The Couples of OICC's First Annual Married's Retreat!

Our celebration of Christmas goes much deeper than just the date on which we observe it.  The first Christmas did not celebrate a date as much as a life changing event in history: the birth of Israel’s long awaited Messiah and Lord of all Nations.  Early disciples didn’t know the specific night the angels sang and the baby Jesus was born.  No one knows the date specifically, but this we do know: As early as the second century, Christians used January 6^th to celebrate Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist!  Later on, this very festival was expanded to include the celebration of Christ’s birth – being called the Epiphany.  So, the first Christmas was not a celebration based on a pagan holiday.  It was the celebration of the Word becoming flesh through the birth of Christ!  As we celebrate the birth of our savior, here are some deep Biblical truths to ponder on:

Rejoicing with Toby Hemmings as he is restored to the Lord! From left: Jason Tomlinson, Chris Jones, Toby Hemmings, Steve Coyle

We needed a Shepherd!

Luke 2:8-14: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

After the birth of Christ a great company (company means 100) of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel to the shepherds announcing the Savior’s birth!  He did not appear to the religious leaders of Jerusalem, but to humble shepherds who lived in fields.  Although their testimony was not valid in legal court and they were not well respected in society, God chose them as the first witnesses to Christ’s birth.  They were considering dirty by society but God saw their humility and hunger to be cleansed by the Savior! Similarly, Christ came to be our Shepherd, who humbly guides us, stooping low to deal with our dirty lives, transforming us and making us clean.

Psalm 18:35: You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.

We are undeserving of the gracious gift of our humble Shepherd. Do we approach Christ and his amazing Kingdom that we were baptized into with great humility? Do we stoop down to help others to be great?

We needed a King!

We welcome John Lawrence to the fellowship as he placed membership this month!

The Magi presented Jesus with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gift of gold represented royalty and kingship. This gift was prophetic, stating the Christ child would be King of Kings, Lord of Lords, master of all! As we look in retrospect over the last year, have we made Jesus Lord in all areas of our lives? Is he Lord of our purpose, of how we spend our time, Lord of our jobs, our families, our finances and our everything? Surrendering all to our King is very freeing and refreshing! After all, he is King of his Kingdom, his church! Are you seeking His Kingdom first? Is He King of your life or are you?

We needed a Priest!

Hebrews 4:14-16: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Frankincense was burned by the priest – believing its aroma carried the prayers of the people to heaven.  Christ became our great eternal high priest, who through his blood is now our source of forgiveness and also the permanent mediator between us and God.  He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses and plead for our mercy.  Do you walk around with confidence, secure in God’s grace or do you have unconfessed sin or unnecessary guilt plaguing you?  If you are walking around holding on to hidden sin or guilt in your heart, be open with a disciple today. Having Christ as our Priest brings security and freedom!

Toby Hemmings helping to welcome our newest member, Keith Crawford who placed membership this month!

1 Peter 2:21-25: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.  “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Myrrh was a prophetic gift symbolizing that Christ was born to die for the sins of the world.  Myrrh is an Arabic word for bitter and was used for embalming the dead.  Christ died for us and has now called us to follow in His steps!   As disciples, we have made a commitment to daily follow is his steps by dying to ourselves and our sinful nature, taking up our cross and carrying it daily.  As you spend time with family and friends through the holiday, how are you going to die to yourself and share the good news?  Everyone needs a savior!

As we celebrate Christ’s birth, it is our prayer that you will have a memorable holiday season and spend it focusing on how Jesus came to be your Shepherd, your King, your High Priest, and most importantly, your Savior.

Merry Christmas from the OICC!

Celebrating MERCY 2011!

MERCY Worldwide (Maximizing Efforts for Relief Care and Youth) is the benevolent arm of the International Christian Churches.  At the end of our worship service on Sunday, December 18, our church presented over 75 gifts to families in need through our adopt-a-family program.  Each Bible Talk adopted a family and presented the wrapped gifts to the families.  We are grateful for the chance to reach out and help others during the Christmas Season!

Sharing with those in need...OICC Family Bible Talk!

We see a pattern of multiplication throughout the 1st Century Church that we also see in God’s modern day movement today. In the International Christian Churches around the world, we understand that the evangelization of the world is not only possible, but is our obligation as disciples!

Romans 10:14-15: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Our New Brother In Christ Jonathan Smoot! Pictured center with Steve Coyle (left) and Anthony Eckels (right)

Disciples multiply disciples!
Bible Talks multiply Bible Talks!
Regions multiply Regions!
Churches multiply Churches!

Sadly, we have seen our former fellowship view the evangelization of the world as an unrealistic goal and an ideal, rather than a faithful reality! Orlando International Christian Church has not only stood strong in their faithful goal to evangelize Orlando by doubling in number over the last year, but we are sacrificially supporting world missions as well.

Recently, we have seen 5th generation fruit baptized into Christ in Orlando ICC! Two examples are especially encouraging: Elizabeth Eckels restored Lisa Robilliard to Christ, Lisa baptized her boss’ wife, Melanie Coyle. Melanie encouraged her husband to study the Bible with Anthony Eckels, baptizing Steve a few months later. Then Steve, a store manager, baptized his assistant manager Michael Smoot just last month! Smoot, a very talented musician, has a degree in music theory and has begun performing with Agape, playing the saxophone and the bongos! Smoot is studying the Bible with several friends and expects to be fruitful very soon!

The sisters celebrating with Jessie (third from left) at her Baptism!

In our efforts to evangelize the world, we are faithfully working hard raising money for our Thanksgiving Missions Contribution! On November 27th, 2011, we will be collecting 4 times our regular contribution for world missions. Let us rejoice in gratitude that we are in partnership with disciples around the world, who are likeminded in purpose and truth!

Philippians 1:3-6: I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with jo 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.

Samuel was set aside for God’s purpose and used by God at an early age.
1 Samuel 2:26 - And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.
1 Samuel 3:1 - The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

Timothy was a young, zealous disciple, who trained to be a powerful evangelist under Paul the Apostle!
1 Corinthians 4:17 – For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
Phillippians 2: 22 - But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
1Timothy 4:12 – Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

The OICC brothers rejoice with Steve Milo (center) during his baptism!

Esther was a young woman when she became queen (Esther 2:2,17), using her royal position to bring deliverance to all the Jews! She risked her position and her life to save the lives of her people.
Esther 4:12-17 - When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions.

Campus Interns Chris Jones and Brittany Miller

Luke 2:42-52 - When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. ”Why were you searching for me?” He asked.“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

With all these young, zealous forerunners in God’s word, it is not surprising that Paul targeted the lecture hall of Tyrannus, which was the young, intellectual campus of his day. In Ephesus, “Paul took the disciples with him and had daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.” (Acts 19:9) He targeted young, enthusiastic, opinion leaders that would take the good news back to their home towns and nations! In just two short years Paul and these young men and women were able to evangelize all of Asia! Acts 19:10 says, “This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.”

Richard Hernandez, Future Bible Talk Leader for Seminole State College

-Anthony Eckels

The Hernandez Family! From left: Miguel, Denise, Richard, Monin, Richard, Joshua and Richard Sr.

What a difference 5 months can make! My name is Denise Marie Hernandez-Fuentes; I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am a mother, wife, friend, daughter, and most recently a disciple of Christ! God used my son Richie, my boss and friend Dr. Delores Inniss, and my sisters in Christ, Elizabeth Eckels and Melanie Coyle, to reveal the truth to me.

Richard Hernandez, Jr. - Class of 2011!

I work with Orange County Public Schools in the Professional Development Services Department with a 3.75 million dollar BRIDGE Leadership grant. Our goal is to recruit leaders, mentor them, train them, and provide a system to ensure that we retain them. As you can see, I am very familiar with Jesus’ concept of recruiting, discipling, training, keeping faithful and raising up leaders!

It all started with ZUMBA, yes with Zumba! Richard and I met our wonderful pastor Anthony Eckels at Zumba, not knowing he was a pastor. Anthony approached my son and invited him to Sushi Night for a fundraising event. My son was thrilled and he went to the fundraising event. He came home that night very excited and he said, “Mom, you should see how excited these people are about God and how they just love each other and help each other.” Richard continued to visit the Eckels’ for bible studies.

Rejoicing at Baptism! From left: Melanie Coyle, Denise Hernandez, Richard Hernandez and Elizabeth Eckels

Richard came home one night and said, “Mom, Elizabeth would like you to come to one of her bible studies. You should go mom, I will help you study the bible as well.” After 5 months of bible studies and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ, on Mother’s Day, I was baptized by my son, Elizabeth and Melanie. What an amazing feeling that was! As a young disciple I am so excited to be a child of God in Christ. Psalm 17:8 says, Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Now I know why The Bible says “I am the apple of God’s eyes” because I feel so special in my walk with Christ.

To God be the glory!

Denise Hernandez

OICC rejoices at the recent baptism of Elaine Acevedo! She is the mother of four children including our sister Melanie Coyle, a hairstylist as well as the manager of a hair salon, and a humble and generous woman!

Orlando International Christian Church is developing a rockin’ AMS Ministry!  Anthony and Elizabeth Eckels have great vision for the AMS, since Anthony was a professional dancer when converted in the Daytime Ministry for Performers in NYC and Elizabeth was in the AMS when she worked as an Artistic Director in NYC.  They led a Sector in the the AMS that grew from five (1 artist, 1 designer, 1 dancer, 1 actress, and 1 musician) to 75 talented disciples in a short year and a half!  Later, they led the AMS in Florida that grew to almost 200!  Orlando is beginning to multiply in the same way!  Our awesome band began with Melanie Coyle, a talented singer and flutist, who was joined by Brittany Miller, a vibrant singer.

Our new Sister in Christ, Yanna, celebrating with June Fisher and Lisa Robillard at her baptism!

Worship through Song and Music!
During times of great victories and sorrows, God’s people used song and music to express themselves to God.  This is a form of prayer that is far from silent!  The sighted scripture in Nehemiah is an example of worship in celebration of the victory of completion of the wall of Jerusalem.  In Exodus the Israelites rejoiced in song at the great victory of crossing the sea and their enemies being destroyed.  Likewise, we need to celebrate the victories in God’s Kingdom and express joy through song and music!

Nehemiah 12:27 – At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.

Exodus 15:1 – Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.

Dancers Anthony Eckels and Chayna Douglas

Exodus 15:19-21 – When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the LORD,
for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
he has hurled into the sea.”

Worship Through Visual Art!
Many examples in the scriptures show craftsman and sculptors using their talents to visually please the Lord.  Bezalel made the ark that encased God’s precious commandments and most holy objects.  He used his skill to create a beautiful ark and sculpted winged cherubim at each end.  In the same way art was valued in the Bible, we can create art to visually draw others to God and his spiritually realms.  The process of creating for God’s glory is also an act of worship!

Angel Hovering Over The Sea by Elizabeth Eckels

As we go through our week as disciples, let us look for new ways to worship the Lord whether through: song, dance, visual art, creative writing or other forms of creativity!  God deserves to be glorified!

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.”

Saturday, June 18, 2011, was the Third Annual Day of MERCY! MERCY Worldwide (Maximizing Efforts for Relief Care and Youth) is the benevolent arm of the International Christian Churches. Over 1, 200 MERCY Ambassadors on five continents embraced our local communities by providing compassionate service in multiple capacities.

An elderly woman is grateful for us to serve her!

The following are some good news stories from the International Christian Churches around the world about their Day of MERCY!

Calvin Pichardo and Elizabeth Eckels serving with glad hearts!

MERCY Washington DC – Carlos Mejia: Over 80 Ambassadors were divided in two unified efforts to serve both Garfield Elementary School and West Elementary School. Garfield Elementary, due to the lack of staff, had to rely on the 5 to 10 year old students to move over 250 different text books down three flights of stairs into the basement storage room. The tasks ranged from packing an entire library collection of books into boxes at Garfield Elementary to sorting nine classroom libraries in 23 different reading levels at West. The principals and teachers could not stop thanking MERCY for meeting the needs of the schools.

MERCY New York City – Kwaku Sarkodie: The NYC Branch held five projects for the Day of MERCY. Two groups of MERCY Ambassadors encouraged the lives of seniors at two nursing homes, one in the Bronx and one in Brooklyn, spending time, sharing stories and singing songs. Another group of MERCY Ambassadors worked with City Harvest in Union Square, collecting over 2000 lbs of donated food from the farmers market to be distributed to the poor and homeless of New York City. Other MERCY Ambassadors worked with Meals on Heels, a NYC non-profit organization that serves meals to the elderly incapable of leaving their apartments. This group of Ambassadors served meals to 10 elderly people in their apartments in the city and spent time encouraging them. The last group of MERCY volunteers served in Queens, repairing the home of a disciple’s mother-in-law in need.

Disciples eagerly serving by cleaning apartments!!

MERCY London – Michael Williamson: What an impacting and memorable weekend for the London International Christian Church as we served one of the most famous hostels in Europe! “Arlington House” is situated in the heart of London’s “art district” – Camden Town. The hostel was designed to provide clean and decent accommodation for 1,103 working men. The disciples definitely rolled-up their sleeves! We had a few IT professionals update computer workstations, several members hauled trash and cleared massive storage facilities. Another task included sorting a garage-sized room literally full of resident laundry and donated clothing – the majority of which were unclean! Since most of the individuals living there are homeless, plagued with mental illness and deformity, a heart-touching need in Arlington was for Ambassadors to fellowship some of the residents in the common area. One resident said, “No one wants to talk to people like us who are outcasts in society.” The Director of Arlington was in shock at our request to serve them. “The London International Christian Church is the first church in England that’s volunteered to serve at our facility so you guys are ‘Trailblazers’!” He smiled and thanked us for serving. This weekend proved that it is definitely “more blessed to give than receive!” To God be all the glory!

Paula Harpole serving with a smile!

MERCY Santiago, Chile – Vic Gonzalez: Our Day of Mercy started with an awesome fast! Then Friday night, the “universitarios” (teen and campus) students prepared 100 sandwiches! At 6AM, we warmed water then packed-up and headed to the Vega Central where we served over a hundred breakfasts, distributed socks, and had life-changing talks! This morning at our Sunday Worship Service, eight of the people we served were fired-up guests!

MERCY Kiev, Ukraine – Oleg and Aliona Sirotkin: We are so grateful for the inspiration from the call for all the disciples in the SoldOut Movement to be like Jesus and serve the poor and needy. This Friday, we visited our city boarding school for blind children and told them of our willingness to support them as a church, to which they immediately responded with gratitude. We gave them new pots as they had been using the old iron pans for 150 students; we organized the reading materials for the blind, as well as organizing events and excursions. The whole church willingly donated money to buy everything they need for the kids, and we were happy to bring it to them!

We hope you are inspired and encouraged after reading these great accounts!  For more information and to donate to MERCY Worldwide, please click here.

Anthony and Elizabeth Eckels appointing Melanie Coyle Web Deaconness

God never said we would have it easy. But He does carry us through. As a young woman, I was a single mother with a chip on my shoulder. I was controlling and felt I had to control everything and everyone in order to make sure my life was in order. My husband and I were married and we thought we had built our marriage on the right foundation. Within three years we had a total of four children and a ton of responsibilities, and instead of turning toward each other, we turned apart and my husband would say he checked out. My controlling nature and lack of humility turned him away from our marriage and out to the world. It was at this time Lisa, a disciple in the Orlando International Christian Church, shared her faith with me. She was eager to meet with me and study the Bible and helped me to gain a faith and a hope that could not be shaken. I met with the women of the church and in the middle of a failing marriage I was baptized into Christ, and put my hope in God!

John Goss (far right) has been appointed Deacon of Finances for the church and stands with his West Side Bible Talk during their send off!!

I became a broken woman who had to realize that the only way I could live an abundant life, like Jesus came to give me, was by surrendering to God, no matter what his plan for me was. I am grateful to God because as I drew close to Him, he took care of me. God gave me the strength to go back to school and take courses while raising my children and walking through a painful separation. God became my rock and the center of my life. As I drew near to Jesus and the women of this church, God has helped me to change my character and take responsibility for my own sin. I saw that I needed to repent of not relying on God. I would rely on food for comfort and was still trying to control my life and the people around me instead of letting God take control. As I focused on changing myself, enjoying my life no matter what, and repenting of my sin, God was working on my husband’s heart as the men in the church got with him and helped him by using God’s word.

The Coyle Family - clockwise from left: Sarah, Steve, Elisa, Melanie (center), Maria, Ethan and Stephen!

Additionally, God has blessed me with the victory of recently graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Anthropology and also becoming the Web Deaconness for OICC!  It is with honor and humility that I accept this position and pray that everyone who sees our website will be inspired and encouraged. I want to also encourage everyone that GOD IS FAITHFUL. He doesn’t promise that our lives will be easy. But He DOES take care of us.

Being close to God and a part of His awesome church has changed my life, my husband’s life, my marriage and my children’s destiny. My most recent joy is the excitement of studying the Bible with my mother, training to be Shepherds in the church and helping others in their marriages! God has a plan for all of us! I will be eternally grateful to God and his church for giving me hope and a future! Jeremiah 29:11-13 says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring you back form captivity.

The ladies of OICC celebrate the recent baptism of Kristine Bates (center, 3rd from right), a sophomore at Valencia Community College!

“Jesus went up on the mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:13-14

Hyatt Regency

Location of the 2011 GLC

The 2011 Global Leadership Conference (GLC) is the annual gathering of the leadership of the SoldOut Discipling Movement. Since God’s movement is expanding rapidly – both numerically and geographically – the goal of each GLC is to provide leadership training, to forge relationships in our growing global leadership team, and to reaffirm our motivating vision of “the evangelization of the nations in THIS generation.” This year’s exciting theme for the GLC is THE CALLING.

We believe that the SoldOut Movement is not merely a family of churches, but is the modern day movement of God! The theme of THE CALLING will deepen our conviction that every disciple is “to live a life worthy of the calling [that he] has received.” (Ephesians 4:1) This challenging theme will also remind those of us in the full-time ministry that serving God in this capacity is not a job, but is the very calling of God! In the Scriptures, the voice of God was silenced only when the man of God refused to listen. Therefore, to be an Evangelist, Women’s Ministry Leader, Shepherd, Administrator or Deacon is a life-long calling. Also as Jesus called the Twelve, we are urging every young person to attend who may sense that God is calling them into the full-time ministry. Finally, the theme of THE CALLING is vital at this hour as suffering and persecution will only intensify as our numbers increase and the frontiers where the Spirit leads us grow in difficulty.

It is inevitable that the wrath of the world and the fury of Satan will likewise escalate. As Peter reminds us, “To this you we

Special Guest Carlos Mejia from the DC Church (center) prays with the brothers after Richard Hernandez (right of center) is baptized!

The 2011 Global Leadership Conference will begin at 9AM on Sunday morning August 21, 2011. Gathered that morning will be not only the City of Angels Church in Los Angeles, but also all of the disciples of our sister churches in Phoenix and San Diego. The predicted 300 participants of the GLC from around the world will join this collective Sunday Worship Service to praise God and to kick-off the conference! Sunday afternoon will serve as an extended fellowship opportunity. Then that evening for the 300, the Global Leadership Conference Program continues with a scrumptious banquet and the theme speech – The Calling. Monday will be dedicated to other speeches, as well as classes and workshops that are focused on leadership training for specific roles. Tuesday morning, the brothers and sisters will meet separately to address various needs. Then the closing speech – Called To Follow In His Steps – will send us “into all the world” and the conference will conclude around 1PM.

Last year for the 2010 World Missions Jubilee, the registration was $90 for the Jubilee and $20 more for the banquet of all the leaders. The overnight price at the Universal City Hilton was $129/ night – totaling at $516 for the four nights of the Jubilee. This year the overall cost for the conference will be significantly less if you are staying at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The cost per night is an amazing $99! Therefore since the GLC is only three nights, your total room cost is $297 – very affordable with up to four in a room “splitting this cost!”

The brothers of OICC rejoice with Mike Roman (centered) after his baptism!

Since we have secured such favorable room rates with the promise to the Hyatt Regency Hotel of booking at least 270 room nights, we are asking everyone that has the ability to please stay at the Hyatt. You may register for the 2011 Global Leadership Conference at the City of Angels International Christian Church website: www.CAICC.net. On the Global Leadership Conference Webpage, a separate link to the Hyatt Regency Hotel will allow you to register for your room nights as well.

One note, if you are flying into LA, we highly recommend that to fly into the John Wayne Airport in Orange County rather than LAX in Los Angeles County. Located in Orange County, the Hyatt Regency Hotel is just 15 minutes from the John Wayne Airport, but the drive could be well over an hour from LAX. Special thanks go to Carlos Mejia who has made these arrangements. Also thanks to Tim Kernan who is the Director of this year’s GLC.

Rejoicing on Mother's Day as Richard Hernandez baptizes his mother, Denise! From left: Melanie Coyle, our new sister Denise Hernandez, Richard Hernandez and Elizabeth Eckels

During the 2011 Global Leadership Conference there will be many highlights. One of the highlights will be the appointments of more Evangelists and Women’s Ministry Leaders at any one event, than even in “the glory days” of our former fellowship. Another highlight at the collective Sunday Morning Worship Service will be the sending out of the third Crown of Thorns Mission Team to Sao Paulo, Brazil! Please be earnestly praying that this year’s Global Leadership Conference will glorify God as we obey THE CALLING of His voice to go to all nations!

Kip McKean

Reflecting on the last four years of God’s modern day movement has been remarkable!  It is truly exciting to see how God used the Portland disciples to plant a seed of hope and fire for God in so many of us!  Inspired by Kip and Elena McKean’s leadership and the discipling of Chris and Theresa Broom, we were inspired to return to Orlando, Florida  in 2008 to restore the dream to evangelize Florida and to gather the remnant of sold out disciples who believe that Jesus is calling us to evangelize all nations! (Matthew 28:18-20)  Being motivated by God’s grace cannot and should not be without affect!  The cross of Jesus deserves our best effort!   Orlando ICC has restored first century Christianity by implementing simple Biblical principles: daily Bible studies and daily prayer (Acts 2:42-47) , daily one another relationships and discipling (Hebrews 10:23-25), daily sharing of the good news (which is not a burden but a privilege! – Philemon 6), and unity among believers everywhere in every church! (1 Corinthians 4:15-17)  Through these Biblical principles, we have been able to restore many disciples’ first love to Jesus, strengthen marriages, provide direction for parenting, and inspire our youth, teens and campus students!

Orlando International Christian Church recently held it’s Winter Workshop where we recalled all that God has done during 2010 and set new prayer goals for 2011.  Some of the victories of 2010 included the doubling of our congregation

The Men of OICC Celebrating the addition of their two new brothers from Valencia Community College, Donovan and Devan!

We are encouraged and excited to see all that God has in store for us this year and have the following goals:

1. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Jesus is the Christ.  Acts 5:42

As in the first century church, growth was a characteristic that God’s spirit was working among them.  OICC has a numeric goal to grow to 60 sold-out disciples by the end of the year with an average attendance of 125 on Sundays.  With this in mind, the church is prayerfully looking for an accessible location where we can also expand our Kingdom Kids ministry.

2.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.   Acts 1:8

In order to continue spreading the gospel throughout Orlando, Lord willing we will be planting the West Orlando Region on May 15, 2011.

Our New Brothers Donavan Morgan and Devan Terell (center) with Chris Jones, Anthony Eckels and Calvin Pichardo!

As our campus ministries at UCF and Valencia continue to grow, we plan to strengthen them with two more campus interns.  One of our goals this year was to convert male Bible Talk leaders for Valencia East and West.  God has already answered our prayer with our two new brothers in Christ, Donovan and Devon.

4.  In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own body.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-for we are members of his body.  Ephesians 5:28-30

To strengthen the marriages in God’s church, we are spearheading a marriage enrichment class and discipleship group that will meet the 2nd Thursday of every month.

5.  Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech and life in love and faith and in purity.  1Timothy 4:12

We will be launching our pre-teen and teen ministry this spring.  Not only will we be training them in the Word on Sundays, we will also have activities scheduled with their parents, including camping and sports!  Our campus disciples are fired up about our big brother/big sister program, giving these kids a vision of what they have to look forward to as disciples.  We will also continue our Friday family devotionals that we have been doing once a month for all the children with their parents!

6. He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.  Isaiah 40:11

In order to strengthen our young and weaker disciples, our goal is to appoint our first shepherding couple and first deacon this year.  We will continue to focus on strengthening our new Christians through follow-up studies and new Christian lunches.

7.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  Acts 2:45

OICC will be collecting fifteen times our regular contribution on April 17, 2011 to support the spread of the gospel in Orlando as well as to help God’s worldwide movement, including  the Santiago, Chile church hire their first campus intern.

8.  Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to him with tambourines and the harp.  Psalm 149:3

As our music ministry continues to grow, our goal is to raise up Arts, Media, Sports ministry leaders.  Our goal with this ministry is to reach out to the artists, musicians and athletes of Orlando.  God desires for us to use our talents to the full for His glory.

9.  ‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but not everything is beneficial.  ‘Everything is permissible for me’ – but I will not be mastered by anything.  1Corinthians 6:12

Our Christmas Baptism! Susan Conner (center) with her church family after her baptism!

God’s desire for us is to worship Him wholeheartedly.  In order for many to do this they must learn how to not be mastered by addiction.  This specialized ministry will meet the needs of many from drug and alcohol backgrounds.

10. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  Proverbs 31:20

During 2011 we will continue serving those in need quarterly through MERCY Worldwide.  In Orlando our hearts were especially moved when we visited and reached out to the children at a local behavioral center.  We plan on serving them on a continual basis throughout this year.

To God Be the Glory!

Anthony and Elizabeth Eckels