David Nyquist in front of the house in Oakland where his new home church meets every Sunday.  David is also a Christian counselor with In The Potter's Hands and expecting a new baby any day.

Q: What is your favorite verse of scripture?

DN: "I love Hebrews 11. 'Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.'  Another portion of scripture reveals that 'faith is the only way we can please God.'  There are so many things in my heart to accomplish in this life, and it is only by faith that any of them will have any real value to God.  Faith is when I determine that what God says matters more than my problems, challenges, doubts, fears, or my own understanding, and I respond to what he says with action."

Q: What verse of scripture does your community most need to hear?

DN: "Romans 8 pronounces our total freedom in Christ, not based on our own works or personal righteousness, but on Jesus having eliminated our deserved punishment forever and given us access to experience the glories of heaven from now unto eternity.  Without a deep acceptance of the grace of God for our own lives, we never truly know His love for us, and could waste our days in fear and punishment that comes from the law.  Acceptance of grace is foundational for living the life Jesus calls us to live."

Q: What signs of hope are occurring in Oakland?

DN: "We celebrate what God is doing - big and small.  There's plenty of bad stuff that could get our attention if we let it, but God is bigger than all of that.  People are getting saved, healed and delivered - which is what Jesus told us would happen as the Kingdom of heaven goes forth.  There is transformation on many levels of society.  It is small but it will continue to grow."

Q: How is God at work in Oakland?

DN: "God has given me faith that we will see people miraculously healed of sickness and disease.  I also believe that God is at work restoring His church to its original format.  You will begin to see the emergence of a Kingdom culture within the larger church community in Oakland.  I'd define this as relationships based on honor, a respect of true authority, a lifestyle of faith for the impossible, and the emergence of leadership that will empower their communities to pursue the dreams of their hearts."