www.TheGroveChico.com

AJ & Amy FaganThank you for taking time to check out The Grove! I became involved in the local church more than 20 years ago in a small town in Southern Missouri. At that time, I had no idea what I would experience in the future.

After graduating from college, I moved to a suburb south of Detroit where I have spent the last 16 years work-ing as a pastor with Amy. Our daughter Daphne joined us in 2007, and she always keeps things lively!

In June, we moved back to Chico, Amy’s home town, and we are excited to start a church here in the spring. Our greatest desire is to partner with friends and family who share a passion to care for people. We hope that The Grove News will be a simple way to communicate what is happening in Chico to our friends in the com-munity and around the world.

I want to say thank you to all of you who support us in this endeavor! You are a blessing to us!

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Sir, Can You Spare ome Change?

I pulled up in front of my local Star-bucks to meet a friend one morning. As soon as I got out of the car, these were the words that I heard: “Sir, can you spare some change?” His ques-tion really was not fair! Of course I had change. Chico has parking meters everywhere downtown, and they have folks who just love to write tickets if your meter expires.

Not only that, but I carry a roll of coins in my car at all times just so that I can have meter money. The home-less community knows this and does exploit the fact. But that did not make his need any more unrealistic.

The fact is that this young man, whom I’ll call Bill, had positioned himself in a high traffic area and was doing his best to sell his need to me. It was a cool morning by Cali standards, so when he asked for change, he added that he wanted to buy a coffee. I stopped and looked him in the eye and said, “I will buy you a coffee right now. “ He looked at me puzzled for a moment and then he asked, “Could you make it hot chocolate? I really don’t like coffee,

but I need something hot. “ I said, “No problem,” and headed inside.

Once I got inside, I stood in line and had conversation with myself. “Buy him a grande,” one side of me said. Then the other said, “You’re a church planter and a grande hot chocolate is like five bucks; he should just get a small or a coffee and be happy that you’re that nice.” But immediately I thought of how Christ extended to us what was undeserved, and I told my-self, “This is why you are here-to bring the gospel to folks who don’t have it.” I went to the counter and ordered the grande with lots of whipped cream.

As I went back down the street to where Bill was sitting, I handed him the hot chocolate, shook his hand and asked his name. He was immediately caught off guard by my inquiry. We talked for a few moments, and then I walked away having planted a few nuggets of the gospel in to Bill’s life.

It was a few days later that I and a friend of mine were downtown and as were walking we heard a young man say, “Could you guys spare some change?” I looked down and there was Bill once again sitting in the sun asking

folks for money. I looked at him and said, “Bill! I’m AJ! Remember me? How are you doing?” Bill went on to tell me that he was doing well. That he had grown up in Chico and moved back here because he loved the area.

Bill is just one of hundreds of roamers that can be found in Chico. Bill is look-ing for something, and he does not know what it is. I see it in his eyes and the eyes of many others in town. It is a complete dissatisfaction with their current state of life. The problem is that they are very unclear on what they can do to change their current state of living.

This mentality does not just prevail in the lives of the homeless; it prevails in people from all walks of life. Bill just happens to demonstrate it very clearly.

This is why Jesus had compassion on people; He recognized their “lost-ness.” Scripture says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 (NLT)

You and I encounter people like this every day. The real question for all of us is this: Are we willing to engage them? One of my college professors liked to share the story of the good Sa-maritan. One of the main ideas that he pointed out was that compassion will always cost you something. It could be money, time, emotional stress, or a host of other things. But the reality is that if you are going to be like Christ, it is going to cost you.

Americans don’t like this idea because we like our stuff. But the truth is that anything worth doing is worth invest-ing in. Not just investing with your money; that is often the easiest thing we can do. But when you give some-one your time and attention, then they see that you value them as an indi-vidual.

This is the example that Jesus set when he said to Zaccheaus, “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Or when he told Matthew, “Follow me and be my disciple.” It was not long before these two men were committed to following Christ, and they were having guests over to meet Christ as a result.

When we care for people and connect them to Christ, we will naturally be creating followers. This is what anyone who calls themselves a Christ follower should be doing. In-vesting in the lives of others!

Who are you encountering that needs the direction in their lives that only Christ can bring?

Sir, Can You Spare ome Change?

I pulled up in front of my local Star-bucks to meet a friend one morning. As soon as I got out of the car, these were the words that I heard: “Sir, can you spare some change?” His ques-tion really was not fair! Of course I had change. Chico has parking meters everywhere downtown, and they have folks who just love to write tickets if your meter expires.

Not only that, but I carry a roll of coins in my car at all times just so that I can have meter money. The home-less community knows this and does exploit the fact. But that did not make his need any more unrealistic.

The fact is that this young man, whom I’ll call Bill, had positioned himself in a high traffic area and was doing his best to sell his need to me. It was a cool morning by Cali standards, so when he asked for change, he added that he wanted to buy a coffee. I stopped and looked him in the eye and said, “I will buy you a coffee right now. “ He looked at me puzzled for a moment and then he asked, “Could you make it hot chocolate? I really don’t like coffee,

but I need something hot. “ I said, “No problem,” and headed inside.

Once I got inside, I stood in line and had conversation with myself. “Buy him a grande,” one side of me said. Then the other said, “You’re a church planter and a grande hot chocolate is like five bucks; he should just get a small or a coffee and be happy that you’re that nice.” But immediately I thought of how Christ extended to us what was undeserved, and I told my-self, “This is why you are here-to bring the gospel to folks who don’t have it.” I went to the counter and ordered the grande with lots of whipped cream.

As I went back down the street to where Bill was sitting, I handed him the hot chocolate, shook his hand and asked his name. He was immediately caught off guard by my inquiry. We talked for a few moments, and then I walked away having planted a few nuggets of the gospel in to Bill’s life.

It was a few days later that I and a friend of mine were downtown and as were walking we heard a young man say, “Could you guys spare some change?” I looked down and there was Bill once again sitting in the sun asking

folks for money. I looked at him and said, “Bill! I’m AJ! Remember me? How are you doing?” Bill went on to tell me that he was doing well. That he had grown up in Chico and moved back here because he loved the area.

Bill is just one of hundreds of roamers that can be found in Chico. Bill is look-ing for something, and he does not know what it is. I see it in his eyes and the eyes of many others in town. It is a complete dissatisfaction with their current state of life. The problem is that they are very unclear on what they can do to change their current state of living.

This mentality does not just prevail in the lives of the homeless; it prevails in people from all walks of life. Bill just happens to demonstrate it very clearly.

This is why Jesus had compassion on people; He recognized their “lost-ness.” Scripture says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 (NLT)

You and I encounter people like this every day. The real question for all of us is this: Are we willing to engage them? One of my college professors liked to share the story of the good Sa-maritan. One of the main ideas that he pointed out was that compassion will always cost you something. It could be money, time, emotional stress, or a host of other things. But the reality is that if you are going to be like Christ, it is going to cost you.

Americans don’t like this idea because we like our stuff. But the truth is that anything worth doing is worth invest-ing in. Not just investing with your money; that is often the easiest thing we can do. But when you give some-one your time and attention, then they see that you value them as an indi-vidual.

This is the example that Jesus set when he said to Zaccheaus, “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” Or when he told Matthew, “Follow me and be my disciple.” It was not long before these two men were committed to following Christ, and they were having guests over to meet Christ as a result.

When we care for people and connect them to Christ, we will naturally be creating followers. This is what anyone who calls themselves a Christ follower should be doing. In-vesting in the lives of others!

Who are you encountering that needs the direction in their lives that only Christ can bring?

Living With Intention

Over the last several months, I have taken on all kinds of jobs in the Chi-co area. I do it for two reasons. The practical reason is that we need the income to help cover our living expenses. The other less thought about reason is that working in the community allows me to engage people that I might never have the opportunity to meet. Living an intentional lifestyle is really what Jesus was talking about when He said, “Go, and make dis-ciples”.

When He said “Go,” He used a word that was more than just our word “go” today. Today, the inference of the word “go” deals with an intentional starting point, but Jesus used a word that dealt more with a journey. Es-sentially, He was saying, “While you are going, make disciples.” This is really what I have tried to do as I live out the gospel in my own life.

A few days ago while working on one of these odd jobs, I dropped a piece of equipment off at a local shop. It was a new place that I had never been before. The gentleman was very helpful, and I spent nearly twenty minutes there with him while he diagnosed the issue and then told me about the repairs. Throughout the conversation I was being cordial and looking for an opportunity to talk to this gentleman about his faith. That opportunity never presented itself.

The next morning, I went by the shop to pick up the equipment, and there was a sign on the door with a number to call if necessary. I picked up my phone and called the number. A very kind young man answered the phone and informed me that the gentleman that I had just spoken to the previous afternoon had passed away that morning. I was nearly struck speechless but managed to give my condolences and told him I would have no problem waiting until the following week to take care of business.

After I hung up the phone, I began to go back over the conversation that I had with this gentleman a mere twenty-four hours before. I don’t know the state of this man’s soul. He may have been a solid follower of Christ. But it was in those following moments that I tried to console myself with thoughts like, “He surely has heard the gospel from someone else. He is not my responsibility. There is nothing I could have done...” That is where I was asking myself, “Did you do enough with the moments you had with him?”

If you know me at all, you know that I believe very much in building relationships with people and com-municating the gospel to them through relationship. I believe that this is the model that you see Christ himself establish for us in many instances throughout the gospels. He established relationship and then got to the point, and frankly that is where I was having

trouble. Had I been quick enough to get to the point? I had not seen a way for me to communicate the gospel to this individual, and I thought when I left that I would get that chance the next time I saw him. But there was never another chance. For that gentleman, eternity is set.

I went to bed thinking about the words of Christ to the disciples, when He said, ”You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.” John 4:35-38 (NLT) Jesus was telling the disciples that this is an urgent responsibility that He was giving to them.

On the farm when it is time to harvest, there is a very narrow window for the crop to be brought in. Missing that narrow window causes crop loss and other issues that come with too much time on the vine. Planting and harvest will always be the time when you work with the most urgency and determination because these are the times that are the most vital to the crop. I think this is why Jesus correlated so many stories to

Bidwell Park

Covering 3,670 acres Bidwell Park stretches nearly eleven miles, straddling Big Chico Creek from the Bidwell Man-sion in downtown Chico up into the foothills of Upper Park.

farming. Not just because the people lived that kind of life, but they saw a very clear picture of the effects of the seasons and crop productivity. He could easily relate farm life to spiritual things.

My hope and prayer is that the man I encountered was a follower of Christ and that he is celebrating in heaven right now because he is with the Father. His loss has caused me to once again re-evaluate

how I interact with people, and I think this is a good thing!

What about you? Are you looking for every op-portunity to live the gospel to someone else? You never know how many days, hours, minutes they may have. Join with me in making a conscious effort to care for people and connect them with Christ. He makes our eternity certain!

Chico Downtown Home to...

California State University ChicoEstablished 1887•Students - 16,000 +•

Thursday Night MarketsThe maket hosts hundreds of merchants and • thousands of consumers every Thursday night April through September. Kid’s activities, live music, food, and much more • make the market a great place to meet friends and family.

Bidwell MansionHome of General John Bidwell 1858-1900•

Bidwell amassed wealth during the gold • rush and established Chico

Bidwell gifted land• to anyone willing to build a public building

Bidwell ParkOne of the largest municipal parks in the U.S.•Four times larger than New York’s Central Park•86 miles of maintained trails through the park•Hooker Oak recreation area where the movie “The •Adventures of Robin Hood” w/ Errol Flynn was filmed.

City PlazaHost to the weekly Farmer’s Market•Amphitheater•One city block including fountain and seating •areas.

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California State University ChicoEstablished 1887•Students - 16,000 +•

Thursday Night MarketsThe maket hosts hundreds of merchants and • thousands of consumers every Thursday night April through September. Kid’s activities, live music, food, and much more • make the market a great place to meet friends and family.

Bidwell MansionHome of General John Bidwell 1858-1900•

Bidwell amassed wealth during the gold • rush and established Chico

Bidwell gifted land• to anyone willing to build a public building

Bidwell ParkOne of the largest municipal parks in the U.S.•Four times larger than New York’s Central Park•86 miles of maintained trails through the park•Hooker Oak recreation area where the movie “The •Adventures of Robin Hood” w/ Errol Flynn was filmed.

City PlazaHost to the weekly Farmer’s Market•Amphitheater•One city block including fountain and seating •areas.

AnthonyJayFagan@gmail.com(530)430-9151

@AJayFagan