January 17, 2008
Faith & Family by Jennifer Bowling
Fourteen Years of Celebration Back in 1994 the doors unlocked to a small place within the community of Taft in a tiny room at the Historic Fort. No more than a few individuals joined together and decided to put together a Church. The founders of Westside Believers Fellowship (WBF) were Pastors Ron & Regina Griffith. This couple has been committed some 14 years to the God given vision that has inspired many to step up and embrace their God given potential in Christ Jesus. Starting out in the Historic Fort, Pastor Ron and Regina Griffith continued to fulfill the dream that God had placed within them along with an enthusiastic growing church body. Moving from the Taft Fort God gave them a wonderful facility on Main Street that seated many more than ever before. Seeing their passion and being a part of it, you could feel God’s powerful anointing and that anointing still burns today. As the Pastors stayed faithful, the church really began to grow, and people were coming in like flies. The church had to add a second morning service on Sunday due the great overflow of people. Because of this growth there came a time to move forward and find a larger facility. The entire church prayed over many buildings. They prayed about moving into the Bank of America building on Center Street that was empty but were prohibited by the City Council. They also looked in the possibility of purchasing the Safeway building and many other similar facilities but didn’t find anything that met their needs. Seeking God, the church decided to put a large tent in their parking lot at 307 Main Street. People would bring blankets while the heaters were running and in the summer the sweat was pouring off the worshipers like rain,
but during this time the people were faithful and the church continued to grow. Through every transition you could always see the hearts of Pastors Ron and Regina seeking to follow after God’s will. They always kept their eye on the big picture, no matter what came their way. One of their favorite scriptures is Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV) which says “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” It’s clear that their life represents this scripture because of the place God has brought them from and taken them to. And there is still so much more to come. After another period of time God moved the church body to 1000 6th St for roughly three and a half years. During that time the Lord brought many opportunities the body of believers, which has never been taken lightly. At that time the church received the opportunity to take over the Fitness Center from the Westside Recreation District. Renaming the facility the “The Foundry,” the Foundry became a wonderful hangout for kids and brought a great amount of enjoyment to the hearts of so many. It was a place Moms and Dads knew as a safe haven to bring their child. During this time WBF staffed the Foundry with volunteers who gave their time and effort to helping the kids of our community. Without their willing hearts and labor of love this could have never happened. According to Foundry Director Charlotte Risi, the spirit that
TAFT INDEPENDENT
built the Foundry still exists in the hearts of the church and WBF is excited to see what God is going to do next. Charlotte’s great enthusiasm to see God’s work done is inspiring and she’s very excited about what’s still to come. During all these years WBF has had a tremendous vision that goes well beyond the New Worship Center across from Kmart at 101 HWY 33. Pastors Ron and Regina want people to realize their full potential in Christ for his glory. After 14 years, you can see how God works in the lives of those who are obedient to him. Pastor Ron always says “this is only the beginning.” Sunday, January 20 marks WBF’s 14-year anniversary since the time at the Historic Fort, thanks to all God’s faithful people. Former WBF board member and longtime friend Keith Hershey of Mutual Faith Ministries in Mission Hills has been partnered with WBF from the beginning. Hershey is the President of Mutual Faith Ministries, a missionary organization here in California. Over the last 14 years Hershey has been faithful to attend WBF anniversaries and has partnered with Pastor Ron and the church body. Currently Hershey ministers in the most threatening parts of Africa, India, the Philippines, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and so many other parts of the world where people’s lives have been changed by the preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hershey is a humble and faithful man who trusts in Christ. It’s always an honor and privilege to have him with us in Taft. This is just a taste of how God has worked through the faithful people over the past 14 years. And with continued service to God there is still so much
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more to come. So with great enthusiasm WBF wants to give everyone in our community an invitation to join the 14-year anniversary celebration on Sunday, January 20 at 10 a.m. WBF is located at 101 HWY 33 across from Kmart. Special guest Keith Hershey will bring a powerful message along with a great time of celebration. Like always, there will also be child care available; the WBF nursery and children’s ministries are a great place where children get a deposit of God’s word in them along with lots of fun. As a result, I believe that you, your family and friends will be encouraged and blessed. WBF looks forward to having each and every one of you. Come and let the Lord touch your life. I promise you won’t be sorry. Please let us know about special events being held at your church and we’ll run it in the Taft Independent. You can email us at taftindypublisher@ bak.rr.com, or fax us at 765-6556. You can also reach us at 765-6550. Building Stones Ministry Training Center 401 Finley Drive School of Ministry Wednesday @ 6:30 p.m. Sunday Family Meeting @ 6 P.M. Pastors Dale and Kay Sullivan
New Life Community Church
Pastor Floyd and Carol Jordan 1000 6th Street Service Times 10:00 a.m. Sundays
HOT MEALS & FREE CLOTHING Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m. at The Spot - 201 Harrison Street HIGH SCHOOL & JR. HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MEETINGS Wednesdays 7 p.m. at The Spot - 201 Harrison Street
HELP WANTED Someone with Property Management Experience or someone who has worked in a property management office. (661)
745-3211
Free Hot Lunch and Free Clothing for those in need. 201 Harrison Street (next to Laborers of the Harvest) 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Free Friendship and Conversation. Please call 765-9472 for more information.
Lighthouse Foursquare Church 210 Harrison Street 763-1518 Home Of The Good News Bears Hugs On Wheels Food In The Park Code Blue Youth Sunday Service 10 AM Pastors Mark and Kathy Fitzsimmons For More Information on Service Times Go To WWW.TAFTLIGHTHOUSE.ORG
Trinity Southern Baptist Church 400 Finley Drive
We invite you to join us each week as we worship. Sunday Bible Study Sunday Morning Worship Sunday Evening Worship Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study
9:45 am 11:00 am 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
Any questions call Pastor Paul Wilson 747-8105
TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 630 North St. 765-5557
OPEN DOORS Sunday Services 10 am Sunday School and Adult Group after services
Pastor Steve Hanusa
First Congregational Church of Maricopa
New Hours Sunday 10 a.m. Bible Study Thursday Nights 7 p.m. 395 California Street, Pastor Maricopa, CA 93252 Bill LeBarron (661) 619-5372
Place Your Church Ad Here! Place your church’s bible study and church worship service schedule in the Faith & Family section of the Taft Independent. Call 765-6550 today to place your display ad. Everyone Reads The Taft Independent!