Asking God for the Impossible

"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know." —Jeremiah 33:3

Have you ever been faced with a situation that just seemed impossible? Daniel gives us a great example for how to handle an impossible situation. When asked to interpret the king’s dream, Daniel responded in a way that we can model. He didn't panic. He simply gathered a prayer team and asked God to give him supernatural help. Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.

When you're put in an impossible situation, your talent, logic, and education won't solve your problem. Only God can. That's why you pray and ask God for his supernatural help. That was Daniel’s situation. He needed the Lord to show him what he would never be able figure out on his own. Daniel could guess for a thousand years and never figure out the king's dream. But God could tell him in an instant. 

The Bible says, we don't have because we don't ask. So many times we miss out on God's best simply because we never tell him our needs. When you’re faced with big problems you can’t solve on your own, stop and pray. God will answer.

This month, our church family has been focusing on asking God for the impossible during our church-wide 40 Days of Prayer campaign. During this 6-week study, lives have been transformed, hope has been restored, and faith has been strengthened because of the power of prayer.

Through this process, we’ve learned how to trust in God when we face obstacles and barriers. Check out some of the breakthroughs that happened in October because of your prayers and daring faith.

Saddleback San Diego Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary

In our Daring Faith “F” commitment, we’ve launched six new campuses, including Saddleback San Diego that opened on October 23, 2017. In the brief 12 months the campus has been running, they’ve reached over 500 in weekly attendance, have baptized 82 people, and have over 100 small groups meeting in homes across Carmel Valley.

To reflect on all that God has done over the past year, nearly 650 people gathered for an anniversary celebration on October 22. Click HERE to read about the big event, and how one small group has turned into a packed service full of students for Christ!

Saddleback Yorba Linda Builds Momentum

We’re now less than a month away from the grand opening of Saddleback Yorba Linda. In preparation for the December 3rd launch, Pastor Santosh Swamidass and the entire Saddleback Yorba Linda team have been building momentum through pre-launch events and gatherings including Taste of Saddleback Yorba Linda on October 7, and the Community Block Party on October 22. READ how these celebratory events are attracting new people from the community and how you can get involved in making this new campus a success.

Future Plans to Launch Saddleback Palm Desert

With no plans on slowing down, our Campus Launch Team is currently assessing the area of Palm Desert for our next Saddleback campus location. With tentative plans to launch in March 2018, the team is searching for the right facility that will allow the campus to grow and meet the needs of the community. Stay tuned for updates on Saddleback’s next addition to the family!

More Growth for The Saddleback Family

This month, Saddleback kicked off our annual Fall Fest at several of our Southern California campuses. Thousands of families came out to enjoy tractor rides, a hay bale maze, and other family-friendly activities. These events not only help FILL GOD’S HOUSE, but they build momentum for our upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations.

Click HERE to watch video hightlights from Saddleback's Fall Fest. 

PEACE Relief in Texas, Florida, Mexico, and Puerto Rico

From hurricanes and earthquakes to floods and fires, the disasters that have impacted our world have left thousands of people seeking hope and healing through the storm. When the first hurricane swept through Houston on August 25, Saddleback Church responded by praying, giving, and serving people in need. Our members have thus far generously donated well over a million dollars, and have sent relief teams to all the disaster sites including Texas, Florida, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Click HERE to read about our PEACE Relief efforts around the world that are helping ASSIST PEOPLE IN NEED.

PEACE Relief For California Fires

The latest area to suffer devastation was much closer to home. On October 8, raging wildfires swept across Northern California, displacing 100,000 people and destroying 7,700 homes. The 18 fires caused more destruction than any wildfire in history, taking 42 lives and scorching more than 240,000 acres. READ how Saddleback Yorba Linda offered support to residents impacted by the canyon fires in Orange County, and how our PEACE Relief Teams are working with churches in Northern California to carry a community from ashes to hope.

Interconnect Our Growing Fellowship Through New Technology

To streamline the pick-up process of Pastor Rick’s newest small group study, 40 Days of Prayer, our tech team integrated QR codes for the first time in campaign history. Through the week, 5,310 Hosts registered their groups using the system, and 4,300 people scanned their QR codes to retrieve study materials. Click HERE to read how QR codes simplified the process, reduced printing costs, and tested the system for future implementation. 

As part of the 40 Days of Prayer campaign, 7,130 people are receiving daily devotions by text and 10,424 people are subscribing by email. These devotions are an easy way to take time each day to focus on God. Learn more at saddleback.com/pray40devo.

Saddleback Parenting Seminar

Saddleback Kids worked toward our goal to TRAIN 25% OF OUR MEMBERS TO BE GLOBAL LEADERS in the church and ministry. On October 4, over 120 members attended Saddleback Kids Parenting Seminar to learn best practices for effective parenting. Click HERE to read how our members were equipped with tools to develop a healthy plan for the family.

REACH Training Event For Mental Health Ministry

Statistics show that those suffering from mental illness will often turn to the church even before seeking advice from medical professionals. That’s why Saddleback Church has taken steps to train our own members, as well as other church leaders, to create a pathway to hope for those who are hurting.

From October 23–25, Saddleback’s Hope for Mental Health Team hosted REACH, a 3-day mental health training for pastors. Held at Saddleback’s Rancho Capistrano Retreat Center, the event offered strategies on how to build a Mental Health Ministry. FIND OUT why this was one of Saddleback’s most powerful training events.

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Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Daring Faith. YOU are the reason we can make a difference through these five God-inspired goals. HERE is just one story that represents hundreds of lives that are being transformed because of your sacrifice.