Longs Peak Association of Churches - Loveland, co

Every church has "next steps" as they follow the Lord and reach people with the Gospel. The goal of the Next Steps Ministry is to help pastors and church leaders be prayerful, wise, and strategic in that process.  My experience and preparation includes 45+ years of being an Associate Pastor. I have worked in Discipleship, Worship, Administration, and Guest Experience. This has provided a wide range of exposure to the needs of people and their needs for next steps on their spiritual journey.

My specific assignment in Longs Peak Association is to help churches increase their effectiveness in:

• Enlisting and equipping volunteers

• Developing Guest Experience Ministry

• Designing effective Adult Discipleship Ministry (enlisting, equipping, and empowering small group leaders)

• Choosing discipleship curriculum

• Developing a Leadership Pathway for your church

• Pastor and Staff relationships (developing and maintaining unity)

• Discovering God's vision and strategy for your church

• Understanding the community around you and developing effective outreach strategies

• Developing and executing church planting plans

And I regularly preach in several of our churches. 

I felt God's leadership toward this type of ministry for Northern Colorado 20 years ago. In 2021, I resigned from my church position, raised financial support and launched out! I continually discover new needs in churches. I am fulfilled and blessed when I work with pastors, staff, and volunteer leaders. 

Caleb and Michelle lead The Hope Community. Married in 2011, they have two children, Hadessah (the princess) and Josiah (the adorable monster). As God brought them together from two completely different backgrounds, they knew He had something unique for them to accomplish. Over the last decade, they have served as youth pastors at churches of varying sizes cultures, and models; giving them a wealth of experiences to draw from as Christian leaders. Their passion for God and for people, as well as their individual giftings, have served as catalysts for leading people to Jesus and raising up leaders. Michelle is a natural creative with years of experience working in the hospitality industry and in ministry. She has an associate degree in Christian Ministries and runs a local floral business. Caleb has a BA in Theological studies from the King’s University and is ordained with the Assemblies of God. After spending a year in as church planters in residence at National Community Church in Washington D.C. under the leadership of Dr. Mark Batterson, they moved to Sacramento, CA to plant a new church, The Hope Community, in the Oak Park Neighborhood. As a family, they have a deep passion to see the communities of Sacramento transformed with the hope of Jesus.

OUR MISSION

Live out the transforming love of Jesus in our community as we help people find hope, live hope and give hope.

OUR PASSION

We want people to see God for who He is and find their place in a Christ centered community.

OUR GOAL

Build a church community that will serve and love our city the way Jesus would.

Mercy Spring Ranch was founded in 2010, but God began writing its story decades before.

Founders John and Monique Black grew up together in the California Central Valley. When they married in 1990, John was pursuing a career in law enforcement, and Monique was focused on building a career in the horse industry. They continued in their chosen careers until 1998, when Monique felt the Lord was calling her out of the horse industry and into full-time ministry. Selling a lifetime accumulation of equine gear, Monique was convinced she would never work with horses again. It was no small matter, as horses had been the pivotal thing that sustained her through a very broken childhood. God used those horses to reveal His love for her and bring healing to her broken world. Because of that she was determined to someday have a ranch where she could help other broken children find the hope and healing she found, through Jesus, while “on the back of a horse.” When God called her to give it all up, she was convinced He would never give it back.

In 2009, Monique had a “chance” encounter with a neighbor she had never met. The neighbor shared that she too had a desire to someday use horses to help hurting children. This led Monique to pass along a book she had been given a decade before about a ranch in Oregon called Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. The neighbor asked Monique to attend a clinic with her that Crystal Peaks was holding to teach others how to start similar ministries. She agreed to go to support the neighbor, but spent the entire clinic crying and asking God why He would give someone else her dream. Returning home, she put it behind her. Several months passed when a property came up for sale that sparked John to insist on returning to Crystal Peaks to learn more. By the end of the second clinic, John was convinced the Lord was calling them to start a similar ministry. By May of 2010, Mercy Spring Ranch was born.

When their home sold and they were tasked with moving themselves and an entire ranch ministry with no leads on property, they moved into a trailer on a neighbor’s property and continued to pray for the Lord to direct them. Seven months later, God flung the gates open wide and Mercy Spring Ranch finally had a forever home. A 12+ acre property in Escalon, Ca. with a very old and run-down almond orchard began its transformation in December of 2018!

Dr. Troy Stein is the Chief Executive Officer of Without Permission. Troy is married, has 4 grown Daughters, and 7 Grandchildren. Troy works to collaborate with people in key leadership positions that share his commitment to serve first responders of law enforcement, social services, educators, and medical staff. He has become a powerful force of justice. He works to spearhead the discussion to end the culture of human trafficking in the Central Valley. His team has served over 887 victims of sex trafficking and exploitation. Without Permission has impacted more than 1,050 law enforcement officers and 75,000 community members through awareness training."

Our Team continues to have a desire to disrupt the demand that perpetuates sex trafficking and in 2021 Without Permission began a partnership with a national organization operating in 22 states. This partnership is a pivotal part of the “I Am Change” Men’s Movement to disrupt demand & end sex trafficking in the Central Valley.

Without Permission continues to collaborate with people in key leadership positions throughout the Central Valley who share the commitment to end sex trafficking. Without Permission has a staff of 17 and more than 100 volunteers that drive the vision annually. Without Permission currently has onsite staff members located at Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall, The Family Justice Center of Stanislaus County, Stanislaus County Community Services Agency, and San Joaquin Family Justice Center.

Without Permission strives to operate within five core values: Serving, Community, Family, Faith, and Excellence

Our Vision: 

A world where every child has a chance at life and is welcomed and nurtured in a loving family.

Our Heart:

We are dedicated to protecting the unborn, providing for those facing crisis pregnancies and post-abortion trauma, and promoting healthy relationships through a system of support with the love of Jesus Christ.

Our Team:

We are a Christ-centered ministry that has served the greater Modesto area for more than 30 years. Our tiny by mighty staff operates three clinics and an in-school/in-church education program. However, none of this is possible without our larger team: donors and volunteers.