The Inspirational Life of Aidee Campa From Pastor Keegan Lenker

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2 Welcome to Transformed Under the Pepper Tree. In this monthly magazine, you will read stories of how God is changing people s lives at PazNaz, transforming them into the image of Jesus Christ by the power of his Spirit! You might be asking, Where can I find information about a specific PazNaz event? Some information about specific events on campus is found within these pages, but each month Transformed is focused on relating stories about what PazNaz is really all about. Rather than programs or events, there are stories about changed lives, stories about people coming in contact with the Savior, and people exploring what it means to become a follower of him. It is exciting to hear what God is doing in the lives of people! Years ago, Pastor Earl Lee and a group of staff members gathered around a pepper tree located on the northern-most point of what was to become the site for First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena and dreamed and prayed that God would provide a place where more people could find power for living through Jesus. What began then has been going on for over thirty years as men and women, boys and girls have come into relationship with Christ in significant ways under the shade of that old pepper tree. The mission of the church hasn t changed. May it continue to flourish as people experience the transforming power of Christ. Blessings, B. Scott Anderson Executive Pastor The Inspirational Life of Aidee Campa From Pastor Keegan Lenker I Love Serving From Pastor Amber Baker Who Knows? An Article from Pastor Scott Daniels The Most Wonderful Part... A Thank You Note from Gina and Edana (Libertiy) Jones Transformed is a magazine publication of First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena (PazNaz). It is designed to highlight the Church s stories of personal transformation. For a complete overview of PazNaz, their beliefs, and ministries, please visit the website TRANSFORMED Issue #22 February 2013 The Magazine of PazNaz 3700 East Sierra Madre Boulevard Pasadena, California Fax: PazNaz

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4 I remember commenting to my wife, Jayme, that she must have had retinoblastoma (eye cancer) as well and had probably lost her sight from it. Fast forward to the Fall of 2007 when we had been on staff for a few months and on one particular morning, into the youth group walks Aidee, the same girl I was fascinated with a year earlier by her fervor for learning despite her blindness. If you sit down with Aidee for a short period of time, you will discover someone who, despite her blindness, has an amazing outlook and perspective on life. She is currently a senior at Temple City High School and is a part of their program geared towards students with visual impairments. Aidee is more than willing to share her story and journey in life that has things that have happened in the past so much. I guess the core of that would be to forgive and forget, which isn't as easy as it sounds. There are two things that stick out to me. One is the amazing people I got to know, if only for a very short period of time. The second is the absolute relief I felt after I let go of my grudges, if you will. It was something that needed to happen. After that event she displayed her independence as she and one of her visually impaired friends were invited to the East Coast to test out new technologies for the blind. They traveled together and got around to where they needed to be all by themselves. Although Aidee offers perspectives on life that most of us do not often think about enough, my favorite memory of Aidee comes to reveal or teach us something. I asked Aidee what she thought she was learning from God right now. She said, I think God is teaching me to be willing to not just hear what other people have to say, but to actually take it into consideration. I thought I could do this before, but I think God is showing me that I didn't have the skill down yet. And I think he's also teaching me the importance of not judging other people, no matter how much you don't agree with their beliefs or opinions. In that statement alone you hear a willingness to share space with people. That space is not necessarily with those that think like she does, but people in general. Aidee loves to learn and in a quick conversation, her acute ability to not just hear you, but listen to what you say is a relational component brought her to this place. One of my favorite memories of her is from the summer of 2011 at Nazarene Youth Conference. Aidee wanted to attend because she had heard about the spiritual impact it could have on her life. Nazarene Youth Conference was a gathering of 6,000 Nazarene students from around the country that met for a week in Louisville, Kentucky for a time of service, worship, and discipleship. We quickly put into motion, bringing one of our volunteers to journey with her each step of this trip to create an opportunity for Aidee to have the best experience possible. Since she couldn t see everything that was happening, a volunteer explained what was going on so Aidee could visualize what she was hearing. It was humbling to hear all that she could take in because one of her senses did not work. When asking her what she took away from that experience, she said, It might sound odd to say this, but I learned to not hold onto 4 PazNaz from Easter a few years ago. Aidee decided she wanted to be baptized and publically declare her desire to follow Christ in all areas of her life. Before each baptism, the testimony is read of the person being baptized about their journey of faith. I will never forget that day when I heard these words read, Each person in this life has a blindness, mine happens to be physical. Those words could preach for days. It was an honor that day to be able to baptize Aidee. It is an honor today for me to have her as a fellow member of the Body of Christ, modeling for each of us what love looks like in this world. In asking Aidee about the future she says, Hopefully, I'll be going to a four-year college to get my bachelors, and then I hope to go into law school and get my degree. I'm not sure in what kind of law, but something that deals with civil rights law, because that's something I'm passionate about. I really think God is always trying many of us could draw from in relationships of our own. The way that God orchestrates his story is so fun to see sometimes. From this girl who I had only observed from afar in a waiting room, to a girl that walked into our youth group, to a girl I had the privilege of baptizing, Aidee s story is a reminder to each of us that God is at work. The Spirit is moving in and amongst us in ways that we do not always see, but sometimes we are lucky enough to catch a glimmer of that movement. As you journey through life, it is my hope that God himself reveals to you in ways that you capture and capitalize on. What is it you are learning about yourself in the midst of the Body of Christ right now? You are loved. - Pastor Keegan Lenker

5 We ve got it cookin for you! Fairly new around the PazNaz campus? There is a luncheon in your honor on Sunday, February 3, following the 10:30 am service. You will enjoy a delicious lunch, get acquainted with the Pastoral staff, and meet other new friends around the table. You will also get a great overview of the different ministries available at PazNaz and a gift bag to say Thanks for being here! Please RSVP to Kelsy Richardson at kelsyrichardson@paznaz.org by January 27 if you can attend. New Friends Lunch 5

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9 It is hard to believe that the Lenten season is approaching again. Ash Wednesday falls on February 13 this year. Traditionally the text that is read on that day is from the second chapter of the prophet Joel. Yet even now, says the LORD, Return to me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, For he is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, And relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind him, A grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God? (2:12-14) Every time I read this text I am struck by the phrase in verse 14, Who knows? The prophet sees the destruction that is directly ahead for God s people unless they repent and go a different direction. Things are bad for the people of God, and they are only going to get worse if they do not turn from their sin. But if they repent, if they turn their hearts back to God, who knows what might be the result? Who knows what God may do? The same question appears in the story of Jonah. The prophet Jonah proclaims the message of impending destruction to the wicked city of Nineveh. When the king hears it, he calls the people to a similar kind of repentance as that which Joel articulates. Everyone is called on to repent. The whole city puts on sackcloth and ashes and they fast. Even the animals are forced to participate in the fast. (Can you imagine the noise that hungry people and animals make in the city)? But the call to repentance is shaped by this question from the king, All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is their hands. Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish (3:8-9). Again repentance is shaped by the question, Who knows? In both cases, when God sees the repentance of the people, he is moved in grace and compassion to make all things new. God s people and Nineveh are spared, delivered, and their lives are redeemed. As PazNaz approaches the Lenten season again, I am haunted by the same question. If the people of God can be honest about their brokenness, if we can with transparency and vulnerability confess our sins to God, and if we can be open to the newness that God wants to bring to his church, who knows what God will do? Who knows what relationships can be restored? Who knows what communities can be rebuilt? Who knows what broken lives will be healed? Who knows how many will receive God s grace, leading to a new creation? Who knows what God can do? My hope is that walking through the Our Life sermon series together during this Lenten season will help PazNaz see the immeasurably more that God was able to do when the early church lived transparently and openly before God. The church will discover again the immeasurably more that God can do today in his people. Rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him. - Pastor Scott Daniels 9

10 Recently, Gina Jones, a long-time member of PazNaz, sensed that God was opening doors for her to adopt a child out of the foster care system but not a baby or small child, a teenage girl. Not knowing how or when this would all work out, Gina registered for the certification classes through Child S.H.A.R.E., believing that this first step would be the necessary response to see if being a foster/adoptive parent was going to be the path for her future. In October, Gina received word that a teenage girl would soon become a part of her life, and on October 30, Edana, a bright 17-year-old moved in. Transitioning into a new situation, Edana needed several items that would help her or any teenager, for that matter feel at home. Edana was introduced to the PazNaz family one Sunday morning in November, and her needs were made known to the congregation. As the service ended, people found April Steele, Executive Director for Child S.H.A.R.E., on the patio and the items Edana needed were supplied. The result? April wrote later that week, As a recap, let me tell you what God's church did: We have several used laptops being donated. We will determine the best quality and pass it on. The others will be distributed to other teens in need. An ipod is on the way. Gina received enough money to purchase a bike (something suggested by Edana's doctor). A Sunday School class collected money and purchased gift cards from the Women's Ministries cart to help Edana choose a bedspread and decorate her room. A cell phone and monthly cell phone plan was provided. Edana has a birthday in two weeks and, thanks to a couple of spa-loving ladies, Edana will take a friend and have her first mani/pedi. Here s a note of thanks from Gina and Edana: Dear Church Family, Thank you so much for your generous and heartfelt support of our family. The laptop, the gift cards, the ipod, the money for Edana's room, and the other gifts were all greatly appreciated. While the material demonstration of caring was amazing, the most wonderful part has been your hugs, encouragement, willingness to be there for us, and the sense of community that you have given us. We're so blessed to be a part of this congregation and grateful beyond words for the care you have shown us. In Him, Gina and Edana (Libertiy) Jones 10 PazNaz

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