Being Grounded in Your Jerusalem!

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he said we would be witnesses in our Jerusalem, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world (Acts 1:8). When I was a young man, I was all about reaching Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world but sometimes, I neglected my Jerusalem.

Last Spring, the Foursquare family had to say goodbye to a giant in the Sacramento Area by the name of, Harlyn Matson. Pastor Harlyn was a spiritual Elder and father to the Foursquare Pastors in our Sacramento Region as well as he was an ambassador of the Foursquare Church Family to the greater Body of Christ!

At his funeral, the Holy Spirit whispered into my ear: “Al, tag you are it!” I felt the Spirit clearly tell me that Valerie and I were now to pick up that mantle and minister to the foursquare pastors in the Sacramento Area.

Last August when Pastor Tim Russell came to minister at New Hope fellowship, he prophesied that, “Al and Valerie you are spiritual elders to our Pastors.”  Valerie and I understood this and knew we did not need a title to love the Sacramento Area Pastors.

We have been doing this as we serve in the Jerusalem we have been assigned to by the Lord here at New Hope Fellowship. Several weeks ago, I received a phone call if I would consider being the Sacramento Area Pastor and formally be assigned as the Foursquare leader to be serving our Pastors.

I communicated that we would be praying and that I needed to speak to the New Hope Ministry Staff Team and Church Council so that the voice of "New Hope’s" servant-leaders could be part of this discernment process. They agreed that I should walk into this calling and role. .

Furthermore, I am accountable for both my performance in my role as well as to my own emotional and spiritual health to a great leader in Pastor Brian Goodell who is the Foursquare Northern California Regional Pastor that I will be meeting with often.

What this does NOT mean: "Is that Al & Valerie Soto is going anywhere.”  I will be serving as the Lead Pastor with the incredible team of people who love …. our New Hope family, as well as serve the pastors in our Sacramento area. Valerie and I are called and grounded in … OUR JERUSALEM!

I am writing this so that you do not get anxious that we are going anywhere. My highest priority is my bride Valerie my five sons and daughter-nl-laws, and my four grandchildren …. AND WE ARE CALLED AND LOVE OUR church, and WE LOVE OUR TRIBE the greater Foursquare family!

We are committed to the mission of: REACHING WIDE, GROWING DEEP, and UNLEASHING COMPASSION with you … OUR NEW HOPE FAMILY!

This Sunday, I am diving into I Corinthians 12 and we will be discovering together how in order the Holy Spirit can work through us to build and strengthen people to live out God’s Mission together!

We love you so much New Hope!

Pastor Al & Valerie Soto