TOGETHER WITH YOU, we're bringing people together in Rockwood to ensure that no one is invisible and that everyone has access to food, freedom, and forgiveness. TOGETHER WITH YOU, we're working on PREVENTING trafficking, dovetailing with our Integrated Community Transformation mission. TOGETHER WITH YOU, we envision Rockwood becoming a community where children are less vulnerable to being trafficked and adults do not want to traffic kids.
Interesting Facts About Portland
(from MovementPortland.com)
Starting in January, we have been adding an interesting fact about Portland each month.
May's Fact: Portland has more microbreweries than any other city in the U.S.
Quarantine Greetings from Scott and Vicki
(If, for some reason, this will not play when you click it, you can go to: https://vimeo.com/424587867)
Bradley (below) is one of the guys I (Scott) spend a lot of time with because he has GOOD SOIL in his heart (AND he is a good ping-pong player)! He works full-time with the Portland Rescue Mission, himself a graduate of their 12-15 month program of recovery and transformational discipleship. Bradley is a huge encouragement to me for MANY reasons. He is HUNGRY for God and for God's Word. He LIVES OUT what he learns. He SHARES with others what he learns/experiences from God. He is a SERVANT LEADER. He was on the short-term team I led to The Oasis refugee ministry in Austria last year. This year, God willing, he and his wife Tara will LEAD another short-term team there again as we seek to build deeper partnership with that ministry. He is on the team of teachers I have been developing in our Adult Bible Study class on Sunday mornings. He is on the church GO Team I chair. He has been in a number of my discipleship and training classes/courses. Below, is a very ABBREVIATED version of his testimony...
Bradley's Story
Hello my name is Bradley. I was born in 1967 in Portland Oregon. Growing up I had the best possible example of a godly family. My parents, who are still married to this day, raised my two brothers and me to be men of God. In our household there was no drinking, smoking, cursing, secular music, and so on. Attending church was not optional--every Sunday and Wednesday. And because of this I had a solid moral compass and a heart that longed to share the love of Jesus.
The problem with growing up only around church people is that I was ill- prepared for the world. At around 15, I began to make choices on my own, choices that were completely opposite to what I had been taught. It started with smoking and an occasional beer, then it slowly and ever-increasingly began to be heavier and harder use of really any drug or type of alcohol I could get my hands on. It was so subtle. For the next 30 years I turned my back on God, doing everything I could to run from Him. In my own free will I destroyed 2 marriages, abandoned my family and ended up completely isolated, homeless, hopeless and addicted.
Near the end of my running from God I had an accident while floating on an inner tube in a river. I was sucked under the water going over a small dam. As I struggled to free myself from the bottom I remember thinking, “This is it, I’m going to die, this is how it happens.” As I surrendered to my end I thought, “This is it? No heaven? No hell? Where am I going?” At that moment I felt my foot touch the bottom and I pushed as hard as I could. Coming to the surface I took in air.
From that day forward I have practiced LIFE! I do not always do it well but what I knew from that experience is that God had a purpose for me. Since going through a year-long life restoration program I have sought God’s will for my life. I am not only clean and sober, I am a loved and cherished child of God. I am no longer looking for what pleases me but what pleases God. I am sharing with others my story because it is a testament to what God can do to bring hope where there is no hope. Love where love is neither shown nor felt. The blessings that God gives me are for me to share with others, to show Jesus to others. It is difficult for me to put into words what God has done for me. I would much rather live it or show it. The realization that I am loved and loved unconditionally, and that I can go to Him anytime anywhere, is amazing to me! A love for me so great that He sent Jesus to give His life for me, so that I could spend eternity with Him. I am a sinner whom God saved.
(For a longer version of Bradley's story, watch the video at:https://scottmccracken.wixsite.com/mysite/linksand scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, and make sure you click the musical note symbol on the bottom right side of the screen so you can hear it)
PRAYER REQUESTS
* We mentioned in our last update that our much beloved brother-in-lawMark Powellwas in need of prayer. On May 6th,he went home to be with Jesus. Please continue to uphold (Scott's) sister Dana and their family in prayer during the grieving process.
* We sent out an urgent prayer request concerningMr. Ali. In spite of several attempts to reach out to his son, we have NO UPDATE as of this writing. MANY THANKS to all who are praying. I wept at the outpouring of loving support when so many responded with reassurances of standing with us in prayer for his salvation.
* We are still hoping to lead ashort-term mission teamfrom our church to the refugee ministries in Austria and Athens in October, but we have not yet received a FINAL green light or red light from the ministry teams there. Meanwhile, we are preparing in faith, hoping and praying for a green lightwhen the time comes. So far, between the 12 of us on the two teams we have raised $70, but there is still time for a miracle!(I will be sending out a separate letter soon with more details).
* We mentionedD.K. (a pre-believer, a seeker, who has been attending some of our online meetings since the quarantine started) in our last update. He and I have been interacting through Messenger and phone conversations. I (still) believe he is close to the Kingdom. Thanks for praying for him.
* Our son Kylewas accepted into the doctorate program at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland to work on his PhD. He received a 7,000 Euro scholarship but still needs another 23,000. Thanks for praying for a financial miracle for him.
SPECIAL MESSAGE:
We know these are especially difficult times for MANY people. For those who invested in our ministry the last few months: THANK YOU!
For those who are not able to in these days, WE UNDERSTAND and do not want you to feel undue pressure (from without or from within).
We know that GOD is our Source and sometimes he changes the channel through which He provides. And sometimes He provides times of testing (for all of us). (We just heard this week from a supporting church that they will no longer be able to continue their support).
THANK YOU FOR WHATEVER PRAYERS on our behalf, AND WHATEVER FINANCIAL BLESSINGS, you are able to offer to God through our ministry...whenever...however. We are grateful for you.
Please let us know how we can be praying for you!We are so very THANKFUL for YOU!
Because of YOU, we are able to educate others about sex trafficking, help foster a collaborative spirit amongst churches in an at-risk community, disciple others who will disciple others, and take the Gospel to the nations!
Thank you for allowing God to use your prayers and financial investments to help this happen!
Copyright © 2020 Scott and Vicki McCracken, All rights reserved.
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** Team Ministry (https://onecollective.org/community/rockwood-usa)
** Family/Ministry (https://scottmccracken.wixsite.com/mysite)
THANKS AGAIN FOR PARTNERING WITH US IN THE GOSPEL THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS AND/OR FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS! WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Tax-deductible donations may be made to "One Collective" (with an enclosed note expressing your intended designation--i.e., "for Scott and Vicki McCracken's account"), and sent to:
One Collective
Elgin, IL 60123
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