Men's White Water Retreat
July 15-16, Riggins,
Idaho
Fruit of Vision
General Information
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Agenda
Speaker Information
Registration Form
General
Information
We will caravan together to
Riggins from the church on Saturday, July 15. Show up to join your carpool
or add people to your vehicle at 6:30 am. We will leave the parking lot at
7 am sharp.
Lunch is on your own, but time
is provided in the schedule to stop for breakfast or brunch on the way up.
There are good eats in Cascade, Donnelly or McCall. Or you could grab a
quick lunch in Riggins if you drive straight through.
Rafting starts at noon at the
City Park in downtown Riggins. We will be guided by Salmon
River Challenge. You may want to go first to the Rapid River Ranch to
check in and get your room arrangements.
Contact Joe
Ingrao if you have any questions.
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Speaker
Information
In the summer of 1972, Dan and Roi Lene Paxton were married. Two months earlier, they had made an even more important life commitment. They had given their hearts to Jesus
Having both been raised on central Iowa farms and learning about God in small traditional rural churches, they had come to Christ while attending a church as students at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.
Two years later, Dan embarked on a career as High School science teacher and coaching football, wrestling and track. After 4 years of teaching in Iowa, the Paxton's had an opportunity to move to New Mexico as Dan was hired as an assistant varsity football coach at Alamogordo, New Mexico High School. Coaching for 5 years, all 5 winning seasons, seeing Alamogordo go to the State Play-offs 3 times and being elected to coach in the New Mexico HS all-star game were some of the successes Dan enjoyed as a coach. Of course the real joy came as Dan and Roi Lene saw their family expand to five as Josh, Abbi, and Betsy were born in a three-year span. Although teaching and coaching brought fulfillment, the Paxton's focus was their family and catalyzing Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapters in every high school in which they were employed.
While looking for a home church in Alamogordo, the Paxton's began to attend a small Spirit-filled non-denominational church where they served as Adult Sunday School teachers. From 1979-1982, Christ Community Church exploded in growth, growing from 125 to 900 people in a few years. In 1980 the Pastor invited the Paxtons to join the church staff In a part time capacity. Two years later Dan was working on staff as a full-time associate pastor. He became responsible for adult, children and small group ministries, giving the Paxtons a well-rounded understanding of the church ministry.
In 1985, Dan was contacted by a group of people from Ruidoso, New Mexico, a small resort community in the lower Rocky Mountains. They invited him to become the first pastor of a newly organized church, Trinity Mountain Fellowship. The Paxton's then joined a group of about 30 people to launch this new church. During the first year in Ruidoso, the Paxtons attended a Vineyard conference in Anaheim, California. The trip was significant. New life was brought into the church and they grew to 300 within three years. They began to minister in new ways, influenced by the Vineyard in ways to minister and worship.
While praying in January of 1988, the Lord spoke to Dan and told him, "I'm now taking you to a place where you speak their language." After a month of prayer, the Paxton's realized that the Lord was asking them to return to Iowa and plant a Vineyard church.
Having raised up leadership for Trinity Mountain Fellowship, the Paxtons moved back to Cedar Falls in the fall of 1988 and began to invite people into their home for a weekly Bible study. In May of 1990,
Heartland Vineyard Christian Fellowship held its first Sunday celebration in rented facilities with 30 people attending. Moving to another facility five months later and leasing more space on four different occasions, the church has enjoyed steady growth. Presently they average 700 in the Sunday services and have 35 various small groups that meet throughout the week.
Dan also serves as the Area Pastor Coordinator for Vineyard Pastors in the Southern Minnesota and Iowa area.
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