November Update – Potters Field Ranch

I AM the true vine… abide in Me and I with you. – John 15.1, 4

Again we see Jesus using the “I AM” statement that refers back to Exodus 3:14, where God told Moses to say that I AM had sent him. Here, Jesus is not only claiming that He is God in the flesh, but He is also revealing to us an important expectation and commandment, that He is the true vine in Whom we are to abide. The word abide simply means to dwell or stay with, and Jesus expects us to have unhindered fellowship and communion with Him.

This statement about Him being the true vine implies that there are false vines that we are possibly dwelling with right now. There are many vines that compete with the true vine, Jesus Christ. Relationships, ministry, vocation, material goods or even physical pleasures often keep us from abiding in the true vine and having a deep fruitful relationship with Him. In order to bear fruit, Jesus said we must abide in Him. And, as we abide in Him, His life will flow through us, producing the fruit He expects. Do not let anything come between you and your Jesus, for there is nothing that compares to Him.

Term 3

To communicate God to others we must first be in communication with God ourselves. – Elizabeth Knapp, Kalispell, Montana

It is amazing to think that another Potter’s Field Ranch Ministry Training School term has come and gone. On November 16 we commissioned our 10th class in which the ceremony consisted of worship, prayer for the student’s calling, a message by Pastor Levi Lusko of Fresh Life Church, and fellowship with friends and family from all over the country. We, as disciples of Christ, are called to bear forth fruit (Jn.15); and while the mountain top is necessary in order to have communion with God, so the valley provides the climate to bear that fruit – fruit is produced where fruit is needed, and fruit is needed where there are people.

Just two weeks ago, the students returned from El Salvador where fear and faith intersected, and God had made Himself known. “Before we left for El Salvador I was anticipating being filled with anxiety because of the uncertainty of what I would be entering into. The Lord took me by surprise, though, and filled me with a peace and calm that truly surpassed my understanding. He gave me a love for the people that I never expected to have”, said Elise Pusey of Sedgwick, Maine. A common reaction for many of us while entering into a new work for the Lord is fear; but God meets us when we call upon Him because His perfect love casts out fear, and He desires to bring forth fruit for others to partake in.

Love as the first fruit (Gal.5.22) crosses all borders and barriers, culture and language. “Although it was difficult to communicate through words, I received love by three little El Salvadorian girls who each gave me one of their few precious possessions out of their poverty. Love has a universal language called ‘sacrifice.’ That is why the Gospel speaks so clearly no matter what the culture,” said Amanda Lynn of West Palm Beach, Florida. Love is sacrificial in that it is for others and does not feed on itself, just as fruit is not for the fruit tree but for those passing by.

After commissioning, the students returned to their sending churches where they will serve in varying capacities, applying what they have learned while at PFR. Please continue in prayer for our students, past, present and future for the high calling that they have received to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you would like information on becoming a student, please contact us or apply here!

El Salvador

While visiting the Potter’s Field Ranch (PFR) Orphanage in El Salvador the students played games with the boys such as capture the flag and soccer. They spent time getting to know the children, discovering in themselves that area of their heart that God wanted to grow toward those less fortunate. Zachery Calvert of Alta, California said his “heart really softened toward the children.” Prior to El Salvador, Zachery claimed that he never took much interest in children, but the boys at the orphanage really worked their way into his heart.

The boys continue to grow leaps and bounds, physically and emotionally, enjoying the students and the gift of love they always bring. Some of the children even practiced their English with the students, desiring to imitate the maturity in Christ that the students exemplified. It is awesome to see that as things are caught and not taught so the boys seem to glean so much from time spent with these young American missionaries.

Also, the students and staff visited the national hospital in El Salvador where children with kidney failure are connected to dialysis machines. They were able to play games, perform skits and sing songs for the children there, and one young man, Giovanni, recognized who God was and received Him as his Lord.

The San Martin orphanage property continues to flourish while projects are completed, such as the school for the boys, and new projects begin, such as the foundation for the administration building. The backside of the school has been painted, and the new bungalow is nearing completion. And as the boys watch on, they learn about the fruit that comes from a solid work ethic, and that it takes time and patience for the vine, so to speak, to bring forth fruit to maturity.

On Tour

For over 5 weeks Pastor Michael and Pam Rozell have been on the road ministering the Gospel throughout the west. From the Send the Message conference to a community outreach in Pahrump, Nevada, the Potter’s Field Ministries (PFM) team has been faithfully serving the body of Christ; and after serving Nevada for a week and a half, PFM was off to California. While in California, they will be serving various events throughout, from Ladies Teas, a Youth Event, Chapel Services, Couples Events, and a community outreach in Oceanside. Please keep them in prayer as they continue to travel until the middle of December. If you would like to know when they will be in your area, please view the touring schedule by clicking here!

We praise God for the many supporters of Potter’s Field Ranch! We are blessed by those partnering with us to win souls, feed the hungry, and make disciples. If you are interested in sponsoring the work of Potter’s Field Ranch, please contact us!

Meet…

Jessica Klein was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1986, and moved to Pahrump, Nevada when she was 14 years old. She calls Calvary Chapel Pahrump her home church, for this is where her heart to serve the ministry was set aflame. She became involved through worship, children’s, youth, and missions ministry, and wherever else Pastor John Gundacker, the founding and current pastor, needed her.

Jessica came to Potter’s Field Ranch as a student for last winter’s term after having been inspired through the testimony of her sister Rachelle, who was a student in 2006. After Jessica completed her term, she felt drawn to know the Lord in a more intimate and unshakeable way, in order to be equipped for the call to missions, so she applied for the internship and has been serving in the areas of missions and administration. In Jessica’s own words,

I felt God stir my heart to know Him more intimately, and this is where God has chosen to meet with me. God has begun a work in my life of healing and demonstrating His love towards me. Through this time, I am being equipped to minister in Africa – the continent that God has given me a passion for.

As the Lord is equipping Jessica to go to Africa, she continues to serve faithfully in her daily administrative tasks, as well as engage the academics provided at PFR. As zeal without knowledge is dead (Ro.10.2), so knowledge without the application thereof is dead as well – the internship is providing both knowlwdge and application. As Jessica is learning the fundamentals of serving the body of Christ, through faithfulness to her daily endeavors, so her preparation for international missions continues in suit through that which is available at Potter’s Field Ranch.