There is value in God’s people coming together as a community of believers to study His Word.  It is good to step away from the hurried nature of our lives and step into a discipleship setting where believers are equipped.  I love to be on our campus on Wednesday nights and watch the children run and play – and I love it more when I see them reciting Scripture through our AWANA program.  I love to see our Youth come together and worship through song and Scripture.  I love to see our adults enjoy fellowship with each other as they learn together.

Sunday mornings are fantastic – and I love to preach.  Our church has been blessed and is successful by all measurable growth numbers.  In fact, later this month Lee Park will be listed as one of the fastest growing churches in America by Outreach Magazine.  However, as I grow in the ministry – I appreciate more and more – the value of growing believers.   That sort of growth is not limited to Sunday mornings and is not qualified simply by attendance numbers.

Here’s our schedule on Wednesday nights in the fall.

5:00 – 6:30 – Dinner

6:30 -  Link Classes (Small Group Bible Studies) and Worship Choir Practice

Classes:

AWANA (Children) – The Advance (Youth) – Ladies Bible Study – Men’s Bible Study – Heirs Together (Couples) – Basics of Theology – Apologetics.

See you at church!

I don’t typically enjoy details.  They force a Big Picture Guy to have to answer questions that take the focus of the more interesting Big Picture he has created.  Details can erase part of the Big Picture and even make parts of the Big Picture less attractive.  However – when scheduling events in the ministry I have learned… the devil is in “the absence of” the details.  A service that is supposed to honor the risen Christ is worthy of our attention to details.

For the past 10 months there has been some degree of planing for our September 11th outdoor service – Freedom United.  We have done outdoor events before but not with this many moving parts – Downtown Monroe – Worship Service – Local Restaurants – Amusement Park Rides – along with being a part of the City of Monroe’s event later in the day.  Every section of the day has a subsection – and every subsection has an abundance of details.  If they aren’t addressed – 3,000 people will be outside for a service that will not honor Christ but rather accentuate the failings of those who are called to serve His church.  May it never be!!!

So – while I may not love them… I do respect the need to focus on details.  I’m also thankful to have a staff of men and women who understand the importance of details.  I pray He will honor our faithfulness by filling in gaps we have missed… I pray He will be honored by an excellent event.

We serve Him with excellence – because He is an excellent Savior!

Sunday was a celebration at Lee Park.  Easter services brought in crowds that went over 2,200.  The church was alive and I was honored to be able to preach the good news of a risen Savior!!!

On Monday I was privileged to speak to the High School students at Union Academy who gathered to honor the life of Phylicia Barnes.  I’m so impressed with those students and that great school.

Now it is Tuesday and I have found that I’m back in the “sprint” that is life.  Just days removed from being with people who lived an entirely different reality in a country that is vastly different… I’m now back to meetings – planning sessions – sermon preparation – soccer practices – and all the things that seem to cause life to move at a much quicker pace.

This is not to say that what happened in Nicaragua is forgotten.  Certainly it isn’t.  It is now a part of me – a part of strengthening my faith – and a part of my ministry.  I have believed and have now seen that the message of Christ works and it works in other parts of the world.  I have believed and have now seen that we are commissioned to take His message to the nations and that His Church must be accepting of this great mission.

And… while I look forward to my next mission trip – I know beyond a shadow of a doubt – that I am doing exactly what God has called me to do.

To get there… it will take a lot of work.  We saw just how much.

We were asked to help with a trench they need to build around the property.  Since this is the dry season – the ground is like concrete and we quickly discovered how difficult a job this would be.  Still, our group went to work… when folks got tired – they walked around the property and prayed for the future of the orphanage – then jumped back in the trench and got back to digging.  When we left – it was painfully clear that this project (started in 2007) is going to take a long time to complete and it is needed right now.

Following lunch – our team went to the orphanage to help with the children again.  Holy Week in Nicaragua means time off for the orphanage workers so our Youth Group moved in to help.  This is a remarkable group – in that they never tire of being with children.  This was the perfect trip for this group and I continue to be proud of the way they “Love People” in Nicaragua.

Today will be a day of sight seeing and relaxation for a group that has certainly earned it.  Thank you for your prayers… and please continue to pray for safety today and for tomorrow’s return home.

One group spent time with the orphans at the zoo.  As you can imagine, this was not anything like a zoo in the U.S. but for these children it was a wonderful experience.  There was a sense of excitement in the orphanage that carried them through the drive to the zoo – the time in the zoo and the drive home.  I’m sure the workers were more exhausted than the children.  These children are happy – the fact that they are loved in the orphanage is obvious.  They have great leadership and a great staff… it is nice to be involved with a program that has given these children hope.

Another group spent the day back in Cristo Rey.  (For information on the living conditions in Cristo Rey – check out Tuesday’s blog.)  This group finished a house for a young couple – expecting a new baby.  The mother is just 15.  This new house is just 11 X 11 but this young couple could barely contain their excitement.  Just like the house we had built the day before – having a concrete floor is a major upgrade in these homes.  Following the construction – our group spoke to them about their faith – confirmed their relationship with Christ – and explained that this free house was in honor of the free gift of salvation we share with them in Christ.  Another delivery of hope.

Our third group was a part of a worship service at Cristo Rey.  Our students played with the children while the pastor taught the parents some basic lessons in family structure.  Following his lesson – Travis (who is fluent in Spanish) taught from the 127th Psalm and explained that – “Unless the Lord builds the house… The labor is in vain.”  This message that prosperity comes from the Lord is applicable in any situation – and certainly was a perfect lesson for the people in attendance.  Following the messages – there was time for some to ask questions or share their testimonies – and others came forward to place their faith in Christ.  There is a growing sense of hope in Cristo Rey – as the message of hope in Christ spreads.

The Author of Hope continues to teach us great lessons in this land.

We went to Cristo Rey.  It is a landfill and there are approximately 2,500 families living at the landfill.

Think about that statement.

2,500 families would easily be more than 5,000 people and could be as high at 10,000.

Living at a landfill.

Without getting into all the specifics – the government in Nicaragua placed these families at the landfill and basically told them to find a way to exist.  That is not an overstatement.  The people primarily live off the trash they find in the landfill and burn the rest.  They do not have pluming and well water is a luxury that is not common.  Their homes are primarily lean-to homes with dirt floors.  They are large enough for one – maybe two beds.  They are basic places to sleep and collection stations for the things they retrieve from the landfill – that they use or try to sell.  For 6 months the land is dry and hot… for 6 months it is rainy and a mud pit.

Many on our team were in tears as we drove into the landfill.  Except for the instructions we were getting on what to do – it was quiet.

When our team got out of the van… there was an immediate curiosity from the children.  Suddenly our team was surrounded by children and then an amazing thing happened – we saw hope.

The children wanted to be loved and wanted to love us.  Our team was more than ready for the assignment and the laughter of children filled the air.  Our Youth Group – “Loved the People” for hour after hour and did so in such a way that made me proud to be associated with them.

I was taken by a small group of children to look at their homes and meet their families.  I saw living conditions that were deplorable… but I quickly found myself focusing on the smiles of the children.

My Spanish is terrible – they were patient and found great humor in listening to me mangle their language.  I knew enough to tell them that God loved them… and they didn’t hesitate to let me know that they believed me.  I was introduced to adults who also agreed with the phrase that God loved them.  One lady in particular put her hands together – looked to the heavens and said “Amen”.

Later I went off with one of our two house-building groups.  We build a house for a wonderful young couple that was 10 feet by 10 feet.  They acted as if they were moving into the nicest house on their road – and considering we provided a concrete floor – they were.  They were also believers… and with the help of our translators (Victor Santos (Pastor Miguel’s son) and Travis Hoeben) we were able to communicate with them and have prayer with them.

Cristo Rey is a horrible place.  But it is a place with with hope.  We are working with New Life Nicaragua – and they are one of the ministries doing a great work in Cristo Rey.  New Life is like most ministries these days in that they suffer for money and help – but their mission statement makes it clear that their first goal is to – “Point all men to the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Today – I saw the impact of the message of Christ in a desolate land.  His story truly gives hope to the hopeless!!!!

Arriving in Managua, Nicaragua provided us with our first look at a volcano.  The view we had from the plane was amazing.  The smoke coming from the top seemed to provide a reminder of its awesome potential of power.

Once on the ground – the view changed.  Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Latin American (second only to Haiti).  As we drove to the compound that houses the orphanage where we’ll be doing most of our work – we passed through what is a depressing scene of poverty.  It was a drive through trash-lined, graffiti-filled streets.  Many if not most of the homes we saw would have been condemned in the US.  While we were taking it in… our organizer (and member) Travis told us that where we would be tomorrow would be much – much worse than what we were seeing.

However, there was a glimmer of hope.  Our Youth worked hard and very well with each other… and after they put in a full day of work they kept that same energy as they played with the children.  Children – some with terrible stories of how they were orphaned – smiling and laughing as they interacted with our youth.

The work tomorrow will provide greater challenges – but I’m encouraged by the group we have here representing our church… and most importantly – representing our Lord.

If you are unfamiliar with this term – “The Passion” refers to the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and His death.  For many, the phrase became known from the movie “The Passion of the Christ” that came out in 2004.

I remember going to see that movie and weeping throughout.  It provided a realism that didn’t already exist in my minds eye.  I remember coming home and telling my wife that I felt guilty knowing that I would get over these feelings too quickly.  I knew that in a day or so I would get right back into the flow of life and felt as if I should hurt longer.

Of course life continues on at a breakneck pace and while I am more emotional now about His passion – I am also greatly encouraged as I grow in my faith about the passion He has for me.  I am His child.  He loves me.  His Gospel continues to reveal truth to me and the power of the Holy Spirit continues to draw me closer to Him.  I am able to go on with life – still sorry for what He had to go through – but thankful that He did and sure that He lives today!

I pray that we have a great passion for Him during this Easter season and beyond.

In Christ,

Chris

This week I want to provide encouragement to everyone involved with relationship issues.  If you are struggling – know that you are not alone (in fact you are probably in the majority) and the fact that you are seeking help is a good thing.  Don’t give up!  Your problems aren’t too big for God!  Remember – we are fallen people in a fallen world.  We are not perfect and the people we are in relationships with are not perfect.  Expect that difficult times will come up – and have the endurance to hang in there.

If you aren’t struggling (you are probably not in the majority) PRAISE GOD!  Seriously – praise Him for your good relationship.  and celebrate too.  Seriously – celebrate with those who are in good relationships with you.  A dinner – a movie – a gift – a long drive – whatever provides you the opportunity to celebrate.  Do not take for granted a good relationship – constantly work to keep it that way.

I also want to leave you with parts of an email I received today because this email has provided great encouragement for me.  This is from a woman who was on the verge of giving up in her relationship (and her husband was too).  After months of counseling – we didn’t see much improvement.  Then they simply determined that they would surrender their marriage to Christ and believe that He was able to fix it.  It is still a work in progress – but they are making progress!

Here are portions of that email:

—

Hey Pastor Chris…and Miss Becky!

I really don’t think I have a true question for the two of you, because you’ve already answered so many during our counseling sessions, but I feel like my heart will burst wide open if I don’t tell you THANK YOU!!

We had a marriage that was coding, surviving by CPR alone with only a few moments left and in desperate need of a savior.  Then we met you and Becky….a bible believing, walking, talking and teaching, pro marriage couple.  After 15 years of holding it all in, I remember coming in to meet with the two of you last year…hanging on to a marriage by a thread.  One part of me was hoping you’d say, you’ve done all you can do…..it’s time to move on, but you didn’t.  You saw me as a wife who desperately wanted to save a marriage, even through all the trauma our marriage had been handed. I remember Becky saying..”she still loves him…(with a smile on her face!”)
But there was one thing  you both said that I’ll go to my grave hearing….”in the meantime, see him through the eyes of Jesus…love him like Jesus loves him.”  Immediately it began to shift my outlook and my thinking.

I remember thinking, I’m no where near perfect, not even close.  If Jesus still sees me and loves me like that, how can I not at least try to see my husband that way?  It is amazing what perspective can do.  Every time something would come up I’d say “Lord, help me see him like you see him….but, then I’d say “Lord, love me too….because I need help too.”  It’s really is amazing how it makes you think so much differently. We both needed fixing.

Months of counseling continued on and I just got on my face one day at home and said Lord, I CANNOT FIX THIS! Please take it, take control of it all, because I’m tired.  (Name of her husband) and I discussed it that night and decided, that only He can do it, but only if we’d let Him….and then, my heart for the first time in over 10 years began to soften.

Is it perfect? No, certainly not.  Is it better…YES!!  Are we working on it?  We choose to, steadily.  We choose for our children to have US…together.  We choose happiness.  We choose to keep the covenant, despite the trials.

However, I have to thank the two of you from the bottom of my heart.  Without the two of you leading us in the right path, well, who knows where we’d be at this very moment? Your marriage helped save ours by being such an amazing reflection of God’s Word and what marriage is truly supposed to be lived out like.  We’ve never met a couple like you guys.  We laugh all the time…”Please Lord make us like Becky and Chris!…(that’s no joke either! HA!)

Our prayer is that our once crazy, terrible and impossible marriage past will continue to be refreshed, made new and be a testimony of what can happen if you don’t give up.  It took over 15 years to get here…it’s been a long time.  I guess the question for me is “how can a couple give up when Jesus never gives up on us?”

—-

I am encouraged!  I pray you are too!

In order to cover more ground – I’m going to merge a few of them together that have a common theme.  The primary issue is – “How do you live out a Christian example in the workplace?”

First let me say – I have been there and know how touchy it can be to share your faith at work.  I was a known Christian in the office and had to walk the daily balancing act like many of you do today.  When I left my job as a TV News Anchor to go full time in the ministry – I couldn’t help but wonder if I could have done more to share my faith at work.  I was fortunate to have “moments” with co-workers to pray or talk about faith issues but would have liked to have had more.

So what do you do?

Try this… treat your workplace like it is your church “Small Group”.  Most churches have some sort of Small Group set up.  Your church may call it Sunday School – others call them Home Study Groups – or Life Groups… (at Lee Park we call them Link Groups) you get the idea.  The primary goal of these groups should be to grow in the faith through the study of God’s Word.  The secondary goal should be to develop relationships with other believers – and with people who are not yet believers.  Stay with me here…  but I believe this to be true: In order for the primary goal to be accomplished – the secondary goal must be established.

The old church saying is true… “People need to know how much you care – before they care how much you know.”  A successful small group is a welcoming group and a group that will care for people no matter what they are going through.  A successful small group has people who are willing to invest in others and develop relationships that are safe and protected.  A successful small group “loves people”.

Try this at work and watch what happens.  Be known as a welcoming person who will care for people no matter what they are going through… Be known as a person who is willing to invest in others and develop relationships that are safe and protected… Be known as a person who “loves people”… and you will be known as a Christian who is legitimate.

Here’s what I believe you will find.  Other Christians who will be willing to come out of the shadows and join you in this effort.  You will find most co-workers will respond extremely well to kindness.  You will find co-workers willing to listen and even desiring to know more about your faith.  Trust God – love God – pray for His help and you will be living out Scripture and following what Christ said is the greatest commandment:  Mark 12: 30-31… “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Try these things and you will be able to say…I am the Church Small Group at my work!