Current Crisis - NEW HOPE

Dr. Jared Roth met me when I was eight years old. At the time he was helping my father become the senior pastor of a small town church. That meant a move for our family and I was not happy! In his office, I crumpled to the ground in a crying heap. Maybe that was some of my first experience with grief—anger came easily.

Over the last decade Jared has mentored me and continues to be an excellent source of wisdom. He’s full of humility and full of wisdom and I am so glad you get to hear from one of my favorites today.

Today, Jared will talk with us about the 5 stages of greif and loss. While greif does relate directly to the loss of a loved one, these stages will help us make sense of ourseelves and others as we navigate loss and significant change as a result of COViD-19.

IN such a time as these, it is more clear than ever that we need each other. It is a gift to be a part of the Foursquare Family. Some may not realize that New Hope is a part of a world-wide family—Foursquare has over 8.8 million members in over 90,000 churches across 146 nations.

We aren’t alone. With Lead Pastor Isaac Hovet is Foursquare President Elect Randy Remington. After a prayerful selection process Randy was voted in as President last May. In the fall, he stepped away from leading one of the largest Foursquare Churches in the US—Beaverton Foursquare—to begin transitioning into the role as President.

During this conversation, we are going to let Randy do what he has done so well for so many years: extend his pastoral wisdom to anyone who is listening. For individuals and families, Randy’s pastoral heart will shine through.

In addition, Randy will address some questions local and global Foursquare leaders are asking during this season.

Dr. Carilyn Ellis is quite bright. I have a feeling that her brain has the cpacity to add to her Doctorate degree quite easily. Oh, she already has a post-Doctoral Masters. Anyway. Carilyn attends New Hope and helps with our children’s ministry. As many of us are experiencing waves of anxiety, I asked her to give us some perspective from a Christian Psychologist’s point of view. Here is our conversation.

Jake Atsma is one of the most engaging men I have been around. Jake, with his daugther Lydia has operated the family owned Cascade View Dairy outside of Mt. Angel, Oregon his whole adult life. The dairy business is tough work and slim margins. Over the last few years, things were really tough for the dairy, but Jake hung in there. As many of us are in tough financial sitatuations or facing a much more lean financial season ahead, Jake’s story will encourage you.

In this episde, you’ll learn a bit about the Dairy Farm world and you’ll hear the releif of a man who has seen God be miraculously faithful. This is Jake—6’6”, broad smile, hard working. I am proud of his faith and so glad to share his story with you. This is our conversation.

Dr. Rob Larson has been a longtime member of New Hope. I have appreciated his wisdom, his insight and his many contributions to my life—including being my doctor! I asked Rob to share some thoughts from the frontlines of medical care. His thoughts and wisdom are really helpful for us.

Here is our conversation.

Pastors across our country have had to move our regular worship services online. That has been a difficult decision to make as some Christians have suggested that we should meet anyway. Today, I talked with Colton Emmert—the Head Pastor of River of Life Church in Sweet Home, Oregon.

Colton is one of the youngest head pastors I know—and he is up for the challenge. Colton has a tremendous work ethic, is ready and willing to learn and loves people deeply. You’ll hear some of his wisdom today.

I gave Colton his first ministry position in 2015 and he hasn’t looked back. I love his heart for his town and his church. This is our conversation…

Today I gave my good friend Tyler Nice a call. Tyler Nice teaches History, Government, and Economics at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon. He is a guest preacher at a number of churches in our area. He is a good friend of New Hope Foursquare Church.

Tyler wrote an article that we published today. The article gives a historical perspective to our current crisis.

Our conversation was as great as they usually are and I am glad to share Tyler with you!