Strengthening faith

Unchained after Purdy concert

I richly enjoyed participating with the band, "Unchained," at women's facilities Mission Creek in Belfair and the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy, these last two weekends.  Jessica Parker joined us in Purdy as the PFC group leader.

Robbi Baskin, from my home Faith Church in Kent, recently joined this band and plays the keyboard and sings back-up.  Other members of the band are Chris Sherry, Jeff Reed, Homer Haynes, Terri Gierke, Kent James, Bob Steen, and leader and song writer Geoff White. 

When I am with them, I provide prayer, listening and encouragement. We nearly did not get into to Purdy because of a paperwork disruption.  Our group gathered around a table to pray to lay everything before the Lord, whether we entered or went home while Jessica and Geoff interacted with the gracious officers.  We received favor from Him and were able to enjoy great ministry.  The band rocked for two services and Terri preached  Spirit-empowered messages.

Jim Dixon

Steve Lamken

Last Saturday, I accompanied Steve Lamken and Jim Dixon for a concert at Olympic Corrections Center in Forks.  I was pleased to preach on "you must be born again," from John 3:1-16.  We saw two men make first time commitments to Christ.

Daily faith needs constant focus.  Growing Christians are supernaturally enlightened and given faith by God.  

At the same time, we cooperate with God to progressively strengthen our faith--to nourish, feed, and cultivate living faith--sanctification, the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.

“Poor coming soul, you are like the man that would ride full gallop, whose horse will hardly trot! Now, the desire of his mind is not to be judged by the slow pace of the dull jade he rides on, but by the hitching, and kicking, and spurring, as he sits on his back. 

"Your flesh is like this dull jade; it will not gallop after Christ; it will be backward, though your soul and heaven lie at stake." (John 1:47; Psa 51:6; Matt 26:41).” 

~John Bunyan minimally edited

I visit with 20-25 men each week as part of my PFC ministry at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in downtown Kent.  I meet with many through one-on-one discipleship to build up their living faith.

I often share, "Men, this is His local church as you meet together, right here at the RJC.  His church is a living organism. It lives, and grows, shrinks, and changes. Your life can change forever, here.  Your faith can get very strong.  Sometimes, you don't come because you get discouraged or conflicts develop.That is the real church.  Sometimes, it's messy. You don't all stay the same amount of time.  While you are here in this unit, you can enjoy coming to church for the first time."  

These men share with me about weakened faith.  Some think they might be Christians and recount some church attendance as a child or teen-ager.  The common cycle begins with drugs and alcohol, disruption at school that leads to dropping out, dysfunctional family relationships void of a present father.  They entered into gangs and street life all spiraling downward to jail and prison time.

If there was any church attendance and introduction to saving faith, they often chose drugs and alcohol.  Any attachment to religion or genuine church involvement was commonly through their mothers or grandmothers. Some were living with a woman and have several kids.

Faith is strengthened by standing on what the Scriptures proclaim about who God is and what He promises to do in, through, and for us.  We gain confidence as we watch Him work over time.  He is faithful. Christians meet in and around the church to encourage each other.  In the jail settings, the men can develop local churches as they meet together regularly. 



I often take them to Romans 1:4-7, 4:20-24, 5:1-3; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Hebrews 11:6.  I am providing the focused text in each passage.

"...Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,  including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ..."  Romans 1:4b-6

 " No unbelief made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised."  Romans 4:20-21

 "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."  Hebrews 11:6

Reaching high school boys

Our Faith Church Student Ministry team in Kent is working to engage our high school boys in effective ministry. We met earlier this week to discuss activities to build relationships and develop a lifelong spiritual foundation for our boys.  

We want to keep our boys!

We know a lot of youth, boys and girls, leave the church during and after high school. The statistics are frightening.  Some return. Here is one of many articles, this one by George Barna, on this huge challenge:  Teens are leaving the church



These are the most recent and most cited studies from one website by Brett Kunkle in 2009:

• 88%:  The Southern Baptist Convention's Family Life Council study in 2002 (unfortunately, I can't find the actual study and methodology)
• 70%:  LifeWay Research study in 2007 (LifeWay also found only 35% eventually return)
• 66%:  Assembly of God study (again, I can't find the actual study, only references here and there)
• 61%:  "Barna study in 2006 -- "Most Twentysomethings Put Christianity on the Shelf..."

The LifeWay and Barna studies include research details.  I’m no sociologist but from what I can tell, their methodology seems sounds. 
Here are some related studies: 

• "Spirituality in Higher Education":  The Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA found that 52% of college students reported frequent church attendance the year before they entered college but only 29% continued frequent church attendance by their junior year. 
• College Transition Project:  The Fuller Youth Institute's current data seems "to suggest that about 40-50% of students in youth groups struggle in their faith after graduation."
• "The Religiosity Cycle":  A 2002 Gallup Poll study found that church attendance “drops during the teen and young adult years.”

Conclusion: It's safe to conclude the church is losing a signficant portion of its young people for some period of time.  Even if we take Barna's lower numbers and then cut 10% off to be extra conservative, we're still talking about losing half of our young people.

Pastor Aaron at baptismal service with boys

Our youth pastor, Aaron, is focused on  "teaching them to observe (or obey) all that I commanded you." 

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  
Matthew 28:19-20
 

Are our boys disciples? Are they identified with Christ? What does their spiritual development look like as teen-agers? How can we walk alongside them to next levels, this year?

We did a Monday night Bible study with sharing and prayer, most of last year with 10-12 solid participants. I saw how active they wanted to be and so we did several activities with them.  I even let them run around the elementary school playground as part of what we did.  They ran all around the church.  Once they accidentally broke a window.  Boys are active, some are really active. 

Many others did not participate.  Many don't come and don't want to come and sit.  We are looking at groups of three with each adult leader and grow each group from there.
 
We want to expand and multiply by reaching the other "20," and their friends. One of our considerations is getting the Dads involved, as much as possible.  Many of our regular church men do not read their Bibles nor see it as relevant, either.

I want to lead a regular consistent teaching that gets my group exposed to the Biblical text with my own heart and method that moves to engagement, personal application...yes, obedience. I want to get them really active in Kingdom activity.



I am praying for:

• Pastor Aaron and our team of adult leaders
• The dads
• The boys the Lord will give each of the leaders
• The work of the Spirit to save and mature us all
• The relationships we develop  
• The activities the Lord shows us
• The teaching and methods He Himself gives us

Jim and Carol from Nebraska

Carol and Katharine at the Seattle Aquarium

Even before Katharine and I were married back on July 10, 1982, Jim and Carol started visiting us nearly annually from their various homes in Nebraska.  

Jim is one of Katharine's two older brothers and Carol is his wife.  Both have served for 37 years in United Methodist churches and administrative positions in Nebraska.

                                       

                                                  Jim and Carol on vacation

Jim and Katharine at Waterway Museum

Jim and Carol also tour to visit family members in Portland and west Spokane.  This time, we visited a museum on the Tacoma waterway and the Seattle Aquarium.  We eat out and enjoy Cutters Point drinks in Covington.  We started our relationship when Katharine and the Brewer family were living in Parkland and spending time on their family property on Oakland Bay in Shelton.

                                                 

Tyrone and Miguel at the MRJC

So, contacts at the Maleng Regional Justice Center remain very productive and I'll be returning to a full-time routine again, next week.  Tyrone should be starting his trial soon.  He has made tremendous strides since we began meeting in 2009.

Tyrone was influential to introduce Miguel to receive Christ and begin studying the Bible.  He actually said if he lost his trial case, he would begin seeking after the Lord.  That was an unusual response.  Usually we hear "jail faith type things something like "if I get out of jail... or win or get a favorable ruling... because I am innocent of these charges even though I did other things... and He gives me another chance, I'll respond to God."  

Oh yes, the Lord can use these kinds of manipulation-soaked offerings to draw men to Himself.  Occasionally, we see genuine transformation with all these trappings but not very often and these men must be warned God is not a maker of deals.  He wants men who will seek Him for who He is with all their hearts.
 
                                                  Hope and faithfulness in Lamentations
I am journeying into Lamentations, this week.  John Calvin has rich commentary on chapter 3.  Verses 17-24 lead into the often quoted and comforting verses 22-23.  Notice the sequence about fleshly and eternal hope in verses 18,21-24.  Great is Thy faithfulness! 

17 my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is;

18 so I say, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.”

19 Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall!

20 My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.

21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“therefore I will hope in him.”

I don't often turn to Lamentations for much of anything. It's a weeping look at Jerusalem after deportation to Babylon.  As I read through the Bible most years, I let the verses 22-23 stand alone.  Jeremiah's words are ever more powerful and are reaching deep.  John Calvin is more than a challenging theologian.  He was a caring pastor, as well. When all real hope in this world is close to lost or more concentrated as completely drained, the Lord's very character and promises shine as He faithfully draws us to Himself for comfort and strength.

Miguel took some significant steps but continues to attend Friday Muslim services where he can sit in the chairs, watch the services, and learn about their religion.  Yes, that is very frustrating after we've shared about Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the Ruling Master of His harvest so we share with Miguel as much as possible before he leaves for his prison journey.

                                                       Cameron and the Allen family on the road

Saturday, I am invited to Stanwood to visit Cameron and his family.  Cameron completed a year-long regeneration stay at Standing Stones in Wapato.  He lives in Arlington.  On the way home, I'll stop by to visit with Travis, Angie, Thad, and Derek Allen around their housewarming open house in Lynnwood.  Travis, Thad, and I remain in solid contact from our time together and Faith Church in Kent

                                            Robbi and Unchained in Purdy

Mission Creek

On Sunday, I am accompanying the band "Unchained" as they provide a Prisoners for Christ worship concert and message at Mission Creek Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy to pray, support, and listen.  This will be my first trip to Mission Creek.   

I enjoy weekly fellowship with Geoff White, the band leader, and have shared some with Homer Haynes, one of the lead singers.  From our home church, Faith Baptist in Kent, Robbi Baskin began playing the keyboard and singing and Bob Steen occasionally plays percussion with Unchained.

Praying as co-workers together with our pastors

“You all are partakers of my grace.” Philippians 1:7

 by Octavius Winslow

This is a second devotional by Octavius Winslow, a contemporary of Charles H. Spurgeon. Further readings by Winslow may be found at: 
Blog about Octavius Winslow

Octavius Winslow

Most true is it, that in the grace bestowed by God upon a Christian pastor all the members of the flock share. They partake of that which belongs to him. All the grace with which he is enriched- all the gifts with which he is endowed- all the acquirements with which he is furnished- all the afflictions with which he is visited- all the comforts with which he is soothed- all the strength with which he is upheld- all the distinction and renown with which he is adorned- belong alike to the Church over which God has made him an overseer.

There is in the pastoral relation a community of interest. He holds that grace, and he exercises those gifts, not on account of his own personal holiness and happiness merely, but with a view to your holiness and happiness.

 You are partakers with him. You are enriched by his “fatness,” or are impoverished by his “leanness.” The degree of his grace will be the measure of your own; the amount of his intelligence, the extent of yours. As he is taught and blest of Christ, so will you be.

The glory which he gathers in communion with God will irradiate you; the grace which he draws from Jesus will sanctify you; the wealth which he collects from the study of the Bible will enrich you. Thus, in all things are you “partakers of his grace.” How important, then, that on all occasions he should be a partaker of your prayers! Thus your own best interests are his strongest plea. Your profit by him will be proportioned to your prayer for him.

To the neglect of this important duty much of the barrenness complained of in hearing the word may be traced. You have, perhaps, been wont to retire from God’s house caviling at the doctrine, dissecting the sermon in a spirit of captious criticism, sitting in judgment upon the matter or the manner of the preacher, and bitterly complaining of the unprofitableness of the preaching. With all tender faithfulness would we lay the question upon your conscience, “How much do you pray for your minister?” 

Here, in all probability, lies the secret of the great evil which you deplore. You have complained of your minister to others (alas! how often and how bitterly, to your deep humiliation be it spoken); have you complained of him to the Lord?

Have you never seriously reflected how closely allied may be the deficiency in the pulpit, of which you complain, to your own deficiency in the closet, of which you have not been aware? You have restrained prayer in behalf of your pastor. You have neglected to remember in especial, fervent intercession with the Lord, the instrument on whom your advancement in the divine life so much depends.

You have looked up to him as a channel of grace, but you have failed to ask at the hands of Jesus that grace of which he is but the channel. You have waited upon his ministrations for instruction and comfort, but you have neglected to beseech for him that teaching and anointing, by which alone he could possibly establish you in truth, or console you in sorrow. You have perhaps observed a poverty of thought, and have been sensible of a lack of power in his ministrations; but you have not traced it in part to your own poverty and lack in the spirit and habit of prayer in his behalf.

You have marveled at, and lamented, the absence of sympathy, feeling, and tenderness in the discharge of his pastoral duties, but you have forgotten to sympathize with the high responsibilities, oppressive anxieties, and bewildering engagements inseparable from the office which your pastor fills, and in which he may largely share, often “under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.” 

Thus in a great degree the cause of an unprofitable hearing of the word may be found nearer home than was suspected. There has been a suspension of prayer and sympathy on your part, and God has permitted a suspension of power and sympathy on his.

Winslow on pastors in the local church

Octavius Winslow

“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” Romans 15:30

"There are many weighty and solemn considerations which powerfully plead for the prayers of the Church of God, in behalf of her ministers and pastors. 

The first which may be adduced is- the magnitude of their work. A greater work than theirs was never entrusted to mortal hands. No angel employed in the celestial embassy bears a commission of higher authority, or wings his way to discharge a duty of such extraordinary greatness and responsibility. 

He is a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ- an ambassador from the court of heaven- a preacher of the glorious gospel of the blessed God- a steward of the mysteries of the kingdom. 

Properly to fill this high office- giving to the household their portion of food in due season- going down into the mine of God’s word, and bringing forth to the view of every understanding its hidden treasures- to set forth the glory of Emmanuel, the fitness of His work, and the fullness of His grace- to be a scribe well instructed, rightly dividing the word of truth- to be wise and skillful to win souls, the grand end of the Christian ministry- oh, who so much needs the sustaining prayers of the Church as he?

Secondly. The painful sense of their insufficiency supplies another affecting plea. Who are ministers of Christ? Are they angels? Are they superhuman beings? Are they inspired? No, they are men in all respects like others. They partake of like infirmities, are the subjects of like assaults, and are estranged from nothing that is human.

As the heart knows its own bitterness, so they only are truly aware of the existence and incessant operation of those many and clinging weaknesses of which they partake in sympathy with others. And yet God has devolved upon them a work which would crush an angel’s powers, if left to his self-sustaining energy.

Thirdly. The many and peculiar trials of the ministry and the pastorate ask this favor at our hands. These are peculiar to, and inseparable from, the office that he fills. In addition to those of which he partakes alike with other Christians- personal, domestic, and relative- there are trials to which they must necessarily be utter strangers. And as they are unknown to, so are they unrelievable by, the people of their charge.

With all the sweetness of affection, tenderness of sympathy, and delicacy of attention which you give to your pastor, there is yet a lack which Jesus only can supply, and which, through the channel of your prayers, he will supply. In addition to his own, he bears the burdens of others. 

How impossible for an affectionate, sympathizing pastor to separate himself from the circumstances of his flock, be those circumstances what they may. So close and so sympathetic is the bond of union- if they suffer, he mourns; if they are afflicted, he weeps; if they are dishonored, he is reproached; if they rejoice, he is glad.

He is one with his Church. How feelingly the apostle expresses this: “Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of how the churches are getting along. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?” 

To see a Christian pastor, in addition to his own personal grief, borne often in uncomplaining loneliness and silence, yet bowed down under accumulated sorrows not his own- others looking to him for sympathy, for comfort, and for counsel- is a spectacle which might well arouse in behalf of every Christian minister the slumbering spirit of prayer. We marvel not to hear the chief of the apostles thus pleading, “Brethren, pray for us.”

real or just professing repentance

 "I just can't believe it," Malcolm  whispered to me.  I entered his unit at the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent just as he received a report from a community corrections officer that reflected most recent violations while he was out for just one week.

This time, I just listened and asked questions.  I wanted him to get out his feelings and responses in a safe place. I listened more.  In the times we met over the past weeks, I don't a recognize repentant spirit.  He isn't doing anything wrong and the people he is doing it with are agreeable.  He has his Bible with him but isn't connecting, yet.  He "says" he is a Christian.  Charles Spurgeon called this kind of man "a professor."

I distribute tracts and sermons by J. C. Ryle.  I am reading an entire sermon on Luke 13:3 and repentance for myself, this weekend.

Repent or Perish

"1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them,“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

On Friday afternoon, 1:45-3:15, I substituted for Mary Ann Morbley as the MRJC "proctor" for the Muslim service.  Since the Muslims only bring one person to their service, we provide a second person so they can have their services.  The service allows for men to actively participate on a sheet laying on the floor and others to observe and ask questions at the conclusion of the service.

I don't do this service often but I am amazed how some of our men, including this particular time, who are actively involved in Bible study and appear to be Christians attend these services.

The eman spoke very carefully about amassing as many good works as possible to balance the bad things before you die and so enter heaven.  I was pleased to hear the actual teaching so I might know how to respond to a Muslim should I get a chance to share and to other men who are confronted with Muslim teachings.

Five marks of true repentance

By J. C. Ryle

True repentance is never alone in the heart of any person. It always has a companion—a blessed companion. It is always accompanied by lively faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Wherever faith is, there is repentance; wherever repentance is, there is always faith. I do not decide which comes first—whether repentance comes before faith, or faith before repentance. But I am bold to say that the two graces are never found separate, one from the other.

J. C. Ryle

Five things repentance produces

Knowledge of Sin 

 They discover, to their surprise, that in thinking themselves a “good sort of person,” and a person with a “good heart,” they have been under a huge delusion. They find out that, in reality, they are wicked, and guilty, and corrupt, and evil in God’s sight. Their pride breaks down. Their high thoughts melt away. They see that they are a great sinner. This is the first step in true repentance.

 

Sorrow for sin

The heart of a repentant person is touched with deep remorse because of their past transgressions. They are cut to the heart to think that they have lived so madly and so wickedly. They mourn over time wasted, over talents misspent, over God dishonored, over their own soul being injured. The remembrance of these things is grievous to them. The burden of these things is sometimes almost intolerable. When a person sorrows like this, you have the second step in true repentance.

 Confession of sin 

The tongue of a repentant person is loosed. They feel they must speak to that God against whom they have sinned. Something within them tells them they must cry to God, and pray to God, and talk with God, about the state of their own soul. They must pour out their heart, and acknowledge their iniquities, at the throne of grace.

They carry a heavy burden within them, and they can no longer keep silent. They can keep nothing back. They will not hide anything. They go before God, pleading nothing for themselves, and are willing to say, “I have sinned against heaven and before You—my iniquity is great. God be merciful to me, a sinner!” When a person goes thus to God in confession, you have the third step in true repentance.

 Breaking off from sin

True repentance shows itself in a thorough breaking off from sin. The life of a repentant person is altered. The course of their daily conduct is entirely changed. A new King reigns within their heart. They put off the old man. What God commands they now desire to practice; and what God forbids they now desire to avoid. 

They strive in all ways to keep clear of sin, to fight with sin, to war with sin, to get the victory over sin. They cease to do evil. They learn to do well. They break off sharply from bad ways and bad companions. They labor, however feebly, to live a new life.

 Deep hatred of sin

True repentance shows itself by producing in the heart a settled habit of deep hatred of all sin. The mind of a repentant person becomes a mind habitually holy. They abhor that which is evil, and cleaves to that which is good. They delight in the law of God. They come short of their own desires not infrequently. They find in themselves an evil principle warring against the spirit of God. 

They find themselves cold when they would be hot; backward when they would be forward; heavy when they would be lively in God’s service. They are deeply conscious of their own infirmities. They groan under a sense of indwelling corruption.  

But still, for all that, the general bias of their heart is towards God, and away from evil. They can say with David, “I count all Your precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every false way” (Psalm. 119:128).

Transition from Fort Macleod to Kent

From FM to home, now

Our FSM missions trip to Fort Macleod was a higher spiritual mountain than I ever realized for me.  We saw the Lord work mightily in us, first. Then He worked through us.  The Lord ministered to us. The host church and youth in FM ministered to us. The many hosts at the Alliance Church were humble servants.  I enjoyed several heart talks with Pastor Ralph. 

Jeff Jacobsen asked or reflected on what the short and long-term results will look like at the Alliance Church.  We are praying with them.  

I am praying with Pastor Ralph, Gerri-Jo and for all the youth there--Cheyenne, Ty, Sam, Gillian, and so many more. Cheyenne became part of our team and I really missed her on the trip home and even on Sunday.  

Or, my commitment is to pray and I am asking the Lord to give me the strength to do it otherwise I will have only great intentions like in so many other areas and it will slip into a back burner experience.

I have a whole other set of faith prayers.  What will the results look like in my own life and then with our Faith Student Missions group at our home Faith Church?  The idea we are focusing on with our youth now in transition is follow-through on Mission 51.  We are home, now.  I am home.  I head right back down to the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, today, recharged to see what the Lord has for me there.

One scene stays in my mind as we drove away from FM.  The area where we shared testimonies in Centennial Park was quiet and empty.  Who might use the model we employed there after we leave?  Will we be able to do the same kind of ministry at Lake Meridian?  What will our student outreach become here?  What real growth and change will we see with our own youth with their peers in church and at their high school missions settings?

Right at Faith Church, we began our own Mega Sports Camp VBS, last night, with our volunteer training and walk-through.  We already have 300 pre-registered.  I am praying for the Lord's increase.  We may even need more help from volunteers over and above the amazing team that gathered with Angie Swanson, last night.

The theme for me is very timely, "Go the distance," from 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

Go the distance!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."

So, the faithful work continues and right with our youth.  One very caring mother shared with me about her son's journey.  I had been thinking and praying for him, even on the trip to Alberta.  I asked the Lord, why wasn't he with us?  What's goin' on with him?  I started to find out, Sunday night.  I was in tears within my heart.  That was very good.

It's not about all those other kids in Canada where we just left.  I am praying with them, too. The Lord is working out His glorious purposes in my own life and with us, right here.  We are His servants where He has us planted right here.

Friday testimonies in the park

Alliance Church

Our teams finished VBS ministries at the Anglican and Alliance Churches, Friday.  The Anglican team helped with snacks, games, and encouragement.  There ended up being 16 students most of the week.  

The Alliance VBS started from scratch Sunday and we started with 7 and finished with 32.

We will be reuniting with the Pincher Creek team and beginning our trek back to Kent beginning Saturday morning. 

VBS in two churches

Our Anglican VBS team was Dawna Mitchell, Jordan Kelly, Nathan Ruter, and Camden Hartliep.  I was proud of our team because they were away from their peers and they served with a joyful spirit.  Each of them jumped right in with the kids through every part of the program with everything they were asked to do.  This VBS was run by most senior adults who really care about kids and expressed genuine appreciation for our kids.  The theme was, "Jungle adventure."  They were faithful to lead the kids right out of the box.

The Alliance VBS was based on a "Gospel Journey" theme with Mikayla Kagle and Jeff Jacobsen taking the lead.  Our youth team was equally awesome and was blessed by several Fort Macleod teens who jumped right in to support the work. Our kids canvassed the community throughout te week to support the Alliance VBS and the evening Centennial Park outreach and after-party back at the church.

Roles at Alliance VBS:

Tabitha Lovell and Sarah Blair: crafts, skits, song motions

Christine Benner: teaching, support Mikayla, crafts, song motions

Derek Allen and Austin Sisley: teaching

Brandon Haynes: games

Luke Jacobsen: led music with guitar
Beck Denney: skits

The themes were:

God created us to be with Him.  Genesis 1:27  Creation story

Our sins separate us from God.  Romans 3:10-11 Cain and Abel story

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds.  Ephesians 2:8-9 

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again, 1 Cor. 15:3-4   Resurrection

Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life

     and

Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever.  John 3:16 Nicodemus and Jesus story

Rodeo clean-up

Our kids picked rocks, moved dirt, cut back plants, painted, mowed, cleaned and swept in the pavilion, and picked up garbage Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at the Midnight Stadium rodeo grounds.  Today, a group served at a church family home to do clean-up.

Park outreach

Tonight, we hosted about 20 FM youth who enjoyed volleyball, frisbee, and steal the flag, and just hangin'.  Then, we had testimonies from our team--Luke Jacobsen, Austin Sisley, Nathan Ruter, and Chris Dellicker.  Each of our kids spoke during the nightly sessions about tehir struggles, journeys, and how they are looking at where tehy are at with Jesus.  

Pastor Ralph from the Alliance Church pulled me aside after the time at Centennial Park to share that two messages, one on Monday and another tonight, revealed deep struggles that led some to strongly consider suicide.  A particular FM adult was profoundly touched by what each shared. 

Then, there was the last youth from our team to share in Nathan Ruter.  Nathan shared with amazing clarity and force that brought me to tears.  He shared about being deeply impacted by alcoholism in a very close female person in his life. He was wounded and betrayed.  The Lord brought him face-to-face with 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 as he experienced and gave the love of Jesus toward the special one and others all around him.

The way of love

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-2

Sharing the greatest news ever

I was blessed to share the gospel good news with Sally and Tim, both 15 year-old Fort Macleod students who are connected with our youth at our evening outreaches at Centennial Park and are staying for our after-parties at the Alliance Church.

I woke about 6:10 this Thursday morning and was sitting in a fellowship area when Sally came down the stairs. I didn't know why I was just sitting there except to wake up and enjoy the quiet of the morning.  We introduced ourselves and began to talk.

                                      Sally

Sally attends a Mormon stake house in town but immediately said she didn't believe, "I shouldn't be forced to have babies to fill heaven and especially if my husband turned out to be an evil man."  Later, she asked, "Won't my good works get me to heaven?"

There are two stake houses in Fort Macleod, population 3,600, that serve four LDS services with 2,000 for the surrounding area.

Astounding!  This was a Divine Appointment.  I began to pray and asked if she would like to read some Bible verses with me.  I collected two NIV Bibles and I had her read with me through Romans 1:16-17, 3:10-11 and 21-24, 4:4-5, 5:6-8, 6:23, 8:1, 10:11-13 and 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

Several times the issue of good works is addressed within those verses.  She was on the brink of tears throughout our precious time together.  

She understood and received the truth and clearly embraced the Good News for her life.  She made some kind of decision for Christ at 13. Her parents were very angry as they attend the FM stake house. She cannot read a Bible at home nor attend a Christian church, now. Sally's response was very genuine.  I am entrusting Sally's care to our Great God, the Lord of the harvest. 


I had her start a personal letter to God about where she has been and where she stands, right now.  She shared she finished it and was rejoicing amazed when she reread it later in the day.  Sally shared throughout the day with several of our youth group, Pastor Aaron, and the FM youth about the step she took to receive Christ.  I am just jumping up and down in astounding joy!


                                            Tim

I enjoyed a real outstanding conversation with Tim's step-mom earlier this week and we saw each other at breakfast, this morning.  Tim also comes to Centennial Park and our after parties.  He is very friendly and agreed to come apart tonight and share with me on a park bench. Tim is warm and has a friendly, inviting smile.

When Tim appeared at the park this evening, Jeff Jacobsen and I prayed for our outreach and my heart to speak with Tim.  He shared very openly about his family and his dad's very recent threatening stroke that was very similar to my own dad's situation in 1980. 

Prayerfully, I addressed the issue of faith and addictions which he shared earlier in the week with our large group.  He listened carefully as we read Romans 4:20-24, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and John 1:12-13. 

He stumbled over believing God would forgive his sins and knowing he will continue to sin regularly.  I talked about life and faith being a long journey.  The Lord Jesus is faithful to catch him and hold him safely throughout life.  We left it with 1 John 5:11-12.  The Lord impressed on me He Himself is working around Tim and I should leave him with, "he who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son does not have life."

I shared, "Every man, woman, boy and girl either has the Son or does not have the Son, Tim.  It doesn't appear you have the Son so you don't have life.  That can change, right now. You don't need me to make that decision.  You can surrender to Jesus and receive Him."  

His journey continues.  I may see him Friday evening.

                             Family time with FM youth

Jeff Jacobsen and I hosted four FM youth this afternoon and encouraged them with their own awesome youth group and their personal spiritual journeys.  Tonight, Judy, one of the four, came in at the after-party and prayed with Mikayla about taking huge steps in her commitment to Jesus.

Family time with our FM team

The entire team enjoyed building each other up at our family time this afternoon in the sanctuary of the Alliance Church as part of our Faith Student Ministries mission in Fort Macleod.

Pastor Aaron gathered our team after lunch to communicate what we are seeing the Lord do through each of our team and then to connect with one another about needs we are sensing.  As this is Wednesday, it is the middle of the week so we want to keep focused as we seek to finish faithfully.

Here are reflections on each of our team members:

Austin: sensitive to others, growing as he teaches the Bible stories

Derek: willing to stick with projects, listener to peers, searching

Brandon: servant leader in painting at Rodeo Midnight Stadium, growing

Luke: enjoys having awesome fun, sensitive, smiling, leads music

Nathan: kids just love him, jumps right in at Anglican Church, all-star

Camden: "Mr. Awesome" with boys in soccer at Anglican Church, all-star

Dawna: Growing great heart for children, leading games at Anglican Church, all-star

Jordan: Runs out to talk with community teens, joyful, kids love her, all-star

Sarah: listener, doing skits with Becky and Tabitha, coming out in Christ

Christine: dependable, servant-leader whenever asked, relates well to all

Tabitha: ear to relationships and group, loves skits, cares deeply

Becky: bubbly, enthusiastic, loves everyone, connects with community teens

Mikayla: servant leader at VBS, connects with girls, genuinely sensitive to all

Jeff: faithful and active prayer warrior, currency manager at VBS, connecting with teens

Fuego: supports PA in anything he needs, cares about every member of our team

Pastor Aaron: reminds us we are dead to self and watching God do amazing things

Expanding work in Fort Macleod

We saw the Lord bring 14 to the Alliance VBS in the morning and 20 youth at our evening Centennial Park outreach Tuesday, both more than doubling our numbers from Monday, in our Faith Student Ministries missions trip in Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek, Alberta.

At the park, Dawna Mitchell and Tabitha Lovell gave their testimonies after awesome "steal the flag" and "ultimate frisbee" battles among the youth.

It was amazing to have 14 return to the church tonight for our after-party and prayer time at the Alliance Church.  We opened with worship songs and then discussed questions about genuine faith amidst real doubts and broken circumstances. Several asked real questions they are struggling with. 

How can I know God is real?

Why should I trust trhe Bible?

What can I do with my addictions?

Why should I trust Him when I am hurting because...?

Is God in control of the bad things? 

PA tried to answer their questions the best he could.  Once, a young lady asked a question and took off to take a phone call.  Where did she go?  I thought she had a question.  Maybe another one needed to think through the answer and hear what PA or somebody else said.

The Pincher Creek team is running full-speed, as well.  Friends may follow their progress on our blog.

As these days are unfolding here, I am keeping up with and our Youthmark Roadgrip devotional.  Today, we focused on Romans 12.  We are experiencing great things from the Lord yet I can choose to be so self-focused.  That could be minutes after I witnessed Him do awesome things.

He would have me daily, moment by moment, give myself to Him as a living sacrifice.  Romans12:11 says, "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." 

I spent the day reminding myself, meditating on a fervent spirit to serve Him with joy and gladness. 

Again, we spent the afternoon cleaning and painting at the Fort Macleod Rodeo Grounds.  I worked with Brandon Haynes, Becky Denney, Dawna Mitchell, and Sarah Blair to paint the riding shoots red inside the pavilion.

Packed Monday in Fort Macleod

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Fort Macleod--Today, we watched Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada after he ate lunch at an Italian restaurant and his body guards came over to the Igloo ice cream restaurant.  His party got in their SUVs and were in and out of town.

I enjoyed an awesome sharing time with Pastor Ralph Light from the Alliance Church, this morning.  Ralph and his congregation are feeding us three awesome meals and even snacks a day.  Some of the youth are faithfully joining us for many of our activities.

All of the kids have been astounding.

On this Monday, we started our Alliance VBS with seven kids run by our Mikayla and our students.  I took Dawna, Jordan, Nate, and Camden over to the Anglican Church to support their VBS. I was super, super proud of them! At the Alliance Church, we are praying for a huge breakthrough from the community that would build up God's Kingdom and the Alliance Church.  The Anglicans can support a maximum of 36 kids.

We picked rocks  on this grandstand area

After lunch, we went immediately to the FM rodeo grounds for clean-up all around the facility inside and out.  We went to the Igloo right after returning from the rodeo.

After dinner, we rejoiced to have eight high schoolers from the community join us for games, pop and chips, testimonies from 6:30 to 8:30 and then an after-party with them at the Alliance Church until 10 pm.

Beginning in Fort Macleod

Crowsnest Pass, Canadian Rockies

There isn't a photo that does justice to the glory of God in His creation as we drove into the Canadian Rockies on our Faith Student Ministries mission trip to Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod, Alberta on Saturday.

Our teams are settled now, 11 in PC and 18 in FM, ready to begin VBS and contact with youth in both towns on Monday.

We traveled to Spokane Friday night and stayed in a beautiful family home of he Sundin family.  Our kids were amazed by God's goodness to us through their amazing hospitality. 

Our travel time seemed significantly longer from Spokane to our Alberta destination Saturday morning.  Despite that, we were all stunned as we drove through the Canadian Rockies in southwestern Alberta.  

Our kids have been awesome.  The FM Alliance Church youth and overall body greeted us with genuine warmth.  Today, we attended church, prayer walked with some of the FM youth, and prepared for our newly-planned VBS.

Please pray for:

1. Our intercession around brokenness in FM.

2. Continued enthusiasm to engage with the youth.

3. VBS and outreach to community youth.

4. My gentleness in serving with our FM team.

5. Our hearts to abide in the word and to pray for what He is doing all around us here.

Together now to Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek

Our Acts study

This coming Thursday night and Friday morning, I will be participating in our Faith Baptist Church Together youth missions trip to Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, from July 9-15.

This missions trip is organized through Youthmark.  Several months ago, a group of about 30 adult leaders and students attended a training with several other area churches led by Brian Aaby, Youthmark founder, at Lake Retreat in Ravensdale.  

Fort Macleod team
Leaders:  Youth Pastor Aaron Bauer, Chris Dellicker, Mikayla Kagle, Jeff Jacobsen, and me.


Students:  Derek Allen, Camden Hartliep, Nathan Ruter, Luke Jacobsen, Brandon Haynes, Austin Sisley, Christine Benner, Kristina Neff, Jordan Kelly, Tabitha Lovell, Dawna Mitchell,  Sarah Blair, Becky Denney


Pincher Creek team
Leaders: Youth Pastor Aaron Bauer, Assistant Youth Pastor Topher Lindstrom, Justin Blair, Michele Denney, Christie Brakke


Students: Abbey Swanson, Lanh Watkins, Katherine McDonald, Sarah Jo Jones, Tiegan Heald, Kristen Haynes, Billy Denney, Will Amodie

Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod

We worked through "Anywhere,"  a Bible study in Acts to prepare us for this trip. We've focused on the themes during our Sunday morning Sunday School classes.

I've been mediating and praying through Ephesians 3:14-21 for each of us and this missions trip.

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

We are preparing by praying and developing our testimonies. Sharing a testimony is a gospel conversation with listening and questions led by the Holy Spirit.

                         Our basic itinerary
                                  Travel 
 

Gather at Faith Baptist Church Thursday night
Leave very early Friday morning from Faith Baptist Church
Travel information: 619 miles on I-90 east through northern Idaho and into southwest Alberta and east to Pincher Creek and Fort Macleod

--11 hours, 13 minutes actual driving time to PC and then FM
Arrive Friday night with dinner at FM Alliance Church
Return after breakfast Friday, July 15

                                         Schedule during the week 

• Sunday morning: Music and introductions in worship services
• Monday-Friday, 9-noon, Serve in Daily VBS in FM and PC churches
• Afternoons: Paint rodeo grounds in FM and other project
• Evenings: Outreach to community and fellowship with host church youth--this is where we all share gospel conversation-testimonies.