An Evening of Elegance: Black and White Gala

You are invited to City of Hope Outreach's first annual fundraising event. An Evening of Elegance: A Black & White Gala on September 10, 2011 at 7:00PM at the Conway Country Club. Come expecting to be whisked away with elegance. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra's Quapaw Quartet will be playing, Heather Crawford of KATV news will be the M.C. of the evening, there will be hoer dour es, cash bar, silent auction to include (birth package, laptop, Downtown Conway Gifts, Fire Light website design, Cajun Bros furniture piece, art work from the children in the community and much more. Lori Cullum an art instructor here in Conway will be painting a live expression of the whole evening that will later be live auctioned. You will also hear words from the founders of City of Hope Outreach as well as meet the board and staff.

You don't want to miss this event. Wear your best black or white cocktail attire and come ready to meet and mingle.

Tickets are still on sale for $60.00 from now until door. Email Daspri at gala@cityhopeoutreach.com for more information.

A huge thank you to all our sponsors.

Mannco Fertilizer
Crain Team
Hendricks Remolding Service
Church at Oakwood
First Baptist Church
New Life Church
Crossman Printing
Smith Ford Automotive
Dr. Tilley
Toothacres

Join the Next 40 HOUR Immersion April 1-3, 2011

40 HOUR IMMERSION


Paul in Philippians 2, states that our service to one another and others is directly tied to Jesus Christ incarnation. Paul states that Christ, who is God, came in human form and humbled himself to the point of death on the cross. God considered the interest of others and humbled himself and we as believers should have this same mind.

The purpose of the Oakwood Immersion is to provide Christians an incarnational opportunity to: display Jesus Christ in urban areas, gain a better understanding of people who live in a difficult socio-economic status and finally learn and grow in their Christian faith.

Participants will arrive at Oakwood on a Friday evening and will immerse themselves in the community for the duration of the weekend. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the community, develop relationships with the residents and participate in a community revitalization project. We want this to be a time where Christians examine the existing conditions of people and communities in their own city and realize that God is more than able to bring hope to those in need.

NEXT 40hr IMMERSIONS:

Friday April 1-Sunday April 3, 2011
Friday September 23-Sunday September 25, 2011

If you or your group are interested in participating in an Immersion, complete the packet with your fee of $20* (payable to City of Hope Outreach) and return to:

The City of Hope Outreach
PO BOX 11474
Conway, Arkansas 72034

Read Brent Nelson's Reflections from Immersion in January 2011

Immersion is an experience unlike any other in the world. Through it you can obtain a deep since of what poverty really feels like. After the weekend ends, the world never looks quite the same.


Information about poverty and its effects on people can be found nearly everywhere. People talk about them everyday. Usually these facts come with a request for money so you to can help change the lives of so many. But facts are facts and nothing more. A fact has no use for money and when you hear a fact it may make your heart heavy but not necessarily pull at your wallet. When someone tells you a fact you may consider what should happen to change. When you read a fact that's all it ever amounts to in your mind, a fact about the world.

Immersion is not a fact. “Immersion” means, the condition of being engaged wholly or deeply and that statement could almost sum up the entire experience. You do not hear or learn or read facts, you live through them. You feel the weight of what these facts mean. You learn the true impact of every fact you've ever heard when someone told you about poverty.

These facts hurt. As you learn about what it truly means to live in poverty, you learn about yourself. Pride, the part of you that made you a little too busy to help out or made money just to tight to give, breaks and falls away to humbleness. Selfish arrogance gives way to selfless giving. Judgments and presuppositions become kindness and understanding as you really begin to feel the struggle that comes along with poverty.

Immersion puts you in this place so you can really learn what the life consists of. Forty hours, by comparison, amounts to a tiny glimpse through a foggy window of what impoverished life holds, but this glimpse changes lives and minds in a profound way. No one finishes Immersion the same person as when they started. It changes things.

If you haven't experienced Immersion, you ought to. It could be forty of the most pivotal hours in your life and the only way you'll ever know is to go.

My daughter's Golden Birthday is TODAY!

Nichelle my youngest daughter is 9 today.  This a super special birthday in our house because she is 9 on the 9th of January.  So we call that your golden birthday.  It only happens once in a lifetime so there you go.  We celebrated her birthday with a slumber party camping theme.  We invited nine girls over our house.  We had a bonfire in our front yard for the first hour.  They played games out front with my husband and we all roasted marshmallows and made smores that was super fun.  Then we journeyed indoors to have a dance party.  The video is up on YouTube and facebook (I whip my hair) so much fun. Of course cake, ice cream, presents a few more games and then (mommas mind) wind down movie.  They watched a movie and then wanted to dance party again! Oh, my word!  So we had a dance party with the Wii games.  That was fun.  Then about 1am I thought people you must go to sleep.  So I gave them THE SPEECH!  That goes a little something like this, "You girls need to go to sleep right now, if you don't I will call Mr. Fletcher out here and he is going to yell at you all!"  The truth was my husband was already sleep, but I promise that works every single time.  I don't know why, Phil has never yelled at anyone who has slept over but they obey.  They went to sleep at about 2am officially.  They woke up the next morning and had muffins, fruit and OJ.  They made beads in the morning and hung out until their parents arrived.  It was a great day for her!

Today we will celebrate even more by giving her our family gifts at 9am!  Then a special dinner of her choosing this evening.  We will finish the day by retelling the story of her birth! 

Here are some lovely pictures of my 9 year old!

Happy Birthday Nichelle!

Happy New Year!

As we embark on this new year, I am sitting and asking myself what do I seek to accomplish with the voice I have developed as the Woman on the Vine?  Honestly, I am not sure.  Do I just share my heart? Do I share what is happening in the ministry?  Do I focus on women's issues?  The list of questions goes on and on.  However there is one topic I am passionate about yet have spent little time blogging about.  That topic would be birth and God's design of the human body.  As you may already know I am a doula.  A doula is a professional labor support coach. 

Everyday I learn more and more about how wonderfully God designed the human body.  While the average person stops at the point of being in awe of the human, I immediately feel worshipful to the Creator! We may dig into the fears that we as women and people have about birth and why that is. 

Again, I don't know.  We will discover together what is important to share in the coming days and months.  If you have a topic you would like to see discussed then leave a comment and let's talk about it.

Nicolle

A comment from someone who visited our church

"attended an outdoor church service this morning. YES... it was cold, mostly due to the wind. I met a lot of nice, new friends. the last time I attended a sunday morning service... it was held in a large, beautiful, heated sanctuary. I tell you this: the wind this morning was warmer than the artificial, glossed-over, fancy congregation that embodies the ornate building." -A visitor to the Church at Oakwood.

Thanksgiving Banquet Review!

The Sunday before Thanksgiving found the community of Oakwood alive with people, food, and a spirit of love and acceptance. City of Hope Outreach planned and organized a lunch for people inside and outside Oakwood.


There were many people impressed with effort from City of Hope and its volunteers. Gina, who once lived in Oakwood, said, “I really appreciate the work Phillip and CoHO are doing here.” Several people discussed how simply odd it seemed that a group would just give away so much food.

Before the meal began, the area was swarmed by volunteers from churches and ministries from the Conway area. “I volunteer here because I really enjoy making a difference and serving people and this is a great place to do so,” explained a volunteer from UCA’s Chi Alpha. He continued, “I plan to volunteer here again.” These volunteers served food in a buffet style line and also took it to people eating at tables.

Phillip Fletcher, the director of City of Hope Outreach, spoke about the presence of food in throughout the bible. From the passover feast to the last supper and finally the final marriage supper. He related these events to the lunch in Oakwood, saying that both would find believers of all backgrounds, regardless of social class, ethnicity or wealth. After delivering a powerful message, Phillip asked for blessing for the food and everyone ate.

As people began finishing their food, Nicolle Fletcher, announced and began reading people’s card board testimonies, their personal stories of conversion featuring a description of themselves before salvation on one side and after salvation on the other. Everyone clapped and cheered as signs we’re flipped delivering messages of, “Victim” to, “Victorious” and, “Addicted” to, “freed.”

The event came to a close with Phillip speaking again, this time on hope. He delivered a message laying out the need for God by all people, regardless of wealth, ethnicity or social class. Phillip closed in prayer and volunteers cleaned up, distributing all the leftover food they could.

Written by Brent Nelson

Moments in the Word PART 2

Dear Friend,

If you were satisfied with the Heaven described in the last post, I would strongly encourage you to CHECK your salvation! 

If you can find satisfaction in anything at the end of this life other than CHRIST you are LOST!  The Heaven described in the last post is HELL!  I know you are saying, "Seriously how could one describe hell with all the natural pleasure that were noted in that description?"  Simply put, it was void of Christ!

What was lost in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned?  They lost God! Not that God could not find His way to them but their sin caused a separation between man and God.  In that separation they were punished.  They had life without God/Christ.  Christ was in the beginning with God and in deed was God (that was a sidebar). Christianity without Christ is just a bunch of "good morals" that will lead you to Hell.

Heaven is about CHRIST! Let's paint a new picture...

If you walk into the gates of Heaven and hear the words, "Well, done my good and faithful servant." Then you walk into what seems like a throne room and the only thing there is God the Father and Christ on His right hand. 

Would you be satisfied? 

Is Christ enough for you?

Sincerely,
Nicolle

Moments in the Word

Would you describe Heaven? 
What does it look like? 
What does it feel like? 
Who is there? 
What color are the streets? 
What does your room look like? 
How many jewels on your crown?
What questions do you have?
What are you most thrilled about? 
Is it that your spouse is there with you?
Maybe your father, mother or grandparent?

What are you most looking forward to in Heaven?

My friends I want you to take this time and ask yourself these questions, then answer them.  You don't have to do it here, but I do want you to take this time and think on what is being asked. I hear people all the time say when I get to Heaven I'm going to ask God this or that.  Have you ever heard or said this, "I can't wait to get to Heaven to see my (family or friend)"?

Let's think a little harder....

What if Heaven was this.....

You with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted and experienced.  There were no human conflict or any natural disasters.
Could you be satisfied with Heaven if it were just like this?

To be continued.......

Titus Twosday!

This Titus Twosday is all about discipleship.  As I read through Titus it is clear to me that we need to be (being) discipled while discipling.  I as a 34 year old married woman with three children, I need to have disciples.  According to Titus 2, I need to be training younger women to love their husband and children, to be self controlled, pure, working at home, kind and submissive to their own husbands that the word of God may not be reviled.  The command to train the younger from this text is directed to married women with children. 

So to the MARRIED Woman with children...FIND, Create and carve out time to train younger women in this role.  We can not neglect the God given right and role to speak direction into the lives of younger women.  People we are always discipling whether it is intentional or not.  I am encouraging you today to make it intentional that the word of God may not be reviled.

Monday's Ministry Moments

This weekend was amazing, we listening to a missionary from Romanian share about the work they are doing, held a Nehemiah Project with Chi Alpha of UCA to decorate the inside of the Hope Community Center, held the World Banquet and a Community Lunch.  That was a whole lot to type.  :)

On Friday we got the room set up for the World Banquet.  During the set up for the World Banquet I personally learned how important it is to work together.  There was a song released years ago called "I need you to survive" by Hezekiah Walker this truth was made real in my heart as my sister in Christ.   Daspri took a huge load off my shoulders by carrying a huge load for this event.  She took the day off work to help me.  While I do know that her service to me was really her service to the Lord but we see Christ through one another.  I saw Christ in her this weekend.  I want to say thank you to her for all the hard work.  I would also fall short if I did not thank all the hands and feet that were there on Friday for set up and Saturday for breakdown.  The many staff, volunteers, friends, and family that just offered a helping hand in whatever means necessary.  THANK YOU!

Later that night we listened to a Romanian Missionary share his story and what they are doing there.  It was crazy as Phil and I sat and listened to him.  It was as if I were listening to Phil or myself speak about the City of Hope Outreach.  That time with him confirmed our mission here in Conway. The spirit of the Lord is with us and is doing this type of work in the earth.  We are apart of Kingdom expansion and I am so very grateful!

Saturday came very quickly after the late night on Friday.  Men and women woke up and hit the ground running to serve the community.  We painted the inside of the Hope Community Center (HCC).  We also painted the trim on the outside, put pictures up and on the wall, and organized the office.  It now looks amazing.  Since the upgrade we are better able to serve the community.  This will just help us to function a lot smoother.  A huge thank you goes to Chi Alpha for the work they put in on this project.  Also, Cory Nelson the Nehemiah Project coordinator for CoHO. 

Later that afternoon was the massive labor to bring awareness about the poor in our city and our world.  The World Banquet was a success from my viewpoint.  I believe men and women to include those working for the event were enlightened.  It was a blessing for both Phil and I to share this event with others.  A huge thank you to everyone who made this evening possible.  Special Thanks to Jennifer Mouser for laboring from 6am - 9pm in service to City of Hope Outreach.  You are an amazing woman!

We wrapped this weekend up with a Community Lunch with the Church at Oakwood.  We enjoyed a wonderful day of fellowship, food and fun.  Thank you to Christ Church Conway for supplying the meal and fellowshiping with us.

Thank you to everyone...

It is my prayer that your labor this weekend will prove to serve the King of Kings.  I pray that each one of you will see in each other the what God sees in you.  It is our goal to educate and mobilize believers towards true religion (caring for the poor, orphaned and widow), helping them to focus on their Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.

Upcoming Events

Saturday November 6, 2010 we will be having another Nehemiah Project.  For this Nehemiah Project we will be making rounds through the Oakwood Mobile Home Park to rake leaves and clean around the outside of peoples trailers.  We will have the largest part of our effort cleaning the cement slab that King's Club is normally held.  The cement slab is very large and often has debre, trash and broken glass.  We are making it our priority to clean the area to create a safe environment for our children to all play.

Then following that project we will have King's Club for the children of the community to come out a play.  It promises to be an amazing day.

If you would like to join this Nehemiah Project please contact Cory at nehemiah@cityhopeoutreach.com  if you are interested in serving with King's Club please contact Jared or Liz at kings@cityhopeoutreach.com

Thanks

Continued Picture Show

Family October 2010

My Mother Julia Kollmyer and I

extended family photo 2010

New & Old Family Pictures!

December 2007

October 2010

Fall 2009

3 R's Tutoring Needs more TUTORS!

We have run into a problem.  It is one of the problem we like to have though.  We have had an increase in the number of students needing tutoring.  Therefore, we could use some assistance.  If you think you would like to serve with us in tutoring children who need it please contact us at tutor@cityhopeoutreach.com


Tutor a child today!

Marriage Talks: New Podcast

My King (Phillip Fletcher) and I have started a conversation series on marriage.  It is called "Marriage Talks".  These conversations between Phil and I are frank, open and direct.  

This particular conversation began with my husband asking, "What are big sin issues for women?  You hear people all the time talk about men in pornography but you don't hear about a woman's struggle."

So, please enjoy our very first discussion about the struggles men and women face.  Click here to listen.
Feel free to comment.

World Banquet is SATURDAY OCTOBER 30, 2010



World Banquet 2010

So you are asking what in the world is the World Banquet?  Well, allow me a few moments of your time to explain.

The World Banquet is an experiential dinner.  You will randomly be immersed into a specific people group from these areas North America, Latin America,  Europe, Africa, South Asia and East Asia. 

As our night progresses you will experience a traditional meal from the culture you are experiencing.  You will not go from culture to culture to experience their world.  Just the one you are selected to attend, with your eyes you will see and feel the emotions from what others are experiencing.  You will immediately be surprised by the distinctions.  We will have music and dancing from some of the cultures.  There will be a few live bands sharing music from the Isaiah 58 Project. Really and truly this in a night you don't want to miss.  

This is an awareness evening.  Your eyes will be enlightened!  

Tickets are currently on sale at the Christian Book Outlet (Conway Commons), Hope Community Center, Chi Alpha of UCA (see Jennifer Mouser), www.cityhopeoutreach.com or reply here and I can help you get tickets.  The price is $25 for adults and $15 for students.   Ticket sales END at MIDNIGHT TUESDAY OCTOBER 26, 2010.  If you would like to attend but can not purchase your ticket until later in the week please notify me and we can reserve a ticket for you.  All proceeds go to directly benefit the poor in the City of Conway. 

We are on Facebook under City of Hope Outreach.

Again,

The World Banquet...See & Experience the cultures of the world

Saturday October 30, 2010 @ 6:30p-9:00p

Peace Lutheran Family Life Center

800 S. Donaghey

Conway, Arkansas 72034

501-499-1043 for more information



God IS!

I want to make it clear how wonderful and amazing our God truly is.  It isn't really because my life is perfect and everything is going great, but it is because of WHO God IS! 
God IS......

HOLY

RIGHTEOUS

JUST

THE JUSTIFIER

HUMBLE

MIGHTY

STRONG                      

WARRIOR

TO BE FEARED

CREATOR 

PROVIDER

PEACE IN A TIME OF STORM

HEALER

SHEPHERD 

SELF EXISTING

ALL SUFFICENT

MOST HIGH

THE ONE WHO SEES

THERE

REST

Shall I go on? If you have a characteristic of God to add to this list please do so.  If you have time share how God showed up in your life through that specific characteristic do that too.  If you have scriptures that will also help us to encourage each other.

Some pictures from California! June 2010

This is my mother and dad (step father)

My oldest sister and her daughters!  The Chocolate Beauties!  :)

My nephew and girlfriend.  He is the son of my oldest sister Chocolate beauty!

My girls with my father

My Mother and I

What's Happening Now

Okay so seriously I have not had time to breathe!  I know that doesn't sound like a good thing but let me tell it is.  As far a ministry is concerned God is jumpin off some huge events!  We have been working for sometime now to establish a trailer in the community.  It would serve as the community center were tutoring, counseling, bible study, meetings and feedings would be held.  Well, that mobile home was moved into the park on Wednesday.  It is so wonderful.  We still have a lot of work to do inside the mobile home.  We need your help to do it.  We are scheduled for a renovation project on September 11, 2010.  In order to accomplish that work we need $2,000.00.  I know without a shadow of a doubt that we can raise those funds in a matter of days.  Why am I so confident?  Well, only because of the God I serve.  He has been consistent in meeting our needs.  He does own everything!  Remember.  It would be awesome if you would like to donate through our website www.cityhopeoutreach.com in order to help us accomplish the goal of having a facility in the community that can be used for the glory of God and the joy of people.  Friends we are apart of building the Kingdom for God!  It is an amazing opportunity.  Join us in this effort.  You can also purchase a Home Depot Gift Card in any amount and that will be used towards the renovation of the community center in Oakwood Village Mobile Home Park. 

Next...

The Lord laid on my husband's heart to establish a shelter.  This Hope Shelter would serve as immediate shelter for our community.  At this point there isn't an immediate emergency shelter.  So with lots of prayers and believing God for provision and direction we shared that vision at our Appreciation Banquet in July.  We the God we serve is abundant is blessing and clear with His plans.  One week ago today we were offered 1.33 acres of land and a 20,000 sq. ft facility to serve as the Hope Shelter.  By offered I mean donated without charge as long as the Gospel will be proclaimed and the work of the Lord will continue.  So, uh YES!  That is what we are about.  We currently have two grants in for renovations of that facility.  We will also be raising funds and partnering with businesses and people to make that vision come to full fruition.  So when you pray please pray for that effort in every way that you can think of.  We are blessed but need your prayers. 

So....

That is just the half.  I will give more updates soon.  Here is a look at the upcoming events calendar.

September 11, 2010 Nehemiah Project Community Center Renovations  (get involved by donating finances, time, materials and labor)

September 18, 2010 God, Gospel and Poverty Seminar

September 24-26, 2010 Immersion  (40 Hours of Intense Immersion in Poverty)

September 26, 2010 Community Lunch with First Baptist Church in Conway

October 30, 2010 World Banquet (tickets on sale September 15, 2010 see website for more details)

November 21, 2010 Thanksgiving Banquet

December 6-10, 2010 Christmas Store

These are current major events.  Reply to this post, FB, email or check out the website for more details on any one of these events.  Thanks

Do you remember?

Do you remember when I said I had all this stuff to say?  Well, that fact is still true.  However, I have not found the time to sit and share all my thoughts with you.  It has been hard for me to sit still (not because I don't want to) because life is moving at a very rapid pace for us.  So seriously, check back because I do have lots to share.