Did you know the Bible talks about legal aliens, foreigners, and exiles? It speaks very clearly about these kind of people. And probably your mind already jumped to the political debates over immigration and border security. That’s NOT what I’m talking about, and I’m not so foolish as to jump into that debate in a blog. You and I are described as legal aliens!
Yep! Those of us who follow Jesus are called “aliens.” And no, not the ones who visit from time to time from outer space that make for sci-fi documentaries and conspiracy theories. The word “alien” shows up three times in 1 Peter 1:1; 1:17 and 2:11 (depending on the Bible version it might be translated as “exiles,” “foreigners,” “strangers,” or “sojourners”).
What is an “alien.” The word used by Peter, in general, refers to one who comes from a foreign land to live side by side with the natural or indigenous residents. Modern language translates the word as “resident alien.”
A “spiritual” alien then is a follower of Jesus who lives in this world. The language, values, customs and lifestyle of this world feel foreign and unnatural to the believer. You see when we began to follow Jesus we were reborn or born anew (see 1 Peter 1:3), not as citizens of this world, but as citizens of the kingdom of God. And we realize we have the hope that this world is not our final home (see 1 Peter 1:4). We know this life is our temporary home. We live as aliens – longing for our real home where our Father and real spiritual family will spend eternity – heaven.
But for now, we live as aliens in this world. As aliens, we are different. And guess what? All through history, and yes even today, anyone who is really different is often mistrusted, disliked, excluded, treated different from the rest of the “normal” people and even persecuted by the majority. And that is true for those of us who truly follow Jesus. We are “different” from the world. Jesus said we live in the world, but we are not of the world, and that will cause us hardship (see John 15:19). It is difficult and costly to be genuinely different!
So, it is God’s will for us to be aliens! Why? God wants and needs us to be different from the world. We are to be a contrast to our culture in the ways that matter. We are to be light in the dark. We are to be salt in a flavorless world. We are to love when others hate. We are to forgive when others hold grudges. We are self-sacrificing as others are self-serving. We are to offer hope when others are skeptical, pessimistic and jaded. We are to offer good to others when others only seek good for themselves. We are to be Jesus in our world.
Starting this week, we’ll spend six weeks looking at the letter in the Bible called 1 Peter. We are calling this teaching series Contrast. We’ll see why we are to be a contrast, how to be a contrast and how to maintain being a contrast to and in a world that wants us to compromise and blend in. This is going to be a powerful life-changing and encouraging series. Our Bible reading plan has us reading 1 Peter starting Aug. 29th – you can find our Bible reading plan on our website. May I encourage you to read 1 Peter as we begin looking at this letter.
Thanks for your interest in contacting us at Pantano Christian Church. Please use this form or call the office at 520.298.5395 if you have any questions and we'll get back with you.
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Our Sunday classes are designed to incite wonder, provoke discovery and help your child develop a passionate love for Jesus! Our curriculum is built around simple, but powerful truths, simple crafts and age-appropriate activities that meet little ones where they are at spiritually, cognitively and socially.
All Bible lessons focus around 3 basic truths:
Worship music, crafts, prizes and games
Our Sunday classes are all about digging into the Bible! Kids will be challenged in their spiritual growth through Bible lessons taught personally and through creative teaching techniques. We also incorporate upbeat worship music, as well as crafts, prizes and games that help kids remember the lesson and keep them engaged and excited to come back to church!
We want the church to be a fun and safe place to grow, develop friendships and learn about our amazing God!
All teachers and helpers must be regular attendees of Pantano Christian Church, (having attended regularly for at least 3-6 months or past church attendance is verified if new to the area), and must have a Confidential Application and Background Check on file.
For Benevolence info, please call the church office at 520.298.5395.
Take control of your money with Financial Peace University! This nine-lesson class uses Biblical wisdom and common sense to help you tackle budgeting, pay off debt, and make your money work for you!
FreedUp is a six-week program that’s focused on your financial habits and freedom from debt! You will need a cell phone (android or Iphone) or a tablet to participate in this new Biblically-based financial class.
Personal financial coaching in available upon request at no charge. A coach will work along side of you in preparing personalized financial statements, establishing a budget, a debt-reduction plan, or whatever else in necessary to get your financial life in order. The goal is to assist you in becoming more effective stewards of the resources God has provided.
Request A CoachMyPantano Portal is our church database website. You'll need a user account to access the Compass. If you already login to MyPantano Portal (CCB) then you can ignore this step.
Sign-upThe Compass will help in your journey along the Pathway to following Jesus well. Experience spiritual transformation and growth with a spiritual assessment that will recommend personalized next steps.
Login to the compassWe're excited to work with you on your upcoming wedding, and look forward to making your day special. Our goal is to equip you for a lifetime marriage and to partner with you to have a marriage that reflects Jesus Christ. With that in mind, we have designed a pre-marriage process for couples desiring to be married by one of our pastors.
Premarital ApplicationPeer counseling is first and foremost a relationship between you and the counselor. It is a free short-term, solution-focused care in a safe and confidential environment, designed to help you move forward on your personal or family journey.
Peer Counseling Request4th- 5th
Times: 6:30 - 8 PM
Dates: January 15 - Apr 29 (No class on Feb 19, Mar 18, Apr 8)
Location: Zone 45
When our eyes are set on God, we act right, think right, and live right. God created us to love Him and love others well! This Spring, our preteens will be studying practical lessons from the Bible in order to put God at the center of their lives and guard their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus. Through games, activities, and small group discussion we will check our heart condition and discover ways to get our spiritual hearts in the best shape possible!
Kinder - 3rd Grades
Times: 6:30 - 8 PM
Dates: January 15 - Apr 29 (No class on Feb 19, Mar 18, Apr 8)
Location: Rooms KZ 11-13
The sea contains many wondrous sights created by God. When we go under the sea and take a closer look, we see that the sea has much to teach us about God. Join us as we DIVE deeper into what the Bible says about who God is and how he made us!
Times: 6:30 - 8 PM
Dates: January 15 - Apr 29 (No class on Feb 19, Mar 18, Apr 8)
Location: Rooms KZ 4, 5, 6
God created the Heaven and the Earth; and God created you!! He designed us to be creative and use our imagination! This Spring, our preschoolers will have fun making Feathery Friends, Mini Maracas, Crazy Creatures and much more as we learn some amazing stories from the Bible. Come join us as we color, paint, glue and draw our way through God’s amazing world!
We've complied a listing of resources from support groups to hotlines to websites to books for anyone in need of assistance/help with a particular life issue.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Tucson Area Intergroup Inc.
Main: 520.624.4183
TDD: 520.882.7422
aatucson.org
Narcotics Anonymous
Local Help Line – Available 24/7
phone: 520.881.8381
trustedservant@natucson.org
Sex Addicts Anonymous
ISO office
800.477.8191
saarecovery.org
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Our vision is to be a catalytic force to bless Southern Arizona and the world and all of our ministries are dedicated in accomplishing this vision. It is the passion and calling of our staff to carry out our vision and core values each and every day.
We are part of a group of churches often referred to as the “Independent Christian Church.” We have no formal connection to a denomination – hence the word “independent.” There are about 5,600 churches like us around the US, with more than 150 averaging over 1000 in attendance.
Mission: Loving people to Jesus, launching passionate people to make a difference.
Our vision is to be a catalytic force to bring God’s influence to Southern Arizona and strategic places in the world.
This is our dream – the dream that God has given us. It currently does NOT exist. It is something we are reaching for in the next 10 to 20 years. It is what we are seeking to become, a long-term view. This vision describes our preferred future. It is bigger than any of us and dependent on God. Our vision is that Pantano would become a catalytic force to bless Southern Arizona and the world.
“This is my dream… to see really authentic healthy communities of Jesus followers or churches throughout our city and Southern Arizona. I see these churches as primarily existing to bring God’s influence and God’s blessing to their immediate neighborhood. I see these churches as giving so much back to their “hood” that they are an indispensable part of the community. These churches disciple people to follow Jesus well. These churches help start and support the social agencies that serve people. These churches engage to make their schools better. These churches make their immediate community a good and desirable place to live. These churches will populate heaven for eternity.”
There is an ancient saying, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.” This reflects our heart and belief at Pantano Christian Church. We are a non-denominational church that seeks unity in Christ, based on the essential truths of Scripture while allowing for diversity, differences, and even disagreements over non-essential doctrines. Below are six statements that reflect our corporate essentials and upon which we base our unity in Christ. We all believe much more than these statements and we encourage those who are part of Pantano Christian Church to vigorously search the scriptures and discuss “non-essential” although important doctrines, while not making those views a test of fellowship. Therefore, we believe in and are committed with our whole being to…
The above statements do not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God, speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind and is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For the purpose of Pantano Christian Church’s faith, doctrine, practice, discipline, and policy our Elders are the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.
The following are core beliefs that shape who we are as a church community and define how we do ministry.