Dear Hope, After 17 years of faithful ministry for Jesus and people both outside and inside the Hope family, Dana Yost will retire from her role on our staff as Prayer Ministry Director at the end of this ministry year (Aug. 31, 2018). I met Dana in 1999 in a Denver court room. We spoke between legal hearings and I was captivated…
Noor was a foreign exchange student at South High School who attended our youth group for her year in Denver. As a Pakistani and a Muslim, her interest in attending youth group was largely academic and social. Arik recently interviewed her to better understand what she learned during her time with us. She was very willing to share with him and with…
Dear Hope, What a gift to sing, pray and lift up our Living King on Easter with all of you, Bloom Church and so many guests. Arik estimated that about 600 people united on that morning at 1801 S. Logan St. to worship. If we add those who gathered throughout Platt Park at 1st CRC, Fellowship Denver, the Table, Dwell Live Church,…
We’ve seen a significant increase over the past few months in our partnership and involvement with other local churches here in the Platt Park neighborhood. We wanted to share with you some of the details of what those partnerships look like so you can a) know about it, b) pray about it, and c) share other collaborations you know about or would…
— A book review by Nicole King I’ve always been fascinated by different systems that help to explain personality and motivation—why we do the things we do. About two years ago I was introduced to the Enneagram, a typing system that traces its roots to ancient origins and has recently experienced renewed interest and popularity. You’ll find many, many books, articles, and…
Lent is the 40-day season that precedes Holy Week. This year, Lent takes place from Wednesday, February 14 through Thursday, March 29. Lent is a time when the historic and universal church seeks to walk with the Holy Spirit, depending upon Him to deepen our relationship with God. We are so pleased to be uniting together with Bloom Church this year during…
As we close out 2017, we are filled with gratitude for the many ways that God has blessed us at Hope and for the exciting work that He is doing in and through our lives as we seek to follow Him in all areas. This newsletter is a celebration of Our King’s faithfulness, love, and mercy. The praises are organized by each…
Advent is a 4-week season that begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continues through Christmas Day. “Advent” comes from a Latin word meaning “to come.” So, these four weeks provide an opportunity to focus on the two comings of Jesus Christ—His first coming 2,000 years ago and His second coming in the future. As God commanded His children Israel to…
One of my friends stays home to pray on Halloween because in her childhood she was a victim of satanic ritual abuse. Other friends dress their children in wholesome costumes and head out to connect with neighbors on the one night when doors and, in some cases, hearts are open. I recently read an article by a mother whose daughter died several…
by Arik Stewart, Youth Pastor In our three years leading youth ministry, Bryan, Nano and I have grown in our understanding of how to encourage our young men to pursue God in all areas of life. But one area we never approached, at least not with everyone at once, was sexual purity. Our delay came from a desire to build relationships and establish trust…