Tag Archives: Pastor Mark Hopper

Leading Or Leaving?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

As I shared in my last article, I recently “passed the baton” to a younger pastor at our church.  My wife and I have served at the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar for over 27 years.  But, as of Sept. 1, we have a new senior pastor. His name is Tim Park.

Tim has a wonderful wife and two teenagers.  He has served at various churches and has been on our staff for over three years.  He is a good shepherd and a good communicator with lots of energy and enthusiasm.

Part of the transition plan that our church adopted included the opportunity for my wife and I to continue to attend and serve here.  Tim will be the new senior pastor and I will work under his leadership in various ministries at our church.

The best way I have explained it to our people is, “I’m not leaving; I’m just not leading.”

We love the people at our church and want to continue to serve them.  We are thankful for all the help and support my wife and I have received from these friends over the years.

We don’t want to leave.  But, we realized it is time for a younger couple to lead.  So, “We are not leaving, we are just not leading,” as a younger pastor on our staff takes the pilot’s seat at our church.

I suppose many of us face the same question: When is it time to let younger people lead a church, business or other organization?  When is it time to pass the baton to the next generation?

There are not any simple answers to this question.  I’m sure that each situation and each leader is different.  But, the reality is that each of us in leadership will eventually need to hand over the baton to another member of the team.

The leaders at our church read a variety of books and articles on the topic of transition.

One theme that we found is that wise leaders should already have a transition plan in place.   Every company and organization should prepare a transition plan in case the leader leaves unexpectedly, is unable to lead due to health or other issues, or simply retires.

The second lesson that was emphasized in many books and articles was that wise leaders should always be preparing and training future leaders.  One of the greatest privileges and responsibilities of leaders is to be training and mentoring younger men and women for future leadership responsibilities.

My wife and I are thankful for the privilege of leading our church over the past 27 years, and we are grateful that our church has encouraged us to continue to serve here. We are thankful for the new senior pastor, Tim Park, and look forward to serving under his leadership.  I hope you will come and visit our church and get to know our new senior pastor.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Transition

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

On Sun., Aug. 30, I passed the baton to a younger pastor at our church.

I have had the privilege of serving as the senior pastor at the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar for over 27 years.

As of Sept. 1, the church has a new senior pastor.  His name is Tim Park.  He has served as an associate pastor at our church for several years, and is well liked and very qualified to take on the leadership of our church.

Our church leaders have been working on this transition plan for many months.  We presented this proposal to our church family in March, and it was unanimously approved at our church business meeting in April.

Actually, there was one “no” vote.  Since the vote was by secret ballot, we don’t know who cast it.  Some suspect it might have been my wife!  Just kidding!   But it was encouraging to see the strong support for this plan.

Different denominations have different traditions and procedures when they transition from one senior pastor to another.  Some reassign their pastors to new churches every few years.  In other churches, the local Bishop or Presbytery appoints new leaders to each church.

In our church, the lead pastor and Elders make recommendations to the congregation on major issues like budgets, building programs and the selection of the senior pastor.  I’m thankful that this proposal was so well received and supported by our church members.

There are many examples in the Bible where an older leader “passed the baton” to a younger person.  Moses passed the baton to Joshua; Elijah passed to Elisha; and the Apostle Paul to his young disciple, Timothy.

It is not uncommon for businesses to follow a similar practice where an older leader passes the baton to a younger member of their staff.  This can provide a smooth transition for the company or organization and help maintain their values and priorities.

I hope you will visit our church in the coming months and meet our new senior pastor.

We sure like him, and I think you will, too!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Lost Something Lately?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

My wife is beginning to worry about me because I keep losing track of things.  Recently, I lost my cell phone and could not find it.  I could not remember where I had left it. It was very frustrating.

I started my search by trying to retrace my steps.  When was the last time I used my phone? Where was the last place I had my phone with me?

The first thing we did was to look around the house.  Did it fall between the cushions on our couch?  Did I leave my cell phone in a pair of pants?

I asked a family member to call my phone number and hope we could hear the ringer somewhere in the house.  No luck.  We didn’t hear a thing.

Then I looked in my car.  Maybe I left it there or it fell under the seat.  No luck there either.

Maybe I left it in my office.  But, a careful search of my office did not reveal anything either.

My son suggested we try to use the Apple phone search app.  I guess this can help guide you to your phone’s location.  A friend of mine had done this and actually recovered phone that had been stolen!  But, apparently my phone’s battery was dead and we were unable to locate it.

Now I was beginning to get desperate.  I have phone numbers and contact information that I frequently use on that phone.  I could go buy a new phone, but how would I recover this vital information?

I finally resorted to prayer.  I genuinely prayed, “Lord, please help me find my phone.”  I know this is not a deep, theological prayer, but I was sincere.  I needed help to find my lost phone.

The answer did not come immediately.  I did not hear an audible voice.  But, later that day a thought came to my mind that I had not considered before.

A few days before, a friend of mine had driven me in his pickup truck to buy some building materials at Home Depot.  Did I have my phone with me when we went to Home Depot?  Could I have left my phone in his truck or at Home Depot?

We drove to his house, knocked on his door and looked in his truck.  We found my cell phone under the passenger seat!  The phone is black and his interior is black, so he had not seen it.  You would not have noticed it for months unless you were specifically looking for it!

I was so thankful to find my lost cell phone.  It really was an answer to prayer.  I was ready to celebrate!

There is a passage in the Bible where Jesus tells a parable about a lost sheep, a lost shekel and a lost son (Luke 15).  There is a celebration at the end of each parable when the lost sheep and the lost coin are found and when the prodigal son came home.

Each of these stories illustrates how much God loves us and wants us to come back to Him.  The passage says that there is a celebration in Heaven every time a child or adult comes to Him.

If you have lost something and can’t find it, you might want to stop and pray and ask God for help.  If you want to start a celebration in heaven, open your heart to God.  Put your faith in Jesus today.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Diamond Bar: A Changing Of The Guard

A beloved Pastor retires and passes the reins to his successor

Photo Courtesy: Sarah Sanchez Mark and Jeanne Hopper

Photo Courtesy: Sarah Sanchez
Mark and Jeanne Hopper

By Sarah Sanchez

Diamond Bar – On Sun., Aug 30, more than 400 people gathered at the Diamond Bar Community Center to celebrate two very special people: Mark and Jeanne Hopper.
The Hoppers have dedicated 27 years of faithful ministry to the Evangelical Free Church in Diamond Bar. Mark was the senior Pastor for all those years, but this fall he will step into his new part-time role as Pastor-at-Large.
“That’s what this is about. It’s not so much about retirement; it’s more of a reassignment. We’re not leaving, we just won’t be leading. So now I’m going to be there part-time, but I’ll still continue to be a part of the church,” said Pastor Mark.
Mark said they were so surprised to walk into the Diamond Bar Center to see hundreds of people there to celebrate them. “I thought we were just having cake and punch at the church with a few people. We could have never imagined something like this,” said Mark.
But their friends, family, and members of the church couldn’t imagine being anywhere else than celebrating these two amazing people. Everyone spoke highly of both of them, being impacted by the couple in some way.
Two members of Jeanne’s discipleship group, Madelyn Zaragoza and Amy Winter, have felt the love each week as they visit the Hopper’s home.
“They have been so uplifting, encouraging, empowering, and just really helping us grow while teaching us along the way,” said Winter. “They are prominent figures of the church, but they are also willing to show that they are imperfect, which is rare. Jeanne is so real in the sense that she will show you her flaws and her weaknesses, but I still look up to her as a great child of God because God loves us even though we are imperfect. Jeanne is even more willing to show us her humility and that makes me more willing to love her and love God even more.”
Even the Mayor of Diamond Bar, Steve Tye, talked about how the Hoppers have been there for him and his family through difficult times.
“Mark and Jeanne have impacted our lives in so many different ways. It gives me goose bumps even thinking about it. They really, truly treat you as family. It’s really wonderful,” said Tye.
Bruce Biller, a member of the church for 25 years and Chairman of the Elder Board, said that Mark and Jeanne have been tremendous friends and have been there alongside his family through tough times, too.
“Watching him in ministry, Pastor Mark devotes himself and gives himself to his people. He is just a great Pastor and a shepherd. Mark is always about people; people first,” Biller said.
Waldir Guerrero, the Worship Director, said that he has also seen Mark be a remarkable shepherd.
“He is a loving man, a great pillar of the church and also the community.”
Guerrero said that Mark has had an impact on his life as a great mentor, but he has also been there for him through difficult times.
Pastor Mark said that he was the one who was thankful and blessed to be a part of the church.
“We’re just very grateful and thankful to have been servants.”

Photo By Sarah Sanchez New pastor Tim Park with Mark Hopper

Photo By Sarah Sanchez
New pastor Tim Park with Mark Hopper

But he expressed his excitement for the next chapter, and said that they all love the new Senior Pastor of efreechurch, Tim Park.
On the morning of Aug. 30, a baton was literally passed from Mark Hopper to Tim Park at both church services. The baton had Park’s name engraved on it, the church name, the date, and a Bible passage.
“It feels exciting [to be the new Lead Pastor] and I’m humbled by the opportunity to receive the baton from Mark and to hopefully carry on the legacy that he has built for 27 years at our church,” said Park. “The neat thing about this transition, is that over the last almost four years, working side by side, I’ve become very familiar with his passion, his philosophy of ministry, and his leadership style. We could not have asked for a smoother Pastoral transition.”
When asked what his goals are for the church, Park said, “I will aspire to carry on the foundation that has already been set.”
Park talked about how he would like to continue to see how God’s going to use this Pastoral transition to reach a whole new generation in the community. He has already seen a change in the last year as the church has become a multi-generational and multi-cultural church.
“My hope is that in the future we will continue to see a church that reflects this community,” Park continued.
The church showed love to the Hoppers at the Diamond Bar Center as they displayed a slideshow of their lives over the years. Many members of the church, community, and his family also spoke on stage about them. In addition, Mayor Tye gave them a plaque on behalf of the City of Diamond Bar for the many years of their dedicated service in the community. Lastly, they were given luggage and two first class tickets to Europe to go see their grandchildren.
Mark Hopper was overjoyed with the love he was receiving from everyone. “I’m so thankful for the church and being a part of the community.”
Pastor Mark said that one of the greatest things the church has done while he was Pastor was start VantagePoint Church in Eastvale. He said he’s thankful that Mark Lee and Tom Lanning had the dream and willingness to go out and start the new church. Now, over 1,100 people go to Vantage Point Church and they have baptized close to 1,000 people at this church.
Pastor Mark Lee of VantagePoint Church gave a speech thanking the crowd for their giving and generosity in order to start up this church. He explained that Mark Hopper has always treated him like a son and that the Hoppers have truly impacted his and the community’s life
Guerrero said, “The legacy that Mark leaves behind is a great example for his love for people and his love for the Lord.”

 

Borrowing From Others

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

As we go through life, it seems that we are always borrowing things from our friends or neighbors.

When we were in grade school, many of us asked to borrow a pencil or piece of paper from a friend or classmate.  Parents and teachers tried to teach us that we needed to share with others.

Today, kids in school are asking to borrow a friend’s smart phone, tablet, computer or iPad.  How times have changed!

When we were in high school, many of us were eager to borrow the family car to go out on a date or with a group of friends.   The old family station wagon was a prized possession until we could afford a car of our own.

During the college years, it was not uncommon to borrow a text book or lecture notes from a classmate so you could catch up after you skipped a class.

As new home owners, we frequently asked to borrow a neighbor’s shovel or wheelbarrow as we planted landscaping or put up a fence.  Neighbors helped neighbors install sprinkler systems and new appliances.

If you owned a pickup truck, you were one of the most popular people on the block.  Personally, I never wanted to own a pickup truck, but I was sure glad to have a few friends who had one just in case I needed to borrow it!

As we get older, the items we need to borrow change.  At our church, we have a wheelchair and some crutches that people have donated.  People often borrow these items for themselves or for older loved ones.

Recently, I had surgery on my knee.  One of the items that I needed was an ice machine that enables you to wrap a flow of cold water around your knee or leg.  It sure helped!  My wife put out a request on Facebook and we received several replies.  I was surprised to learn how many people have had similar surgeries and owned an ice-wrap machine!  What does that tell you about the age and health of my peers?

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,” (Psalm 112:5).  God is pleased with those who are generous and willing to lend and share with others.

Let me encourage you to be more willing to share and lend the possessions and resources God has entrusted to you.  Be willing to allow others to use your shovel, wheelbarrow or crutches, just as others have been willing to share theirs with you.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

New Life

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

The Ninth Ward in New Orleans is filled with contrasts.  The upper and lower Ninth Ward were one of the areas of the City that were the hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina ten years ago.

Recently a team from our church spent a week helping with the ongoing rebuilding effort in New Orleans.  As we drove and walked through some of these neighborhoods, I noticed several things.

On some streets you might see empty lots where houses once stood.  The foundations and concrete steps might be the only things that remain.  There were also broken down homes that had been destroyed by the flood waters and abandoned by their owners.   Roofs had collapsed, windows were gone and vines weeds had taken over these homes.

But among the empty lots and abandoned homes, new houses are being constructed and older homes are being rebuilt. New life is emerging from the destruction and desolation of Hurricane Katrina.

I enjoyed meeting some of the people living in the Ninth Ward.  Each one had their personal story of how they survived the hurricane.  Some were remarkable.  Others were amazing.

These were friendly people who expressed their appreciation for the nationwide response to help rebuild their neighborhoods.  It was a privilege to have a small part in this ongoing effort.

The Bible is filled with amazing accounts of people who found new life and a second chance through the grace and love of God.  Even today, many people who have have experienced heartaches and hurricanes in their own lives have found help and hope in the pages of the Bible.

If you are going through a stormy season in your life, let me encourage you to dust off your Bible and read through the Psalms in the Old Testament and the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament.  These and many other books in the Bible are filled with words of hope and new life.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Helping Hands

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently I had the opportunity to travel with a team from our church to New Orleans. Many groups from around the country continue to send volunteers to help rebuild neighborhoods that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina ten years ago.

Our team worked on three different building projects.  One group put new exterior siding on a damaged home.  A second group put new shingles on the roof of another house in the neighborhood.  I was with the third group putting new flooring in another house.

The home my wife and I live in is built on a concrete foundation and cement floor.  The homes that we worked on in New Orleans are built up off the ground.  Pillars of wood or concrete blocks elevate these older houses two to three feet off the ground.  We actually saw some new homes in the area that were six to eight feet above ground!

Elevating homes off the ground probably helped prevent damage from minor flooding due to heavy rains and probably kept the bugs and critters out, too.  But the flood waters from Hurricane Katrina and the broken levies brought flood waters up ten to 15 feet, and higher, in some areas.  Even the newer homes were not able to withstand the devastation

I learned a lot about flooring during the week I was in New Orleans.  First we had to scrape and clean the original hard wood floor.  Then, we put down a cushioned, moisture barrier underlay before we put down the new wood laminate flooring.

One thing I learned about flooring work is that you spend a lot of time on your knees!  As volunteers, we wore cushioned knee pads. These gave us some protection and relief as we literally worked on our hands and knees all day long.

I have gained a lot of respect for men and women who work in the various building trades.  They work hard – very hard.  We worked hard in the hot, humid summer weather in New Orleans.  I can’t imagine what it would be like to do this kind of work day after day, week after week, year after year.

The Bible says a lot about work.  Everyone needs to be productive with their hands and mind.  God intended us to work while we live on the earth.  And He commands workers to do their jobs well.  In Ephesians 6:6, the Apostle Paul tells workers, “Don’t work just to please men, but do your work to please God.”

Whether you are a volunteer or an employee, each of us needs to do our work in a way that is pleasing to God.  Our goal should not be to simply pass “inspection” by the county building inspector, but to please God with the work of our hands and hearts.

If you are one of those in the construction trades, let me say, “Thanks,” for all your hard work.  And, if you have a worker fixing your plumbing or repairing your roof, I hope you will express your thanks to them for their hard work.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Hurricane Katrina

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

This month marks the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina that devastated large areas of New Orleans ten years ago.

Katrina was a “super storm,” with powerful winds and a huge tidal surge that overwhelmed the pumping stations and tore holes in the levy system.

The destruction and death caught everyone by surprise.  Almost 1,500 people lost their lives and hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed

Many churches and non-profit organizations have been involved in rebuilding these communities that were under 15 to 20 feet of water.

Over the past few years, our church has joined this nation-wide effort.  Last month I was able to go for the first time to see the destruction and help with the rebuilding.

When we arrived in New Orleans, I was impressed by how green everything is.  Beautiful trees line the City streets and green lawns stood in stark contrast to our draught-stricken landscape in Southern California.

There is no water shortage in Louisiana.  I suggested that everyone on our team fill up as many bottles as possible so we could bring some water back home, but I don’t think airlines will allow you to bring water through the security check points anymore.

I was also overwhelmed by the humidity.  In Southern California, our weather is pretty dry and humidity is low.  But in New Orleans, it is very humid.  We were drenched with sweat all day long as we worked on different rebuilding projects.

My favorite spot in New Orleans was the local CVS Pharmacy, because they had their air conditioning running full blast.  When I walked into their store, it felt like I entered a freezer.  It was great!

I was very impressed with how friendly people were in New Orleans.  We were often greeted with smiles and kind words as we worked in neighborhoods where people have returned after the hurricane.

I am thankful for the opportunity to work alongside many others who are helping to rebuild neighborhoods in New Orleans.  I’ll share more in my next article.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Counting Coins

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Two of our grandchildren spent a week at our house recently.  They are 9- and 4-years old.  We had a wonderful time with them; they are a delight.

One of the things we did together was count some coins that I had kept in an old peanut butter jar.  I had found many of these coins over the years when I was jogging through the neighborhood where we live.

Some of these coins were in pretty good shape, but others had obviously been run over many times and were hardly recognizable.  Most were pennies, but there were a few nickels, dimes and quarters.

We poured out the jar full of coins on the floor and sorted them into small piles.  Then we counted them in groups of ten.  If we had enough, we put the coins into paper rolls.  There were enough pennies to fill several rolls.  We found enough dimes to make a roll, too.

In addition, we had a few quarters.  It was interesting to see my grandchildren work on their math skills and learn the value of each coin.  Sometimes it doesn’t make a lot of sense.  For example, a dime is smaller than a penny, but it is worth ten times as much!

After we counted all the coins and wrapped them in the paper rolls, we took our money to the bank.  The nice bank teller counted out the rolls and the other miscellaneous coins and gave us 15 one dollar bills!  Wow!

My grandchildren were amazed to see that all of those coins in the peanut butter jar totaled $15.  I don’t know if they had ever had that much money before.  Each of the grandkids got seven one dollar bills and they gave the extra dollar to their favorite uncle who contributed a few coins of his own.

Money can be a useful tool in the world of commerce, but it can also be a source of temptation in our daily lives.  The Bible warns about the danger of loving money in 1 Timothy 6:10. That verse says, “The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil.  Some people who are eager for money have wandered away from the faith and have harmed themselves with many griefs.”

When people “love money” they can destroy their own lives and damage relationships with others.  Many people struggle with gambling.  They hope to “make a fast buck,” but often find themselves in debt and in desperate straits.

Other people struggle with excessive use of credit cards and find themselves with balances that they cannot pay, burdened with high interest rates.  It becomes a vicious cycle that is difficult to break out of.

I enjoyed counting coins with my grandchildren.  I think they enjoyed it, too.  They were impressed that a jar full of coins could be turned into 15 one dollar bills.  There are other lessons that they need to learn in the world of high finance – lessons that all of us need to learn as well.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Who Are You Going To Call?

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

One of my favorite TV series in recent years was called, “24”.  The lead character was Jack Bauer – played by Kiefer Sutherland – who tried to prevent terrorists from blowing up buildings or injuring innocent people.

In one episode, I remember Jack Bauer tried to rescue a hostage, but gets trapped in a building by some bad guys.  When the hostage asked Jack what he was going to do, he replied, “I’m going to call the only person I know I can trust.”

In the famous game show, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” contestants were given three options to help them answer a difficult question.  One of those options was, “Phone a Friend.”

Many years ago, I was driving a group of high school students on a back pack trip to the Grand Canyon, when my van blew an engine.  We struggled to get back to a service station on the northern edge of Phoenix, but who could I call for help at one o’clock in the morning?

Thankfully, my former youth leader lived in north Phoenix.  When I called him in the middle of the night, he gladly got out of bed, helped me get to a car rental office, and back on the road.  I knew if I called him, he would help.

I think it is helpful for each of us to think about who we would call when we need help.  Who is a trusted family member or reliable friend that you know you can call on a moment’s notice?  Who can you call in the middle of the night or in an emergency?

It is good to know that we have friends we can call on for help at any time.  It is also important to know that we can call on God for help at any time, too!  The Bible says, “Let us draw near to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need,” (Hebrews 4:16).

When we call out to God in prayer, He is ready to help us in our time of need.  Maybe it is time for you to bow your head, open your heart and ask God for His help today.  He is waiting to hear from you!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visithttp://www.efreedb.org.

Columns: Golf Is A Funny Game

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

A group of men from our church play golf each Monday afternoon at a local golf course.  We reserve a tee time for the same day, and the same time, every week.

Some of you may wonder why men and women play the game of golf.  Basically, it involves hitting a little round ball with a metal stick (club) for about three miles.  It usually takes from four to five hours to complete a round of golf.  Some people probably think that this is a strange way to spend your time. What is the purpose of trying to steer that little ball across miles of green grass just to get it into some very small cups?
One benefit of playing golf is the physical exercise.  Many golfers will walk the entire 18-hole course and most of them carry their own golf bag.  The group from our church isn’t quite so ambitious, so we rent golf carts that you can drive around the course.
Another benefit from playing golf is the social interaction that it provides.  Although you are not supposed to talk when someone is getting ready to hit their next shot, there is plenty of time along the course to talk about family, work, sports and more. In fact, many people conduct a lot of business on golf courses. There are few distractions and during a round of golf you can discuss a lot of business related matters.  Contracts are negotiated, sales are closed and new proposals are presented.  Golf can be good for business!
Golf also provides a peaceful setting where you can enjoy the outdoors.  I often feel like I am walking or riding through a park when I am playing golf.  There are shady trees, busy wildlife and usually a couple of lakes or ponds.  Most courses are quiet and away from traffic noise.  A golf course is a nice place to spend your day.
I have two criteria for enjoying a round of golf.  First, don’t take it too seriously.  Some golfers are so serious about every shot and every putt that they fail to enjoy the experience.  Yes, it is nice to get a good score, but there are no trophies or prize money for the average golfer.
In addition, I enjoy the game more when I can find the ball!  It can get frustrating when you hit a shot into the bushes or into the water.  It is irritating when you and your partners have to spend time looking for a lost ball.
I feel like I have had a good round of golf if I can finish the round with the same golf ball I started with. But, when I start losing golf balls and start getting too serious, I find that I am really not enjoying it.
Let me encourage you to find something that you can enjoy – whether it is a round of golf with friends or something else that you enjoy doing.  Make sure that you make time for a little recreation and relaxation.

If you would like to know more about our weekly golf group, please feel welcome to contact our church office.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

Let’s Go To The Movies

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

 

The City of Diamond Bar provides free movies at Sycamore Canyon Park every Wednesday night in the summer.  They also have a free concert before the movie.  It is a nice place for people to gather and enjoy.

We will also have Free Summer Movie nights once a month at our church again this summer.  Each evening includes FREE pizza, popcorn, juice drinks and candy.

We will be showing “Tangled” on July 10, and “Planes: Fire & Rescue” on August 7 – beginning at 6:30 p.m.

It takes a lot of people to put these evenings together.  We have parents of young children, empty nesters and college students leading these events.  Many of these leaders come early to help with set up and serve the free food.  Others stay late, long after the movie is over, to put our worship center back together.  It really is a team effort.

My favorite part of the evening is getting to meet the parents and kids who come.  We frequently have new guests who read about the Free Movie Nights in the local paper or who are invited by another family in our church.

Let me suggest that you clip out this article and put it on your refrigerator to help remind you about the Free Movie Nights at our church this summer.  If you come, I hope you will allow me to meet you and introduce you to some other young families in our church.

Let’s go to the movies this summer!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

The One That Got Away

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Anyone who loves cars has a story about the one that got away.  I’m not sure if women feel this way, but most men can tell you a story about a car that they wish they still owned.

My first car was a ’57 Chevy.  I was in high school when some friends of my parents asked if I would like to buy their son’s car.  Their son was graduating from college and the parents were buying him a new car. They were selling the ’57 Chevy.

I had delivered newspapers during my high school years and had saved enough money to buy my first car.  The two-door, ’57 Chevy with a small V-8 engine and chrome wheels was a nice car!  I’m sure I did not realize how special it was or how valuable it would become.

A few years later, as I prepared to enter college at Arizona State, I decided to sell my ’57 Chevy and get a car with better gas mileage.  I would be commuting to college and the V-8 engine with a four barrel carburetor got terrible gas mileage.  So I sold my Chevy and bought a used Volkswagen!

It seemed practical at the time, but pretty dumb today.  Many times I wished I had kept the ’57 Chevy.  I can’t begin to imagine what that car would be worth today.  I always regret letting that one get away.

You may have a similar story.  I have heard many over the years.  But, there are a number of people who have kept those old cars and didn’t let them get away.

They love to show their cars and share their stories with others.  You can come and see a variety of cars and motorcycles at our church on Sat., June 27, from 9 a.m. to noon.

This is our second Car and Cycle Meet.  We will have some older vintage cars and motorcycles and some new ones, too.

If you would be willing to bring your car or motorcycle to this event, please contact our church office – or just show up at 9:00 a.m.  There are no entrance fees.

If you would like to see some nice cars and motorcycles, we look forward to seeing you on Saturday. Admission is free and lunch will be provided.

Our church is located at 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd, across from the new Willow Heights home site near Brea Canyon Road.

I hope you will come and see these cars and motorcycles.  And, I hope you will be ready to share your story about one of your cars that got away!

Happy Father’s Day

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

I suppose we all have a variety of impressions of our fathers.  I wonder what impressions my children have of me.

When you think of your father, do you think of someone who was kind and tender, or critical and impatient?  Was your dad a strict disciplinarian or easy going and laid back?

Fathers have a unique role in the lives of their children.  Mothers have their unique role as well. Sometimes these roles may merge together, but there is a unique role and relationship between a father and his children.

One of the things that dads can do is make memories with their children.  These memories don’t need to always be expensive trips to amusement parks.  They can be a simple outing to a local park.  Taking walks and playing games in the backyard can create lasting memories for kids and dads.

I remember one time, when my father took my brother and me on a fishing trip in the mountains in eastern Arizona.  My mom stayed home; it was just my father and his two young sons.

I don’t know whose idea it was, but I do know that my brother and I still remember that trip with our father.  I don’t remember how many fish we caught or what food we ate.  But I do remember going fishing and camping with my father.

My son and I have shared some memorable adventures together.  We climbed to the top of the highest mountain in southern Arizona.  Mt. Wrightson is a little over 9,000 feet.  It was a long hike.  But every time we visit Tucson, I look at that tall peak and remember we climbed it together.

I think my son would say that one of his favorite memories that he and I shared together was our trip to the beaches of Normandy, France, several years ago.  It was amazing to walk together on those broad beaches and through the cemetery at Omaha Beach.

I also enjoyed some special trips and outings with my daughters when they were younger.  One time my youngest daughter and I flew together to a cousin’s destination wedding in Hawaii.  It was a memorable time for both of us.

Being a dad is a wonderful privilege and a unique responsibility.

If you are a father, let me encourage you to make some memories with your children.  It is never too late to set a date and do something together with your sons or daughters.  They will be glad you did, and you will, too!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Conversations At Costco

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

My mother-in-law lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.  We enjoy visiting her as often as we can.  The drive from California to Arizona takes about five hours each way.

My wife and her mother often go out to lunch when we are in town.  My wife has several sisters who live in the Phoenix area, so they usually join in these lunch time adventures.

One of my jobs is to go to Costco to refill our car with gas and to pick up a few groceries, too.  So, I usually have lunch at Costco by myself while my wife and her sisters have lunch with their mother.

The Costco in Scottsdale has an indoor eating area.  I’ve noticed that a lot of the people eating at Costco are retired people.  Many have come from different parts of the country to spend the winter in sunny Arizona.  Some of them have settled in Scottsdale permanently.

Almost every time I sit down to eat at Costco, I find myself in conversations with total strangers.  I suppose I am the one who usually starts the conversation, but most folks are very friendly and are willing to share about themselves.

Each conversation is delightful.  I have met nice people from Maine to Minnesota.   There are people from Seattle to St. Louis.  They always talk about how wonderful the weather is in Arizona.  They are friendly folk.

Some are just seasonal visitors, but many have bought a home and settled down in the desert.  Some are new transplants, but others have lived there for many years.

When I tell them that I grew up there many years ago, they act like they are speaking to a celebrity.  They can’t believe that my parents came to Arizona with me and my brother in the 1950s.  Some joke that we probably came in a covered wagon!

Scottsdale certainly has changed since the days when my parents moved there 60 years ago.  There are a lot more houses and a lot more people.  It seems like most of the people today shop at Costco.  And, a lot of those people take time to eat lunch and talk with folks they have never met before.

Let me encourage you to watch for an opportunity to begin a conversation with someone at your local Costco or coffee shop; maybe an older couple or individual sitting by themselves.  You will enjoy it, and they will too!

The World Of Paul

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

My wife taught 6th Grade at Chaparral Middle School for many years.  Her subjects included language arts and social studies.  In California, 6th Grade social studies covered ancient civilizations like China, India, Egypt, Israel, Greece and Rome.

Over the years, my wife and I have been able to travel to each of these countries.  Sometimes we went on guided tours.  Sometimes we went with short-term teams from our church.  Every country and every culture has been very interesting.

Next year, we will be leading a tour to experience some of the world that the Apostle Paul lived in and traveled.  We will be going to cities like Rome, Corinth, Athens and Ephesus.  We will see historical sites where Paul spoke before city leaders and where he was held in prison because he was a follower of Christ.

In the past, my wife and I have led groups to Israel where we saw many places that are mentioned in the Bible.  It was fascinating to see the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea and the beautiful city of Jerusalem.

This time we will be traveling on a modern cruise ship on the Mediterranean Sea with stops in Italy, Greece and Turkey.  We will have local guides in each city we visit.

If you would be interested in traveling with us on this 16-day tour,  please contact our church office for more information.  The dates of the trip are April 21 to May 6, 2016.  We have a brochure available with all the details.

We are thankful that we have been able to travel to so many different places around the world.  We are looking forward to our next adventure in 2016.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Old Friends

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

One of the highlights of our 40th Class Reunion was reconnecting with some “old friends”.  During our four years at Dallas Seminary, my wife and I enjoyed making many new friends, but we found ourselves spending more time with two other couples.

We had a lot in common.  Each of us were newlyweds.  Each couple had just finished college and had moved to Dallas from different parts of the country for graduate school.   The wives worked full time while the husbands went to school full time.

Although we each attended different churches in the Dallas area, we made time to get together for dinner or a weekend BBQ.  In addition, we loved to play board games that included a lot of laughter and conversation.

I learned a lot from these two men.  I watched the way they helped their wives and the way they communicated with them.  In many ways our time in Dallas was like an incubator for our marriage and these two couples helped us strengthen our own marriage.

All of us had our first child during our time in Dallas.  We helped one another learn how to be new parents during those busy days.

After graduation, we all went in different directions.  One couple moved near San Antonio.

Another couple went to Iowa.  We went west to Arizona.  Later, one of these couple moved to Louisiana and another became missionaries in Spain.  We moved to California.

Although we kept in touch through the years with Christmas cards and an occasional phone call, we rarely saw each other.  So it was a special opportunity to reconnect at our 40th Class reunion.  We spent hours sharing together and showing off pictures of our kids and grandkids.

The bond we shared during our seminary days was evident by the comments and conversation we enjoyed together again.

In the book of Proverbs, the authors frequently mention the value of friends.  In Proverbs 17:17 it says, “A friend loves for all times.”

Hopefully all through life we keep making new friends.  But, there is something special about “old friends!”  I hope you will take time this week to express your appreciation for some “old friends” in your life.  We’re glad we did.

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

 

Reunion (Part 2)

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

I shared in my last article that my wife and I recently attended the reunion of my graduating class at Dallas Theological Seminary.  Seminary is like Law School.  The purpose is to prepare students for church leadership and Biblical studies.  It was a rigorous four year program after college.

The school was honoring graduates from the classes of 1965, 1975 and 1985.  I was in the class of ’75.  I noticed that those people in the class of ’65 sure looked old!  I wonder what the class of ’85 thought about us?

The highlight was reconnecting with former classmates.  It was encouraging to hear about their journeys over the past 40 years.  Most of us were young married couples in our mid-twenties when we left Dallas 40 years ago.

Classmates scattered across the country to begin serving in various churches and ministries.  Dallas Seminary is non-denominational, so graduates could serve in a variety of denominations and independent churches.  My wife and I drove west where we began serving at a small church in Tucson, Arizona.  We were thrilled that they wanted us to come.

Other graduates went overseas to join churches, ministries or teach in schools in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.  It was wonderful to hear individual stories from these former classmates.  So much had happened during the past 40 years in each of our lives.

Many brought pictures of their families.  Many of us started our families during those seminary years.  Our first child was born in Dallas.  Families grew and more children were added.  Now, most of us are grandparents.  Several even had great grandkids!

Our reunion reminded me of the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis.  When Joseph was reunited with his father and his 11 brothers, they had many stories to share about their lives during many years of separation.

I wonder if you have taken time to attend one of your high school or college reunions.  Maybe there are some friends or former classmates that would enjoy reconnecting with you.  It doesn’t need to be a formal “reunion”, maybe just a phone call or reconnecting through the Internet.  Why not reach out to an “old” friend or classmate this month?  You will be glad you did, and they will too!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Reunion

Pastor Mark Hopper

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Recently, my wife and I traveled to Dallas, Texas, to attend my 40th reunion from Dallas Theological Seminary.  We both had graduated from college at Arizona State University, and then I went on to study for four more years to prepare for church leadership and Biblical studies at DTS.

During those years in Dallas, I served on the staff of Northwest Bible Church where together we led the High School and College ministries.   This was a growing and dynamic church and we enjoyed working with these teens and young adults.

On our recent trip to Dallas, we had a small reunion with a number of these people. 40 years ago they were in school and planning for their future.   Now, they are mature adults who are not much younger than we are.

Most of these former students found careers, got married and have raised their own families.  In fact, most of them are now grandparents!   How can that be?  We knew them when they were in high school and college, but now they are grandparents just like us.

It was delightful to hear each one share a little of their story about who they married, where they lived and what they are doing now.  We were surprised by how many children and grandchildren they have.  It was interesting to discover that many of them still live in Dallas not far from where they grew up.

It was encouraging to learn that most of them are still active in local churches and many continue to volunteer as teachers and leaders.  We are thankful that the faith they embraced during their high school and college years is still a vital part of their lives today.

I wonder if your children or grandchildren are part of a high school or college group at a local church in our area today.  Are they learning about the importance of a personal relationship with God that they can carry with them during the rest of their lives?

It is not too late to take your children or grandchildren to a church near you.  There are many churches in our area that have vital programs where children and teens can study the Bible and discover what it means to have a personal faith in God.

The children and teens of today will become the parents and grandparents of tomorrow.  Your faith in God will impact generations to come.  Let me encourage you to find a Bible teaching church near you and begin a journey of faith.   40 years will go by quicker than you think!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.

Happy Mother’s Day

mark-hopper-color-2x2By Pastor Mark Hopper

I have heard that more long distance phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year.  Everyone wants to say “Happy Mother’s Day” to their mom.

It is not unusual to see a big football player say, “Hi, Mom!” from the sideline bench after a game-winning touchdown.  It is clear that moms are at the top of the list.

Mothers make a life-long impact on the lives of their children.  Their love, patience and wisdom help mold children into the people they become.  Mothers always put the needs of their children and family ahead of their own.  They are often the first one up in the morning, and the last one to bed at night.  A familiar poem says, “From dawn until the setting sun, a mother’s work is never done.”

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land that God is giving you,” (Exodus 20:12).  Did you know that this is one of the Ten Commandments?

When people say that they try to live by the Ten Commandments – don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t murder – I wonder if they know that honoring your mother and father is on the same list.

I hope that you will look for some thoughtful ways to express your love and admiration for your mother and the mother of your children on Mother’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.