Thankful

We have so much to be thankful for!  Seriously, consider the basics: food in the fridge, shelter to protect, clothes on our back, reliable transportation…you name it, we are blessed with it.  And, on top of all these perishables, we have something far greater; namely, we have Jesus.  And, if I can borrow from the song, “…if all we have is Jesus, we have more than enough!” 

As we approach the Thanksgiving Holiday here in America, I am personally grateful to live in a great country that still allows me to worship my Lord without conflict, I’m blessed to place a sign in my front yard that encourages all to see to pray - without challenge, and I’m so fortunate to live in a land that allows me to broadcast my Savior’s love without being thrust in jail.  Yes, we have so much to be thankful for!  Thank you Jesus…

Last, Tami and I are especially blessed to have our three sons and daughter-in-law (and their black lab) with us this Thanksgiving.  Thank you Lord for family time, we’re blessed to be together in home again!  Thank you Jesus…

May you have a great Thanksgiving and may we all live in 1st Thessalonians 5:18 today, tomorrow and forever!

A Water Fight

I was recently in the Philippines on a short term mission trip with some good friends from Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship; we served for 8 days alongside Calvary Chapel Bacolod, Pastor Joe & wife Billy, Terry and a host of amazing Filipino leaders.  Our main ministry was to bring Jesus to the 160+ children at the orphanage: VBS, skits, Bible studies, games, etc. were all planned.  Little did we know what we were in for, seriously!  You see, we as believers take Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8 to heart; namely, we desire to make the Name of Jesus famous to the ends of the earth - on this trip: take our love for Jesus to the Philippines.  Something radical happened on this trip…check it out: we were so blessed and humbled with the love, the joy, the presence of Jesus in these lovely people that we were served in a much greater way than we could serve our precious new friends.  You know, I’ve always heard that when you go on these trips, the Lord is going to use you in great ways…but beware – He is going to do something great in you…too!  Well, this experience in the Philippines was no exception…in fact, I can honestly say this past week and half was one of the greatest highlights of my Christian experience…such that, I’m struggling being back in the states and the normalcy that my life affords me on this end of the globe!

Time simply won’t allow me to share every amazing thing that happened (more blogs too follow…), but let me share one story that is well…great.  I challenged the kids, known as the “little r’s”, to a water fight.  Needless to say, we were destroyed…that is the four missionaries from Morro Bay who had to fend off 160+ fun loving kids, not to mention Pastor Joe’s tactics.  What was so amazing about the water fight was not so much the water and the laughter and the fun and the silliness — it was the joy on the face of these children.  From the three year old thrusting an 8 ounce glass of water on my foot to fourteen year old Noah nailing me in the face with a stream of water traveling at a high speed.  It was just great and yes, we lost!  But you know, most of these kids have never been blessed to have a water fight!  Some of the children had to survive on the street, others existed in evil homes enduring unspeakable evil — the idea of a water fight, for most, at one time was simply out of the question.  Yet, as a blessing of God’s grace, these children have been literally rescued from intense situations to a home that replicates the love of Jesus like none other.  A place where healing, where restoration, where love, where acceptance, where Jesus is taught, lived and yes caught by His Amazing Grace.  Hum, all to say - wow, what a blessing our new friends are and these lessons became real and life changing while being pulverized with water!

Thank you Jesus and Calvary Chapel Bacolod — we love you!

Senior Pastor

Randy Ponder

Randy Ponder is the Senior Pastor of Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship. Randy was raised in Huntington Beach and received Christ as his Savior when he was 10 years old. Randy moved up to the Central Coast for college and graduated from Cal Poly in 1983. That summer, Randy moved to Morro Bay and met his lovely wife Tami; they have been married for over 25 years and have three wonderful sons and a precious daughter in law.

Randy was a Youth Pastor for 11 years in Temecula; and Randy & wife Tami both served at a church they planted in Temecula for 7 years before moving back to Morro Bay in January of 2008 to become part of this church family. Randy loves to travel to spread the Saving Message of Jesus. Randy’s travels have taken him to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Israel, Fiji and the Philippines. Randy’s passion is People, the Word of God, Missions, Athletics and is an avid Dodger, Lakers, Kings and Rams fan!

Deacon Board

Steve Beightler

Born in a small town in Illinois, my family moved to Southern California when I was a teenager. It was there though the youth ministry at a local church that I came to know the Lord. Since that day in 1971, I have known the joy of walking daily with the Lord living a life that has been rewarding and full. I met my wife, Joan, in that youth group and we have been married for 32 years. We are blessed with two daughters, both married (so now we have two sons) and one beautiful granddaughter. After 35 years with Cal Fire, I will some day soon be giving that up to open a new chapter in my life where God can use me.

Kathleen “KB” Brown

Since asking Jesus into her heart at the age of 7, Kathleen has always been active in her local church in many ways, from singing and playing in the worship band, to church administration, finance and computer systems, leading youth and adult Bible Studies, and anything that needs to be done. A native Californian, KB and her husband Rick, mother Marian and daughter Danielle relocated from Oxnard and all live together in the 3-generation house that Rick built in Morro Bay.

A consultant with a health-care services company, Kathleen works from home and travels across the country for her job. She also works with families in helping them fix their financial lives. KB loves to work in her avocado orchard, read, play games with friends and family, and enjoys living in one of God’s favorite places – Morro Bay! Life is certainly hectic these days, but KB says “I am blessed by God and trust Him to show me how to best serve Him.”

Terry Brown

Drawn to the Central Coast with wife Yvonne, and daughters Victoria and Holly, I turned my life over to Jesus while still living in Southern California. After turning over my life to Jesus, I began to drink in the Bible, sermons, cassette tapes, and Christian radio. It’s amazing, the thirst for God He gave me. A computer analyst with UPS for the last ten years, I enjoy assisting Rock Harbor with its computer, website, and other technical needs. It is a true joy to be called to service where ones passion lies. (Psalm 37:4)  I learned to serve from my parents, both active in their church for over fifty years, and I look forward to continue serving Jesus at Rock Harbor.

Mike Phillips

Mike was born in Fresno and raised in Visalia, where he gave his life to Christ at the age of 7. He began working for a contemporary Christian music radio station while in high school – a ministry that has continued for over 30 years, leading to his current role as the morning DJ at K-Life 89.3 FM. He met his wife, Karen, at the wedding of a mutual friend, and the two had their own wedding in 1984. Daughter Lindsay was born in 1991, son Matt followed in 1994, and daughter Madeline was adopted in China in 2007. Mike and Karen have been active in youth ministry, and currently lead our high school Bible study. Mike also oversees the church’s video ministry and plays with the worship team. He is excited about all God is doing at Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship, and is enjoying the adventure of serving Him!

Staff

Tami Ponder – Administrative Assistant

Tami Ponder is the Administrative Assistant of Rock Harbor Christian Fellowship. Tami spent most of her life on the Central Coast with a few years in Alaska and Northern California. Tami received Jesus as her Savior in her Junior Year in High School. Tami met her husband of 25 years in Morro Bay in 1983. Tami is the proud mother of three amazing sons and boasts of her daughter in law (no grand children yet – please pray she gets one soon…). Tami’s passions include Jesus, People, the Beach, Kayaking, Gardening, Building Projects and Crafts.

Brandie & Antone Bledsaw – Children and Youth Ministry

Antone & Brandie decided that they had to be together for the rest of their lives in 1995, and by God’s grace they still believe that to be true. God then blessed them with three beautiful and equally rotten children, Natalie, Eli, & Wendy to accompany them on the journey. They dedicate their life of service to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to God, through whom all blessings flow. Their ministry with children started in an Hispanic church. Neither Antone nor Brandie speak Spanish, but praise God; He knew what He was doing!They began attending RH in 2004 and are excited to be in the children’s ministry and seeing precious little hearts learn about Jesus and accept Him into their lives. What a wonderful God!

Danielle Noland – Finance

Danielle Noland is the bookkeeper and treasurer for The Journey Church Community. She moved to the Central Coast December of 2007 from the Los Angeles area. Danielle was born and raised in Oxnard, CA and became a believer when she was 7 years old. Danielle is a Business Manager for a Financial Services company in Burbank, and a consultant for other financial services companies as well. She has much experience running small companies including being retail store manager for many years. She was a Regional Operations Manager and trainer in the retail world. She traveled across the Western region of the country opening new stores and was sent to troubled stores to turn their operations around.Danielle is passionate about her love for God and using her talents to give back to her community. One of her dreams is to open a community center for art and music therapy for children and elderly, and hopes that God opens the opportunity for such a ministry on the Central Coast. She loves living and serving here and is excited about what God is up to and what His plans are!

Gary Lyons – Worship Director

I was born in Oldham, England (just outside Manchester) and moved to the U.S. when I was 12. I met my wife Trish in 1979; we’ll be married 30 years in July, 2010. I have two boys, Brandon, age 26, and Nathan, age 21. We moved to Morro Bay in 2002 when Brandon started at Cal Poly.

I captained my H.S. soccer team for all 3 years I went there, and was asked to try out for the L.A. Aztecs (pro soccer team). I also coached Soccer at all levels, including 4 years as Morro Bay H.S. Boys Varsity soccer coach.

I accepted Jesus as Savior in1978, at the original Vineyard, and was baptized by Rick Warren, December 6, 1992. My hobbies and passions include Music, Sports (playing Soccer, watching anything), working out, and people.