Remember, we are launching on Sunday, April 17th at 10:30 a.m. at Black Hawk High School! Spread the word! We are honored to have you journey with us!

We love and appreciate you!

-The Champion Life Church Staff

A championship team can only accomplish the plan and purpose of God when it’s in step with the TEAM CADENCE. Champion Life Church has 10 awesome leadership nuggets to make a life-changing impact.

SERVANT-LEADERSHIP >>>like JESUS
Serving others never fails = Love speaks!

CELEBRATE and CHAMPION EVERYONE  >>>like the STEELERS
Make people feel like a Superbowl M.V.P.

THE VISION, BABY! >>>like COKE-COLA

Be in the Moment, but never lose sight of the Big Picture.

TEAM DREAM : WE NOT ME >>>like SOUTHWEST
Keep preparing, Keep learning, Keep asking, and Keep helping us improve.
BE SMILEY and FUN, YET GET’’ER DONE >>>like EAT-n-PARK
Do whatever it takes quality service.
CONTRIBUTORS OVER CONSUMERS >>>like NIKE
Take pride, initiative and ownership in your area

W.I.N. (WHAT’S IMPORTANT NOW) >>>like RUTH’S CHRIS STEAKHOUSE
First class over-the-top excellence.

INTENTIONAL HOSPITALITY >>>like DISNEY
Act on and for the best interests of the person.
LIVE TO GIVE >>>like RED CROSS
Generosity and Appreciation wins every time.

YOU MATTER ; YOU ARE VALUABLE >>>like FACEBOOK
No job is too small or insignificant.

“Leaders are dealers in hope.” -Napoleon

Human nature always tries to have a back-up plan in case our original plan doesn’t work out. In the Kingdom of God, God never has a back up plan! God’s plan for redemption was to send Jesus. John 3:16 says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

No Plan “B” needed. There was never any back up plan in God’s mind.

II Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God’s purpose has not changed; He wants all mankind to win.

God’s plan is for the Church and His children to fulfill its destiny in our generation. We believe the Church is the Hope of the world. We also believe that those who are followers of Jesus Christ, sons and daughters of God, are here to share the plan of redemption and share the good news.

Champion Life Church’s purpose is to provide hope to people so they know they are winners and champions in God’s eyes. Our mission is to make victorious disciples of Christ who influence change with the love of God in our world.

As we are preparing to launch Champion Life Church on April 17, 2011, we are excited about the mission God has given us and to do our part in Beaver County. We see ourselves as “dealers of hope” to encourage individuals that with God all things are possible.

Remember, You are a winner and special to God. You are part of God’s plan. Even if you have gone off track or missed a step, God’s plan for you remains the same. Just ask God for help, get back on track, and know this, God doesn’t have a back up plan. ~Larry

Our walk with God is not much different. God’s given everyone an assignment.

The greatest part is that your assignment right now is ultimately connected to your destiny.

We can see this through Jesus’s life:

Jesus had an assignment. In Matthew 9:35 it says, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.” That was part of his assignment and destiny. His assignment enabled Him to spread the good news and provide hope for the world.

Kim and I have a new have a new assignment! We are honored that God is calling us to start Champion Life Church in 2011. We have had several assignments before this that got us to this one.

Champion Life Church has an assignment. Champion Life Church’s mission is to make victorious disciples of Jesus Christ who influence change with the Love of God in our world.

The purpose of Champion Life Church is to be a life-giving, non-denominational church (affiliated with the Association of Related Churches) that is casual, fun, and passionate, both in mission and in worship. Champion Life Church will be a Family Centered and relationally authentic church with first class youth and children’s environments. We will share the message of the love and goodness of God and His Word to live the victorious, spirit-led, faith-filled life with a focus on serving our community.

We are expected to fulfill our homework assignment and give God all the glory.

You have an assignment. Whatever your assignment is right now, whether you like it, hate it, or wish you had a different one, recognize that this assignment is connected to your destiny, mission, and purpose. Be faithful. Go after it. Complete the assignment. In time, God will bring you new assignments, and He will take you places you’ve never dreamed of.

Our prayer for you in 2011 is that you’ll complete and fulfill the assignment God’s give you!

-Larry and Kim

Have you ever imagined running a marathon? Well it starts with talking a walk around the park and setting a goal to run a 5K race. Have you ever imagined shedding 10 pounds? Well it starts with simple decisions to cut back on 100 calories a day. Whatever you can imagine, you can do.

Have you ever imagined finding a place that loves and accepts you for who you are, not for what you do or have done? Well, we have not only imagined it, but we will purpose to create an environment where God’s grace and love will overwhelm you.  We wholeheartedly believe that “There is nothing you can do to make God love you more and there is nothing you have done to make God love you less.”

Over 18 months ago, Kim and I started sensing the Call of the Lord to start a church in Chippewa Township of Beaver Falls, PA. This dream of planting a church and doing our part to reach and love people is now a reality. In about 6 months, on April 17, 2011, “the dream becomes reality.”

Our hope and desire is that CHAMPION LIFE CHURCH will fulfill its part along with other wonderful churches in our area to “tell the GOOD NEWS that God so loves the world and He sent Jesus Christ, His Son to be our Savior.” Another desire is that we want to see that others believe that their dream can become a reality, also.

If you are interested in finding more out about the vision of Champion Life Church, our launch team gatherings, our informational meetings times and dates, please email us at LB.CHAMPIONLIFE@GMAIL.COM or call the office at 724-473-2213. We would be so glad to serve you in any way.

Hey, don’t ever forget that God created you to love you and desires that you would believe that you are destined to win!                                                              ~Larry and Kim Bettencourt, lead pastors

NEWS FROM THE BETTENCOURT’S! Kim and I have an exciting announcement to share with you our family and friends.

THE CALL! God has been speaking to our hearts for over a year that He has been preparing us for the next phase of the call of God on our lives. With much prayer, counsel from my Pastor, the Finishline Ministry director’s board, and wisdom from our mentors, we are answering The Call of God to plant / pioneer a church. We have been approved and invited to become members of the ARC, Association of Related Churches, a national thriving church planters organization. The ARC network has a great record planting great churches mainly due to their passion to reach the lost and the equipping process of thorough training and a coaching network.

24 YEARS AGO! In 1986, I never would have imagined that when I came from New Orleans, LA to Beaver Falls, PA to play football and attend Geneva College as an eighteen year-old young man that this was a part of the destined plan that God had for me: to marry my lovely wife, Kim; have 4 beautiful daughters; serve in ministry in Western PA; and now, to start a church in Beaver Falls, PA (Chippewa Twp.). The name of the church is “Champion Life Church.” Our launch date will be in April 2011. How interesting is this, my first youth ministry volunteer position, as a college freshman, was working with Young Life at Blackhawk High School in Chippewa Twp.; and now by the grace of God we will see this church launched to touch lives where I had my start in ministry. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11, it says it all, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans for good not bad, a hope and a future.” Wow, only our good God could destine this!

PRAYER COVER! Pray for us as we are stepping into this Call and work that is in front of us, as we know God’s grace will sustain us, as we prepare to see the Kingdom of God expand. We will be updating you on our timeline and news as we move forward. Hey, if you have any questions you are welcome to contact us. We love you so much.  ~Larry and Kim

To serve is to live. (Frances Hesselbein)

Matthew 6:33 (nlt) “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Here’s a life changing equation: Servant leadership = Putting others first.

The key to a successful life is to serve one another. It’s the key to living a satisfied full life. When you make the conscious daily lifestyle decision to serve others, you are allowing the love of God to spread to the world. We add a little JOY to the world.

I remember learning from my youth pastor as a teenage many moons ago this simple expression that has stuck with me. The way to have J.O.Y. in your life is by living these three simple values: J=Jesus first, O=Others second, and Y=Yourself last.

It’s the little things we do that make a huge difference that can brighten up someone’s day. Hey, wash the dishes for you spouse, open the door for someone, ask someone how’s their day and listen, catch your kids doing something right and tell them, call a family member just to check in, and the ideas go on and on.

Go make a difference in someone’s life today- serve them!

To serve is to live and to live is to serve! -Larry

With all the recent talk of the newly forced government run health care, it has made me focus more on GOD CARE. God’s eternal care for you and me. Life has enough thrown at us in our daily responsibilities that it can be overwhelming to add one more care at us. The cares of this world can tempt us to remove our eyes off of the One, who CARES for you.  1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He CARES about you.”

Whatever may be occupying your mind that causes you to carry these cares of your past, the future, your relationships, the bills to pay, the kids, the promotion, etc., you must remember: Jesus CARES for you!

Right now, Jesus cares about what you are going through. Jesus did not abandon Peter in the water, the Samaritan lady at the well, the outcasted lepers, the woman caught in adultery who was thrown at His feet, or YOU! You are enrolled in the heavenly “health care.”

Even if others or family forsake or forget me, The Lord will care for me and take me in. (Psalm 27:10)

Hey, it’s GOD CARE: God cares about what you care about! `Larry

PS- Eternal Health Care involves Eternal Heart Care which is knowing Jesus! (Romans 10:9-10)

Kingdom deposits make eternal investments.

Recently, I had a banking conversation with my daughter Bethany. We talked about making deposits into her account that will service her in the future. I was reminded that taking care of God’s kingdom is making life deposits into others lives. What we do now, definitely impacts the future!

What we do and what we say influences the kingdom of God. By showing the same love to those around you that God has shown and given you, you are making kingdom deposits. Never underestimate the act of a simple, loving decision. Simply lending a helping hand, speaking kindly to a sales attendant, or sharing your faith and experience of God’s love and grace to a coworker all makes a difference.

Live life on purpose.

In Matthew 6:33 (GWT), the Word says, “But first, be concerned about His kingdom and what has His approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.”

Let’s live kingdom minded, making deposits. Daily kingdom deposits make eternal investments.

-       Larry

Kim and I were honored to be able to spend eighteen days in Africa during October 2009. It was a great and awesome time; however, we did miss our four daughters. Yet, making the eternal investments in the people of Africa was well worth it. The privilege of ministering God’s love and bringing His good news to people, some who have never heard the gospel, can never be replaced.

Mutare, Zimbabwe

We went to Mutare, Zimbabwe, into the Dungumvura Township, to be a part of Steve Olivier’s “Life World Outreach” crusade. Each day, I ministered to Steve’s Zimbabwe staff in devotions. During a three-day pastors leadership conference, we taught pastors simple leadership truths and about who they are in Christ. 

I had the wonderful privilege of preaching two nights at the six-day crusade. There was an estimated four to five thousand people in attendance. Thousands of people gave their heart to Jesus! Hundreds of people were healed by the power of God. It was amazing to see these precious people hungering for the things of God.

Lusaka, Zambia

In Lusaka, Zambia, at Miracle Life Family Church, with Pastor Walker and Haley Schurz, we were able to teach church leadership to the pastoral staff. We also taught a youth leadership session and preached to the church’s youth group.

On the third part of our trip, we got to enjoy the beautiful country of South Africa. We went to Pilanesberg National Game Resort Park in South Africa, where we took a safari. We enjoyed two days of driving through the reserve to look at God’s wonderful creations and the beautiful scenery of Africa. We even saw two lions eating a hippopotamus!

For more photos of our amazing trip, check out my Facebook page by clicking here.

We all need support. It’s encouraging to know that we have friends that will say, “Hey I’ll be right here FOR YOU if you need me.”  Everyone needs that type of friendship. However, you may feel sometimes that you’re all alone.

The truth is, “No matter what, God is FOR YOU even if you can’t find anyone who is.”

Know that God is FOR YOU, not based on your goodness, but His.

“For I know the plans I have FOR YOU,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

As important as it is to know that God is FOR YOU, it is equally important to realize that He has made YOU FOR greatness.

God has called you to make a difference. So walk in the assurance today that if God is FOR YOU, who can be against you, because He has ordained YOU FOR His purposes!     ~ Larry