Naima Grace Stevenson – Given By Jehovah

IMG_0351Let’s get one of the important things out of the way…

Her name is pronounced “NY – EE – MA”.

Even more important…She is perfect in every way!  She was born on June 2nd at 11:29am weighing 6 lb 14 oz. She is the daughter of Zachary and Meghan Stevenson.

And now for the most important…She is my first granddaughter and I already love her with all of my heart! Continue reading

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Why Haven’t I Lived My Whole Life Like This. . .

3d white people lying on a question markOne of the best things that happened to us in recent years is really very simple. After we decided to move back to New Jersey and invest in The Malachi Network full-time, we sensed the Lord telling us to live here as though we were sent as missionaries. At first, I thought it was so that we could lead our network of close to 50 young leaders in church planting and missions with greater authenticity. But now I realize God made this invitation because it is the way He wants His disciples to live. I really believe it is how all of us who love Jesus should think and act.

Here are some things that have happened since we embraced living as missionaries in South Jersey:

  1. We have had regular times of prayer and worship in our home praying for God’s leading and power for ministry.
  2. We established Avalon Beach Church (www.avalonbeachchurch.com) so that we could share the gospel with those vacationing at the Jersey Shore in the summer. Last season we led three people to Jesus and had up to 80 people worshipping on the beach at 30th street in Avalon! This season starts at 9am on June 21st.
  3. We launched PRAY South Jersey (www.PRAYsouthjersey.com) because “more prayer is better.” We are gathering Christians on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 6pm (Duffields Farm Market – 280 Chapel Heights Rd., Sewell, NJ  08080). We pray for the glory of God in the nations, transformation in our communities, revival in our churches and healing and salvation in our homes. Join us on June 21st at 6pm!
  4. We have developed SCOPE (Simple Communities of Prayer and Expansion). We long to see spontaneously expanding SCOPE groups in the home, workplace and church. For more information, go to the SCOPE Resource page at http://www.PRAYsouthjersey.com.

Would you help us? Please pray for us as we live out our calling of investing in young leaders through The Malachi Network (www.malachinetwork.org) and serve as missionaries to South Jersey. If you are in this region, join us at Avalon Beach Church (June 21st through September 6th at 9am on 30th Street beach in Avalon) and PRAY South Jersey (3rd Sunday at 6pm at Duffields Farm Market – 280 Chapel Heights Rd., Sewell, NJ  08080). Please help us spread the word by inviting friends and sharing this info on social media. Don’t forget to check out our Facebook pages for these ministries as well!

Our General Fund is almost depleted. Because of the investment we have made in these ministries, our operating budget is very low. Would you please consider making a generous gift so that we can not only continue but also purchase needed resources and advertising? You can give online at http://www.malachinework.org (donate page – choose your missionary – general fund). You can also send a check to this address and mark it “General Fund”.

The Malachi Network – PO Box 368 – Avalon, NJ 08202

I assure you that your money will be used to “make the name of the LORD great among the nations” (Malachi 1:11), and also make His name great in South Jersey!

In His Amazing Grace,

Richard M. Stevenson, Director – Malachi Network

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A Wave is Building…PRAY South Jersey

wave1“The main driver or cause of waves is wind,” said Wayne Presnell, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service Marine and Coastal Services Branch.

A Wave is forming in South Jersey.  God’s Spirit is blowing and we felt it last night at the launch of PRAY South Jersey!

The wave visible above the level of the water is in fact only part of the wave; the wave extends down through the water column to the ocean floor as well. Waves start out in the deep, open ocean as relatively vertical in shape, Presnell said.

This wave didn’t start with us, it started from a much deeper place:  the heart of God.  He longs for those of us who believe to engage His presence more.

Screen Shot 2015-05-12 at 3.09.36 PMThat’s what PRAY South Jersey is about.

Our goal is simple:  more prayer is better!

Join us at our next gathering on the 3rd Sunday of each month.  We will meet June 21st at 6pm on the grounds of Duffield’s Farm Market (280 Chapel Heights Rd. – Sewell, NJ 08080).

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Bad News, Good News, Greatest News

Screen Shot 2015-05-12 at 3.09.36 PMWe’ve got 1 chance to launch…please join us tomorrow (May 17th) at 6pm!

Duffields Farm Market – 280 Chapel Heights Rd. – Sewell, NJ 08080

Bad News

Terrorists stalk the nations – Christians are being martyred – Racial tension fills our city streets – Biblical truth is now politically incorrect – Most of our churches are in decline – Most of our marriages end in divorce.

Good News

The Prayer of a righteous man or woman is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Greatest News

Right now Jesus is seated on a throne. He has all the power in heaven and on earth. He is not disengaged or disinterested. He will perfectly orchestrate the events at the end of this age so that His purposes are fulfilled and the Bride (Church) becomes radiant. And He has invited us to be seated with Him through worship and prayer (Ephesians 2:6).

Please help us launch PRAY South Jersey tomorrow night at 6pm. Share this with your friends.

P.S. – On a personal note, I’m so excited that 3 generations of Stevenson couples (Harry & Ann, Rich & Tania and Zach & Meghan) will be leading in ministry together!

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PRAY South Jersey Launches This Sunday Night (May 17th) at 6pm!

Screen Shot 2015-05-12 at 3.09.36 PMPlease Share With All Your Jersey Friends!

I am truly captivated by the power of prayer! The One who gave Himself fully on the cross is now firmly seated on a throne. He still has all the authority and power in heaven and on earth. And He has made a way for us to come into the holiest place of all and be seated with Him (Ephesians 2:6).

PRAY South Jersey is about people who love Jesus coming together and experiencing the presence of the Lord through prayer and worship.

Would you join us for the launch of PRAY South Jersey this Sunday night at 6pm? We are meeting on the 3rd Sunday of each month (through October) at Duffield’s Farm Market – 280 Chapel Heights Rd. – Sewell, NJ 08080.

We will worship and pray for: God’s glory to fill the nations, our communities to be transformed, our churches to be revived and our families to be saved and healed.

It could be a HOLY FLASH MOB this Sunday night (May 17th) – 6pm – Duffield’s Farm Market – 280 Chapel Heights Rd. – Sewell, NJ 08080!

(Bring a lawn chair and great expectation)

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