forgiveness, brit hume and tiger woods

Forgiveness? Who would have ever thought that the topic of forgiveness would cause so much tension! It all started, when Fox News analyst Brit Hume suggests that for 2010, Tiger Woods turn from Buddhism and toward Christianity. His explanation (see above video) is that Christianity offers true redemption, forgiveness and restoration, which Buddhism does not. Obviously his words were surprising to his co-workers and to national news. What do you think? Does Buddhism offer true forgiveness? Does Christianity offer true forgiveness through faith by grace in Jesus Christ? Needless to say, Brit Hume has been taking some heat on the "airwaves" and on news media across the nation and youtube.com

Good news: Rejoice Church unashamedly believes that Jesus Christ is the one who offers forgiveness to anyone who believes. We believe that Jesus is the only one who can forgive us of our wretched sin both public and private. We understand that God's Word, the Bible, teaches that all of us are in the same condition without Christ. The human race is deserving of only God's wrath, and eternal judgement. That only Christ offers hope for this life and the next.

Have you received forgiveness from Jesus Christ? Do you extend this same forgiveness to those around you? May each one of us have the courage that Brit Hume had to present the good news of Christ in a loving and winsome way to those who are far from Him! -casey cariker

hanna project/rejoice partnering to take the gospel across the world

Here are some last thoughts as our team from Rejoice returns from their work
with the Hanna Project in Africa....

So that is why we have been here. We've addressed a bunch of medical
needs. We've helped people to see. We've shared a smile and a Bon
Bon (piece of candy). All that for what? To make us feel good? Yes!
To ease pain? Yes! To improve life a little for a short while? Yes!
To show there is more to the human spirit than meets the eye?
Absolutely! As we partnered along side the African pastors and
churches they have served as more than just translators and
communicators, they have loved people. They have had an evangelistic
campaign going out to villages at night during the time we have been
here. Tonight it was reported that during our time in the region they
have seen the Lord work and 189 Africans have made a solid decision to
accept Christ and make Him Lord. It would take days to explain what a
serious step that is here in regard to your life afterward. We
rejoice that doing our part has contributed to this victory for the
Kingdom.
Have you considered partnering with the Hanna Project? What about taking some risk and going to "the nations" to tell them the good news of Christ? How could you share the good news with those who are closest to you?

more rejoice families and staff

This is Lee and Christy Horst and their daughter Maci! Lee and Christy will celebrate 22 years of marriage this year. They have one daughter Maci Ellen, along with two dogs, Mattie and Sadie and two cats, Sunshine and Lilly. (Don't forget about their bird named Ringo that "talks"!) Lee has grown up at Rejoice Church all his life and serves the church through the general board and the Hanna Project. Christy has been at Rejoice since 1985 and has been on staff for 9 years. She serves as the graphic designer and building reservation coordinator for both campuses for Rejoice Ministries. In her coordinator position she serves over 3,000 people throughout the week. Lee is a captain at the Tulsa Fire Department and has worked at the Fire Department since he started as a volunteer at the age of 18. Their favorite place to vacation is the south of France, where they got to visit this year! When asked about their favorite thing about Rejoice Church, Christy said, "I've felt like this was my home from the first time I visited." When you get a chance to meet Christy ask her about: "Mrs. McGoo!" Thanks goes to the whole Horst family for being such a vital part of Rejoice!

how beautiful are the feet of those who share the good news

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” -Isaiah 52:7


Each week, both of the Rejoice Church campuses (106th and 86th St.) do a wonderful job teaching the good news of Jesus. Every Sunday over 100 teens and adults spend time with newborn babies to high school students teaching the lifechanging message of Christ. Rejoice Church's desire is to always be a place where people can experience the joy of living in their community and across the world. I'm so thankful for the gospel, but I'm also thankful for those who are teaching our children so they can take the gospel to those who have never heard! Join us a week from tomorrow (Feb. 15th) as we celebrate many families on both campuses dedicating their children and their purposes to the Lord.

insider look at some of the rejoice south campus staff

Over the next few weeks, we will be taking some time to introduce you to some of our rejoice church staff. We will highlight the majority of rejoice church staff that either attend the south campus or have a majority of their responsibilities at the south campus. This will allow all of us to know them by name, face, and some of the inside scoop on their lives! So here we go:

This is Trampas and Tracy Thompson with their daughter Maddie, and their dog Mike! Trampas is a Lead Systems analyst at Hillcrest hospital. Tracy lived in Staunton, IL growing up and Trampas spent a long time living in Bartlesville, OK. Tracy is the ECM point person for the birth-kindergarten ages, at our south campus, along with several other great leaders. Trampas and Tracy have been married for over 6 years and have attended Rejoice for 2 years. Tracy's favorite athlete is Scottie Pippen and Trampas favors the Denver Broncos! When asked about their favorite thing about Rejoice Church, Tracy says: "After our first visit to Rejoice we knew it was our church because how easy it is to build relationships here!" Next time you visit Rejoice Church South Campus make sure to say hello to Trampas and Tracy...you'll probably find them teaching the good news of Christ to tons of children!

ucanrejoice.com entries coming in!

Ucanrejoice.com officially launched a few days ago, and the entries are coming in very strong. So many people are nominating friends who have be faithful, co-workers who have been gracious, family members who have been giving, and neighbors who are in need. One of the great things about this project, is that it allows us to take some time to hear the stories of those across our communities and it gives each one of us a chance to be thankful for those around us. Make sure to tell someone about the ucanrejoice.com grocery giveaway that will be announced Friday, Dec. 19th at 1pm. live at McDonald's on 76th Street in Owasso, and the ucanrejoice.com website. Don't forget that each person who submits an entry gets a McDonald's Mccafe drink coupon in the mail! Thanks also goes out to Sav-On printing, Reasor's, and My Generation Design.