AL Abdulla

My Last Supper With CCCM Pastors and Friends

Six years ago we left all that was familiar to us: Our family, friends, home, and job with no specifics for the future. As God opened doors (long story-perhaps for another time), I joined the staff at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. Yesterday I enjoyed a bitter-sweet last lunch put on by my friends, and co-laborers at Calvary Chapel. Though Nina and I left friends and family six years ago, many of these men have become just that to us. They are friends. They are family. They are men; good men, and I will miss them. l pray for them and hope them the very best. It was very cool of pastor Chuck Smith to come and join us for lunch and to then lay hands and pray over me. And for Pastor Brian Brodersen to be there as well. Four years ago he took a chance on putting a less-than-rookie into the role of High School pastor over a few hundred high school kids (still can’t figure out why he did that). I have the highest respect for him. What I will miss most at Calvary Chapel are my teammates. I can honestly say that I have had the unique privilege to pastor with some of my closest friends, and for that I am thankful. 

Celebrating 8 Years of Marriage with 8 Days of Adventure.

We had a great time with CC Old Bridge Youth. Last week Nina and I flew out to New Jersey, landed at 5am at JFK, then drove to P.A to teach 7 messages on “A Sanctified Life” in 5 days. It was a great bunch of kids that were there. We had a blast hanging out with the kids and with their pastor and his wife, Joel and Michelle Lopez (who says he is ‘not mexican’-right Joel). Most of all, I enjoyed hanging out with Nina (my wife of 8 years) in the swampy land of the Amish, before we hit ‘the city’ as the N.J locals call New York.

We spent a couple of days in the Big Apple relentlessly touring, catching all the sights sounds and smells of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Stanton Island, et. al. If you have never been to N.Y, you have never, ever experienced anything quite like it. Bright lights naked people being painted as canvasses, fast paced life, and historic nostalgia all being looked upon as the heros of New York watch from their prospective billboarded perch in Times Square. Truly it is a sight to see. 

We were blessed by a family who put us up in a hotel next to central park and saw every A-list touristy site that you can see in just two days (thanks to Mike Doyle). We relentlessly pursued all historic sites via the subway (an experience in itself). Just the two of us, Nina and I, Bonnie & Clyding it for Jesus. A trip that we will never forget.

Pray for Mike Doyle (themovementishere.com) and other gospel centered churches to “start spreading the news” in the Big Apple. New York is consists of 3% professing evangelicals in a populous of millions. 

AL’S GOODBYE SLIDESHOW

Last week at the Refuge Service, the staff and leadership surprised me with a special service, where they had 4 students share testimonies of how God has worked in their lives. They then played this sweet slideshow highlighting the past 4+ years of my time as the High School pastor. They are the best! Check out this video that Lindsay Gatlin put together. Thanks a lot for making my wife cry Lindsay!

Explaining the next season

With the creative genius of David Fray, we produced this short video and showed it to the students at Refuge on Wed night 7/29, explaining our departure, the reason for it and what to expect in the coming season. It was a great night of BBQ, worship, and reflecting on God’s faithfulness over the past 4+ years. A quote that I’ve been meditating on says, “God’s past faithfulness demands our present obedience.” Blessings Refuge!

check out this video of our first staff BBQ experience with friends (old and new) at Reality Carp. It was an absolute blast and a blessing. Only one night with them and we fell in love.

peace