June 2008 Archives

Receiving an Inheritance

Published on June 30, 2008 by Brent Eldridge

It has been a real thrill to settle into the reality of coming home to Lakewood.  For over 60 years, the ministry of Lakewood has been a huge part of the greater Los Angeles area and beyond.  Kristin and I, along with our kids, have eagerly waited for our opportunity to dig in deep to the ministries of Lakewood—using our gifts to serve the Lord and His people in the context of this amazing local church ministry.  I think we would all agree that Lakewood has an amazing legacy.  Please allow me to share some thoughts about the inheritance we are all receiving.
 
In 1947, Pastor Norman MacPherson, with his wife and a handful of others, began the ministry of Lakewood.  Imagine the dreams of those charter members and ministers!  Nothing but an empty lot (purchased for $6000), a small home off Centralia (that housed the ministry the first year), and spirit-filled aspirations to impact this corner of the world for
Christ.
 
Pastor MacPherson passed the ministry torch to Pastor Harold Carlson, who led Lakewood for 17 years.  During his tenure, Pastor Carlson and those who worshiped at Lakewood saw new buildings go up (like our sanctuary and education buildings…even the log cabin!), and many people come to Christ and join the ministries of Lakewood.  
 
Following Pastor Carlson, the ministry was entrusted to Pastor James Borror, who led Lakewood for 20 years.  While serving at Lakewood, Pastor Borror ushered in many dynamic years of thorough and insightful Biblical teaching, ministry expansion (including the preschool, the elementary school, and the three-story Tanglewood Building), and a ministry impact that recorded over 1600 baptisms and a membership of over 3500 people.  

Pastor Ron Blomberg was the next leader of Lakewood.  His “shepherd’s heart” was always evident, as he used his gifts of mercy and service to compassionately bring the people of Lakewood nearer to the heart of God.  Following Pastor Ron’s time as Senior Pastor came a transitional period of ministry under a team of leaders led by Pastor Steve Richardson.  Pastor Steve brought amazing gifts of leadership and administration to the ministry of Lakewood.  In many ways, he introduced systems that helped to establish the ministry years that would follow under the leadership of Lakewood’s most recent Senior Pastor, John Dickau.
 
Pastor John served Lakewood for almost 10 years.  His previous ministry experience, and most especially his oversight in the BGC, prepared him to envision great things for the ministry of Lakewood.  His heart for people and his passion to serve God with his life (over 40 years full-time), have given him a holistic perspective on ministry that can be seen clearly through the ongoing ministries of Lakewood.
 
What an amazing line-up.  What an incredible legacy.  And now, we all are set to begin our part of Lakewood’s story in this generation!  It’s important to remember that we did not start this ministry.  It is an inheritance of others’ dreams and visions.  We are the most recent stewards of this legacy of ministry.  While giving a historical account to a crowd in Pisidian Antioch, Paul said in Acts 13:36 that when King David “had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep”.  Did you catch that?  He served God’s purpose in his own generation.  We have seen the servants of God serve the Lord at Lakewood in generations past.  Now, together, it is our time.
 
I want to point out three very important components that will be on my heart ongoing—and I pray they will be on yours, also.  I believe that in order to fully enjoy and utilize what has been given to us to make an impact for Christ in this  generation, we must:
 
1. Look into our ministry’s history and fully embrace our inheritance - all of it.
2. Prayerfully consider how to build onto the inheritance we have received.
3. Prepare to pass the inheritance onto the generation who will receive it next.
 
May we always be quick to look to the Lord’s leading in each of our lives as we begin a new chapter of ministry here at Lakewood.  Most importantly, let’s remember what Solomon said in Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain”.  I look forward to tremendous years of ministry impact alongside each of you as we serve the Lord together!

Get to know more about Pastor Brent here.

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First Impressions Ministry Thanks our Students

Published on June 30, 2008 by Lakewood

On behalf of the entire First Impressions Ministry team we want to thank our young adults for a job well done! On Fathers Day last month our High School Students volunteered and served as ushers and greeters for our morning worship service.  They did a tremendous job
greeting people, handing out bulletins and gift books to the dads with a smile and warm welcome. We always look forward to seeing our students using their gifts of service at Lakewood.  We have some openings if you would be interested in serving on the First Impressions Team on Sunday mornings as a greeter, host/hostess or usher, please contact Bill Zabel at the church office: 562-420-1471 ext. 141 or email bzabel@fbcol.org.

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Our School Ministries

Published on June 30, 2008 by Lakewood

Lakewood Christian Schools would like to welcome Pastor Brent! We are excited for this new chapter in our church's history. All of our end-of-the-year activities are complete. It has been a great year. Eighth grade graduation was wonderful with baby pictures, clips from the video yearbook and our speaker, David Lawrence, father of a graduate, who did a fabulous job of challenging the graduates as they leave for high school.
 
Summer is a sweet time to relax and to prepare for the fall. We are still testing and admitting some transfer students, as well as Kindergarten and Middle School applicants. Enrollment appears to be higher than last year. We give tours, answer questions and take applications throughout the summer. Our summer office hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 am-1:00 pm.
 
The middle school is still looking for someone who is interested in teaching one elective for next year. If you are a believer, love teens, and have weekday afternoons free, call the school asap. We are  also looking for a teacher's aide. We'd love to hear from you!  
 
Thank you for praying for our school ministries (preschool, elementary and middle school) and the vital work done here in the lives of our students, impacting their families for Christ.

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Lakewood Connection, July 2008

Published on June 30, 2008 by Lakewood

The new issue of Lakewood Connection is here!  Read some of our articles here on the blog, or download the PDF.

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My Last Lakewood Connection

Published on June 05, 2008 by Pastor John

It is hard to believe that I am writing my last Lakewood Connection article.  Over the last few months, I have become increasingly sensitive to the number of things that I was doing for the last time here at Lakewood i.e. the last Christmas and Easter seasons; the last Mother’s Day and Father’s Day; and now even the number of sermons left to preach are dwindling down to just a handful.  Perhaps it is time for “the last word.”
 
I have been involved in some kind of ministry position now for 43 years.  I thank God for the varied ministry opportunities and challenges.  While I worked as a youth pastor for 4½ years during my college and seminary days, I started my first pastorate at the South Shore Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois on August 1, 1970.  I have been a pastor all of the
years since, with the exception of 9½ years when I served as the Executive Director of Home Missions and then Vice President of Global Church Enrichment for the Baptist General Conference.

I just want you to know that I thank God for every one of you.  The faithfulness that so many of you have  demonstrated here at Lakewood has been outstanding and it has inspired me as a pastor.  Colleen and I both want to thank you for your love and support over these years.  I want you to know that I step down from this ministry position filled with great hope for what the Lord is going to do here at Lakewood.
 
When I think of leaving this ministry role, I am drawn to the words from Hebrews 13: 7Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of  their faith.8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  
 
I am grateful for leaders who have served alongside of me here at Lakewood.  For each staff member, each board member (especially those who have chaired the board), and others who have served in key ministry positions, I say “THANK YOU” for your labor of love.  We are reminded in the passage, to “remember … to think of all of the good… to follow the example of their faith;” and most of all – that “Jesus is the same!”
 
As Brent comes as our new lead pastor, there are words of encouragement in this passage that we need to hear. I pray that as Brent and Kristin and their family and Jeff and Sam come, that it will be a great time of joy for them and for our church.
 
17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.  
 
As we move on, Colleen and I deeply yearn for your prayers.
 
18. Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.  

And we will remember you in our prayers as well.  
 
20 Now may the God of peace … equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.  
 
We love you all.  God bless!!!    ~ Pastor John

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