Newsletter

Sometimes the New Year brings changes and that will be the case this year at New Life. For over two years the Elders have sought a way to lessen my workload. Not in regard to my teaching and preaching but in regard to the other things that are on my plate. We had decided quite a while ago to seek out an associate pastor that might help in the areas of Music and Childrens’ Ministries as well as other areas in the church. Our Childrens’ Ministry has grown considerably ever since the Lord laid it on our hearts to give it greater attention and it is quite a job for our volunteer staff. Also, having been involved in church Music Ministry for many years, I and the Elders have felt we could do more with that program. I’ll add that this area has been a great burden for me personally.

After seeking out someone with the expertise we desired, it became apparent that we would not be able to find someone to do all we wanted to do immediately. The expense for a full-time person that would have what we considered to be desirable skills, was beyond our present ability to employ; so we decided to compromise and begin with just one area of need. Personally, I wanted help in our music program and began a search that led me to a music leader I knew in Tucson. I reached out to them because I felt they had their hand on the pulse of church music leaders in southern Arizona and might know someone that could help us.

As I spoke to this person, I felt the Lord’s leading me to ask them to help us at New Life. I never take this type of urging lightly and while not saying anything to that person at that time, I immediately made this a matter of intense prayer. As I prayed about this, the Lord impressed upon me the need to bring this person to New Life. This type of leading has only happened to me a few times in my Christian walk, and only when confronted with significant events, and could never to be ignored. After confirmation from the Lord, I went to the General Council of Elders and told them what the Lord had told me. We agreed to pray about it and that we would discuss it in our next meeting two weeks later. However, within three days all the other Elders affirmed God’s leading on this matter, and I was directed to offer this individual a position at New Life.

I did so the next day and the individual told me that they would have to pray about it. Approximately two weeks later they too affirmed that the Lord was leading them to New Life and that they, at the Lord’s leading, desired to lead our Body in music.

I tell you this because I want you to understand how this all came about and to assure you that we are doing our best to do things as the Lord leads us. We still have a desire to find help with our Childrens’ Ministry and when able, we will seek the Lord’s person for that position also. 

So it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the new Praise and Worship Leader for New Life Family Worship Center, Deborah Murphy. Many of you already know Deborah, as she has worked in the arena of praise music in this area for quite some time. Most recently she has led music at a church in Tucson and has a local ministry here in Benson that assists battered spouses, “Intended Hope”. I have worked with Deborah before and found her to have a tender heart for the Lord and a great desire to serve our Saviour. Please make Deborah and her family feel welcome as we enter into this New Year.

Additionally, this year our main project is the upgrading of our sound and lighting systems and the overall appearance of our sanctuary; something that has been lacking for quite some time. This initiative will allow us to produce a better experience for those present and those online during our services.

Well, I think that’s enough for this newsletter. I think we can all look forward to what the Lord will do here at New Life in 2024. May we be faithful, as He is always faithful. Be blessed.

STEVEN MEDEIROS, Teacher/Preacher