GOOD SHEPHERD NEWS, Spring 2011

Praying for a Mom and a Friend
Ministry leader and pastor's wife Linda Johnson asks prayer for her mother Shirley Jackson

February 22 -- Good Shepherd's Linda Johnson asks friends to pray for her mother, Shirley Jackson, 74, as she recovers from breast cancer in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Friends gathered together at a hotel in Grand Forks the day before Shirley's surgery for treatment. Those pictured below include Shirley Jackson (second from the left), Linda and Hannah Johnson (at middle, with the baby), Linda's sister Beth (left), along with baby Jana (Linda's niece), as well as BIble school students Erin Harris, Josiah Nelson, Ben Dahl, Caleb and Katy Dahl, along with Michael Johnson. Surgery held on Feb. 22 showed that a negative result for cancer on the lymph nodes. "That was good news to us," says Linda. Shirley and husband Pastor Harvey Jackson are living in Park RIver, North Dakota.

We're praying for a quick recovery. Linda expects to return home to her family and husband on March 2. Tests following the surgery indicated no immediate need for radiation or chemotherapy, and Shirley is now recovering well at home with husband, Rev. Harvey Jackson.


When the Police Come To Your Church
The Little Miracles God Does
By James L. Johnson
February 12, 2011

What's going on at Good Shepherd these days?

Twelve words will suffice to explain it.

Twelve words, each of them, simple, austere. Twelve words to prepare you, make you smile, give you hope. Twelve words for this weekend at Good Shepherd Church, where we will gather for worship on Sunday, Feb. 13, on Valentine's Day Weekend at 8:45 and 11:00 a.m. The first two words are for people who need a date on Saturday night or Monday.

Date Night.

Saturday and Monday are open for couples, a dozen, at least. Naomi Finney and the Crave Youth Group are raising money to send dozens of kids to Colorado. They are also helping us raise hopes for a Valentine's Date. Helping people raise their children. Helping Good Shepherd youth raise their hopes for getting to the Free Lutheran Youth Convention, July 3 to 8, in Estes Park. That news should make guys without Valentines plans fly into action. The night is here. The date is set. The time is ripe. The children are waiting. Parents can bring their kids to the Connection Center at Good Shepherd any time on Saturday or Monday after 5 p.m., and come and get them before 10, and your babysitting needs for Saturday night will be over. We'll love them and protect them and give them a good time. And any compensation you offer will help students go the the FLY Convention.

In Estes Park. That beautiful mountain-range city in the Rockies reminds me of the next two words.

Parking Problems.

Estes Park is a great vacation place, with lots of parking, and beautiful parks, but that's not always the case for Good Shepherd Church. It's going to be no picnic for parking on Sunday morning, around 11 a.m. Oh sure, on Sunday, at Good Shepherd Church, the worship will be great, and the place will be full. We're expecting 75 at the Foundations Service, at 8:45, nothing unusual about that. But more than 250 may show at the Fresh Start gathering at 11:00. The reason for the parking crush comes in the form of five other nouns. Personal pronouns. Five special persons -- California youths -- who love the Lord.

Ryan. Isabel. Carter. Nathaniel. Jasper.

It's Confirmation Sunday. And the five Good Shepherd family members named above will be standing in front of the congregation, bringing testimonies of their faith, and bringing their relatives and friends and neighbors, too. Ryan Hiepler, Isabel Perez, Carter Schaub, Nathaniel Seeba, Jasper Twigg. They finished the study. They passed the test. And so, on this annual day of celebration for high school age Bible students in Camarillo, we stop and hear their stories of how they want to follow to Christ and confirm their faith. After two and a half years, and a long study of the Bible, they have memorized dozens of Bible verses. And now, this Sunday, on Valentine's Weekend, at 1 o'clock, they will bring dozens of guests. For that reason, we hope that families who can will open dozens of spaces, by parking in the back, or the street, or in the lot near the medical clinic to the north of Good Shepherd, near the entrance on Arneill. Can you help?

Which brings me to the next word. It's a number. And because of it's size, I find myself asking the question in the last paragraph, again, after the number.

Fifty.

That's the last count. Fifty baseball players, between age 5 and age 11. Fifty novices coming to the park, to Valle Lindo Park, every Friday, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. With only Jim Johnson and Naomi Finney to teach them to play. Our Good Shepherd Baseball Clinics growing. They have caught on. They are no longer a small matter, like when we started. We started with six. In the past, we were happy with 12. But that number feels like it was dozens of years ago. The neighborhood outreach to the community is catching on. The parents have heard about our free clinics, sandlot style, just for fun. No registration, no medical forms, no uniforms, no umps. Just kids and parents playing ball in the park. We teach them to play and we teach them to pray. Several families have been coming to church because of the clinics. They come because we love their kids. They come because they have come to know us. And because they have come, we need dozens of helpers. People like you. Dozens. Can you help?

Which brings me to the last two words.They are related to the last two words on the paragraph above. And they are related to the final three words in the paragraph above, which you can use either way, same as above or switch the around. "We can help" and "Can you help?" Do you know what the final two words of the twelve are? They easy. Put up your hands. Because the words are...

The Police.

Don't be alarmed. The police are not. They are encouraged. The Sheriff's Department and local captain, Monica McGrath, and Sergeant Curt Rothschiller are filled with hope and talking about vision. Camarillo Mike Morgan is into it. They see a church that is ready to reach into the Barry Street neighborhood with old fashioned church and sports ministry.

The captain and the sergeant and the mayor have heard about our church. They have heard about our baseball and sports ministry and our story. They are surprised at the miracle -- one church giving away its property to another. A church lying dormant giving their facility to a growing congregation who cares about kids. They are coming to us, and have been, for a few months now. I have met with them four times. And their arms are now open. "You are the first church that is open for this," they said. "You are perfect for this." We are perfect for Barry Street, they said. And they let us pray for them. They have been waiting for a place and a pastor and a church that are willing to step out and open arms and reach the neighborhood. Captain McGrath and Sgt. Rothschiller see our campus and our neighborhood and our heart for sports ministry. They see the grass growing in our back lot. They see the diminishing vandalism and our Connection Center. They have heard about our baseball clinics. And now they want to step in and join us. They look at our church backyard and the see a sports park.

"We can help you raise the money," they said. 'We can help you lay the concrete." Sgt. Rothschiller sees basketball standards and baseball cages and volleyball courts. They see children in the neighborhood coming to Good Shepherd from 3:30 to 6 p.m., playing basketball and getting tutoring and eating hot dogs and having a brownie. They see a "Grandparents Brigade" and college students teaching kids to play hoops. They are asking us to partner with churches like Jubilee, who does this in the Nyland neighborhood of Oxnard, and they are asking us to partner with the Calvario Church and churches like it. They want to help, too. Police officers, they said, should be known for playing basketball and teaching kids to hit baseballs, too. The police want to meet with our board the second Tuesday in March.

That's what happened this week and on Friday.

Do you think God is doing something here?

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Saying goodbye to Chad Friestad
Good Shepherd assistant ministry staff accepts key role at Bible college in Minnesota

October 22 -- Good Shepherd's much loved ministry leader for youth outreach, Chad Friestad, is moving into a key leadership role at a two-year, college-level Bible school in Minnesota in December. He steps down at Good Shepherd on November 15.

"It's a great promotion for Chad," said Good Shepherd pastor Jim Johnson. "He earned it. God is blessing him with it." Friestad, 27, becomes the Director of Development and Alumni Coordinator for AFLBS, the AFLC's national Bible school in Minneapolis. The Association Free Lutheran Bible School (AFLBS) is a ministry training school that draws 125 students at a residential campus in suburban Plymouth, Minnesota.

The Moody Bible Institute grad has served at Good Shepherd since 2007.

"We're sorry to lose him," said Pastor Johnson, who used to serve as Dean of the same school where Chad will now work. "This is the Lord's doing. Chad is a great ministry leader, and taking this job will enable him to start his seminary training, to steer and train hundreds of college-age leaders and hopefully steer a few out here to Camarillo." Friestad will serve under AFLBS Dean Joel Rolf, a long-time friend of Pastor Jim.

The Farewell for Chad takes place at this year's "Country Get Together" on Sunday, Nov. 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. The event features country music from Mar, Skip, "Brooks and Doug," as well as a highlight concert from the nationally respected trio, "River." Games for children include the Pumpkin Toss, the Pumpkin Smash, the Fishing Pond, Horseback rides, The Hay Bale Drag, Pumpkin decorating, and great California Potluck Dinner. There is no cost.

Friends are encouraged to bring cards and gifts for Chad, or send them to:

Chad Friestad, Good Shepherd Church, 380 Arneill Road, Camarillo, CA, 93010.


Vacation Bible School a big hit at the Camarillo Ranch House
130 children and 40 volunteers gather for children's day camp

Friday, July 16 -- Throngs of Camarillo kids rallied at the Camarillo Ranch House, July 12-16, for Good Shepherd's Christian Day Camp for Kids last week.

More than 133 children and 39 volunteers attended the week-long event, between 9 and 11 in the morning, Monday through Friday. The best attendance was Thursday, when 110 children bounced around the historic yard -- listening to stories of creation and redemption, and singing new classics such as "I've Got DNA, I'm Fearfully and Wonderfully Made," "Digging in the Word of God," and "I Don't Come From a Monkey." 

Led by a college ministry team called Barnbas, Good Shepherd's annual outreach is a great way for kids and parents to meet new friends, local Christians and encounter the gospel of Jesus and the Word of God. "These weeks are such a happy time for us," says Good Shepherd pastor Jim Johnson.  Cost is $40 per child, but scholarships are available to all who need help.

"Next week we're hosting a second week of VBS," said Pastor Jim. The Good Shepherd children's ministry team is building on Romans 12:3-10, and re-inforcing spiritual gifts for VBS Week II. Called "Cultivating Your Gifts," the week invites children to try and train in areas of specialized gifts and intrerest, including volleyball, basketball, arts, music, ballet and baseball." The camps is held at the Camarillo Ranch House and runs along the following schedule, Monday to Friday, from 9 to 11:15 a.m.

Monday to Friday, July 19-23
8:45 a.m. Registration (Walk-up registration are welcome).
9:00 a.m. Opening (Puppets, Welcome, Music)
9:15 a.m. Teaching time (Spiritual Gifts), Pastor Jim Johnson
9:25-35 a.m. Calisthenics (local fitness trainer)
9:40 to 10:45 a.m. Breakout groups
10:50 to 11 a.m. Music and Teaching slot II
11:15 a.m. Closing.

Pastor Hiepler continues to improve
Pastoral patriarch growing stronger, returning to lively self, while recovering in Camarillo

Friday, July 16 -- Pastor Orville Hiepler, age 90, continues to improve.

The veteran pastor had brain surgery in late June, but is gaining strength and energy each day while recovering at the Alma Via Assisted Living Center in Camarillo, with devoted wife Florence. He visits doctors in Torrey Pines this week, but his progress is showing regular improvement.

Pastor Jim Johnson, in fact, has invited Pastor Hiepler to preach and teach at the 8:45 a.m. service at Good Shepherd's Grand Opening, Sunday, Sept. 19. "Friends are welcome to visit the Hieplers," said Pastor Jim, "but keep the visits short. I know Pastor Hiepler loves to talk and is getting stronger, but you can help his recovery by keeping your visits to 10 or 15 minutes," says Johnson. Call the church office at 384-9243 if you would like to send a card, bring flowers, or arrange a short visit.

Alma Via is located at 2500 Ponderosa, Camarillo, CA, 93011.

Praying for Pastor Orville Hiepler
Doctors clear Good Shepherd patriarch to return to Camarillo to recuperate.

Friday, July 9 -- It was good news for Pastor Orville Hiepler this week.

Pastor Hiepler, 90, traveled Thursday from Camarillo to see doctors at Scripps Hospital near San Diego and received a vote of confidence to resume golfing, but not yet to drive a car. He and wife Florence are recuperating in Camarillo, a home away from home for the couple, where their son's family lives and where so many former church contacts live.

The long-time Camarillo pastor was re-examined Thursday afternoon and given a free pass to skip a second surgery for the time being. He was transported from Camarillo to Scripps Green Hospital in Torrey Pines Thursday morning to treat a brain bleed, but doctors cleared him to return to Camarillo. Possible emergency surgery was discussed, due to unusually high blood pressure Wednesday, but after test results came back with stable progress late Thursday afternoon, doctors cleared him to rest and recuperate back at the Alma Via Assisted Living Center on Los Posas.

"He was given the okay to golf a little," reported daughter-in-law Michelle Hiepler, "but still no driving. He was in great spirits, witnessing to everyone in hall. There really is no one like him."

Doctors told Pastor Hiepler to return in two weeks.

Orville and wife Florence are recuperating at the Alma Via Assisted Living Center, located near Ponderosa, Antonio, and Los Posas, in northeast Camarillo. Continue to pray for this warrior for the Lord.

He and Florence are welcome visitors at Alma Via, but friends area requested to limit visits to about 15 minutes. Let's help the Hieplers get needed rest. Call the office at 384-9243 for more information -- or see Pastor Hiepler at church on Sunday. 

Church plans to move into new campus on July 11
Intermediate projects continue in preparatin for Grand Opening, Sept. 19

June 27, 2010 -- The worship center floor is stained, chairs are delivered and preschool updates continue. The office area and restrooms are next.

So continues the work at Good Shepherd's new camus, located at 380 Arneill near Old Town Camarillo. Supervisor Brad Schaub oversaw the worship center re-do, and the Free Lutheran congregation plans to start worshiping in the recently purchased facility on July 11. The new Good Shepherd sign will soon replace the historic First Lutheran iconic signage, with just a little controversy, and volunteers are also painting the top floor of a fourth building on campus, the two-story "Day School." 

"People are excited and patient," said Pastor Jim Johnson, who has heard several Camarillo friends lobby for retaining the 50-year-old sign with individual letters and weekly mottos since 1967. "We're moving forward," said Pastor Jim, "and yes, that will include the sign, too, at least for now." For years the sign has drawn stares and queries at drivers and pedestrians who have passed by. Known throughout the community as "the church with the sign," First Lutheran members enjoyed a ministry of word play that sometimes earned the church a note in the local paper. One week the sign would say, "Know Jesus, Know Peace." The next week it would say, "No Jesus, No Peace." The sign would say, for instance, "I was going to waste, then Jesus recycled me."

"We're going to try a little break," said Pastor Johnson. "I think our new church needs it's own identify," he said. "We'll put the sign away for a while and replace it with the Good Shepherd logo in a new style. We'll store the old one. I've been telling people in the community, 'If God makes it clear that He really wants that sign back, I'll be the first to help re-install it."