14:27

(This inspiring story illustrates some ideas about mission. It shows the need to have a vision of what can be done, and also the importance of perseverance and dedication)

I came to live in the USA from Trinidad and Tobago in 1975. My wife, Renee, is from the Philippines. We met in Connecticut while both attending military school and have been married for 28 years. We have been out of the military now for quite some time, and I currently work as a senior network engineer supporting the Department of Homeland Security (U. S. Coast Guard) computer network systems. My wife works in the same department as a Program Analyst. We currently live in San Francisco, California. And we moved here for the purpose of planting a church.

I don’t think it was just my idea. I believe God chose it for me, and I just followed what he put in my heart to do. I attended the local GCI (then WCG) congregation, but I began to see that something more was needed in our area. I read an article in our church magazine about the need to start new churches in our communities. In 1997 our church participated in the San Francisco and Oakland Billy Graham crusades. It was then that I realized that these new believers coming out of these crusades needed places to meet and worship if they were to continue to learn about and grow in Jesus. Traditional and established churches might not have what they needed. They needed an environment where they felt comfortable. Like Isaiah, I said, “Here I am. Send me! Please send me!” I went to bed thinking about it. I woke up thinking about it. It was something I had to do.

I had no experience in doing something like this, but I decided to trust God to give me what I needed. I had always enjoyed teaching new Christians and non-Christians about Jesus. There was so much that I wanted to share.

Now, when people ask me what you need to plant a church, I tell them that the most important thing is love. Love for God and love for people. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). People are attracted to love. Love breaks barriers between culture and languages. It’s amazing to watch our diverse group in San Francisco praying together, each in his or her first language, reading together from different Bible translations, and fellowshipping, eating and serving God together as one Body.

On December 5, 1998, we held our first house church service with seven people: my wife, my adopted daughter, her husband and their daughter, and my two nieces. The first few years were a struggle. We had some Coast Guard military people attend, but some of them have transferred out. At times there were only three of us. I remembered the parable Jesus told about being faithful in a few things. I suppose it might be easier to be faithful in big things and large numbers. But could we be faithful in small things with the same enthusiasm? Paul’s words to Timothy, “Preach the word [of God]…in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2) were encouraging. The Scriptures lifted me up, energized and kept me going, so I stood up and preached to three like I was preaching to 20.

Today we have 36 on the rolls, with a regular attendance of 25 to 30, and the numbers continue to increase. We know God will keep it growing as he sees fit. Our job is to be faithful, whatever the numbers.

When the church outgrew our home, we prayed for wisdom in finding a new place to meet. We believe God answered our prayers with a commercial corner building, close to many bus lines, public transportation, easy freeway access, a half-mile from our home. We meet every Sunday at 11:30 a.m., and after the service we have lunch together, get to know one another better, talk about the week and encourage one another. We are never in a hurry to go home.

My wife and I enjoy meeting people of different races and culture. We want to reach out to everyone—rich, poor, all races, all cultures. Our neighborhood is the ideal place for that, and we believe it’s where God wants us to be.

When it comes to growing a church, we have learned that people respond best to a simple, personal invitation. You get to know people, and when the time is right, you invite them to come to church with you. It’s that easy. Over the years we have distributed a lot of flyers in our community, but all of our new members began attending by a personal invitation, not by reading a flyer.

If I were to do this all over again, I would do it a little sooner, without hesitation. I knew this was of God before I started doing it, but I was actually discouraged from it by some people, whom I am sure meant well. But knowing what I know now, I would definitely get started much sooner than I did.

Of course, reaching out in love is not just for new churches—it can happen in any church. But there is a need for new churches in places we don’t have them. I found that planting a church is hard work and it takes time, but I have always felt God there beside me, encouraging me, giving me peace of mind, and filling me with joy as he works through me to open doors to people’s hearts.

I remembered the parable of Jesus about being faithful in a few things. I suppose it might be easier to be faithful in big things. But could we be faithful in small things with the same enthusiasm?

In the summer of 1992, I was led to start a church at work on a military base when the chaplains were reluctant to lead regular worship. I took over and held a weekly lunchtime Bible study and a worship service every three months while doing my regular computer support job. Little did I realize it was all in preparation for planting a church in our denomination.

Today, when Renee and I see new people come to really know for the first time how much God loves them, we are renewed with joy, and we know that this journey has been worth every obstacle and hardship. It is so exciting to have the privilege to show new believers what the Bible really says about their life and their future, and to watch as God draws them to him.

I would never have known this joy if I had not followed what God put in my heart to do. You know, if you plant a tree in a place where it’s really needed, you will enjoy watching it grow. And that is how I’ve found it to be with planting a church.

If you’re ever in San Francisco, we’d love to have you come by and visit. Even if you’re not coming our way in person, you might enjoy our website at www.sfcf.org

(Our Leeds church has been consistent in its outreach throughout the 2010 and have plans to continue in 2011. They publish an article in a local community magazine on a regular basis, and are becoming known in the area)

Grace Communion Church – Leeds finished our 2010 outreach programme with a Christmas Carol service on Saturday December 18^th. After 2 carols members and visitors were welcomed by Malcolm Arnold, our joint pastor, who explained that members would read scriptures relating to the birth of Christ and then lead a carol which complemented the bible reading.

Five members then each read a section of the bible relating to the birth of Christ, led a carol which matched the reading and introduced the next speaker. A short message was given about the birth of Christ and the importance of looking forward to Christ’s return. It was pointed out that we don’t worship a helpless baby but a dynamic, all powerful, living God. The service then finished with the carols “ It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” and “ O Come All Ye Faithful”.

Afterwards members and guests enjoyed tea, coffee, mince pies and cakes. Two new people attended, making a total of 10 new people attending services over the last 9 months from our outreach effort, together with 6 past members who do not attend at present. Both guests and members commented on the friendly atmosphere and the way the bible readings and carols fitted together.

We have never done a carol service before but will certainly make one part of our 2011 outreach.

One Congregation’s Success Story in Reading Out to Young People

(It is important to see mission and outreach initiatives as ongoing learning experiences and Willard High’s account helps us see that concept clearly)

Most churches want a way to reach young people. The congregation I pastor, The Shepherd’s Community Church in South Holland, Illinois, has had some good success in doing that. We have also made mistakes and learned a lot. Let me share some of our story to help you decide what might work for you.

About three years ago a church member, we’ll call him Jim, came to me with a suggestion. Jim had experience with community sports activities and wanted to use our church gymnasium to sponsor a basketball family night. I liked his idea, and that first evening marked the beginning of our teen and family basketball outreach.

We attracted a few very good players, one of whom just stopped by because he saw the light in the gym; Matthew 5:14 in action! We set rules for rotation so everyone could play. Jim’s daughter, plus the presence of the guys, brought in girls. Jim kept a close eye on who came. Most were friends or acquaintances of those already attending, and we asked them to be responsible for their guests’ behavior.

First big mistake

Before long, we decided to separate the girls into a group for games and conversation, which was a big hit with them. We discussed a single scripture or important principle. Next, I accepted a suggestion to give the girls formal lessons on life and etiquette. This required the girls to sit for 40 minutes and had strict rules of behavior. Big mistake!

The girls rebelled! We were expecting these young people to behave as if they were members of our church. I had failed to understand, respect and appreciate the differences. Even worse, we were trying to get them to change in a group situation before they knew we cared about them as individuals.

We ended that program because it was not working. But I still had to deal with the girls’ behavior, which included rude comments, name-calling and threats of violence. This was unacceptable. I asked them not to come back until they could respect the simple rules of conduct established for the activity.

We were all sad that night. I found myself  having a pity-party, thinking about how disrespected I felt and how little appreciation the girls had for what we were doing for them. I accepted that we had miscalculated by expecting too much, too soon. But there had to be some rules.

Boundaries

Not all rules are “legalistic,” of course. If people are to work together, they must respect each other, and if we were going to make a difference in their lives, there had to be some reasonable boundaries. But I also realized that we had to be  considerate and patient. After all, we were the ones who know Jesus and have the love of God.

We had prayed as a congregation for God to send us people to help. Here was the answer.

The girls returned after a two-week cooling-off period. I never mentioned the incident again and never again tried to manipulate them into change. I got to know all their names and tried to strike up conversations every time I saw them. This seemed to work. It has been well said that people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Earning credibility

Jim had a sister who he thought could relate to the girls, so we asked her if she would help us. Gas prices had shot up, so we paid her a gas allowance so she could afford to attend. She also was able to pick up some of the girls en route to the activity, which helped her build a relationship with them.

One night while I was visiting the group, I heard her telling them, “This is my pastor and this isa church, you know.  You ask me all sorts of Bible questions. Well, the pastor is my teacher, so if you want to learn about the Bible and be with people who care about you, then come to church. If you need a ride, I guess I can pick you up.” That little introduction to church, coming from someone who had credibility because she had proved she cared, made an impact. The group began coming to church. Some of the guys wanted to be where the girls were and to see what our church was like, so they came too.

Caring

In church they got to hear the Word, share in the sacraments and experience some of what Jesus wanted for them through interaction with our members. And our congregation learned some valuable lessons about successfully reaching out with the good news of the gospel. We had prayed as a congregation for God to send us people to help. Here was the answer.

Oh sure, sometimes a few of the members would roll their eyes when the guys talked to the girls during the service or when the baby of one of the teen mothers cried in church. But the guys learned how to respect the service and the members came to love the girl and her baby; the congregation knew this was what they had prayed for.

If we wanted to be like Jesus, this was a small cross to carry. Jesus said he set an example that we should do as he had done, and he served everyone (John 13:12-17). The Spirit changes hearts; we do not. True growth and change takes place at the center of our relationships, where Jesus works with us all. It takes caring and reaching out so Jesus has the fertile ground to do the spiritual work of change in others and in us.

This might mean enduring some discomfort and sacrifice for the sake of those Jesus is trying to reach; sharing food, tutoring, homework, sports, attending activities or going to the mall. Personal interaction is necessary to get to know one another.

It must be motivated by a genuine desire to serve and help, and not because the pastor said so or because our latest “outreach” program demands it. We can’t force changes in others. Author Bill Hybels puts it this way in his book, Just Walk Across the Room:

“I believe the highest value in personal evangelism is to be attuned to the movement and prompting of the Holy Spirit and to play only the role you are intended to play in another person’s life. Second to that value (and it’s a close second) is being radically inclusive of where people are when you find them. Not recklessly condoning the sins they confess, but rather accepting them just as they are” (page 88).

Support

If you want older teens to attend church, you have to encourage and support them. We instituted a good grades incentive, which rewards our younger members for As, Bs or Cs on their report cards. The second Sunday in June is Graduate Recognition Day. Our tradition is to honor all graduates from kindergarten to certificate programs to PhDs. We make a big deal out of it with gifts, a meal after services and monogrammed Bibles for our high school graduates.

As a result of this holistic approach, students who had dropped out are now attending school and graduating. What a testimony to what God can do and the small but important part he calls us to play. Through the Mary Bellamy Scholarship Fund we give monetary gifts to help high school graduates attend college or trade school. Another member just started a college student outreach ministry to encourage the grads and keep the connection between them and the church going while they are away at college.

Genuine relationships

Kinnaman and Lyons in their book, Unchristian, encourage us to rewrite the script for the reputation of Christianity by developing accepting and genuine relationships with “nonbelievers” rather than relationships intent upon criticism and manipulation (page 88). God brings about his desired changes as we interact through loving relationships. This is the example Jesus lived, loving not only Christians, but the whole world. And of course, he gave himself for us before we ever made any changes at all (John 3:16-17; 1 John 2:1-2).

Our experience at The Shepherd’s Community Church has shown us that we must change our behavior if we are to become people who attract others. When visitors come, we should welcome them, include them in our lives and connect them to members with similar interests. In time they will want to begin serving too. This same approach works for any outreach effort to any age group.

The bottom line is that we learned that we need to be less concerned about changing people and more concerned about loving and helping them. Veteran church growth professor and consultant Eddie Gibbs once summed it up like this, “Treat people as if they were Christians until they discover that they are not.”

Whew! What a load that takes off our shoulders. We still have a job to do but now the burden is not so heavy. It’s focused upon Jesus and his ministry, and as he said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). This is as true of ministry as it is of salvation.

Jesus values every person. He is the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one that was lost (Luke 15:1-10). No one is lost to God, of course, but they are lost to themselves. They are sheep who have no idea there is a Good Shepherd out there. They have no idea where they can find safety, water and food, but by the grace of God and with his love flowing through us, our churches can be safe havens for them.

Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I may remember some of it. Involve me and I’ll remember it forever. (Chinese Proverb)

(Many pastors stress the importance of involving all age groups in church life)

In the Watford congregation we have provided Bible lessons for our children for many years, recently extending this to the under 5’s which proved a great success for the children and their parents alike. We look to provide a welcoming, fun and safe learning environment for any child, any age.

We endeavour for lessons to be unique, surprising and enjoyable. As the proverb above states, we feel children learn best when the lessons are hands-on; one child when acting out Paul escaping from Damascus down a city wall in a basket, still sees himself as Paul and remembers being lowered; One of Paul’s journey’s and shipwreck were taught by making and sailing our own model sail boats, charting the journey on a large map of the Mediterranean produced with the children’s help. At Christmas the children produced a large sequence of the story of Jesus’ birth, using their own photos in the faces of the characters to help them identify with the people in the account.

When a topic is finished, we often share our results with the congregation giving the children a sense of belonging and participation. As a result, the congregation is interested to know what the children have been learning. All the members enjoy seeing and hearing from the children and feel as though the children are valued members of the church community.

The children are the church’s future and the best way to have them in our future is to include them now. When Jesus’ disciples tried to shoo the children away, “Jesus was irate and let them know it”. He told them “don’t push these children away; don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very centre of life in the kingdom. Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child you will never get in.” (The Message Bible) And so we should bring the children into the centre of our church communities. The message we teach is simply the message of God’s love. In aiming to promote a safe learning environment, we start by appreciating each child’s uniqueness and build on that. The children encourage us to continue by their enthusiasm for our lessons, asking us when we arrive, “Is there a lesson this week?”

Whilst we are fortunate at Watford to have a good number children attending regularly, we can never guarantee at any one lesson that they will all be there. Numbers are irrelevant however - a lesson for one child only would be no less important. We hope in the future to promote our lessons to the local community and are also happy to share some of our lessons with other WCG congregations. Please feel free to contact us at Waford@wcg.org.uk if you would like further details.

For nine years Fiona and I have lived in the small village of Crossford, Fife, just north of Edinburgh.  During that time we have started our family. We now have two well loved sons, Michael (7) and Benjy (5). For the past five years Fiona has been closely involved in village life as the village newsletter editor. This has given her a place of trust in the community, and on the village community council.

Crossford Village Hall

Crossford is a small village about two miles due west of Dunfermline, with a population of about 3000 people. It boasts a few shops, a scout hall, a play-park, a golf course, a post office, two hotels and has the best kept village hall in Fife. This old village dates back to medieval times and apparently gets its name from being the place where monks crossed over a stream when in pilgrimage between Dunfermline and Culross abbeys.

Joint Edinburgh-Crossford meeting

There is something however, which makes this pleasant old village stand out in stark contrast from the others in West Fife around it. It is not just the fact that strangers will just stop and talk to you when you’re out for a walk in the spring sunshine, no it is something else entirely–there is something that is missing in village life–Crossford has no church of its own–no place for Christians to meet. God places things on our heart which simply do not go away and it is fair to say that I sat on this one for a while. Recently however, a door in Crossford has started to open, the village hall door to be precise, and a weekly prayer meeting has started on Thursdays (7 - 8pm). When the friendly hall keeper trustingly gave us our permanent set of keys, Fiona remarked, that I felt as if I’d been given the keys to the village!

Discussion after services

Once a month Perth church make the journey down and fill out the hall a bit more as we meet for a short reading and exposition of scripture, occasionally some live Christian music, and a time of sharing and prayer. We have ads in the local village newsletter (put in free as agreed by the local village council), in the local shop and now the post office. Small beginnings, but we hope that this Christian service to the village might one day grow into something bigger.

The best part of any service

Sometimes church itself comes to Crossford, this has been in the form of Perth church and the occasional joint services between both Perth and Edinburgh. Slowly, we hope that Crossford might develop a Christian heart; that the Cross might be put back into Crossford. Whether this outreach remains simply a place of weekly prayer, and the occasional church meeting, or develops into something more, it will be in God’s good time and according to his plan. Please add your prayers to mine, that God might be glorified in this village, I know that those prayers will make a difference.

Croeso!

Our Cardiff congregation, also known as the Welcome Christian Fellowship, and our West Wales congregation have launched a bilingual website. This provides readers with a Welsh translation of selected English language articles and material. Check out the site at www.wcgwales.org.uk. This is an exciting development within our fellowship. Please pray that God will use this initiative to His glory.

On Saturday the 4th April the London church began its new season of prayer outreach in Fitzroy Square in the centre of the city. Cards advertising the prayer event were handed out on nearby Tottenham Court Rd, and 25 to 35 people were prayed for. Those prayed for were invited to church, with the option of our Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning services. Please continue to remember this project in your prayers.

Reaching out to a passer-by

Fitzroy Square with Marquee

Talking to a passing cyclist

Can we pray for you?

The Coulsdon congregation hosted an early Christmas lunch for local nursing home residents at its usual meeting place in the Coulsdon Community Centre after the service one Sunday last November.

Coulsdon Nursing Home

Nine residents plus a carer and the entertainments manager were collected by car and minibus from the nursing home and treated to a three course lunch of warm bacon salad, roast turkey and plum pudding, plus wine and soft drinks. The meal was prepared by chef Keith Davis and his son Jamie, and was served by members of the congregation. There was a happy and relaxed atmosphere during the meal, and before the guests left they were each presented with a card and small gift.

Coulsdon Community Church congregation plans to continue with its outreach activities in the local community in the future.

Seven years ago we were thinking about how to reach out to our neighbours and, as it was coming up to Christmas, the thought came, “Why not give them a Christmas card?”  We obviously couldn’t cover everyone on this council estate so the 12, or so, nearest houses were chosen.

This was stepping out of my comfort zone so I was very pleased that the first year it was raining when it came to deposit them to the various letter boxes.  I was able to hide under an umbrella!   After a couple of years we thought, “Hey, we are Christians and  we ought to give them religious cards, rather than the regular secular type.”   Again, out of my comfort zone, so even though it wasn’t raining at least it was dark!

By now most of our neighbours knew we were Christians, so three years ago another step was taken and another comfort zone breached.  We included the following on a slip inside each card.

“20 Rudheath Avenue

Dear  (fill in the appropriate name),

As this is the time of the year when many are giving to others we thought we would offer our service and the service of our church to our neighbours.  The two congregations we serve in Manchester and Preston regularly hold prayer sessions and are happy to include others at those times.  If you would like us to include any of your needs, or problems, at these meetings please feel free to drop the details through our letterbox.  Alternatively, if you prefer, we could discuss them personally.

Wishing you a happy Christmas and an uplifting New Year. 

(Sign our names.)”

Feeling it the best to not include the same invitation every year, two years ago we included a sticker on the envelope.  It read “Read the Christmas story for yourself” at the top.  Then an appropriate Christmas picture, with the bottom line reading www.therealstory.org.uk    These can be obtained from the Bible Society.

Last year we repeated the prayer invitation and this year we plan to repeat the stickers on the envelopes.  The thought is to alternate these two each year unless God has some other plans for this project.

So far we have not had any requests for prayer, but as least some seeds have been sown. We have not had any negative reactions and most of these neighbours now give  us a card.  

On the weekend of the 22nd of November  Perth elder Rob Jones and his wife Fiona put together a family retreat that many will remember for years to come. The event attracted 35 people, young and old, over the course of the weekend.

Perth Life Club

On Friday Jenny Keen put together a fabulous hot pot of potatoes and minced lamb. Afterwards there were games and fellowship.  Early next day a wonderful breakfast was served, followed by the church service which was well attended by visitors from all around. Rob Jones gave the main message regarding our future in Christ while Fraser Murdoch led enthusiastically in worship. 

Perth Life Club

Following lunch Geoff Sole directed Life Club. The club had 3 excellent speeches with an added impromptu. The first speech was from Euan Denman who spoke on “our pathway in life”. The second speech was given by Nathaniel Melman on the Apostle Paul’s conversion comparing it to how S.E.P brings young people to repentance. The third speech was one of a kind from Rob and Fiona’s oldest son Michael (aged 7) on the solar system. John Woolford gave an impromptu on the subject of a black hole. At the end of club the cup for the best achievement could not be given to anyone else but to young Michael Jones for his astounding delivery of his speech regarding the solar system. The best contribution went to Emily Keen for discussing in table topics how she copes with combining life at school with her faith. The cup for the best speaker went to Nathaniel Melman, and his many years of attendance and dedication to SEP were noted. 

After much positive contribution throughout club Mr Rob Jones ended the session in time for fellowship and games followed by another excellently prepared evening meal. After dinner Zandra Varnham and John Hunt kindly organised a Ceilidh. The dances were led by Erin Jack and Zandra.

Perth Life Club

We woke Sunday morning with a wonderful surprise as throughout the night it had snowed quite heavily. The young people were quick to engage in a snowball fight. We began the day with breakfast, followed by a well organised worship service and a walk lead by Chrissie McKay through the snowy Scottish countryside. 

God certainly blessed that weekend which is to be well remembered for many years to come.