What an extraordinary and momentous time to be alive! We have been granted the privilege of living in the Great Jubilee year at the beginning of the third millennium since Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us! While there are many current events that lead people to discouragement, fear, and despair, there is a Light that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it!
When Jesus decided it was time to go to Jerusalem, to his passion and death, as he began this part of his mission those who followed Him were amazed and afraid. (Mark 10:32). Jesus clearly told them that he would be killed and rise again. The disciples had come to believe He was the Christ, but didn't understand his mission. God's ways are certainly not our ways, something we also must learn as we follow Jesus! But thanks be to the Father for his great love in sending the Son to willingly offer himself for the forgiveness of our sins, to empower us to truly be children of God, raised with Jesus to a new way of living! All because of what Jesus did for you and me and for every person for all of history. Not because we deserve it, or have our acts together. In fact it is precisely in our inability to get it together with God, that He comes to us in cosmic humility and love. And Jesus who is the same yesterday, today, and forever is present in the Church right now longing for those who do not know the Father's love to come to him and receive his grace and mercy.

Pope John Paul II has focussed the Church on our priorities including, in a most central way, the priority of knowing and making known Jesus Christ. "It is necessary to awaken again in believers a full relationship with Christ, mankind's only savior. Only from a personal relationship with Jesus can an effective evangelization develop."(Pope JPII, '92) Saint Paul was clear in stating many times in his epistles the personal nature of his relationship with God in Jesus Christ, " the life I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."(Galatians 2:20) I don't know about you but for me this reality of personally knowing God's love is the reason for living, it is good news! And the good news that God loves us and wants everyone to have the opportunity to know it as well is CHRISTLIFE's mission. And we are finding that there is an increasing hunger to know His love in the hearts of many of our contemporaries that we meet in daily circumstances and through the activities of ChristLife.

We have just completed the Alpha Conference for Catholics held in Columbia, Maryland. Based on the written responses, personal encouragement, and plans to begin using Alpha by many of the delegates, it appears that it was a very successful conference. During the conference we heard a number of testimonies of peoples' lives that had been changed by coming to know Jesus as Lord through Alpha. I don't know about you, but when I hear people's stories of encountering the love of God and becoming members of his Church, I am so grateful to Him to be involved in serving in this way! Thank you so much for all of your prayers for this event! Prayer is the foundation of any evangelical initiative (see Matthew 9:35 ff.). Thanks also to the many volunteers without whom we could not have hosted this event!

I was also deeply inspired and grateful for the sense of Christian unity that was evident among those who attended. Over 15 Christian churches were represented! During the conference, we quoted extensively from Catholic and papal teaching. At one point I acknowledged to the brothers and sisters who were not Catholic, that I knew I had shared quite a bit from Pope John Paul II and hoped they would understand that this was an Alpha Conference for Catholics. Afterwards I had several evangelical Protestants share with me that they were grateful that I had quoted from Pope John Paul II, and were personally inspired and 'blown away' (a theological term) by his teaching.
I hasten to add that we as Catholics are indebted for gifts that the Lord offers us through our brothers and sisters in other traditions. In this respect we are very grateful for Alpha! Thanks be to the Lord that we can take the truth that the Holy Spirit has inspired and given to the various parts of his body and share it together.

In closing let me express our sincere gratitude for your support in prayer, service, and financial contributions. Without your partnership in the mission of CHRISTLIFE, we would not be able to respond to all of the opportunities that we are receiving from the Church. Your brothers and sisters here at our office pray regularly for each of you to be strengthened with the power and love of our Risen Lord Jesus for the journey to our Father's house!

Your brother,

Dave Nodar

Updates!

The second version of Touching Jesus Through The Church is completed and being distributed. It is an excellent 8-talk teaching series to help Catholics and non-Catholics to begin to understand the Catholic Church. It is an ideal follow-up to the Alpha course, as well as a good review for any Catholics desiring to understand the Catholic faith better. We are already hearing really great reviews from DRE's, clergy and those taking the course in the U.K.

Please let all of your Christian friends who are using Alpha know that CHRISTLIFE now sells all Alpha resources. Ordering from us helps to support the work of our apostolate! Thanks.

Please pray for:

1 The return of many prodigals to God the Father during this Great Jubilee year!

2. The Lord Jesus to pour out his Spirit on the mission of CHRISTLIFE

3. Archdiocese of Washington, D.C, Young Adults Conference, Growing Through The Jubilee, April 29th. Dave will be the keynote speaker. Contact Peter (301) 853-4559

4. Conference Open the door to your Heart. Kelowna, British Columbia, May 5 & 6,
Speakers: Vernon Robertson and Dave Nodar. Contact: Gladys (250) 442-8589

5. Presentation on Alpha for Catholics by Dave. Seattle, Washington, May 8th,
Contact: Virginia King (206) 364-2272

6. Vancouver North American Alpha Conference for Catholics, July 7&8
To register call: 1 (800) 263-2664

7. More full time workers and volunteers for CHRISTLIFE (There are only 2 full time workers and a number of wonderful volunteers). Ask the Lord to send us the workers we need at this time in the ministry

8. We are in need of financial funding, would you ask the Lord to grant us the money we need for the mission of CHRISTLIFE.

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