Having Faith: The Northwest Voice

Who is Chad Vegas?

He doubles as a pastor and a KHSD Board of Trustees member. He is one person in the eyes of local conservatives and quite another in the eyes of local liberals. As a moderate conservative, intent on leaving my personal biases to a minimum, I packed my bags, and headed for Vegas.

I first met Vegas in front of the new Starbucks on the corner of Hageman and Calloway in Northwest Bakersfield. The encounter was brief. My second encounter with Vegas was indoors, at the same location. He was translating Greek scripture, and it was Greek to me.

Vegas is Greek to many who don’t understand what makes conservative Christians tick. They don’t understand his statements, they don’t understand his actions, and they don’t understand who he is. I’m hoping this article helps with the translation.

Some local conservatives see promise in Vegas. To them, he possesses the leadership skills, the convictions, and the fortitude to greatly expand the current parameters of his influence. He stands for the things evangelicals and Catholics share in common, and he boldly sticks by his convictions, even when it is unpopular to do so. Most importantly for conservatives, he stands up against what conservatives regard as a corrosive and highly toxic liberal ideology that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of our very society.

He says he loves gays but will not support gay marriage. He challenges other community leaders to do the same, even if it means they will be accused of blurring the boundaries between church and state---even if he will be called a bigot---even if they will be accused of being against human rights, equal rights for all citizens.

He believes in keeping God, and the faith of our fathers, in the classroom and was successful in getting a poster featuring the motto “In God we Trust,” in every high school classroom in Kern County. He brought back the traditional names of school holidays, officially doing away with the politically correct winter and spring break labels.

After an unexpected face-to-face encounter with Mr. Vegas a few days after his editorial was published in The Bakersfield Californian, I asked if I could interview him, and he agreed.

In politics, perception is everything, but he didn’t seem to be concerned about how people perceive him. As he put it, “My concern is to stand up for what I believe is best for the community.”

While some in this community have blamed him for being divisive, Vegas says, “The truth is inherently divisive.”

He claims to know what the truth is, and he is unapologetic about standing upon only one source of truth as definitive: The Bible, which he regards as the primary source of all spiritual truth. He doesn’t poll people before presenting the truth, as he sees it. As he puts it, “It is not true because people like the idea, or untrue because people dislike it.”

In terms of how he perceives himself, he sees himself as less controversial than the way Kern County liberals perceive him.

“Some in the media,” he said, “would like to think that I am out looking for controversy. What is often missed is that my view that God is the foundation of our rights is not new in our culture.”

Vegas has been accused of being ethno-centric as it concerns his actualized plan to abolish the politically correct terms Winter and Spring break in local High Schools, and to bring back the more traditional titles of Christmas and Easter, but he’s been unapologetic about that chapter of his burgeoning legacy.

Vegas is surprised the decision raised so many eyebrows and so much ire. While others considered this and his famous/infamous insistence on posting the national motto in classrooms radical, for Vegas, it was business as usual.

“My attempts to call Christmas and Easter by their official names, or to post the national motto established by the Congress are not radical,” he said.

The same can be said for the recent controversy his statements and actions triggered as it concerned how the community, and city leaders, in particular should respond to legislation supporting the right for gays to marry.

“I am surprised that people are shocked that a pastor would oppose redefining marriage in our culture. I am an average pastor, husband, father, and school trustee,” said Vegas.

Vegas does not see himself as particularly interesting or radical. As he put it: “I am just a guy who is more concerned with keeping my campaign promises and staying true to my beliefs, than I am with being well-liked or even re-elected.”

Beauty and controversy, it appears, are in the eye of the beholder. For some, he is a beholder to behold, and for others, he is simply beholden to those they perceive to be the radical right.

Perception is an exceedingly intriguing phenomenon to behold.

In the name of God & Country

On Aug. 1, Northwest Bakersfield resident Stephen D. Brewer, 25, graduated from his 13-week course at the Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego. He was meritoriously awarded the rank of Lance Corporal (a rare honor) and was selected as the Bravo Company honorman, identifying him as the top graduate in the company of 292 men. Bravo Company was able to break the regimental drill record, which required precision and discipline in rifle movement and marching. This record has been tracked since 1921.

Stephen is the second of our eight children and was home-schooled from the start through high school. It was our privilege, along with our four younger children, to attend the Marine Corps graduation ceremony and to be seated in the parade reviewing stand with a commanding officer and three generals along with the Texas governor Rick Perry.

Stephen will be stationed at the School of Infantry Camp Pendleton for nine weeks before traveling to Washington D.C. to serve as a body bearer — a position of great honor! From there he may be deployed to the Middle East or head toward officer status.

Stephen grew up hearing his pastor father (Don) teach that if you have nothing worth dying for, you have nothing worth living for. Stephen’s faith has played an important part in his formation and will continue guiding his future choices. At boot camp, recruits were pushed mentally, physically and emotionally. Letters from family and the community were valued, but what truly carried them through was their spiritual strength. Every evening they would gather in small circles for moments of prayer and encouragement.

How did I, as Mom, respond when Stephen decided to join the Corps? It was Sept. 11, 2001 when my husband Don called home to ask us to pray for the tragedy that was occurring. As I announced to our eight children with great sadness and concern, I could see in Stephen’s eyes that he would go. It was only a matter of time. There was still work to be done in Stephen’s life to form him for the task. Don and I believe that we have given him the tools for life, and it is his responsibility to pick up the right tool at the right time and use it properly. My mother’s heart was torn as I knew he was made to serve, yet God was graciously giving me time to prepare for his enlistment. During the seven years since that day, I can honestly say that God is good to allow me time to adjust to the idea of Stephen going into the military.

Since Stephen has been home for these few short days, I’ve noticed how complete strangers thank him for his service to our country. I have sensed the heart of Bakersfield as one of support for our troops. Bakersfield, we salute you for supporting our troops. As a family, we are proud of Stephen’s accomplishments, but more so, we are proud of the man of God Stephen is becoming.

We are here for your encouragement and to provide the phone number of our local United States Marine Corps Recruit office. The Marines focus on the qualities of honor, courage and commitment.

Their goal is not only to build a good Marine, but also a good man, husband, father and citizen. I am proud.

Semper Fi! For God and Country!

To contact the Brewer family, call 589-6800.

So Says Solomon

Every now and then I start to wonder about life. Not so much about mine, not so much about yours, but about life as it is general. I was driving home around half past noon. The same way, the same way always. But, at high noon, in the middle of summer, some things look crisper, some things look duller.

An old house, small on a big lot full of dry grass, looked crisper. It is quite old. Its lack of size dates it to a time when big things did not matter; the chipped white paint and a shutter hanging by only a single brace also dates it to time’s past.

As if the perfectly centered sun in the sky illuminated only the house itself, I took a good long look at it. There were four vehicles lining the dirt driveway. All, too, were from a different time than the one I find myself in the throws of. One word came to me, one word for the house, the land, and the vehicles. Neglect.

Judging by the design of the vehicles, such material treasures would have been popular in the late seventies, early eighties at the latest. Coupled with the house, the era made sense. Only after this time did size start to matter so much. Only after this time was it inconceivable to not have separate rooms for each child and their toys.

What was the property like, then, in the late seventies? Full of energy, vibrancy, meaning? And if so, what had happened in the interim? Some could say life happened. Some could say it was simply time. I, myself, did not stop to ponder as much. As with a great many things in this world, I inevitably come to the point where I ask, “Will this happen to me?”

Will my home succumb to just passing one day to another for the next thirty years? Will such be a reflection of my life and attitudes? Another word came to me. Complacency. It usually predicates neglect, does it not? And a step further in that direction is pride.

My imagination, overactive to be sure, started to put together a story behind the little old house and the vehicles so untouched their windows were caked with dry dust from year after year of fall breezes.

A family. Father works hard, mother raises children. Most did in those times. There was always enough money. Enough for the cars, enough for the food, enough for the heat in the dead of winter, and a little extra for a brand new pair of roller skates at Christmas. But faith was misplaced. It was put in the now, the have to haves, and of course, their youth.

And yes, life happened. Time happened. Pride, then complacency, then neglect. And finally, the warning. Best transcribed by Solomon for his closing remarks in Ecclesiastes:

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
I have no pleasure in them”

           * * *
  "Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
  And the spirit will return to God who gave it.
   “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,
   “All is vanity.”

* * *

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.”

Ecclesiastes 12:1, 7-8, 13-14

Highland Church of Christ's Annual VBS was a great success!

The annual Vacation Bible School at Highland Church of Christ was a great success this year. Dozens of local children were served with the Word of God, a lot of fun and a lot of fellowship. We had puppet shows, sing-a-longs, water fights and, most importantly, we studied the Word of God.

God’s presence saves our lil’ sparrow

My wife Beverly, our two girls Joy, 8, and Janie, 6, were excited about going on our camping vacation. El Capitan State Park near Santa Barbara is situated on a bluff overlooking a white stretch of Pacific Ocean Beach. As we drove through the park to find our assigned camp site I noticed that the bike/hiking path from the camping area toward the beach has a T intersection at the bluff, with the left branch leading to the Ranger’s check-in hut, and the right branch leading down a series of steps and landings toward the beach.

Bev and I found our site, unloaded our gear and set up camp. When our tent was up and our camp was ready, we set off with our two girls down the path to explore the rest of the camp. Big sister Joy went ahead on her bike, with Janie following close behind. As we walked along behind them, I realized that Joy was picking up speed on the gently sloping path. I began to run. Janie yelled out, “She can’t stop!”

As I ran past Janie, the last thing I saw of Joy was the back of her bike approaching the end of the path at the T, and she disappeared over the edge of the bluff. I had visions of mangled bicycle parts and my sweet, special firstborn sparrow laying all broken on the rocks below. My heart was in my throat as I came to the edge of the bluff. I could hardly bear to look to see how bad it was.

I know the Bible says God is with us every minute of every day. Well, He was really with us that day, because there was Joy, sprawled on a ledge covered with ice plant about 5 feet below the bluff crest. I rushed down the slope, and to my utter surprise, Joy was not hurt, only bruised here and there. I thanked God then, and every time I think about how we survived that ordeal.

Many times during our daily walk, we come face to face with potential serious injury and death situations, some of which don’t come out as well as this one did for us. Our little sparrow was spared that day.

So this is my closing thought, that each of us will have a wonderful and safe vacation this year. And maybe also it would be good to check out your kid’s bicycle brakes.

Congratulations Jared & Mary Beth!

Jared Dragoun (raised right here in good ole Northwest Bakersfield!) and his wife Mary Beth have just released their first CD and we're very proud and excited for them! If you grew up around here and went to Norris/Centennial during the 90's (1998 graduate), you may remember Jared. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University AND finding the love of his life, he worked in the recording industry in Nashville for a couple of years and now is back in Bakersfield where he is the worship pastor at Riverlakes Community Church.

Jared and Mary Beth call themselves "The Boasting Weak" (from II Corinthians 12:9), which is also the name of their CD. It is an eclectic mix of Christian pop/rock/jazz which is geared toward young adults but has a little something for everyone. All of their songs were written and recorded by Jared and Mary Beth themselves.

"The Boasting Weak" will be having a CD Release Party on July 19, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Downtown Ministry Center (18th and "0") and would like to invite the community to come join in the fun, hear their music and/or buy a CD! Admission is free. You can hear a sampling, as well as catch up on all the latest news and events at their website, www.theboastingweak.com.

We (Jared & Mary Beth's family) would like you all to join in our excitement as we celebrate this huge accomplishment!

Off To Camp!!

Founding Fathers had the right idea

Upon leaving the Constitutional Convention at its close in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked whether the Founding Fathers had decided on a monarchy or a republic. Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

I think Franklin may have been somewhat of a prophet. A lot is made in the Christian community (of which I am a born-again member) about how the Founding Fathers were Bible-believing Christians. They may have been, but don’t believe for an instant that they were intending to establish a Christian nation. Their intentions were to escape the religious persecution of England. They established exactly what they intended — a democracy, not a theocracy. Freedom of religion is at the core of their beliefs, even freedom from religion if that is what an individual decides. But now religion and politics have somehow forged a very strange alliance.

We question a person’s religion as a deciding factor in whether he or she is fit for office. What that often leads to is a plethora of political speeches ending with, “God bless America” — which almost takes on the tone of nothing more than “Good night and good luck.” George Bush is allegedly a born-again believer. Has that guided him in the best decisions for this nation?

City Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan spearheaded a campaign that put patriotic posters, including the phrase “In God We Trust” into high school classrooms. Sullivan is a wonderful person and public servant, I know her. But here is the problem: If the intention is to somehow get God into the classroom this way, the campaign failed. The only way God will ever get into the classroom is in the hearts and minds of students and faculty. Plus, won’t most Christians say that the God they serve is different than the gods of other religions?

I’m a Christian. I love the Lord. So here’s a motto you can put on a bumper sticker instead of all those saying “God Bless America” — how about one that says, “America, Bless God”?

Old Ben had the right idea. The great thing about democracy is that people have the freedom to do just about anything they want. The problem with democracy is that people have the freedom to do just about anything they want.

Olive Knolls Church Invites Families to a Jerusalem Marketplace

"This year we're transforming our church into the Bible times city of Jerusalem," says Pastor Debbie Hansen. "Our Jerusalem Marketplace program will provide fun, memorable Bible-learning activities for families. Each day kids and adults will join with a small group that's named after one of the 12 tribes of Israel. These family Tribes will come together for singing and then explore traditional Bible-times family life. They might visit the Synagogue school, play authentic games, or sample Middle Eastern snacks. Families will even explore the Jerusalem Marketplace where they'll become apprentices in the Pottery Shop and make dreidels in the Carpentry Shop."

"Jerusalem Marketplace is an exciting way for everyone to learn more about the amazing things Jesus did, " says Pastor Debbie. "And the best part is that they learn by becoming immersed in authentic Bible-times culture. Kids and adults will witness real-life dramas in the center of town, chat with shopkeepers about what Jesus has said and done, and discover what it was like to live when Jesus did. We hope Jerusalem Marketplace will make God's Word very real to the people in our community."

Jerusalem Marketplace begins on Monday, August 4th and continues through Thursday, August 7th. Meet at Olive Knolls Church, 6201 Fruitvale Ave each day from 6:15 pm until 8:15 pm. For information, call 661-399-3303 or visit https://www.oliveknolls.com.

Riverlakes Community Church VBS Fun

My group of second graders had this to say about VBS......

Lauren Eknoian......"I liked the singing"

Kaden Bolten........."We get to do centers!"

Sydney Anzalone......"I liked getting wet at games!"

Joshua Rasmussen......"I liked learning about God!"

Maria Lemos....."My favorite part of VBS was the singing. I loved the song, God is Real!"

Kaitlan Tucker....."I loved learning about God!"

Brooke Eknoian...."I liked games outside!"

Zoe Hord..."I liked snack!"

Ellie Cruz..."I liked storytime!"

Katie Harlander, leader......"I liked everything all put together!"

Riverlakes Community Church VBS Fun