An inter-denominational Christian ministry

1997-2012 Celebrating our fifteenth year!

January-April 2012 Newsletter

                                from the keyboard of Dr. Ross Jutsum                                                    

“… Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Eph. 5:18-20 (NIV

Our Thanksgiving Visit to Haiti

Thanksgiving 2011 is one we will always remember!  Tammy and I, along with Heidi and Ryan, were privileged to visit the amazing country of Haiti for the first time. We were able to witness, first-hand, the work that our daughter Lisa has been doing with “Food for the Hungry” for the past ten months.  Experiencing the hustle and bustle of 3 million people in Port-au-Prince was unforgettable as pedestrians, mopeds, tap-taps (pick-up trucks used to taxi 40-50 folks at a time,) and cars jammed together with virtually no traffic lights or signs and little semblance of order!  In contrast, we were also able to see some breathtaking beauty on a visit to the island known as “Ile a Vache” (“Island of Cows!”)  Driving into the “outback” to visit our adopted child, Dieunel, his parents and six siblings (pictured with us at left) was an incredibly moving experience.  As you might guess, we are standing on the foundation of what used to be their home, totally destroyed by the earthquake of 2010.  Dieunel and his family sang a beautiful Creole rendition of “How Great Thou Art,” reminding us what is really important!

Back to the Congo! 

Due to budget cuts, Lisa’s Haiti job is phasing out at the end of January. However, she’s accepted an offer from Samaritan’s Purse to become Project Development Officer in Democratic Repbulic of the Congo (aka “the Congo”!)  After visiting family in CT, WA, IL & CA Lisa will go to Boone NC for intensive training before heading to Entebbe, Uganda and then on to the Congo. Lisa’s blog from Haiti will become her blog from the Congo and is found at lisajutsum.tumblr.com  Please pray fervently for Lisa during this transition, and for the Lord’s protection and provision as she embarks on another amazing adventure serving God and His precious children!

 Heidi & Ryan Again Visit Guatemala Project

 Heidi and Ryan recently returned to Yale in Connecticut after a short trip to Guatemala to check on their projects and expand the secondary school scholarship program they have managed since 2007.  On this trip, they chose twenty-three new scholarship recipients and celebrated Christmas and a wedding with dear friends.

November-December 2011 Ministry Visits

Another wonderful Thanksgiving service and worship leaders’ gathering at the South Bay Christian Church in San Jose CA, hosted by Pastor Mel and Barbara Dahlgren, was followed by a multi-denominational service in San Leandro CA representing five denominational traditions, hosted by Pastor Jim and Hazel Roberts!  A first time visit to St. Paul Methodist Church in Brighton IL enabled me to get to know my new favorite Australian husband and wife co-pastoral team, Mike and Amy Rayson, and to lead an evening of blessing and dedication for the new home of our wonderful ministry partners, Mike and Ruth Keller, whose old home was destroyed by fire last New Year’s Eve.  A return visit to Cornerstone Church in Long Beach CA gave my long-time friend, Associate Pastor Terry Miller, a much-needed break, as I led worship for their three weekend worship services.  December was the first full month in fifteen years of “State of the Heart” that I did not get on an airplane – YEAH!!!  Along with much-appreciated family time, I led a number of carol sing-alongs, and joined our dear friend Martha Williamson for programs at the Rotary Club of Pasadena and Hollywood Presbyterian Church.

January 2012 Ministry Visits 

First, I was in Dallas TX with long-time friends Doc and Vera Gibbs, Mac and Pam McCuistion, and Matthew Gus, and then served as guest speaker/worship leader at the Visalia and Fresno CA congregations of Grace Communion. Later in Boston MA, I was able to do some recording consultation with engineer/musician extraodinaire Jay Hovnanian and meet with Pastor Dave Whitney and Dr. Evan Howard, followed by return visits to New Covenant Fellowship, Glendora CA, hosted by Pastor Neil Earle, and Lutheran Church of the Cross in Laguna Woods CA, hosted by Pastor Leland Lantz, and Carol and Burt Basney at their California church!

Ministry Contact Information

Check out our web site at www.stateoftheheart.org An established 501C3 California non-profit corporation, tax-deductible donations and orders for worship CDs can be done online, or by “snail mail” at State of the Heart Ministries, P.O. Box 56, Sierra Madre, CA  91025-0056 or by calling (626) 836-4686 (9 A.M. and 6 P.M. Pacific Time, please.)

Ross’ Schedule – January-June 2012