Jesse Cottonham: GX Volunteer Mentor
by Grace Dulcé
With more than 25 years of working with youth from all walks of life under his belt, Jesse Cottonham is showing no signs of slowing down. He and his wife, Pally, of 34 years have been awarded a number of covetous titles including the Jefferson and Mielke Awards for outstanding community service. This San Francisco native’s love for God and passion for kids can be seen weekly as he volunteers his Sundays to help serve GX youth.
The Cottonham’s have been ALCF members for three years. They have two adult children who are both married and ALCF members. Jesse, having gone on the Mexico mission trips and both summer and winter camps, treasures many fond memories with the youth. By profession, he is a human performance senior specialist for a local energy company, where he trains electrical workers to reduce performance errors. Upstairs in GX, he is simply known as “Uncle Jesse.” Read more
John Gibbs: Making God Known In Japan Through Technology
by Grace Dulcé
John Gibbs is a career missionary in Japan, sent by ALCF and serving through WorldVenture. He helps churches use mobile phone technology to support their ministries and connect with Japanese society. John is heavily involved in the tech world, having most recently worked on the iPhone at Apple before going to Japan as a missionary. A Stanford graduate, God has enabled this self-proclaimed “techie” to use his technical talent and love for Japanese language and culture in strategic ways—above and beyond what he could have imagined or prayed for. This article is about John’s 2011 stateside visit.
The fellowship hall is nearly filled to capacity on a Sunday afternoon. As guests line up to grab some authentic Japanese cuisine before taking their seats, the guest of honor can be easily spotted. A man of many words, John Gibbs claims ‘he is a nerd who loves everything technological.’ His demeanor is warm and inviting as he is greeted by a room full of many eager supporters and guests. After serving three years in Japan as a mid-term missionary, he is back in the United States seeking support partners in order to return to that spiritually dry country as a newly appointed career missionary.
Read more
Tools For The Trade
David Thompson Teaches Construction Courses at ALCF
by Mary Tan
On a warm September afternoon at a Starbuck’s in San Jose, David Thompson sets up his Gideon Bible station.
“Would you like a Bible?” asks David.
“No. I’m an atheist,” Richard* retorts.
“Well, Happy Veteran’s Day! Are you a veteran?” responds David.
“Actually I am…was in the Air Force,” says Richard.
“Really! I was in the Navy,” says David.
From there the conversation led to the construction course David teaches on Saturdays through ALCF’s JOBS Ministry.
Richard opines, “I think teaching people a job skill is more important than giving out Bibles or teaching a Bible study in jail.” Richard then goes on to attend David’s Construction Technology course. Read more 
Leap Of Faith: Praising God Through Dance
by Mary Tan
Jen Hsu, a full-time college student, parks behind the Abundant Life Christian Fellowship administrative offices, walks two blocks to the Worship Center with a big bag slung over her shoulder, and arrives in the “green room” at ALCF, otherwise know as the fellowship hall. Now she steps into her other role—as liturgical dancer, participating in Abundant Life’s annual Easter outreach. Dressed in the dark sweat suit, pink ballet slippers, and leg warmers that she pulled out of the bag, she puts on earphones and begins her warm-up routine. Read more
Home of New Beginnings, Christmas 2011
An adaptation of the Christmas story by Bonita Thompson
The Gospel of Luke: Jesus Born Anew in Bangkok
Now it came about in those days that an invitation went out from Home of New Beginnings that a party be given for all who inhabited the bars.
And volunteers also went up from Virginia, Florida, California, Singapore, England, and Thailand to Bangkok to register along with Bonita, Leena, and Ann who were prayerfully planning the event.
And it came about that while all were gathered there, the days were complete that Jesus should come to Bangkok. And we wrapped Him in laughter and games, in gifts and goodies, in testimony and drama, in joy and honor. Read more
Shannon Pekary’s Christmas Tradition
by Shannon Pekary
[Original post, entitled, "Our First Christmas on Dumbarton," can be found on inepa.wordpress.com]
Christmas can be one of the few opportunities for people to get to know their neighbors, especially in the Silicon Valley. So many people live in condos and apartment buildings here, and I regularly hear about people who have lived in the same place for years and never even met their neighbors. Read more
The Gift That Never Loses Its’ Power!
by dr. jjj
Christmas is NOT about Black Fridays, Small Business Saturdays, or Cyber Mondays. Rather, Christmas is about the birth of Jesus—God’s Ultimate Gift to us! At Christmastime, we give gifts to symbolically honor His birth and His ultimate blood sacrifice that reconciles us to God. Read more
Common Obstacles to Sharing One’s Faith
by Chieko Arimura
Kim Douglas is often asked difficult questions such as: “Why is there so much suffering in the world?” and “What will happen when I die?” In the past, she felt unprepared to answer, fearing that she didn’t know enough Scripture to adequately respond. Through Salt&Light, however, Kim, a 12-year member of ALCF and Growth Group facilitator, has acquired tools to confidently share her testimony and gently discuss who Christ is. Read more
Legacy of a Self-Proclaimed Geek
How God Used Kenny Gibbs to Serve 5ifty6ixers
by Chequita Parker and Mark Arevalo
It’s Sunday morning in the Worship Center. As the doors of the GX room open and close, the sounds of intermittent guitar riffs, drum beats, and voices raised in praise, echo, and then fade away. Worshipers in the sanctuary settle down to listen to the weekend’s video announcements. However, upstairs in classroom 5, everything is going full throttle. Welcome to 5ifty6ix, ALCF’s community of fifth- and sixth-grade children. These preteens are busy—chatting about school, the latest movies, and YouTube clips. They’re playing foursquare, foosball, and video games. In other words, they’re having a great time just being themselves. And sitting with the kids in this organized chaos of activity is the amazing “Mr. Kenny”. Read more
In Our Own Back Yard
Student Ministries Takes Their First Domestic Missions Trip
by Grace Dulcé
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship’s Student Ministries youth are all too familiar with the concept of helping others who are less fortunate. Last June, they embarked on their very first domestic missions trip in San Francisco’s South of Market area near the Tenderloin district. Marcus Randolph, Director of Junior High Ministries, hopes that this can be the first of many more. Read more
