Location Date Application Due

Dear friends,

Paul’s words to the church at Colossae challenge me: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col. 4:2). If there is one aspect of my spiritual walk that I desire to be consistent above every other, it is my prayer life, yet this can also be one of the most difficult areas of my life to maintain a healthy level of consistent devotion.
At LCI, we are committed to being a voice of unity within the Body of Christ, and at the heart of unity is prayer, for prayer is the very first step of our coming together as one. Through consistent communication with our Creator, we learn His priorities, and one of His highest priorities is that we (His children) be one, just as He is one with His Son. And it is when we walk as one . . . when all those walls of separation come down . . . that we truly bring glory to Jesus’ name.
This is the reason that LCI is so committed as an organization to be a catalyst for prayer among Pastors and ministry leaders both at home and abroad. And it is for this reason that our own commitment to prayer is so vitally important. After all, how can we be an effective catalyst if we ourselves are not fully devoted to a life of prayer?
How ‘bout you? Are you too challenged by Paul’s words? Are you feeling a renewed sense of urgency to be more devoted to prayer? I hope you are. And I hope you join us on this journey . . . this journey to bring life to the nations.
Thanks again for all your support, especially your prayers!

Tyler Lennon
LCI President

What’s Been Happening at LCI?

Los Angeles
In August we had a team of seven people from Point Lookout Church in Long Island, New York come and serve here in Los Angeles. We set up a variety of ministry opportunities that included a trip to Ventura to work with a homeless ministry known as Operation Embrace. We also served the homeless at the Lord’s Lighthouse in Hollywood, followed by prayer walks through some local entertainment studios. Other highlights of the trip included our assisting Expo Park Church of the Nazarene with some much needed repair work, enjoying a Hill Song United Concert at Staples Center and attending a Harvest Crusade in Orange County. All in all, the trip was a huge success . . . and a lot of fun.

Mexico
At the end of the week of serving in Los Angeles, our team from New York and joined with others to serve at the City of Angels Orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. The team spent time painting, playing with the kids, and delivering toys and toiletry items to the surrounding community of La Gloria. For all involved, it was rather humbling to see how thankful and open the residents of the community as we displayed very simple acts of love and kindness.

LA Pastor Gathering
One of our principle objectives at LCI is to encourage prayer and unity among pastors and ministry leaders. Well . . . on September 14th we did just that! Life Connections and Bel Air Presbyterian Church hosted a special lunch gathering of leaders from throughout the Los Angeles area. Over 50 attended, and we had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Peter Walker of Oxford University address the Biblical principles of revival. Not only was Dr. Walker well received, but LCI was encouraged to host similar gatherings on a regular basis in the future. As a result, we are already planning another such gathering in January 2011.

Dear friends,

While Paul was imprisoned in Rome, the church at Philippi dispatched Epaphroditus to visit the apostle and deliver some much needed support. In response to their generosity, Paul penned a letter of thanks in which he wrote the following: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:3-6).

As I write this newsletter, I am reminded that I began this amazing adventure called “Life Connections” ten years ago. Much has been accomplished, and there remains much to do. But in light of Paul’s words to our Philippian brothers and sisters, I am struck by the fact that I have not been alone on this journey. I am so very thankful for each of you who have prayed and supported this ministry through the years, thus encouraging me to press on.

I am encouraged too by Paul’s reminder that we can be confident in our walk because He who began a good work in us will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus! It is my heartfelt desire to complete the task that God has placed before Life Connections: To be a catalyst for unity, connecting people and ministries together; to be a means by which people come into a relationship with our Lord because of a unified Body of Christ.
So, thanks again for your prayers . . . your support . . . your partnership in this amazing journey!

Tyler Lennon
LCI President

What’s Been Happening at LCI?

A letter from one of our Costa Rica Missions team members that worked with our partners Missions Impossible…

Costa Rica!

Hey Tyler,

Mission’s trips are never what you expect them to be. We go to serve, but God always has much more in mind than can be seen or even understood often until later. This last trip was definitely a testimony to that. His ways are so much higher than ours. Though He clearly worked through us in different ways, I am certain that His work in us was far deeper than we realize. That’s because though He loves to work through us, the fact is He doesn’t need to & the work in us is far more needed. Where we thought we had experience we were stretched. Where we thought we would bless, we were blessed. Where we sought to encourage we were encouraged. Where we wanted to love, we were out loved in many ways. As usual God did exceedingly abundantly above our thoughts or desires. Having said all that, serving God in a foreign place, is still to me one of the most powerful experiences a person can have. We truly act like Jesus, the ultimate missionary, who left heaven for 33 years to share the love & power of God with us. How awesome it is to follow in His steps.

Blessings to you
Paul

3rd Annual Bring Life Golf Tournament
Life Connections hosted the 3rd annual Bring Life Golf Tournament at Malibu Country Club on June 21st. This was a great opportunity to share Life Connection’s vision of unity with many who might not otherwise come in contact with our ministry. Forty-four gofers participated in the event (with the Danny Boehle/Michael Lennon foursome winning for the second year in a row!

Pastor Summit

In May, Life Connections again facilitated the annual Westside Pastor Prayer Summit at Serra Retreat Center in Malibu, CA. Though maybe not quite as well attended as past Summits, the gathering proved to be a wonderful time of encouragement as pastors connected with one another and prayed over the City.

National Day of Prayer

May 6th was the National Day of Prayer, and Life Connections was asked to take an active role in rallying local churches to gather at Bel Air Presbyterian Church to pray for the Entertainment Industry, our City and our Nation. Some of the leaders present that evening included Pastor Lloyd Ogilvie, Pastor Greg Waybright, Rev. Rankin Wilbourne, as well as several entertainment industry professionals. I am pleased to report that about 500 people responded to our call!

Homeless Forum

Life Connections continues to be used as a catalyst for unity among churches in service to the poor. We recently facilitated our second Homeless Forum in Hollywood, gathering like-minded individuals from 17 different churches and ministries.

Upcoming Activities:

Trips to Los Angeles and Tijuana
We are excited to be hosting a team from Point Lookout Church, New York in the Los Angeles area during the first week of August. Activities will include service among the homeless in Hollywood, a visit to the Kingdom Center in Ventura, and working with one of our partners who labor within the inner city of Los Angeles. Then it’s off to Mexico for a visit to the City of Angels Orphanage in Tijuana over the weekend of August 6th through 8th. Please keep us in your prayers!

Press Release 3rd annual Bring Life Golf Tournament
On June 21st 2010 at Malibu Country Club, Life Connections International will be hosting the 3rd Annual Bring Life Golf Tournament. The day will consist of Golf,Silent Auction, lunch and dinner and awards. Sponsors are needed and also silent auction items and prizes. For more information you can call Tyler Lennon at 310-429-2058 our e-mail info@lcibringlife.org http://lifeconnectionsintl.com/golf/golf_002.htm

Dear Friends,

It seems like so much has happened already this year . . . and it’s only April!

In walking out our calling to be a catalyst for unity in the Body of Christ, the Lord has led us to become involved in so many different aspects of church life.  Whether co-hosting an event focused on women in leadership within the church, or leading a forum on how to end homelessness in Hollywood, or taking a team to Mexico to serve in an orphanage, the Lord continues to use LCI as a means of awakening the need for oneness with the Body of Christ.  And in the midst of all that, we continue to facilitate pastor gatherings, orchestrate times of prayer and worship, and network ministries and leaders together.

In his letter to the disciples living in Corinth, Paul drew an analogy between the human body and the Church.  In so doing, he reminds the reader that “. . . God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is there are many parts, but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:18-20).  And as it is with the human body, so it is with the Church . . . many parts, but only one Body.

At LCI, we realize that our role is to help connect all the various parts that make up the Body of Christ, thereby strengthening the Body to better advance the Gospel message.  And it is because of your involvement through your prayers, your volunteering and your financial support that we are able to continue this vital work. Thank you!

Mexico

The Ambassadors:

“It’s too dangerous, you shouldn’t go!” was the sentiment of everyone close to me. But I had a calling on my heart, and traveled down to Mexico with ten other members of Metro Calvary Chapel.  All of my fears disappeared when I walked through the gates of the orphanage, and a young boy immediately dragged me to the playground to play hide and seek.  There were probably around thirty children, all of whom had a smile and a story to tell… but sadly I couldn’t you speak a word of Spanish.  The ladies taught, baked, and played with the kids, while the men helped build a wooden structure for shower facilities at the orphanage.  After a days work, the group celebrated by eating some of the best tacos on the planet. The next day we were visited by Tijuana’s chief of police, who is also a Christian. He thanked us for all of our hard work and told us how 80% of charity and missionary work has ceased over the past year, because people are fearful of traveling to Mexico anymore. Right now is one of their most desperate times. 

Our group leader, Tyler, quoted 2 Corinthians 5:18, “Now then, we are all ambassadors of Christ,  as though God were pleading through us:” . Those holy words reached in and touched my soul. I realized that I am an Ambassador and have a responsibility to represent the Lord in this world. I went away for a weekend to Mexico with ten strangers and came back with ten brothers and sisters. I saw Christ’s light shine through them as they made a difference to the children’s lives. If you believe in Jesus, then you too are an ambassador and have the responsibility to represent the Kingdom. I strongly encourage you to experience an LCI Mission trip, as mine was memorable, beautiful, and life changing.

Blessings,

- Simon Lythgoe

Spiritual Spa

Life Connection’s women sponsored our February Spiritual Spa day, bringing together 35 women, representing 17 churches.  Led under the teaching of Suzanne Baker Founder of the Spiritual Spa ministry, with Worship & Testimony ~ the women entered into a sweet time of:

            Ardent Concern ~ LOVE

            for one another ~ UNITY

            that brings joy  JOY of the LORD

 Ending our time together with a greatly needed & sought after time ’soaking in the Lord’ the women were deeply blessed. A most delicious luncheon was enjoyed, of course! A heart-felt appreciation to Kathy Howarth for her generosity in opening her home for the LCI women to host this gathering. Such a positive response was received by the women, we continue to Pray Forward to our next Spiritual Spa gathering!

Homeless Forum

On March 18th, Life Connections (along with Ecclesia Church and Broken Hearts Ministry) co-hosted the third in an on-going series of homeless forums, this time at the historic Pacific Theatre in Hollywood. There were over 50 in attendance (17 churches and ministries in all) as the audience was challenged to come together in unity in order to deal with this growing problem. The principle speaker was Sam Gallucci, Senior Pastor of Harbor Community Church in Ventura, who shared a true-life story of transformation about 18 churches that have joined together in that community in attempt to end homelessness. Though the forum is over, our involvement has only just begun. LCI continues to work with local ministry leaders as we attempt to unify the local Church around this critical issue. Please pray that the Lord would bless the Church of Hollywood with a spirit of unity.

Central City Pastors

For quite some time, we have been sensing a need for pastors in the Central City area of Los Angeles to come together in prayer. While previous attempts have proven unsuccessful, more recent indications seemed to signal that there had been a “seasonal” change of some sort. This, coupled with a divine appointment with a local pastor, led us to initiate a prayer gathering. Now, once a month on a Saturday morning, a handful of local pastors and leaders are gathering for prayer. Please join us in asking the Lord of the harvest to bring forth significant fruit as a result of this first step.

NDP

LCI will be helping with two different National Day of Prayer Events on May 6^th. From 12:00pm-1:00pm at Alumni Park at Pepperdine University will have a time of prayer for the Malibu community and our Nation. Also in the evening will be Entertainment Industry ministries and local LA Churches will be partnering and praying at Bel Air Presbyterian Church at 7:30pm-9:30pm. Would love to have you come join us if you are in the neighborhood.  http://www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org/NDOP

Golf Tournament

On June 21^st at Malibu Country Club we will be hosting our 3^rd annual “Bring Life” Golf Tournament. We need your support and would love for you to join us. For more info please go to our Website. www.lcibringlife

PRESS RELEASE
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, HOLLYWOOD
The Entertainment Industry and LA Churches are gathering together to PRAY!

The Entertainment Industry Christian ministries and the local LA Churches are partnering on THURSDAY, MAY 6th at Bel Air Presbyterian Church for a National Day of Prayer Celebration. The third annual partnering of industry professionals and local churches at Bel Air Pres. marks a growing unity of Christians in our city to gather together to pray for God’s blessings on His people. The evening’s planning committee believes that we are experiencing a definite shift toward spiritual unity and growth and we believe that this cultural change is coming through the prayers of God’s people across America.
Anyone is welcome to join us on May 6th, from 7:30 – 9:30pm. The evening’s prayer leaders include Pastor Lloyd Ogilvie, Pastor Greg Waybright, Rev. Rankin Wilbourne, and some entertainment industry professionals. There will also be incredible music, including The Hollywood Mass Choir and much more. We invite you to experience and participate in this gathering of two unlikely worlds as we partner in prayer for our country, our state, our city, our churches and our media.
National Day of Prayer: Thursday, May 6th 7:30 – 9:30pm, Bel Air Presbyterian Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive, LA, CA 90029. For more information, list of Prayer Leaders, or directions, visit http://www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org/NDOP or call 818.788.4210 x550

Dear Friends,
Happy New Year!
This past Christmas, Christy and I took a little break in our routine and spent some time in the Desert. I always enjoy these times . . . times of solitude, seeking the Lord as to what He may have in store for us over the upcoming year. This was especially true after finishing a year that was good, yet challenging in many ways.
During our time away, I spent time in Scripture, and one of the passages that really stood out to me can be found in Zechariah. God sent an angel to speak a word of encouragement to Zerubbabel , the man whose mission was to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after a long period of exile for the children of Israel.
So [the angel] said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerrubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit’, says the Lord Almighty. What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerrubabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of God Bless it! God Bless it!’” Then the word of the Lord came to me: “The hands of Zerrubbabel have laid a foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. Who despises the day of small things?” – Zech. 4:6-10
In our efforts to walk out LCI’s calling as a catalyst for unity within the Church (please read the section below entitled “LCI Vision/Mission”) we spent a lot of time this past year building foundations of relationship with many different pastors and ministry leaders. These efforts may appear small and insignificant, but these relationships will be crucial to what I believe the Lord wants to do in the Church of Los Angeles . . . and the world! And I am encouraged by the Lord’s word to Zerrubabbel, “Who despises the day of small things?”
As we continue to build upon those relationships, and as we begin to see the fruit of our efforts, we covet your partnership this upcoming year, both your prayers and your financial support. If you would like to receive a list of our monthly prayer needs, please send us your e-mail address. Of course, you can always check our website for updates.
As always, thank you for joining with us as we strive to Bring Life to the Nations!

LCI Vision/Mission
Over this past year, we sought the counsel of Bob Ray, President of The Institute For Achievement & Results, who helped us refine the vision and mission of Life Connections International. It was a time of deep reflection and carefully listening for the Lord’s voice. After a lot of hard work (and it was work!), here’s what we came up with:
Our Vision is Unity within the Body of Christ.
At LCI, we envision a united Body of Christ, in all of its marvelous diversity, each part working in harmony with one another, whether locally or abroad, that the kingdom of God might be advanced, and that life – life in Christ Jesus our Lord – might freely flow to the nations.
Our Mission
The Mission of LCI is to be a catalyst for Unity within the Body of Christ, nurturing connections among leaders and ministry organizations in order to create lasting partnerships that will prepare God’s people for works of service, promote outreach to surrounding communities, and to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We achieve this through the following three areas of emphasis:

• Communicate – At every opportunity LCI communicates God’s heart for unity among His Children.
• Cultivate – LCI cultivates relationships that foster transformation, both individually and corporately.
• Connect – LCI serves to connect churches, organizations and individuals, thereby forming partnerships or networks that individually and collectively further the cause of unity.

So there you have it! In everything we do, LCI is a catalyst for unity, whether working with the church down the street (maybe yours!) or taking a team to a city half way around the world. Come join us in our effort to unite the Body of Christ as one!

2010 Mission Trip Opportunities
And speaking of taking a team to another city, here’s a list of our mission opportunities for 2010. Come join us as we Bring Life to the Nations!
Trip Date Application Deadline
Mexico
Mar 12-14, 2010 Feb 26, 2010
Costa Rica
Jun 1-10, 2010 April 30, 2010
Spain
Jun 27 – Jul 4, 2010 May 27, 2010
Mexico
Aug 6-8, 2010 Jul 23, 2010
Uganda
Sep 20 – Oct 3. 2010 Aug 21, 2010
India
Oct 25 – Nov 8, 2010 Sep 26, 2010