Special Forces Week #1 Ocala, FL

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Years ago, I remember coming to Central Baptist Church while travelling on a college ensemble.  I remember the church well and have had the privilege of coming back to preach several times.  Last time I came for a revival meeting in 2010.  This year we had a revival meeting combined with an adapted War of Special Forces. During the revival … Read More

Special Forces Week #11 Miami, FL

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Years ago my father was a pastor in Miami, FL.  As I remember, he has some part in helping a church get started named First Baptist Church of Westwood Lake.  That church started a Christian school over 50 years ago.  Our team has had the privilege many times to come to this school.  This year was a wonderful time of … Read More

Special Forces Week #10 Canoga Park, CA

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

This is the second time we have been to Faith Baptist in Canoga Park.  It was a blessing to labor with the folks there.  Pastor Tim Rasmussen is the pastor and also the son of the pastor, Roland Rasmussen, that initially built the ministry.  He is doing a great job and I enjoyed laboring with him and his staff again.  … Read More

Special Forces Week #9 La Verne, CA

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

This was our first visit to Lighthouse Baptist Church in La Verne, CA.  The church was packed for Sunday morning and full Sunday evening.  The spirit of the people was encouraging.  I think all of us were looking forward to a great week! The young people who came during the school (home school and Christian school) were very responsive.  Several … Read More

Special Forces Week #8 Glendale, AZ

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

God has given Northwest Valley Baptist Church a beautiful piece of property.  It sits right at the foot of a small hill that is filled with desert vegetation including several beautiful saguaro cacti.  Add to that the wonderful weather in November and you can imagine the great setting for a great week. The teens in this youth group are a … Read More

Special Forces Week #7 Kent, WA

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

I had been telling our team for a while how beautiful Mount Rainer was in Washington State.  The mountain is easily seen on a clear day from Galilee Baptist Church in Kent, WA.  The amazing thing was that we never saw it in seven days of being there!  It was either overcast, raining or clouds covered the mountain.  Thankfully, the … Read More

Special Forces Week #6 Wilton, CA

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Wilton, CA is near Sacramento, but is very rural.  You think you are in the middle of nowhere even though a metropolis is near.  The team has been here twice before.  The team has always enjoyed being here.  Pastor Jeffcott and his staff are a blessing with which to labor. On Tuesday one of our team captains had invited two … Read More

Special Forces Week #5 Lemon Grove, CA

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

I do not think there are many lemons left in Lemon Grove, CA, but there sure are a lot of people.  This suburb outside of San Diego manifests need as so many of our metropolitian areas do. The last time we were with Pastor Phil Sherwood was three years ago.  At that time the ministry was in La Mesa, CA.  … Read More

Special Forces Week #4 Gallup, NM

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Gallup, NM is just south of the Navajo Nation and just north of the Zuni Indian reservation. As a result there were many Navajo teens as well as teens from other backgrounds that came to the outreach.  I think we had almost 60 different teens come with about 30 who made salvation decisions. Also, several parents came to the evening … Read More

Special Forces Week #3 Grand Junction, CO

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Grand Junction is a beautiful area with the Grand Mesa, the Book Cliffs and the Colorado National Monument all on different sides of the city. Pear Park Baptist Church is a great church in that needy valley.  Pastor Randy David and I went to college together.  It was great to see how the Lord has used his ministry there these … Read More