Category: Aptos Church Info – What’s Happening

Homeless in Santa Cruz CA – why?

Slipped on a banana peel  why homeless in Santa Cruz CA says  Jon Showalter, President of AFC & member of St. John’s Episcopal in Aptos, CA

Homeless in Santa Cruz CA — Why?  Largely just economic,   a slip on a banana peel?  Or are people homeless due to  lots of inter-related issues with use of  illegal drugs interwoven?  Your experience?

From government statistics:   Roughly 40% surveyed report at least one or more  serious health conditions:   drugs/alcohol;  psychotic/emotional;  post traumatic stress disorder,  physically disabled and  chronic health conditions. Such are the statistics.

It’s one thing to report and another thing as to what the real problems are.   Surveys are simply what people choose to report.

Per government  survey, roughly the same percentage  of homeless persons  look for work (43%)  compared with those who report they are  unable to work (43%).  These figures are from Santa Cruz County data.

A different   viewpoint  expressed recently  by   homeless advocate Jon  Showalter:  He  said in a talk  that 60% of local homeless  are “economic refugees” who “slipped on a banana peel” and  lost their social network. We need to know them human to human  Showalter emphasized.

It’s 60% economic  to 40%  other  (mental illness/ drug and alcohol)   states  homeless advocate Jon Showalter who spoke to 50+ women in Aptos,CA at Resurrection Catholic Community  3/18/19.

Showwalter is President of the Board for the Association of Faith Communities (AFC) and member of St. John’s Episcopal church   in Aptos, CA. The AFC meets monthly at Calvary Episcopal church  in Santa Cruz, CA   and  has 11 representatives of largely north Santa Cruz  faith organizations including Buddhist, Hindu and Christian.

Following Showalter’s presentation,  Pat Lorenzo of Resurrection Catholic Community  updated  attendees concerning other  programs currently in place through mid-county churches  which assist homeless persons  with meals, shelter, showers, socks  and other services.  The collect Socks program will continue says  Pat Lorenzo who applied for ,and received, three or four thousand  pairs of socks in December, 2018. Those socks have been dispersed throughout Santa Cruz County Lorenzo said.

New long term sheltering program:  Showalter states that a new sheltering program starts 3/18/19 at St. John’s Episcopal in Aptos, CA. Occupants of 3 cars will shelter long term in the parking lot of the church.  One car/person has been doing so for several months.  Persons  in the new sheltering  program will be  vetted through the Association of Faith Communities states Showalter.

Not in my backyard issues:

Whether or   how the nearby   housing project  — located adjacent on two sides  to St. John’s Episcopal   church in Aptos, CA  –  was contacted  concerning the long term sheltering program  was not discussed by Showalter  at the Guild meeting nor in  recent  email sent by the Rector, Mtr Tracy,   to St. John’s Episcopal  congregation.   At the Guild meeting an attendee discussed how  a successful   Catholic church sheltering program — located next to a school — managed the “not in my backyard issues”. Ongoing communication,  sharing  meals with  the parish  and a 6 am leave the premises each day  were central rules  she said.

Comment by Aptos Psychologist:

Are people homeless in Santa Cruz mainly   due to  “a slip on a banana peel”?  Mostly an economic issue and only somewhat a mental health/ drug issue?    Nope.  Why the multitude of  needles on the beaches? Why the feces and urine smells in downtown Santa Cruz?  Why the encampment of 100+  unauthorized tents at the entrance to Santa Cruz, CA.   Why do young mothers not take small children to Santa Cruz parks?

Reality:   It’s probably the reverse — 80+ percent drug/ alcohol/ mental illness and  20 percent economic.

What do statistics say?

Take Away :  The numbers show an overall decrease in homeless persons comparing  numbers   first collected (2005)  to the  latest numbers (2017).   There were about 3,400 homeless  in 2005 — and 12 years later — about   2,200 in 2017.

For communities to receive federal grant money for homeless issues those communities must count homeless persons every two years.   Communities   use  the Point in Time method of counting.

Statistics  collected by Applied Survey Research show that in 2005 there were 3,371 homeless and 8 years later in 2013  — the high point –  there were 3,536.  In 2015 the number was 1,964 and in 2017  it was 2,249.The statistics listed above  can be found via  United Way and from Santa Cruz County.

One size shoe  does not fit all:

There’s a fairly  new federal law that cities cannot displace homeless unless they provide a bed/ place for them.  New York City shelters almost all of their homeless.   California provides services to 1/3 of all the homeless in the U.S.   — must be the weather and beaches? — and roughly 70% of the homeless  are not sheltered.  Thus we see encampments of homeless tents at the entrance to Santa Cruz, CA.

What say you?  The government — and religious faith organizations  — should provide long term  house / housing space for all?

written by Cameron Jackson

Monerey Bay Forum

127 Jewell Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
United States (US)
Phone: 831 688 6002
Fax: 831 688 7717
Email: jaj48@aol.com
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The printing press solves problems — when you can’t understand your priest or the readers….

 

Pope Francis greets the crowd at the end of a weekly general audience at St Peter’s square.

What to do?   You can’t understand a word your  priest says? Or you can’t hear what the Readers of the Bible said?   

These problems matter.   Some people may stop attending your church. Or revenue may drop.

Face the problem directly.   There are simple solutions!

Use the printing press.  Print the Readings — so if the Reader cannot use a microphone properly  people in the pew  can still hear the message.  They can read it.

And print the sermon.  Yes I know that’s not done.  But it’s time to do it.     If your priest speaks a form of English that is hard to understand — put the sermon (or a short version of it) in the bulletin.  That way people can read the sermon then or later on.

Yes there is a growing problem of people in the pew not able to understand what the priest or readers say.

This is adapted from an article in the  Wall Street Journal titled   I Can’t Understand a Word My Priest Says  written by Marty Sherry, Oct. 05, 2017:

Today around a quarter of Catholic diocesan priests were born outside the U.S., and about 30% of priests ordained in America last year were foreign-born. Why and how did they come?  Some came after learning English as the language of commerce in their native land.  Many see opportunities for ministry in the U.S.  Some come as political refugees. Others find salaries are higher here, enabling them to send money home to support their families.  Still others find that life in the U.S. is just more comfortable.  Most see the U.S. as spiritually  needy — so privledged that its people no longer crave sacramental care.

Can’t understand the priest?   The Readers mumble or cannot use a microphone properly?  Solution:    The printing press!   Many Protestant churches routinely  print the Readings  — that way if a person is hard of hearing or the person reading does not speak clearly the congregation can still ‘read along’ and get the message.

Churches typically do not print the Sermon and include it as part of the Bulletin.  Why not do so?

Let people think about what was said on Sunday.  And for those who cannot understand the accent of the male or female  priest –  or just can’t follow along because of  the length  — there’s hope!  Use the copy  machine.  

written by Cameron Jackson    DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

 

 

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Healing Prayer Service 10 am at Aptos episcopal church Sunday Oct 15

   St. Luke the Physician Healing Prayer Service Liturgy

Sunday, October 15, 2017 –  10 am

St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church,

125 Cantebury Drive, Aptos, CA

                                                      www.AptosChurch.info

The Roman Catholic Church and other major denominations remember   Saint Luke the Physician.    His feast day takes place on 18 October.

“Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord…”

During the Oct. 15   liturgy,   some members will   briefly discuss their own healing and prayer stations will be  available to all (an opportunity for all to ask for prayers for healing).

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Jesus Heals All… Yesterday & Now! Come Oct. 14 to Resurrection in Aptos CA

   Jesus Heals All … Yesterday & Now!    Come Oct. 14 to Aptos

October 14, 2017    Live Music 9:45 am  to 11:45 am    –  pot luck sharing.  Come!   

 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA

Resurrection Catholic Community  

Experience  healing through  prayer,  song, laughter, sharing and listening.

 All are Welcome!   And yes, you can come for all or part of the Event.   

 Coming from out of town?  Plan to stay in Aptos, CA  for the day. Enjoy a bit of  the Aptos enviorns. The entrance to Seacliff State Beach is 1/2 mile away.   Severino’s Bar & Grill with a tranquil koi pond garden is right next door.  The Hidden Nursery is a lovely quiet spot to visit.   Next door  is Aptos Natural Foods and  Aptos Coffee Roasting Co        

SATURDAY, Oct. 14, 2017 – 

    9:45 am — 11:45 am:   Live Music (Secular & Sacred) with Resurrection musician Lulu Manus on  guitar!   

Like to participate?     bring a book or reading on healing.   Bring an object that matters to you (a ring, bracelet, picture).   Bring some food that you like to eat and some to share with others.   

There may be  discussion of some several of the healing Jesus did with women:  Peter’s mother-in-law;  a woman who had bled for  many years; a young girl who had recently  died.  

Come and enjoy the music!  Share your thoughts and food with others!  Sing!   Bring a friend!   

Bring your (supervised)  children & grandchildren.   Mini-cup cakes & cider   at 9:30 am.

Can’t come for all of it?  Then come for part!  Prefer to read the newspaper?  Fine!  Need to do your work?   Then bring your  laptop or smart phone  as you listen to great music played by   Resurrection musician  Lulu Manus.

 Healing Event is offered  by Licensed  Clinical Psychologist, Cameron Jackson, Ph.D., J,D.   PSY14762     127 Jewell Street, Santa Cruz,CA  95003    831 688 6002

 www.aptoschurch.info  lists Events going on in churches in Aptos, CA. See below:

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It’s time to update your resume — your Life Resume — your ‘brand’ ….

  Yes, it’s a good time to update your resume.  Your Life Resume.  Your ‘brand’ ….

How to update your Life Resume?    Ask yourself  these five  questions:

 What important  experiences formed and shaped you?

What achievements have you accomplished over your life time?

What qualities and gifts are unique to you — that you know of or others say about you? What are your skills?

What are your Passions?  What do you love to do?

In summary, where are you?  Where have you  been?  And, where are you going?

As you look back, where has God been leading you  — then  — and now?

   A great book to read is Being Mortal.  It’s about End of Life Care and it asks  four questions:

  1. What is your  understanding of your situtation?
  2. What options are available?
  3. What are your Goals?
  4. What are you going to Do?

 

   Many years ago people put all their prized possessions in a wagon and set off westward for a new life.  They pressed on.  And when they came to swollen streams and difficulty moving their wagons they left behind all sorts of prized possessions.  They pressed on.  They did not look back.   The Oregon Trail was littered with prized possessions left behind.

 Similarly, the apostle Paul regarded all his ‘possessions’  — his personal life  resume of being circumcised, of the tribe of Benjamin, his great zeal as a prosecutor for righteousness, that he did it all ‘perfectly’…. Paul viewed all his ‘resume’ as ‘rubbish’ aka ‘excrament’ … Paul viewed all of his accomplishments as dead weight.  Paul’s goal was to press on …. with the goal of Christ Jesus.

 So — are your ‘accomplishments’ dead weight?  Is it time to leave behind those accomplishments as dead weight and press on?    Is it time to ‘pray and let God worry’ as Martin Luther said 500 years ago?    

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The above is based on a sermon by Pastor Dale Sollom-Brotherton,  October 8, 2017 at Christ Lutheran Church, Aptos, California.  Services are at 10 AM on Sundays.

To hear Pastor Dale’s  sermons, go to YouTube and search under Christ Lutheran Church Aptos — look for  the Sermon for October 8.

Want to catch some great organ music played at Grace Cathedral  and learn about the Reformation?

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)-affiliated organization Reformation 500 is holding an ecumenical celebration that includes a social justice event, a Eucharist, splendid music and a festive reception. See how the Reformation looks today.

_____________________________________

written by Cameron Jackson   DrCameronJackson@gmail.com 

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Wake up Aptos, CA churches: Go out to the people! Ashes to go? Wafers & prayer & jam tarts to go at the farmer’s market?

 

Ashes to go. Why not wafers and prayer to go?

  Wake up Aptos, CA  churches! Go out to the people.

One place to go is the Aptos Farmers’ Market.   Ashes to go? How about   Wafers and Prayers &  Jam Tarts to go   at the  Aptos Farmer’s Market?

farmers market

How about home made cookies from St. John’s Episcopal,  Resurrection Catholic , Christ Lutheran  and  First Baptist — made  with love & sealed with a church sticker?

 Why sell baked goods only at Christmas time?  People want cookies all year  long! People love home made pasta sauces. How  about    Tomato Preserves?   And Church cook books? Many  Aptos  churches have Women’s Guilds and those organizations  can talk to each other and work together.

   And, how about a  Prayer Station — next to the jam jars  —  where people can ask for prayers for someone they love and miss  now serving in the military?

 Why not?  Don’t wait for people to come to you.  Go to them. People need healing.

prayers available at Farmers Markets?

Looking at all those gray heads sitting in the pews  it’s clear that congregations are aging.  And shrinking.

It’s  time to go out to the people rather than hope that they — somehow — will come to your “campus’ aka “community”.

Research shows:    churches that say they have a strong sense of identity and mission have a higher level of vitality.

So what’s the mission of your church?  What’s the sense of identify that makes your church distinctive?

It’s time to  ‘invest” connecting  with people outside the church premises.   Go where people actually congregate.  Engage people on their turf.  Where are they? At Farmers’ Markets.  At the Garlic Festival and the  Santa Cruz Fair.

 Did you know that hospitals are doing exactly that?  Because hospital In-Patient services have become so expensive, hospitals are offering all sorts of services on an Out-Patient basis.

  Hospitals are investing outside their walls.  They are following the patient.

 See article in The Wall Street Journal, Tuesday, September 26, 2017:   Hospitals Invest in Outside Clinics.  Per that article,  Peggy Seasborn, vice president of strategic growth for Dignity Health [owner of Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, CA] said joint replacement seemed impossible a decade ago.  Now Dignity Health is able to replace hips and knees outside the hospital  in a limited number of cases.   People are bypassing the Hospital.  Since 1994 the has been an 80 percent increase in outpatient admissions whereas Inpatient admissions to Hospitals has remained flat or decreasing.

It’s time that local Aptos CA  churches ‘invested’ outside their walls.     Go out with a sense of Mission and Sense of Identity and engage with people. On their turf.

One near to Aptos,CA  church that does ‘go out and  find the patient’  is  Santa Cruz Hope Church located in Soquel, CA and Scotts Valley.

If Hospitals can think ‘outside the box’ —  so can Aptos  churches with  a strong sense of Mission and Identity.

  How do people experience healing?  Numerous ways:  prayer, music, singing, laughter, listening, and sharing are some ways.   In what new ways can  your church share the Healing Love of Christ? And reach out ….

 It’s time to leave  those church buildings ….

 

________________________

written by  licensed Psychologist  PSY 14762 Cameron Jackson    DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Heal & Heal others through Christ & make friends via Order of St. Luke (OSL) website — Here’s How!

        Go to  the Order of St. Luke website.

Click on Create News Account or  Login.

On top right, go to Chapters and click on Chapters by State/ Province. Find on the map the blue Geolocate Me and click on it.

Using the website’s GPS, a list of the Chapters closest to you will appear.

For example, people living in Aptos, CA  will see the following chapters listed:    Aptos – St. John the Baptist;  Aptos – Soquel Drive;   Salinas – Salinas Chapter;  Pacific Grove  – St Mary’s by the Sea

Next, click on the GREEN button Chapter Page. Click to JOIN the Chapter.   Then, READ the Announcements and Discussions that are posted.

Four Chapters of the Order of St. Luke are hosting a Healing Event ‘Christ Heals Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow! in Aptos, CA on October 13 & 14, 2017.   Go to AptosChurch.info for complete information.

It is easy to JOIN several Chapters.  For example, near Sacramento there’s a Chapter that regularly posts what happens at their monthly  meetings.  Elba White is the Convener for that Chapter.   Have fun meeting other OSL members online.  Reach out to others as you participate in Jesus’ Ministry of Healing!      written 9/3/2017  by  DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

 

 

 

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Want to know how — not why — to become a Member of St. John’s Episcopal, Aptos, CA?

       Want to know how — not why — to become a Member  of St. John’s Episcopal church in Aptos, CA?
There’s 4  “must do” requirements to become a Member of the body of Christ located at  St. John’s.
Perhaps you need help meeting those requirements?   If so,  we ‘ll help you meet  those  requirements.
[Please note:   This was written tongue-in-cheek to point to some important,   underlying issues.  One  issue: Is  100% of  St. John’s  church vestry  — the people that make the legal decisions for the church  — are they  listed as Communicants on  the church books?  Yes or No?   If the answer is No, then  are the decisions made by St. John’s  vestry legal and binding?  Ask a lawyer!  
Another issue:   People serve in many leadership capacities  at St. John’s.  How many of  these ‘ministers’ — that’s ‘all of  us’ per the back cover of the weekly service bulletin  — listed as Communicants?  If not,  then who is entitled to   vote in the upcoming election in Dec. 2017?  
The NEW  Bylaws state  that you have to be a Member for six months in order to vote.  Per the new rules, only persons listed as Communicants can vote in the next election in Dec. 2017.  Oh dear!  What to do?    
 
 It is easy to find out who  is a Communicant at St. John’s.    Look in the Index of the (green)  book for Communicants.  It’s kept in the church office. 
 You can readily  check the  Index of the book for Communicants  and  see whether you are listed.    The church is very supportive behind the scene to assist  all people to update their  church records.]   

So — What are those “must do”  requirements for basic Membership at St. John’s?

    #1:   Baptism.  You must be baptized.  Were you baptized — but  you don’t have a copy of  the record?     We’ll help you track down your baptismal record.   Where ever it happened   and when ever.
2). There must be a record of  your baptism listed  in  St. John’s church records. Perhaps you know that  you were baptized but never submitted the record to St. John’s Episcopal church in Aptos, CA?  .  We will help you.    We will submit the record of your baptism  to the church authorities   — and we will  take a  photo/ video   of the page so that  you know that it’s been accurately recorded in the church records.
    3). You must take communion (wafer and wine)  3 times during  the current year. Unless physically indisposed.    Discretely,  we  will  photograph/ video you receiving communion  3 times.  By recording it,   no one, i.e.,  such as the Executive Committee of St. John’s,  can  kill your membership application by inuendo —   questioning  whether you  actually  received communion   3 times this last year.   Yes, it sounds odd but you never know who believes what about whom  these days.    To be on the safe side, we suggest that you wear  different clothes when you are photographed during communion.
4). Participate in life of parish.  There are a multitude of ways  that you can participate.  What’s important is that there is an actual record of how you participated.  A record that you can submit to the church when you apply for Membership.
   Perhaps you open the church doors for services ?       Perhaps you have  carpentry skills?  Or perhaps  you do child care and can help out in the nursery?  Maybe you work in a school cafeteria and can make cookies for a bake sale?
However you contribute, we will photograph/ video your contributions  to the life of the parish.  And we will submit those records to St. John’s as part of your application to be a Member at St. John’s Episcopal in Aptos, CA.
Cost of this service?   Absolutely free.  Send requests for assistance to DrCameronJackson@gmail.com
To become a Member of St. John’s episcopal church  you must meet the above listed  4 requirements.

 There are other levels of Membership which you can achieve.

To become a Voting Member you must meed 6 additional requirements including the laying on of hands by Bishop Mary.
And, should you want to run for the church board (Vestry) you must meet one more requirement  — a donation of money to either the Building Fund or the Undesignated fund. And that donation of money must be recorded in the financial books of the church.

Summary:   Are you thinking of serving on the church board?   This is what you must do:  Meet   the  4  requirements (to be a Member) + 6 additional requirements including the laying on of hands by Bishop Mary  (to be a Voting Member) + 1 Financial Requirement of money to one of two funds (to serve on the Church board).

If you want help with the first 4 steps  — so you are a Member  of the Body of Christ at St. John’s Episcopal in Aptos — help is available.   

 P.S.   for those who have read this far — this was initially written tongue-in-cheek. Not intended as a joke nor to be funny  but to underscore important issues.

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Christ heals yesterday, today & tomorrow -Oct. 13 & 14, Aptos, CA

   Faith Building Event 

Christ Heals Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow 

 October 13 & 14, 2017  in Aptos, CA 

 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA

location:    Resurrection Catholic Community

  Experience healing through music, song, laughter, sharing and listening.

Can you come?     Please let us know!   We have to plan!      email:    DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

              Pancake & Sausage Breakfast   hosted by Boy Scout Troop 609

              Soaking Prayer Music   

              Books from Alliee DeArmond’s  The Word Shop

              Local community groups & singers participate:   

                      The Bells of Joy (to be confirmed in September)

                        

 Revs Hugh Bromiley,

North American Director for the  Order of St. Luke, and Monte Bromiley  speak  on Inner Healing

contact info for Rev. Bromiley:  P.O. Box 38, Staples, Texas 78670  (512) 757 6322   hughbromiley@gmail.com

 Information  about  the Faith Building event: 

YouTube:   7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos

https://www.freedomok.net/aptos-church-info-whats-happening/

https://orderofstluke.org/

 

        Faith Building Event hosted by Order of St. Luke Chapters:

                    St. John the Baptist Chapter,   125 Canterbury Drive, Aptos

                    St. Mary’s by the Sea Chapter,   146 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove

                    Salinas Chapter,   98 Kip Drive, Salinas

                   Soquel Drive Chapter, 7600 Soquel Drive, Aptos

 

Come early & beat the traffic!  Enjoy Aptos!   Alternative traffic routes and ‘what to see & do’ will be posted.

More information forthcoming as we get closer to October 13 & 14, 2017   —

 

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Inner Healing through Beth Shalom Ministries — so no chaos, nothing broken and peace abounds…

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Inner Healing from past memories is a ministry available  from Beth Shalom Ministries in Texas.    Hugh Bromiley and Monte Bromiley will be in Aptos, CA in October 2017.

Welcome to Cross Kingdom Ministries inner-healing and deliverance page. 

Are you having trouble overcoming your past? Are you experiencing cycles of defeat in your life? Beth Shalom Ministries has helped thousands of people overcome some of life’s deepest wounds! The founder of Beth Shalom Ministries is Monte Bromiley. 

From the age of nineteen, Monte has been dedicated to seeking the heart of God and doing things God’s way. Over many years of seeking God’s solutions for hard personal problems in her own life and in the people that the Lord put in front of her, God led Monte to deep insights into His Word and gave her powerful tools for setting those people free. Monte has been ordained for this apostolic healing ministry. The stories of transformation through Jesus are amazing.

Cross Kingdom has ordained ministers in Beth Shalom ready to start walking along side of you in your healing journey today! Justin Carpenter who is the founder of Cross Kingdom Ministries was ordained in Beth Shalom in December of 2014.

So what is Beth Shalom? 

Beth shalom ministry is both intentional and focused prayer with the desired outcome of an authentic encounter with the Lord Jesus, resulting in biblical mind renewal, which takes place in the most inward part of the being (the core) and the end result is a transformed life in Christ. 

Inner healing ministry in it’s most basic form is Christ- centered versus cognitive counseling which tends to be man centered and psyche driven, using cognitive knowledge rather than experiential knowledge inviting Jesus into the source of the pain.

When beth shalom ministry is done within the founding guidelines and principles the facilitator is simply walking along side of the recipient leaving as much room as possible for the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct the individual into an encounter with the Lord Jesus.

Who needs Beth Shalom? The truth is everyone does! Did you know that the Greek word for salvation is Sozo? Sozo means saved, healed, and delivered (especially from your enemies). The gates of hell that Jesus spoke of are often established through four main gates: Iniquity, Trauma, Lies and Sin. Once these gates have been established in a person’s life then demonic footholds are inevitable. We are currently helping people from all walks of life like: ministers, missionaries, recovery drug-addicts, all the way to those who have been sexually abused. 

So how do you know if you are ready? If you are ready, willing, intentional, and willing to totally forgive all those who have ever hurt you then you are ready for Beth Shalom! 

Can you relate to any of these symptoms in the picture below? If so then you can see amazing release from the trauma you have experienced in life with Beth Shalom!

Jesus said in Isaiah 61:1, That He came to heal the broken heart, set the captive free, and open the door of the prisoner! This is the greatest definition that I can give for people that have gone through Beth Shalom!

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Call to make an appointment today 830-370-2788 or email crosskingdom77@gmail.com for more info!
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