved to Sherwood.  Please pray for us because this is Michael’s first chance to speak before a large group like this.

Aaron:  Life is been good!  My Resonate Community group is doing well, and we are growing.  Discussion this week was really great – talking about sharing hope with people who don’t know Jesus.  Work has been busy and school is still school.

Todd and Britney: Our apartment is coming together so nicely, and we have been blessed with friends to help us move furniture.  We couldn’t have done this on our own!  For our Resonate Community we are starting Boenhoffer’s book “Life Together” about community and faith.  Please pray for the discussions to come, that they are challenging and loving.  We wish you all a week rich with blessings and friendship.

Bethany: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness, these are the fruits of the Spirit that we have been going over in kids church. It has been so cute to see the kids memorize these and take them to heart. I am humbled by the kids’ ability to memorize and understand the stories from Scripture to show us how to better love Christ. Please be praying for us as we are growing in leadership and impacting the lives of Resonate kids.

Resonate Updates

Kevin, Amanda, and Nittaya: It was great seeing the Lord work this week as people made decisions for Christ.  We had two baptisms last weekend and two more people have made the decision to be baptized.  This is a great season for our community and I am thankful for all the hard work that people have put in because the fruit of the labor. The power of the Holy Spirit is seen in these decisions. We have had two new community groups that started and they are being well received. Our family is great and Nittaya is learning to listen . Thank you for your prayers and support of our life here in Sherwood.

Keith, Lisa, Michael, Andrew, and Brandon:  This has been another great week!  Most importantly, we have a member of our Community Group that has made the decision to be baptized which is awesome.  The YMCA Teen Center dance last Friday was a big success and we had more people from Resonate that were able to come and volunteer, strengthening Resonate’s partnership with the YMCA.  Additionally, we have members of our Community Group that are volunteering at the Haunted Teen Center this coming weekend.  It is great to see how God is able to bring so many different people together to do His work.

Aaron:  Last week was the second week of my new community group.  We started a good discussion in Ephesians.  I am praying for more people to invite and for good, solid relationships to form.  School is stressful right now, so I could really use some prayer.  I am praying for a friend who is definitely being moved by God to make a decision for Him.  It has been cool to watch the change in his life.

Jacob: This was an exciting weekend with the baptisms of Jared and Hunter. These were Resonate’s first baptisms with many more to come this year. God is doing good things. Also, congratulations to Todd and Britney King. I’m excited for their new life together.

Todd and Britney: It is pretty amazing to update as a married couple together!  We are glad to share the praises and prayers of our life together and these beginning times.  Our wedding was beautiful and we have many people to thank for making it all come together.  Thank you for your prayers during our engagement.  This week we found joy in witnessing the baptisms of our friends, Jared and Hunter.  Our faith community is growing and it calls for celebration and praise.

Resonate Updates

Kevin, Amanda, and Nittaya: One year of Gatherings! All glory and honor to our King. We are thankful for every person who has given to Resonate, serviced along side us, prayed for our success of spreading the Gospel, and done life with us. On Sunday, Lord blessed us with the announcement that we will be baptizing at the coast on the 23rd. Jared has already come forward and there are several others who are still considering it!

Last week, Amanda and her mother were able to attend Women of Faith together and conversations were had that produced forgiveness and freedom! This week we will marry off Todd and Britney King, start our new small group and focus on several other ministry pieces.

Keith, Lisa, Michael, Andrew, and Brandon:  We have so much to celebrate!  Congratulations to Todd and Britney for their wedding coming up on Saturday.  Congratulations to Jared for his upcoming baptism in the ocean on the 23rd.  We invite anyone else ready to be baptized to join Resonate on that day.  We are also celebrating 2 new Community Groups starting this coming week.  God is awesome in all that He does!

Britney: As you have seen and heard, the wedding is on Saturday and it is so amazing to have a community of people involved in this process.  Todd and I have experienced graciousness, wisdom, and help from those around us who are constantly lifting us up in encouragement and prayer.  I am days away from making this all happen, and I could not be happier.  Thank you to all who have been with us in prayer and support during this journey.

Todd:  Saturday is the day! I’m so excited for this weekend, I can’t hardly contain myself! It’s hard to believe that my wedding is here already. Please be in prayer for Brit and I as we embark on this journey, and also please continue to pray for the Youth.

Resonate Updates

Kevin, Amanda, and Nittaya: Symposium celebrated 6 months on Friday! We are so thankful for this voice in the community, a gathering place for all walks of life, and this opportunity to serve Sherwood. And we are looking forward to celebrating Resonate’s birthday next Sunday! One Year!!!

Please continue to pray that we can be the salt of Sherwood and the Light in this dark place. And also lift up our community groups that are meeting this week: connection, wisdom, truth, and growth!

Keith, Lisa, Michael, Andrew, and Brandon:  This week was amazing!  I turned 40 on Sunday and it gave me an opportunity to look back on the amazing journey that God has taken us on and how much we have all grown.  God continues to provide awesome opportunities for us to grow and to share Him with all the people we come in contact with.
I have been subbing quite a bit in Sherwood the past couple weeks which has given me many opportunities to connect with the students, staff and parents of the Sherwood School District.

Additionally, it is exciting to think that Resonate’s 1st birthday is this coming Sunday.  God has done great things here in Sherwood.

Aaron:  I am in a new season of worship, seeing what God is doing in my life personally and with the worship team.  Please be praying that God would provide more people who want to get involved with the team.  Next Sunday is going to be so fun! – we are going to be celebrating our one year of having Sunday gatherings!

Britney: At Resonate Community this evening we talked about prayer and healing, and I pray that we continue to have conversations such as these – ones centered around faith in Christ.  Thank you for continuing to pray for the health and growth of my Resonate Community.  As Todd and I continue to lead it, we desire to enter into a deeper relationship with Christ as a group.

Todd:  Gathering this Sunday was very good! Kevin delivered a great message and Aaron did a great job leading us in praise. I have some conversations for Resonate Youth coming up. Please keep them in your prayers. Also, Britney and I are sub- two weeks before the wedding!

Bethany: Meeting with the Kid’s Ministry team was a great and uplifting time. As we are approaching our one year anniversary as a Gathering, we were able to realign our focus, mission, and vision. Anticipating new members and families, we are preparing ourselves for change. I am continually thankful to the team and to their desire to impact the lives of the people of Sherwood. Thank you for your prayers and support!

Resonate Updates

Kevin, Amanda, and Nittaya: Amanda and I start our new community group next week; so we are praying through and planning that this week. Amanda called and got Nittaya on a waiting list for a preschool next year; I’m in denial.

The Lord has given me focus, joy, peace and understanding this week about many things I have been praying for for a long time. He is faithful and good. May you experience His peace and joy in your life this week as well.

Psalm 100:
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Keith, Lisa, Michael, Andrew, and Brandon:  The YMCA Teen Center Dance Friday night was a big success and it was a great opportunity to see the partnership between Resonate and the YMCA.  There were several Resonate volunteers helping at the dance and they played in crucial role in the event.  Additionally, we get to see God continue to open doors in the Sherwood community and to watch Him provide amazing opportunities for all of us to build relationships.

Britney: Lately I have taken many opportunities to discuss my faith and what I do for Resonate, which has been an inspiration and blessing.  I pray for more of these conversations and also for continuous thoughts of Jesus.  As there are less than 3 weeks until my wedding, I also pray for peace in the midst of the last details in the planning.  I appreciate your constant prayer and service always!

Todd:  This has been a pretty great week. There has been some great connections with the students this week. A group of us helped at the Teen Center dance, which was a lot of fun. Youth communities have been going well also. I am looking forward more and more to this school year!

Bethany: I was able to help out in the preschool during Gathering. Wow, it is humbling and exciting to see 2 and 5 year old kids reciting the fruit of the Spirit! I am so thankful and impressed by the hard work of Bekah, the preschool team lead. Her commitment to Christ, Resonate, and the Resonate kids is inspiring. Continue to pray for Resonate kids as we are growing in our teams and growing in our relationship with the kids and Christ.