July 28, 2026

Although summertime is a season of vacations and Sabbaticals, most of the youth pastors in the area are working overtime in providing for summer lifechanging camp experiences for the children and youth of the area.

Pathfinders, one of our region’s more cherished ministries, had the opportunity to share Jesus and the Great Outdoors with some of the most impoverished children in our community.

Most of the locals in our area are spoiled by our ability to take in the incredible beauty of Lake Tahoe. We can visit and enjoy it just about any time we choose.

Pathfinders children and youth rarely escape the captivity of their apartment or trailer. Most have never been outside of Reno and Sparks.    

While we can experience God’s beautiful creations, these children struggling with a life of poverty can only dream about them. So, imagine how five days in the wilderness in the foothills of the majestic Ruby Mountains sixty miles south of Elko affects them?

Every year, Pathfinders Executive Director Chuck Grimm and his team experience the joy of taking these kids, grades 5-12, to Cowboy’s Rest Christian Camp for five days. In addition to the usual camp fun activities such as swimming, hiking, games, and great food, they attend chapel each morning and evening.  

On Thursday evening, an altar call is given, providing these precious kids the opportunity to follow Jesus. Many take this special moment in their lives to say, “Yes.” These stories are powerful and moving for the volunteers and those who support the ministry.

“We had one student who had confronted our camp speaker mid-week,” Grimm says. “She angrily stated that she did not believe in God, and that everything being taught was a lie.”

Yet, when Thursday evening came and when the altar call was given, she was the first of many to go forward, tears streaming down her face.

For these young people, the camp is a catalyst to changing their lives, and it’s only the beginning. The Pathfinders ministry provides discipleship for these children and youth on a year-round basis. While many have abandoned these kids throughout their lives, the good people at Pathfinders have not. 

Those young ones who make the commitment to follow Jesus at camp are then given the opportunity to attend an 8-week discipleship program on Thursday evenings, while continuing to participate in the regular Friday dinner and Bible Study gatherings of all the Pathfinders children and youth.  

To learn more about this incredible year-round ministry, you can click on the link below.

Real Choices Women’s Center is part of a network of centers that have served Northern Nevada since 1983. Formerly known as Crisis Pregnancy Center, the organization offers a friendly, no-pressure place where women can safely and confidentially express all of their feelings and receive factual information to make a decision about the pregnancy that works for them.

Their annual Fundraising Gala is coming up soon, and your support can make both a lifechanging, and life-giving difference with these young mothers in our community. 

Friday, August 14 | 5:00–9:00 PM
The Elm Estate | Reno

The evening includes a mocktail reception, passed hors d’oeuvres, raffle, auction, seated dinner, and a powerful message from Steventhen Holland, a nationally known pro-life speaker with an inspiring testimony.

Already, so many have come forward to purchase tables and to be major sponsors of the event. They are still looking for a few sponsorships to fill, and tables to sell. 

Tickets, tables, and sponsorships are available through the link below.

It’s not too late to get those children in your life enrolled in Vacation Bible School.  

There will be an Emerald Crossing themed VBS in Fernley, Nevada at Calvary Chapel Fernley at 875 Fremont Street. The dates are July 20-24, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.- Noon.

This is a free event for children kindergarten through 6th grade. For more information, click on the link below.

Every revival in the history of the Church was first started with prayer. As church, ministry, and marketplace ministry leaders gather together in unity to transform our community for God’s glory, they know it all begins with prayer. 

Co-leaders Shawn Pennell, Mike Glenn, and Sue Bullard share the story about the formation of the OneVoice Prayer Team. Starting out as part of the Acts 4 movement that began locally in 2011, the prayer team has persevered through the peaks and valleys of ministry. Playing a significant role in the success of the Reno-Tahoe CityFest event in 2025, the team continues now in its role of heading up prayer for OneVoice. 

The OneVoice prayer team meets for 90 minutes together once per week. The focus at all times is The Cross and The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. With members from several different churches, they have purposed not to dwell on their differences but to endeavor to keep the Unity Of The Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). 

Those who attended Awaken’s Annual Banquet last year found themselves dwelling on a lingering question. Are we really dreaming big enough for our community? Are we believing enough in God’s ability to transform a city?

As Awaken opens ticket sales for its next fundraiser in the Fall, it’s the perfect time to re-experience Melissa Holland’s powerful call-to-action for Reno-Tahoe when it comes to our history of human trafficking. If you haven’t heard this 15-minute speech by Melissa, take the time to listen to it now. And even if you were there, hit the play button again. It’s a challenging perspective for all of us, especially for the Church. 

Tickets have just become available for this year’s event. It’s scheduled for Friday, November 13 at the Grand Sierra Resort. Awaken will be celebrating 15 years of hope, healing, and community transformation. 

For more than a decade, under Awaken’s leadership, the community has gathered each year to stand shoulder-to-shoulder against commercial sexual exploitation in Nevada and support survivors on their journey toward restoration and healing. This powerful evening features a moving survivor testimony, meaningful connection, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

They are seeking out sponsors for the event, and you can go ahead and reserve your tickets and tables today.

Many people believe that the all-church worship and prayer gatherings last year were the highlight of the Reno-Tahoe CityFest movement. 

OneVoice, the new organization formed to build on the unity of churches and spiritual momentum of last year’s CityFest, has hosted several of these worship and prayer nights in the past year. The last one hosted at Outlook Christian Church and led by Pastor Dan Dix drew nearly 500 vibrant worshippers.

Next up on the schedule is a Friday, July 31 gathering at the all-new Eternidad Christian Center. The event begins at 7 p.m.

Pastor Leo Castro and his team at Eternidad have been working hard to complete the next stage of construction for their new facility in time for the event, and their entire congregation is excited to welcome in the Church to celebrate their milestone, and to worship God in a multi-church gathering. 

You can help make this event successful by sharing the event’s digital flyers at your church as well as through your social media accounts. Use the buttons below to download the two sizes. 

Jorie, Kelly, and Alexandra joined together to share the challenges and blessings of being the wives of pastors. They also talked about the importance of having a supportive community of likeminded peers, which is what they are launching in “The Friendship Table”. 

The three women shared their personal journeys and the difficulties they have faced, such as feeling isolated, carrying the burdens of ministry, and dealing with criticism from church members. They emphasized the need for a safe space where pastors’ wives can openly share their struggles and joys, and support one another.

The discussion highlighted the value of peer groups and the role they can play in providing encouragement, prayer, and a sense of community for those in ministry leadership roles.

Pastor Leo Castro of Eternidad Christian Center  is leading a building project for his church that is being funded through innovative community efforts. The church, which serves an ethnically diverse congregation with a large Hispanic population, is undergoing a three-phase renovation process.

Phase one is complete, and phase two is underway, which involves renovating the church’s patio to create a community event space. Phase three will focus on building a new sanctuary. To fund the project, the church is relying on the talents and skills of its congregation, with members volunteering their time and expertise in construction, cooking, and other areas.

The church is also hosting monthly fundraising meals cooked by its talented chefs, which are open to the community. This unique approach to funding the building project reflects the church’s commitment to serving its diverse community.

Nick Damonte, the Southwest Regional Coordinator of the National Network of Youth Ministries (NNYM) shares the dramatic impact the organization has had on his life as a youth ministry leader.

He explains how NNYM is a 50-year-old organization that supports and equips youth leaders to thrive in their calling. They create collaborative spaces for youth leaders to be personally encouraged, professionally equipped, and spiritually strengthened.

The network provides resources, connects leaders to training and events, and offers a safe space for leaders to be authentic and receive discipleship. The goal is to see every youth leader stay faithful in their role and effectively disciple the next generation through the gospel.

Beginning by sharing his journey to faith, Pastor Bryan Smith tells the story of Summit Christian Church, which was founded in the late 1990’s and has since expanded to a large campus in Sparks and another in Fernley. 

Pastor Smith shares what he believes is the key to bringing young people into the church, and he also talks about the importance of collaboration and support among local churches to collectively reach the community for Christ.

Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) is a Bible-centered organization that aims to evangelize, disciple, and establish children in the Christian faith. The organization reaches over 25 million children worldwide each year through various programs, including Good News Clubs in public elementary schools, 5-day summer clubs, and fair ministry outreach.

Jennifer Arthur, the Northern Nevada Director of CEF, shares her personal journey of getting involved with the ministry and the training and support they provide to volunteers. She emphasizes the importance of reaching children at a young age, as most people come to faith during childhood. She explains the organization’s mission, programs, and the need for more volunteers and support from churches to continue their work of sharing the gospel with the next generation.

Jennifer would love the opportunity to meet with any pastors or church leaders who may be interested in learning more about what this partnership could look like within their church and community. They also are hoping to hire a part-time Ministry Coordinator for the Reno-Sparks area.

Pastor Craig Dyson shares how he felt called by God to plant CONVO Church in Reno, Nevada in 2018, and describes the difficulty of navigating through the pandemic in 2000. He also talks about how he enjoys leading a diverse, multi-generational congregation that empowers both young and seasoned believers.

Pastor Craig also speaks about the church’s mission to influence culture and address difficult topics from a Biblical perspective. Dyson encourages people to pursue their God-given purpose and use their unique gifts to impact the world around them.

Pastor Phil McKay shares his journey of faith, from being saved at a young age to serving as the pastor of Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks. He discusses the importance of having a multi-generational congregation and the church’s vision of “walking authentically with Jesus” and “giving hope” by sharing the Gospel.

Pastor McKay emphasizes the church’s role in engaging with the local community and collaborating with other pastors to make an impact in the city.