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AboutThe RegionCoastal Encinitas has become a very dark mission field. When Self Realization Fellowship was founded in 1920, it became a power in Encinitas and its influence can be seen throughout the city today. Though people are seeking God, most would not look for Him in a Christian church building, but instead subscribe to one or several of the various forms of spirituality that are readily available on Highway 101 alone. In much of our world today, Christians are seen as judgmental, naive, outdated and irrelevant. Unfortunately, Christ and His Church are associated with these views. People are searching for peace, for healing, for power and what they are finding is a counterfeit form of these aspects of Jesus Christ. When driving down Highway 101 from La Costa Ave to Swamis, you will see approximately 50 restaurants, 21 salons, 14 art galleries, 10 alternative healing centers, 7 liquor stores, 7 bars, 6 yoga studios, a tattoo/piercing studio, a witchcraft store, a psychic bookstore, many boutiques and, of course, the Self Realization Fellowship. There is not a single church. The StoreIn 2003, following God's call, the Polzins opened a retail shop in Leucadia called Nature's Mother. Through this small store, we were able to build relationships with young families in the community, many with new age spirituality. These relationships were also opportunities to minister the love of God, pray and share the gospel. In the spirit, God was driving a stake in enemy territory in order to reclaim the land for the Lord. The StorehouseThe Polzins have always known that their purpose is ministry. In October 2007, God gave the word and released Lee and Sarah into full time ministry and we made the transition from store to storehouse. Upon making this change, there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and a release of miracles! The first two months were challenging, but God was present and He made a way. Through the Storehouse, God both renewed faith in the original vision and given a clearer picture of what exactly Encinitas Tree of Life is to become. The Storehouse was an outpost for different people in the body. It was a place with a weekly gathering for fellowship, prayer, worship and the Word. We hosted a weekly intercessory prayer meeting. We held 24-hour prayer vigils. We reached out to the community through free classes. We opened our space to other regional ministries and kingdom-minded business owners. And we made a home for the Lord in a spiritually dark place. The HouseIn the summer of 2008, God began speaking about a house of prayer. God also placed a new person into the Polzin family. This former Marine Sergeant was not just an addition to the family, but an integral part of the house of prayer. At the time, a dear friend was battling a brain tumor and the Polzins set their hearts to stand with him and his family for healing through fasting and prayer. It was during this time that the Life House of Prayer was established. The end of summer brought The Call to San Diego and the declaration, "everywhere the Call goes, a house of prayer is established." As the Polzin's fasted for 40 days, God continued to pour out revelation regarding the house of prayer. He also began a work of consecration, calling the family to a greater degree of obedience and faith. The new year brought many changes and in May 2009, the Polzins closed the Storehouse. Future VisionSince the very beginning, God gave Sarah visions of their little store being surrounded by other businesses and ministries which existed for Kingdom purposes. She never imagined that they would eventually have a hand in bringing these into existence. Even when a pastor friend prophesied repeatedly that Nature's Mother was going to birth something huge in Encinitas, Lee and Sarah never once thought it might be what God had shown them because it seemed too much. Since stepping into full time ministry, God has given a clearer view of the vision. We believe that as our community labors for miracles, revival, and a great harvest of souls, there needs to be a prayer movement to petition God night and day for such an outpouring of the Spirit. The future for Tree of Life includes:
As these new life-giving organizations spring up, more of Gods light will pour into Encinitas and where there is light there can be no darkness! |
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©2008 Encinitas Tree of Life Ministries |
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