In Answer to God's Call. . .

On the marquee with top movies of the day, The Potter's House gets billing for its weekly services. Pastor Kevin Madden shows it off. The Christian ministry which has grown from a young couple's answer to God's call to Canada continues to spread throughout Westbank, British Columbia. The Potter's House Community Church, headed by Kevin and Alicia Madden, is an inspiration to Christians everywhere.

Also at The Potter's House in answer to God's call are Becky and Bill Hooton, formerly of Washington.

Following, in his own words, is Madden's recent update on the work and times of the relatively new Canadian church. Madden is the son of Wayne and Nancy Madden of Washington.

Update from The Potter's House

Community Church

Westbank, British Columbia

Hello Friends! We hope 2006 is off to a great start for you and your family. It is hard to believe it is already mid-February. The summer will be just around the corner.

We are excited about all the Lord is doing in our lives. As you may know we are being featured in the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering week of prayer through the North American Mission Board this spring. We were so surprised when we were contacted by NAMB. We have already been blessed as we have been receiving emails and cards from people who are praying for the ministry here. What a privilege to be able to share God's work in Canada with so many people. You can access the video and information about the church at the NAMB website if you are interested (www.namb.net).

Cindy Clements, Jenni Kilgour, Becky Hooton & Bob Anderson inside the Westbank Movie Theater where The Potter's House holds weekly services. The Potter's House has been through a time of transition over the last months. We moved our weekly worship services to the Westbank Movie Theatre. We were outgrowing the space in the community centre and sensed God leading us to take a step of faith. The transition has gone very smoothly. Our greatest challenge is how to foster community and warmth in this new setting. We are strengthening small group ministry as connecting is more important than ever. We have new families visiting each week. We are adjusting to a new system of set up and take down along with a new children's ministry curriculum. We have found an incredible children's curriculum that works very well in the theatre (www.kidmo.com). We were very blessed to raise $20,000 for the transition fund to help with the move. Thank you to all who contributed. Also, a big thank you to Cityview Baptist Church in Vancouver for donating an amazing trailer to the church. It is exactly what we needed

The Maddens - (l-r) Alicia, Kevin, Noah, Michael, and Taylor. We continue to thank the Lord for the team of leaders we serve alongside. This past November, Joey and Maura Mask began their sixth year of ministry to students in Westbank. They are seeing amazing fruit in the lives of students. They have walked faithfully and selflessly. God is doing a deep work in the lives of teenagers. The youth group is taking two mission trips in 2006. One team will go to help our daughter church in Kamloops with an outreach event in April. Another team will travel to Bilouxi, Mississippi, to help with Katrina recovery in July. They will also spend some time in Atlanta, Georgia, thanking partnership churches for connecting with The Potter's House. God is growing the ministry to students in many ways. We praise the Lord for this next generation of believers.

Rob and Jenni Kilgour are also beginning their sixth year in this ministry. They serve in worship, administration, and children's ministry. In 2005 they built their first home. They have three precious children. God is doing a beautiful work in and through them. They are cultivating relationships with men and women who don't yet know Jesus. They are finding ways to connect with people. They have a growing hunger for God's word. They are experiencing growth in all areas of their lives and ministry.

A group of 15 women from The Potter's House will be heading south to Georgia April 18-25. The overall purpose of this trip is to say thank you to churches that have been in partnership with our church over the last six years. We will lead a 3-day conference in Washington, Georgia, April 20-22. The conference will be a time to encourage and minister to women. As we have received so much from churches and believers in the South we feel led to go and to minister to those who have encouraged us. We will also worship with several churches in the Atlanta area on Sunday, April 23. This will be a time for Canadian women to connect with brothers and sisters in another part of North America. We will also visit the NAMB headquarters and look forward to an amazing week together.

Our first daughter church began public worship in January of 2006. The Bridge Community Church (www.thebridgekamloops.com) in Kamloops, BC, is holding public services monthly until September when they will transition to weekly worship. They are sharing Christ through personal relationships and in home groups. God is doing an amazing work. Pray for Donnie and Sherry Spivey and Clay and Carolyn Ganton as they lead this team at The Bridge.

As we reflect over 2005 and the great blessings of the Lord, we are overwhelmed with God's faithfulness. It was a busy year with our family moving to another home, the church moving to a new location, Alicia returning to work after being home for many years, and Taylor beginning preschool. It was a year of growth and change. We are experiencing new life in our marriage after 16 years. God is doing a deep and beautiful work in our relationship. Our boys are growing and changing. Michael is 16 and preparing to spend the month of May on a mission trip in Mexico working with handicapped children. Noah is 11 and busy with basketball, guitar, and friends. He is excited about middle school and transitioning to the youth group this summer. Taylor is four and will begin kindergarten in the fall. He continues to grow and develop in miraculous ways. He truly is a miracle.

Please pray with us for the leading of the Holy Spirit as we desire to be doing the works he has for us - not just good things we ask him to bless. We must hear from him and follow his leading. We desire to be faithful in all things. We want to see people through his eyes. Please join us in praying for our leaders. These are men and women on the front lines of ministry. Some of us are facing great challenges. Pray for God's protection for pastors and leaders in Canada. We are asking God to call out more laborers for the harvest fields. We are asking the Lord for a church planting movement in our region. The needs are great. May his kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. How is God calling you to be a part? Thank you for loving Jesus,

KEVIN & ALICIA and The Potter's House Team