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Dearest friends and supporters, Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement and support of Jerry Chapman Ministries in 2007. We would like to take this time to update you all on where we’re at now and what we are planning for in 2008. After a very busy and fulfilling several years of full time ministry, (7 to be exact, number of completion) as well as Jerry working a full time job, we believe the Lord has directed us to take some time away from the traveling ministry schedule and focus on our relationships with the Lord, each other, friends, family and our ministry base here at home. We have clearly heard the Lord tell us to take the time now to be still and wait on Him. We need to be quiet and hear his voice as we know and understand that our future in ministry depends on our taking the time to be in the Lords presence as never before. Not only is it our desire to refresh in the Lords presence, we want to become a resting place for the Lord. For in that position we will be able to hear the Lords voice clearly. Is. 50:4 The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. We know that in this eighth year of our ministry (new beginnings) the Lord has plans to reveal Himself to us as never before. Our plan for ministry is to connect on a more relational level with ministry partners, friends and associates rather than focus on ministry events. It has always been our heart to have our own place for Jerry to build drums and also a place to someday host small ministry gatherings. The location as many of you know is our barn at the back of our property. We have been working toward this goal for the past couple of years with some wonderful support from friends. The truth is there has just not been enough time to get the project where it needs to be with our schedules being so tight. Less travel time will enable us to focus more on this project. Another thing that has been put on the back burner for some time is Jerry’s desire to record some music. Please pray with us during this time for us to be released in the gift of worship in that area along with the discernment of who the right people would be to partner with in this project. This time will allow us to focus here on what needs to be done so that in the future we will be better prepared to serve the Lord as he has destined us to do. We will continue to covet your prayers and financial support as we move out in unknown territory that happens to be literally in our own back yard. Thank you again for your prayers and support. Jerry & Leslie Chapman
As you pray for us we are asking that we receive clear direction from the Lord as we enter into this new season.
We thank you in advance for your continued prayers, support and encouragement. Please be reminded that we are a 501© 3 non profit ministry and your donations are tax deductible. May the Lord bless each one of you with the desires He has placed in your hearts
2007 Recap February 24, Jerry shared at the men's breakfast at Vader Assembly of God and was very well received and has been invited back to share for a church service .
March 23-25 Jerry and Leslie went to Pacific Life Bible College in Surrey BC for a worship seminar and fund raising dinner/auction. Saturday afternoon Jerry did a short teaching on culturally relevant worship and indigenous instruments. He then led the group in a drum circle that turned into a worship circle using drums and percussion instruments. There was a blind woman attending and as she entered in we could see the spirit of joy come upon her and with that joy the anointing of the Holy Spirit came though her worship. There was healing, tears, young people stretched and willing to step forward in new revelation of God through that worship time. That evening we gathered some musicians from our extended family church Harvest Community in Chilliwack. We shared First Nations Style worship music for those attending the dinner auction. We were well received by those in attendance, many who had never heard our style of worship before. The gourmet dinner served that night was outstanding. Thank you, Melanie Gleason Lyle for the invitation. Sunday morning we gathered at Harvest Church in Chilliwack where Jerry joined with the worship team. Gods presence was moving throughout the service. We are always blessed when we have a chance to worship with our church family in Chilliwack. After church we meet briefly with Pastor Keith and Jerry's sister in regard to future kingdom work in the area. We believe God wants to move in greater power in the region. Pray that we hear from the Lord what our part might be and for more fruit bearing workers in the Frasier River Valley. April 7, Jerry, Leslie, Mike & Rene Greely, Connie Wallace and Bill Ivey went to Portland for a Messianic / Native day of teaching, food, fellowship, worship, dance and intersession. Our guitar player called the night before letting us know he would be unable to attend because of a family emergency. We called a man that we knew was coming and asked if he would like to join in worship with us and he graciously agreed. Coming into worship now unrehearsed was a bit stressful but we put our trust in the Lord and laid the time at his feet and He took the worship service from the moment we started. It was an amazing, "God time". The Lord by His Holy Spirit used us in as a corporate group to minister to everyone in attendance that day. April 21, Jerry brought a worship team over to Rainier Oregon for their first ever Gathering. Isabelle Weedman, and Robert Archyleta along with Rodger and Jean Martin did the preliminary ground work meeting with local pastors finding a facility and contacting people to come. We had a wonderful turnout of over 100 people. There were many pre-believers in the crowd and all seemed to enjoy their time in the presence of the Lord. One comment came that :"My brother would never step foot in a church but really enjoyed himself". The gathering format just reaches out in a way that is more appealing to the un-churched as well as the churched. Both Robert and Isabelle shared from the word, we had a potluck meal with delicious food, there was worship and corporate prayer with no one hesitating to participate. We want to thank Paul & Janice Rice for opening up their church. We look forward to the next time we join together in Rainier.
April 27, Jerry went to Tacoma and Seattle with some drum deliveries and stayed on in Seattle for a meeting with Open Heart Ministries Bethseda that evening. Before the meeting Jerry had the opportunity to meet with the guest speaker from Fresh Fire ministries as well as Mary Oliver of Open Heart. They had an amazing encounter with the Lord with each of them speaking prophetically into one another's lives. Needless to say the meeting that evening was charged with the power of the Holy Spirit with no one leaving untouched.
Saturday May 5th we headed to Olympia for a meeting with some pastors from The Nazarene Church in North Seattle. These people have connections with Native people and are searching for ways to effectively minister to them. We scheduled a time for Jerry to come and share at a Sunday morning service. After Olympia we headed to Raymond Washington and met with a pastor and his wife with the same heart. We ended up staying over and attending their street church the next morning. We set a date in June for a gathering at their church and then in August to come back and do a two day outdoor out reach. We returned home on Sunday in time for Jerry to be a part of the worship team for a City Wide service that evening. There was agood turn out and as always there were several in attendance who had their first experience with "Native Style" worship. Jerry was very well received.
May 11-13 we took a last minute trip to Bend to meet up with musician Jo Vogels and his wife Victoria at the "Barn". The meeting times were powerfully anointed and both Jo and Jerry feel strong about working together in the future. We are very encouraged by the ministry that Dale and Joellen Michaels facilitate there in Bend. Sunday night we came home in time to lead worship at Evangel and then finished the night with Mother's Day take out and snuggling with our precious 2 year old granddaughter. Tuesday the 15th and Wednesday the 16th we traveled to Cannon Beach Oregon to attend a couple of days of our communities 19th Annual Pastors and Ministry Leader's Prayer Summit. There were over 40 leaders in attendance in all or part of the summit. It was such an uplifting experience for both of us. We are so blessed and encouraged to be part of a community of leaders who are so united in prayer and have such genuine care and concern for one another. The bond continues to grow deeper.
Saturday the 19th Jerry once again emceed the "In Honor of Our Children" Pow Wow hosted by Kelso School's Indian Education. We had an excellent turn out with more vendors, dancers and attendees than we have had in the last couple of years. Thank you to the Wiconi volunteers who drove up to help out.
Ketchikan AK, May 24 - 28, 2007 The Chapman’s and the Greely’s ended the month of May in Ketchikan Alaska. Arriving on Thursday the 24th we started with a meeting with the core group of the “Gathering”… We had a time of food fellowship and protocol. Then we got together to practice with the musicians that would be playing with us throughout the weekend. Dale and Lucy Wheeler flew up to join us on Friday. Friday night we gathered at the Saxman Tribal House for a community concert. The event was well attended. The acoustics were perfect there in the long house. The place was made for drumming. We had worshipers and pre-believers joining in unity in native style song and dance. We left that evening with a sense, of awe as we reflected on how the Holy Spirit ministered in the hearts of the people in an ever so gentle way. On Saturday we attended the Gathering’s three year anniversary Potluck. There were lots of people, food, fellowship and music. They have all age groups represented. It was so encouraging to hear the testimonies of some of the “younger” elders who took the time to recognize their elders who were in attendance, and hear how these precious ones prayed for and ministered them into the kingdom many years ago.. E Now we see these people doing the same and soon to pass that mantel on to the next generation. The core group had made enough drum sticks for everyone in attendance, so the evening finished off with all having a chance to drum and then being able to have the sticks to take home. Before we finished as always there was a time of prayer and personal ministry. Sunday we had the pleasure to join Good News Fellowship for service. As it was the Global Day of Prayer we spent the beginning of the service joining in, with believers all around the world in a time of corporate worship, prayer and repentance. Jerry shared a timely word for the body of Good News Fellowship encouraging the adults in their support of the children and youth in the call the Lord has place upon them. That evening we did a service at the Salvation Army Church. There were people from several different congregations as well a number of people who heard the music and simply stopped in to see what was taking place. People were free in song and dance. We left knowing the Holy Spirit had done what He intended to accomplish. After service we went to Norma and Sonya Skans where they prepared a wonderful feast for a least 50 people. They honored us with gifts, generous words and prayers. Norm and Sonya are such a gift to the body of Christ as well as to their community. We just want to say thank you to all of you in Ketchikan for your part in bringing us up to be a part of your ministry. Also for your prayers in sending us out. Joe & Susie Williams, Norm & Sonya Skans, George & Marty at Good News Fellowship, Ken Rainak, John Long, Leonard & Debbie Nance, Dale Bakkala and all those involved in the Ketchikan Gathering. We are blessed by your generosity and hospitality.
June 15 & 16, Raymond WA, Friday night we started the weekend with worship and intercession sharing the music portion with the Liberation Church worship team. It was a sweet yet powerful time in the Lord. Saturday Raymond had their first Potluck Gathering Meeting at the high school. We had the opportunity to protocol the police chief, fire chief, city council as well as tribal representatives from the Shoalwater Tribe. There were over 100 people in attendance throughout the day. We sensed the Lord working in the hearts of many during our time of fellowship, enjoying good food and worship.
June 24 Kelso WA: Sunday morning we took a worship team to Abundant Life Nazarene church. Jerry also spent a brief time sharing about what we do as ministers representing First Nations. There were actually some people who were familiar with Broken Walls ! Pastor Chris Davis is very supportive and an encouragement to Jerry and I . We look forward to a continued relationship with the people there.
June 30 Seattle WA: Jerry and Leslie traveled to West Seattle Church of the Nazarene where Jerry taught on ministry with cultural relevance. We have been in communication with the pastors from West Seattle and believe this is a God connection. They have a very culturally diverse congregation and are more than ready to make a difference in their community.
June 29,30, July7,20, & 21, Jerry and several volunteers from the Vision City servant week spent many hours refurbishing a very old and tired gym at the Cowlitz Tribe's St. Mary's Center in Toledo WA,. It was a big undertaking but the result was well worth the effort. Thanks to all who helped out.
July 27-28, Our worship team was invited back to the Back to the Blues Gospel Blue Festival in Chilliwack BC. Even though we don't play the blues the "Native Style" worship was overwhelmingly received. Jerry and I made several connections with people in the area involved in native ministry. Another answer to prayer. Sunday AM we lead worship at Harvest Church in Chilliwack and as always the people there were prayed up and ready to receive from the Lord and that's just how the morning went. The Holy Spirit moved in power that morning, in blessing and refreshing. A big thank you to our team: Mike & Rene Greely, Chuck & Jacque Hendrickson, Connie Wallace, Josh Anderson and Jay McKenzie. We are very excited about the addition of some new musicians Chuck & wife Jacque and also Josh. What a blessing these guys are! August 2-5 We headed to Turner Oregon for the Wiconi Family Camp and Pow Wow, Jerry facilitated the worship time attempting to get as many different people involved in leading as he could. The worship times carried a diverse flavor and encouraged us to appreciate the way God uses us in so many variations of expressing our worship to Him. We also had our turn at running the sound which is not something either of us are particularly gifted in, but we are learning. It was good to see old friends and have some time to visit in a more relaxed atmosphere. August 11, took us to Tom Fest in Washougal WA, Why? The directors of the event realize that their property is on the land the first peoples and believe that protocol dictates that there be some representation of First Nations People. We were given great respect and favor by these people and believe they will reap a blessing out of their obedience.
August 18 & 19 we returned to Raymond for a two day event. We had the opportunity to meet and protocol the Chinook Tribe at the opening of the Saturday meeting. Thank you Lord for still yet another connection!. The afternoon session got rained out so we packed up in a hurry and headed to the high school. After setting up Jerry had our younger half of the team lead, Chuck, Josh & Jay with Mike filling in on bass. Chuck did an amazing job of leading us into the Throne Room. Josh's guitar seemed to just sing in the spirit. Following worship we had a powerful time of prayer for those in attendance. Sunday morning we got up and headed back to the school where our whole team brought the worship and once again the Lord amazed us with an intense time of worship and intercession. That afternoon everyone was treated to terrific salmon barbeque. Thank you to Tony and Lisa and Liberation Church for all your hard work. Thank you to Patty who opens her door to us and treats us to her wonderful food, comfortable beds, generous hospitality and then send us home with gifts. A friend for life! Also a big thank you to our team who travel at their own expense to be a part of this ministry. Mike & Rene Greely Connie & Jim Wallace, Chuck Hendrickson, Josh Anderson and Jay McKenzie August 25 & 26th Was the Kalama Days of Discovery, This event takes place in recognition of the town's name sake Kalama a Hawaiian who landed on the Columbia River and married a local native woman. The family has held on to their traditions for generations and in honor of them the festival has been born. This was something that interested Jerry as he also is 1/4 Hawaiian. Jerry did some drum songs, two sisters from the Cowlitz Tribe, Patty and Jane came to sing and dance. We invited a traditional pow wow drum family, Cree Star, and there were a handful of First Nations dancers. Our son-in-law Carlo and daughter Breanne joined Jerry in a worship set on Sat. afternoon. We felt that there was a good representation of first nations, not to mention all of the Hawaiians. They counted 64 vendors, us being one of them, 700 guests for the Luau dinner, and 5000 visitors throughout the weekend. Sunday morning Jerry had church service with about 25 people in attendance. The thing I think that impacted us the most was all the testimonies honoring and glorifying Christ, recognizing the fact that this was not a Christian event. Thank you to Bill & Gloria and the countless volunteers that made this event possible. We look forward with anticipation to next year.
The Barn Project: Dale & Sue Bakkela of Ketchikan received vision for our Barn Workshop Project and have been encouraging their personal friends and ministry contacts to give toward that. We had checks come in from Ketchikan, California and Texas. Not mention our local ministry partners. With Gene McCleary taking over the project we now have the roof sealed, half of a new foundation, 2/3 of the new floor, lights and electrical outlets to run equipment. There’s a lot more to be done but this start is really encouraging tion. The core group had made enough drum sticks for everyone in attendance, so the evening finished off with all having a chance to drum and then being able to have the sticks to take home. Before we finished as always there was a time of prayer and personal ministry. October 13, Cowlitz Tribe Pow Wow Jerry was asked to return this year as the emcee for the annual event. This was the tribes biggest and best yet. The remodel project done by the Kelso/Longview City church volunteers made all the difference in the gym. It is was wonderful. The Tribe took time to honor Jerry and the volunteers including doing an honor dance and having gifts of wonderful embroidered fleece vest for all the volunteers. The Cowlitz people are reconnecting with their culture and did a wonderful job of sharing with the community. http://www.cowlitz.org/events/cowlitzindianpowwow.html October 20, We shared in drum songs and the word at the Tacoma Wisdom Circle. This is an additional meeting time to the monthly Tacoma Gathering. This fellowship has a bit more of an intimate and personal setting. There is already First Nations people testifying of the blessing these meeting have been to them. November 1, Jerry joined Richard Twiss for a Worship Seminar at Seattle Pacific University. It was a time to introduce culturally relevant expression in worship and prayer and to share with attendees the powerful impact it can have. Josh Anderson and Chuck Hendrickson join Jerry and Leslie for the worship portion and did a great job as always with their musical gifts. November 15-20, Jerry and Leslie headed down to Puma Valley CA to bring an Abba drum to the Puma Valley Foursquare Fellowship. The people of the congregation and Pastor Derek Myers have been swamped with fire relief ministry. Providing some of the practical needs of meals, groceries, clothing, hands on help as well as spiritual council and just “being there” for those who have been through such a traumatic event. We had great service and enjoyed meeting and worshiping with the people of Puma Valley.
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