Kingdom Discipleship

Hello

        We hope this email finds you enjoying your day! On August 19th we began a journey to open a retreat center. Many wild and unimaginable things have happened. To date we have booked 6 retreats for spring 2017, are in discussion for a wedding and are in conversations with how to provide affordable counseling services through art and animal therapy and this is just a few of the highlights. Champions from near and far have asked how to help to make this dream become a reality. What the Lord keeps revealing to us is 'many hands make light work' and ideas from a capital campaign, hosting bi-weekly tours, street corner campaigns and more have been discussed and considered. We have offers to assist us in rehabbing the buildings, furnishings that will enable us to get up and running quickly and more animals than we can count have been donated. The excitement has been infectious, the dreaming has been fabulous and the connections with others is priceless.                

      For us others is the key word and it is for them we are doing this. We are not in a position to accomplish this alone. We have spoken with lenders and do qualify for a portion of the asking price, but we have to sell our home and move onto the property and that is not what we feel we are supposed to do. We do know of who could help us manage it and make it successful, so there are no worries where that is concerned. We have met investors who have offered the money to us, but again the requirements are greater than we feel is wise to take on. For a couple of weeks we took the time to revisit this dream and seek out counsel and consider the 'cost' for everything. In fact, recently were thinking this wasn't the property for us, but definitely the vision and asked the Lord for a sign. Guess what, he produced. Those retreats we mentioned about earlier, two of them were booked just this last weekend. A random donation came in, several requests for tour dates were emailed and a gentle horse was donated for the children who will be coming for therapy and retreats. Our hearts are alive with dreams of, "what needs to happen to fund this", "how can we make this work" and so much more. We are asking that you would please consider joining us in this adventure to sooth the wounded hearts who come knocking for healing and relief of what has broken their spirit and heart.                 For those of you who know us personally or through the ministry you know parts of our story, please allow us to give a deeper history to you and also those who do not know us as well. We both were born to families and had experiences that turn most hearts angry and bitter towards people and God. When we said "I do" to each other, almost 15 years ago, we were struggling in our identities due to both of us having a previous failed marriage and fears that haunted us from our childhoods. It was facing our issues, fears and doubts that built the foundation for our ministry and it has turned into a deep passion for serving those in need for many years.                

       We have learned that loving others during the hardest seasons of their life is what we are called to do. Whether this be through sharing in discipleship, being there in a time of pain and suffering, or just being those friends that allow people to be themselves. We like to be the family to those without one, and the friend for those who need one. This is what God has called us to do.                        Again, our ministry didn't exactly start in the most glamorous of ways. Two people hurting in ways words could not describe, brokenness all around us and identities wrapped up in grief and shame. But through the grace and guidance of God, we learned to love and be loved. We first started out as discipleship, then mentoring and coaching, then counseling teens, adults, and marriages, and now our ministry has grown into retreats for both men and women to get away and heal, because in order to move on, healing and forgiveness is always needed.               

     Though we were abandoned as children and society stated that through either nature or nurture, we would do the same to our own children and to others around us, we didn't end up the same. God used people in mighty ways to turn two very broken and lost people into two very gracious and loving people. Though muddy and messy and deep in the wounds and trouble that surround them, we have striven to accept people in the season they are in. We do not assume to have all the answers but we know the one who does. That's the exciting part of walking through another person's Journey to being healed and whole through Christ Jesus.                

One of the biggest question we have received is asking if a donation is tax deductible. The answer is yes, we are a non profit in good standing. Our non profit tax ID number is 501c3: 27-1080725

Please reach out to us if you have any questions and thank you again for your support!

Erik and Kristi Estrada

P.S. The music in the video is our life song that keeps us going, that we use as a ruler for our actions, thoughts and deeds and refuels us when we are feeling drained. We hope you enjoy it!

It hurts, doesn't it? The disappointment. The death of dreams. The end of something beautiful. The misunderstandings. The hurtful truths and unspoken words. The loss. The change that comes in like a storm when you weren't ready for it. It's so tempting to run from the realness of it all. "Its part of your journey. Trust it," they say. It's so much easier said than done, isn't it? It really is here to teach you something, but damn it to hell, I know it doesn't feel good. Stand. Be strong, wild one. Stand and let that storm rage around you. You are being stretched, refined and strengthened for a purpose. You are loved and you are NOT alone.

We would like to invite you to check out our website and learn about our passion for others!!

The mission of Kingdom Discipleship is to be a Christ centered organization providing weekly meetings, retreats and reduced or free counseling and coaching services for men, women, teenagers, couples and families struggling through painful life situations and crisis. Our programs Kingdom Men, Kingdom Women, Oneness, Unleashed Intensive Retreats (men) and Restoration Intensive Retreats (women) are centered around one goal: to know Jesus Christ deeper and to make Him known to others! Imagine a group of people sharing real fellowship, exciting growth, genuine sharing, prayer and heartfelt love with one another. Imagine a place where no one stands alone, struggles alone, serves alone, develops alone, seeks alone, or grows up alone. Imagine yourself in such a caring, committed community – Welcome to Kingdom Discipleship! Our Story   Eight years ago Kingdom Discipleship began, when a group of men and women gathered to create what is now a community of diverse people from different Christian denominations. Each person seeking one common goal to “know Him more and to bring our hearts into alignment with His.” Scripturally based and transparent in nature, the programs of Kingdom Men and Kingdom Women mission is: “to call His sons and daughters back to His heart,” by pointing them to Jesus. The core values of Kingdom Men are to equip and challenge a man, through discipleship and sanctify himself….as a Man of God. We equip and challenge him to be a faithful husband, a dedicated father and a reliable brother in Christ-all to glorify God. With these core values, we send men out to fulfill the “Great Commission” by teaching others to do the same. Likewise, the core values of Kingdom Women are to create a place or atmosphere where no woman stands alone, struggles alone, serves alone, develops alone, seeks alone, or grows up alone. Kingdom Women designs their mission around Proverbs 14:1 which says: “A wise woman builds up her home, but a foolish one tears it down”. We strive in teaching women their identities in Christ and their foundation as daughters of the King.     During this journey each person has the opportunity to examine what is in their heart and mind. With the insight of the Holy Spirit through their mentor’s, leaders, and their own heart; they can see their gifts and learn the truths spoken about them in God’s Word.     Hope arises as they see that the healing of their brokenness is not only possible, but starting to take place as her heart goes from deception to truth, shame to hope, and death to life. Jesus reaches out to them, and as they grasp His hand they are gently pulled up and out of their faulty thinking and wounds so deep, that they hadn’t acknowledged they existed. Jesus reshapes their identity and vision to right thinking, healing, and a freedom that they have never known.

Smiling and serving in Christ,

     We pray your holiday season has been refreshing and that you are looking forward to what 2016 beholds for all of us. For us here at Kingdom Discipleship, 2016 is poised to be an exciting year and we would like to ask you to partner with us with your time, talent and treasure!

    The mission of Kingdom Discipleship is to be a Christ centered organization providing weekly meetings, retreats and reduced or free counseling and coaching services for men, women, teenagers, couples and families struggling through painful life situations and crisis.

    Our programs Kingdom Men, Kingdom Women, Oneness, Unleashed Intensive Retreats (men) and Restoration Intensive Retreats (women) are centered around one goal: to know Jesus Christ deeper and to make Him known to others!

    Imagine a group of people sharing real fellowship, exciting growth, genuine sharing, prayer and heartfelt love with one another. Imagine a place where no one stands alone, struggles alone, serves alone, develops alone, seeks alone, or grows up alone. Imagine yourself in such a caring, committed community - Welcome to Kingdom Discipleship!

Our Story

     Eight years ago Kingdom Discipleship began, when a group of men and women gathered to create what is now a community of diverse people from different Christian denominations. Each person seeking one common goal to "know Him more and to bring our hearts into alignment with His." Scripturally based and transparent in nature, the programs of Kingdom Men and Kingdom Women mission is: "to call His sons and daughters back to His heart," by pointing them to Jesus.

    The core values of Kingdom Men are to equip and challenge a man, through discipleship and sanctify himself....as a Man of God. We equip and challenge him to be a faithful husband, a dedicated father and a reliable brother in Christ-all to glorify God. With these core values, we send men out to fulfill the "Great Commission" by teaching others to do the same.

    Likewise, the core values of Kingdom Women are to create a place or atmosphere where no woman stands alone, struggles alone, serves alone, develops alone, seeks alone, or grows up alone. Kingdom Women designs their mission around Proverbs 14:1 which says: "A wise woman builds up her home, but a foolish one tears it down". We strive in teaching women their identities in Christ and their foundation as daughters of the King.

    During this journey each person has the opportunity to examine what is in their heart and mind. With the insight of the Holy Spirit through their mentor's, leaders, and their own heart; they can see their gifts and learn the truths spoken about them in God's Word.

    Hope arises as they see that the healing of their brokenness is not only possible, but starting to take place as her heart goes from deception to truth, shame to hope, and death to life. Jesus reaches out to them, and as they grasp His hand they are gently pulled up and out of their faulty thinking and wounds so deep, that they hadn't acknowledged they existed. Jesus reshapes their identity and vision to right thinking, healing, and a freedom that they have never known.

2016 Goals

Quarterly retreat for men, women and couples - average attendance 8 - 15 people

Annual conference - You Make Me Brave and the topic is a women's forgiveness journey and how to begin to heal and help heal those around her.

Marketing materials to partner with smaller churches and host more small group events.

     We thank you for partnering with our dream of living a life as Christ lived. No greater service is it for a person than to live life with the dust of Jesus' sandals on their feet. It is a journey of examination, reflection, authenticity, transparency, growth, unveiling, tears, revelation, healing, restoration, love, freedom, and so much joy!  

Warmest Regards,  

Erik and Kristi Estrada 

Servant Leaders

Kingdom Discipleship

PO BOX 31288

It seems that Matthew may be telling the nativity story from Joseph’s perspective whereas Luke tells Mary’s story. Matthew alone records the angel’s appearance to Joseph four times, whereas in Luke only Mary is visited by an angel. In Matthew Mary’s virginity and honor are defended, something done by a loyal and loving husband. Though no words of Joseph are recorded in Matthew it does tell us his thoughts and his quick submission and obedience to the will of God. Mary’s submission and obedience to God is not mentioned in Matthew, but is clearly recorded in Luke where it is her words and thoughts that are expressed.

One could easily conclude that Luke spent a considerable time with Mary, interviewing her about the miraculous birth and surrounding events. He relays many details that Mary had “treasured and pondered in her heart”, things only Mary would have known. It is Luke who records the words of the angel, Mary’s response, and the glorious Magnificat. He even begins the story with an account of Elizabeth, Mary’s relative. And whereas the genealogy provided by Matthew relates to Joseph’s ancestry, some have considered the genealogy recorded in Luke to be Mary’s family tree.

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY by Janine Allen

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Hello,

    Forgiveness is not merely a soft attitude toward a harsh fact; forgiveness is the vital action of love, seeking to restore the harmony that has been shattered.

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing with quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8)

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. (Philippians 3:13)

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard,  but doing it - they  will be  blessed  in what they do. (James 1:25)

    Rick Renner, author of Sparking Gems explains, "an offense usually occurs when you see, hear, or experience a behavior that is so different from what you expected that it causes you to falter, totter, and wobble in your soul. In fact, you are so stunned by what you have observed or by a failed expectation that you lose your footing emotionally. Before you know it, you are dumbfounded and flabbergasted about something. Then your shock turns to disbelief; your disbelief into disappointment; and your disappointment into offense."

My question to you, since forgiveness is the vital action of love, seeking to restore the harmony that has been shattered, how are you taking action to put the pieces of your heart and life back together again?

Shalom,

Kristi Estrada

All of us have been betrayed. A spouse who walked out, cheated. A parent who left. A child who hurt us. It might be someone you work with or a member of your church. It could be someone who changed the details of a deal that you agreed to.

All of us have been been betrayed.

And when it happens, it hurts.

The reason is simple. The only way to betray someone means you have to be close to someone. While you can feel let down by a national leader or role model, betrayal only happens in close proximity.

The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.

Ministry is a major place for betrayal, and when it happens in a church context, it hurts.

A lot.

Last week I spoke at Exponential West, and at each of my breakouts I talked to several people who were in the midst of betrayal or just walked through it. Here are some things I reminded them that may prove helpful to you when you find yourself betrayed:

Jesus was betrayed. While this sounds trite and Christianese when you have been betrayed, it should provide us comfort. Jesus knows what it is like to be betrayed. He knows what it is like to have friends fail him, walk out on him, lie and abandon him. This has helped me to walk through betrayal and misplaced trust.

Their true colors will be seen. Our first inclination when we’ve been hurt or betrayed is to get back at someone. We want people to know that we are hurt, that they lied to us, we want to ruin their lives and name in the way they’ve ruined our lives. In the end, if someone doesn’t have character, it eventually comes out. If someone is lazy, eventually everyone knows. While they may not know as quickly as you’d like, everything comes out.

It’s for your good. If Romans 8 is true, and I believe it is. Then when we are betrayed, God is and will use it for our good. In the moment, this does not always provide the comfort that it should; that’s more about us than God though. It is true and it does bring comfort for us. When you are betrayed, it is an opportunity for you to grow. You are able to see blind spots, or places you didn’t pull boundaries, or situations you didn’t give enough oversight to. Regardless, when you are betrayed, it can be a wake up call to get better at something, and this is good.

Take the high road; your true colors will be seen. In the same way that their true colors will be seen, so will yours. Again, not as quickly as you’d like, especially if you are in the right, but they will. If you have character, that will be shown, if not, that will as well.

Don’t be bitter. Bitterness is waiting for you when you are betrayed. Don’t give in to it. While God is working in all things, pray against bitterness, let go of the person and situation as quickly as you can (even though this may take months or years). Start. Ask people to pray with you against a hard heart. For Katie and I, when betrayal happens we pray Ezekiel 36:26 for our hearts, that God would replace our heart of stone so that it does not become hard.

When someone betrays you, take comfort: in the end they will be seen for who they are.

Do you know that I love you more than you could ever imagine? In fact, before I created the universe, I had you in mind. There has never been, nor will there ever be another you. Your talents and personality were given exclusively to you, and they are what make you special and unique to me. To see you smiling and enjoying life brings me great pleasure.

Now, I know that life isn’t always easy, and at times you’ve found it tougher than you expected. And some of the dreams you dared to dream seem silly now, or impossible, or too late. But don’t give up. I still have big plans for you.

I’ve noticed your disappointment at times but don’t worry; I am greater than that problem or any problem you have ever dealt with. I am greater than your hurts and failures. I am greater than your disappointments and fears. I am. Trust me.

So here is what I want to say to you. Come to me and I will carry you. I really mean it. You don’t have to do this on your own. I will carry you when the weight of life gets too heavy. I will carry you when you’re      hurting and feeling alone in your pain. I will           carry you when you’re afraid and not sure which     way to turn.

If you’re ready, I’m ready. Just let me know. I love you more than you can imagine and I want the very best for your life.  

Love,