What others say: (Prov. 27:2)

I love this pastor with all my heart! He teaches me how to love the ones no one wants to love. He always serves ALL the people, not only the ones that has the same ideas we have. My family still remember when my next neighbor needs help to clean her one and a half hectare of land she has, he wasn't available to do it so he contract people to help her even when she was a Satanic believer!!! He said as Christ we need to testify that we love people as He love us, and that not means we not agree what they do but we still LOVE GOD'S CREATION. THANK YOU PASTOR!!! I have the privilege that he was for many years my kids pastor to!!! I love Amadeo Church !!!

So thankful for our awesome and loving church. Heard such an awesome young singer during the church service play that made my jaw drop. Future Worship Leader for sure!

"...Kind, funny, not self-important, authoritative, wise, non-defensive, leader, vision-caster ... Pastor! You were all that this morning, my dear friend..."

These two children of God are awesomely amazing! You two are hilarious,loving,sweet, gentle,goofy,genuine, and always a great time, some of the most real people I know! Thank you God for placing my family specifically here to be a part of this bigger family in You! I sing your praises, Yahweh, as you are the author and perfecter of our faith! Thank you for these two, Pastor Ben & Mandy Cloud! We love y'all!

Be unimpressive but be you. Be alive for your days are few. Be hungry to be made new. Most growth I've personally experienced at any church I've ever been to. Thankful. Grateful. Blessed.

I’m so glad we ended up going to family camp this weekend. Two of us were a bit disregulated the first day/night but he came around and I was less anxious the next morning. When we got there on Friday our pastor and his son helped us put up the tent. We brought loads of bikes and ride on toys for all kids to play on during the weekend. A friend lent us their huge enclosed trailer so we could haul everything up and not take two vehicles. It was amazing to see people helping people. As families came in a lot helped others to unload their vehicles and set up camp. Friends took others’ kids for walks and other friends manned the fire when some kids got too close. I got to know a few people better. Grown ups hung out and played games while kids ran/rode around and played in the water pump. We did a family devotional with a scavenger hunt and made bird feeders at the end. The kids tie dyed T-shirt’s and we had a huge campfire with worship and s’mores. Moms cleaned others kids scraped knees and sent them on their way. When I started panicking over my son not coming back from a walk in the dark with his friend, a few parents headed out to find them. On the first night my kids conned mandy into telling them a bedtime story in our tent and last night she read all the kids a book around the campfire. One of my girls could often be found on Jennah’s hip or Jeremy’s lap. One boy of ours was ALWAYS playing in dirt. When he cried for milk, and we realized we didn’t have any, three people offered us milk for him. Hannah was almost always around someone’s kids or a new friend she made. Kim lent us an outfit as he flew through three outfits in 24 hours. Daryl made everyone banana boats. And nerts! I got to play nerts with two of my favorite women and learned to play ticket to ride with two friends I love as well! We have always loved our church but this weekend made me realize even more how we are a family inside a church. We are a village helping each other in multiple ways. It felt amazing to see my kids run wild with no judgement. No matter how exhausted I was when we got home I would go again in a heart beat!

"Please don't be offended, but this is the nicest group of white people I have ever met. I have been loved so much. I feel at home. I feel so much peace. I come up north and I experienced a lot of racism up there. I feel so much peace, I am at home."

"My son loved going to AMADEO (before he passed away). He felt so accepted flaws and all. Exactly how it should be. Thank you for that. He was able to conquer a lot of his demons because of the strength in God you showed him. I will always be grateful."

Thank you Ben for being a Pastor that teaches Theology from the heart! We were talking about how well you do that. We also know that it's through pain and hard trails that keep you close to God. We are so thankful for your leading. Praying for you always! Love.

Saturday night our family went out to dinner and we were walking outside of your Church. Your congregation was so inviting that my wife joined the women's group that night. Your people were full of smiles and hugs. What a joy it was to meet them. I know God has a great plan for you and your congregation. Effective churches are inviting churches. Thank you for loving on us. Thank you for making us feel like apart of your church family.

Thank you. I really needed tonight. You are an incredible person with an amazing heart for God and this community. I am inspired by your gifts and the way you are able to use them.

Amadeo is also a table where people of all kinds can come, be who they are, be accepted, loved on and prayed for, even when they aren't aware. Where nonjudgmentalism and genuine love and encouragement is dished up heartily and where there is always enough for second and third helpings because of the abundance of Jesus.

Amadeo is the real deal. Very genuine, and passionate followers of Jesus.

These folks are generous, kind, friendly (and not the kind of 'friendly' that can be weird), accepting and authentic. Their lead pastor - Ben - is one of the most humble, courageous, honest and sincere men I have ever met. He serves as a model to me of the kind of openheartedness (is that a word?) I want to display towards other people, other churches and other pastors.

It means the world that you accept our (family) just as they are. You (Mandy) and Ben are amazing. AMADEO is the only church I've ever felt "right" about.

Today I am remembering what a learning curve it was when I started serving at Amadeo Church... I grew so much as a person that year. I learned that "minsitry" doesn't always look like what we think it looks like. I learned that my worship was just as loud and beautiful when making someone a cup of coffee and mopping the floors as it is when I sing. I learned that conflict can be good, because it is an opportunity to grow in grace and humility, treasures far more valuable than being right. Any time I am in conflict I remember that it is not the most important thing to be heard or to be right. At Amadeo I saw beautiful living examples of the upside-down-Kingdom, in humble servant-leaders. I experienced acceptance and forgiveness in moments when I really (and I mean really) didn't deserve it. I was trained and equipped with confidence to go out into the world and to serve. I don't see Amadeo as a single church entity, rather an extension of my larger "Christ" family. Hope to always maintain contact with you guys. I love seeing what you're up to on FB, it fills my heart with joy

Your Church is an amazing church!! I watched as the hospital room filled up with one, and then another, and another, until the room was FULL, of your church members supporting one of their own sister in need. I wanted to cry. Your TRUE love for your "family" is inspiring. God bless each and every one of you!!! Truly you represent Jesus and His love to the world. Shalom Blessings

I feel love & not alone with all this caring community, I'm so glad God put me in the right direction! I like that you just don't talk to talk but preach with actions. Thank you thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful community!

Pastor Ben, thanks for persevering in the faith. You have love and endurance that is unmatched. I'm thankful that you have never let up. Keep fighting the good fight. You are an amazing warrior for Christ.

I grasp love in a community setting I've never known before...which makes it hard to leave. But I know God has allowed me to experience the incredible love of Amadeo, so I can share it wherever I go. As comfortable as I could be staying here and receiving wisdom and love in mass quantities, it's time to pass it on in another setting where that love is needed. I've been listening to this song, "you have called me higher, you have called me deeper and I'll go where you will lead me, Lord" and it's that simple. God is calling me to a new place, where he wants his kingdom to come. As excited as I am for the next step on this incredible journey with Him, I am sad I have to leave.

I still can't wrap my mind around how I got the privilege of taking off a semester of school to bombard the Amadeo community and live in the love that they never run out of. My prayer for all churches is to grasp this kind of Kingdom love in their own communities. I'll never forget experiencing it the way I have.

how awesome it is to see your passion for the health of the whole church and how inspired we are by that! We want to be more like that too! You are making a big difference Ben! I know you're just being faithful to the Lord's calling and honoring him figure actions but he is using you in a way that you may not even see the full fruits of in this lifetime!

We love their faith community and the way they continue to risk, create and innovate for their city and for the Gospel.

God has really stirred in both of our hearts because of the work he started through you! We are very excited to see what God has planned out here in the churches! The church united In His name is unstoppable in it's abilities to overcome evil with good!

What I appreciated about AMADEO church was that the leaders asked me, when I first was invited to their home - what has God put in you to do, and how can we come alongside you.

We have missed attending AMADEO. We have visited other churches and hunger for a church who doesn't tell us what we want to hear, but what we need to hear. We long for the community of real people, diverse people, not just the people who appear to have it all together and all dress the same.

I wanted to text you. I am at the IHOP one thing leadership summit... You guys are doing so many great things. A lot of their suggestions, I'm thinking (AMADEO) is already doing that! I want to get with you when I get back and see what we can do going forward.

We are inspired by you guys. I cannot express with any accuracy how much I feel blessed that our paths have crossed.

Thank you for blessing me with your heart my brother, you remind me of a modern day Paul. You faithfully desire to see the churches on one accord in harmony, likeminded, speaking one language, loving one another despite our differences. You do all regardless of what others pessimistic views may be. Stay faithful my brother Pastor Ben Cloud @Amadeo Church your true reward in being store up in The Kingdom of God.

I was drawn like a moth to a flame. I knew I had to go to Seed when I moved to Ventura. My heart had been captured like this once prior, when I was drawn to a little church in the Heart of Queen Creek called Amadeo. It wasn’t beauty or eloquence or style that drew me to either places, it was seeing how Jesus was being magnified despite, or rather, in contrast to dysfunction. The juxtaposition, the paradox, it stirred my curiosity and my interest.

AMADEO has been the most loving community we have experienced so far. My wife is sometimes a bit shy - but she felt so much love there.

We've tried other churches and the kids just keep saying, "But it is not AMADEO." We miss you guys. It has been tough leaving.

Thank you for your faithfulness. You are a shining light in a dark world. Your people's determination, influence, passion and undeterred obedience to follow Christ is refreshing.

Church Review: During today’s service, it occurred to me that maybe that are people that are still questioning the value of their gifts to the church or how suffering can possibly be a good thing. It was put upon me to share this, but for some reason I don’t feel that I was meant to stand in front of the congregation. Not long ago, my daughter was in a bad relationship with a boy her father and I did not approve of. Shortly after they broke up, she learned she was pregnant. Unsure what she was going to do, she had no education, no job, and no means of supporting herself, I decided that she should take some type of parenting classes. While researching online the various services in our community and the surrounding area, I was drawn to The Vineyard Pregnancy Center. While the center did not offer many of the amenities that some of the others offered, it was put upon us that this was where we needed to be. From the first meeting, we were all welcomed with, literally, open arms. As things progressed, it became more and more clear why we were sent here. Connections were made and my family became stronger. When one of the counselors had to temporarily leave due to personal reasons, we were blessed by the presence of Mandy. During one session, she asked my daughter about her plans for her unborn child and church. Her response was “I will let him decide what he wants to be, where he wants to go when he’s old enough to decide.” Unaware that she was the wife of the Pastor, we began to ask questions about the church. She then told us that she was the wife of the Pastor and could answer any questions we had. She invited us to attend, with the promise of acceptance and “no judging.” Several weeks passed and we were finally able to gather the family and attend service. Not long after, my son said he had a desire to become a missionary (he is a story all in his own) and my daughters inquired about baptism. Pastor Ben took the lead and submerged all 3 of them before they could change their minds! My daughter is now in her final month of pregnancy, has obtained her GED, and started College courses! We attend church regularly and someone recently asked her the same question that Mandy posed and her response was the polar opposite of her original one, “he will be born in this church and raised here, he won’t need to choose a church because he will know what the right one is.” Gifts make the pregnancy center possible, our suffering brought us there, and God’s mercy made it possible. My daughter intends to volunteer at the center once she completes some nutrition courses that she can share with others. We are all working together to bring updated information that can be used. I could go on and on about the Grace of God and how gifts benefit everyone. From the food we receive every week to the support we receive from our new found family at Amadeo and the Pregnancy Center. There is no end to the possibilities, and if anyone ever questions the value of their time or pennies, look at my family. My daughter was lost and scared, my husband and I were angry and frustrated, my son was struggling with his faith, and my other daughter had yet to experience to Glory of God within a community. We are now excited, our faith renewed, and we have found meaning

Proud to be part of a church where the pastor "does the stuff"

Thanks for being my pastor, for your love of God's word, and for showing the love of Jesus to anyone who will receive it. Keep pressing on in faith and obedience.

God has placed a special heart in you and we love and appreciate you. We are so grateful also for the outstanding body of Christ he has surrounded us with. We see that God has mighty plans for AMADEO and you. Be of good courage, we are with you. Stay the course.

From our experience, this is a one of a kind place...a true example of Christ's love, acceptance and diversity....led by a humble, authentic, transparent man who is more interested in building His kingdom then his own empire whose wife and family are amazing too, as is the entire servant leadership team

AMADEO church review: Thursday, September 3, 2015 I survived my first week and a half here in Arizona!!! Just kidding, it's been such a joy. (I'm already falling behind on blogging once a week, so this post will be a long one, I'll do better next time!!) From the moment I arrived in the Phoenix airport, to dinner this evening, I have been surrounded by so much love, support, and understanding. The Amadeo community is even greater than I remembered from two years ago. I knew there were a ton of new things I'd have to learn, but I honestly had no idea how much. I am working at Third Place Cup, the coffee shop that is (literally) attached to Amadeo church. I rarely drink coffee, and never imagined I would know the difference between a latte, cappuccino, frappe, pour over... the list goes on and on. So I had the privilege to be trained by the amazing Shelly Kohler who has patiently and graciously dealt with my mistakes and lack of confidence in this new job. I heard that this week we had more sales in the coffee shop than ever before, and I'm thankful (as well as nervous) I get to jump right in and support the growth! I also have the joy of serving alongside a diligent group of people who devote 4+ hours every Tuesday afternoon/evening to work extremely hard to pack and distribute 120 boxes of incredible food to the local homeless community. Every Tuesday. Wow, am I right? Wednesday evening I got to meet the energetic, lively youth who gather every week to love each other and learn more about the Lord. This week, we went to a park nearby and provided dinner for the community and anyone willing to hang out. It was cool to see middle and high-schoolers being bold and starting conversations with strangers, with a motive of love for Jesus. Friday I got to serve the community through the coffee shop at open mic night that Third Place Cup hosts every Friday and spend the night worshiping and praying at an all night prayer held in the sanctuary. At the prayer service, a man who had terrible back pain that prevented him from walking was healed. I kid you not, he was sitting in a chair, many prayed over him, he stood up and did a back bend I wouldn't be able to do. That is just one of the many healings I have witnessed this week. Saturday I got to go to a new community to feed people and talk to them. I met this really cool guy who gave me such wise advice and although he was much older, he treated me as an equal. He shared that he had a heart attack, and his son who was 7 years old visited him in the hospital for a short time before the doctors rushed him out after his dad flat lined. He died, and came back to life with no explanation from the doctors. Needless to say his thankful heart (pun intended) and respect for who God is in his life was something I can't forget. Sunday was a wonderful day where I got to pray for an hour for the church with some prayer warriors before service started. The love and joy in the sanctuary was indescribable and the unity was obvious. The crazy thing is, this is only a fraction of what the church does. They host groups of suicide survivors, offer free pregnancy tests, deep prayers, men's breakfast, women's bible study... Their service just never stops! I have been fortunate enough to watch the Amadeo community love each other and Queen Creek community through all these activities and more. Not only did I observe the obvious necessary training, but I saw God perform miracles before my eyes. That really showed me my lack of faith. It's easy to read the Bible and all the ailments Jesus healed, but to see it is a whole new story. It is possible to trust God to do mighty things, and He will. I also learned that members of the congregation are faithful to the callings on their heart and have enough trust and support in the church that they confidently share their ideas with the church, trusting they will gather and stretch themselves to make the idea reality. That is what happened with re-store, the food pantry on Tuesdays, that started out of Shelly's house years ago, and now fills the church. I could go on and on, but if you made it to this point on my long post... I'll sum up what I've learned here. 1. Prayer is everything, It is powerful and purposeful. 2. This congregation willing serves A LOT, and don't feel like they "have to" do anything. Shelly, who I work with at the coffee shop told me just today that she volunteers with no pay because running that coffee shop brings her joy and she doesn't feel stuck into serving, but she is delighted to. (that says something about how Amadeo treats their members, and about the members who are so faithful to the church and to God.) 3. Everything Amadeo has been blessed with they use to bless others. None of their resources are reserved for themselves. What they have in the moment, they will give to you. (I feel comfortable saying they when I refer to the church because they truly are unified.) 4. Rest is necessary and valued here. With everyone giving of themselves, it's important to take a break and not feel burdened. When Pastor Ben gave me my schedule my first response was, "I don't think there's enough for me to do!" But I was wrong. He was right. He put in break periods that I so need, and haven't allowed myself to have. There is just as much meaning in giving as their is in receiving and being filled by the right things. Naps have become my best friend, and have helped me serve because I want to, not because I have to. Honestly, this is just a snapshot of everything, so I will definitely blog more often so this isn't so long.. Last thing, I just am constantly reminded of the early church while I'm here and this Scripture nails all that Amadeo is: "They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signed performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47

I attend redemption on Pecos. For the last several months I have had the joy of coming to 3rd place every Monday morning for a few hours while my kids are in school. I have set this aside this time each week for Bible reading, studying, book reading, relaxation and getting away from the crazy world time. Seeing Shelly's welcoming smile and her knowing my order before I could say it was heartwarming. The atmosphere has alway s been comfy, clean, and relaxing and I have truly looked forward to my time there. All in all I felt compelled to thank you all for the gift your shop has been for me as a respite from my crazy life. I deeply appreciate Shelly's kindness, conversation, and the yummy coffee she made perfectly. I thank God for you.

"It's early in the works but I feel a stirring to do something similar on a national scale.. really have a dream to see churches from all states represented at a national conference to do similar thing...kind of a restoration of the (unified original) church. Efforts like your own make these kind of ideas possible!" ---Quote yesterday from a past visitor "missionary," to AMADEO after hanging out with us, being gone for a long while - but still moved by the work she saw the Holy Spirit doing in us when she was here.

The past year has been a tough one. however, over the past month, God has completely transformed me. I've felt the power of His forgiveness and His unconditional love for me is truly sensational. God has used a countless amount of people (including Amadeo Church and so many more) to draw me back to Him, and I am so so thankful for that.

It was unlike any church we had visited before. When I walked in I felt so welcome, like people were glad we were there. We look forward to coming back.

I love all the things you are doing to serve the community. I love how you are somehow declaring the gospel but are not preachy. I wish I lived on this side of the valley. I would love to come here.

I wanted to send you a message of thanks for allowing God to use you and your family to have such a wonderful church. I am truly blessed to be attending here. My heart is overwhelmed with joy at the love and acceptance of everyone I have met so far. The worship is phenomenal and the teaching thus far is excellent. Thank you , your family and ministry team for being such a blessing. Grateful blessings to you

You are good Pastor. Thank you for always being available to your flock. You show the love of Jesus.

Amadeo Church-- they love people through and through . We are blessed to be a part of this congregation - they accept us misfits

I've learned so much from (you guys) and I've seen my children want to serve and grow in their walks with jesus. We appreciate all you do for the Church and community.

Thank you for being a pastor who puts love above all else. Your leadership has made us excited to come to Church again.

Because you have been called to preach and teach God's Word, we have found a place to call "our Church Home and family." Thank you for being faithful.

You continuously demonstrate the Love of God. You always keep the love of God at the forefront of all you do and it touches so many. I am one who has been touched by the Love of God. God's love really does permeate AMADEO and I am blessed and it has challenged me to explain my own view and practice of the Love of God.

My 2 daughters and I moved to Arizona 6 months ago from Southern California. We have visited 5 churches around our area. And as God continues to lead us back to Amadeo Church each Sunday (during the past 3 months), we've been blessed by Pastor Ben's teaching, his family and by the love of Jesus, shown to us by the Amadeo Church family... ✝

One of the things my oldest, Chris 8, always says about Amadeo Church is this: "Ben says everyone is welcome to the table." He takes that literally as communion and the coffee shop, which is one of their favorite places to go. It always turns into a mommy/son time that is especially good for this mama's soul.

Amadeo is one of the... churches that we are encouraged by. Thanks for staying the course and being an example of the love of God.

Amadeo is one of the... churches that we are encouraged by. Thanks for staying the course and being an example of the love of God.

I want to move back to AMADEO-Land.

I just wanted to reach out to you and tell you how much of an impact you have had in my life and how much I do appreciate you as a Friend, Pastor, and Brother